Press Releases
Duckworth to Trump: Transition All Activated National Guard Troops to Title 32 and Cover Costs
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today wrote to President Donald Trump requesting that all National Guard troops activated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic be transitioned to Title 32 authority. Duckworth is urging the federal government to continue covering all of the costs of these activations, as it has now done in New York, Washington and California.In part, Duckworth wrote: “All 50 States and territories have declared emergencies in … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Duckworth Discusses Food Insecurity & COVID-19 Pandemic with Greater Chicago Food Depository Executive Director
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) yesterday spoke with Kate Maeher, Executive Director and President of the Greater Chicago Food Depository to discuss the organization's efforts to address food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past week, the Greater Chicago Food Depository has packaged and distributed 27,000 emergency food boxes throughout the Chicago region. "I had a productive discussion yesterday about the importance of addressing food insecurity for … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Announce CMS Approval of Illinois’ Request to Expand Health Services Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON - Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the State of Illinois’ Section 1135 Medicaid waiver, enabling the state to expand access to health services and have the flexibility to deliver quality care amid this public health crisis. This news comes on the heels of the letter the Senators sent to CMS Administrator Seema Verma urging the agency to … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth Statement on Senate GOP’s Attempt to Capitalize on a Global Public Health Crisis at the Expense of Americans
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after reports emerged that Republicans had hidden in the coronavirus stimulus bill a provision that would deny funding to healthcare providers that receive Medicaid, thereby making it harder for vulnerable groups-including people with disabilities, older Americans and survivors of rape and abuse-to access critical services they rely on, like home care assistance or meal delivery programs: "Right before Mitch … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth Discusses COVID-19’s Impact on the Food Supply Chain & Efforts to Ramp Up Personal Protective Equipment Production with Illinois Manufacturer’s Association President
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke with Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturer's Association (IMA), about the COVID-19 crisis, efforts to ramp up production of personal protective equipment and how Illinois's food supply chain is preparing to handle the crisis. IMA represents over 4,000 member companies across Illinois, including companies at all levels of the food supply chain. "I had a productive discussion with Mr. Denzler about … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
On 10th Anniversary of Landmark Law & As COVID-19 Crisis Worsens, Duckworth Reiterates Call for Trump Administration to Stop Sabotaging of Affordable Care Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - On the 10th Anniversary of President Barack Obama signing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law and in the midst of the worsening COVID-19 pandemic which threatens to overwhelm our nation's public health infrastructure, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reiterated today that the Trump Administration should immediately end its attacks on the landmark healthcare legislation. Last week, Duckworth joined Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) along with 17 of her … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth & Durbin Join Bennet in Calling for Increased Funding for Schools and Education Support Professionals Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and 16 of their Senate colleagues calling for increased federal funding for schools and school employees, such as cafeteria staff, bus drivers and custodians, who are working overtime to support their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic continues, schools are continuing to provide essential services in their communities, from providing meals to implementing … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Demand Answers from Trump Administration on Testing and Equipment Shortages
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Michael Bennet (D-CO) and 44 of their Senate colleagues in a letter to President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence demanding answers about supplies and equipment in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) critical to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The senators asked the President and Vice President to confirm any relevant supply and equipment shortages in the SNS, to outline their strategy to … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth Joins Baldwin to Introduce New Legislation to Scale Up Medical Supplies and Personal Protective Equipment Manufacturing
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and 17 of their colleagues to announce new legislation to expedite the procurement of medical equipment under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to combat the spread of coronavirus. Despite multiple announcements, President Donald Trump has not utilized the federal government’s entire authority under DPA, so this legislation would require the President to do so in order to quickly produce and ensure … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Press CMS To Approve Illinois' Request To Expand Health Services Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to swiftly approve the State of Illinois' Section 1135 Medicaid waiver, so the state can expand access to health services and have the flexibility to deliver quality care amid this public health crisis. "Our health care system is facing unprecedented strains and it is essential that we provide the resources … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Discuss Coronavirus Impact With Illinois Municipal League & Mayors
