Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin, Budzinski Announce $196 Million for Metro East Rail Improvements
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) today announced $196,296,401 in federal funding for the Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District for Metro railcar replacement. This funding comes through the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023 Rail Vehicle Replacement (RVR) Program, helping transit systems with … Continue Reading
May 05, 2023
Duckworth, Thune, Cohen, Stauber Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Improve Air Travel for Passengers with Wheelchairs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With disability-related complaints regarding air travel up 50 percent in the last year, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and John Thune (R-SD), along with U.S. Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) and Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to improve air travel for passengers with disabilities, notably passengers who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids. The bipartisan Mobility Aids on Board Improve Lives and Empower All (MOBILE) Act … Continue Reading
May 05, 2023
Duckworth Joins Booker, Gomez in Reintroducing Bicameral Legislation to Promote Equitable Access to Public Lands
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34) to reintroduce the Transit to Trails Act, legislation that would provide equitable access to parks, green spaces and public lands and waters. The bill would establish a grant program that would fund projects to make transportation to these spaces more accessible for underserved communities. "America's public lands and waters connect us to nature and … Continue Reading
May 04, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $480,000 in Funding from National Scenic Byways Program for Illinois Department of Transportation
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $480,000 in grant funding awarded to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) through the Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) for the rehabilitation and enhancement of the Gilbert Lake Division of the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge. National Scenic Byways or All-American Byways provide historic, recreational, cultural, archeological and natural … Continue Reading
May 04, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Federal Funds for Strategic Economic Planning in Southern Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $210,000 in federal funding to help create jobs and encourage economic development throughout Southern Illinois. This funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Planning Program, which assists communities as they develop and implement strategies to enhance their local economies. "It's important that local community and business leaders can … Continue Reading
May 03, 2023
Duckworth Introduces Legislation to Improve Energy Security for Forces Overseas, Enhance Military Readiness and Safety of Troops
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced legislation that would foster collaboration with allies and partners to improve operational energy capabilities for U.S. troops as well as partner country military forces, helping increase military readiness and minimize a significant vulnerability that can put our servicemen and women at risk. The Energy Security for … Continue Reading
May 01, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Join Colleagues to Press FDA For Timely Implementation of Ban on Menthol Cigarettes, Flavored Cigars
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and 18 of their colleagues in sending a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf, urging the FDA to promptly finalize its April 28, 2022 announced proposed rules to end the sale of menthol flavor in cigarettes and all flavors in cigars. "We urge the FDA to act with urgency to solidify and enforce the ban on these … Continue Reading
May 01, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Help Re-Introduce Bill to Get Families the Child Care and Pre-K They Need
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) last week joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA-03) in reintroducing the Child Care for Working Families Act, comprehensive legislation to tackle the child care crisis and help ensure families across America can find and afford the high-quality child care they need. The legislators were joined by 35 cosponsors in the Senate and 43 cosponsors in the … Continue Reading
April 28, 2023
Duckworth Applauds Biden Administration Decision to Sell E15 Gasoline During Summer Driving Season, Helping Cut Cost of Gas for Working Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement in response the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s announcement that the U.S. will temporarily allow the sale of E15 gasoline during the driving season this summer to help lower costs for working Americans while providing a cleaner, more affordable option at the pump: "I'm glad President Biden heeded our call to help lower prices at the pump for working families by allowing for the sale … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
Duckworth Joins Panel to Discuss Importance of Employers Supporting and Improving Women’s Full Access to Healthcare
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -?Amid Republican efforts nationwide to roll back women's rights and limit access to basic healthcare, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined a panel of women's health experts at the Business Group on Health's Annual Conference to discuss a wide variety of federal policies needed to improve women's health across the country. Senator Duckworth highlighted her efforts to help tackle our nation's maternal health crisis, including her bill that was signed into law to help … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
Duckworth Joins Casey to Introduce Bill to Produce More Accessible, Affordable Housing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, to introduce the Visitable Inclusive Tax Credits for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act to address the housing affordability and accessibility crisis for people with disabilities. The VITAL Act would increase investment in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program and ensure that developers are building more accessible housing units that are … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Help Reintroduce Legislation to Ensure Doctors Can Provide Legal Abortion Care, Protect Providers from Out of State Extremists
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in reintroducing legislation to help protect abortion providers in states like Illinois-where abortion remains legal-from Republican attempts to restrict their practice and create uncertainty about their legal liability. The Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Healthcare Act would help ensure that doctors can continue to safely provide legal abortion care and protect healthcare … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
Duckworth Statement Following President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol’s Joint Address to Congress
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement following the joint address of Congress by South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol: "It was a pleasure to have President Yoon Suk Yeol address Congress and to hear his vision for his country and the future of our strong alliance between our nations. South Korea remains a vital ally in the region and the possibilities to … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Duckworth Underscores Support for Water Infrastructure Improvements with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder of the Senate's first Environmental Justice Caucus, today met with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) leadership. Duckworth met with MWRD President Kari Steele, Vice President Kimberly Neely du Buclet, Executive Director Brian Perkovich and other MWRD officials to discuss their shared their commitment to supporting families' right to safe and reliable water infrastructure, and how they can … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Duckworth Hosts SouthCom Mayors Coalition to Discuss Priorities for the Chicagoland Region
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with several members of the SouthCom Mayors Coalition, a group of elected officials and stakeholders who advocate for the Chicago south suburban villages of Park Forest, Richton Park and Matteson. Duckworth and the leaders discussed their shared legislative priorities for the region, including affordable housing access, infrastructure improvements and economic development. The Senator also highlighted her work in delivering … Continue Reading
April 25, 2023
Duckworth, Connolly Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to IVF, Other Assisted Reproductive Technology
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand and protect access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) that millions of Americans need to have children, including Senator Duckworth who relied on IVF to have her two daughters. The bipartisan Family Building FEHB Fairness Act would require Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) Program-the … Continue Reading
April 25, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin, Kelly Introduce Two Bills to Increase Youth Employment Opportunities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) reintroduced two bills to expand and increase access to employment opportunities for underserved youth. The Helping to Encourage Real Opportunity (HERO) for Youth Act and the Assisting in Developing (AID) Youth Employment Act, which was previously titled the Creating Pathways for Youth Employment Act, will increase federal resources for … Continue Reading
April 24, 2023
Duckworth Touts Federal Funding for Stroger Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today visited John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to discuss the $863,000 she secured through a Fiscal Year 2023 Congressionally Directed Spending Request for Cook County Health's Caring for High-Risk Infants project. The funding Duckworth requested will help ensure families with newborns in the Stroger Hospital NICU receive the high-quality care needed through the purchase of new, state-of-the-art incubators, … Continue Reading
April 21, 2023
Duckworth Reacts to Supreme Court Decision to Preserve Access to Mifepristone
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court decided to restore access to mifepristone-a medication that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved in 2000, and which doctors have safely and effectively prescribed for more than 20 years until a Trump Judge's extreme and unprecedented decision to overturn a long-standing FDA drug-approval for the first time in our nation's history: "This was the right … Continue Reading
April 20, 2023
Duckworth Hosts First Veteran-Owned Small Business Surplus Summit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) hosted the first ever Virtual Surplus Property Summit for Veteran-owned small businesses. Thanks to her bipartisan Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act, which is now law, Veteran entrepreneurs can acquire equipment and property that the federal government no longer has a use for at little to no cost through the Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Federal Surplus … Continue Reading
