Press Releases
Duckworth Votes Against Lee Zeldin’s Nomination to Be EPA Administrator
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—co-founder of the U.S. Senate’s first-ever Lead Task Force and Environmental Justice Caucus—released the following statement after the Senate confirmed former Rep. Lee Zeldin by a vote of 56-42 to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Every American deserves the right to breathe safe air, drink clean water and live on uncontaminated land regardless of their race, income or zip code—and the EPA … Continue Reading
January 29, 2025
Duckworth Pressed Commerce Department Nominee Howard Lutnick on Trump’s Dangerous Pause on Federal Grants That Would Jeopardize U.S. Trade and Innovation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST)—pressed Howard Lutnick, President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Commerce, on whether he would obey an illegal order from President Trump, such as following through on the President’s dangerous freeze of billions in federal grant funding. In her remarks, Duckworth underscored that the chaos and confusion caused by pausing these legally obligated funds … Continue Reading
January 29, 2025
Duckworth Join Durbin, Schakowsky in Introducing Mentoring to Succeed Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) in introducing the Mentoring to Succeed Act in recognition of January as National Mentoring Month. U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04) and Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) introduced companion legislation in the House earlier this week. This legislation would create a strong, sustainable support system through … Continue Reading
January 28, 2025
Duckworth Slams Trump’s Dangerous Pause on Federal Grants That Will Hurt Veterans, Underscores Importance of Maintaining VA as Medical Center Home for Veterans Seeking Care
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) who still receives her own health care services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—slammed President Donald Trump’s dangerous executive order that bypasses Congress and freezes billions of dollars in grants that help fund programs run by VA and that offer lifelines to millions of Americans, including those who sacrifice for our country. … Continue Reading
January 28, 2025
Duckworth Votes Against Sean Duffy’s Nomination to Be Transportation Secretary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (CST)—released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Rep. Sean Duffy by a vote of 77-22 to serve as Secretary of the Department of Transportation. “Heading into this week, I was prepared to vote to confirm Rep. Duffy. Our conversations were productive and encouraging, and I thought he was sufficiently qualified to serve as Transportation … Continue Reading
January 27, 2025
Duckworth, Daines, Cruz, Hirono Renew Bipartisan Push to Better Protect Parents Traveling with Breast Milk
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to make it easier for parents to safely embark on air travel with breast milk and breastfeeding supplies. The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act, co-led by U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to clarify and regularly update guidance on the safe handling of … Continue Reading
January 26, 2025
Duckworth, Durbin Statement On Trump’s Mass Deportation Actions In Chicago
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, (D-IL) today issued the following statement after President Donald Trump’s administration started mass deportation actions in and around Chicago: “We can all agree that we must remove any dangerous individuals from our country who are here illegally. But the mass deportation actions being undertaken by President Trump’s administration go far … Continue Reading
January 24, 2025
Duckworth Votes Against Pete Hegseth’s Nomination to Serve as Secretary of Defense
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Tonight, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces—released the following statement after voting against Pete Hegseth’s nomination to serve as Secretary of Defense. After the U.S. Senate voted 50-50, Hegseth was confirmed by a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance in favor of his nomination. “Throughout his nomination process, Pete Hegseth proved again and … Continue Reading
January 24, 2025
Duckworth Joins Fischer, Colleagues in Reintroducing Bipartisan Legislation to Help Improve Passenger Vehicle Safety
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST)—Deb Fischer (R-NE), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to help modernize vehicle safety tests by requiring the use of the most advanced testing devices available—including a female crash test dummy. The bipartisan She Develops Regulations In Vehicle Equality and Safety (She DRIVES) Act would help enhance … Continue Reading
January 22, 2025
Duckworth Meets with Taiwan Legislature Delegation, Reinforces Support for U.S.-Taiwan Relations
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Han Kuo-yu, the Speaker of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, and a delegation from the Legislative Yuan yesterday to discuss how the United States can best continue to support Taiwan amidst threats from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), help Taiwan strengthen their national security and further enhance our bilateral economic ties. Photos of the meeting can be found on the Senator’s website. “If America wants to remain a global … Continue Reading
