Press Releases
Duckworth Commemorates Juneteenth in Chicago
Senator calls for allies to continue pushing for a more just America [CHICAGO IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today commemorated Juneteenth in Chicago, first attending the second annual March for Us Juneteenth Rally at Daley Plaza, where she was joined by Reverend Jesse Jackson and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, and later joining Chicago Alderman Michelle Harris and local community members in Chicago's Avalon Park neighborhood at a block party to recognize the holiday, … Continue Reading
June 19, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Support for Women-Owned Businesses with Black Female Business Owners
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Black women business owners in Chicago to discuss ways to increase support to women- and Black-owned businesses. Duckworth met with Truth Italian restaurant owner Peytyn Wilborn-Mayes, Pier 31 and Pier 31 Riverwalk owner Nikki Hayes and Licorice Lounge owner Donna Grant. Earlier this week, Duckworth introduced legislation to help increase support to female entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses. Photos from today's meeting … Continue Reading
June 17, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Klobuchar in Urging Biden Administration to Uphold Renewable Fuel Standard Obligations for Oil Refiners
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and US. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and 13 bicameral colleagues to call on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Economic Council (NEC) to uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for oil refiners. In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan and NEC Director Brian Deese, the Members address the significant concern about recent reports that the Biden administration … Continue Reading
June 17, 2021
Duckworth Applauds Supreme Court Decision to Uphold the Affordable Care Act
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court's 7-2 decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA): "Despite more than a decade of relentless attacks from Republicans aimed at ripping healthcare away from millions of Americans, today's resounding Supreme Court decision reaffirms-for the third time by the nation's highest court-that the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land. "This is a great day for the 31 million … Continue Reading
June 17, 2021
Duckworth Announces Class of 2025 Service Academy Appointments
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced the appointments of 19 Illinois students she nominated to attend a United States Military Service Academy. Each year Duckworth, along with a nomination committee, selects from hundreds of Illinois high school applicants a group of outstanding students to receive Congressional nominations to attend West Point, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy or the Merchant Marine Academy. "It takes a special … Continue Reading
June 17, 2021
At SASC Hearing, Duckworth Secures Commitments from General Brown on Air Force Logistics and Capacity Issues
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) secured commitments from General Charles Brown, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, to address the gap in advanced air mobility capability that is suitable for distributed warfare in the Indo-Pacific and to work with the National Guard on C-130 capacity issues. Duckworth served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the SASC Airland … Continue Reading
June 16, 2021
Duckworth Introduces Gina Ortiz Jones, Nominee to be Under Secretary of the Air Force, at SASC Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced Gina Ortiz Jones, President Biden's nominee to be Under Secretary of the Air Force, at today's SASC Hearing. Duckworth served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee. Video of the Senator's remarks can be found here. Key Quotes: "I'm here today introducing Gina because I am confident in her … Continue Reading
June 16, 2021
Duckworth Secures Critical Illinois Priorities in Commerce-Passed Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill
Duckworth provisions would establish a permanent disability advocate seat on the Amtrak Board of Directors and increase accessibility at Amtrak stations [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) Committee, highlighted the inclusion of several of her provisions that will help Illinois in the Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021 that passed the CST Committee today. In addition to securing provisions … Continue Reading
June 16, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Brown, Senate Colleagues in Introducing Historic Legislation to Update Long-Neglected Social Security Program to Ensure Older Adults & People with Disabilities Are No Longer Trapped in Poverty
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in re-introducing the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act to bring the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program into the 21st Century and ensure disabled and elderly Americans are able to live with dignity and respect. An often-forgotten part of America's Social Security system, SSI is a federal program that provides vital income assistance to nearly 8 million … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Call on EPA to Assist Cahokia Heights in Returning to Compliance with Clean Water Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) are calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help the sewer utility that serves Cahokia Heights, Illinois, return to compliance with the Clean Water Act. In April, EPA issued a notice of potential violation letter to the Commonfields of Cahokia Public Water … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Duckworth, Murkowski Re-introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Coverage for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors
WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today re-introduced legislation to ensure breast cancer patients and survivors who have experienced a mastectomy are able to access custom breast prosthetics under Medicare. The Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act of 2021 would provide coverage for custom fabricated breast prostheses-which, unlike other prosthetic devices, are not currently covered by Medicare-to the more than 100,000 women who undergo mastectomies … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Duckworth, Murkowski Re-introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Coverage for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors
WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today re-introduced legislation to ensure breast cancer patients and survivors who have experienced a mastectomy are able to access custom breast prosthetics under Medicare. The Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act of 2021 would provide coverage for custom fabricated breast prostheses-which, unlike other prosthetic devices, are not currently covered by Medicare-to the more than 100,000 women who undergo mastectomies … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Urge SBA to Speed Up Relief for Struggling Live Event Venues
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and 51 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman urging her to disburse Shuttered Venue Operator Grant funding to eligible live entertainment venues as soon as possible. The legislation that created this program, the Save Our Stages Act, was signed … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Duckworth, Scott, Cardin & Collins Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Women Entrepreneurs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship members Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Tim Scott (R-SC), along with Committee Chair Ben Cardin (D-MD) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today re-introduced bipartisan legislation to help increase support to female entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses. The Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise Act would reauthorize the Interagency Committee for Women's Business Enterprise (ICWBE) to help … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Duckworth Chairs SASC Airland Subcommittee Hearing on Army Modernization
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, led her first hearing as Chair on Army modernization programs in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2022. Witnesses included Mr. Douglas Bush, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, General John M. Murray, Commanding General, Army Futures Command and Lieutenant General Erik K. Peterson, … Continue Reading
June 11, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Energy and Environmental Policy with Illinois Chamber of Commerce
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met virtually with members of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group (IERG) to discuss environmental justice, water infrastructure and other energy and environmental priorities. Duckworth was joined by Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Todd Maisch, Illinois Chamber Energy Council Executive Director Alec Messina, IERG Executive Director Alec Davis as well as many Illinois Chamber … Continue Reading
June 11, 2021
Duckworth Speaks with Illinois House Freshman to Discuss Senate Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met virtually with freshman members of the Illinois House of Representatives to discuss her legislative priorities, including water infrastructure and bringing federal funding to state and local governments through the American Rescue Plan. "It was great to connect with so many new members of the Illinois House today and learn more about their priorities in Springfield," Duckworth said. "I look forward to continuing to work with … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
During SASC Hearing, Duckworth Secures Commitments from General Milley and Secretary Austin to Review National Guard and Reserve Pay, Benefits
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) secured a commitment from General Mark Milley to review National Guard and Reserve duty status reform and a commitment from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to explore opportunities to enhance retention of highly-skilled servicemembers. Duckworth served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee, which has … Continue Reading
June 09, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Colleagues to Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Guarantee Equal Access to Abortion, Everywhere
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and U.S. Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX) in introducing the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA), bicameral federal legislation to guarantee equal access to abortion, everywhere. The bill's introduction follows the Supreme Court's decision to hear … Continue Reading
June 09, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Senate Democratic Caucus in Introducing Resolution Recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN) and their 45 Senate colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. The resolution highlights the contributions LGBTQ individuals have made to American society, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ Americans and resolves to continue … Continue Reading