url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-highlights-2023-accomplishments-in-year-end-round-up,Duckworth Highlights 2023 Accomplishments in Year-End Round Up,2023-12-27,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – As 2023 comes to a close, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) highlighted several key accomplishments she secured over the last year:

“From helping almost 4,000 Illinoisans recover more than $2 million the Federal Government owed them to bringing home hundreds of millions of dollars to get the lead out of children’s drinking water, and from protecting hundreds of jobs in Peoria to helping bring home Illinois hostages held abroad, I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished this year,” Duckworth said. “It’s a true honor to continue serving Illinoisans in the United States Senate and as I look forward to the year ahead, I know there’s still much work to do to help save working families money, protect and defend women’s rights, end preventable gun violence, invest in communities that have been ignored for too long, advocate for Illinois on a global stage, support our troops and make sure we keep the promises we’ve made to our Veterans. I’m eager to get back to work for Illinois in 2024.”

Over the past year, Duckworth and her office responded to nearly 600,000 emails and other messages as well as assisted more than 3,500 Illinoisans who were experiencing difficulties navigating the federal bureaucracy, helping recover more than $2 million in Social Security payments, Veterans’ benefits, tax refunds and more. A select list of Duckworth’s accomplishments from the past year is below, and a comprehensive review of her first full term in the U.S. Senate, which ended on January 2, 2023, is available on the Senator’s website using the link here.

Key Accomplishments:

Helping get the lead out of our children’s water: Thanks in part to Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, this year Illinois received significant federal support for water infrastructure upgrades. Duckworth helped announce $332 million for Illinois’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund while in Rockford, and another $336 million in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans for Chicago.

Safeguarding hundreds of jobs in Peoria: After years of sustained effort from Duckworth to establish a minimum inventory of C-130 aircraft, Duckworth this year celebrated the Air National Guard’s decision in selecting Peoria’s 182nd Airlift Wing as one of four preferred locations for new C-130J aircraft to replace the aging C-130H models. This announcement ensures the mission of the 182nd Airlift Wing is safeguarded, protecting the jobs of 1,200 Airmen and approximately 370 full-time employees.

Pushing for Illinois’s leadership in future technology: Duckworth advocated for and championed Illinois in its selection for Tech Hub and hydrogen production and distribution hub initiatives. The Chicago Quantum Exchange’s The Bloch: End-to-end Quantum Solutions at Scale and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Central Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Hub were selected and are now eligible to apply for between $40-$75 million in CHIPS and Science Act funding to help Chicagoland remain at the cutting edge of technological innovation. The Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen’s (MachH2) regional clean hydrogen production and distribution hub was awarded $1 billion in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Honoring our state and nation’s history: After introducing her Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley, and Roberts Temple National Historic Site Act in 2021 and 2023, this year the Biden Administration designated the church that held Emmett Till’s pivotal open-casket wake in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood as a national monument. Duckworth also continues to push her Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument Act closer to becoming law and establishing the site as a national monument. This year the bill was reported favorably out of committee and sent to the full Senate after the National Park Service declared strong support for passing the legislation.

Protecting reproductive rights: Duckworth has made protecting and expanding access to essential reproductive healthcare a top priority. With the U.S. Supreme Court agreeing to consider a case that could determine the future of widespread access to Mifepristone, Duckworth introduced a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion. Earlier this year Duckworth joined more than 250 members of Congress in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA and also helped introduce the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023, which would guarantee access to abortion everywhere across the country. On the one-year anniversary of the disastrous Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision, Duckworth visited Southern Illinois’s CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health to learn more about the clinic’s work as one of the closest clinics for Americans in states across the South. And Duckworth hosted Dr. Erin King of the Metro East’s Hope Clinic as her guest at this year’s State of the Union address.

Helping bring Illinois hostages home and pushing for humanitarian aid to Gaza: Following negotiations, Duckworth aided in the release of Illinoisans Judith and Natalie Raanan who were taken by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attacks on Israel. Duckworth continued underscoring the need for all parties to remain laser-focused on the safe return of all hostages being held by Hamas and to take all possible measures to protect and deliver humanitarian aid to innocent civilians suffering in Gaza. Duckworth has consistently called for bringing sustained and greater humanitarian relief into Gaza to minimize the suffering of innocent civilians. Her efforts include urging for the inclusions of full humanitarian assistance in any national security funding packages, calling for humanitarian cessations of hostilities, pushing for fuel to be allowed into Gaza for hospitals and water treatment and more.

