Press Releases
Duckworth Votes Against EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt
WASHINGTON, DC - After voting against the nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement. Video of Senator Duckworth speaking on the Senate floor for a full hour in the middle of the night against Pruitt's nomination is available here. "As someone who fought to defend this nation, I've seen firsthand the price we pay for our dangerous dependence on foreign … Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Duckworth Criticizes EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt’s Opposition to American-made Renewable Energy Programs Like RFS
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth joined several of her Senate colleagues today to outline her opposition to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nominee Scott Pruitt. Duckworth highlighted Pruitt's numerous conflicts of interest, and his refusal to commit to protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard, which helps decrease our nation's reliance on foreign oil by encouraging the use of home-grown fuel sources like biofuels, including corn-based ethanol, in gasoline. "As someone who … Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Durbin & Duckworth Introduce Legislation Rescinding Trump’s Mass Deportation Executive Order
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and 19 other Senators in introducing legislation to rescind President Trump's Executive Order on Interior Enforcement, which directed the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize the deportation of a vast majority of undocumented immigrants living and contributing to U.S. communities and attempted to cut off funding for communities that limit cooperation with federal … Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Mick Mulvaney’s Confirmation Vote to be OMB Director
WASHINGTON, DC - After voting against Congressman Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) to be the Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement: "Families in Illinois know far too well the human costs of a government failing to pass a responsible budget. After reviewing Congressman Mulvaney's record, it is clear he should not be leading the national budget-making process. His past advocacy for shutting down the government … Continue Reading
February 15, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Andrew Puzder Withdrawing From Consideration to be Labor Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC - After Andrew Puzder withdrew from consideration to be the U.S. Secretary of Labor, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "Last month, I met several workers who were denied paid leave and were required to serve and prep food when they were sick while they worked for Andrew Puzder's fast food corporation. No one should be forced to choose between taking care of themselves or a sick family member and earning a paycheck they cannot afford to go … Continue Reading
February 15, 2017
Duckworth Announces Commerce Subcommittee Assignments
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced she will serve on the following four subcommittees in the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. The assignments will help Duckworth advocate for Illinois's economic priorities like infrastructure investments that support good-paying jobs, and provide her with oversight responsibilities that range from consumer protection to the safety and security of America's transportation network to professional sports … Continue Reading
February 14, 2017
Duckworth Statement on General Flynn’s Resignation as National Security Advisor
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to the resignation of the President's National Security Advisor, General Michael Flynn, after just 24 days on the job, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement: "By reportedly misleading the Vice President-elect about his collusion with a foreign government to undermine our nation's foreign policy, General Flynn left himself exposed to blackmail, betrayed our country's interests and lost the trust of both the Commander in Chief and the … Continue Reading
February 14, 2017
Duckworth Receives Outstanding National Service Advocacy Award
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) tonight received Voices for National Service's Outstanding National Service Advocacy Award in recognition of her lifetime commitment to public service and her efforts to promote and expand national community service opportunities to all young people wishing to give back to their communities.A photo of the award ceremony can be found here. "Serving my community and my country has always been a driving force in my life and I believe all … Continue Reading
February 13, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Steve Mnuchin’s Confirmation Vote to be Treasury Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement regarding tonight's scheduled vote in the United States Senate on the confirmation of Treasury Secretary Nominee Steve Mnuchin: "Whether illegally foreclosing on thousands of families, skirting the law with offshore tax havens or helping design tactics that contributed to the 2008 financial crisis, Steve Mnuchin made a career - and millions of dollars - pioneering increasingly deceptive and predatory ways to … Continue Reading
February 13, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Dr. David Shulkin’s Confirmation Vote to be VA Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator and former Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces and still receives her own healthcare services through the VA, issued the following statement after she voted to confirm Dr. David Shulkin as the next VA Secretary: "I have been impressed with Dr. Shulkin's leadership of the Veterans Health Administration as … Continue Reading
