Press Releases
Following Duckworth Request, DoD and State Improve SIV Employment Verification to Help Process Afghan Allies More Quickly
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, commended the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of State for responding to her request and taking steps to more swiftly verify employment and process Afghan allies who have applied for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. "I'm pleased that the Department of Defense-in coordination with the Department of … Continue Reading
September 29, 2021
Duckworth Emphasizes the Urgency of Addressing the Maternal Mortality Crisis at IDPH’s Virtual Maternal Health Summit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) stressed the need to address the nation's maternal mortality rates and the importance of supporting policies for new and expecting parents during today's Illinois Department of Public Health Maternal Health Summit. In the virtual event, Duckworth spoke about her years-long efforts to help improve and save the lives of new mothers-especially Black mothers-who are disproportionately impacted by this crisis. "It's simple: we're one of the … Continue Reading
September 29, 2021
Duckworth, Grassley, Wyden Lankford Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Whistleblowers at DOE & NRC
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and James Lankford (R-OK) reintroduced bipartisan legislation today to make sure federal law provides U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) civil servants with the same due process rights provided to corporate employees who experience retaliation for blowing the whistle on nuclear safety violations. The bipartisan Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory … Continue Reading
September 29, 2021
Duckworth Highlights Importance of Supporting Veterans’ Mental Health During Operation Enduring Service Panel Discussion
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) emphasized the importance of helping our nation's Veterans protect and improve their mental health as part of an Operation Enduring Service panel discussion hosted by The Mission Continues. During the virtual question and answer session, Duckworth spoke with Army Veteran and Wounded Warrior Project Chief Program Officer Jennifer Silva about her years-long efforts to support the wellbeing of Veterans in Illinois and … Continue Reading
September 28, 2021
As School Restarts, Duckworth Hosts Virtual Town Hall On COVID-19 and Kids
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a virtual town hall tonight to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 in kids and how we can best keep our children safe as they resume in-person learning. Duckworth was joined by a panel of experts from Lurie Children's Memorial Hospital of Chicago to help answer questions, including Dr. John Walkup, MD, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Dr. Ravi Jhaveri, MD, Interim Division Head of Infectious Disease; … Continue Reading
September 28, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nearly $590,000 to Chicago State University
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $587,729 in federal funding to Chicago State University. This funding from the U.S. Department of Education's Predominantly Black Institutions Program will assist the university in implementing their Resiliency and Capacity Expansion for Student Success in the Health Professions (RECESS-HP) program. Chicago State, located on Chicago's South Side, is Illinois' only four-year U.S. Department of … Continue Reading
September 28, 2021
Duckworth Joins Bustos, Axne, Craig, Klobuchar in Urging Administration to Increase Biofuels Usage
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), Cindy Axne (D-IA-03), Angie Craig (D-MN-02) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in a letter urging the Administration to increase biofuels usage and reject any reduction in biofuel blending requirements. "We have strong reservations about the potential for the Administration to destroy over 5 billion gallons of biofuel volume from the 2020, 2021, and 2022 RVOs. This action would … Continue Reading
September 28, 2021
Duckworth: We Need a Comprehensive, Independent and Honest Review of Our Nation’s Involvement in Afghanistan Since 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During today's U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and US. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Kenneth McKenzie, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) advocated for a comprehensive, expansive and bipartisan examination of the lessons learned from our nation's 20 years of involvement in Afghanistan and announced that she will be introducing … Continue Reading
September 27, 2021
Duckworth Statement after Republicans Blocked Passage of Bill to Keep Government Open and Avoid Economic Catastrophe
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked passage of a bill that would fund the government through December 3, 2021, and lift the debt ceiling to avoid a default and global economic disaster: "As members of Congress, it's our job to do what's best for the people of this country. Republicans have completely abdicated that responsibility by blocking the CR and refusing to lift the debt ceiling, which has historically … Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Duckworth Emphasizes Importance of Military Logistics & Capacity Readiness in General Van Ovost’s Nomination Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing for the nomination of General Jacqueline D. Van Ovost to serve as Commander of the United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the importance of enhanced mobility and logistics capabilities for the overall operational readiness of our military. Duckworth also applauded TRANSCOM's monumental efforts in the Afghanistan airlift, including … Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Incentive Pay Parity with Director of the Army National Guard, Jon Jensen
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke with Lieutenant General Jon Jensen, the Director of the Army National Guard. Duckworth and Jensen discussed the modernization of the General Jones Armory in Chicago, incentive pay parity for National Guard members and ongoing National Guard operations-including wildfire response and COVID-19 support. "I had a productive discussion today with LTG Jensen today about his priorities for the National Guard, as well as my push to … Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Duckworth, Casten Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Educational Support Professionals Access Benefits Through FMLA
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) reintroduced the bipartisan ESP Family Leave Act, which would update the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to help more educational support professionals (ESP) at schools-teacher's assistants, custodians and maintenance staff, among others-access its benefits without the risk of losing their job. "No one should have to choose between their job and caring for a sick child or family … Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $400,000 for Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport Improvements
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $438,853 in federal funding to the Springfield Airport Authority. This funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration will help Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport remove runway pavement. "Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is an important economic engine for our state and Sangamon County, and making sure it has federal support to improve its infrastructure is … Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nearly $280,000 to Support Child Care for Illinois Student Parents
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $278,851 in federal funding to four Illinois colleges through the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program. This funding from the U.S. Department of Education will help provide low-income student parents at these institutions with campus-based child care services. "Shrinking child care options makes it even harder for student parents who are trying to balance college coursework and … Continue Reading
September 22, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Feinstein, Van Hollen, Shaheen, Klobuchar Reintroduce Legislation To Train Students For High Skilled Jobs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) reintroduced legislation today to make education more affordable for students pursuing degrees in high-skill industries. The bill would help businesses fill vacant, good-paying positions with qualified candidates. The Community College to Career Fund in Higher Education Act (CC2C), which Duckworth has previously … Continue Reading
September 22, 2021
Duckworth Meets with Illinois Farm Bureau to Discuss Legislative Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) yesterday joined leaders from the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) for a virtual meeting to discuss her upcoming legislative priorities as well as federal support to America's farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Duckworth was joined by several members of the Illinois Farm Bureau including Director of National Legislation Adam Nielsen. "America has always depended on our nation's farmers and ranchers to grow the food and fuel we need, but … Continue Reading
September 21, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Working Families Policy, Path to Politics at Chicago Humanities Festival
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) tonight discussed how becoming a mother impacted her as a legislator, the importance of supporting policies for woman and working families and the need for diverse voices in politics and beyond as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival. In this virtual event, Duckworth spoke with Chicago Humanities Festival Artistic Director Alison Cuddy about the current legislation she's working on to support working families, women's reproductive … Continue Reading
September 21, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Importance of Federal Funding for Cook County with Board President Preckwinkle, County Leaders
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Cook County officials to discuss how local leaders are putting American Rescue Plan Act resources to work for Illinois families in Cook County. They also discussed how resources included in proposals such as the Senate-passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the upcoming budget bill can support the county and its residents. Duckworth met with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Health … Continue Reading
September 20, 2021
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 2026 from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will close nearly two weeks from today, on Saturday, October 2. 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 March. Each year Duckworth, with the assistance of a … Continue Reading
September 20, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nearly $750,000 for Worker Safety and Health Training in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced a total of $744,580 today in federal funding to four Illinois entities to help workers and employers create a safer workplace by identifying preventive health measures for COVID-19 and other health hazards. The trainings will also include understanding worker rights and employer responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. These federal investments are awarded through the U.S. … Continue Reading