Supporting union workers: When United Auto Workers authorized a strike against General Motors, Stellantis and Ford earlier this year, Duckworth joined striking workers in Naperville to show her solidarity as workers pushed for better wages. Duckworth commended President Biden’s visit to Stellantis in Belvidere to celebrate the agreement reached between UAW and Stellantis for a new contract that included re-opening the shuttered plant in that city as an electric vehicle battery plant.

Helping families keep in touch with loved ones: Just days into the new year, Duckworth’s Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act was signed into law after years of Duckworth pushing for the law, which is already helping ensure consumers trying to keep in touch with their incarcerated loved ones are charged just and reasonable rates for all inter- and intra-state calls, regardless of the technology used.

Supporting servicemembers and bolstering military readiness: As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Duckworth secured several important provisions in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Her key provisions will help support a strong and ready total force, lead in the Indo-Pacific region, build the logistics enterprise for a combat-credible deterrent, tackle climate change and defend the environment and restore American competitiveness. This year’s NDAA also will help Illinois by supporting school districts near military bases and charting a sustainable future for C-40 aircraft.

Condemning reckless Republican efforts harming our military: Throughout Senator Tommy Tuberville’s ultimately futile, damaging and failed blockade on more than 450 critical military promotions, Duckworth repeatedly called for Tuberville to end his nearly year-long hold that hurt our military readiness and national security, as well as forcing unnecessary harm on our military families. In September, Duckworth joined several of her Senate Democratic colleagues and military leaders in calling out Tuberville’s hold where she urged her Republican colleagues to stop simply disagreeing with Senator Tuberville in secret and to come forward and publicly condemn Tuberville’s dangerous military hold lest they be complicit in his efforts, too. In July, Duckworth also joined several of her Senate Democratic colleagues on the Senate floor to condemn Tuberville’s reckless, partisan hold. She also joined other SASC members in calling on U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to help end Tuberville’s hold. In a hearing, Duckworth called Tuberville out, arguing that his actions have left our Marines without a Commandant for the first time in more than a century, hold our servicemembers and military families hostage over an individual senator’s political agenda and threaten our military readiness and national security.

Advocating for Illinois on an international stage: During her first year as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Duckworth led a series of official visits abroad to champion Illinois and strengthen economic ties for our state. Throughout the year Duckworth led a series of trips to Japan, Indonesia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Romania and the United Kingdom to highlight the benefits of Illinois’s major exports as well as its position as a prime location for business expansion and investment in the U.S.—touting the state’s strong workforce, educational and research institutions, and energy and transportation infrastructure. Following her trip to Japan, Japan announced a regulatory change that will lead to an increase in imports from U.S. biofuel producers, supporting our farmers and growing Illinois’s economy. Duckworth highlighted her efforts this year at fireside chats at City Club Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Enhancing Medicare for the disability community: After years of sustained and determined efforts led by Duckworth, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—for the first time in history—expanded Medicare coverage for seat elevation systems embedded in power wheelchairs, which are vital durable medical equipment that enable wheelchair users to independently perform activities of daily living, such as getting into and out of a power wheelchair, dressing and preparing meals.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-budzinski-demand-answers-from-nippon-steel-on-commitments-to-granite-city,"Duckworth, Durbin, Budzinski Demand Answers from Nippon Steel on Commitments to Granite City",2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[SPRINGFIELD, IL] — This week, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) in sending a letter to Nippon Steel pushing the company for commitments to Granite City steelworkers during its proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel. In their letter, Duckworth, Durbin and Budzinski demanded answers from Nippon Steel on their intentions with existing operations and facilities in Illinois, details on worker retention and any proposed layoffs and their plans for Granite City Works.

“We write today to express deep concerns with Nippon Steel’s plans to acquire U.S. Steel Corporation, particularly with respect to the deal’s impact on Illinois steelworkers. Given the critical importance of the steel industry to our region and the long history of union labor driving U.S. Steel to global prominence, it is essential that any company that plans to do business with U.S. Steel have a full understanding of the company’s legal commitments to its workers under collectively bargained agreements, maintain those commitments, and ensure that workers are protected in the next phase of the company’s future,” wrote the lawmakers.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below:

December 21, 2023

Mr. Eiji Hashimoto

President

Nippon Steel Corporation

6-1, Marunouchi 2-chome

Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

We write today to express deep concerns with Nippon Steel’s plans to acquire U.S. Steel Corporation, particularly with respect to the deal’s impact on Illinois steelworkers. Given the critical importance of the steel industry to our region and the long history of union labor driving U.S. Steel to global prominence, it is essential that any company that plans to do business with U.S. Steel have a full understanding of the company’s legal commitments to its workers under collectively bargained agreements, maintain those commitments, and ensure that workers are protected in the next phase of the company’s future.

