Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $500,000 to Support Illinois Housing and Community Development
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $563,741 in federal funding today to help Kankakee expand economic opportunities and improve housing and living environments for low-to-moderate income individuals. Today's funding comes through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program. "Children and families in need in Kankakee and all across Illinois rely on investments like these … Continue Reading
December 05, 2019
Duckworth and Isakson Bipartisan Bill to Fix Immigration Policy for Children of U.S. Servicemembers and Civil Servants Passes House of Representatives
[WASHINGTON, DC] - This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a companion version of U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Johnny Isakson’s (R-GA) bipartisan Citizenship for Children of Military Members & Civil Servants Act. This legislation would fix a problem in current law that disadvantages certain children whose parents are serving our nation abroad in uniform or in the civil service. It would modernize Section 320 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to cut … Continue Reading
December 04, 2019
Bipartisan Duckworth Resolution to Support At-Risk Youth and Help Eliminate Homelessness Passes Senate
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tim Scott (R-SC) recognizing November as National Runaway Prevention Month passed the U.S. Senate this week. The resolution will help raise awareness of the nationwide runaway and homeless youth crisis and educate the public on how to help end youth homelessness. U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Patty … Continue Reading
December 03, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Join Schatz and Colleagues in Reintroducing Legislation to Help Protect People’s Personal Data Online
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with 14 other Senators led by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), reintroduced legislation to protect people’s personal data online. The Data Care Act would require websites, apps, and other online providers to take responsible steps to safeguard personal information and stop the misuse of users’ data. “Over the past few years, we’ve seen numerous major hacks or data leaks of private user information … Continue Reading
December 03, 2019
Duckworth Presses Military Leaders to Address Unsafe Military Housing Conditions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At today's U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) Committee Hearing, Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) questioned military leaders on their inadequate response to unsafe military housing conditions and requested that every Garrison Commander's evaluation report include a line item on maintaining the highest quality of housing for our troops and their families. Duckworth also highlighted the urgent need for the military to reduce exposure to harmful … Continue Reading
November 25, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin and Kelly Urge EPA to Act on Dangerous Levels of Soil Contamination in Chicago’s Southeast Side
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging the agency to remediate soil contaminated with manganese, a known neurotoxin, by using the State of Illinois’ more protective manganese clean-up threshold. Residents living near S.H. Bell and Watco facilities on Chicago’s Southeast Side have historically been exposed to … Continue Reading
November 25, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Bill to Address Public Housing Crisis in East St. Louis and Across Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), introduced the Housing is Infrastructure Act, comprehensive legislation to address the nation's affordable housing crisis, including public housing and low- and mixed-income housing through infrastructure investments. The bill would specifically add $70 billion to the Public Housing Capital Fund, which will aid in building, modernizing, and rehabilitating the public … Continue Reading
November 22, 2019
Duckworth Visits National Runaway Safeline, Recognizes National Runaway Prevention Month
[CHICAGO, IL] - U. S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with staff and volunteers at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) the Chicago-based federally-designated national hotline and online service for runaway and homeless youth. Earlier today, Duckworth introduced a resolution to recognize November as National Runaway Prevention Month. Photos from today's visit are available here. "Every child should have access to a safe place to sleep at night," said Duckworth. "Yet, far too many … Continue Reading
November 22, 2019
Duckworth Meets With McDonald’s Workers, Urges New CEO to Address Harassment
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with McDonald's workers and representatives from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to hear directly from the company's employees about harassment and retaliation they have experienced. Following the meeting, Duckworth reiterated her call for the company to improve its protections against harassment in a letter to the new CEO, Chris Kempczinski. McDonald's previous CEO never responded to Duckworth's initial request, … Continue Reading
November 22, 2019
Duckworth Hosts Chicago Roundtable on Deported Veterans and Supporting Immigrant Military Families
[CHICAGO, IL] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a roundtable today with members of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and Green Card Veterans to discuss issues facing immigrant Veterans and their families. Duckworth highlighted her legislation to protect and support Veterans and servicemembers, as well as discussed her recent Veterans Day visit to Tijuana, Mexico, where she met with Veterans who have been deported. Photos from today's roundtable … Continue Reading
