Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Join Hirono, Colleagues To Introduce Resolution Marking May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and their Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution marking May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The resolution highlights the contributions to our country by generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. "As prejudice toward and violence against the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Introduce Safe Gun Storage Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) to introduce legislation directing the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish safety standards for firearm locks and firearm safes. "It's just common sense that firearms should be stored safely to prevent them from ending up in the wrong hands - or in the hands of children," Duckworth said. "In the wake of … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Duckworth Secures Critical Illinois Priorities in Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), applauded the inclusion of several of her provisions that will help Illinois in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021 that passed the EPW Committee today. These provisions include Duckworth's new congestion relief grant program, Duckworth's TIFIA for Airports Act to expand investments in airport modernization projects, incentives for states to … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Duckworth Asks CDC to Provide Clear Guidance on Mask Usage for Parents and Immunocompromised Individuals
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), urging the CDC to provide further public health advice that clarifies how parents, caregivers and immunocompromised individuals can make sound decisions to help keep themselves, their families and their communities safe. This letter was sent in light of the CDC's recent guidance on mask wearing for fully vaccinated … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
Duckworth Introduces Legislation to Address National Guard and Reserve Incentive Pay Disparities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), introduced the National Guard and Reserve Incentive Pay Parity Act today to help ensure that Reserve Component servicemembers in high-skilled roles are compensated at the same rate as active duty counterparts performing the same work. Duckworth's legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Cortez Masto … Continue Reading
May 25, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Statement On Completion Of Investigation At Illinois Army Reserve Unit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement on the completion of the investigation into the mishandling of sexual assault allegations at the 416th Theater Engineering Command (TEC), an Army Reserve unit in Darien, Illinois: "Sexual misconduct and pervasive problems that led to the mishandling of cases at the 416th TEC in … Continue Reading
May 25, 2021
On Press Call, Duckworth Calls for Passage of an Inclusive, National Paid Leave Policy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this afternoon spoke about the urgent need to enact a comprehensive national paid leave policy that would support a robust economic recovery and help rebuild the American workforce. U.S. Representative Colin Allred (D-TX-32) and Paid Leave for All director Dawn Huckelbridge also participated in the press call. Key quotes: "And yet while some military families have access to paid leave through state programs or their employer, or … Continue Reading
May 25, 2021
Duckworth Joins Fischer in Introducing Bipartisan RFS Integrity Act of 2021
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) in introducing the bipartisan RFS Integrity Act of 2021. This legislation would provide more certainty for rural America by bringing transparency and predictability to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) small refinery exemption process. The bill would require small refineries to petition for Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) hardship exemptions by June 1st of each year. This … Continue Reading
May 25, 2021
Duckworth, Blackburn, Braun Re-Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Establish Memorial Commemorating Efforts of Women On The Home Front During WWII
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, and U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Mike Braun (R-IN) re-introduced bipartisan legislation today to establish a new memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor the contributions of the estimated 18 million women who helped keep our nation's economy and society running during World … Continue Reading
May 24, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Applaud DOT’s Expansion of Local Hire and Workforce Development Pilot Programs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) decision to expand construction hiring and workforce development pilot programs. The programs, which will be managed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), will give contracting agencies expanded flexibility to use hiring preferences to enhance workforce development opportunities for those in economically … Continue Reading
May 24, 2021
Duckworth Helps Inhofe Introduce Bill to Create Center for Aviation Advancement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) in introducing S. 1752, the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act, a bill to establish the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation. The National Center for the Advancement of Aviation would serve as a national, independent forum to facilitate collaboration and cooperation between all sectors of aviation and aerospace stakeholders and related partners, with a particular focus on … Continue Reading
May 21, 2021
Duckworth and Boozman Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Consumers by Modernizing the Online Contact Lens Marketplace and Banning Related Robocalls
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and John Boozman (R-AR) announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation that would make purchasing contact lenses online safer and more secure. Specifically, the Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act (S. 1784) would prohibit the use of automated calls (robocalls) as a method of verifying a prescription. It would also require online contact lens sellers to allow patients to electronically upload contact lens … Continue Reading
May 21, 2021
Duckworth Statement on Ceasefire in Israel and Palestinian Territories
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, released the following statement after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire: "I'm relieved that Israel and Hamas have finally agreed to a ceasefire in the wake of the recent severe and escalatory violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. While I fully support Israel's right … Continue Reading
May 20, 2021
During SASC Hearing, Duckworth Secures Commitment from DoD Official to Pursue Safe Return of Illinoisan Kidnapped in Afghanistan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing today about the transition of troops out of Afghanistan, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed her concern for the safe return of Mark Frerichs, a Veteran of the U.S. Navy who was abducted in Kabul in early 2020. As the administration prepares to withdraw our forces by September 11th, Duckworth expressed concern that a complete troop withdrawal will likely make it harder to subsequently … Continue Reading
May 20, 2021
Duckworth, Collins, Underwood Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make Preventive Healthcare More Affordable for Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) re-introduced bipartisan legislation to make healthcare more affordable for America's Veterans. Their Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act would stop forcing our nation's Veterans to pay out-of-pocket costs for essential preventive health medications and prescription drugs-such as vitamin supplements, certain breast cancer prevention medicines, tobacco cessation products … Continue Reading
May 20, 2021
Duckworth Applauds President Biden Signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Into Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After a year of rising anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination against the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and others at the White House as President Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. Duckworth helped U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduce this legislation in the Senate, … Continue Reading
May 20, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nearly $105 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois has been awarded nearly $105 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to help communities grappling with mental health and addiction challenges that have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illinois Department of Human Services will receive $54.7 million in Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant funding and $50.2 million in Community … Continue Reading
May 20, 2021
Duckworth, Murphy and Bennet Lead Call for Biden Administration to Address Discriminatory and Punitive Discipline Practices in Schools
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) led nine of their Senate colleagues in calling on the Biden administration to address discriminatory and punitive school disciplinary measures. In a letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Senators asked the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education to strengthen guidance on nondiscriminatory school discipline and advise … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021
Duckworth, Cornyn, Garamendi, Babin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Investments in Airport Modernization Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and John Cornyn (R-TX) today introduced bipartisan legislation to improve airport infrastructure by allowing airport projects to access cheaper public capital financing. The TIFIA for Airports Act would expand eligibility for Transportation and Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) credit assistance to state and local airport projects-including passenger terminals, runways and related facilities-a change that would improve and … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $12 Million for MidAmerica Airport
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Scott Air Force Base/MidAmerica Airport has been awarded $12.6 million in federal grant funding to support the final phase of the airport's terminal expansion project. The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and federal COVID-19 relief packages. "MidAmerica Airport is an important economic engine for the Metro East, and investments in … Continue Reading
