Press Releases
Duckworth Joins Casey in Introducing Bill to Make Federal Technology More Accessible for People with Disabilities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)—Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging—along with U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) this week to introduce the Section 508 Refresh Act. This new bill would require federal agencies to take a series of actions to ensure people with disabilities can use the federal government’s technology. While Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires agencies to make … Continue Reading
July 25, 2024
Duckworth Joins Ernst to Call for Expanded U.S. Production of Biofuels
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week joined U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and 50 bipartisan, bicameral colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of the Treasury to issue timely guidance on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit to give farmers, blenders, retailers, and fuel users certainty and the time needed to make additional clean fuel projects a reality. The 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit consolidates and replaces several fuel-related credits currently … Continue Reading
July 25, 2024
Ahead of 34th Anniversary of ADA, Duckworth and Casey Renew Push to Make Gyms and Fitness Facilities More Accessible for Americans with Disabilities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Ahead of the 34th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), today U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Bob Casey (D-PA) are reintroducing legislation to make gyms and other fitness facilities across America more accessible for those with disabilities. The Exercise and Fitness for All Act of 2024 would authorize the U.S. Access Board—a federal agency that promotes accessibility—to issue new, enforceable guidelines for the first time in 24 years. … Continue Reading
July 24, 2024
Duckworth Urges Secretary Buttigieg to Examine Whether Delta Complied with Federal Law After Nationwide Meltdown
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—expressed her deep concerns to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg after Delta Airlines took so much longer than other carriers to recover from the faulty CrowdStrike software update. In a letter sent to Secretary Buttigieg, the Senator noted … Continue Reading
July 23, 2024
Duckworth Discusses Importance of Production of U.S. Biofuels with Renewable Fuels Association
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with leaders and members from the Renewable Fuels Association Board of Directors (RFA) to underscore her support for U.S. ethanol production to help strengthen our national and energy security, drive down gas prices, support our farmers, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand rural economic opportunity in Illinois and across the country. A photo from today’s meeting can be found on the Senator’s website. “America has … Continue Reading
July 23, 2024
Duckworth Urges Secretary of State to Work with Israel to Expand and Expedite Delivery of Humanitarian Aid into Gaza to Support Aid Workers and Innocent Civilians
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—urged U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog to work together to ensure the Government of Israel expands and expedites the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid into Gaza to support humanitarian aid … Continue Reading
July 22, 2024
Duckworth Statement on Sonya Massey
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement today in response to the release of body cam footage of Springfield resident Sonya Massey’s death at the hands of a former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department Deputy: “The needless violence depicted in the body cam footage released today is painful and horrifying. Sonya Massey feared for her safety and trusted law enforcement to protect her—and that trust never should have cost Sonya her life.“This sort … Continue Reading
July 22, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $430 Million for Community-Driven Climate and Environment Solutions in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $430,251,378 in federal support to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to help implement community-driven solutions that tackle the climate crisis, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice and accelerate America’s clean energy transition. Today’s funding comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant … Continue Reading
July 18, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin, Members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation Urge Small Bussiness Administration to Grant an Economic Injury Disaster Declaration for Jo Daviess County
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman urging her to grant Governor JB Pritzker’s request for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Declaration for Jo Daviess County, Illinois. The letter comes after severe flooding in the area earlier this month. Led by Duckworth and Durbin, the letter was also signed by U.S. … Continue Reading
July 18, 2024
Duckworth Applauds FCC for Unanimously Passing Final Rule to Implement Her Bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act That Will Eliminate Unreasonable Prison Phone Rates and Reduce Recidivism by Helping Families Sustain Connections with Loved Ones
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) applauded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for unanimously voting 5-0 to move forward and implement the Senator’s bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, an historic law that honors the legacy of the late Martha Wright-Reed by completing the mission she began over two decades ago to end egregious prison phone rates that gouged innocent family members and prevented these Americans from … Continue Reading
