Press Releases
Duckworth Hosts Community Roundtable on Ethylene Oxide Exposure
[DARIEN, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a roundtable discussion in DuPage County today where she heard from Willowbrook-area residents affected by exposure to known-carcinogen ethylene oxide. Community members discussed their concerns about exposure to ethylene oxide emissions from Sterigenics, the Willowbrook-based medical sterilization facility, with Duckworth, who introduced two new pieces of legislation this week in response to the public health crisis. Photos from … Continue Reading
November 30, 2018
Duckworth, Klobuchar, Van Hollen Introduce Legislation to Keep Jobs in the United States
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced legislation this week to close a loophole created by the new tax law that encourages U.S. companies to move jobs and operations overseas in order to minimize their tax liability. The Removing Incentives for Outsourcing Act will eliminate an unfair incentive that allows U.S. companies to use excess foreign tax credits (FTCs) to shelter profits in tax havens. "Despite … Continue Reading
November 30, 2018
Duckworth and Hatch Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Support At-Risk Youth & Help Eliminate Homelessness
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), along with Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Jack Reed (D-RI), introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize November as National Runaway Prevention Month. The resolution, if passed, would help raise awareness of the runaway and homeless youth crisis and educate the public about how to help end youth homelessness. "It is a tragedy when any child does not have a safe roof over … Continue Reading
November 29, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin, Krishnamoorthi, Quigley Statement on O’Hare Western Access Framework Agreement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following today's approval by the Illinois Tollway Authority of a framework agreement with Canadian Pacific Railway and Union Pacific Railway to move the Elgin-O'Hare Western Access (EOWA) project forward, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) issued the following statement: "The Elgin-O'Hare Western Access project is vital to our regional, state … Continue Reading
November 29, 2018
Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Holds Hearing on Duckworth Bills to Create Energy Jobs & Protect Whistleblowers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The U.S. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy today held a hearing and considered two bills introduced by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). The bipartisan Energy Jobs for Our Heroes Act (S. 3088) would ease the transition back to civilian life for Veterans by connecting them with employers in the solar, wind, nuclear and cyber energy industries and the Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission Whistleblower Act (S. 2968) would … Continue Reading
November 29, 2018
Duckworth, Foster, Durbin, Lipinski & Schneider Introduce Legislation to Close Loopholes That Allow EPA to Hide Health Risks of Chemicals From Public
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11), along with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representatives Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03) and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), today introduced legislation to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from hiding public health risks and require it to be more transparent with state and local health agencies and the American public. The Expanding Transparency of Information and Safeguarding Toxics (EtO … Continue Reading
November 29, 2018
Duckworth Introduces Bill to Expand Coverage for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced legislation to ensure breast cancer patients and survivors who have experienced a mastectomy are able to access custom breast prosthetics under Medicare. The Senator's new Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act would provide coverage for custom fabricated breast prostheses, the only human body part not currently covered by Medicare, to the more than 144,000 women who undergo mastectomies annually. "We can do so much more to … Continue Reading
November 28, 2018
Duckworth, Gillibrand, Blumenthal, Klobuchar, Baldwin Introduce Bill to Expand National Service Opportunities for Young Americans and Make College More Affordable
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced legislation today to help make sure every young American who wants to dedicate a year to national service has the opportunity to do so. The 21st Century American Service Act would increase the number of service positions available through civilian national service organizations, educate all young Americans about the national … Continue Reading
November 28, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Bipartisan Effort to Ensure Public Debate on Military’s Role in Yemen
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After voting in support of S.J. Res. 54, which directs the President to remove unauthorized U.S. troops from hostilities in Yemen, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "The Saudis in Yemen are responsible for perpetuating one of the worst humanitarian situations in the world. Untold numbers have been killed, starved to death and have died of cholera. American military assistance for this coalition must end. "Our … Continue Reading
November 28, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth, Schneider, Lipinski, Foster Introduce Bill to Require EPA to Revise Standards for Ethylene Oxide Emissions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) along with U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), and Representatives Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03) and Bill Foster (D-IL-11), today introduced a bill that would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions standards for medical sterilization and chemical facilities, which have been the source of harmful emissions in Illinois. The bill also requires the … Continue Reading