February 09, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $1 Million in Federal Funding for Sexual Assault Prevention & Education
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $1,141,194.00 in federal funding to help prevent rape and sexual assault in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health will use today's funding to support rape prevention and education programs, as well as to increase support for counseling services, 24-hour crisis hotlines and criminal justice assistance. "This federal funding will help prevent rape and sexual assault in Illinois and … Continue Reading
February 09, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Upcoming Vote on Tom Price’s Nomination to be HHS Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement regarding the upcoming United States Senate vote on the nomination of Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Congressman Price's record of seeking to ensure millions of working Americans receive worse healthcare and pay more for it, privatize Medicare and slash Medicaid have not earned him a promotion. I was sent here to protect hardworking … Continue Reading
February 08, 2017
Duckworth, Lake County Task Force Discuss Initiatives to Combat Drug Abuse & Curb Skyrocketing Prescription Drug Costs
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) todaymet with members of the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force to discuss the importance of protecting access to treatment and ensuring that lifesaving medications that can prevent opioid overdoses remain affordable for all Illinoisans. A photo of today's meeting is available here. "The opioid crisis is devastating communities in Illinois and all across the country, and we cannot afford to lose any more of our … Continue Reading
February 08, 2017
Duckworth Votes Against Jeff Sessions for Attorney General
WASHINGTON, DC - After voting against the nomination of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to be Attorney General of the United States, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement. "America needs a forceful advocate for fairness in its next Attorney General-someone who will fight for justice for all people-not a rubberstamp for the President. Unfortunately, Senator Sessions' record andrefusal to recuse himself from voting on other Trump nominees proves he will not be … Continue Reading
February 08, 2017
Duckworth Presses DHS Inspector General on Status of Investigation She Requested Into Trump Travel Ban
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today pressed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General (IG) John Roth for an update on his office's independent investigation into the Federal Government's chaotic and potentially illegal implementation of President Trump's "Muslim ban." During a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing, Duckworth also highlighted the importance of independent oversight of the Federal Government, especially in light of … Continue Reading
February 07, 2017
With Final Court Ruling Pending, Duckworth Reiterates Call for Permanent End to Trump’s Travel Ban
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with members of Refugee Council USA (RCUSA), a coalition of 22 U.S.-based Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) with expertise in our country's refugee resettlement program and the dangers refugees seeking asylum face in their countries. During the meeting, Senator Duckworth heard from the RCUSA leaders about the critical importance of welcoming refugees and discussed the need to permanently end President Trump's "travel ban," as a … Continue Reading
February 07, 2017
Duckworth Votes Against Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC - After voting against the nomination of Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement. Video from Senator Duckworth's floor speech expressing her opposition to Ms. Devos' nomination is available here. "I do not believe the President nominated the best candidate to serve as Secretary of Education; I do not even believe he nominated a qualified candidate. I was hoping Ms. DeVos would ease my … Continue Reading
February 03, 2017
Duckworth: Trump Administration Wrong to Re-Incentivize Bad Wall Street Behavior
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement today after the President blocked implementation of the so-called "Fiduciary Rule" that would have ensured retirement advisors provide hardworking American consumers with financial advice that is in the clients' best interests instead of lining their own pockets first. Without this rule, retirement advisors are under no such legal obligation, and are instead incentivized to steer their clients towards more … Continue Reading
February 02, 2017
Senator Duckworth Meets with Habitat for Humanity, Highlights Importance of National Service
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week met with representatives of Habitat for Humanity International - a member of the AmeriCorps National Service Network - to discuss the important work Habitat is performing throughout Illinois and the importance of expanding national service opportunities for young Americans. In the meeting, Duckworth heard firsthand from an Illinoisan whose home was built by Habitat volunteers and discussed how she can support Habitat expand in the … Continue Reading
February 02, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Federal Funding to Improve Illinoisans’ Health
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a total of $855,328 in federal funding to Illinois research universities and nonprofit organizations to support medical research and improve healthcare treatment options. "This funding will support cutting edge research to help reduce substance abuse and improve treatment options for patients across Illinois," said Senator Duckworth. … Continue Reading
