Press Releases
On One Year Anniversary of Abduction, Duckworth and Durbin Urge Biden Administration to Prioritize Illinoisan’s Safe Return from Afghanistan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - One year after Illinoisan Mark Frerichs was abducted by the Taliban, Haqqani network or their affiliates in Kabul, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, wrote letters to President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken requesting that the administration prioritizes … Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
Duckworth Urges Biden Administration to Take Swift Action on Military Hunger
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, is urging President Biden to take action to address discrepancies that contribute to perpetuating food insecurity in the military by blocking servicemembers from qualifying for certain federal nutrition assistance. In part, the Senator wrote: "Just as we have seen heartbreaking examples of increasing numbers … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $43 Million to Support Expanded Vaccine Distribution in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $43,361,000 in federal funding to support COVID-19 healthcare staffing for vaccination distribution in Illinois. The funding is being awarded to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "Our state has more work to do to save lives, keep residents healthy and get to the other side of this … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Senators Duckworth and Markey, Rep. Bush Introduce Legislation to Help Identify Environmental Justice Communities
Legislation would help direct 40% of President Biden's climate investment toward disproportionately impacted communities [Washington D.C.] -- Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) announced the introduction of the Environmental Justice Mapping and Data Collection Act of 2021, legislation that would take ground-breaking steps toward identifying and connecting environmental justice communities with policy … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Van Hollen and Colleagues in Introducing Bipartisan Bill to Award Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman with Congressional Gold Medal
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and their colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation to award U.S. Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman the highest civilian honor Congress can give - a Congressional Gold Medal - to honor his heroic actions during the Trump-incited January 6th insurrection that ransacked the U.S. Capitol building. Goodman confronted rioters in the Capitol, delaying … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Duckworth, Underwood, Brownley, Zeldin, Fitzpatrick Announce Introduction the No Coronavirus Copays for Veterans Act
Legislation would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for veterans receiving COVID-19 vaccinations and other qualifying coronavirus preventive services [WASHINGTON, D.C.]- Today, Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Lee Zeldin (NY-01), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate cost barriers to COVID-19 vaccinations for veterans in the House of Representatives. The No Coronavirus Copays for Veterans Act ensures that veterans who … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Duckworth Highlights Her Work for People of Illinois During the 116th Congress and the COVID-19 Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released her 116th Congress in Review report, highlighting her work and accomplishments for the people of Illinois throughout the past two years. The new report outlines Duckworth's efforts to protect Illinoisans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hold Donald Trump accountable, support our troops and Veterans, protect civil rights and help our working families. "I'm proud of the work we've done and what we've accomplished for the … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Senate Democrats Reintroduce D.C. Statehood Legislation
Statehood bill sponsored by record number of Senators, ensures equal representation for more than 700,000 D.C. residents [WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) and a group of Democratic Senators to reintroduce legislation to grant Washington, D.C. statehood. The bill, which was first introduced in 2013, would make Washington, D.C. the 51st state, finally give its citizens full representation in Congress, and also ensure … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Duckworth Meets with President Biden’s EPA Administrator Nominee Michael Regan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee and senior-most Democrat on the U.S. Senate Fisheries, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, held a virtual meeting today with Michael Regan, President Biden's nominee to be Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During their conversation, they discussed how environmental justice continues to be a challenge for thousands of Americans, especially … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Duckworth, Booker, Carper Applaud Environmental Justice Efforts in President Biden’s Climate Action Plan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After President Biden took historic action to prioritize environmental justice as part of his administration's efforts to tackle the climate crisis, the three co-founders of the U.S. Senate's first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tom Carper (D-DE) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following joint statement: "For too long, low-income communities, indigenous communities and communities of color have been exposed to toxic pollutants … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Duckworth Secures Secretary-Designate Raimondo’s Commitment to Invest in Manufacturing & Economic Development, Prioritize Trade Enforcement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), the senior Democratic Member on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, discussed several important issues with Gina Raimondo, President Joe Biden's nominee to be Secretary of Commerce, at Raimondo's confirmation hearing today. Video of Duckworth's remarks during Raimondo's confirmation hearing is available here. "Governor Raimondo made clear today that her executive experience … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Duckworth Meets with Veterans Affairs Secretary Nominee Denis McDonough
[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 meeting with Denis McDonough, President Biden's nominee to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. During their conversation, they discussed how to ensure America's Veterans can access the high-quality care, support and other … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Duckworth Votes to Confirm Blinken as Secretary of State
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, released the following statement after voting to confirm Tony Blinken as Secretary of State. Blinken was confirmed by a 78-22 vote to serve as Secretary of State under President Biden. "Tony Blinken is an experienced, crisis-tested leader who will be an excellent Secretary of State, and I was proud to vote to … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Duckworth Commends President Biden for Defending Our Troops, Calling Out Russia’s Reported Bounty Program Targeting U.S. Troops During First Call with Putin
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, today released the following statement commending President Biden for, during his first call as President with Vladimir Putin, standing up for our troops and calling out a reported Russian program that put bounties on U.S. servicemembers' lives. After the bounty program was first publicly reported on June 26, … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
After Trump’s Refusal to Protect Workers During Pandemic, Duckworth & Durbin Applaud President Biden’s Move to Create Emergency OSHA Standard to Keep Workers Safe from COVID-19
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today lauded President Biden's decision to order the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to take steps toward implementing an Emergency Temporary Standard to protect workers across America from contracting COVID-19. The Biden Administration move comes on the first full day of President Biden's term after Donald Trump refused or ignored several requests from Duckworth, Durbin and their colleagues … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Duckworth Votes to Confirm Janet Yellen as Treasury Secretary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today voted to confirm Janet Yellen as Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Yellen was confirmed with an 84-15 vote to serve as Treasury Secretary under President Biden. "Secretary Yellen is a uniquely-qualified, crisis-tested leader whose expertise will be essential as President Biden takes on the economic challenges facing our country, and I am confident she will be an effective advocate in helping the Administration … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Duckworth Applauds President Biden’s Move to End Trump’s Discriminatory Transgender Military Ban
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, issued the following statement in response to President Biden signing an order enabling all qualified Americans to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States by reversing former president Donald Trump's discriminatory ban on transgender troops serving in the U.S. military: "Donald Trump's transgender military ban … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Duckworth Applauds Biden Appointment of National Council on Disability Chair Gallegos Following Her Recommendation
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today commended President Biden for designating Andrés J. Gallegos as Chairman of the National Council on Disability (NCD). Duckworth wrote to then-President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris in December recommending Gallegos, of Chicago, to lead NCD. At Duckworth's recommendation, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) appointed Gallegos to serve on NCD in February 2018. NCD is an independent, nonpartisan federal … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Legislative Priorities with Newly-Elected Illinois House Black Caucus Chair
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke with Illinois State Rep. Kam Buckner (IL-26), newly-elected chair of the Illinois House Black Caucus. Duckworth and Buckner discussed his priorities for the caucus including criminal justice legislation, infrastructure funding and assistance for small businesses-especially those in the hospitality and restaurants industries-and how the Senator can provide support from the federal level. "I enjoyed my productive conversation … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Duckworth Meets with Secretary-Designate Gina Raimondo
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation (CST) Committee and the U.S. Senate Small Business & Entrepreneurship (SBE) Committee, today held a virtual meeting with Governor Gina Raimondo, President Biden's nominee to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. "Governor Raimondo brings a problem-solving approach and an experienced background to this critically important position. I enjoyed speaking with … Continue Reading
