Press Releases
Duckworth Presses VA Secretary on Haphazard Restructuring Plan Amidst Trump-Induced Staffing Shortage at the VA
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) pressed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins on his haphazard plans to restructure the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which comes at a time when the VA is facing a severe staffing shortage as a direct result of the Trump Administration betraying our Veterans and removing 40,000 dedicated civil servants from the agency. During the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) hearing, … Continue Reading
January 28, 2026
Duckworth, Durbin Slam Half Billion Dollar Cost of Trump’s Domestic Troop Deployments in Chicago and Throughout U.S.
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) reacted to today’s Congressional Budget Office Report on cost estimates for troop deployments to U.S. cities. CBO estimated, that for the last six months of 2025, the domestic deployments cost nearly $496 million—including $21 million for the deployment in Illinois, where troops spent months confined to bases after federal courts found the deployment illegal. Duckworth … Continue Reading
January 28, 2026
Duckworth Rails Against Secretary Rubio for Speaking Out of Both Sides of His Mouth on Venezuela
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) railed against Secretary of State Marco Rubio for speaking out of both sides of his mouth on whether the United States is at war with Venezuela. During today’s U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) hearing, Duckworth pressed Secretary Rubio on how he can support Donald Trump invoking wartime authorities—like the Alien Enemies Act—while insisting that we are not at war. After Secretary Rubio refused to … Continue Reading
January 28, 2026
Duckworth, Quigley Unveil Bicameral Bill to Launch Federal Grant Program Dedicated to Commuter Rail Bridges
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) unveiled new legislation to revitalize our nation’s rapidly aging and deteriorating commuter rail bridges while making it easier and safer for Americans who depend on rail transportation to get around. With over 200 Metra bridges in dire need of repair in Chicago, the Building Rail Infrastructure for a Durable & Growing Economy (BRIDGE) Act would establish a first-ever $1.5 billion … Continue Reading
January 25, 2026
Duckworth Seeks to Force Independent Investigations of Trump Agents’ Use of Excessive and Deadly Force Against American Citizens
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After Trump’s lawless masked agents publicly and remorselessly executed another American citizen in broad daylight yesterday, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) tonight announced that she will seek to force the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to deploy criminal investigators and other personnel to conduct transparent and independent investigations, in coordination with state law enforcement authorities, into the Trump … Continue Reading
January 23, 2026
Duckworth Statement on House-Passed Government Funding Bills
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced she will oppose the latest “minibus” of appropriations bills passed by the House of Representatives that includes funding for Trump’s unfocused, reckless and deadly immigration enforcement operations: “Donald Trump’s lawlessness is spiraling out of control. He is marching us closer to more illegal, forever wars, deploying our troops to intimidate their fellow Americans in their own communities and enabling ICE and Border … Continue Reading
January 23, 2026
Duckworth, Durbin, Secure Support for Illinois Priorities in Recently Passed Package of Three Government Funding Bills
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced the various priorities for Illinois they secured in the recently passed package of government funding bills for Commerce, Justice and Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). “Our state and our nation are stronger when we invest in our communities and families—and … Continue Reading
January 23, 2026
During Official European Visit, Duckworth Celebrates Illinois National Guard’s Work to Support Our Allies & Partners in Poland and Portugal
[LISBON, PORTUGAL] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week traveled to Poland and Portugal to reinforce support for the Illinois National Guard’s State Partnership Programs (SPP) with our European allies and underscore America’s bipartisan support for NATO. Duckworth first visited Poland and met with defense and foreign affairs officials to discuss the success of ILNG’s longstanding SPP that dates back to 1993. Duckworth then traveled to Portugal to meet with defense … Continue Reading
January 22, 2026
Duckworth Slams Republicans for Backroom Deal Stripping E15 Compromise from Funding Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson secretly stripped a bipartisan compromise on E15 gasoline from must-pass government funding legislation that would have supported American farmers, helped keep consumer costs down, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and protected our national and energy security: “Republicans like Mike Johnson and Trump repeatedly promise our farmers that they will support … Continue Reading
January 22, 2026
Duckworth Visits Ukraine-Poland Border Region to Reinforce Bipartisan Support for the People of Ukraine and NATO Allies
[JASIONKA, POLAND] - On her official visit to Poland and Portugal this week, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) traveled to Poland’s border with Ukraine where she visited sites of joint NATO military logistical efforts that support Ukraine. At the Jasionka military base cluster, Duckworth underscored America’s bipartisan support for Ukraine and NATO, in the midst of Donald Trump’s escalating and increasingly erratic threats against Greenland. During her visit in Rzeszów, Duckworth discussed … Continue Reading