November 22, 2019
Duckworth, Sullivan, Durbin, Scott Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Support At-Risk Youth and Help Eliminate Homelessness
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize November as National Runaway Prevention Month. If passed, the resolution would help raise awareness of the nationwide runaway and homeless youth crisis and educate the public on how to help end youth homelessness. U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA) also joined … Continue Reading
November 21, 2019
Duckworth Chairs Climate Crisis Committee Hearing on Environmental Justice
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led a hearing of the Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis-which is chaired by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and is affiliated with the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee- entitled, "Perspectives from the front lines: how climate change uniquely impacts environmental justice communities." Duckworth discussed the unique climate change impacts faced by low-income communities and communities of color … Continue Reading
November 21, 2019
Duckworth Leads Colleagues in Sending Letter to FDA about Heavy Metals in Baby Food
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led 8 of her Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Admiral Brett Giroir, the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Acting Commissioner, requesting that the FDA take immediate action to ensure the safety of our nation's baby and toddler food. The letter comes on the heels of a recent report by Healthy Babies Bright Futures, which found that 95 percent of baby food tested had toxic heavy metals-including lead, arsenic, cadmium and … Continue Reading
November 20, 2019
Following Duckworth’s Request, Federal Government Announces Preliminary Investigation into Toxic Pollution in Sauget
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a letter sent by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder of the Senate's Environmental Justice Caucus, a federal agency within the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced it will conduct a preliminary investigation into potential health hazards in Sauget, Illinois, emanating from pollution near the Veolia North America-Trade Waste Incineration facility. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), which is the premier federal agency … Continue Reading
November 19, 2019
Bipartisan Duckworth Bill to Help National Labs Find Qualified Employees Passes Senate Committee
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee unanimously today and will now be considered by the full Senate. With many employees of our National Laboratories and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) retiring age, the DOE National Labs Jobs ACCESS Act (Apprenticeships for Complete and Committed Employment for Specialized Skills) would establish … Continue Reading
November 19, 2019
Senate Committee Passes Bipartisan Duckworth Bill to Train Veterans for Careers in Innovative Sectors of the American Energy Industry
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee unanimously today and will now be considered by the full Senate. The Energy Jobs for our Heroes Act would help ease the transition back to civilian life for servicemembers and strengthen the economy by connecting employers in the fast-growing solar, wind, nuclear and … Continue Reading
November 19, 2019
Duckworth Leads Hearing, Advocates for Every American’s Access to Clean Water
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, as Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works' Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led a hearing about maintaining state's authority to protect their waterways. This is a key policy within the Clean Water Act, a landmark law that regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nation's waterways. Duckworth is Ranking Member of the subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the law. Video of Duckworth's … Continue Reading
November 15, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $60,000 to Improve Environmental Justice in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a founding member of the Senate's Environmental Justice Caucus and Dick Durbin (D-IL), today announced a total of $60,000 in federal funding to two organizations, Legal Aid Chicago and Legal Council for Health Justice, to help address environmental justice issues. Today's funding is part of more than $1.5 million being awarded to 50 different organizations working to address environmental injustice nationwide, half of which will use … Continue Reading
November 14, 2019
Republicans Block Bipartisan Duckworth Bill to Help Veterans Afford Health Care
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today went to the Senate floor to call on her colleagues to pass her bipartisan bill, the Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act, which would guarantee that Veterans enrolled in the VA system don't have to pay out-of-pocket costs for preventive medications. Currently, every other insured American, including Servicemembers enrolled in TRICARE, are guaranteed access to these preventive drugs without copayments. … Continue Reading
November 14, 2019
Duckworth, Collins Push for Federal Assistance for Communities Struggling With Stranded Nuclear Waste
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Susan Collins (R-ME) sent a bipartisan letter to leadership of both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees today urging them to prioritize federal assistance to communities who are struggling with nuclear waste. Because the federal government has been unable to find a permanent solution to store spent nuclear fuel, communities around the country with closed nuclear power plants have become unwilling interim storage … Continue Reading
