Press Releases
Duckworth Durbin Announce More Than $4.6 Million For Medical Research In Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $4,659,710 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) medical research grant funding for Illinois institutions. The funding will be put toward research programs across the state to support advancements in sectors ranging from maternal health care to communicative disorders. "Across the state, universities are constantly conducting the cutting-edge research … Continue Reading
August 04, 2022
Duckworth, Murray Introduce Bill to Help Women with Disabilities Access Reproductive Healthcare
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), introduced the Reproductive Healthcare Accessibility Act to help ensure women with disabilities-who face discrimination and extra barriers when seeking care-can access reproductive services and get the informed care they need to have control over their own reproductive lives. "For too long, Americans with … Continue Reading
August 03, 2022
Duckworth: Sweden & Finland as Part of NATO Will Help Improve National Security, Punish Putin
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), combat Veteran and member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the Senate passed a resolution approving Sweden and Finland's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): "As Putin continues to wage his unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, it is as important as ever to ensure our NATO alliance is as strong as possible-and I'm proud the Senate took … Continue Reading
August 02, 2022
After Republicans Delayed Efforts to Get Life-Saving Care to Veterans, Duckworth Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Expand Healthcare for Toxic-Exposed Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), combat Veteran and member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the Senate passed the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, historic legislation that will overhaul the VA's processes for toxic-exposed Veterans to include presumptions for several illnesses associated with burn pits and Agent Orange exposures to help deliver long-overdue VA … Continue Reading
August 01, 2022
Bipartisan Duckworth-Cornyn Public Safety Officer Support Act Passes Senate
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and John Cornyn (R-TX) that honors the public service of police officers, firefighters and emergency responders by supporting the families of public safety officers who are lost to trauma-linked suicides passed the Senate today and heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. "Today, the Senate took an important action to recognize that our nation must honor and support surviving family members … Continue Reading
July 29, 2022
Duckworth Joins Brown, Colleagues in Reintroducing Legislation to Fight Discrimination from Financial Institutions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and a group of their colleagues in reintroducing the Fair Access to Financial Services Act, a bill to prohibit banks and other financial institutions from discrimination in providing goods or services on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. The legislation would ensure that all people receive equal treatment when trying to access services … Continue Reading
July 29, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Press Walgreens on Policy that Fails to Consider Patients' Medical Needs and Right-to-Privacy When Purchasing Reproductive Health Products
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following recent reports that a nationwide Walgreens policy allows employees to refuse to dispense contraceptives to customers based on their religious or moral beliefs without sufficient accommodations for the rights and privacy of customers, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Walgreens CEO Roz Brewer requesting that Walgreens revisit this policy to ensure their … Continue Reading
July 29, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More than $11 Million For Health Care Research in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin(D-IL) today announced $11,061,526 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) biomedical research grants for Illinois institutions. The funding will be put toward research programs across the state to support medical advancement in various fields, from mental health research to cancer biology research. "By increasing support for medical research, we can help deliver real public health … Continue Reading
July 28, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Join Colleagues in Urging Biden Administration to Extend Student Loan Payment Pause
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Ahead of the federal student loan payment pause set to expire at the end of next month, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined a bicameral group of 100 colleagues in the Senate and House led by U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as well as U.S. Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) in … Continue Reading
July 28, 2022
Duckworth Provisions to Help Achieve Environmental Justice and Lower Local Cost Shares Passes Senate in 2022 Water Resources Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The U.S. Senate today passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022, which includes several provisions authored by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to help bring environmental justice to marginalized communities, lower inland waterway cost shares in Illinois and throughout the country, among many others. Duckworth is Chair of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, and founding Co-Chair of … Continue Reading
July 28, 2022
Duckworth Joins Grassley to Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Americans Save Money at the Pump, Improve Vehicle Efficiency
