March 21, 2018

Duckworth Meets with Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce

 

[WASHINGTON, DC] — Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with members of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce to discuss economic development and infrastructure priorities, including the Chicago to Quad Cities passenger rail project. Since arriving in Congress, Duckworth has been a vocal advocate for the Rock Island Arsenal, an economic engine for the Quad Cities area, and recently joined a group of bipartisan senators to help ensure long-term success for the facility. A photo of today’s meeting is available here.

"It was great to speak with the Quad Cities Chamber about how I can help support development throughout the region," Senator Duckworth said. "I look forward to working together in our shared goals to boost the Quad Cities economy through investments in infrastructure and transportation systems that will bring new opportunities for local businesses and working families alike."

Last year, Duckworth, along with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), filed a bipartisan amendment, which was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to help reduce government waste and ensure the long-term success of the Rock Island Arsenal. The Senators' bipartisan amendment will ensure the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) first seeks out existing government-owned spaces on military installations like Rock Island to house government offices before leasing commercial space for government purposes. The Duckworth amendment will also help prevent the Arsenal's closing in any future base realignment and closure (BRAC) processes by ensuring DOD uses Rock Island's facilities more efficiently.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Duckworth continues to advocate on behalf of working families across Illinois, increasing access to jobs and opportunity to help boost local economies and stabilize neighborhoods struggling for a brighter future. Duckworth is also a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, where she’s tasked with overseeing issues related to the nation’s transportation systems and infrastructure projects and works to ensure Illinois receives adequate funding from the federal government to rebuild and modernize state infrastructure and transportation systems.