The surprise announcement of the sale of U.S. Steel on the morning of December 18 was another chapter in a long story of the company undercutting both workers and their community in recent years. Workers at the Granite City Works facility have built their lives and livelihoods around the facility for 128 years, and, in return, the company abruptly announced in September that they were “temporarily” laying off 400 workers and idling a blast furnace—a move now being investigated by the Illinois Department of Labor to ensure compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. In November, the company announced plans to temporarily idle the last remaining blast furnace at the facility, resulting in an additional 600 layoffs.

We are also troubled by reported remarks by a Nippon Steel executive in which the executive noted that Nippon is “supportive of the U.S. Steel plan for production in the future.” The executive went on to say that “U.S. Steel is planning to shift some quantity from the other mills to Big River Steel 2” in Arkansas and that Nippon is “thinking or planning to follow that plan.” A shift in jobs and operations from Granite City Works to Big River Steel would undermine the union labor force at the Granite City facility, and have devastating impacts on the surrounding community.

It is crucial that any company that wishes to acquire U.S. Steel, including the Granite City Works facility, honors their commitments to steelworkers and ensures that our industrial base – the driver of our regional economies – remains strong. We request further information on Nippon Steel’s proposal to acquire U.S. Steel and its assets in the event of a successful acquisition, and how that potential acquisition would impact steelworkers in Illinois. To that end, we have the following questions:

How does Nippon Steel plan to move forward with U.S. Steel’s existing operations and facilities in Illinois?

How many U.S. Steel workers does Nippon plan to retain, both in the short- and long-term?

How many workers, if any, does Nippon plan to lay off in the event of a successful acquisition?

What commitments can Nippon Steel make about its future operations in Illinois, particularly as it relates to the Granite City Works facility?

What outreach did Nippon Steel conduct to stakeholders across sectors, including the United Steelworkers and state and community leaders, prior to going public with the planned acquisition?

Thank you in advance for your timely response to these questions. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions as they arise.

Respectfully,

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-klobuchar-lead-call-for-increased-funding-to-help-ensure-our-childrens-food-is-safe-and-free-of-toxins,"Duckworth, Klobuchar Lead Call for Increased Funding to Help Ensure Our Childrens’ Food is Safe and Free of Toxins",2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Following recent reports of heavy metals being found in baby food and food pouches for young children, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with several of their Senate colleagues, are leading the call for Senate Appropriators to prioritize additional resources that would help the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Maternal and Infant Health Nutrition programs, including the Closer to Zero program, better ensure the food our nation’s children consume is nutritious, safe and free of toxins.

“Recent news regarding elevated blood lead levels in young children potentially linked to certain fruit puree products once again highlights why we should prioritize Federal funds to make sure that the very youngest members of our society are fed safe and nutritious foods,” wrote the Senators. “Additional funding is necessary to continue supporting and expanding the vital work FDA is undertaking to ensure infant formula and baby foods are safe for our Nation’s next generation…This includes hiring additional, qualified staff with strong expertise to review infant formula registrations and monitor baby food safety before products hit the market. Additional support will help FDA to prevent and better respond to outbreaks or needed recalls.”

Along with Duckworth and Klobuchar, the letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

Full text of the letter can be found using the link here and below:

Dear Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins:

We write to thank you for your strong support of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Maternal and Infant Health programs, including the Closer to Zero program, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. We urge you to increase funds to those programs as you refine the FY 2024 appropriations package. Recent news regarding elevated blood lead levels in young children potentially linked to certain fruit puree products once again highlights why we should prioritize Federal funds to make sure that the very youngest members of our society are fed safe and nutritious foods. While we acknowledge that Senate report language regarding heavy metals in baby foods has been included, we urge you to appropriate $20 million to support FDA’s Maternal and Infant Health and Nutrition programs to enable the agency to improve its oversight and enforcement capacity.

