Press Releases
Duckworth Joins Schatz & Colleagues in Introducing Resolution to Celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and a group of 16 Senators in introducing a resolution to recognize the achievements and courage of the transgender, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming and gender-diverse communities around the world, and to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility. "On this International Transgender Day of Visibility and always, we celebrate the resilience of transgender, nonbinary and gender … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Duckworth Statement on Biden Administration Release of Oil Reserves
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden's announcement the U.S. will release an average of 1 million additional barrels per day over the next six months from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help reduce energy costs for Americans: "There's no question the steep rise in gas prices across the world is directly impacted by Putin's choice to push Russia - one the world's largest exporters of crude oil - … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Duckworth Joins Durbin, Schumer, Murray to Call On Department Of Education, DOJ To Follow Through On Pledge To Improve Handling Of Student Debt Bankruptcy Claims
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting an update on efforts to improve how the agencies handle undue hardship … Continue Reading
March 30, 2022
Duckworth Speaks with Illinois Corn Growers, Highlights Benefits of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Illinois Corn Growers Association members and leadership to discuss how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can support our nation's corn growers and rural communities in Illinois. During the video call, Duckworth also discussed with the group how protecting our state's waterways and incentivizing agricultural production for renewable fuels can help grow Illinois's agriculture industry. "America has always depended on our … Continue Reading
March 29, 2022
Duckworth, Capito Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Designating March As National Endometriosis Awareness Month
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today introduced a resolution recognizing the significance of endometriosis as an unmet chronic disease for women and designating March 2022 as National Endometriosis Awareness Month. This resolution would also encourage the U.S. Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Defense and Veterans Affairs to provide information on endometriosis to women, patients and providers and to improve screening tools and … Continue Reading
March 26, 2022
In Chicago, Duckworth Reiterates Support for Ukraine
[CHICAGO, IL] - In Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with several community leaders, activists and stakeholders, including Ukrainian Congress Committee leadership to reiterate her support for Ukraine against Vladimir Putin's war of choice. During this morning's meeting, Duckworth and the group discussed the importance of Americans supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian Americans, as well as her legislative efforts to help empower Ukrainians as they … Continue Reading
March 26, 2022
Duckworth Highlights How American Rescue Plan is Helping Mitigate Flooding in DuPage County
[BURR RIDGE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with West Suburban officials and residents to discuss how federal support from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) will help alleviate stormwater and flooding issues in Burr Ridge. Duckworth met with Village of Burr Ridge officials including Mayor Gary Grasso, , Village Trustee Pro Tem and Stormwater Committee Chair Guy Franzese, Trustee Anita Mital, Village Administrator Evan Walter and others to learn more about a planned culvert … Continue Reading
March 25, 2022
Duckworth Urges Swift Consideration of Her Bipartisan Bill Honoring Women on the Home Front During WWII
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As Women's History Month comes to a close, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called for swift committee consideration of her bipartisan Women Who Worked On the Home Front World War II Memorial Act. This legislation, which Duckworth introduced with U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Mike Braun (R-IN), would establish a new commemorative work in Washington, D.C., to honor the contributions of the estimated 18 million women … Continue Reading
March 25, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Highlight Support for Water Infrastructure Improvements in Underserved Suburban Communities
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and local officials to highlight the recent federal support for MWRD's Forging Resilient Communities Project. Duckworth and Durbin were joined by MWRD President Kari K. Steele, MWRD Executive Director Brian Perkovich and Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark to discuss this project, which will receive funding secured by Duckworth and Durbin … Continue Reading
March 25, 2022
Duckworth Underscores Her Commitment to Clean Air and Water for All with Regional EPA and NRDC Leadership and Local Activists
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder and co-chair of the Senate's Environmental Justice Caucus, today met with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 officials, including Region 5 Director Deb Shore, as well as leadership from the Natural Resources Defense Council and five Chicagoland environmental justice organizations. During the meeting, Duckworth highlighted several of her initiatives to help protect the health, water and air of working communities and … Continue Reading
March 24, 2022
Bipartisan Bill Introduced by Duckworth, Portman and Blumenthal to Protect Infants from Deadly “Crib Bumpers” Passes Senate