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in introducing the bipartisan and bicameral Next Generation Fuels Act to leverage higher-octane fuels to help improve engine efficiency and performance. Allowing the sale of fuels with greater octane levels would increase the amount of ethanol that can be utilized in the fuel supply, in turn lowering prices at the pump for consumers. "Right now, Big Oil is using Putin's war of choice as an excuse … Continue Reading
July 28, 2022
Duckworth Celebrates Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Boost American Manufacturing and Better Compete with China
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement after the Senate passed the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022-which would lower costs for working families, boost American manufacturing and strengthen our nation's ability to compete economically with China-by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 64-33: "Lowering costs, creating jobs, boosting American manufacturing-that's what the Senate did today, and I was proud to help pass this bill so we can keep … Continue Reading
July 27, 2022
Duckworth Joins Grassley to Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Americans Save Money at the Pump, Improve Vehicle Efficiency
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in introducing the bipartisan and bicameral Next Generation Fuels Act to leverage higher-octane fuels to help improve engine efficiency and performance. Allowing the sale of fuels with greater octane levels would increase the amount of ethanol that can be utilized in the fuel supply, in turn lowering prices at the pump for consumers. "Right now, Big Oil is using Putin's war of choice as an excuse … Continue Reading
July 26, 2022
Bipartisan Duckworth Bill to Establish Memorial Commemorating Efforts of Women On The Home Front During WWII Clears Senate Committee
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) that would establish a new memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor the contributions of the estimated 18 million women who helped keep our nation's economy and society running during World War II by working as pilots, engineers, taxi drivers, letter carriers, code breakers and more has passed out of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The Senator, along with U.S. … Continue Reading
July 26, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Officer Ella Grace French Task Force Support Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C]-Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) helped U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduce the Officer Ella Grace French Task Force Support Act of 2022, legislation that would authorize the use of Department of Justice Project Safe Neighborhood funds to support multi-jurisdictional task forces that investigate and disrupt illicit straw purchasing and firearms trafficking activity. The bill is named after Chicago Police … Continue Reading
July 26, 2022
Duckworth Applauds Launch of All Stations Accessibility Program She Authored to Help Make Public Transit Systems Accessible for All
[WASHINGTON, DC]-U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Department of Transportation (DOT) officially launched the All Stations Accessibility Program-an initiative that Duckworth led the charge to include in the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and that will provide $1.75 billion over the next five years to help build ramps, install elevators and make other improvements to ensure that America's public transportation system is actually, finally usable … Continue Reading
July 22, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More than $49 Million for Variety of Illinois Health Care Programs and Initiatives
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $49,068,220 for a variety of health care programs, initiatives, and community projects across the state. "Across the state, Illinoisans have access to incredible institutions and programs that are devoted to helping folks avoid, treat and research a wide variety of conditions and illnesses," Duckworth said. "I'm proud to announce this support with Senator Durbin to ensure … Continue Reading
July 22, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Join Smith in Introducing Legislation to Protect Access to Reproductive Healthcare Funding
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and a group of their Democratic colleagues in introducing the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act. The bill would protect access to critical reproductive healthcare services-like birth control, cancer screenings and more-by providing a consistent and strong source of funding for the Title X Family Planning Program. "In a nation with a growing … Continue Reading
July 21, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin, Krishnamoorthi, Newman Urge Surface Transportation Board to Oppose Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern Rail Merger
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-8) and Marie Newman (D-IL-3) today sent a letter to Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Martin Oberman urging the STB to oppose the Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) railroad merger as proposed because of concerns about noise pollution, blocked crossings, safety conditions, and commuter rail delays. "We write to … Continue Reading
July 21, 2022
Duckworth, Markey, Hirono Introduce Bill to Codify The Right To Contraception
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) today introduced, with the backing of over half of the Senate Democratic caucus, the Right to Contraception Act, legislation that would codify the fundamental and constitutional right to contraception, which the Supreme Court first recognized more than half a century ago in its decision in Griswold v. Connecticut. The introduction follows Justice Clarence Thomas' concurring opinion in Dobbs … Continue Reading