Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin, Underwood, Members of the Illinois Delegation Urge Trump Administration to Implement A Federally Coordinated Effort to Meet Illinois’ Need for Personal Protective Equipment
WASHINGTON— Today, Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) joined Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and a group of 11 members of the Illinois delegation in a letter to President Trump, urging the Administration to immediately implement a federally coordinated effort to meet Illinois’ need for personal protective equipment (PPE). In the letter, members outlined the life-threatening shortage of respirators, masks, protective eyewear, face shields, gloves, … Continue Reading
March 30, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Discuss COVID-19 Response With Rock Island Arsenal
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), today discussed how the U.S. Army is utilizing the Rock Island Arsenal to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with the Army Materiel Command's General Gustave Perna and Executive Deputy to the Commanding General Lisha Adams. On a call with General Perna and Ms. Adams, the members asked how the manufacturing capabilities at Rock Island Arsenal could be used as … Continue Reading
March 28, 2020
Duckworth Speaks with Health Providers across Illinois to Discuss COVID-19 Response
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke with health providers based in Illinois this week about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. During these discussions, Duckworth discussed the bipartisan COVID-19 relief compromise, checked in about each stakeholder's response to the pandemic and asked what additional federal resources are needed so they can continue supporting their employees, members and the community throughout this public health crisis. Senator Duckworth … Continue Reading
March 27, 2020
Duckworth-supported Bill to Relieve Small Business Loan Payments Included in Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief Compromise
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Legislation supported by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) that would provide financial relief for small businesses across the country was included in the bipartisan COVID-19 relief compromise that passed out of the Senate earlier this week. The $17 billion Small Business Debt Relief Act would ensure that the 320,000 small business across the country with a loan backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) are relieved from loan payments-including principal, interest, … Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Outline Illinois Priorities Included in Senate-Passed Bipartisan Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Bill
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statements after the Senate unanimously passed the third coronavirus stimulus package - the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass tomorrow. "Illinois and Governor Pritzker acted quickly to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, but our state-like the rest of the country-is still struggling … Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Duckworth Speaks with Illinois Nurses Association and Illinois Hospital and Health Association Leaders about COVID-19 Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke with the Director of the Illinois Nurses Association (INA), Alice Johnson, and the President & CEO of the Illinois Hospital and Health Association (IHHA), AJ Wilhelmi, to express her appreciation for the tireless efforts of Illinois nurses and other workers on the front lines of this crisis and discuss efforts to ensure the Federal Government provides adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare facilities. INA … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
Duckworth: Despite Significant Flaws, COVID-19 Compromise Makes Important Progress to Help America Address and Recover from Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will vote to support the bipartisan COVID-19 response compromise negotiated by Democratic and Republican officials in recent days to help our nation and our economy recover from this crisis, despite its imperfections. The Senator issued the following statement regarding her decision: "The last few days have been stressful for all Americans, but this bipartisan compromise-while far from perfect-shows that in times of crisis Congress is … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
Duckworth PSA: We, the People, Are Responsible for Stopping the Spread of COVID-19 in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - This week, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) penned an op-ed as a public service announcement that appeared in news outlets across Illinois-including Rockford Register Star, Belleville News-Democrat, Peoria Journal Star, The Southern Illinoisan, Herald Review, Northwest Herald and Daily Herald-arguing that the COVID-19 pandemic is a test of our faith in the American founding doctrine. She writes that in this time of crisis, we need to think of the "we" in "We the People" … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $3.6 Million in Federal Funding to Help Illinois Health Centers During COVID-19 Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois received $3.6 million in federal grants to support 45 Community Health Centers (CHCs) in their COVID-19 response efforts. This funding comes from the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which was signed into law on March 6, 2020. Health centers will now be able to use the funding to help increase COVID-19 screening and testing needs, acquire medical … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Duckworth to Trump: Transition All Activated National Guard Troops to Title 32 and Cover Costs
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today wrote to President Donald Trump requesting that all National Guard troops activated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic be transitioned to Title 32 authority. Duckworth is urging the federal government to continue covering all of the costs of these activations, as it has now done in New York, Washington and California.In part, Duckworth wrote: “All 50 States and territories have declared emergencies in … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Duckworth Discusses Food Insecurity & COVID-19 Pandemic with Greater Chicago Food Depository Executive Director
