Press Releases
During Black History Month, Duckworth & Durbin Help Underwood Announce Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to Address America’s Maternal Health Crisis
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act includes a series of 12 bills to help save moms' lives, end racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes and achieve maternal health justice. [WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC-12) in unveiling the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021. The historic legislation makes … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Senate Democrats Introduce Secure Act For TPS Recipients
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) to introduce the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and in Emergency (SECURE) Act, legislation to allow qualified Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients to apply for legal permanent residency. "Despite experiencing uncertainty and discrimination, TPS recipients have helped … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Bill to Implement and Expand Online Snap Purchasing Nationwide
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with nine of their Senate colleagues, today introduced a bill to address hunger needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond by requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand online Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchasing choices. The Expanding SNAP Options Act would provide funding for the creation of a universal online and app-based portal to make access to nutritious … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Duckworth Votes to Confirm Denis McDonough as Veterans Affairs Secretary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator and former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces and still receives her own healthcare services through the VA, released the following statement after voting to confirm Denis McDonough as U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs. McDonough was confirmed by a 87-7 vote to serve as VA Secretary under President Biden. "Denis McDonough's experience overcoming bureaucracy will be … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Duckworth, Cramer, Casey Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Families with Diaper Needs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the bipartisan End Diaper Need Act today to provide resources to assist low-income and middle-class families address their diaper needs and help ensure the health and well-being of those who rely on diapers, including infants, toddlers, medically complex children, low-income adults and adults with disabilities. This legislation would provide funding through the U.S. Department of … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Klobuchar, Democratic Colleagues to Express Urgency in Working with Biden Administration to Support Efforts to Help Women Return to the Workforce
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and 17 of their Democratic colleagues in writing to Director of the National Economic Council, Brian Deese, asking the Biden administration to support efforts to help women return to the workforce. "We look forward to working with you to make progress in addressing a number of structural and long-standing policy issues that have historically undermined women's ability to work - … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Re-Introduce Bill to Establish 1908 Springfield Race Riot Site as a National Monument
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today re-introduced legislation to designate the sites of the 1908 Race Riot in Springfield, Illinois, as a national monument. The riot was the catalyst for the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which was founded 112 years ago this week. The 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument Act would establish the site as a national monument to be managed by the U.S. … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Gillibrand, DeLauro To Introduce FAMILY Act, Urge Congress To Pass Permanent Paid Leave Solution To Spur Economic Recovery
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - On the 28th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin joined U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) to introduce the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act to create a permanent, national paid family and medical leave program. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen the weight of the economic fallout disproportionately fall … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Duckworth, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Significantly Enhance Domestic Production of Life-saving Medical Supplies
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced bipartisan legislation today to strengthen the national response to pandemics by modernizing the production of critical medical supplies for frontline healthcare providers. The Public Health Emergency (PHE) Production Act would ensure the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) fully leverages its allocation authorities under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to respond to current and future … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $22 Million to Support Vaccine Distribution in Illinois
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $22.8 million in federal funding to support vaccine distribution in Illinois. The funding is being awarded to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "We still have more work to do to save lives, keep residents healthy and get to the other side of this public health crisis-and that work … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Education Priorities & COVID Relief with Illinois Community College Trustees Association
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with representatives from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA), including Executive Director Jim Reed, Jr. and President Jon Looney. In the virtual meeting, Duckworth discussed her legislative and education priorities for the 117th Congress, COVID relief funding and how the Federal Government can help provide equitable, comprehensive support to community colleges. "This pandemic continues to highlight … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Duckworth Statement on Senate Moving to Include Bipartisan RESTAURANTS Act in COVID-19 Relief Package
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate today added an amendment to the budget reconciliation bill expected to pass later this week that would help ensure the final COVID-19 relief package includes the RESTAURANTS Act, which would provide relief for restaurants struggling to survive the pandemic: "Restaurants are more than just a place to eat, they're the part of the glue that holds communities together," Duckworth said. "For … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Join Colleagues To Introduce Resolution Asking President Biden To Cancel Up To $50,000 In Federal Student Loan Debt Immediately
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and United States Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) today to reintroduce their bicameral resolution outlining a bold plan for President Biden to tackle the student loan debt crisis by using existing authority under the Higher Education Act to cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt for Federal … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Duckworth Secures EPA Nominee’s Commitment to Prioritize Farmers, Climate Change & Environmental Justice
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), senior-most Democrat on the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Fisheries, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, yesterday called for a swift confirmation of Michael Regan, President Biden's nominee to be Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), at Regan's nomination hearing. Duckworth discussed several important issues with Regan, including restoring the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to better support farmers … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Duckworth Helps Pass Bipartisan Amendment to Prevent Tax Increases on Small Businesses During COVID-19 Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today helped pass a pro-small business, bipartisan amendment that was introduced by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and cosponsored by Duckworth and Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Tim Scott (R-SC). This bipartisan amendment will ensure that the final COVID-19 relief package protects main street small businesses against tax increases during the declared COVID-19 national emergency. "Small businesses have been hit hard by the economic and … Continue Reading
February 03, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Upcoming Legislative Priorities With Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for a virtual fireside chat to discuss her legislative priorities for the upcoming year. In a conversation with Board President and CEO Jack Lavin, Duckworth discussed the need for more COVID relief funding for working families, small businesses and local governments, as well as the importance of a robust infrastructure package to help improve transportation and create … Continue Reading
February 03, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Shaheen, Schakowsky in Bipartisan, Bicameral Push to Permanently Repeal Global Gag Rule
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and 44 of their Senate colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan, bicameral Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights (HER) Act to permanently repeal the harmful Global Gag Rule. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) introduced companion legislation in the House. "Not only does the Global Gag Rule prevent healthcare providers from providing patients with all of their … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Van Hollen & Lee in Introducing Bicameral Bill to Fully Fund Title I, Special Education
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and U.S. Representative Susie Lee (D-NV) in reintroducing the Keep Our Promise to America's Children and Teachers (PACT) Act, legislation to put Congress on a fiscally-responsible path to fully fund Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on a mandatory basis. "Every child deserves the chance to succeed. When we invest in education and … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Senate Dems To Introduce Resolution Denouncing Pervasive Threat Of Domestic Terrorism And White Supremacy
Resolution also calls on the FBI and Intelligence Community to conduct immediate interagency review of the growth of extremist groups in the U.S. [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11), along with U.S. Representative Cindy Axne (D-IA-03), introduced legislation to provide tax relief for Americans who lost their jobs and utilized unemployment benefits last year - allowing … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Duckworth Votes to Confirm Mayorkas as Homeland Security Secretary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after voting to confirm Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under President Joe Biden. Mayorkas was confirmed with a 57-43 vote today. "Secretary Mayorkas' background and experience make him uniquely qualified to face the wide array of security challenges facing our nation today, including the increasing threats as well as severity of cyberattacks, natural … Continue Reading