Press Releases
Duckworth, Cornyn Re-introduce Bipartisan Bill to Allow Servicemembers Time to Grieve Deceased Children
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and John Cornyn (R-TX) re-introduced a bipartisan bill that would allow servicemembers time to grieve the death of their newborn babies. The Elaine M. Checketts Military Families Act-named after the deceased daughter of Major Matthew Checketts, an Active Duty Airman based at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland-amends current leave policy for servicemembers so their pre-approved parental leave is not terminated in the tragic event of a child's … Continue Reading
March 18, 2021
Duckworth Introduces Sweeping Bill to Help Bring Environmental Justice to Every American
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced the Environmental Justice for All Act, comprehensive legislation to achieve health equity and climate justice for all, particularly underserved communities and communities of color that have long been disproportionately harmed by environmental injustices and toxic pollutants. This legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ-03), Chair of the House … Continue Reading
March 18, 2021
Duckworth Meets with President Biden’s EPA Deputy Administrator Nominee Janet McCabe
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, held a virtual meeting this week with Janet McCabe, President Biden's nominee to be Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During their conversation, they discussed the importance of strengthening protections against lead in drinking water, how achieving environmental justice continues to be a … Continue Reading
March 18, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Introduce For the People Act to Strengthen Democracy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined their colleagues in introducing S.1., the For the People Act-a sweeping package of comprehensive reforms that would end special interest corruption of our politics and make government work for the people. The introduction comes as Republican lawmakers in 43 states continue to use unfounded election conspiracies regarding the 2020 presidential election to push to restrict Americans' … Continue Reading
March 17, 2021
Duckworth Calls for Extension of PPP Program and Simplification of Loan Forgiveness Process at SBE Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, today highlighted her support for extending the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) beyond its current deadline of March 31, 2021. Many large nonprofits were just recently made eligible for PPP funding in the American Rescue Plan but may be shut out if the current deadline is not extended. Duckworth also discussed the importance of adhering to Congressional intent for SBA's … Continue Reading
March 17, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Legislative Priorities with Southern Illinois Leaders
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) held an annual meeting today with local leaders from Carbondale and Murphysboro to discuss her legislative priorities and how the Federal Government can support their communities. During the virtual meeting, Duckworth and local officials discussed broadband access, homelessness programs, crisis intervention services and air service from southern Illinois to Chicago. They also spoke about major initiatives in the region including the … Continue Reading
March 17, 2021
Duckworth Reacts to Intelligence Community Report Revealing Russian Efforts to Undermine President Biden and Confidence in American Elections
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement in response to the National Intelligence Council releasing a declassified report on foreign election interference in the 2020 U.S. elections: "This report clearly states that Russia attacked our democracy again in our 2020 election, seeking to sow division and reduce confidence in our electoral process as part of an overall effort to promote Trump's candidacy and hurt Joe Biden's … Continue Reading
March 17, 2021
Duckworth, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Maternal Mortality Crisis Among Women Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today introduced the Protecting Moms Who Served Act, bipartisan legislation that would commission the first-ever comprehensive study on the scope of America's maternal health crisis among women Veterans-with a focus on racial and ethnic disparities on maternal health outcomes-while also supporting maternal care coordination programs at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. There are more than half a … Continue Reading
March 17, 2021
Duckworth Reaction to Atlanta Shooting Spree
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after multiple shootings in Atlanta left at least eight people dead, including six Asian women. "My heart is with the families who lost loved ones last night in Atlanta. While there's still so much we don't know about these tragic shootings, we do know that our Asian American community is understandably-and justifiably-outraged after enduring a year of heinous hate crimes and increased … Continue Reading
March 17, 2021
Duckworth Co-Chairs Hearing on Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Projects in U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works' (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water & Wildlife-which has jurisdiction over the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act-co-led a joint hearing of the full Committee and the Subcommittee on the challenges facing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. During this hearing, Duckworth discussed the importance of prioritizing water infrastructure as part of … Continue Reading
March 17, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Close Dangerous Loophole to Protect Domestic Abuse Survivors
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and colleagues in introducing bicameral legislation to protect domestic violence survivors from gun violence. The Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act is narrowly crafted to close loopholes that allow domestic abusers to legally obtain weapons. The bill is named in memory of Lori Jackson, an … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Duckworth Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Designate Bronzeville Church that Held Emmett Till’s Funeral as a National Historic Site
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced bipartisan legislation to designate the church that held Chicagoan Emmett Till's pivotal funeral in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood as a national historic site. Till's funeral was held at the neighborhood's Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ after the 14-year-old was brutalized and lynched in Mississippi in 1955. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, made the decision to hold a public, open-casket wake to make sure the … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Duckworth Votes To Confirm SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, today voted to confirm Isabel Guzman as Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Guzman was confirmed with a 81-17 vote. "Isabel Guzman's proven leadership and personal experience as a small business owner will be assets to President Biden's Administration as they work to help our nation's small businesses reach the other side of this … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $76 Million for Chicago Airports
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $76,539,502 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration to Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport to help the airports with COVID-19 related expenses. "Our Chicago airports are an important economic engine for the region, and making sure they continue to have the support they need to operate safely during … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Agricultural Priorities with Illinois Corn Growers Association
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today held a virtual call with members of the Illinois Corn Growers Association to discuss her Illinois and legislative priorities for the upcoming year. Duckworth discussed the importance of biofuels, addressing climate change and improving transportation, infrastructure and trade. "The strength of America's farmers is a reflection of our strength as a nation," Duckworth said. "I enjoyed meeting with the Illinois Corn Growers … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Kelly Ask HUD to Examine Issues at Concordia Place Apartment Complex in Chicago
[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 urged the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Region Five Office to swiftly examine reported issues raised by residents of the Concordia Place Apartment complex on the south side of Chicago. In a letter to James A. Cunningham, the HUD Deputy Regional Administrator, Duckworth, Durbin, and Kelly highlighted news reports on the unsafe and … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $2 Million for Quad City International Airport
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $2,750,066 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration to Quad City International Airport to help the airport with COVID-19-related expenses. "Our Illinois airports are an important economic engine for the region, and making sure they continue to have the support they need to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic is critical," Duckworth … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $1 Million for Quincy Regional Airport
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $1,003,408 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration to Quincy Regional Airport to help the airport with COVID-19-related expenses. "Our Illinois airports are important economic engines for the state, and making sure they continue to have the support they need to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic is critical," Duckworth said. "I'm … Continue Reading
March 15, 2021
Duckworth Votes to Confirm Haaland as Interior Secretary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after voting to confirm Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior. Haaland was confirmed by a 51-40 vote to serve as Interior Secretary under President Biden. "Secretary Haaland is a barrier-breaking leader who is qualified to take on this role to protect our public lands and will help bring a much-needed perspective to the U.S. Department of the Interior," Duckworth said. "Making our national parks and … Continue Reading
March 12, 2021
Duckworth, Booker Request Guidance from Biden-Harris Health Equity Task Force on Addressing Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Rates
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today urged Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, chair of the Biden-Harris COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, to provide guidance and recommendations to states, localities, territories and tribes on how to address disparities and reduce inequities in COVID-19 vaccination rates. Specifically, the Senators asked the Task Force to engage communities of color, people with disabilities and other disproportionately impacted groups … Continue Reading
