Press Releases
Duckworth Statement on Inauguration Day
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement following the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States of America: "Today is an important day because-no matter what part of this nation we are from or which political party we belong to-we are united as Americans, as citizens of the greatest democracy on earth. Today, as we have for hundreds of years, we saw the peaceful transition of power and once again demonstrated to the world what true … Continue Reading
January 19, 2017
Duckworth to Perry: American-Made Renewable Energy Reduces Reliance on Foreign Oil, Improves National Security
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) shared with the nominee to be the Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE), Governor Rick Perry, how her military service in Iraq taught her about the danger of our country's dependence on foreign oil and how increasing production of American-made renewable energy sources like wind makes our country more secure. Video of Duckworth's remarks during Perry's confirmation hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is … Continue Reading
January 18, 2017
Duckworth: Commerce Secretary Nominee Should Crack Down on Unfair Trade Practices & Steel Dumping to Protect American Workers
WASHINGTON, DC - After sharing the story of 2,000 Illinois workers being laid off due to illegal Chinese steel dumping, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the need to crack down on unfair trade practices like currency manipulation and illegal dumping to protect American workers with the nominee to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Wilbur Ross. Ross committed to Duckworth that he would swiftly prosecute violations of international trade laws during their … Continue Reading
January 18, 2017
Duckworth: I’ve Already Been to A War Fought Over Oil, EPA Head Must Keep America on Path Toward Energy Independence
WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today grilled the nominee to be Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, over his previous positions and contradictory statements about the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which helps decrease our nation's reliance on foreign oil by requiring the use of home-grown fuel sources like biofuels, including corn-based ethanol, in gasoline. Video of Duckworth's questions at Pruitt's … Continue Reading
January 16, 2017
Duckworth Honors Dr. King’s Legacy of Service by Participating in City Year’s Day of Service to Improve Chicago Schools
CHICAGO, IL - Senator Tammy Duckworth commemorated Martin Luther King, Jr., Day by joining community leaders and City Year Chicago members donating their time to create a more welcoming environment at Curie High School in the Archer Heights neighborhood of Chicago. The Senator, who has made community service a hallmark of her public life, spent the morning with City Year members working to beautify schools with inspirational and motivational murals and paintings. A photo of the Senator working … Continue Reading
January 13, 2017
Duckworth Reacts to Department of Justice’s Report on Chicago Police Department Institutional Misconduct
CHICAGO, IL- In response to the Department of Justice's (DOJ) report on its investigation into Chicago Police Department patterns and practices, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "Attorney General Lynch confirmed today in troubling detail that the Chicago Police Department has deprived Chicagoans of their constitutional rights and engaged in patterns of racial bias and excessive--even needless--use of force far too frequently for far too long. I appreciate the … Continue Reading
January 12, 2017
Senator Duckworth Discusses Illinois Infrastructure Priorities With Transportation Secretary Nominee Elaine Chao
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) questioned Transportation Secretary nominee Elaine Chao during Chao's confirmation hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation. The hearing was Duckworth's first as a Senator. Duckworth reiterated her commitment to working with Secretary Chao, if she is confirmed, to support infrastructure projects and create good-paying jobs across Illinois that cannot be outsourced. Video of Duckworth's remarks is … Continue Reading
January 12, 2017
Duckworth: Eroding Civilian Leadership of Our Armed Forces Is a Dangerous Precedent
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces, issued the following statement after voting against a measure that further erodes the legal requirements set in place to ensure civilian leadership of-and superiority over-our nation's military: "One of the foundational principles of our country-a principle I've risked my life to defend-is civilian control of the military. As a combat Veteran, I am disappointed that the legal … Continue Reading
January 11, 2017
Senator Duckworth Meets with Energy Secretary Nominee Rick Perry
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Governor Rick Perry, the nominee to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, yesterday. As a member of the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, Senator Duckworth will question the Governor at his upcoming confirmation hearing. "In Iraq, I saw firsthand the painful price this nation and her military heroes pay because of our reliance on foreign oil," said Senator Duckworth. "I know that increasing production of … Continue Reading
January 11, 2017
Duckworth: When Your Coverage Is Cut and Your Costs Skyrocket, Think Back to This Vote
During late night Senate session, Duckworth worked to protect Veterans and working mothers from healthcare cost increases & reduced coverage WASHINGTON, DC- After voting against legislation that could strip protections and health benefits hardworking Illinoisans rely on, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth issued the following statement: "When I was sworn in as a U.S. Senator last week, I wanted to get to work-with people on both sides of the aisle-enacting policies that help hardworking … Continue Reading
