Press Releases
Duckworth Pays Tribute to Fallen Servicemembers at Chicago Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony
[CHICAGO, IL] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today paid tribute to our nation's fallen servicemembers at the City of Chicago's wreath laying ceremony to commemorate Memorial Day. Duckworth joined City of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Michael Grinston and other Veterans and servicemembers to honor local Gold Star families and remember loved ones who were killed in the line of duty. Video of today's event is available here. "This weekend … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Duckworth, Ernst Lead Bipartisan Effort to Honor WWII Army Rangers with the Congressional Gold Medal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Ahead of Memorial Day, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), along with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a retired lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard, are leading a bipartisan effort to award the U.S. Army Ranger Veterans of World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal. "U.S. Army Rangers bravely wore the uniform of this … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Duckworth: President Biden’s Budget Proposal is an Investment in America’s Working Families and Middle Class
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement today in response to President Biden's budget proposal that would focus on supporting working families and the middle class: "President Biden's budget proposal lays out a bold, forward-thinking, ambitious vision for America's future that would focus on and invest in rebuilding the middle class by making historic investments in working families, strengthening child care, expanding paid family leave, making … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Duckworth Applauds New DOJ Efforts to Prevent and Mitigate Hate Crimes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today applauded U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland for taking several steps to improve the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) efforts to prevent and mitigate hate crimes and hate incidents after recent spikes in both anti-Asian and anti-Semitic attacks against Americans. Attorney General Garland's move to improve federal anti-hate efforts comes after Duckworth asked Garland in March to have DOJ prioritize combatting hate crimes and … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Duckworth on Bipartisan January 6th Commission Vote: Republicans Would Rather Spread Lies than Defend our Democracy
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support to create an independent commission to investigate the Trump-inspired insurrection that took place at the United States Capitol on January 6th, 2021: "As Senators, we swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Schneider Introduce Bill To Update Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) introduced a bicameral bill that would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions standards to reflect the stricter criteria outlined in a 2016 EPA study. Under the bill, any updates to the emissions standards would have to incorporate the maximum achievable control technology requirements … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Kelly Introduce Resolution Establishing “National Gun Violence Awareness Day”
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced a resolution in the Senate establishing June 4, 2021, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and designating June as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) has introduced a companion resolution in the House. Last year was one of the deadliest years on record for the United States, with an estimated 19,300 individuals killed … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Duckworth Secures Commitment from Secretary of the Air Force Nominee to Examine C-130 Divestiture
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) nominations hearing Tuesday, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed her concerns about the Air Force's plan to further divest of the C-130 airframe-the workhorse of the Air Force-with Secretary of the Air Force nominee, the Honorable Frank Kendall III. Duckworth served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee. Video of the Senator's remarks can be found … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Duckworth Secures SBA Administrator’s Support for Targeted Relief for Fitness Industry
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) on Wednesday secured a commitment from U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabel Guzman to work together on legislation Duckworth recently introduced to help small businesses in the fitness industry recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19. During the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee hearing Administrator Guzman said she saw firsthand in California the challenges this industry faced, and that the SBA would be … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
After Duckworth-Durbin-Kelly Request, Federal Government Set to Conduct Independent Review of Southeast Side Metal Recycling Plant’s Health Risks
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After a request from U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) announced today it will to conduct an evaluation of the potential health effects related to exposures to environmental contaminants near the Reserve Marine Terminals and the South Shore Recycling facilities located on Chicago's Southeast Side. ATSDR, a U.S. Department of Health and Human … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Duckworth, Hirono, Underwood Introduce Bill to Expand Access to Contraceptive Care for Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) was joined by U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) today in introducing the Access to Contraception Expansion for Veterans (ACE Veterans) Act, legislation that would improve access to contraceptive products for Veterans by requiring providers at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States-to inform patients of their option to request a full year of contraception at the time of … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Duckworth, Moran and Clark Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) today introduced a resolution to honor the service of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) on the 80th anniversary of Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers' push to create the WAAC. Introduced in May 1941 by Congresswoman Rogers, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps Act authorized a voluntary enrollment program for women to join the U.S. Army, which led to women serving their country in … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Hirono, Colleagues To Introduce Resolution Marking May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and their Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution marking May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The resolution highlights the contributions to our country by generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. "As prejudice toward and violence against the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Introduce Safe Gun Storage Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) to introduce legislation directing the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish safety standards for firearm locks and firearm safes. "It's just common sense that firearms should be stored safely to prevent them from ending up in the wrong hands - or in the hands of children," Duckworth said. "In the wake of … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Duckworth Secures Critical Illinois Priorities in Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), applauded the inclusion of several of her provisions that will help Illinois in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021 that passed the EPW Committee today. These provisions include Duckworth's new congestion relief grant program, Duckworth's TIFIA for Airports Act to expand investments in airport modernization projects, incentives for states to … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Duckworth Asks CDC to Provide Clear Guidance on Mask Usage for Parents and Immunocompromised Individuals
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), urging the CDC to provide further public health advice that clarifies how parents, caregivers and immunocompromised individuals can make sound decisions to help keep themselves, their families and their communities safe. This letter was sent in light of the CDC's recent guidance on mask wearing for fully vaccinated … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Duckworth Introduces Legislation to Address National Guard and Reserve Incentive Pay Disparities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), introduced the National Guard and Reserve Incentive Pay Parity Act today to help ensure that Reserve Component servicemembers in high-skilled roles are compensated at the same rate as active duty counterparts performing the same work. Duckworth's legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Cortez Masto … Continue Reading
May 25, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Statement On Completion Of Investigation At Illinois Army Reserve Unit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement on the completion of the investigation into the mishandling of sexual assault allegations at the 416th Theater Engineering Command (TEC), an Army Reserve unit in Darien, Illinois: "Sexual misconduct and pervasive problems that led to the mishandling of cases at the 416th TEC in … Continue Reading
May 25, 2021
On Press Call, Duckworth Calls for Passage of an Inclusive, National Paid Leave Policy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this afternoon spoke about the urgent need to enact a comprehensive national paid leave policy that would support a robust economic recovery and help rebuild the American workforce. U.S. Representative Colin Allred (D-TX-32) and Paid Leave for All director Dawn Huckelbridge also participated in the press call. Key quotes: "And yet while some military families have access to paid leave through state programs or their employer, or … Continue Reading
May 25, 2021
Duckworth Joins Fischer in Introducing Bipartisan RFS Integrity Act of 2021
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) in introducing the bipartisan RFS Integrity Act of 2021. This legislation would provide more certainty for rural America by bringing transparency and predictability to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) small refinery exemption process. The bill would require small refineries to petition for Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) hardship exemptions by June 1st of each year. This … Continue Reading