In 2021, the FDA announced its Closer to Zero initiative, which sought to “identify actions the agency will take to reduce exposure to toxic elements from foods eaten by babies and young children—to as low as possible” and included timelines to set standards for four toxic heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury) found in baby foods. After months of delays, FDA recently issued proposed draft action levels of lead in foods intended for consumption by babies and young children. This draft guidance is the latest to remain unfinalized, after FDA released draft guidance on levels of lead in juices in 2022. Interim reference levels of arsenic, cadmium and mercury also remain incomplete, despite the negative effects these toxic heavy metals can have on the development of infants and children under the age of two. Their presence poses a continuous threat to the Nation’s public health and food supply. It is essential that standards for industry be expeditiously set and that the FDA works to enforce compliance of these standards.

In addition, infant formula is a vital source of nutrition for infants in one of the most vulnerable stages of a child’s life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents continue breastfeeding or incorporating infant formula into their child’s diet for the first year of their life. Families rely on formula—both powdered and liquid—to supplement their children’s nutritional intake. Parents deserve to be confident that the infant formula products they feed their babies are nutritionally adequate, safe from contaminants and readily accessible at retail stores. Unfortunately, as many families have discovered during the recent infant formula shortage, these goals have fallen short. Additional oversight into the manufacturing practices, safety concerns and the sourcing of raw materials for infant formula is needed to ensure the utmost safety of this sole source of nutrition.

We appreciate the agency’s actions to reform its oversight of human foods that will ensure the safety and nutritional adequacy of the foods consumed by infants and young children. Even though internal organizational changes remain ongoing, additional funding is necessary to continue supporting and expanding the vital work FDA is undertaking to ensure infant formula and baby foods are safe for our Nation’s next generation. FDA must be empowered to do its share of the work. This includes hiring additional, qualified staff with strong expertise to review infant formula registrations and monitor baby food safety before products hit the market. Additional support will help FDA to prevent and better respond to outbreaks or needed recalls.

The health and livelihood of future generations is of utmost importance, and we must do everything we can to ensure we set them up for success. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-join-merkley-in-push-to-keep-anti-lgbtq-and-anti-abortion-provisions-out-of-critical-government-funding-bills,"Duckworth, Durbin Join Merkley in Push to Keep Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Abortion Provisions Out of Critical Government Funding Bills",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 42 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), urging them to reject any new poison pill policy riders in the fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills, including the anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion policy provisions that House Republicans inserted into their appropriations bills.

“The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders,” the Senators wrote. “Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills.”

These extreme, poison pill provisions riddled throughout the House appropriations bills threaten Congress’ ability to pass bipartisan funding bills that are needed to keep the government open and working for the American people. Hyper-partisan agenda items have no place in critical spending bills that require broad, bipartisan consensus to pass and keep the government open.

Joining Duckworth, Durbin, Merkley, Baldwin and Booker on this letter are U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Luján (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The letter is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Guttmacher Institute, Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America) and Whitman-Walker Institute.

Full text of the letter can be found using the link here and below:

Dear Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins:

We write to urge you to keep the FY24 appropriations bills free of any new poison pill policy riders. Partisan, discriminatory, and harmful policy riders have no place in appropriations bills. The Senate has had tremendous success both passing bipartisan bills in committee and on the Senate floor because these bills are free of new poison pill riders. Unfortunately, the House appropriations bills are filled with new highly partisan provisions, including anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders, that should be removed from any final appropriations bills.

Our country is facing a reproductive health care crisis, one that has been accelerated by the Supreme Court’s extremist decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. As of November 7, 2023, 14 states are enforcing abortion bans at any point in pregnancy and seven states have imposed abortion bans with limits that range from six to 18 weeks. These bans leave 1 in 3 women, as well as transgender and nonbinary people, without access to abortion and disproportionately impact people of color, people with disabilities, young people, people living in rural areas, and people with low incomes.

Yet in the midst of this crisis, House Republicans have proposed several new anti-abortion policy riders. These riders include a provision to force back in place medically unnecessary restrictions on medication abortion, a measure to stop the implementation of the Biden administration’s executive orders to protect access to abortion care, and a measure that would jeopardize access to essential postgraduate medical training in abortion care. If adopted, these provisions would seriously undermine pregnant people’s ability to make decisions about their bodies and providers’ ability to provide necessary care.

At the same time, House Republicans have used the appropriations process to push extremist anti-LGBTQ+ measures, which threaten to disrupt the lives and fundamental dignity of the LGBTQ+ community. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is already on the rise; in 2023 alone, more than 575 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced across 41 state legislatures, and more than 80 of those bills have been signed into law.