January 10, 2017
Senator Duckworth Meets with Defense Secretary Nominee General James Mattis
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with General James Mattis, the nominee to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense, yesterday and issued the statement below. Duckworth, a combat Veteran who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces, has been outspoken in support of the bedrock American principle of a civilian-led military. Photographs and b-roll of their meeting can be accessed here. "Though I've made my concerns clear about eroding the civilian leadership or our … Continue Reading
January 10, 2017
Tammy Duckworth Statement on the Nomination of Dr. David Shulkin to be VA Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator and former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces and still receives her own healthcare services through the VA, issued the following statement regarding Dr. David Shulkin's nomination to be the next U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs. A photo of Senator Duckworth meeting with Dr. Shulkin and current VA Secretary Bob McDonald last year when she was a Congresswoman is available … Continue Reading
January 09, 2017
Senator Duckworth Meets With Transportation Secretary Nominee Elaine Chao
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Elaine Chao, the nominee to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which Senator Duckworth serves on, is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing for Secretary Chao this Wednesday. Photos and video footage of the Senator's meeting with Secretary Chao are available here. Following the meeting, Senator Duckworth released the following … Continue Reading
January 09, 2017
Duckworth Questions Workers Formerly Employed By Department of Labor Nominee Andrew Puzder
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) questioned several workers who have been employed or are currently by Labor Secretary nominee Andrew Puzder's fast food corporation and listened to their testimony about the nominee's labor practices. In today's witness testimony, the employees described their experiences working at companies owned by Mr. Puzder, including being denied paid leave and being required to work in food service and preparation while ill. Workers without paid … Continue Reading
January 09, 2017
Senator Duckworth Meets with Commerce Secretary Nominee Wilbur Ross
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Wilbur Ross, the nominee to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, yesterday. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which Senator Duckworth serves on, is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing for Mr. Ross this Thursday. Senator Duckworth released the following statement regarding her meeting with Mr. Ross: "Mr. Ross and I had a good conversation about how the Commerce Department can support … Continue Reading
January 09, 2017
Durbin and Duckworth meet to discuss legislative priorities for Illinois
U.S. Senators meet for the first time since Duckworth was sworn in to serve alongside Durbin WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met to discuss priority issues for the state of Illinois. During the meeting, Durbin and Duckworth discussed short- and long-term goals and priorities for Illinois, including ways to create jobs, invest in infrastructure and grow the state's economy. "Senator Duckworth's journey to the Senate is an inspiration to me and people … Continue Reading
January 08, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth introduce bill to require President and Vice President to fully divest personal financial conflicts of interest
Senators Also Reiterate Their Demand for President-elect Trump to Comply with Constitution's Emoluments Clause WASHINGTON D.C.- Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Democratic members of Congress, introduced the Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act of 2017 in the United States Senate and House that would require the President and Vice President to disclose and divest any potential financial conflicts of interest. It also would require presidential … Continue Reading
January 08, 2017
Durbin, Duckworth announce more than $117 million in federal funding for rural community development in Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $117,920,000 in federal funding for Edgar, Kankakee, Madison, Perry Counties to support rural community development projects. Today's funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Community Development Initiative Grant, will provide assistance to benefit the City of Paris, Illinois, Olivet Nazarene University Foundation, the Village of St. Jacob, Illinois, and Pinckneyville Community … Continue Reading
January 08, 2017
Ahead of Attorney General Confirmation Hearing, Duckworth Highlights Importance of Disability Rights and All Civil Rights
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released a statement describing how her experience informs her views about disability rights and civil rights for all Americans. In particular, Senator Duckworth discussed Senator Jeff Sessions' troubling record on disability issues, which raises concerns about his nomination to be Attorney General of the United States. "My life isn't like many of my colleagues in Congress,"said Senator Duckworth."Getting around can be difficult. I … Continue Reading
January 05, 2017
Duckworth Urges Republicans To Stop Trying To Defund Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON, DC -Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined 31 of her fellow U.S. Senators in urging Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to reconsider his harmful, hyper-partisan new effort to take away women's access to critical health services like mammograms and physical screenings provided by Planned Parenthood. Duckworth did not grow up in a wealthy family. She worked her way through college as a waitress and relied on Planned Parenthood for personal health care services at the … Continue Reading