Press Releases
Duckworth, Schakowsky Introduce Resolution to Expand Women’s Health Research
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) today introduced a resolution calling for an expansion of women's health research and to close persistent gaps in funding for sex- and gender-based biomedical research. This resolution also recognizes the importance of women's health in our nation's economy and workforce. "For too long, women have been historically and categorically left out of medical research-jeopardizing their health, … Continue Reading
May 16, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Applaud HHS for Prioritizing Early Childhood Education in the Metro East
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced an infusion of support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF) will be awarded to Riverbend Head Start & Family Services, Inc., in Alton for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. "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 … Continue Reading
May 16, 2022
Bipartisan Bill Championed By Duckworth, Portman, Blumenthal and Brown to Protect Infants from Deadly “Crib Bumpers” Signed Into Law
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, President Biden signed into law bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to protect infant lives by banning the sale of padded crib bumpers-which have been proven to pose an unnecessary, deadly risk to sleeping infants. The Safe Cribs Act, which was included in the legislation also banning dangerous inclined sleeper products, would make it unlawful nationwide to manufacture and import … Continue Reading
May 13, 2022
Duckworth Joins Booker, Klobuchar in Urging USDA to Address Infant Formula Shortages
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and five of their colleagues in urging the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address extremely high levels of corporate concentration in the infant formula marketplace following the recent news of infant formula shortages nationwide. "The infant formula industry has reached an alarming level of corporate concentration with four companies-Abbott Nutrition, … Continue Reading
May 13, 2022
In Visit to Metro East’s Hope Clinic, Duckworth Underscores What’s at Stake if Roe v. Wade is Overturned
[GRANITE CITY, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today visited Hope Clinic, an abortion provider in the Metro East, to meet with the facility's leadership and discuss how the clinic-and all Americans' rights-could be impacted if Roe v. Wade is overturned and a constitutional right is taken away from Americans for one of the first times in our nation's history. Duckworth met with the clinic's director Dr. Erin King and other staff to share her support for ensuring women everywhere can … Continue Reading
May 13, 2022
Duckworth Meets with Broadband Advocates, Touts New Program to Reduce Internet Costs & Expand Access
[FAIRMONT CITY, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with broadband expansion advocates in Fairmont City, including Mayor Michael Suarez, Library Director Katie Heaton and Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 Superintendent Brad Skertich to discuss her work to reduce broadband costs for working Illinoisans and highlight the newly announced Affordable Connectivity Program, which will help the more than 200,000 Illinoisans who currently lack broadband and help millions … Continue Reading
May 13, 2022
Duckworth Requests Inquiry into How the Infant Formula Industry’s Consolidation and Business Practices are Impacting Consumer Prices, Supply Chain Resilience and Public Health
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, today wrote to the Honorable Lina Khan, Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), requesting that the FTC conduct a Section 6(b) wide-ranging study of the infant formula industry. Specifically, Duckworth requests that the inquiry examines how that market's composition, along with the behavior and business practices of market participants, affect competition, … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Duckworth Joins Warren, Baldwin, Schakowsky, Colleagues to Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Crack Down on Corporate Price Gouging
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), as well as U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), to introduce the Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2022, which would prohibit the practice of price gouging during all abnormal market disruptions - including the current pandemic - by authorizing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general to enforce a federal ban against unconscionably … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
Duckworth Joins Gillibrand and Colleagues to Urge Defense Secretary Austin to Protect Abortion Rights for Service Members
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-Following the publication of the draft majority opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) and six Senate colleagues in writing a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin urging him to act proactively to protect service members' abortion rights. If the draft opinion goes into effect, hundreds of thousands of troops, dependents and DoD civilians stationed in states that ban abortion will lose access to … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
Duckworth Chairs SASC Airland Subcommittee Hearing on Army Modernization
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, led a subcommittee hearing on Army modernization in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2023. Witnesses included Mr. Douglas Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology; Lieutenant General James Richardson, Deputy Commanding General, Army Futures Command; and Colonel Christopher Grice, Director of … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
Duckworth on Republicans Blocking Legislation to Protect Women’s Constitutional Rights to Choose