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with the Illinois Municipal League Board of Directors and a group of Illinois mayors from across the State and heard how the pandemic is affecting local governments, small businesses, and essential services. Durbin and Duckworth discussed the lost tax revenue state and local governments will face as a result of the pandemic and promised they would continue to … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Bipartisan Call For FEMA To Waive State And Local Match On COVID-19 Assistance
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) in urging President Trump to exercise authorities used in the wake of natural disasters to waive local cost sharing provisions for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) assistance, under the President's emergency declaration, to streamline more federal resources into states and communities responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join 165 Members Of Congress In Calling For Billions In Community Health Center Funding To Tackle Coronavirus Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and U.S. Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Danny K. Davis (D-IL), joined 165 lawmakers in calling on House and Senate leadership to dramatically increase long-term funding for community health centers (CHCs) in the third coronavirus legislative package being drafted by Congress to address the immediate economic and public-health emergency … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Colleagues Urge Congressional Negotiators To Cancel Student Loan Payments And Debt In COVID-19 Response Package
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), sent a letter to Congressional negotiators, urging them to cancel student loan payments and debt in the COVID-19 response package. "Students and families should not have to worry that they will go into default on their student loans during or immediately after this emergency--they should be worried about keeping themselves and their loved ones … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Duckworth Discusses COVID-19 Testing with President and CEO of NorthShore University HealthSystem
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke with Gerald “JP” Gallagher, President and CEO of Northshore Hospital, about the COVID-19 pandemic and the hospital’s development of its own COVID-19 tests. The NorthShore University HealthSystem became the first local facility to conduct its own COVID-19 tests and is currently testing approximately 200 patients per day. The facility anticipates it will expand its daily testing capacity to 500 patients starting this … Continue Reading
March 22, 2020
Duckworth: McConnell’s COVID-19 “Proposal” Only Helps Billionaires During National Crisis, Does Nothing for Working Families
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement today regarding the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act: "Struggling workers need help today and they deserve to have their jobs protected tomorrow. First responders and hospitals need personal protective equipment and resources immediately. Our nation faces a public health and economic crisis on a scale few if any of us have ever seen before. Instead of doing the right thing, Senate … Continue Reading
March 22, 2020
Bill Supported by Duckworth & Durbin to Protect GI Bill Benefits as Universities Move Online Due to Coronavirus Signed Into Law
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Bipartisan legislation supported by combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) as well as U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) that would make sure student Veterans and their loved ones receiving benefits through the GI Bill continue receiving full benefits is now law. The legislation, which both Senators helped introduce in the Senate, will temporarily allow these beneficiaries to continue receiving education benefits without change as their classes transition … Continue Reading
March 21, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Call on Trump Administration to Do More to Bring Home Illinoisans Stranded Overseas
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) are calling on the Trump Administration to use its authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) to do more to bring back Illinoisans as well as any other Americans who are currently stranded abroad as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter sent to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao last night, the Senators call for the … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Duckworth, Menendez Urge Trump Admin to Protect, Guarantee Health Care Access for Americans with HIV, LGBTQ Community During COVID-19 Outbreak
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), along with nine Senate colleagues, wrote to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to express serious concerns about the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the 1.1 million Americans living with HIV in light of the Administration's rolling back of LGBTQ healthcare discrimination protections. COVID-19 poses a serious health risk for individuals living with immunodeficiency disorders like … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Duckworth Discusses Her Efforts to Protect Workers During COVID-19 Outbreak with UFCW Local 881 President
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke with Steven Powell, President of the Illinois-based United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 881, today about the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on workers employed by grocery store, pharmacies and nursing homes. Local 881 represents 34,000 workers in Illinois and Northwest Indiana, many of whom will be expected to continue going to work during the shelter-in-place order announced today by Governor J.B. Pritzker. "UFCW … Continue Reading
