Press Releases
Duckworth Statement on the Passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement regarding the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings: "Elijah Cummings loved his community and his country so much that he devoted his life to public service, championing justice, unity, accountability and, most importantly, human decency. When I was first elected, I was honored with the opportunity to work with him on the House Oversight Committee, where I witnessed firsthand what a generous and … Continue Reading
October 15, 2019
Duckworth, Braun Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Drinking Water Infrastructure in Distressed Communities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mike Braun (R-IN) today introduced bipartisan legislation to help improve the quality of drinking water for millions of Americans living in distressed communities. The bipartisan Voluntary Water Partnerships for Distressed Communities Act would make it easier for community water systems to engage in voluntary partnerships that drive efficiency and improve water treatment and infrastructure. “Every American has a right to drink … Continue Reading
October 09, 2019
Duckworth Tours Illinois Fire Service Institute, Highlighting Support for First-Responders
[CHAMPAIGN, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) visited the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), touring its facility and meeting with IFSI leadership. During her visit, Duckworth met with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert J. Jones, IFSI Director Royal Mortenson and IFSI Deputy Director Jim Keiken, to discuss the work IFSI does training more than 60,000 to-be first-responders per year across Illinois. Photos from today's tour are available here. "Firefighters … Continue Reading
October 09, 2019
Duckworth Tours University of Illinois Chez Veterans Center, Highlights Veterans Legislation
[URBANA, IL] - Combat Veteran U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today toured the University of Illinois's Chez Veterans Center, which provides support services for military-connected students. Duckworth met with College for Applied Health Services Dean Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell and Chez Veterans Center Interim Director and College of Applied Health Science Associate Dean Reggie Alston, as well as other Chez Center officials and students. Photos from today's event are available here. "Having a … Continue Reading
October 08, 2019
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Duckworth Highlights Importance of Recovery Products
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today visited Second Act Boutique, a provider of breast cancer recovery products such as breast prostheses, wigs, hats and more. While there, Duckworth highlighted her Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act, which would help ensure breast cancer patients and survivors who have experienced a mastectomy are able to access custom breast prosthetics under Medicare. Photos from today's event are available here. "Cancer doesn't discriminate based on … Continue Reading
October 08, 2019
Duckworth Discusses Maternal Mortality Rate at Panel with March of Dimes, Medela
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a panel today on rising maternal and infant mortality rates with Medela and March of Dimes. Earlier this year, Duckworth introduced the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA) Act with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) to help reduce America's rising maternal and infant mortality rate, especially among mothers and babies of color who are significantly more likely to die … Continue Reading
October 07, 2019
Duckworth Responds to Trump Decision to Abandon U.S. Allies
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria, thus abandoning allies in the region: “The Syrian Kurds have fought shoulder to shoulder with our troops to defeat ISIS and with one tweet, Donald Trump has abandoned them. Once again, he’s operating as a one-man show, making huge policy changes on a whim and ignoring the advice of … Continue Reading
October 04, 2019
Duckworth Congratulates U.S. Army Combat Veteran Miguel Perez, Jr., on Becoming a Citizen
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement today to congratulate combat Veteran Miguel Perez, Jr., on becoming a citizen of the United States. Senator Duckworth met with Perez in her DC office last week. "I am so proud to finally be able to call Miguel Perez a fellow American. He sacrificed for our nation by serving overseas and, while this is long overdue, I'm glad Miguel can now breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate becoming a citizen of the … Continue Reading
October 03, 2019
Duckworth Attends Inaugural Run of Metra Trains at New Fox River Bridge After Helping Secure Project’s Federal Funding
[ELGIN, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined Metra officials for the inaugural run of trains over the new Z-100 Fox River Bridge in Elgin, Illinois. Duckworth has been a long-time supporter of the project, helping Metra secure $14 million in federal funding through the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant program, now BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) grant program, for the new double-track bridge that will eliminate … Continue Reading
October 03, 2019
Duckworth Convenes Senate Field Hearing in Chicago on the Barriers Minority Entrepreneurs Face Entering the Tech Industry
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) convened a U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Field Hearing in Chicago today to highlight the barriers faced by small business owners of color and women entrepreneurs. Duckworth highlighted issues such as access to capital, lack of culturally-competent leaders and disparities in venture funding with two panels, as well as policy solutions to help eliminate these barriers. Photos from today's hearing are available … Continue Reading
October 02, 2019
Duckworth Tours Bunge-SCF Grain Terminal, Highlighting Importance of Illinois Agriculture and Infrastructure
