Press Releases
Duckworth Criticizes GOP Healthcare Plan’s Devastating Tax Hike on Millions of Veterans
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following the vote by Republican Congressmen to advance a healthcare plan that would raise taxes on as many as 8 million Veterans, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "It's disgraceful that Republicans in Congress just passed a bill that would kick tens of millions of Americans off of their health insurance and force many more to pay higher out-of-pocket costs," said Senator Duckworth. "What's stunning is that … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Duckworth to Trump: Selective Service Director Makes Life & Death Decisions for Our Children, Appointment Shouldn’t Be Given to Unqualified Political Patrons
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) wrote to President Trump today expressing concern that patronage played a role in his recent appointment of Mr. Donald Benton to be the Director of the Selective Service System. Duckworth highlighted Mr. Benton's lack of qualifications for the position and expressed concern that President Trump, who received five draft deferments, appointed the first Director in the history of the agency who has never served in the … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $2.4 Million For Head Start Programs In Central And Southern Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families has awarded a total of $2,477,422 to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs at Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corporation and Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council. "Every child deserves the opportunity to reach his or her full potential, which is why it's so important that … Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Help Re-Introduce Equality Act to Protect LGBTQ Americans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with 41 other Senators, to re-introduce comprehensive federal legislation to ban discrimination against LGBTQ Americans. The legislation was filed simultaneously in the U.S. House of Representatives by 194 Representatives, led by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI). "It is absolutely unacceptable that someone can be … Continue Reading
April 27, 2017
Duckworth’s Bipartisan Bill to Support Illinois Jobs Passes Both Chambers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In record time, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth's (D-IL) bipartisan bill to support Illinois jobs and support infrastructure projects is on its way to the President's desk to be signed into law less than 4 months after she was sworn in, having passed the Senate unanimously just 64 days into her first term. The bill would protect infrastructure projects from needless bureaucratic delays by rolling back a misguided U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule that enables the … Continue Reading
April 26, 2017
Duckworth Hosts Town Hall Meeting at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington
[BLOOMINGTON, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a town hall meeting at Illinois Wesleyan University to meet with constituents and answer questions on key issues, including disability rights and education. A livestream video of the event is available on the Senator's Facebook page. "I understand that many people feel like the President and other leaders in Washington aren't listening to them, but I want them to know that I'm here and I'm listening," said Senator … Continue Reading
April 26, 2017
Duckworth in First Speech on Senate Floor: America’s Prosperity & Strength Depend On Our Values
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) delivered her maiden speech on the Senate floor today, calling for a return to the shared values of equality, opportunity and inclusiveness that made Illinois and America the envy of the world while rebuking the voices in Washington suggesting a darker path forward for our country. Duckworth highlighted how these values led to signature American economic and military achievements and expressed the need to continue to lead with our values … Continue Reading
April 26, 2017
Duckworth Statement on President’s Proposal to Cut His Own Taxes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration's proposal to slash taxes for the wealthy, while preserving wasteful corporate tax loopholes: "It's hard to keep track of all the scandals in this administration but the American people should not overlook how the President's plan would enrich his family and his ultra-wealthy friends while leaving taxpayers with the bill. Without his tax returns, we … Continue Reading
April 21, 2017
Duckworth, Senators Call on Trump to Disclose Ethics Waivers and White House Visitor Logs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Amidst reports of lobbyists, lawyers, and consultants from a range of industries shaping federal policy and coming and going from the Trump administration with ease, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Tom Carper (D-DE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) are calling on President Donald Trump to reveal who has been allowed to side step his administration's ethics pledge and why, and … Continue Reading
April 20, 2017
Duckworth and Kelly Highlight Legislation to Close “Skills Gap” & Prepare Illinoisans for Good-Paying Jobs
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) appeared together at Olive-Harvey College in Chicago today to highlight their legislation to close the "skills gap" by better preparing students for careers in high-demand industries like manufacturing, healthcare, clean energy and information technology.Duckworth and Kelly recently helped introduce the Community College to Career Fund Act (CC2C), which wouldencourage local small businesses and … Continue Reading