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) yesterday spoke with Kate Maeher, Executive Director and President of the Greater Chicago Food Depository to discuss the organization's efforts to address food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past week, the Greater Chicago Food Depository has packaged and distributed 27,000 emergency food boxes throughout the Chicago region. "I had a productive discussion yesterday about the importance of addressing food insecurity for … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Announce CMS Approval of Illinois’ Request to Expand Health Services Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON - Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the State of Illinois’ Section 1135 Medicaid waiver, enabling the state to expand access to health services and have the flexibility to deliver quality care amid this public health crisis. This news comes on the heels of the letter the Senators sent to CMS Administrator Seema Verma urging the agency to … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth Statement on Senate GOP’s Attempt to Capitalize on a Global Public Health Crisis at the Expense of Americans
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after reports emerged that Republicans had hidden in the coronavirus stimulus bill a provision that would deny funding to healthcare providers that receive Medicaid, thereby making it harder for vulnerable groups-including people with disabilities, older Americans and survivors of rape and abuse-to access critical services they rely on, like home care assistance or meal delivery programs: "Right before Mitch … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth Discusses COVID-19’s Impact on the Food Supply Chain & Efforts to Ramp Up Personal Protective Equipment Production with Illinois Manufacturer’s Association President
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke with Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturer's Association (IMA), about the COVID-19 crisis, efforts to ramp up production of personal protective equipment and how Illinois's food supply chain is preparing to handle the crisis. IMA represents over 4,000 member companies across Illinois, including companies at all levels of the food supply chain. "I had a productive discussion with Mr. Denzler about … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
On 10th Anniversary of Landmark Law & As COVID-19 Crisis Worsens, Duckworth Reiterates Call for Trump Administration to Stop Sabotaging of Affordable Care Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - On the 10th Anniversary of President Barack Obama signing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law and in the midst of the worsening COVID-19 pandemic which threatens to overwhelm our nation's public health infrastructure, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reiterated today that the Trump Administration should immediately end its attacks on the landmark healthcare legislation. Last week, Duckworth joined Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) along with 17 of her … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth & Durbin Join Bennet in Calling for Increased Funding for Schools and Education Support Professionals Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and 16 of their Senate colleagues calling for increased federal funding for schools and school employees, such as cafeteria staff, bus drivers and custodians, who are working overtime to support their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic continues, schools are continuing to provide essential services in their communities, from providing meals to implementing … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Demand Answers from Trump Administration on Testing and Equipment Shortages
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Michael Bennet (D-CO) and 44 of their Senate colleagues in a letter to President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence demanding answers about supplies and equipment in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) critical to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The senators asked the President and Vice President to confirm any relevant supply and equipment shortages in the SNS, to outline their strategy to … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth Joins Baldwin to Introduce New Legislation to Scale Up Medical Supplies and Personal Protective Equipment Manufacturing
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and 17 of their colleagues to announce new legislation to expedite the procurement of medical equipment under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to combat the spread of coronavirus. Despite multiple announcements, President Donald Trump has not utilized the federal government’s entire authority under DPA, so this legislation would require the President to do so in order to quickly produce and ensure … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Press CMS To Approve Illinois' Request To Expand Health Services Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to swiftly approve the State of Illinois' Section 1135 Medicaid waiver, so the state can expand access to health services and have the flexibility to deliver quality care amid this public health crisis. "Our health care system is facing unprecedented strains and it is essential that we provide the resources … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Discuss Coronavirus Impact With Illinois Municipal League & Mayors
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with the Illinois Municipal League Board of Directors and a group of Illinois mayors from across the State and heard how the pandemic is affecting local governments, small businesses, and essential services. Durbin and Duckworth discussed the lost tax revenue state and local governments will face as a result of the pandemic and promised they would continue to … Continue Reading
