Press Releases
Duckworth Votes to Help End Online Sex Trafficking
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today voted in favor of the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, or SESTA, which clarifies and strengthens criminal and civil remedies for victims of sex trafficking. Last year, Duckworth met with the mother of slain Chicago child sex trafficking victim Desiree Robinson to discuss the legislation, which passed today on a bipartisan vote of 97-2 and fixes a portion of federal law that makes it harder for Robinson's mother, Ms. Yvonne … Continue Reading
March 21, 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 would direct 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 American military is actively assisting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen and our servicemembers have been drawn into hostilities in the country, yet Congress has not provided any legal authority for these military actions nor have we held any public … Continue Reading
March 20, 2018
Energy Sec. Perry Commits to Working with Duckworth on Bipartisan Efforts to Train Servicemembers & Veterans for Jobs in Renewable Energy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) secured a commitment from U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry to work with Duckworth on bipartisan legislation she is drafting with Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) that would connect servicemembers and Veterans with opportunities in the clean energy sector. At a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing this morning, Duckworth and Perry spoke about her bipartisan legislation, which would help … Continue Reading
March 16, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Fiduciary Rule Appeals Court Decision
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) "Fiduciary Rule" that protects consumers from unscrupulous financial advisors, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called on the Trump Administration to put people over politics by vigorously defending the rule that ensures retirement advisors provide consumers with financial advice that is in the clients' best interests instead of lining their own pockets first. The Senator also urged … Continue Reading
March 15, 2018
Duckworth Introduces Bill to Help Veterans with Children Access Child Care, Reduce Veteran Unemployment
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth introduced a bill with seven of her colleagues today to support Veterans and Veteran families, as well as reduce Veteran unemployment, by helping improve access to child care services for Veterans participating in workforce and job training programs offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Labor (DOL). Duckworth's new Veteran Employment and Child Care Access Act would create a federal program modeled after the … Continue Reading
March 15, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Miguel Perez, Jr.
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement today regarding the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' decision to deny retroactive citizenship to her fellow combat Veteran, Miguel Perez Jr.: "Mr. Perez has been detained for months, separated from his family and left without access to the care he needs, deserves and has earned. If the military and our government hadn't failed Mr. Perez multiple times, he'd never have been in this predicament to … Continue Reading
March 14, 2018
At Duckworth’s Request, Agriculture Secretary Perdue Commits to Fighting Efforts to Cut RFS Production, Cap Price of RINS
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) secured a commitment from U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to oppose any policy that undermines the bipartisan Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program and fight efforts to impose harmful price caps on renewable identification numbers (RINs). The RFS helps decrease our nation's reliance on foreign oil by requiring the use of home-grown fuel sources like biofuels, including corn-based ethanol, in gasoline. Video … Continue Reading
March 14, 2018
Trump Cabinet Secretaries Struggle to Answer Duckworth’s Straightforward Questions About Infrastructure Plan at Senate Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Several Trump cabinet secretaries were unable to answer basic questions today from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) about the administration's infrastructure proposal, raising questions about how well-thought-out the Trump infrastructure plan is. At the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing, Duckworth asked Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross how the administration intends to fund its meager infrastructure … Continue Reading
March 13, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Tillerson Firing, Nominations of Pompeo & Haspel
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement this morning regarding the President's firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who has called those who engaged in torture "patriots," to replace Tillerson: "Just hours ago, Rex Tillerson became the lone Trump Administration cabinet official to stand with the United Kingdom in condemning Russia's nerve agent attack on English soil. Donald Trump's reaction … Continue Reading
March 09, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Announcement of Trump’s Agreement to Meet with Kim Jong Un
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement regarding President Trump's announcement that he plans to meet with Kim Jong Un by May 2018: "There is no realistic military solution to the DPRK that does not involve catastrophic levels of casualties, destruction and global economic turmoil. I welcome the President's new embrace of diplomacy over his prior reckless bluster. However, I would strongly urge the Administration to remember that Kim Jong Un, … Continue Reading
