Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin announce nearly $60 million in federal funding for Illinois rural communities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $59,193,800 in federal loans and grants for rural communities in Illinois. The funding, awarded by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program, will go to ten communities in Illinois to rebuild and modernize essential services. "Federal investments like these will help rural communities across Illinois improve infrastructure, … Continue Reading
June 25, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nearly $7 Million for Clean Public Transit Service in Chicago
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $6,988,646 in federal funding to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Low and No Emission (Low-No) Vehicle Grant Program. This federal investment will help CTA purchase or lease low or no-emission public transportation vehicles in an effort to provide more energy efficient public transit in the Chicago-area. "Updating Chicago's public transit system … Continue Reading
June 24, 2021
Duckworth Introduces Comprehensive Bill Package to Help Protect Servicemembers and Veterans from Deportation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today re-introduced several bills to protect and support Veterans and servicemembers who have proven they are willing to lay down their lives defending our nation. Duckworth's proposals-the Veterans Visa and Protection Act, HOPE Act and I-VETS Act-would prohibit the deportation of Veterans who are not violent offenders, give legal permanent residents a path to citizenship through military service and strengthen VA … Continue Reading
June 24, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin call on President Biden to extend pause on student loan payments
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7), and Joe Courtney (D-CT-2), to send a bicameral letter to President Biden calling on him to extend the pause on federal student loan payments until at least March 31, 2022. "The scheduled resumption of student loan payments in October could create a significant drag on … Continue Reading
June 24, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Schakowsky, Garcia, Trahan introduce Mentoring To Succeed Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9), Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL-4) and Lori Trahan (D-MA-3), introduced the bicameral Mentoring to Succeed Act to provide a strong, sustainable support system through mentorship to ensure that children who experience barriers like poverty, inadequate schooling, disability, adverse childhood experiences, or drug or alcohol abuse, … Continue Reading
June 23, 2021
Duckworth Joins Blumenthal and Wyden in Introducing Expanded Legislation to Protect Domestic Abuse Survivors from Firearm Violence
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) to introduce the Lori Jackson - Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act to protect domestic violence survivors from firearm violence. This legislation would close loopholes that allow domestic abusers to legally obtain weapons and establish a federal grant program to support state and local efforts to keep firearms out of the hands of domestic … Continue Reading
June 23, 2021
Duckworth Testifies at Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee Hearing on Deported Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety hearing today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) testified about the barriers servicemembers and Veterans face in the naturalization process as well as the urgent need for Congress to pass legislation that protects these individuals from deportation and ensures that they can access the benefits they have earned. Yesterday, Duckworth released a report that details … Continue Reading
June 23, 2021
Duckworth Chairs SASC Airland Subcommittee Hearing on Air Force Modernization
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, led a subcommittee hearing on modernization programs in the Air Force's Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2022. Witnesses included the Military Deputy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Lieutenant General Duke Z. Richardson, USAF Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs Lieutenant General David S. Nahom … Continue Reading
June 22, 2021
Duckworth: Inaction on Voting Rights Could Have Devastating Impact on Our Nation
WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after a vote to proceed on the For The People Act, a sweeping package of comprehensive reforms that would end special interest corruption of our politics and make government work for the people, failed in the Senate-despite all Democrats voting to move forward with debate on this critical voting rights legislation: "Republicans, under the guise of Donald Trump's Big Lie, are embarking on one of the most … Continue Reading
June 22, 2021
Duckworth Releases New Report on the State of Deported Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released a new report titled "Immigrant Veterans: Deported By The Same Nation They Sacrificed To Defend," which details the history of immigrants enlisting in the U.S. military, the complicated path to military naturalization, barriers deported Veterans face in accessing Veteran Affairs' benefits, recommended policy solutions to this critical issue and much more. Senator Duckworth plans to present the findings of … Continue Reading
June 19, 2021
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