July 17, 2024
In Vietnam, Duckworth Touts Benefits of Illinois-Produced Biofuels, Builds on Her Work to Bring More Investments to Illinois
[HANOI, VIETNAM] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth continued her official Senate visit through Vietnam today, meeting with government and trade officials to highlight the benefits of increasing imports of corn and soy ethanol from Illinois. As demand for gasoline has increased throughout Vietnam, biofuel imports from our Illinois farmers can help meet this demand while providing a more reliable, cost stable and environmentally friendly fuel alternative with ethanol blends. Duckworth’s official … Continue Reading
July 17, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $2.27 Million in Medical Research Grants for Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $2,276,880 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to Illinois institutions. A large portion of the funding will be put towards research programs across the state to support medical advancement in various fields, ranging from cancer research to research related to deafness. “Investing in our world-renowned medical research facilities and institutions … Continue Reading
July 17, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $7 Million in Federal Funding for Community-Based Residency Programs for Doctors in Underserved Areas
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $7,040,000 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to support new community-based medical residency programs for doctors in underserved areas in Illinois. Under the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education program, physicians train primarily in outpatient community sites, such as community health centers, to build the pipeline of primary care … Continue Reading
July 17, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $16.8 Million in HHS Grants for Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $16,894,039 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to Illinois institutions. Of this funding, $16,759,039 will be awarded to the Illinois Department of Public Health for its Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement and $135,000 will go to the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault to support the organization’s mission to provide … Continue Reading
July 15, 2024
Duckworth Traveling to Laos & Vietnam to Reinforce U.S. Commitment to ASEAN Partners, Strengthening Economic Ties & Bolstering Regional Security
[VIENTIANE, LAOS] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees—arrived in Laos for an official Senate visit aimed at reinforcing America’s commitment to our partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), strengthening U.S.-ASEAN economic ties and building on the foundations of the U.S.-Laos relationship. Duckworth’s visit marks the first visit from a … Continue Reading
July 12, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $18.8 Million for Manufacturing, Education Apprenticeship Programs in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]—U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $18,838,897 in U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) funding for three Illinois recipients to help modernize, diversify and expand the Registered Apprenticeship system in growing U.S. industries, helping bring thousands of trainees into these industries. Through the DOL’s Apprenticeship Building America initiative, awardees today will receive support to help diversify and … Continue Reading
July 12, 2024
Duckworth Joins Senate Democratic Colleagues, Healthcare Providers in Releasing Report on How Women Are Burdened by Dobbs Decision No Matter What State They Live In
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week joined U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and 13 women Democratic Senators in releasing a new report: Two Years Post-Dobbs: The Nationwide Impacts of Abortion Bans. The report —based on testimony from more than 80 health care providers and advocates from all across the country—details how the Supreme Court’s disastrous Dobbs decision is harming women’s health care in states across … Continue Reading
July 12, 2024
Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Spending Bills with Illinois Priorities Secured by Duckworth, Durbin
{CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced funding bills for Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies; and Legislative Branch for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). Duckworth and Durbin worked to secure various priorities for Illinois in these three appropriations bills, both through Congressionally Directed … Continue Reading
July 11, 2024
Duckworth Meets Communities for Responsible and Efficient Waterways Members to Discuss Federal Support
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Illinois members of Communities for Responsible and Efficient Waterways (CREW) to discuss federal support for projects along the Illinois Waterway and Illinois and Mississippi Canal that will maintain and improve access and mitigate flooding along the corridor. A photo from the meeting is available at the Senator’s website. “Protecting and strengthening our inland waterways and water infrastructure is critical to growing our … Continue Reading
July 11, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin, Foster, Sorensen Announce $334.7 Million in Federal Funding for Retooling of Stellantis Plant in Belivdere
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11) and Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding Stellantis $334,763,050 in Domestic Auto Manufacturing Conversion Grant program funds to assist in the reopening of the Belvidere Assembly Plant and in the construction of the plant’s new electric vehicle battery production facility. Stellantis has … Continue Reading
