Press Releases
Duckworth After VA’s Disability Compensation Rule Change: “It’s Clear the End Goal is to Privatize—and Eventually Dismantle—the VA”
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At today’s joint Senate (SVAC) and House (HVAC) Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing with Veterans Service Organization (VSOs), combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called out the Trump Administration for once again attacking our Veterans and failing to consult Congress or VSOs before they ushered in an interim final rule that effectively disincentivizes our nation’s heroes from both seeking earned coverage for service-connected disabilities and following … Continue Reading
February 23, 2026
Duckworth Announces Jeremy Schumacher as Her State of the Union Guest
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced that Jeremy Schumacher of Carbondale, Illinois, will be her personal guest to President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union Address. Schumacher’s story is all too common across our state and country: this year his family’s health insurance costs jumped 288%—an $11,000 increase for deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs—after Trump and Republicans refused to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. He has been … Continue Reading
February 21, 2026
As Costs for Everyday Essentials Skyrocket Under Trump, Duckworth Highlights Importance of Diaper Banks as a Lifeline for Struggling Families
[ROUND LAKE PARK, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today participated in Keeping Families Covered’s diaper distribution event where she highlighted the need to better support children and families as costs for everyday essentials like diapers continue to skyrocket under Donald Trump’s economy. Duckworth also met with volunteers and Keeping Families Covered staff to help distribute diapers and other baby products to families. Photos of today’s event are available on the Senator’s … Continue Reading
February 21, 2026
Duckworth Recognizes Soon-To-Be Naturalized U.S. Citizens in Grayslake
[GRAYSLAKE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today participated in a Naturalization Recognition Ceremony hosted by Mano a Mano Family Resource Center in Grayslake to welcome more than 50 residents from five different countries who will soon be sworn in as naturalized United States citizens. In her remarks to the future Americans, Duckworth highlighted the importance of diversity in strengthening our nation and her love for our country. Photos from today’s ceremony are available on the … Continue Reading
February 20, 2026
Duckworth Reacts to VA Retreating from Enforcing the Project 2025 Ambush Rulemaking That Threatens to Prevent Veterans from Seeking or Accessing the Health Coverage They Earned
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC)—today released the following statement after U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins announced the VA would be “halting enforcement” of its new interim final rule that puts millions of Veterans’ disability ratings and care at risk and shockingly disincentivizes our nation’s heroes from both seeking earned coverage for service-connected … Continue Reading
February 20, 2026
Duckworth Statement After the Supreme Court Struck Down Trump’s Illegal Tariffs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement in reaction to the Supreme Court striking down Donald Trump’s illegal tariffs in a 6-3 decision: “Trump’s illegal tariffs were a self-inflicted economic catastrophe caused by one wannabe dictator’s greed, vanity and hunger for power. They forced millions of Americans to pay more for groceries, toys and so many more everyday essentials, squeezed small business owners and pushed farmers to make … Continue Reading
February 18, 2026
Duckworth Demands VA Rescind Rule Change Designed to Prevent Veterans from Seeking or Accessing the Health Coverage They Earned
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC)—today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shamefully circumvented the normal rulemaking process and implemented without public comment a new interim final rule that puts millions of Veterans’ disability ratings and care at risk, shockingly disincentivizing our nation’s heroes from both seeking earned coverage for … Continue Reading
February 17, 2026
Duckworth Reacts to NTSB Final Report on Tragic DCA Collision
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation—released the following statement after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its final report on the tragic DCA mid-air collision in January of last year: “Many of the findings in this report on the DCA mid-air collision point to issues that have persisted for years—and they are issues I’ve been sounding the alarm on for years. There is … Continue Reading
February 17, 2026
Duckworth Statement on the Passing of Civil Rights Giant Reverend Jesse Jackson
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement on the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson: “Reverend Jesse Jackson was a barrier-breaking civil rights giant who spent his days, his nights—and his whole life—working to improve the lives of others and patch America together into a ‘great quilt of unity and common ground.’ “He grew up in a South that was marred by segregated lunch counters and water fountains. But that never, ever stopped him from … Continue Reading
February 13, 2026
Duckworth, Murray, Hirono, Warren Lead Democratic Colleagues in Demanding VA Rescind Draconian Abortion Care Ban for Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC)—and U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today led 29 other Senate Democrats in calling on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to immediately rescind the VA’s extreme, cruel new policy that bans the VA from providing abortion counseling and care to Veterans, even in cases of rape, incest … Continue Reading
February 12, 2026