January 21, 2026
Duckworth Reiterates Call for Joint Investigation into ICE Violence in Chicago and Minneapolis
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Nearly 100 days after calling for an independent investigation into the outrageous use of force by ICE federal agents in Chicago, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reiterated and broadened her request to the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Justice (DOJ) Offices of Inspectors General (OIG) asking that the offices establish a joint task force to investigate the disturbing pattern of violent behavior by Trump’s agents in Chicago, Minneapolis and across the … Continue Reading
January 21, 2026
Duckworth, Durbin, Release Data on Rising Cost of Living in Illinois Under Trump Administration
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) shared data from the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) showing that the average Illinois household has paid $1,781 in higher costs since President Trump took office one year ago. Despite numerous claims that the second Trump Administration will lower the cost of living for Americans, President Trump has instead focused his energy on slashing $1 trillion in Medicaid funds, pricing out … Continue Reading
January 21, 2026
Duckworth Joins Blumenthal, Colleagues to Demand Answers on Pentagon’s Efforts to Politicize Stars and Stripes Military Newspaper
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, along with her colleagues in demanding answers on the Department of Defense’s (DOD) efforts to politicize Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper that has long maintained editorial independence. The letter follows recent reporting on how Stars and Stripes job applicants have been asked to explain how they would … Continue Reading
January 20, 2026
Duckworth Condemns Trump’s Increasingly Erratic Threats to Seize Greenland
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committees on Foreign Relations (SFRC) and Armed Services (SASC)—today released the following statement as Donald Trump continues to escalate his outrageous threats to take over Greenland from NATO ally Denmark, including new tariffs on eight European allies: “Donald Trump’s escalating and increasingly erratic threats to take Greenland by force and economic coercion are as nonsensical as they are dangerous. … Continue Reading
January 19, 2026
In Chicago, Duckworth Honors King’s Legacy of Service and Commitment to Justice
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) commemorated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day today by joining local leaders and speaking about the value of service and the importance of community. Duckworth began her day at Rainbow PUSH’s annual breakfast, where she honored Dr. King’s words to Chicago 60 years ago and how his message is more pertinent than ever today. Photos from this event can be found on the Senator’s website. “Here in Illinois, Dr. King asked us to imagine a better, fairer … Continue Reading
January 18, 2026
As Housing Costs Continue to Soar, Duckworth Underscores Need for Veteran Affordable Housing
[CHICAGO, IL] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today visited Hope Manor II, one of the first large-scale supportive housing developments for Veterans and their families, highlighting her commitment to affordable housing and access to affordable housing for our Veterans. Duckworth also met with leaders from Volunteers of America and female Veteran residents of Hope Manor II to hear firsthand about the challenges Veterans face in securing safe, affordable housing. Photos … Continue Reading
January 18, 2026
As Trump Attempts to Block Billions in Funding for Child Care, Duckworth Meets with Illinois Care Providers
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Illinois 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 our state. Duckworth met with Illinois Action for Children leadership including Executive Director April Janney, as well as leaders from It Takes a Village, YMCA, Our Loving Arms, Cuddle Care Child Care Center and PAW Preschool. Photos from today’s meeting are … Continue Reading
January 16, 2026
Duckworth Introduces Bill to Maintain Integrity of Independent Government Watchdogs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - One year after Donald Trump unlawfully fired 17 Inspectors General (IGs) just days into his second term, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced legislation to help restore public trust in IGs as Trump has worked to replace them with loyalists tied to his Administration. The Inspectors General Independence Act would prevent Donald Trump and future Presidents from appointing their own political allies to serve in the Administration’s “independent” watchdog roles—a … Continue Reading
January 15, 2026
Duckworth Discusses Solutions to Address the National Housing Crisis at CAP Housing Summit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined the Center for American Progress (CAP), U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) for a policy summit where they discussed common-sense solutions to address our nation’s housing shortage and lower housing costs for middle-class families. As the cost of housing continues to consistently increase more than the rate of wages, Duckworth underscored the urgent need to address issues … Continue Reading
January 15, 2026
Duckworth Pushes to Slash ICE Funding and Block GOP Cuts to Lead Removal Programs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), author of the historic bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Law, today sought to block $125 million in Republican cuts to lead service line replacement projects by redirecting a portion of Trump’s exorbitant $2 billion U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) slush fund that the agency has shown time and again it does not deserve and cannot be trusted with. “ICE isn’t making our communities safer, but … Continue Reading