Press Releases
Duckworth and Durbin Announce Illinois Wins In COVID-19 Relief Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statements after the Senate passed President Biden's American Rescue Plan, which will provide emergency relief to Illinois: "Relief is coming to hardworking families all across Illinois because of President Biden's American Rescue Plan," Duckworth said. "Working together, Senator Durbin and I helped secure billions in investments that will boost our state's … Continue Reading
March 06, 2021
Duckworth Helps Secure Millions in Funding to Help Low-Income Families Address Their Diaper Needs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced today that she was successful in securing provisions in the Senate-passed American Rescue Plan that will help provide low-income families with diapers and diapering supplies. These provisions mirror the Duckworth-authored bipartisan legislation, the End Diaper Need Act, which was introduced in February. "When families are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads in the midst of a deadly pandemic, … Continue Reading
March 06, 2021
Duckworth Applauds Passage of American Rescue Plan to Send Urgent Help to Communities and Working Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after voting for the American Rescue Plan: "Our nation has lost more than 520,000 Americans to COVID-19 and we simply can't wait a minute longer to send urgent relief to Illinoisans and struggling families, small businesses and local governments across this country. We are dealing with a once in a generation public health crisis and the Biden Administration's American Rescue Plan that my Democratic … Continue Reading
March 05, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Inclusion of Maternal Health Provision From Their MOMMA’S Act In American Rescue Plan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that a provision based off their bicameral Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA's) Act, sponsored in the House by U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), is included in the American Rescue Plan. The provision gives states a five-year option to extend health care coverage for new moms on Medicaid from 60 days after pregnancy to a full year. In … Continue Reading
March 05, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Energy with Illinois Municipal Electric Agency and Illinois Municipal Utilities Association
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) held a video call with several Illinois mayors, local officials and members of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) and the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA) to discuss her Illinois and legislative priorities for the upcoming year. Duckworth discussed the importance of renewable energy, addressing climate change and financial incentives for public power entities. She also spoke about the impact of the COVID-19 … Continue Reading
March 04, 2021
Duckworth, Klobuchar, Colleagues Introduce “Marshall Plan for Moms” Resolution to Support Mothers in the American Workforce
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), introduced the Marshall Plan for Moms, a resolution to support mothers in the American workforce. "In order to truly build an economy that is stronger than it was when this deadly pandemic hit, we must confront the crises facing working moms all across our … Continue Reading
March 04, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Water and Infrastructure Priorities with Mississippi River Mayors
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) yesterday met with members of the Mississippi River Cities and Town Initiatives (MRCTI) to discuss legislative priorities for municipalities along the Mississippi River. Duckworth-Chair of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife-was joined by Illinois Mayors Rick Eberlin of Grafton, Robert Eastern of East St. Louis, Mike McCormick of Godfrey, Thomas Simpson of Cairo and Mike Thoms of … Continue Reading
March 04, 2021
Duckworth Secures Commitment from Kahl to Prioritize the Strengthening of Alliances in Southeast Asia
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, secured a commitment from President Biden's nominee to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Colin Kahl, to work with her and other members of the Committee on bolstering our alliances in Southeast Asia while also building new ones during today's SASC hearing. Duckworth also asked Kahl … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin & Colleagues Advocate to Protect Americans from Losing Access to Vital Utilities during Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and ten of their Democratic colleagues today to ask Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to include safeguards in the upcoming COVID-19 relief package to protect the American people from losing access to critical utilities-including power, heat, water and internet services-during the pandemic. In part, the Senators wrote: "Newly unemployed Americans are facing … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Kaine and Young in Reintroducing Bill to Repeal 1991 & 2002 AUMFs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Todd Young (R-IN) today in reintroducing bipartisan legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq. The bill would formally end the authorizations for the Gulf and Iraq wars - 30 and 19 … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Duckworth Meets with Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Nominee
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, virtually met with today with Colin Kahl, President Biden's nominee to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy at the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). Duckworth and Kahl discussed many important issues facing the Department, such as prioritizing the Indo-Pacific region and improving diversity … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth Joins Murphy, Senate Democrats in Urging Senate Leadership to Prioritize Behavioral Health Needs of Children in Next COVID-19 Relief Package
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and six Democratic Senators in urging Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to include targeted funding for the behavioral health needs of our nation's children through the expansion of the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) program in the next COVID-19 relief package. In their letter, the Senators emphasized the rise in anxiety, depression and post-traumatic … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth, Norton Introduce Resolution Calling for Accessibility Improvements at the FDR Memorial
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution recognizing the successful campaign led by disability advocates to secure a statue of FDR in a wheelchair in the Prologue Room at the FDR Memorial and urging the National Park Service (NPS) to make the Memorial accessible to everyone by installing tactile braille throughout the space and supporting the development of accessible education materials for … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth Votes to Confirm Raimondo as Commerce Secretary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), the senior Democratic Member on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, released the following statement after voting to confirm Gina Raimondo as Commerce Secretary under President Biden. Raimondo was confirmed by an 84-15 vote. "Secretary Raimondo has demonstrated throughout her confirmation process that she has the experience, background and problem-solving approach needed to … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth Presses Former National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster on Combatting Extremism, Misinformation in Military Ranks
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) highlighted the need to counter extremism in the ranks and work toward restoring good order and discipline across the military. Duckworth, who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee, spoke in the wake of the January 6th violent insurrection, in which the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol and left … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Senators Reintroduce Background Check Expansion Act to Reduce Gun Violence
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and 40 other Democratic Senators today in reintroducing the Background Check Expansion Act to expand federal background checks to all gun sales. Under current federal law, unlicensed or private sellers are not required to conduct a background check prior to transferring a firearm. Ninety-seven percent of Americans … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth to Chair U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water & Wildlife
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will chair the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water & Wildlife in the 117th Congress. The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over matters relating to water, water pollution, drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, ocean dumping, fisheries and wildlife, invasive species, sportsmen's issues and environmental aspects of Outer Continental Shelf Lands, as well as the Clean Water Act, the Safe … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth, Calling for Passage of Biden’s American Rescue Plan, Highlights Provisions to Vaccinate More Americans and Expand Access to Affordable Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic
American Rescue Plan would boost vaccinations and testing, ensure access to health coverage, promote health equity and invest in behavioral health [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this afternoon joined a press call where she discussed the urgent need to pass the American Rescue Plan and address the major public health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) also participated in the press call. Key quotes: "As … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth Meets with Deputy Secretary of Transportation Nominee
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (CST), virtually met with Polly Trottenberg, President Biden's nominee to be the next Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). During their meeting, Duckworth and Trottenberg discussed Amtrak accessibility and on-time performance and the upcoming infrastructure package, as well as her TIFIA for Airports Act. "Polly Trottenberg and I had great … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth Highlights Need for Environmental Justice at Cahokia Heights Roundtable
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined state and local leaders to discuss the ongoing environmental justice issues in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, with residents. Duckworth, chair and co-founder of the U.S. Senate Environmental Justice Caucus and member of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, today also sent a letter of support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to support Cahokia Sewer Water … Continue Reading