Press Releases
Duckworth Announces $225,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Workforce Development, Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Testing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $225,000 she secured through a Fiscal Year 2023 Congressionally Directed Spending Request will be sent by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration to Current for the development of a pilot, entry-level job training program centered on wastewater-based epidemiology. Built on a collaborative effort between Current, Discovery Partners Institute and the Chicago Department of Public Health to track … Continue Reading
January 10, 2024
On Eve Of Taiwan Election, Duckworth Joins Sullivan, Kaine in Leading Bipartisan Resolution Commending Taiwan’s Commitment to Democracy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today joined U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) and the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to introduce a bipartisan resolution commending Taiwan for its … Continue Reading
January 10, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Applaud Nomination of Judge Sunil Harjani to be Federal District Court Judge in the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after the White House announced its intent to nominate Judge Sunil Harjani to a Federal District Court Judge vacancy in the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division: “We are pleased that President Biden is nominating Judge Sunil Harjani to fill a judicial vacancy for the Northern District of Illinois … Continue Reading
January 09, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Honor Labor Leader Ed Smith in Speech on Senate Floor
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today paid tribute to Cairo, Illinois, native Ed Smith, former leader of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, on the Senate floor after his passing on January 3. In their remarks, Durbin and Duckworth shared personal stories about their relationship with Smith, who dedicated his life to advancing labor rights. “He was a man who embodied the word ‘solidarity’… [He] knew … Continue Reading
January 08, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $42 Million in Federal Funding for Clean School Buses Throughout Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder of the Senate’s Environmental Justice Caucus, and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced more than $42 million to Illinois school districts through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The awards, which are made possible through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will help selectees purchase clean school buses in school districts across the state. By … Continue Reading
January 08, 2024
Duckworth Applauds President Biden Renominating Julie Su to Serve as Secretary of Labor, Urges Republicans to Help Democrats Finally Confirm the Well-Qualified Nominee
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after President Biden renominated Julie Su to be Secretary of Labor—which builds on her strong support for Su—urging Republicans to join Democrats in finally confirming her to support working families: “Since day one of the Biden Administration, Julie Su has been helping lead the Department of Labor and delivering for working families. Now, after nearly a year as Acting Secretary, she’s proven her expertise … Continue Reading
January 05, 2024
Duckworth Celebrates the One-Year Anniversary of Her Bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act Becoming Law
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement celebrating the one-year anniversary of President Biden signing her bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act into law to strengthen our nation’s criminal justice system and help more families keep in touch with their incarcerated family members: “For far too long, families were forced to spend outrageous sums to speak on the phone with their loved ones living miles away in a … Continue Reading
January 04, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Join Colleagues to Warn Non-Unionized Automakers Not to Interfere in UAW Unionization Efforts
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), along with 26 of their colleagues, in sending a letter to 13 non-unionized automakers urging them not to illegally block United Auto Workers’ (UAW) unionization efforts at their manufacturing plants. After the ratification of historic agreements … Continue Reading
January 03, 2024
Duckworth Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Slow Down, Move Over Resolution
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today highlighted that the bipartisan “Slow Down, Move Over” resolution she led with U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) passed the Senate late last year. The resolution raises awareness of Slow Down, Move Over state laws to reduce struck-by-vehicle injuries and fatalities and to recognize the important role fire and rescue personnel, emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement officers, tow truck … Continue Reading
December 27, 2023
Duckworth Highlights 2023 Accomplishments in Year-End Round Up
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As 2023 comes to a close, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) highlighted several key accomplishments she secured over the last year: “From helping almost 4,000 Illinoisans recover more than $2 million the Federal Government owed them to bringing home hundreds of millions of dollars to get the lead out of children’s drinking water, and from protecting hundreds of jobs in Peoria to helping bring home Illinois hostages held abroad, I’m so proud of everything we’ve … Continue Reading
December 22, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin, Budzinski Demand Answers from Nippon Steel on Commitments to Granite City
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] — This week, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) in sending a letter to Nippon Steel pushing the company for commitments to Granite City steelworkers during its proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel. In their letter, Duckworth, Durbin and Budzinski demanded answers from Nippon Steel on their intentions with existing operations and facilities in Illinois, details on worker retention and any proposed layoffs … Continue Reading
December 21, 2023
Duckworth, Klobuchar Lead Call for Increased Funding to Help Ensure Our Childrens’ Food is Safe and Free of Toxins
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following recent reports of heavy metals being found in baby food and food pouches for young children, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with several of their Senate colleagues, are leading the call for Senate Appropriators to prioritize additional resources that would help the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Maternal and Infant Health Nutrition programs, including the Closer to Zero program, better ensure the food our … Continue Reading
December 19, 2023
Duckworth Reacts to Short-Term FAA Extension
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Chair of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—today issued the following statement after the Senate passed a short-term extension of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) authorization. “As Chair of the Aviation Safety subcommittee, I’m encouraged that Senate negotiators are close to finalizing a strong, full FAA Reauthorization bill that builds on the … Continue Reading
December 19, 2023
Duckworth, Murkowski, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Military and Foreign Services Spouses and Families, Create Job Flexibility
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) today introduced bipartisan legislation to support military and foreign service spouses and their families by creating more job flexibility when a servicemember is deployed or transferred. The READINESS Act, which was developed by current and former federally employed military spouses, aims to encourage the retainment of military spouses across the federal government and … Continue Reading
December 19, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Join Merkley in Push to Keep Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Abortion Provisions Out of Critical Government Funding Bills
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 42 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), urging them to reject any new poison pill policy riders in the fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills, including the anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion policy provisions that … Continue Reading
December 18, 2023
Duckworth, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Beauty Professionals Recognize and Respond to Domestic Violence
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced bipartisan legislation to incentivize states to provide domestic violence awareness training for beauty professionals and cosmetologists, which would help these individuals better recognize signs of abuse in their clients, appropriately intervene and keep them safe. The Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor (SALONS) Stories Act would increase already-established … Continue Reading
December 18, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $1.8 Million in Federal Funding for Road Improvements Throughout Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $1,835,880 in new federal funding for a total of five projects throughout Illinois to help improve traffic safety. These federal investments from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All program will help support planning, infrastructure, behavioral and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway … Continue Reading
December 15, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Lead Illinois Delegation Members in Call for DOT Involvement in O’Hare Terminal Area Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), with U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) and Bill Foster (D-IL-11) today called for more involvement from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to assist in the completion of the nationally-important O’Hare Terminal Area Program (TAP). In a … Continue Reading
December 15, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Join Warren, Baldwin in Introducing Resolution Affirming Support for FDA’s Scientific Judgement that Medication Abortion is Safe and Effective
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and 36 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights have been increasingly under attack, with more than a dozen states banning or restricting access to … Continue Reading
December 15, 2023
Duckworth Statement on Biden Administration’s New Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credit Implementation Guidance
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—issued the following statement after the Biden Administration’s Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced a notice regarding the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) tax credit requirements created in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: “After months of pushing the … Continue Reading
