Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Join Murphy, Van Hollen, Coons and Merkley in Urging Biden Administration to Work with Israel to Do More to Get Humanitarian Aid Into Gaza
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and 19 of their Senate colleagues in a letter to President Biden urging the administration to encourage Israeli officials to take five specific steps to significantly increase urgently needed humanitarian aid for civilians … Continue Reading
February 01, 2024
Duckworth Powerfully Speaks Out After Iran-Backed Attack that Killed 3 American Servicemembers
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees—delivered an impassioned speech on the Senate floor about the recent Iran-backed attack on a U.S. base in Jordan that killed three American servicemembers. In her remarks, Duckworth warned her Republican colleagues who have made reckless, irresponsible comments that risk escalating tensions and putting more of our troops in harm’s way … Continue Reading
February 01, 2024
Duckworth Highlights Illinois’s Leadership in Research & Innovation with IBM Leadership
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today highlighted Illinois’s strength as a leader in research and technology with IBM Senior Vice President and Director of Research Dr. Darío Gil. Duckworth discussed Illinois’s leadership in quantum investments, including The Bloch, one of the state’s two programs recently designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration as a Tech Hub, as well as the state’s leading Universities and National Laboratories, which contribute to … Continue Reading
January 31, 2024
Duckworth Discusses Environmental Justice with Chicago’s People for Community Recovery
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with leaders from Chicago’s People for Community Recovery, the organization at the heart of the founding of the Environmental Justice movement. Duckworth spoke with People for Community Recovery Executive Director Cheryl Johnson and Deputy Director Courtney Hanson about how she, as a co-founder of the U.S. Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, can continue working with groups like People for Community Recovery to achieve health … Continue Reading
January 31, 2024
Duckworth Meets With Rock Island Mayor to Discuss Infrastructure Investments Needed to Revive Rock Island’s 11th Street Corridor
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Mayor of Rock Island Mike Thoms to discuss some of the ways we can tackle the challenges facing the City of Rock Island, such as by investing in infrastructure projects along Rock Island’s 11th Street Corridor as well as by rehabilitating the city’s older housing and building new market-rate housing developments. During their meeting, they discussed how to revive the once thriving 11th Street Corridor—which has suffered … Continue Reading
January 31, 2024
Duckworth Highlights Illinois’s Leadership in Research & Innovation with IBM Leadership
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today highlighted Illinois’s strength as a leader in research and technology with IBM Senior Vice President and Director of Research Dr. Darío Gil. Duckworth discussed Illinois’s leadership in quantum investments, including The Bloch, one of the state’s two programs recently designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration as a Tech Hub, as well as the state’s leading Universities and National Laboratories, which contribute to … Continue Reading
January 31, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin, Quigley Discuss Chicago Hub Improvement Project with Union Pacific
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) today met with Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena to discuss the Chicago Hub Improvement Project (CHIP), Amtrak’s multi-phased project to revitalize Chicago Union Station (CUS) and revolutionize Midwest passenger rail. During the meeting, the congressional leaders and Vena spoke about the importance of CHIP to the Midwest, as the project is critical to … Continue Reading
January 31, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $2.8 Million in Federal Support for Solar Power Throughout Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $2,869,784 to help businesses in rural Illinois transition to solar power. This funding, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), will help selectees purchase and install solar arrays to help power their businesses while saving recipients money on power costs, conserving energy and creating good-paying jobs. “Transitioning to solar power will help lead … Continue Reading
January 30, 2024
Duckworth Meets With Nominee to Be Next Commander of INDOPACOM
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees—met Admiral Samuel Paparo, the nominee to serve as the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), to discuss his nomination and their shared priorities to strengthen military readiness, defense strategy and interoperability with our partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Photos of the meeting can be found on the Senator’s website. “I was … Continue Reading
January 29, 2024
Duckworth Reaction to Boeing Withdrawing Safety Standard Waiver Request for MAX 7 Aircraft with Known Safety Defect
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator and pilot Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the CST Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—issued the following statement after Boeing confirmed its intent to withdraw its reckless petition requesting an exemption from safety certification standards to prematurely allow its 737 MAX 7 aircraft to enter commercial use before fixing a known safety flaw that … Continue Reading