Against this backdrop, House Republicans have introduced more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ provisions across all 12 appropriations bills. These provisions include those allowing the government to discriminate against married same-sex couples as well as language to prevent the administration from enforcing laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. Seven of the House’s twelve appropriations bills also contain dangerous riders that ban access to gender-affirming care, which would deprive transgender people of medically necessary and often life-saving healthcare.

Controversial poison pill provisions like those riddled throughout the House appropriations bills will severely undermine Congress’ ability to push forward must-pass funding measures to keep the government open and working for the American people.

Sincerely,

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-murkowski-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-support-military-and-foreign-services-spouses-and-families-create-job-flexibility,"Duckworth, Murkowski, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Military and Foreign Services Spouses and Families, Create Job Flexibility",2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) today introduced bipartisan legislation to support military and foreign service spouses and their families by creating more job flexibility when a servicemember is deployed or transferred. The READINESS Act, which was developed by current and former federally employed military spouses, aims to encourage the retainment of military spouses across the federal government and lower high employee turnover. U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02) and Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30) introduced the House version of the bill in November.

“When the brave members of our military and Foreign Service are relocated or transferred to a new duty station, we should be doing everything we can to support their families who sacrifice so much to go with them—including sometimes having to leave their jobs,” said Duckworth. “I’m proud to join Senator Murkowski to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure we provide our military and Foreign Service spouses with the flexibility and job support they need as their families make these transitions, reducing unemployment and strengthening military readiness.”

“Military spouses are critical support systems in their families—and I’m proud to lead the bipartisan READINESS Act to provide job and career support to them when their spouse faces deployment or transfer,” said Murkowski. “This legislation creates flexibilities that already exist in the federal government, and can help to retain quality workers while also ensuring that the spouses of servicemembers can support their families. Our military spouses do so much for our country—and we should do what we can to make their service better.”

Currently, military spouse unemployment has held over 20 percent for over 30 years and is 6 times the national unemployment rate. More than one-third of military families cite spouse employment challenges as a reason for leaving active duty.

Military and foreign service moves are involuntary, a consideration unique to this small group of federal employees. The lack of agency flexibility often results in spouses being forced to resign under threat of termination. The dearth of available jobs around many military bases then results in career breaks or voluntary demotions, negatively impacting the military family’s financial health.

The READINESS Act would incentivize military service members to accept hardship orders or orders to locations with a negative availability of civilian jobs. Additionally, it would create a decision tree when an employee presents their supervisor with military or foreign service orders including whether the employee’s position can be performed remotely; if they can transfer to an agency position within the commuting area of the new location; or if they can transfer to an agency position that can be performed remotely. If not, it would place them in a non-pay status (i.e., Leave Without Pay) for the greater of their spouse’s orders or 36 months – with the employing agency able to backfill the position, unencumbered.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-reacts-to-short-term-faa-extension,Duckworth Reacts to Short-Term FAA Extension,2023-12-19,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Chair of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—today issued the following statement after the Senate passed a short-term extension of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) authorization.

“As Chair of the Aviation Safety subcommittee, I’m encouraged that Senate negotiators are close to finalizing a strong, full FAA Reauthorization bill that builds on the existing post-Colgan safety system—including leaving the 1,500 hour rule as-is—supercharges air traffic controller hiring, improves on the technology and equipment needed to prevent near-misses and ensures the FAA has the tools it needs to strengthen pilot training and safety margins. Today’s vote will give us the time we need to do just that.”

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-blackburn-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-help-beauty-professionals-recognize-and-respond-to-domestic-violence,"Duckworth, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Beauty Professionals Recognize and Respond to Domestic Violence",2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced bipartisan legislation to incentivize states to provide domestic violence awareness training for beauty professionals and cosmetologists, which would help these individuals better recognize signs of abuse in their clients, appropriately intervene and keep them safe. The Supporting the Abused by Learning Options to Navigate Survivor (SALONS) Stories Act would increase already-established grants to states that require beauty professionals and cosmetologists to undergo free and easily accessible domestic violence awareness training in order to help ensure more of these individuals are trained to successfully navigate conversations with clients who could be in danger.

“Victims of domestic violence often don’t know where to turn or who to talk to, but they do often continue going to their salons—which puts beauty professionals in a unique position of potentially being among the first people who can recognize signs of abuse,” said Duckworth. “I’m proud to join Senator Blackburn on our bipartisan SALONS Stories Act, which builds on Illinois’s 2017 law, to help more beauty professionals access free domestic violence awareness training that can give them the tools and knowledge they need to help victims effectively. How they handle these critical moments could be life-saving.”