April 20, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Administration’s Threat to Eliminate EPA Region 5
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today criticized reports that the Trump Administration is considering closing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Main Office in Chicago, where more than 1,000 dedicated civil servants work. Duckworth met with many of the EPA's Region 5 staffers in Chicago last week to discuss the critical work they do to protect the health and safety of Americans living in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Duckworth … Continue Reading
April 18, 2017
On Tax Day, Senators Ask Government Watchdog to Review Tax-Time Products
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) today in asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of the tax-time financial products most commonly used by taxpayers, as well as the transparency of and fees charged for these financial products. "An overwhelming majority of Americans rely … Continue Reading
April 18, 2017
Duckworth & St. Louis Army Corps of Engineers Discuss Improving Lock-and-Dam Systems
[ALTON, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with the Commander of the St. Louis District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Colonel Anthony Mitchell, at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. While at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, Duckworth toured the facility and highlighted the need to invest in our aging lock-and-dam systems. A photo from today's tour can be viewed here. "Melvin Price Locks and Dam is an example of how improving our lock-and-dam systems today supports our … Continue Reading
April 17, 2017
Duckworth Discusses Investments in Workforce Development at Southwestern Illinois College
[GRANITE CITY, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with the President of Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), Dr. Georgia Costello, and other college leaders and students while touring SWIC's Sam Wolf Granite City Campus. Together, they discussed SWIC's workforce development programs and legislation Senator Duckworth helped introduce, the Community College to Career Fund Act (CC2C), which wouldencourage companies and community colleges to develop workforce training programs to … Continue Reading
April 17, 2017
Duckworth in Granite City: Trump’s Broken Promises Hurt Illinois Manufacturers
[GRANITE CITY, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) visited Icon Mechanical, a mechanical engineering and construction contractor, to discuss the importance of making investments to support American manufacturers as they create good-paying jobs and contribute to the local economy. President Trump's proposed budget would slash funding from programs like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which helps manufacturers innovate and improve their productivity so they can compete in … Continue Reading
April 17, 2017
Duckworth Calls on Secretary Chao to Explain Delay of DOT Rule to Assist Disabled Air Travelers
[GRANITE CITY, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao today, calling on Secretary Chao to explain why the Department of Transportation is delaying implementation of a rule that will protect the rights of disabled commercial air travelers. Duckworth also underscored the need for increased consumer protections for air travelers in light of recent events at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, when a ticketed passenger was … Continue Reading
April 14, 2017
Duckworth Discusses Nuclear Waste Management with Local Leaders in Zion
[ZION, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with local leaders from Zion yesterday to discuss the importance of ensuring communities responsible for storing nuclear waste have the resources they need to support emergency planning, law enforcement and security at nuclear waste sites. In recent months, Duckworth addressed issues surrounding nuclear waste management with Energy Secretary Rick Perry and with students from the Zion community. A photo of the event is available … Continue Reading
April 14, 2017
Duckworth, Lake County Mayors Discuss Infrastructure Priorities
[NORTH CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with several mayors and leaders from Lake County communities yesterday to discuss their efforts to support local infrastructure projects and the importance of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grant program, a competitive grant program that funds innovative, job-creating transportation projects. Duckworth also highlighted the Senate's recent passage of the first bill she proposed in the chamber, … Continue Reading
April 14, 2017
Duckworth Visits UI Labs, Highlights Importance of Illinois’s Advanced Manufacturing Capacity
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) visited UI Labs and the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) with Million Women Mentors Illinois State Chair Jenny Kopach to discuss DMDII's critical work to support advanced manufacturing in Illinois. Duckworth also discussed her efforts to expand Illinois's manufacturing sector and strengthen a skilled workforce prepared for 21st Century manufacturing jobs, highlighting a bill she recently helped introduce in … Continue Reading
April 14, 2017
Duckworth: Trump Budget Would Harm Illinois Manufacturers
[BENSENVILLE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with the leadership of ACE Metal Crafts and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center today to discuss how President Trump's budget would harm Illinois manufacturers. The President has proposed eliminating funding for programs like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a program that helps manufacturers innovate and improve their productivity in order to stay competitive in the global 21st century economy. A photo of Duckworth's … Continue Reading