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement after Senate Republicans once again blocked the House-passed Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA), which would help protect women's constitutional right to choose, from moving forward in the Senate: "As states and courthouses across the country systematically undermine women's autonomy over their own bodies-and with the Supreme Court appearing ready to overturn Roe-it is utterly appalling that Senate … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
Duckworth, Rush Reintroduce Bill to Take on Gun Violence Epidemic
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-IL-01) reintroduced the Blair Holt Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act, today, to help reduce firearm violence in Illinois and across the country. This legislation would prohibit unlicensed firearm ownership and the transfer of firearms without a valid firearms license, as well as direct the U.S. Attorney General to establish and maintain a federal record of sale system and conduct … Continue Reading
May 11, 2022
Duckworth Reinforces Support for Illinois Being an Innovation Leader During Meeting with Fermilab’s First Woman Director
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Dr. Lia Merminga, the new and first woman director of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). During the meeting, Duckworth discussed her ongoing priorities including federal support for the lab's cutting-edge research projects, as well as the United States Innovation and Competition Act that would help maintain our nation's position as a global science, technology and manufacturing leader, strengthen the work of … Continue Reading
May 10, 2022
On Senate Floor, Duckworth Defends Women’s Right to Choose and Calls on Colleagues to Codify Roe v. Wade
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor to emphasize to her colleagues the need to support basic rights and empower women across the country by passing the Women's Health Protection Act, which would codify Roe v. Wade. During her speech, Duckworth also shared how Roe v. Wade has impacted her journey to motherhood, as well as highlighted why overturning the precedent could have devastating effects for our nation. Duckworth's floor speech, which … Continue Reading
May 06, 2022
Duckworth Introduces Bill to Protect Wildlife & Water Sources from Toxic Lead Poisoning
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, introduced legislation to help protect innocent animals from toxic lead poisoning by limiting the use of lead bullets on federal lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Lead Endangers Animals Daily (LEAD) Act of 2022 would direct the Department of the Interior (DOI) to issue a final regulation prohibiting the use … Continue Reading
May 06, 2022
Duckworth Hosts National Security Council Discussion with Chicago Ukrainian Community
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a discussion to bring together members of Chicago's Ukrainian community with officials from the U.S. National Security Council to help provide residents with updates from the Biden Administration on its efforts in Ukraine. On her National Security Council call, Duckworth invited representatives from the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America-Illinois Division, St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ukrainian Medical Association of … Continue Reading
May 06, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Join Brown, Collins to Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Honor America’s Teachers During Teacher Appreciation Week
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - To honor our nation's teachers and commemorate National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-6), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) to introduce a bipartisan resolution to recognize the important work of teachers across the nation, thank them for their efforts to prepare students for success and acknowledge the additional challenges teachers faced during school … Continue Reading
May 06, 2022
Ahead of Mother’s Day, Duckworth Discusses Supporting Working Families, Paid Leave During National Partnership for Women and Families Fireside Chat
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - This week, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined the National Partnership for Women and Families for a fireside chat to discuss her efforts in Congress to help empower working families and moms. During the event, Duckworth highlighted her bicameral Support Through Loss Act, which aims to raise awareness about pregnancy loss and establish new paid leave benefits for Americans experiencing painful challenges while seeking to grow their family. Duckworth also reiterated … Continue Reading
May 05, 2022
Duckworth, Carper, Booker Applaud Creation of New DOJ Office of Environmental Justice
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tom Carper (D-DE) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), co-founders of the Senate's first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus (EJC), today issued a joint statement applauding the EPA and DOJ for creating the Office of Environmental Justice to address environmental justice issues across the nation. "As co-founders of the Environmental Justice Caucus, we're pleased to see the Biden Administration making another big move to prioritize environmental … Continue Reading
May 05, 2022
Duckworth Secures Provisions to Expand Environmental Justice and Lower Local Cost Shares for Waterway Projects in Committee-Passed 2022 Water Infrastructure Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, and founding Co-Chair of the Senate's first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus, highlighted several key priorities she authored and successfully included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022 that passed EPW unanimously this week. The committee-passed WRDA, which now heads to the full Senate for consideration, … Continue Reading