January 27, 2024
Duckworth Highlights Importance of Service at Illinois National Guard Mobilization Ceremony
[CHICAGO, IL] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today helped honor and recognize the nearly 300 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers being mobilized to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Spartan Shield. Members from Chicago’s 34th Division Sustainment Brigade will provide intra-theater logistics support operations, with the 433rd Signal Company providing operational command, communication computer, intelligence, surveillance and … Continue Reading
January 25, 2024
Duckworth Pushes Boeing CEO to Prioritize Passenger Safety Over Profit
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senator and pilot Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the CST Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—met with Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun to discuss this month’s horrific Alaska Airlines incident that resulted in a door plug flying off one of their 737 MAX 9 aircraft midflight. The meeting comes after Duckworth sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration … Continue Reading
January 25, 2024
Duckworth Reacts to DoD Expanding IVF Coverage for More Servicemembers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years—today released the following statement regarding reports that the Department of Defense will expand coverage of in-vitro fertilization for more servicemembers by removing the marriage requirement and ban on donor sperm or eggs: “Because of IVF, I was able to start my family and am a mom to two beautiful girls. … Continue Reading
January 25, 2024
Duckworth Urges FAA to Deny Boeing’s Brazen Request to Put Profits Before Passengers by Waiving Safety Standards to Certify MAX 7 Aircraft with Known Safety Defect
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator and pilot Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the CST Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—is urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reject Boeing’s reckless petition requesting an exemption from safety certification standards to prematurely allow its 737 MAX 7 aircraft to enter commercial use before fixing a known safety flaw that could have … Continue Reading
January 24, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $12 Million for Illinois Central College to Develop High School Programs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $1,288,596 for Illinois Central College through the U.S. Department of Education’s Perkins Innovation and Modernization (PIM) Career Connected High Schools (CCHS) Grant Program to develop new high-quality work-based learning programs for high school students to gain experience in health care, construction, manufacturing and information technology professions. “Investing in … Continue Reading
January 24, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Call for Additional Federal Support to Help Cities Like Chicago Address Migrant Crisis
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide significant additional federal support to interior cities, including the City of Chicago, to help these cities more effectively address the ongoing migrant crisis. In today’s letter, the Senators expressed strong support for fulfilling the urgent request of interior cities to invest at least $5 billion … Continue Reading
January 24, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Join Schatz, Colleagues in Amendment to Reaffirm U.S. Support for a Two-State Solution
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and 47 of their Senate colleagues in announcing plans to file an amendment to the forthcoming national security supplemental package that reiterates longstanding U.S. policy in support of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. “Establishing a Palestinian nation-state alongside Israel is the only viable path to lasting peace,” … Continue Reading
January 23, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $25 Million Rail Safety Grant for Kane County
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $25,000,000 for Kane County through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program, otherwise known as the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program, to construct a grade separation of Randall Road over the Canadian National Railroad and reconstruct an existing intersection at Hopps Road … Continue Reading
January 23, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Statement on Confirmation of Normal Mayor Chris Koos to Amtrak Board of Directors
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Normal, Illinois, Mayor Chris Koos to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors: “Mayor Koos has a long history as a powerful, positive voice in Illinois’ transportation sector. He understands the importance of passenger rail to communities in Illinois, the Midwest, and nationwide. His nomination, which we strongly … Continue Reading
January 23, 2024
Duckworth Joins Colleagues to Introduce Legislation to Expand Use of Biofuels for Aviation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced legislation that would help accelerate the production and development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs to allow further growth for alternative fuels to be used in the aviation sector and create new markets for American farmers. The Farm to Fly Act would utilize current USDA … Continue Reading