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to protect infant lives by banning the sale of padded crib bumpers-which have been proven to pose an unnecessary, deadly risk to sleeping infants-passed the Senate and is now headed to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. The Safe Cribs Act would also make it unlawful nationwide to manufacture and import crib bumpers, which remain … Continue Reading
March 24, 2022
Duckworth Introduces Bill to Make Gas Price Gouging Illegal, Help Protect Americans from Unnecessary Price Increases
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced legislation that would help prevent the oil industry from engaging in gasoline price gouging. Specifically, the Gas Price Gouging Prevention Act would make it unlawful under the Federal Trade Commission Act for any person to sell gasoline, at wholesale or retail, during a period of an international crisis affecting the oil markets, at a price that is unconscionably excessive and indicates that the seller is taking unfair … Continue Reading
March 24, 2022
Duckworth Meets with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement after meeting with Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden's nominee to the Supreme Court. Photos from today's meeting are available here and b-roll footage is available here. "Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is one of the most impressive individuals nominated to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States in our nation's history and I was honored to meet with her today. Her extensive background … Continue Reading
March 23, 2022
Duckworth Joins Warnock Bill to Cap Costs of Insulin Nationwide
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) signed on as co-sponsor of U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock's (D-GA) legislation to cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin for Illinoisans and all Americans. The Affordable Insulin Now Act would require Medicare plans and private group or individual plans to cap patients' out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 per month. This legislation would lower costs for insulin users and save money for hardworking Americans-many who … Continue Reading
March 22, 2022
Senate Committee Passes Duckworth-Portman Bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Rob Portman (R-OH) to strengthen the nation's criminal justice system passed the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) Committee today by voice vote and will now be considered by the full Senate. The Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, as amended, would help families keep in touch with their incarcerated family members, which studies have shown can help … Continue Reading
March 21, 2022
As Illinois Recovers from the COVID-19 Pandemic, Duckworth Meets with Comptroller Susana Mendoza
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) last week met Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Assistant Comptroller Kevin Schoeben to discuss how together, they can continue working towards their shared goal of championing working families and Illinoisans throughout the state, and how federal support from the Democrat-backed American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other policies are helping the state. A photo of the meeting is available here. "As we recover … Continue Reading
March 17, 2022
Duckworth Joins Markey and Kaine in Expressing Concerns with Barriers to Accessing Disability Benefits for Individuals Living with Long COVID
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) in calling on the Biden Administration to improve guidance for those living with post-COVID conditions-also known as long COVID-who apply for disability benefits. Existing Social Security Administration (SSA) guidance requires applicants for disability benefits to provide a positive COVID-19 test or diagnosis with limited exceptions, which many Americans living with … Continue Reading
March 17, 2022
Duckworth, Schakowsky, Illinois Small Business Owners Highlight Impacts of American Rescue Plan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) and small business owners from Small Business Majority's network highlighted how, a year after being signed into law, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) is continuing to help small businesses across the state. Alan Moy, a small business owner who runs Viet Nom Nom in Evanston, and Javier Haro, owner of Food He.Ro in Chicago, joined the elected officials to discuss how the ARP helped them. … Continue Reading
March 17, 2022
Duckworth Joins Warren, Reed, Warner, Tester, Colleagues in Introducing the Digital Asset Sanctions Compliance Enhancement Act of 2022
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jon Tester (D-MT) and six of her colleagues in introducing the Digital Asset Sanctions Compliance Enhancement Act to ensure that Vladimir Putin and Russian elites can't use digital assets to undermine the international community's economic sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. This legislation comes amid bipartisan concerns and … Continue Reading
March 17, 2022
On One-Year Anniversary of Tragic Atlanta Spa Shooting, Duckworth Attends Vigil and Calls on Americans to Help Extinguish Anti-Asian Hate
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - On yesterday's one-year anniversary of the Atlanta Spa Shooting that claimed the lives of eight Americans, including six Asian American women, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) participated in a virtual vigil to honor their memories and vow to do all she can to help confront anti-Asian hate. She was joined by the Illinois Asian Caucus, including State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (IL-D-17) and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Josina Morita … Continue Reading