“One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime, and in the United States, three women are killed each day by an intimate partner,” said Blackburn. “There is no better community to recognize this abuse and help victims than beauty professionals. Some women, even at their most vulnerable and isolated, will continue going to the salon and building relationships with their cosmetologists. This is a common-sense bipartisan bill to help equip cosmetologists with resources necessary to identify and support victims of domestic violence.”

Illinois and Tennessee have joined several states in passing landmark legislation to give beauty professionals these necessary skills, serving as models for states around the nation.

The bipartisan SALONS Stories Act is supported by YWCA USA, the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

A copy of the bill text can be found using the link here.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-announce-more-than-18-million-in-federal-funding-for-road-improvements-throughout-illinois,"Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $1.8 Million in Federal Funding for Road Improvements Throughout Illinois",2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $1,835,880 in new federal funding for a total of five projects throughout Illinois to help improve traffic safety. These federal investments from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All program will help support planning, infrastructure, behavioral and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users.

“Improving street safety and increasing multimodal transportation infrastructure makes for safer, more active and more vibrant communities,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to announce this important funding to help communities throughout Illinois make the much-needed improvements to catalyze economic development, enhance community connectivity and improve quality of life for residents.”

“Safer roads mean safer communities, and by dedicating resources to improve traffic safety, we’re laying the foundation for a better Illinois,” said Durbin. “By investing in our infrastructure, we’re fostering connectivity, ensuring that every Illinoisan has equitable access to opportunities across our state.”

The following units of local government have been awarded funding:

City of Freeport: $400,000 for the City of Freeport Safe Streets for All Action Plan

City of Mattoon: $80,000 for the City of Mattoon to develop a comprehensive safety action plan

Champaign County: $945,000 for the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission to conduct supplemental planning to better consider equity in transportation safety plans and update safety data used in transportation plans

City of East St. Louis: $218,880 for the City of East St Louis to develop a comprehensive safety action plan

Boone County: $192,000 for the Boone County Radar Speed Sign and Attenuator for Spring Creek and Poplar Grove roads corridors

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-join-warren-baldwin-in-introducing-resolution-affirming-support-for-fdas-scientific-judgement-that-medication-abortion-is-safe-and-effective,"Duckworth, Durbin Join Warren, Baldwin in Introducing Resolution Affirming Support for FDA’s Scientific Judgement that Medication Abortion is Safe and Effective",2023-12-15,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and 36 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights have been increasingly under attack, with more than a dozen states banning or restricting access to abortion care, and anti-abortion extremists attempting to ban medication abortion nationwide. Medication abortion is currently used for over half of all abortions.

“As many women across America continue to be understandably afraid that the far-right Supreme Court—one that already threw out 50 years of constitutional rights by overturning Roe—will soon weigh in on the future of Mifepristone and might limit their right to access reproductive care even further, I’m proud to join my Senate Democratic colleagues to send an important message that we will do everything we can to protect reproductive freedom for every woman in every state,” said Duckworth.

“More than two decades ago, the FDA determined mifepristone to be safe and effective. Since then, this medication has been widely and safely used by women to end early stage pregnancies and help manage miscarriages,” said Durbin. “If the Supreme Court upholds the Fifth Circuit’s decision, which ignored science and the law in turning back the clock on mifepristone regulations, it would upend the FDA review process, jeopardize access to a host of critically important medications, and impose new restrictions on abortions even in states where the procedure remains legal. This Resolution restates the obvious: that the FDA, not politically-motivated organizations, should be trusted to make determinations about what drugs are safe and effective. And that, ultimately, reproductive health care decisions ought to be made between women and their doctors, not politicians or judges.”

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the scientific judgment of the FDA that mifepristone is safe and effective should be respected, and that law and policy governing access to life-saving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be equitable and based on science. The resolution affirms that mifepristone is safe and effective, while acknowledging the significant harm that would be posed to both health care providers and patients across the nation if mifepristone were sharply curtailed.

This action comes as Americans continue to grapple with the reversal of Roe v. Wade, and follows this week’s announcement that the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to medication abortion access.

