Press Releases
Duckworth, Blackburn Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Emergency Communication Technology That Could Help Saves Lives
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, reintroduced legislation to improve emergency communication technology that could help save lives. The ITS Codification Act would codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS), which currently serves as the research and engineering laboratory at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and … Continue Reading
July 14, 2026
Duckworth to Vote No on NDAA Unless Her Amendment to End Trump’s Illegal War is Included
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced she will vote against the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (NDAA) unless her amendment to end President Donald Trump’s illegal war against Iran is included. Specifically, Duckworth’s amendment would halt additional funding for offensive operations against Iran—while still allowing for self-defense, defense of allies and intelligence gathering—until the American people authorize this war through … Continue Reading
July 13, 2026
Duckworth, Durbin Announce NDAA Amendments to Prevent President Trump from Unlawfully Deploying the Military into American Cities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced five amendments to the Senate National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2027 to push back against the Trump Administration’s expansive use of the military for law enforcement or … Continue Reading
July 13, 2026
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $13 Million for Downstate Truck Parking and Rest Area Improvements
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $13,168,092 in federal funding for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to support infrastructure and accessibility improvements at Fort Massac and Salt Kettle Rest Areas in Massac County, Illinois. This funding, from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s FY26 BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) program, will reconstruct … Continue Reading
July 10, 2026
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $52 Million in Public Health Grants for Illinois
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $52,175,652 in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public health grants for the Illinois Department of Public Health and the City of Chicago. Primarily sourced from the federal Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Program, this funding will assist state and local governments in effectively preparing for or responding to public health threats … Continue Reading
July 08, 2026
Duckworth Joins Hickenlooper, Colleagues in Urging White House to Rescind Political Rule That Hurts American Science, Research
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and nine of their Senate colleagues in submitting public comment to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought to demand OMB rescind a proposed rule, broadly titled “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance”, that could alter how nearly all federal agencies administer grants and financial agreements. The proposed change would give more political control over … Continue Reading
July 06, 2026
Duckworth Arrives in Taiwan, the First Senator to Visit Long-Time Partner After Disastrous Trump-Xi Summit
[TAIPEI, TAIWAN] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—traveled to Taiwan, the first Senator to do so after the disastrous Trump-Xi summit. After Donald Trump kowtowed to President of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Xi Jinping and waffled on delivering a critical bipartisan arms package to Taiwan, the Senator plans to meet with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and other leaders to … Continue Reading
July 02, 2026
Duckworth, Durbin Join Senate Democrats in Demanding OMB Rescind Rule Giving President Sweeping Power to Politicize Federal Grants
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) along with the entire Senate Democratic caucus in demanding Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought immediately rescind OMB’s proposed regulation on federal financial assistance. The Senators warned the proposal exceeds OMB’s statutory authority, … Continue Reading
July 02, 2026
In Japan, Duckworth Continues Efforts to Bring More Agriculture, Quantum and Economic Investments to Illinois
[TOKYO, JAPAN] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—arrived in Japan on a Congressional delegation (CODEL) she arranged to continue her efforts meeting with high-level business leaders and government officials and promoting Illinois abroad. During her official trip, Duckworth plans to meet with businesses and convened leaders in quantum and technology to shore up previous trade commitments and reassure the international leaders … Continue Reading
July 01, 2026
Duckworth, Jackson Reintroduce Legislation to Help Reduce Gun Violence and Honor Slain Chicago Student Blair Holt
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01) reintroduced bicameral legislation to help reduce gun violence in Illinois and across the country. The Blair Holt Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act, which Duckworth has been pushing for since 2018, would prohibit the unlicensed ownership and transfer of firearms and direct the U.S. Attorney General to establish and maintain a federal record of sale system and conduct … Continue Reading
June 30, 2026
Duckworth, Durbin Join Senate Democrats in Resolution Honoring Pride Month