January 22, 2025
Duckworth, Durbin Statement on Stellantis Investment in U.S. Auto Plants, Including Belvidere
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement on Stellantis and United Auto Workers’ (UAW) announcement that Stellantis will invest in upgrading its U.S. auto plants across the country, including investing $1.2 billion in the Belvidere Assembly plant in Illinois. As a result of the investment, approximately 1,500 jobs will come back to the Belvidere Assembly plant, which was also selected to … Continue Reading
January 22, 2025
Duckworth, Durbin Join Van Hollen and Colleagues in Introducing D.C. Statehood Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)—along with 38 of their Senate Democratic colleagues—in introducing legislation to grant Washington, D.C. statehood following U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton’s (D-DC-At Large) introduction of the bill in House. The bills are numbered S. 51 and H.R. 51, respectively, highlighting the lawmakers’ effort to admit Washington, D.C. into the … Continue Reading
January 22, 2025
Duckworth Joins Warren, Fellow Senate Armed Services Committee Democrats in Joint Statement on New Hegseth Report
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee—joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in releasing the following statement on the sworn affidavit containing abuse allegations against Pete Hegseth, nominee for U.S. Secretary of Defense: “In a sworn statement under the penalty of perjury, a … Continue Reading
January 22, 2025
Duckworth, Moran Lead Colleagues in Reintroducing Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Use of Biofuels for Aviation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would help accelerate the production and development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs to allow further growth for alternative fuels to be used in the aviation sector and create new markets for American farmers. The … Continue Reading
January 21, 2025
Duckworth Receives Commitment from UN Ambassador Nominee Stefanik to Strengthen Relations with ASEAN, Indo-Pacific Partners
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—received a commitment from U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21), President Trump’s nominee to serve as United States Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), to use her role in the UN to strengthen relations between the United States and Thailand as well as other allies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in order to help … Continue Reading
January 21, 2025
Duckworth Presses Veterans Affairs Secretary Nominee Doug Collins to Oppose Dangerous Efforts That Would Privatize the VA and Harm Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) who still receives her own health care services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—pressed Doug Collins, President Trump’s nominee to be VA Secretary, to oppose any effort to privatize VA health care at his confirmation hearing, which would place many Veterans at risk of receiving less effective and less cost-efficient care. In her … Continue Reading
January 21, 2025
Duckworth Votes to Confirm Rubio as Secretary of State
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—released the following statement after the Senate confirmed U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) by a vote of 99-0 to serve as Secretary of State under President Trump. “Senator Rubio has the experience and qualifications necessary to be an effective Secretary of State. Throughout our meeting and his confirmation hearing, Senator Rubio demonstrated that he … Continue Reading
January 20, 2025
Duckworth Statement on the Laken Riley Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after voting against the Laken Riley Act, which passed the Senate by a vote of 64-35: “The murder of Laken Riley was an unspeakable act of violence—no parent should have to endure the loss of a child, and her murderer should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Over the last few weeks, Congress had an opportunity to craft bipartisan, long-overdue reforms that would help keep our communities … Continue Reading
January 20, 2025
Duckworth, Durbin Statement On Trump's Day One Anti-Immigrant Executive Orders
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today issued the following statement after President Donald Trump signed executive orders cracking down on immigrant communities, that, among other things, attempt to deprive U.S.-born children of citizenship, suspend refugee resettlement and require the military to divert resources to the southern border: “We all … Continue Reading
January 16, 2025
Duckworth, Durbin Join Murray in Introducing Resolution Recognizing the Service of Women in Combat
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces—and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Patty Murray (D-WA) and 19 other Senators in introducing a resolution honoring the service of women in combat roles in the U.S. Armed Forces. The resolution comes as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Defense (DoD), Pete Hegseth, continues to face scorching criticism for, among … Continue Reading