Press Releases
Duckworth Discusses Military Readiness and Logistics on the Korean Peninsula
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the military's efforts to enhance troop and logistical readiness on the Korean Peninsula with Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford at yesterday's Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing. Shanahan assured Duckworth he would work to bridge the gap between the Republic of Korea and Japan by utilizing his relationships with their leaders and continuing to work … Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Help Re-Introduce Bipartisan Equality Act to Protect LGBTQ Americans from Discrimination
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 41 of their colleagues in re-introducing comprehensive bipartisan legislation to ban discrimination against LGBTQ Americans. The Equality Act of 2019 amends existing federal civil rights laws to explicitly include protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. While a … Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Duckworth Statement on Vote to Terminate Donald Trump’s National Emergency Declaration
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a Senate vote to terminate Donald Trump's national emergency declaration to raid military construction funds to build an ineffective border wall that he promised Mexico would pay for, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "Donald Trump's declaration was a reckless and unprecedented abuse of presidential power, not to mention a monumental waste of billions of taxpayer dollars on a vanity project that he promised Mexico would pay … Continue Reading
March 13, 2019
Duckworth to Vote to End U.S. Military’s Unauthorized Support of Saudi Arabia’s Brutal Military Campaign in Yemen
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Ahead of a Senate vote today on a bipartisan resolution directing the President to end unauthorized U.S. military assistance to the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "The Senate is prepared to take an important step today to reclaim its constitutional responsibility to determine whether to declare war. For far too long, Congress has ceded that solemn responsibility, allowing the … Continue Reading
March 13, 2019
Duckworth Discusses Agricultural Initiatives with Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Corn Growers Association
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with members of both the Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Corn Growers Association to discuss Illinois priorities and agriculture policies. Photos from both meetings are available here. "The strength of America's farmers and ranchers is a reflection of the strength of our nation," Duckworth said. "I enjoyed meeting with the Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Corn Growers Association today to discuss their concerns and … Continue Reading
March 13, 2019
In Major Address Ahead of 16th Anniversary of Iraq Invasion, Duckworth Puts Forth New National Security Platform
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) delivered a major foreign policy speech at the National Press Club today, detailing her vision for how we can keep our military the strongest in the world. On the eve of the 16th anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq, Duckworth argued that we can no longer only focus on the size of our military's budget at the expense of our domestic policies-but rather, if we want to remain atop the global order, we need to … Continue Reading
March 13, 2019
Duckworth Meets with Willowbrook Residents Impacted by Sterigenics
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with community members from the Willowbrook-area yesterday who have been exposed to cancer-causing ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions from the Sterigenics medical sterilization facility in their community. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) issued a Seal Order on Sterigenics on February 15th. "I was pleased to host these Willowbrook-area residents who are here advocating for their neighbors and for all Americans who the … Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
Duckworth Statement on Proposed E15 Rule Changes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed changes to allow gasoline to be blended with up to 15 percent ethanol (E15) year-round: "This action is long overdue - now it's time for the administration to stop abusing small refinery waivers and end its other harmful policies that are hurting farmers and contributing to the idling and closing of ethanol plants. I will work with … Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
Duckworth, Murray, Hirono, Harris, Lee, Schakowsky and DeGette Introduce Legislation to Ensure Equal Access to Reproductive Healthcare
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced legislation today protecting every woman's constitutionally-guaranteed right to reproductive healthcare and helping ensure access to care for each woman, regardless of income, race or where in the country … Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
Duckworth and Durbin’s Lincoln National Heritage Area Act Signed Into Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) honoring the legacy of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, was signed into law today. The Senators' new law will expand the Lincoln National Heritage Area in Central Illinois to include Livingston County, the city of Jonesboro in Union County and the city of Freeport in Stephenson County. The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area Amendment Act, which was signed into … Continue Reading
March 11, 2019
