Press Releases
Duckworth Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Support Advanced Manufacturing for Defense Department
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, today introduced bipartisan legislation to help expand smart, strategic investments in advanced manufacturing that would help revolutionize the Department of Defense (DoD)'s ability to employ new defense technologies. The bipartisan Bioindustrial and Additive Manufacturing for America (BAMA) Act would spearhead research and development for … Continue Reading
May 04, 2022
Bipartisan Bill Introduced by Duckworth, Portman and Blumenthal to Protect Infants from Deadly “Crib Bumpers” Passes Congress and President Biden Expected to Sign Ban Into Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - 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-passed Congress last evening and is now headed to the White House to be signed into law by President Joe Biden. The Safe Cribs Act, which was included in the legislation also banning dangerous inclined … Continue Reading
May 03, 2022
Duckworth Reacts to Reports of Draft Supreme Court Decision Overturning Roe v. Wade
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today reacted to reports that a majority of the Supreme Court has drafted an initial opinion that would effectively overturn Roe v. Wade: "If this draft opinion becomes reality, a small group far-right Justices would be stripping away protected constitutional rights that millions of American families-including my own-have relied on for 50 years and that 70% of Americans believe should be legal. The institution, and the Justices who … Continue Reading
May 03, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Discuss Renewable Energy and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with more than two dozen members of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, including the presidents and CEOs of several regional electric cooperatives. During the meeting, the Senators and the group discussed electric and electric vehicle infrastructure investments made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as well as the importance of transitioning our … Continue Reading
May 03, 2022
Duckworth Statement on the Passing of Former DOT Secretary and Asian-American Trailblazer Norm Mineta
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement after the passing of one of her mentors, former U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta: "Norm Mineta was not only a leader in the Asian-American community and mentor to so many-myself included-over the last five decades, he was a giant of American history as well. As a first-generation Japanese American who was forced from his home and held in an internment camp as a boy during World … Continue Reading
April 29, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Applaud HHS for Prioritizing Early Childhood Education in Southwest Illinois
[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 Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council 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 the … Continue Reading
April 29, 2022
Duckworth Applauds Nomination of David Capozzi to Amtrak Board of Directors
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after President Joe Biden nominated David Capozzi to serve on Amtrak's Board of Directors. Capozzi will serve in the designated disability advocate seat on the board, a provision Duckworth authored and successfully included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure an individual with a disability who has a demonstrated history or experience with accessibility, mobility and inclusive … Continue Reading
April 28, 2022
Duckworth and Durbin Join Hirono and Senate Colleagues in Supporting Biden Administration Proposal to Reverse Harmful Trump Immigration Rule
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and 10 of their Senate colleagues in submitting comments in support of the Biden Administration's proposal to better support immigrants by updating the "public charge" regulation. The Biden Administration's proposed regulation would replace the public charge rule enacted by the Trump Administration in 2019. The 2019 rule made it significantly more … Continue Reading
April 27, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin statement on confirmation of LaDon Reynolds to Serve as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District Of Illinois
[WASHINGTON D.C.]-U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed LaDon Reynolds to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois: "LaDon Reynolds is a seasoned law enforcement veteran who will serve with distinction in this important role. Starting in 1994, Chief Reynolds held several high-ranking positions for the Oak … Continue Reading
April 27, 2022
Duckworth Reinforces Support for Restaurants in Meeting with Illinois Restaurant Association
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) to discuss the ongoing support needed for restaurants as they work to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19. Duckworth is a strong supporter of replenishing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and is a co-sponsor of the Continuing Emergency Support for Restaurants Act. "No one should be surprised that among the restaurants that managed to survive the deadly … Continue Reading
April 27, 2022
Duckworth Secures Support from Coast Guard Commandant Nominee for Her Efforts to Prevent Military Hunger
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, met with Admiral Linda Fagan to discuss her nomination to become Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. During their conversation, Senator Duckworth secured Admiral Fagan's support for her efforts to update the law to ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture excludes Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) when calculating a U.S. Coast Guard active duty member's … Continue Reading
April 26, 2022
Duckworth Re-Introduces Legislation to Expand Voting Rights and Improve Civic Participation
[WASHINGTON D.C.]- Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), alongside 12 democratic Senators, re-introduced the Pre-Registration of Voters Everywhere (PROVE) Act to expand voter registration efforts nationwide and increase American citizens' participation in the democratic process. The PROVE Act would allow for U.S. citizens aged 16 and 17 to pre-register to be added to voter rolls when they turn 18. Additionally, the PROVE Act also provides $25 million in grants, over two years, for states … Continue Reading
April 22, 2022
Duckworth, Casey, Markey, Van Hollen, Blumenthal Urge Department of Transportation to Make Infrastructure Investments Accessible for Seniors, People with Disabilities
[WASHINGTON D.C.]-Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), communities across the country are seeing historic investments in local transportation, from upgrades to public transit to airport rehabilitation. As funding is disseminated for various infrastructure projects, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bob Casey (D-PA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are urging U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to ensure … Continue Reading
April 22, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Statement on Nomination of Rachelle Crowe to Serve as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois & David Davis to Serve as U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois
[WASHINGTON D.C.]- U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the White House announced the nominations of Rachelle L. Crowe to serve as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois and David C. Davis to serve as United States Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois. Based on recommendations made by the screening committee the Senators established in the Southern District, Duckworth and … Continue Reading
April 21, 2022
In Chicago, Duckworth Leads Field Hearing on Her Bipartisan Law’s Impact on Removing Lead From Drinking Water
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, today led a subcommittee field hearing in Chicago on the implementation of her Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is helping support the replacement of lead service lines throughout Illinois and across the country. As the state with the most known lead service lines in the … Continue Reading
April 21, 2022
Duckworth Celebrates Opening of the Defense Innovation Unit’s Midwest Defense Innovation Hub in Chicago
[CHICAGO, IL] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, attended the grand opening for the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) Defense Innovation Unit's (DIU) Chicago office-the Midwest Defense Innovation Hub. The new Hub, which is the first in the region, will work across Illinois and throughout 11 other Midwestern states to assist the DoD in strengthening national security by connecting the DoD with … Continue Reading
April 21, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Support for New Community Service Building to Help Over 165,000 Western Illinoisans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced federal support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Western Illinois Regional Council and Community Action Agency to help increase community services throughout western Illinois. With this announcement, the Council will purchase and renovate a new space to continue and expand community service offerings, such as low-income home energy assistance, counseling and prevention … Continue Reading
April 19, 2022
Duckworth Statement on Biden Administration’s Announcement of NEPA Phase 1 Regulation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder of the Senate's first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus, issued the following statement after White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued their National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Phase 1 regulation: "Today's announcement from the Biden administration is an important development that will help restore the integrity of NEPA in a fair and balanced way, while increasing efficiencies across agencies and … Continue Reading
April 13, 2022
Duckworth, Young, Kildee Re-Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Families from Lead in Federally Assisted Housing
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Fisheries, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI-05) re-introduced bipartisan legislation to protect families living in assisted housing from lead found in drinking water. The Get the Lead out of Assisted Housing Act would help protect families from lead exposure by requiring the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban … Continue Reading
April 12, 2022
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 to President Joe Biden'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 of E15 fuel during the … Continue Reading