November 28, 2018
Duckworth, Inhofe, Reed, Rounds, Heller and Peters Applaud Senate Passage of Legislation to Commemorate End of WWII
[WASHINGTON, D.C] -The Senate passed a resolution commemorating the 75th Anniversary of World War II yesterday that was introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Jack Reed (D-RI), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Dean Heller (R-NV) and Gary Peters (D-MI). This legislation establishes a commemorative program to honor Veterans, educate the public about the history of World War II, highlight the service of the men and women who served our nation on the home front during the war, … Continue Reading
November 27, 2018
Duckworth & Hassan: VA Inspector General Must Investigate Potential Legal & Ethics Violations at Trump’s VA
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) applauded the U.S. Government Accountability Office's (GAO) decision to probe whether several wealthy friends of Donald Trump improperly influenced policy decisions at VA, including its electronic health records modernization project as a ProPublica investigation revealed earlier this year. The Senators also reiterated their call for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of the Inspector General … Continue Reading
November 27, 2018
Duckworth Meets with Congressman-Elect Casten
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted Congressman-elect Sean Casten (D-IL-6) in her Senate office today, where the two discussed how they can work together to support Illinoisans in the next Congress. Representative-elect Casten was elected earlier this month to represent Illinois's 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. B-Roll is available here and photos of the meeting are available here. "I'm excited to have Sean Casten as a partner in … Continue Reading
November 20, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin, Foster & Schneider Ask FDA to Develop Safer Alternatives to Ethylene Oxide
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11) and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), wrote to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today asking the agency to convene an interagency task force to examine alternatives to ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing chemical and known carcinogen that is used to sterilize medical equipment at facilities and hospitals. The Members of Congress emphasized how current safety … Continue Reading
November 16, 2018
Duckworth Meets with Congresswoman-Elect Underwood
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted Congresswoman-elect Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) in her Senate office to discuss how the two can work together to support Illinoisans in the next Congress. Representative-elect Underwood was elected earlier this month to represent Illinois's 14th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, and she is the youngest African American woman ever elected to Congress as well as the first African American to represent … Continue Reading
November 16, 2018
Duckworth, Perdue Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Investments in Airport Infrastructure
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and David Perdue (R-GA) today introduced bipartisan legislation to improve airport infrastructure by allowing airport projects to access cheaper public and private capital financing. The TIFIA for Airports Act would expand eligibility for Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) credit assistance to state and local airport projects, including passenger terminals and runways. "This bipartisan legislation is a … Continue Reading
November 15, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth, Foster, Schneider Meet with Acting EPA Administrator, Call for Action on Cancer-Causing Pollution in Lake and DuPage Counties
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11) and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), today met with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler to discuss cancer risks caused by ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions at Sterigenics Inc. in DuPage County, Illinois and Medline Industries, Inc., and Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Inc., in Lake County, Illinois. The members urged Acting … Continue Reading
November 15, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Legislation to Improve Water Quality & End Sewage Dumping into Great Lakes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation today to end the dumping of untreated sewage waste into the Great Lakes Basin. The Senators' Great Lakes Water Protection Act would improve water quality in the Great Lakes, which contain 95% of America's fresh surface water and supply drinking water to more than 30 million people in North America. The bill would also create a dedicated fund to help clean up sewage in the Great Lakes and … Continue Reading
November 15, 2018
Duckworth Meets with Nominee to Head DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with the President's nominee yesterday to be Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Dr. Rita Baranwal. They discussed Duckworth's Sensible, Timely Relief for America's Nuclear Districts' Economic Development (STRANDED) Act, which will help communities like Zion, Illinois, that are struggling with the impacts of stranded nuclear waste by incentivizing economic development … Continue Reading
November 14, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $1.5 Million for Central Illinois Head Start Programs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $1,589,871 in federal funding today to help children in Central Illinois access Head Start and Early Head Start programs through the C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation. This funding comes through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families, which allocates funding, provides technical assistance, and builds strategic partnerships to promote the … Continue Reading