[FAIRMONT CITY, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) visited the Bunge-SCF Grain Terminal today to meet with officials and tour the facility, highlighting the importance of Illinois agriculture and infrastructure. The Bunge-SCF Grain facility in Fairmont City, which sits on the Mississippi River, accepts corn, soybeans, wheat and other commodities by truck and rail, and exports the goods via barge. The facility can receive up to 120,000 bushels per hour. Photos of today's tour are … Continue Reading
September 27, 2019
Duckworth Meets with U.S. Army Combat Veteran that Donald Trump Cruelly Deported
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) yesterday met with deported U.S. combat Veteran Miguel Perez, Jr., after he was paroled back into the country following Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker granting him clemency. Senator Duckworth has worked on Miguel Perez's case for nearly two years and was active in efforts to stop the Trump Administration from deporting him in the first place, introducing a private bill in February of 2018 to help him remain in the United States. She … Continue Reading
September 26, 2019
Duckworth Speaks at National Clean Energy Week Symposium
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today discussed the importance of clean energy to our nation's economy, national security and environment during the National Clean Energy Week Symposium at the National Press Club. Duckworth, who serves on the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, also highlighted legislation she has introduced to bolster our nation's clean energy while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, such as the Low Income Solar Energy Act and … Continue Reading
September 25, 2019
At U of I Advocacy Day in DC, Duckworth Highlights Importance of Federal Higher Education Funding
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Susan Koch in a fireside chat at the University of Illinois System's D.C. Advocacy Day with administrators, students and alumni from the system's campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield. Duckworth discussed the importance of federal support for higher education institutions, her higher education legislative priorities and how University of Illinois can support … Continue Reading
September 25, 2019
Senate Passes Duckworth-Durbin Resolution Honoring Life and Achievements of Disability Rights Advocate Marca Bristo
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution yesterday introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) honoring the life of Marca Bristo and acknowledging her tireless work for the disability community. Bristo reached out to Duckworth a few months after Duckworth returned home from Walter Reed Hospital, and quickly became a friend and counselor to her, especially on disability issues. "Without Marca's work over the last 30 years, the Americans … Continue Reading
September 25, 2019
Duckworth Votes to Terminate Donald Trump’s National Emergency Declaration
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, after the Senate voted for a second time to terminate Donald Trump's national emergency declaration to raid military construction funds to build an ineffective border wall he promised Mexico would pay for, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement: "Donald Trump's failure to convince Congress to force Americans to pay for his wall may be a national embarrassment for him, but it is not a … Continue Reading
September 25, 2019
Duckworth Receives the 2019 Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award from the Paralyzed Veterans of America
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Last night during the Annual Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Gala, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) accepted the prestigious 2019 Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award for her tireless advocacy for the civil rights of Veterans and all individuals with disabilities. Duckworth was deployed to Iraq and lost both of her legs when the Blackhawk helicopter she was piloting was shot down by an RPG attack. "I'm so grateful to be receiving … Continue Reading
September 24, 2019
Duckworth Statement on Miguel Perez Jr.’s Parole into U.S. for Citizenship Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement today regarding U.S. combat Veteran Miguel Perez Jr.'s parole into the country and upcoming citizenship hearing in Chicago: "Miguel Perez was willing to protect our nation in uniform and his experiences after coming home-including the great lengths he went to reform his life-show us why we should never give up on our combat Veterans. While he shouldn't have been deported in the first place, I'm glad he's … Continue Reading
September 20, 2019
With Application Deadline Approaching, Duckworth Seeks Additional Student Applications for U.S. Military Service Academies
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - The application period for high school students to request a nomination to a U.S. Military Service Academy for the Class of 2024 from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will close one week from today, on Friday, September 27. Duckworth's office has been accepting applications from high school students seeking a Congressional nomination to one of the four Military Service Academies through her website since April. Each year Duckworth, with the assistance of a nomination … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $100 Million Federal Grant to Upgrade Chicago’s Red & Purple Lines
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $100 million in federal funding to make safety and accessibility upgrades on the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) Red and Purple lines. This funding for the CTA's Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Program comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Capital Investment Grants (CIG) competitive grant program. The project will expand capacity along the Red and Purple heavy rail lines in … Continue Reading
