Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Join Baldwin to Call on Biden Administration to Fully Fund Community Development Block Grant Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and 13 colleagues in calling on the Biden administration to prioritize funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which funds local community development initiatives that support jobs, housing, infrastructure and public services for millions of Americans, in his upcoming budget proposal. In part, the Senators wrote: “The CDBG … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Legislative Priorities and Power of Democracy at Northern Illinois University Fireside Chat
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined Northern Illinois University (NIU) College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Brinkmann for a virtual fireside chat as part of NIU's Rebuilding Democracy speaker series. During the event, Duckworth discussed her legislative priorities for the 117th Congress, including helping Illinoisans recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing environmental injustice, supporting working families and helping Veterans, as well as how to … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nine Illinois Community Health Centers Included In Federal Vaccination Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that nine Illinois Community Health Centers (CHCs) will be eligible to directly receive vaccines through the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Federally Qualified Health Center Program for COVID-19 Vaccination. After Illinois CHCs missed out on the first phase of this program, Durbin and Duckworth wrote the Biden Administration urging that Illinois CHCs be prioritized immediately, in … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Upcoming Legislative Priorities with Chicago Executives’ Club
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined the Executives' Club of Chicago for a virtual panel to discuss her legislative priorities for the upcoming year. In a virtual Q&A with representatives from Chicago Executives' Club and Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL-18) and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Duckworth discussed the need for more COVID relief funding for Chicagoland businesses, local governments throughout the state and working families, as well as the … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Duckworth Hosts Q&A Session to Help Address COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Concerns with Healthcare Providers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted a roundtable with Illinois healthcare organizations and providers to address and mitigate hesitancy among those eligible for receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, especially among healthcare workers. Duckworth was joined by leaders from the Illinois Nurses Association, Illinois State Medical Society and the Chicago Department of Public Health to discuss how federal and local entities can better support each other in addressing … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution & Vaccine Hesitancy in Virtual Roundtable with Metro East Leaders
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) held a virtual roundtable today with Metro East leaders to discuss the disproportionate public health impact of COVID-19 on Black and Brown communities and the need to mitigate vaccine hesitancy. The group also discussed how Illinois can continue to equitably distribute the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the region, while also addressing medical racism, educational outreach and cultural sensitivities. "As we continue working to increase … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nearly $50 Million to Support Expanded Vaccine Distribution in Cook County
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $49,629,801.50 in federal funding to support COVID-19 vaccination administration in Cook County. The funding is being awarded to the Cook County government by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "Making sure as many Illinoisans as possible are vaccinated is one of the most important things we can do to get to the other side of this … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Hassan & Casey in Urging Increased Support for Home and Community Based Care in Upcoming COVID-19 Relief Package
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Bob Casey (D-PA) and 19 of their colleagues today in urging Senate leaders to support an increasing in funding to Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) in the upcoming COVID-19 relief package that Congress is developing. The House of Representatives has proposed a 7.35 percent increase to Federal Medical Assistance Percentages for HCBS in the next package, … Continue Reading
February 16, 2021
Duckworth to Chair U.S. Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Armed Services Committee (SASC) and a Purple Heart recipient who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces, will Chair the committee's Airland Subcommittee in the 117th Congress. The Airland Subcommittee has jurisdiction over matters relating to certain Army and Air Force programs, as well as research, development and procurement matters involving these military branches. An additional area of … Continue Reading
February 13, 2021
Duckworth and Bipartisan Majority of Senate Vote to Convict Trump, Even as Most Republicans Put Former President Before Country
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after a bipartisan majority of the United States Senate voted to convict Donald J. Trump of inciting an insurrection against the United States of America: "Last month, Donald Trump lavished praise on a mob hell-bent on violence. He gave them orders to 'fight like hell'-kindling their anger, weaponizing their fury, then directing them to the steps of the United States Capitol where they waged an … Continue Reading
February 12, 2021
Duckworth Urges Biden Administration to Replace All USPS Board of Governors Who Permitted DeJoy’s Disastrous Decisions
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is urging President Biden to help restore trust in the United States Postal Services (USPS) by replacing every member of the USPS Board of Governors and nominating new leadership. In the letter, Duckworth details how these members allowed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to remove community mail drop boxes, reduce operating hours for facilities and gut overtime pay - harmful new policies that led to lifesaving prescriptions not reaching … Continue Reading
February 12, 2021
Duckworth Joins Gillibrand & Senate Colleagues to Call for More Than $1 Billion in Funding to Help Older Adults during the COVID-19 Crisis, Including Millions to Bolster Nutrition Services and Support Vaccination Efforts in Next Relief Package
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and their Senate colleagues in a letter that calls for the inclusion of $1.4 billion in funding for Older Americans Act (OAA) programs, including $750 million in funding for the OAA Nutrition Services and $480 million to support providers' efforts to vaccinate older adults in the next COVID-19 relief package. Older, low-income Americans are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and many more have … Continue Reading
February 10, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Renew Request For U.S. Attorney John Lausch To Remain In His Position Until Confirmation Of His Successor
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following an announcement by the Biden Justice Department that Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorneys appointed under the previous Administration were to submit their resignations by February 28, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) renewed their request that John Lausch, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, be permitted to remain in his position until the confirmation of his successor. In a letter to President Joe Biden, Duckworth and … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Statement on Termination of U.S. Attorney John Lausch
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durin (D-IL) today released the following statement after it was reported that the Biden Administration will terminate John Lausch as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois: "While we agree with the Biden Administration's criminal justice agenda, we are disappointed with the decision to terminate U.S. Attorney Lausch without consulting us. In 2017, our non-partisan screening committee gave its support for … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
During Black History Month, Duckworth & Durbin Help Underwood Announce Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to Address America’s Maternal Health Crisis
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act includes a series of 12 bills to help save moms' lives, end racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes and achieve maternal health justice. [WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC-12) in unveiling the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021. The historic legislation makes … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Senate Democrats Introduce Secure Act For TPS Recipients
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) to introduce the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and in Emergency (SECURE) Act, legislation to allow qualified Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients to apply for legal permanent residency. "Despite experiencing uncertainty and discrimination, TPS recipients have helped … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Bill to Implement and Expand Online Snap Purchasing Nationwide
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with nine of their Senate colleagues, today introduced a bill to address hunger needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond by requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand online Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchasing choices. The Expanding SNAP Options Act would provide funding for the creation of a universal online and app-based portal to make access to nutritious … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Duckworth Votes to Confirm Denis McDonough as Veterans Affairs Secretary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator and former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces and still receives her own healthcare services through the VA, released the following statement after voting to confirm Denis McDonough as U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs. McDonough was confirmed by a 87-7 vote to serve as VA Secretary under President Biden. "Denis McDonough's experience overcoming bureaucracy will be … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Duckworth, Cramer, Casey Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Families with Diaper Needs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the bipartisan End Diaper Need Act today to provide resources to assist low-income and middle-class families address their diaper needs and help ensure the health and well-being of those who rely on diapers, including infants, toddlers, medically complex children, low-income adults and adults with disabilities. This legislation would provide funding through the U.S. Department of … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Klobuchar, Democratic Colleagues to Express Urgency in Working with Biden Administration to Support Efforts to Help Women Return to the Workforce
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and 17 of their Democratic colleagues in writing to Director of the National Economic Council, Brian Deese, asking the Biden administration to support efforts to help women return to the workforce. "We look forward to working with you to make progress in addressing a number of structural and long-standing policy issues that have historically undermined women's ability to work - … Continue Reading
