Press Releases
Duckworth: We Need a Comprehensive, Independent and Honest Review of Our Nation’s Involvement in Afghanistan Since 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During today's U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and US. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Kenneth McKenzie, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) advocated for a comprehensive, expansive and bipartisan examination of the lessons learned from our nation's 20 years of involvement in Afghanistan and announced that she will be introducing … Continue Reading
September 27, 2021
Duckworth Statement after Republicans Blocked Passage of Bill to Keep Government Open and Avoid Economic Catastrophe
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked passage of a bill that would fund the government through December 3, 2021, and lift the debt ceiling to avoid a default and global economic disaster: "As members of Congress, it's our job to do what's best for the people of this country. Republicans have completely abdicated that responsibility by blocking the CR and refusing to lift the debt ceiling, which has historically … Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Duckworth Emphasizes Importance of Military Logistics & Capacity Readiness in General Van Ovost’s Nomination Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing for the nomination of General Jacqueline D. Van Ovost to serve as Commander of the United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the importance of enhanced mobility and logistics capabilities for the overall operational readiness of our military. Duckworth also applauded TRANSCOM's monumental efforts in the Afghanistan airlift, including … Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Incentive Pay Parity with Director of the Army National Guard, Jon Jensen
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke with Lieutenant General Jon Jensen, the Director of the Army National Guard. Duckworth and Jensen discussed the modernization of the General Jones Armory in Chicago, incentive pay parity for National Guard members and ongoing National Guard operations-including wildfire response and COVID-19 support. "I had a productive discussion today with LTG Jensen today about his priorities for the National Guard, as well as my push to … Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Duckworth, Casten Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Educational Support Professionals Access Benefits Through FMLA
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) reintroduced the bipartisan ESP Family Leave Act, which would update the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to help more educational support professionals (ESP) at schools-teacher's assistants, custodians and maintenance staff, among others-access its benefits without the risk of losing their job. "No one should have to choose between their job and caring for a sick child or family … Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $400,000 for Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport Improvements
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $438,853 in federal funding to the Springfield Airport Authority. This funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration will help Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport remove runway pavement. "Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is an important economic engine for our state and Sangamon County, and making sure it has federal support to improve its infrastructure is … Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nearly $280,000 to Support Child Care for Illinois Student Parents
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $278,851 in federal funding to four Illinois colleges through the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program. This funding from the U.S. Department of Education will help provide low-income student parents at these institutions with campus-based child care services. "Shrinking child care options makes it even harder for student parents who are trying to balance college coursework and … Continue Reading
September 22, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Feinstein, Van Hollen, Shaheen, Klobuchar Reintroduce Legislation To Train Students For High Skilled Jobs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) reintroduced legislation today to make education more affordable for students pursuing degrees in high-skill industries. The bill would help businesses fill vacant, good-paying positions with qualified candidates. The Community College to Career Fund in Higher Education Act (CC2C), which Duckworth has previously … Continue Reading
September 22, 2021
Duckworth Meets with Illinois Farm Bureau to Discuss Legislative Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) yesterday joined leaders from the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) for a virtual meeting to discuss her upcoming legislative priorities as well as federal support to America's farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Duckworth was joined by several members of the Illinois Farm Bureau including Director of National Legislation Adam Nielsen. "America has always depended on our nation's farmers and ranchers to grow the food and fuel we need, but … Continue Reading
September 21, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Working Families Policy, Path to Politics at Chicago Humanities Festival
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) tonight discussed how becoming a mother impacted her as a legislator, the importance of supporting policies for woman and working families and the need for diverse voices in politics and beyond as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival. In this virtual event, Duckworth spoke with Chicago Humanities Festival Artistic Director Alison Cuddy about the current legislation she's working on to support working families, women's reproductive … Continue Reading