Along with Duckworth, Durbin, Warren and Baldwin, the resolution was co-sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI.), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angus King (I-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR), John Fetterman (D-PA), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tom Carper (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

The resolution has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide, National Council of Jewish Women, The Century Foundation’s Health Equity and Reform Team, National Partnership for Women and Families, Guttmacher Institute, Center for Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda and the EMAA Project.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-lead-illinois-delegation-members-in-call-for-dot-involvement-in-ohare-terminal-area-program,"Duckworth, Durbin Lead Illinois Delegation Members in Call for DOT Involvement in O’Hare Terminal Area Program",2023-12-15,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), with U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) and Bill Foster (D-IL-11) today called for more involvement from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to assist in the completion of the nationally-important O’Hare Terminal Area Program (TAP). In a letter to DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the members are requesting DOT help facilitate a path forward between and convene all O’Hare stakeholders to reaffirm a shared commitment to increase gate capacity by at least 25 percent, reduce projected costs and secure additional federal investment, working together to complete this project like 2018’s O’Hare Modernization Program.

“To maximize the return on investment from ORD runway modernization, it is imperative that public and private stakeholders once again come together to complete the ORD Terminal Area Program (TAP),” the Members wrote. “This program will greatly enhance O’Hare and the airlines that use it by increasing gate capacity by at least 25 percent and creating a new, first-of-its-kind Global Terminal.”

The Members continued: “With TAP at only 30 percent design, now is the optimal time for USDOT to help the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and respective Air Carriers identify and implement solutions to lower TAP costs through design modifications and additional Federal investments without compromising on the shared goal of ultimately increasing ORD gate capacity by at least 25 percent.”

Today’s letter follows the Senators’ call earlier this month for United and American airlines continue their commitment to the O’Hare Terminal Area Project.

Full text of the letter is available on the Senator's website and below:

Dear Secretary Buttigieg:

We seek your assistance and leadership in helping complete the decades-long effort to modernize and expand one of our Nation’s most important international airports, O’Hare International Airport (ORD), and most importantly, increase ORD gate capacity by at least 25 percent. As one of the busiest airports in the world, ORD is a critical link in our Nation’s aviation system as a centrally located, dual hub airport with more than 750 domestic and 95 international nonstop flights a day—and it is vital that ORD expand to meet rising air travel demand.

The City of Chicago and Air Carriers, with critical Federal support and assistance, successfully rebuilt and enhanced ORD runways by completing the $6 billion O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) in 2018. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), particularly the leadership of then-Secretary of Transportation, the Honorable Ray LaHood, deserves significant credit for convening and mediating an agreement between all public and private ORD stakeholders to commit to completing OMP while facilitating an additional sizable Federal investment to help finish the project.

To maximize the return on investment from ORD runway modernization, it is imperative that public and private stakeholders once again come together to complete the ORD Terminal Area Program (TAP). This program will greatly enhance O’Hare and the airlines that use it by increasing gate capacity by at least 25 percent and creating a new, first-of-its-kind Global Terminal. Air Carriers, such as American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines, have already reaped concrete benefits from TAP’s upgrades to Terminal 5 that grew its capacity by 25 percent and improved overall efficiency, which in turn enhanced our Nation’s Air Carrier performance.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the costs of infrastructure projects undoubtedly have risen due to delays and inflation. While TAP was not immune from this, the project is only at 30 percent design, and the remaining design process offers all parties the opportunity to ensure costs remain consistent with the parameters agreed to by the parties in 2018, while preserving the capacity promised by that original TAP agreement. Just as USDOT, in prior years, intervened and reaffirmed a shared commitment to completing OMP despite cost concerns, the Department should once again demonstrate leadership in guiding TAP to completion in a manner that enables all parties to ensure cost reductions that do not prevent ORD gate capacity from increasing by at least 25 percent.

Accordingly, we request that you convene a meeting with all relevant ORD public and private stakeholders—including the City of Chicago, American Airlines and United Airlines—and help facilitate a path forward that reaffirms a shared commitment to increase ORD gate capacity by 25 percent through upgrades to Terminal 2 and 1; reduce TAP projected costs; and secure additional Federal investments from sources like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $5 billion for airport terminal improvements.

Regarding the latter objective, the Illinois Congressional Delegation is ready and willing to help ORD successfully compete for Federal investments to ensure one of our Nation’s most important domestic and international air travel hubs continues to grow to meet demand and keep our country’s Midwest region economically competitive.

With TAP at only 30 percent design, now is the optimal time for USDOT to help the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and respective Air Carriers identify and implement solutions to lower TAP costs through design modifications and additional Federal investments without compromising on the shared goal of ultimately increasing ORD gate capacity by at least 25 percent.

Such leadership would reflect the Federal Government’s clear stake in the successful completion of OMP and TAP as a major investor in both infrastructure programs, including a $50 million grant awarded earlier this year to upgrade Terminal 3 to the benefit of American travelers, businesses and the Air Carrier, American Airlines, that serves them out of Terminal 3.

