Press Releases
Duckworth, Tester, Nelson & Blumenthal Highlight Trumpcare’s Devastating Tax Hikes on Millions of Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) organized a press conference with Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-MT) and U.S. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to urge Senate Republicans to oppose a provision in Trumpcare that would raise taxes on millions of Veterans and make it harder for them to afford healthcare. Despite the President's campaign pledge to "ensure our Veterans get the care they need … Continue Reading
May 09, 2017
Duckworth, Cochran, Hirono Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Recognize Service and Sacrifice of Chinese-American Veterans During WWII
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) today announced a bipartisan effort to recognize the significant contributions and sacrifices of the more than 13,000 Chinese-American Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. The Senators introduced legislation (S.1050) to authorize the award of the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow-a Congressional Gold Medal-to the dedicated Chinese-American Veterans of World … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Army Secretary Nominee Mark Green
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released a statement today following President Trump's announcement that he will nominate Dr. Mark Green to be the Secretary of the U.S. Army: "At a time when our Military and our nation face growing threats from foreign enemies, our Armed Forces cannot afford to turn away any capable and qualified servicemember. Confirming someone with Dr. Green's attitudes towards Muslim, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Americans … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Senate Approval of Budget Resolution
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following the Senate's passage of an omnibus appropriations act that will fund the federal government through September, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "I'm glad Congress was able to reach a bipartisan agreement to keep the government funded, averting the prospect of a government shutdown. It's notable that this bill does not gut the EPA, defund Planned Parenthood or spend a cent on the Trump Administration's border wall. … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth and Durbin Announce Grant Funding to Support Quality Care for Medicare & Medicaid Beneficiaries in the Chicagoland Region
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a $472,840 federal grant to help a Chicagoland hospital network, AMITA Health, connect Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries with appropriate health and social services that can both lower healthcare costs and improve beneficiaries' lives. "Too many Illinoisans on Medicare and Medicaid aren't able to access the right health and community service providers that fit their needs, which can lead to … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Criticizes Republican Effort to Make it Harder to Save for Retirement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor criticizing legislation the Senate is considering that would make it harder for people to save for retirement while increasing regulatory burdens on employers. Specifically, the legislation would make it more difficult for states to help the 55 million Americans whose employers don't offer retirement plans save for their own retirements. Illinois's recently-created Secure Choice program would … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Meets with Illinois Comptroller Mendoza
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza to discuss how they can work together to advance Illinois priorities and expand economic opportunity for working families. B-roll of their meeting is available … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Calls on Airline Industry to Expand Consumer Protections for Air Travelers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following the violent and reprehensible removal of a ticketed passenger on a United Airlines flight and a series of unacceptable incidents involving American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today called for expanded consumer protections for air travelers during a Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing. Video of the Senator's remarks is available here and audio is available here. "Regardless of how a passenger is … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Army Secretary Nominee Mark Green
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released a statement today following President Trump's announcement that he will nominate Dr. Mark Green to be the Secretary of the U.S. Army: "At a time when our Military and our nation face growing threats from foreign enemies, our Armed Forces cannot afford to turn away any capable and qualified servicemember. Confirming someone with Dr. Green's attitudes towards Muslim, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Americans … Continue Reading
May 05, 2017
Duckworth Calls on Colleagues to Support Women and Families Legislative Agenda
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined President of the National Partnership for Women & Families Debra Ness at the U.S. Capitol this week to discuss efforts to support women and families at home and in the workplace. As part of her efforts to protect and strengthen women's rights, Duckworth highlighted her work to expand paid family leave, defend women's access to affordable health care and support new mothers. A photo of the event is available here. "This is … Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
Duckworth Criticizes GOP Healthcare Plan’s Devastating Tax Hike on Millions of Veterans
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following the vote by Republican Congressmen to advance a healthcare plan that would raise taxes on as many as 8 million Veterans, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "It's disgraceful that Republicans in Congress just passed a bill that would kick tens of millions of Americans off of their health insurance and force many more to pay higher out-of-pocket costs," said Senator Duckworth. "What's stunning is that … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Duckworth to Trump: Selective Service Director Makes Life & Death Decisions for Our Children, Appointment Shouldn’t Be Given to Unqualified Political Patrons
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) wrote to President Trump today expressing concern that patronage played a role in his recent appointment of Mr. Donald Benton to be the Director of the Selective Service System. Duckworth highlighted Mr. Benton's lack of qualifications for the position and expressed concern that President Trump, who received five draft deferments, appointed the first Director in the history of the agency who has never served in the … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $2.4 Million For Head Start Programs In Central And Southern Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families has awarded a total of $2,477,422 to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs at Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corporation and Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council. "Every child deserves the opportunity to reach his or her full potential, which is why it's so important that … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Help Re-Introduce Equality Act to Protect LGBTQ Americans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with 41 other Senators, to re-introduce comprehensive federal legislation to ban discrimination against LGBTQ Americans. The legislation was filed simultaneously in the U.S. House of Representatives by 194 Representatives, led by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI). "It is absolutely unacceptable that someone can be … Continue Reading
April 27, 2017
Duckworth’s Bipartisan Bill to Support Illinois Jobs Passes Both Chambers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In record time, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth's (D-IL) bipartisan bill to support Illinois jobs and support infrastructure projects is on its way to the President's desk to be signed into law less than 4 months after she was sworn in, having passed the Senate unanimously just 64 days into her first term. The bill would protect infrastructure projects from needless bureaucratic delays by rolling back a misguided U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule that enables the … Continue Reading
April 26, 2017
Duckworth Hosts Town Hall Meeting at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington
[BLOOMINGTON, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a town hall meeting at Illinois Wesleyan University to meet with constituents and answer questions on key issues, including disability rights and education. A livestream video of the event is available on the Senator's Facebook page. "I understand that many people feel like the President and other leaders in Washington aren't listening to them, but I want them to know that I'm here and I'm listening," said Senator … Continue Reading
April 26, 2017
Duckworth in First Speech on Senate Floor: America’s Prosperity & Strength Depend On Our Values
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) delivered her maiden speech on the Senate floor today, calling for a return to the shared values of equality, opportunity and inclusiveness that made Illinois and America the envy of the world while rebuking the voices in Washington suggesting a darker path forward for our country. Duckworth highlighted how these values led to signature American economic and military achievements and expressed the need to continue to lead with our values … Continue Reading
April 26, 2017
Duckworth Statement on President’s Proposal to Cut His Own Taxes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration's proposal to slash taxes for the wealthy, while preserving wasteful corporate tax loopholes: "It's hard to keep track of all the scandals in this administration but the American people should not overlook how the President's plan would enrich his family and his ultra-wealthy friends while leaving taxpayers with the bill. Without his tax returns, we … Continue Reading
April 21, 2017
Duckworth, Senators Call on Trump to Disclose Ethics Waivers and White House Visitor Logs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Amidst reports of lobbyists, lawyers, and consultants from a range of industries shaping federal policy and coming and going from the Trump administration with ease, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Tom Carper (D-DE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) are calling on President Donald Trump to reveal who has been allowed to side step his administration's ethics pledge and why, and … Continue Reading
April 20, 2017
Duckworth and Kelly Highlight Legislation to Close “Skills Gap” & Prepare Illinoisans for Good-Paying Jobs
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) appeared together at Olive-Harvey College in Chicago today to highlight their legislation to close the "skills gap" by better preparing students for careers in high-demand industries like manufacturing, healthcare, clean energy and information technology.Duckworth and Kelly recently helped introduce the Community College to Career Fund Act (CC2C), which wouldencourage local small businesses and … Continue Reading