September 21, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Importance of Federal Funding for Cook County with Board President Preckwinkle, County Leaders
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Cook County officials to discuss how local leaders are putting American Rescue Plan Act resources to work for Illinois families in Cook County. They also discussed how resources included in proposals such as the Senate-passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the upcoming budget bill can support the county and its residents. Duckworth met with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Health … Continue Reading
September 20, 2021
With Application Deadline Approaching, Duckworth Seeks Additional Student Applications for U.S. Military Service Academies
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - The application period for high school students to request a nomination to a U.S. Military Service Academy for the Class of 2026 from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will close nearly two weeks from today, on Saturday, October 2. Duckworth's office has been accepting applications from high school students seeking a Congressional nomination to one of the four Military Service Academies through her website since March. Each year Duckworth, with the assistance of a … Continue Reading
September 20, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nearly $750,000 for Worker Safety and Health Training in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced a total of $744,580 today in federal funding to four Illinois entities to help workers and employers create a safer workplace by identifying preventive health measures for COVID-19 and other health hazards. The trainings will also include understanding worker rights and employer responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. These federal investments are awarded through the U.S. … Continue Reading
September 17, 2021
Duckworth Meets with AFGE Local 4070 President to Discuss Staffing and COVID-19 at Thomson Prison
[MOLINE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with AFGE Local 4070 President Jonathan Zumkehr to discuss staffing, hiring and retention initiatives at the prison, as well as measures to keep employees and inmates safe during the ongoing pandemic. Their meeting comes one day after the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved Duckworth's, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos' (D-IL-17) request for a 25 percent retention bonus … Continue Reading
September 17, 2021
In Quad Cities, Duckworth Highlights Importance of Welcoming Afghan Allies and Partners Who Assisted US Mission
[MOLINE, IL] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, today met with leaders of several Quad Cities organizations and advocates focused on efforts to resettle Afghan partners and allies who sacrificed for the United States' mission in Afghanistan. Duckworth met with World Relief Quad Cities Director Laura Fontaine and Program Manager Jen Osing, Doris & Victor Day Foundation … Continue Reading
September 17, 2021
Duckworth Meets with Quad Cities Director of Aviation to Discuss Investing in Regional Infrastructure
[MOLINE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Metropolitan Airport Authority's Director of Aviation Ben Leischener to discuss projects made possible due to past federal funding received by the Quad Cities International Airport as well as the airport's plans for new a federal investment announced this morning. Earlier today, Duckworth, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) announced $1,325,923 in federal funding through the Federal … Continue Reading
September 17, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Announce Approval of Retention Bonus for USP Thomson to Address Staffing Shortage
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today announced that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has approved a 25 percent retention bonus for nearly all staff at USP Thomson that the lawmakers have been advocating for since August 2020. The approval comes amid an understaffing crisis at the facility worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and additional strain placed on current … Continue Reading
September 17, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Announce $1.3 Million for Quad Cities International Airport Improvements
[MOLINE, IL] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), today announced $1,325,923 in federal funding to the Quad Cities International Airport. This funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration will help the airport improve and extend taxiways and remove runway and taxiway pavement. "Quad Cities International Airport is an important economic engine for our state and the region, and … Continue Reading
September 16, 2021
Duckworth and Moran Pass Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize September 2021 as National Student Parent Month
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) this week introduced and passed by voice vote a bipartisan resolution recognizing September 2021 as National Student Parent Month. The resolution highlights the contributions and achievements of the nearly 4,000,000 Americans with children who attend postsecondary educational institutions. "Establishing this month as National Student Parent Month sends an important message to Americans who are trying to balance … Continue Reading
September 16, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Importance of Supporting Afghan Ally Resettlement Efforts with Illinois Officials
[MOLINE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke with Illinois officials to discuss how Illinois is supporting the resettlement of Afghan allies and partners across the state. Duckworth spoke with Illinois Deputy Governor Sol Flores, Illinois First Assistant Deputy Governor Lizzy Whitehorn, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Chief of Staff Ryan Croke and IDHS Director of Refugee and Immigrant Services Lilian Jimenez about the importance of the state's efforts to … Continue Reading
