Press Releases
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
July 21, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $46.8 Million for Head Start Programs in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $46,851,870 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to support Head Start services for children under the age of five in receiving wrap-around support in early learning and development. "Head Start and Early Head Start programs are critical for kids throughout Illinois to have the tools they need to succeed both inside and outside of the … Continue Reading
July 21, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More than $12.2 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 $12,245,863 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, ranging from vascular diseases to mental health research. "By increasing support for biomedical research, we can help deliver real public … 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 20, 2022
Duckworth: Weapons of War Should be Banned, Not be Marketed or Sold to Untrained Civilians
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following the preventable, horrific Highland Park massacre that claimed the lives of seven Illinoisans on the Fourth of July, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) delivered impassioned opening remarks to a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on protecting our communities from mass shootings this morning. The Senator, a mother of two young daughters, emphasized that our nation's gun violence epidemic is now the leading cause of death for young Americans and … Continue Reading
July 19, 2022
Duckworth Joins Sullivan, Colleagues in a Bipartisan Request to Defense Department to Expedite Critical Military Aid to Ukraine
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and four colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, asking them to immediately expedite shipments of military equipment to Ukraine as appropriated by Congress under the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act. Passed on May 19, the act provided nearly $20 … Continue Reading
July 19, 2022
Duckworth Joins Sullivan, Colleagues in a Bipartisan Request to Defense Department to Expedite Critical Military Aid to Ukraine
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and four colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, asking them to immediately expedite shipments of military equipment to Ukraine as appropriated by Congress under the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act. Passed on May 19, the act provided nearly $20 … Continue Reading
July 18, 2022
Duckworth Joins Warren and Colleagues in Urging the Biden Administration to Declare a National and Public Health Emergency on Reproductive Rights
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and a group of 16 Senate Democrats in writing to President Biden and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, urging them to immediately declare national and public health emergencies over Americans' access to reproductive care. "As President of the United States and Secretary of Health and Human Services, you have the authority to declare a national emergency and public … Continue Reading