March 08, 2018
Duckworth Meets with Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth met with members of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council to discuss infrastructure investments and opportunities for collaboration to advance projects for the region. The Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council aims to boost the local economy by helping businesses expand and attracting new businesses. A photo of the meeting is available here. "If we want to promote new economic opportunities for working families, … Continue Reading
March 08, 2018
Duckworth Meets with Rock Island Army Corps of Engineers
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with officials from the Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including Colonel Craig Baumgartner, to discuss the crumbling lock-and-dam systems along the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers, flood risk management and the ongoing Brandon Road Lock and Dam study. A photo of the meeting is available here. "Colonel Baumgartner and I had a great discussion about the need to create a stronger inland waterway … Continue Reading
March 08, 2018
Duckworth Meets with Peoria Local Initiatives Support Corporation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with leadership from the Peoria Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to discuss the importance of community development initiatives and programs. The Peoria Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) brings residents and local governments together with for-profit entities to improve the housing and economic disparities in Peoria and throughout Central Illinois. A photo of the meeting is available here. "Every … Continue Reading
March 08, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Trump Administration’s Actions on Steel & Aluminum
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement regarding President Trump signing an executive order imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports: "I have long called on the President to protect hardworking families and level the playing field for American steelworkers and I support the goal of what he is trying to achieve. I also welcome the news that hundreds of steelworkers are going back to work in Granite City after being laid off more … Continue Reading
March 08, 2018
Duckworth-Durbin Bill to Expand the Lincoln National Heritage Area and Grow Economic Opportunity Advances in U.S. Senate
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin's (D-IL) bill to honor the legacy of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, and create economic opportunities for local community members working to preserve the historic site, including associated recreation, tourism and educational projects. The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area Amendment Act would expand the Lincoln … Continue Reading
March 08, 2018
Duckworth, Portman, Booker & Schatz Introduce Bipartisan Bill Aimed at Reducing Recidivism Rates in Criminal Justice System
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Rob Portman (R-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) today introduced the Inmate Calling Technical Corrections Act to strengthen the nation's criminal justice system by helping families keep in touch with incarcerated family members, which studies have shown can help reduce recidivism rates and thereby save taxpayer dollars. This targeted legislation would address long-standing concerns regarding predatory inmate calling … Continue Reading
March 07, 2018
Duckworth Statement on U.S. Steel Reopening Facilities at Granite City Works
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following the announcement that U.S. Steel will reopen facilities in Granite City, Illinois, and bring back 500 employees who were laid off before Christmas in 2015, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "This is welcome news for Granite City and the hundreds of steelworkers who are going back to work after being laid off before Christmas two years ago. Although it is a positive step, we have a long way to go to keep manufacturing jobs in … Continue Reading
March 07, 2018
Duckworth Meets with EPA Region 5 Administrator
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with recently-appointed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Administrator Cathy Stepp to discuss public health priorities and opportunities for collaboration. The Region 5 Office in Chicago employs 1,000 public servants who work tirelessly to protect our environment as well as the health and safety of Americans living in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. EPA regional offices enforce federal … Continue Reading
March 07, 2018
Duckworth & Durbin on Release of Congolese Mother Who Was Detained & Separated from 7-Year-Old Daughter
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the release of a Congolese woman who was detained and separated from her 7-year-old daughter after they fled to the U.S. seeking asylum four months ago. Duckworth and Durbin wrote to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen last week urging the Trump Administration to immediately reunite this mother and her child. This morning Durbin spoke with Nielsen, … Continue Reading
March 06, 2018
Duckworth Helps Introduce New Bipartisan Gun Safety Legislation to Strengthen Background Check System
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) in introducing new bipartisan gun safety legislation that will improve the background check system and make our communities safer. The NICS Denial Notification Act would require federal authorities to notify state and local law enforcement within 24 hours when individuals who are prohibited from buying firearms attempt to make a purchase … Continue Reading