Duckworth Rips FAA For Failing to Carry Out Safety Measures Before Tragic DCA Collision, Urges Trump Administration to Heed Her Yearslong Calls for Better-Equipped Aviation Workforce
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation—today lambasted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its failure to carry out key safety procedures, maintain crucial inter-agency communications with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and address the air traffic controller (ATC) shortage leading up to the tragic, but preventable, DCA mid-air collision. During today’s hearing with National … Continue Reading
February 12, 2026
Duckworth, Durbin Statement on Trump Administration Terminating Federal Funding for Health Grants in Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) terminating more than half a billion dollars in funding for four Democratic-led states, including Illinois, which is used to prevent deadly disease outbreaks and to keep Americans safe and healthy. At least $170 million of this funding may be part … Continue Reading
February 12, 2026
Environmental Justice Caucus Co-Chairs Duckworth, Booker, Markey Slam Trump Administration for Eliminating EPA’s Ability to Protect Public Health from Climate Change
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA)—co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Environmental Justice Caucus—issued the following statement ahead of Donald Trump and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin rescinding the 2009 endangerment finding today, undoing a landmark determination that requires the EPA to address greenhouse gas emissions and pollution because of the threat that climate change poses to … Continue Reading
February 11, 2026
U.S. Military Leaders Agree with Duckworth: Expanding TRICARE Coverage of IVF Would Benefit Servicemembers and Strengthen Military
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today secured support from senior enlisted leaders of the Department of Defense (DoD) that in-vitro fertilization (IVF) coverage for servicemembers and their families, which is currently available only in very limited circumstances, would strengthen our military and benefit our troops. This comes after Donald Trump—who promised to make IVF free for all Americans—did nothing to stop Speaker Mike Johnson from … Continue Reading
February 07, 2026
As Housing Costs Continue to Soar, Duckworth Convenes Metro East Housing Authorities to Discuss Solutions
[ALTON, IL] — U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with local housing authorities, municipal leaders and service providers to discuss the ongoing housing affordability crisis and how to expand stable, affordable housing opportunities. As the cost of housing continues to consistently faster than the rate of wages, Duckworth underscored the urgent need to address issues preventing homes from being built and ensuring the homes we do build meet the needs of Veterans, the disability … Continue Reading
February 06, 2026
Amid Trump’s Attempts to Block Billions in Funding for Child Care, Duckworth Meets with Metro East Care Providers
[EDWARDSVILLE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Metro East child care providers and families to learn more about how Donald Trump’s attempt to block $1 billion in funding for Illinois would gravely impact child care in the region, as well as how previous Trump Administration cuts have already affected services. Duckworth met with child care provider leaders from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Early Childhood Center, Brightpoint, Michelle’s Place Cahokia … Continue Reading
February 06, 2026
Duckworth Calls Out DHS Secretary Noem for Intimidating, Preventing Oversight Watchdog from Doing its Job as DHS Agents Kill Americans in the Street
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is calling out U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem for making thinly veiled threats to invoke a never-used authority that is effectively a kill switch to prevent or end any DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigation. Duckworth expressed alarm that Noem’s implied threats are intimidating this government watchdog into inaction, given the DHS OIG’s failure to conduct independent investigations into the … Continue Reading
February 06, 2026
In Madison County, Duckworth Underscores Importance of Water Infrastructure Funding
[EAST ALTON, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted local, state and regional leaders to discuss ongoing water infrastructure challenges throughout Madison County. As PFAS contamination in drinking water supply has become more prevalent throughout the county, compounded with aging water infrastructure, Duckworth and leaders discussed the need for more funding for the region, an issue Duckworth has been a leader on. Photos from today’s meeting are available on the Senator’s … Continue Reading
February 05, 2026
Duckworth Joins Cantwell, Markey in Call for Accountability After Bedford’s Violation of Ethics Agreement May Yield the Sitting FAA Chief Millions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Ranking Member of the CST Aviation Subcommittee—Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Edward Markey (D-MA) called on the Department of Transportation (DOT) General Counsel Gregory Zerzan for information and accountability regarding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford’s refusal to comply with his ethics agreement and divest his … Continue Reading
February 04, 2026
Duckworth Demands Trump Administration Remove ICE Investigators from Alex Pretti Shooting Investigation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) now leading the investigation into the deadly shooting of Alex Pretti, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is demanding U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel to immediately remove any Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents from the investigation. Duckworth’s letter follows the news that HSI agents were originally put in … Continue Reading