Press Releases
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
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
In Advance of Spring Flooding Season, Duckworth Hosts Federal Disaster Workshop
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) yesterday hosted a workshop for municipalities throughout Illinois to learn more about the disaster assistance and declaration process for communities to recover from and also prepare for natural disasters. Duckworth was joined by Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Deputy Regional Director Mark Peterson and IEMA Recovery Division Chief Greg … Continue Reading
March 16, 2022
Duckworth Discusses Army Reserve Priorities with LTG Jody Daniels
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee's (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, yesterday spoke with Lieutenant General Jody Daniels, the Chief of the Army Reserve. Duckworth and Daniels discussed many of the most pressing issues Daniels is facing as well as her top priorities ahead of the FY23 posture hearings. "I had a productive discussion with LTG Daniels yesterday about her priorities for the Army Reserve, including the … Continue Reading
March 16, 2022
Duckworth Statement after President Zelenskyy’s Address to Congress
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces, issued the following statement after attending Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's virtual address to Congress: "Our country and the world remain in awe of the bravery of the Ukrainian people who are so effectively defending their homeland and their freedom and, with the fearless leadership of President Zelenskyy, are … Continue Reading
March 16, 2022
Duckworth, Leahy Re-Introduce Bill To Strengthen Oversight of Executive Branch & Increase Transparency
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, during the News Leaders Association's annual Sunshine Week that aims to promote transparency across our government, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) re-introduced legislation-the Demanding Oversight and Justification Over Legal Conclusions Transparency Act (DOJ OLC Transparency Act)-to strengthen oversight over the Executive Branch and increase government transparency by requiring the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office of Legal … Continue Reading
March 14, 2022
Duckworth Highlights Key Omnibus Priorities Set to Become Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today highlighted several of her key priorities that are set to become law when President Biden signs the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Omnibus appropriations bill that the Senate passed last week. "Our state and our nation are stronger when we invest in our communities and families-and that's what this bipartisan funding agreement does," Duckworth said. "I'm particularly proud that we've taken action on so many of my key priorities like … Continue Reading
March 14, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Federal Support for Improved Public Transit in Madison County
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced federal resources through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to help Madison County Mass Transit District (MTCD) replace five heavy duty transit buses in its fleet. By helping replace older buses with new, more environmentally-friendly and ADA-accessible vehicles, Illinoisans who depend on MTCD will be able to get to their destinations more safely, efficiently and reliably. This DOT … Continue Reading
March 14, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Illinois Winners of EPA’s 2021 Diesel Emission Reduction Act School Bus Rebates
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced federal support through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help three Illinois school districts replace old diesel school buses with new, cleaner emission buses certified by the EPA. By assisting with the replacement of older school buses, these rebates will help Illinois communities enjoy cleaner air and more environmentally-friendly transportation to and from school for children in … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Duckworth, Durbin Secure $211 Million For Illinois Projects in FY22 Omnibus Appropriations Bill
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured $211 million through Congressionally-directed spending for Illinois projects in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Omnibus appropriations bill. The bill passed the Senate and now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. "I'm pleased I was able to secure funding for important projects that will help clean up our water, improve … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Duckworth, Capito Re-Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Honor Girl Scouts of America
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), co-chairs of the Girl Scouts' Honorary Troop Capitol Hill, today re-introduced a resolution to recognize the 110th birthday of the Girl Scouts of America and celebrate its historic legacy of empowering girls and building powerful female leaders across the country. "I still use the leadership skills that I developed in the Girl Scouts as a young woman every day," said Senator Duckworth. "For 110 years, … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Duckworth Calls on President Biden to Establish Gasoline Price Gouging Enforcement Task Force to Protect Hard-Working American Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is requesting President Joe Biden directs Attorney General Merrick Garland to establish and chair a Gasoline Price Gouging Enforcement Task Force to carefully monitor and investigate oil and gas markets for potential violations of criminal or civil laws, including gasoline price gouging, that inflict financial harm on hard-working American families at the pump and result in higher prices for all, as businesses pass on higher operating … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Duckworth Meets with the Illinois Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America and Emphasizes Her Commitment to our Nation’s Heroes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and a Purple Heart recipient who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces, today met with several leaders from the Illinois Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America. During the call, Duckworth and the group discussed their shared commitment to challenging discrimination against disabled Americans, long-term care for the Veteran community and accessible, … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Duckworth Statement on Passage of the Bipartisan Omnibus Agreement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Senate passed the bipartisan agreement to fund the government through Fiscal Year 2022. "Our state and our nation are stronger when we invest in our communities and families-and that's what this bipartisan funding agreement does. While I'm disappointed we couldn't get additional resources to address the COVID pandemic and help more restaurants pay their bills, I'm proud this bill will help lower … Continue Reading
March 09, 2022
As U.S. Bans Russian Oil, Duckworth Joins Ernst, Klobuchar in Calling for Expansion of American Biofuels to Lower Gas Prices
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As gas prices hit all-time record highs and with the U.S. banning the import of Russian oil, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in calling for American biofuel to be unleashed under a bipartisan plan to replace Russian oil with cleaner, lower-cost and American-made renewable fuels that are available right now. The Home Front Energy Independence Act would ban Russian oil and expand use and production of … Continue Reading