In The News
Illinois elected leaders blast Trump’s military strikes in Iran: ‘No justification’
CHICAGO - Elected state and congressional leaders in Illinois blasted President Trump and his administration for the early morning military strikes in Iran on Saturday. The local leaders, mostly Democrats who have routinely opposed the Trump administration’s policies on nearly every front, argued the strikes against Iran were not legally justified and circumvented congressional authority for war. Here is what they said. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth US Senator Tammy Duckworth, Democrat from … Continue Reading
February 26, 2026
Trump wants to ‘dismantle’ VA, veteran senator claims
Veteran Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois accused President Donald Trump of seeking to privatize and ultimately dismantle the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during a combative congressional hearing this week. Why It Matters The remarks come amid a fresh dispute over a VA disability compensation rule that sparked backlash from veterans’ groups. The comments also reflect a broader fight over the future of the VA and how veterans’ care should be delivered. VA pointed Newsweek … Continue Reading
February 13, 2026
Senator seeks US watchdog probe into Texas drone incidents
WASHINGTON, March 13 (Reuters) - The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Commerce aviation subcommittee on Friday called for a government investigation into two recent incidents of the government's use of a laser-based anti-drone system in Texas. Senator Tammy Duckworth, in a letter seen by Reuters, asked the inspector generals for the Transportation, Homeland Security and Defense departments to jointly investigate the government's use of counter-drone high-energy laser weapons. She said the … Continue Reading
February 13, 2026
Senate Dems Demand VA Reverse 'Cruel' Abortion Ban
A majority of Senate Democrats on Friday called on the Department of Veterans Affairs to reverse the near total abortion ban implemented recently by the Trump administration. In a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, 33 Senate Democrats decried what they called a “cruel” and “shameful” policy change. “In light of the devastating harm this will cause to veterans and their loved ones, especially those living in states with extreme abortion bans, we urge you to rescind this policy … Continue Reading
February 12, 2026
US senators criticize FAA for failures before helicopter collision
WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - U.S. Senators on Thursday criticized the Federal Aviation Administration over a litany of failures before the January 2025 collision of a American Airlines (AAL.O), opens new tab regional jet and Army helicopter that killed 67 people near Reagan Washington National Airport. Senator Maria Cantwell, top Democrat on the Commerce Committee, said at a hearing that National Transportation Safety Board findings on the crash showed the "failures of the FAA and what it … Continue Reading
February 11, 2026
Tammy Duckworth Accuses DHS Of 'Implicitly Threatening The Independence' Of Agency's Watchdog
On "Forbes Newsroom," Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the letter she sent Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in which she accused DHS of "implicitly threatening the independence of the DHS Office of Inspector General" by reminding the department's independent watchdog that the secretary has the power to effectively kill any of its … Continue Reading
February 11, 2026
In dueling DC hearings, Rep. Ramirez calls Noem a liar and Sen. Duckworth questions Trump troop deployments
U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez and Sen. Tammy Duckworth went face-to-face with top Trump administration officials in separate Washington hearings Thursday, with Ramirez calling for an investigation into Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s “potentially impeachable actions” and repeatedly calling her a liar. “Secretary Noem, you lie and you lie to the American people,” Ramirez, whose 3rd Congressional District covers Chicago and parts of Cook and DuPage counties, told the House Homeland Security … Continue Reading
February 09, 2026
EPA dismisses resident concerns over Cahokia Heights sewer repair timeline
Residents who have advocated for years for solutions to broken city infrastructure that causes sewage to spill from pipes and flood homes and yards say they now worry they will not live to see the work completed. The city and environmental protection agencies have officially agreed on a plan to service the aging sewer system, despite pushback from the community. Residents have called the repair timeline “unreasonably long.” They say it fails to fully address the problems by excluding projects … Continue Reading
February 09, 2026
DHS implies it will stop certain oversight investigations, senator alleges
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., during a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee hearing on Jan. 29, 2026. She said that the Homeland Security Department's general counsel flagged to inspector general officials of a provision in federal law that could be used to halt an investigation. Tom Williams / Getty Images A Democratic senator on Feb. 5 accused the Homeland Security Department of threatening to halt watchdog inquiries into immigration-related operations. Sen. Tammy … Continue Reading
February 06, 2026
DHS warned its independent watchdog that Noem can kill its investigations, senator says
The Department of Homeland Security’s general counsel warned the agency’s independent watchdog that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asserts she has the power to unilaterally kill its investigations, according to a new letter sent by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. The DHS inspector general’s office states that its mission is to “provide objective, independent oversight of DHS programs and operations and to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability within DHS.” In a meeting with … Continue Reading
February 01, 2026
Tammy Duckworth calls on Trump to fufill IVF promises
Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, along with Representative James Walkinshaw of Virginia, both Democrats, has urged President Donald Trump to "finally start delivering" on his promise to increase access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and reduce the associated costs so American families can more easily start families. "All we’re asking Trump to do is finally start delivering on his campaign promise for free IVF," Duckworth wrote on X. "Our federal workers deserve the same level of coverage … Continue Reading
January 30, 2026
Congressional Democrats Urge Trump to Cover IVF for Federal Workers
Two congressional Democrats are pressing the Trump administration to require that in vitro fertilization be covered for federal workers. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. James Walkinshaw urged the Office of Personnel Management to “strengthen family-building benefits for the Federal workforce,” in a letter exclusively obtained by NOTUS. Currently, not all health insurance plans offered to federal workers provide IVF coverage. “One year into the second term of the Trump administration, … Continue Reading
January 29, 2026
Sen. Tammy Duckworth on why Democrats oppose funding DHS without restrictions for ICE
NPR's Steve Inskeep asks Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois about her party's intensifying opposition to funding the Department of Homeland Security without guardrails for ICE. STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: All right. We mentioned a confrontation in Congress. Lawmakers face a deadline Friday to fund the government or see a partial shutdown. Senate Democrats are demanding changes before they give their votes to the Department of Homeland Security. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is one of … Continue Reading
January 28, 2026
Duckworth’s busy day: Sparring with JD Vance, proposing $1.5 billion plan to fix rail bridges
If new transportation legislation co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Mike Quigley passes, it could make trips a lot faster for riders on Metra and other commuter rail systems. The two Democratic lawmakers announced the Building Rail Infrastructure for a Durable and Growing Economy (BRIDGE) Act Wednesday. It would create a program allowing commuter railroads to compete for $1.5 billion annually to help pay for overdue maintenance, repairs and replacement of bridges. Metra … Continue Reading
January 28, 2026
Veteran Senator Destroys JD Vance After He Compares Her To Forrest Gump
Vice President JD Vance attempted to mock a Democratic senator and veteran after she pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio over whether the U.S. is at war with Venezuela. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday, Rubio insisted the U.S. isn’t at war with the South American nation, which prompted Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) to ask him if he would advise the president “to rescind his invocation of the wartime Alien Enemies Act?” “Of course not,” Rubio responded. … Continue Reading
January 28, 2026
Duckworth, Illinois Democrats blast Vice President JD Vance for likening senator to 'Forrest Gump'
Sen. Tammy Duckworth and top Illinois Democrats are denouncing Vice President JD Vance over “ableist” comments he made on Wednesday likening the Illinois senator to “Forrest Gump.” The social media war was spurred by a tense exchange between Duckworth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday morning, which marked Rubio’s first testimony before Congress since the Trump administration attacked Venezuela and seized President Nicolas … Continue Reading
January 26, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth against DHS funding package without ICE reform
Amid the ongoing furor over the shooting death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, a large group of Democratic senators are opposed to a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security. Those senators, including Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, have said they will not vote for an appropriations bill that includes funds for DHS, which oversees ICE and Border Patrol, among other agencies, unless there is significant change enacted with the way the administration of President … Continue Reading
January 23, 2026
Federal government watchdogs deny Duckworth's request for joint probe of immigration agents' use of force
A pair of government watchdogs have denied U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth's request to conduct a joint investigation into federal agents' tactics during immigration enforcement operations in the Chicago area. In October, Duckworth sent a letter to the inspectors general for the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security calling for a joint investigative task force into federal agents' use of force amid Operation Midway Blitz, and to recommend any necessary corrective actions. On … Continue Reading
January 20, 2026
Sen. Duckworth travels to Portugal, Poland to strengthen Illinois National Guard ties
At a time of uncertainty for National Guard members throughout the country, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth is traveling to Poland and Portugal to focus on partnership programs between the Illinois National Guard and both countries. A vocal critic of President Trump’s mobilization of the National Guard in Democratic cities, including Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and Memphis, Duckworth told the Chicago Sun-Times she’ll be able to highlight what she believes Guard members “should … Continue Reading
January 16, 2026
Democratic senator's bill would prevent political appointees from serving as an IG
Sen. Duckworth's bill would put restraints on Trump and future presidents. Sen. Tammy Duckworth is introducing legislation Friday that would put restraints on the current and former political appointees to be nominated as inspectors general. The Inspector General's Independence Act would bar President Donald Trump and future presidents from nominating political appointees who have served or are serving in their administration from serving as an inspector general. "Whether this is … Continue Reading