Press Releases
Duckworth Secures Critical Illinois Priorities in Commerce-Passed Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill
Duckworth provisions would establish a permanent disability advocate seat on the Amtrak Board of Directors and increase accessibility at Amtrak stations [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) Committee, highlighted the inclusion of several of her provisions that will help Illinois in the Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021 that passed the CST Committee today. In addition to securing provisions … Continue Reading
June 16, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Brown, Senate Colleagues in Introducing Historic Legislation to Update Long-Neglected Social Security Program to Ensure Older Adults & People with Disabilities Are No Longer Trapped in Poverty
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in re-introducing the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act to bring the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program into the 21st Century and ensure disabled and elderly Americans are able to live with dignity and respect. An often-forgotten part of America's Social Security system, SSI is a federal program that provides vital income assistance to nearly 8 million … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Call on EPA to Assist Cahokia Heights in Returning to Compliance with Clean Water Act
[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 U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) are calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help the sewer utility that serves Cahokia Heights, Illinois, return to compliance with the Clean Water Act. In April, EPA issued a notice of potential violation letter to the Commonfields of Cahokia Public Water … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Duckworth, Murkowski Re-introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Coverage for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors
WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today re-introduced legislation to ensure breast cancer patients and survivors who have experienced a mastectomy are able to access custom breast prosthetics under Medicare. The Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act of 2021 would provide coverage for custom fabricated breast prostheses-which, unlike other prosthetic devices, are not currently covered by Medicare-to the more than 100,000 women who undergo mastectomies … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Duckworth, Murkowski Re-introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Coverage for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors
WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today re-introduced legislation to ensure breast cancer patients and survivors who have experienced a mastectomy are able to access custom breast prosthetics under Medicare. The Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act of 2021 would provide coverage for custom fabricated breast prostheses-which, unlike other prosthetic devices, are not currently covered by Medicare-to the more than 100,000 women who undergo mastectomies … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Urge SBA to Speed Up Relief for Struggling Live Event Venues
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and 51 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman urging her to disburse Shuttered Venue Operator Grant funding to eligible live entertainment venues as soon as possible. The legislation that created this program, the Save Our Stages Act, was signed … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Duckworth, Scott, Cardin & Collins Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Women Entrepreneurs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship members Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Tim Scott (R-SC), along with Committee Chair Ben Cardin (D-MD) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today re-introduced bipartisan legislation to help increase support to female entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses. The Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise Act would reauthorize the Interagency Committee for Women's Business Enterprise (ICWBE) to help … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
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 her first hearing as Chair on Army modernization programs in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2022. Witnesses included Mr. Douglas Bush, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, General John M. Murray, Commanding General, Army Futures Command and Lieutenant General Erik K. Peterson, … Continue Reading
June 11, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Energy and Environmental Policy with Illinois Chamber of Commerce
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met virtually with members of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group (IERG) to discuss environmental justice, water infrastructure and other energy and environmental priorities. Duckworth was joined by Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Todd Maisch, Illinois Chamber Energy Council Executive Director Alec Messina, IERG Executive Director Alec Davis as well as many Illinois Chamber … Continue Reading
June 11, 2021
Duckworth Speaks with Illinois House Freshman to Discuss Senate Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met virtually with freshman members of the Illinois House of Representatives to discuss her legislative priorities, including water infrastructure and bringing federal funding to state and local governments through the American Rescue Plan. "It was great to connect with so many new members of the Illinois House today and learn more about their priorities in Springfield," Duckworth said. "I look forward to continuing to work with … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
During SASC Hearing, Duckworth Secures Commitments from General Milley and Secretary Austin to Review National Guard and Reserve Pay, Benefits
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) secured a commitment from General Mark Milley to review National Guard and Reserve duty status reform and a commitment from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to explore opportunities to enhance retention of highly-skilled servicemembers. Duckworth served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee, which has … Continue Reading
June 09, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Colleagues to Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Guarantee Equal Access to Abortion, Everywhere
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and U.S. Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX) in introducing the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA), bicameral federal legislation to guarantee equal access to abortion, everywhere. The bill's introduction follows the Supreme Court's decision to hear … Continue Reading
June 09, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Senate Democratic Caucus in Introducing Resolution Recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month
[WASHINGTON, DC] - 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), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN) and their 45 Senate colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. The resolution highlights the contributions LGBTQ individuals have made to American society, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ Americans and resolves to continue … Continue Reading
June 08, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $1 Million to Support Economic Development in Chicagoland
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that Clean Energy Trust will receive a $1 million award to support the Midwest Regional Innovation Partnership (MRIP). This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) and will help strengthen Chicagoland's technology workforce post-pandemic. "Entrepreneurs have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and federal investments like these help create a … Continue Reading
June 08, 2021
Duckworth Bipartisan Amendment to Invest $17 Billion in National Laboratories and DOE Facilities Passes the Senate
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) helped U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) secure a bipartisan amendment to the United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, which passed the Senate today by a vote of 68-32, that will invest $17 billion in U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories and User Facilities. The provision will help support the entire U.S. innovation system to strengthen America's global competitiveness, which includes Fermilab and … Continue Reading
June 07, 2021
Senators Duckworth, Coons & Sullivan Reaffirm U.S.-ROK Alliance in Bipartisan Visit to South Korea
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), along with U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), member of SASC and a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, participated in a bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) to South Korea, where they discussed shared interests and future … Continue Reading
June 06, 2021
Duckworth, Coons & Sullivan Visit Taipei to Underscore U.S. Support for Taiwan, Announce Allocation of 750,000 Vaccine Doses to Taiwan
[TAIPEI, TAIWAN] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), along with U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), member of SASC and a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, travelled to Taiwan to underscore U.S. support for Taiwan, including on combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. They highlighted the … Continue Reading
June 04, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Kelly Announce $372,000 in CARES Act Funding for Southland Development Authority
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today announced that the Southland Development Authority in Cook County, Illinois, has been awarded $372,500 in federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today's funding will support the Southland Equitable Recovery Stimulus Program, which will provide businesses with immediate pandemic … Continue Reading
June 04, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Lead Senators In Bipartisan Request For Additional C-130J Aircraft
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today led a bipartisan group of Senators in urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to support the additional procurement of at least eight C-130J Super Hercules aircraft as part of the modernization effort for the Air National Guard in the Fiscal year (FY) 2022 Defense … Continue Reading
June 03, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join 18 Senators In Calling On Federal Agencies To Share Data, Work Together To Expand Access To High-Speed Internet
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) in leading a group of 17 additional Senators in calling on the leaders of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to share data to identify communities without high-speed internet access and work together to improve broadband … Continue Reading
