Press Releases
Duckworth Joins Congressional Pro-Choice Colleagues in Urging Biden to Eliminate Abortion Coverage Restrictions from Fiscal Year 2022 Budget
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (CA-13), six Democratic Senators and 12 House Democrats in sending a letter to President Joe Biden urging the removal of abortion coverage restrictions from the Fiscal Year 2022 budget. "The pandemic yet again showed the long-standing structural racism and inequities in our health care system, with communities of color, particularly those in the Black, Latinx, and Pacific Islander communities, and … Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Importance of Strengthening Logistics Infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific Region with Admiral Davidson
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) Subcommittee on Airland, today discussed logistics infrastructure with Admiral Philip Davidson, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, during a hearing of the full Armed Services Committee. Video of the Senator's questions can be found here. "Enhancing our logistics infrastructure is critical to building a … Continue Reading
March 08, 2021
Duckworth Now Accepting Applications for Class of 2026 Service Academy Nominations
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and now serves as Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland, today announced that her office is now accepting applications through her website from high school students seeking a Congressional nomination to a United States Military Service Academy. Each year Duckworth, along with a nomination committee, selects from the applicants a group of … Continue Reading
March 06, 2021
Duckworth, Casey & Hassan Secure $9 Billion for Home Community-Based Services in American Rescue Plan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today announced the successful inclusion of more than $9 billion in dedicated emergency funding for State Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) in the American Rescue Plan that passed the Senate today. HCBS are essential to assisting older Americans and people with disabilities, who receive critical healthcare and support services in their homes. The HCBS program is especially vital … Continue Reading
March 06, 2021
Duckworth and Durbin Announce Illinois Wins In COVID-19 Relief Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statements after the Senate passed President Biden's American Rescue Plan, which will provide emergency relief to Illinois: "Relief is coming to hardworking families all across Illinois because of President Biden's American Rescue Plan," Duckworth said. "Working together, Senator Durbin and I helped secure billions in investments that will boost our state's … Continue Reading
March 06, 2021
Duckworth Helps Secure Millions in Funding to Help Low-Income Families Address Their Diaper Needs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced today that she was successful in securing provisions in the Senate-passed American Rescue Plan that will help provide low-income families with diapers and diapering supplies. These provisions mirror the Duckworth-authored bipartisan legislation, the End Diaper Need Act, which was introduced in February. "When families are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads in the midst of a deadly pandemic, … Continue Reading
March 06, 2021
Duckworth Applauds Passage of American Rescue Plan to Send Urgent Help to Communities and Working Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after voting for the American Rescue Plan: "Our nation has lost more than 520,000 Americans to COVID-19 and we simply can't wait a minute longer to send urgent relief to Illinoisans and struggling families, small businesses and local governments across this country. We are dealing with a once in a generation public health crisis and the Biden Administration's American Rescue Plan that my Democratic … Continue Reading
March 05, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Inclusion of Maternal Health Provision From Their MOMMA’S Act In American Rescue Plan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that a provision based off their bicameral Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA's) Act, sponsored in the House by U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), is included in the American Rescue Plan. The provision gives states a five-year option to extend health care coverage for new moms on Medicaid from 60 days after pregnancy to a full year. In … Continue Reading
March 05, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Energy with Illinois Municipal Electric Agency and Illinois Municipal Utilities Association
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) held a video call with several Illinois mayors, local officials and members of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) and the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA) to discuss her Illinois and legislative priorities for the upcoming year. Duckworth discussed the importance of renewable energy, addressing climate change and financial incentives for public power entities. She also spoke about the impact of the COVID-19 … Continue Reading
March 04, 2021
Duckworth, Klobuchar, Colleagues Introduce “Marshall Plan for Moms” Resolution to Support Mothers in the American Workforce
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), introduced the Marshall Plan for Moms, a resolution to support mothers in the American workforce. "In order to truly build an economy that is stronger than it was when this deadly pandemic hit, we must confront the crises facing working moms all across our … Continue Reading
March 04, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Water and Infrastructure Priorities with Mississippi River Mayors
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) yesterday met with members of the Mississippi River Cities and Town Initiatives (MRCTI) to discuss legislative priorities for municipalities along the Mississippi River. Duckworth-Chair of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife-was joined by Illinois Mayors Rick Eberlin of Grafton, Robert Eastern of East St. Louis, Mike McCormick of Godfrey, Thomas Simpson of Cairo and Mike Thoms of … Continue Reading
March 04, 2021
Duckworth Secures Commitment from Kahl to Prioritize the Strengthening of Alliances in Southeast Asia
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, secured a commitment from President Biden's nominee to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Colin Kahl, to work with her and other members of the Committee on bolstering our alliances in Southeast Asia while also building new ones during today's SASC hearing. Duckworth also asked Kahl … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin & Colleagues Advocate to Protect Americans from Losing Access to Vital Utilities during Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and ten of their Democratic colleagues today to ask Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to include safeguards in the upcoming COVID-19 relief package to protect the American people from losing access to critical utilities-including power, heat, water and internet services-during the pandemic. In part, the Senators wrote: "Newly unemployed Americans are facing … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Kaine and Young in Reintroducing Bill to Repeal 1991 & 2002 AUMFs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Todd Young (R-IN) today in reintroducing bipartisan legislation to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq. The bill would formally end the authorizations for the Gulf and Iraq wars - 30 and 19 … Continue Reading
March 03, 2021
Duckworth Meets with Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Nominee
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, virtually met with today with Colin Kahl, President Biden's nominee to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy at the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). Duckworth and Kahl discussed many important issues facing the Department, such as prioritizing the Indo-Pacific region and improving diversity … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth Joins Murphy, Senate Democrats in Urging Senate Leadership to Prioritize Behavioral Health Needs of Children in Next COVID-19 Relief Package
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and six Democratic Senators in urging Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to include targeted funding for the behavioral health needs of our nation's children through the expansion of the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) program in the next COVID-19 relief package. In their letter, the Senators emphasized the rise in anxiety, depression and post-traumatic … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth, Norton Introduce Resolution Calling for Accessibility Improvements at the FDR Memorial
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution recognizing the successful campaign led by disability advocates to secure a statue of FDR in a wheelchair in the Prologue Room at the FDR Memorial and urging the National Park Service (NPS) to make the Memorial accessible to everyone by installing tactile braille throughout the space and supporting the development of accessible education materials for … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth Votes to Confirm Raimondo as Commerce Secretary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), the senior Democratic Member on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, released the following statement after voting to confirm Gina Raimondo as Commerce Secretary under President Biden. Raimondo was confirmed by an 84-15 vote. "Secretary Raimondo has demonstrated throughout her confirmation process that she has the experience, background and problem-solving approach needed to … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth Presses Former National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster on Combatting Extremism, Misinformation in Military Ranks
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) highlighted the need to counter extremism in the ranks and work toward restoring good order and discipline across the military. Duckworth, who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is Chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee, spoke in the wake of the January 6th violent insurrection, in which the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol and left … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Senators Reintroduce Background Check Expansion Act to Reduce Gun Violence
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and 40 other Democratic Senators today in reintroducing the Background Check Expansion Act to expand federal background checks to all gun sales. Under current federal law, unlicensed or private sellers are not required to conduct a background check prior to transferring a firearm. Ninety-seven percent of Americans … Continue Reading