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tina Smith (D-MN) joined 44 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution recognizing June as Pride Month. This resolution highlights the contributions LGBTQ+ individuals have made to American society, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal rights and reaffirms the Senate’s commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms. This year’s resolution comes on the heels of the President's … Continue Reading
June 29, 2026
Duckworth, Durbin Release Data on Sky-High Cost of Living in Illinois Under Second Trump Administration
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) shared data from the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) showing that the average Illinois household has paid more than $3,400 in higher costs because of President Trump’s policies and war of choice in Iran. Despite numerous claims that the second Trump Administration would lower the cost of living for Americans, President Trump has focused his energy on slashing $1 trillion in Medicaid … Continue Reading
June 26, 2026
Duckworth Joins Kelly, Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Award Artemis II Crew the Congressional Gold Medal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee (CST) on Aviation, Space and Innovation—joined U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and a bipartisan, bicameral group of Congressional colleagues in introducing the Artemis II Congressional Gold Medal Act to honor the four crewmembers of the historic Artemis II mission around the Moon. On April 1st, 2026, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space … Continue Reading
June 25, 2026
Duckworth, Durbin Join Democratic Caucus in Demanding USPS Abandon Proposed Rule to Carry Out President Trump's Illegal Executive Order Restricting Vote by Mail
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee joined the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in demanding the United States Postal Service (USPS) abandon its proposed rule to implement President Trump’s unconstitutional executive order to restrict voting by mail. Duckworth and Durbin previously joined a group of colleagues in urging USPS not to carry out the executive order, which would … Continue Reading
June 25, 2026
Duckworth, Durbin, Schneider Introduce Resolution Marking Four Years Since July 4th Shooting in Highland Park
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) today announced the introduction of a Senate resolution expressing the condolences of Congress and honoring the memory of the victims of the shooting at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4, 2022. “When families gathered in Highland Park to observe the Fourth of July four years ago, they were there to celebrate … Continue Reading
June 25, 2026
Duckworth, Schumer, Durbin Lead Senate Democrats in Introducing Resolution to Reaffirm Promise of Olmstead, Protect Disability Rights and Condemn Trump Administration’s Latest Attack
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — In the wake of the Trump Administration’s latest attack against the disability community, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Committee on the Judiciary Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL) led Senate Democrats today in introducing a resolution that would protect disability rights and uphold the true promise of the Supreme Court’s landmark Olmstead decision—a ruling that has protected Americans with disabilities’ right … Continue Reading
June 24, 2026
Duckworth Underscores the Trump Administration’s Ongoing Attacks on Reproductive Freedom in Post-Roe America
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Ahead of the four-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s disastrous Dobbs decision that overturned the constitutional right to choose, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) slammed Donald Trump and the radical, anti-freedom movement that has women’s lives in danger and continues to push for extreme laws that would lock up women and doctors, prohibit safe and effective medication and ban IVF. At U.S. Senate Democratic Senate Pro-Tempore Patty Murray’s (D-WA) spotlight forum, … Continue Reading
June 24, 2026
Duckworth Calls Out Trump Administration for Delaying and Neglecting Servicemembers’ Immigration Cases
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) slammed the Trump Administration for once again betraying our nation’s heroes by gutting the Immigrant Military Members and Veteran Initiative (IMMVI)—a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Veterans Affairs (VA) created in 2021 to help streamline immigration processes for Veterans and their families. In a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and … Continue Reading
June 24, 2026
Duckworth: Shame on Donald Trump for Holding Congress-Passed Housing Affordability Bill Hostage
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after Donald Trump announced he will not sign the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which passed the House and the Senate with strong bipartisan support, until Congress passes his voter suppression bill:“How evil can Donald Trump get? Congress just passed the biggest housing bill in 30 years, and this President is stomping on the brakes and holding it hostage until we pass his voter suppression … Continue Reading
June 23, 2026
Duckworth Reacts to Congress Passing War Powers Concurrent Resolution to Rein in Trump’s Illegal War Against Iran
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees—issued the following statement after the Senate voted 50-48 in support of a War Powers Concurrent Resolution to rein in President Donald Trump’s illegal war against Iran: “I’ve been saying this from the start: this illegal war should’ve never happened. “Donald Trump promised the American people no more wars and lower costs. Instead, … Continue Reading