Duckworth Joins Baldwin To Introduce Legislation to Protect Rights of Airline Passengers with Disabilities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) last week in reintroducing the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act to protect the rights of airplane passengers with disabilities, improve air travel safety and close service gaps that passengers with disabilities frequently encounter in air travel. Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI). "Far too many Americans living with a disability - … Continue Reading
March 11, 2019
Duckworth, Ernst Announce Creation of Global Positioning System (GPS) Caucus
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) today announced the creation of the bipartisan Congressional Global Positioning System (GPS) Caucus. The Caucus will focus on discussing the economic, national security and infrastructure benefits of increasingly efficient GPS technology, as well as the risks and oversight challenges that face the GPS industry. Aspects of GPS fall under several Senate committees, including the Senate Armed Services Committee and … Continue Reading
March 08, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Join Bennet, Brown in Reintroducing Major Proposal to Cut Taxes for Families with Children
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) this week in reintroducing the American Family Act of 2019 to overhaul the existing Child Tax Credit and make it a dramatically more effective tool for supporting middle-class families with kids and reducing child poverty. The bill was introduced with 36 original Senate cosponsors and 174 original House cosponsors, with U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro … Continue Reading
March 08, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Respond to Latest Sterigenics Air Quality Test Results
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement in response to the latest ambient air quality monitoring results outside of Sterigenics in Willowbrook, Illinois: "This alarming data further confirms that the people of Willowbrook and the surrounding community have been exposed to unacceptable levels of cancer-causing ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions from Sterigenics. It also illustrates why the EPA must immediately begin ambient … Continue Reading
March 08, 2019
Duckworth Helps Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Eliminate the Military “Widow’s Tax”
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) in reintroducing the Military Widow's Tax Elimination Act of 2019 to help more than 65,000 military widows across the country access the full survivor benefits earned by their fallen loved ones. Currently, these widows are prevented from receiving full benefits from both the Department of Defense's (DoD) Survivors Benefits Plan (SBP) and Veterans Affairs' (VA) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation … Continue Reading
March 06, 2019
Duckworth Meets with Alliance for the Great Lakes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with leaders of the Alliance for the Great Lakes today to discuss the importance of protecting the Great Lakes, managing invasive species like Asian carp and funding water infrastructure programs. Duckworth also met with representatives from the League of Women Voters of the US, Friends of the Forest Preserves, Chicago Park District, Friends of the Chicago River, Shedd Aquarium and Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. A photo from today's … Continue Reading
March 06, 2019
Duckworth: Military Must Improve Handling of Military Sexual Assault
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At today's Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel hearing, U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) listened to testimony from survivors of sexual assault in the military and asked for their suggestions on how to improve the military's response to this serious issue and promote accountability. Video of Duckworth's questions at the hearing is available here. "I am in awe of the bravery shown today by the survivors who are testifying before the Senate … Continue Reading
March 06, 2019
Duckworth: Investments in Transportation and Logistics Infrastructure Essential for Military Readiness in Europe
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the importance of transportation and logistics readiness in the United States European Command (EUCOM) region with EUCOM Commander Curtis Scaparrotti and the Commander of the United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) Stephen Lyons at yesterday's Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing. Duckworth asked Commander Scaparrotti for an update on the status of the NATO Joint Supporting and Enabling Command and … Continue Reading
March 06, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Call for Senate Hearings on Gun Violence Prevention Legislation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and 34 of their colleagues in calling on U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to quickly hold a hearing on legislation to expand federal background checks to all firearm sales. The Senators asked Graham to hold a hearing on the Background Check Expansion Act - which Duckworth and Durbin helped reintroduce earlier this year - and is similar to … Continue Reading
March 06, 2019
Duckworth, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Level Playing Field for Women & Veteran Small Business Owners in Small Business Contracting
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) today introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate a discrepancy that puts women and Veterans with a service-connected disability who own small businesses at a disadvantage when competing for federal government contracts. "If we want to help main street, we need to make it easier for small businesses to expand their business and hire new workers," Duckworth said. "This bipartisan legislation will help do that by … Continue Reading