We thank you in advance for your leadership and look forward to working with USDOT as you convene and mediate a shared agreement among all ORD stakeholders that reignites a unified commitment to complete TAP and follow through on ORD modernization to strengthen one of our Nation’s most important domestic and international air travel hubs.

Sincerely,

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-statement-on-biden-administrations-new-sustainable-aviation-fuel-tax-credit-implementation-guidance,Duckworth Statement on Biden Administration’s New Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credit Implementation Guidance,2023-12-15,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—issued the following statement after the Biden Administration’s Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced a notice regarding the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) tax credit requirements created in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022:

“After months of pushing the Biden Administration to adopt Argonne National Lab’s GREET model—the gold standard for analyzing the lifecycle greenhouse gases impacts of renewable fuels—in their SAF tax credit guidance, I appreciate the Biden Administration taking our concerns into account as we work to reduce our nation’s carbon footprint and transition to a greener economy. We are making progress toward this goal, but we must ensure that American SAF continues to lead the world in this effort. One of the most important things we can do to continue this leadership decarbonizing our skies is to increase the supply of American-grown, American-made SAF. We will not be able to meet President Biden’s SAF Grand Challenge nor lower our aviation carbon emissions in the near future without agricultural feedstock SAF. In the weeks and months ahead, I’ll be closely monitoring this rollout of the modifications to the GREET model to ensure its implementation doesn’t undermine our agriculture industry’s ability to produce sustainable aviation fuel, jeopardize our nation’s energy security and hurt our farmers.”

Duckworth has been a local and national leader in supporting biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The Senator has been outspoken about the necessity for the U.S. to utilize agricultural feedstock for SAF in order to meet President Biden’s ambitious emissions and production goals and the commonsense application of the Department of Energy’s commissioned Argonne National Lab’s Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies Model (GREET) lifecycle analysis for global and domestic SAF evaluations.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/at-us-asean-center-opening-ceremony-duckworth-reiterates-importance-of-deepening-ties-with-southeast-asia-allies,"At U.S.-ASEAN Center Opening Ceremony, Duckworth Reiterates Importance of Deepening Ties with Southeast Asia Allies",2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke at the opening ceremony of the U.S.-ASEAN Center, an initiative dedicated to building deeper habits of cooperation between the full range of U.S. departments and agencies and the countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In her remarks, Duckworth emphasized that shoring up this partnership involves more than just providing security support—it also means working together to take on the other unique challenges of the 21st century that don’t recognize national borders, including climate change, artificial intelligence, international economic instability and global health crises.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/key-duckworth-ndaa-provisions-to-support-scott-air-force-base-and-illinois-school-districts-pass-congress,Key Duckworth NDAA Provisions to Support Scott Air Force Base and Illinois School Districts Pass Congress,2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Democrat,Senate,IL,Tammy Duckworth,D000622,www.duckworth.senate.gov,duckworth,https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), secured several important provisions to support our state in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed Congress this week. Some of the Illinois priorities Duckworth secured include supporting school districts near military bases by helping alleviate state and local tax base funding shortfalls and charting a sustainable future for C-40 aircraft—which are flown by the 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base.

“The brave men and women in uniform who serve our nation at home and abroad deserve to know that our country fully supports them as they and their families sacrifice to defend our country and our Constitution,” Duckworth said. “While I do not support every provision in this bipartisan compromise, I’m proud of the many provisions I secured throughout the NDAA process that will support Illinois, work toward a sustainable future for the 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base and ensure our schools serving communities near military bases have the support they need. I’m pleased Congress passed this bipartisan legislation this week to send a message to our troops that we have their backs and I look forward to the President signing it into law as soon as possible.”

Each year, the NDAA authorizes funding for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), sets our nation’s defense policy and ensures that our servicemembers have the tools they need to defend our nation.

In this year’s Senate-passed NDAA, Duckworth secured legislation to authorize an additional $50 million for school districts to receive critical Impact Aid from the DoD to help communities and schools whose budgets are impacted by the presence of nearby DoD installations. For Illinois school districts with large populations of students living on military bases, this funding will be critical in ensuring our schools, teachers and students have needed resources and school districts are able to alleviate budget shortfalls.

In this year’s NDAA negotiations, Duckworth also secured language to ensure DoD charts a sustainable future for C-40 aircraft, which is critical for Scott Air Force Base. The Senate committee report, published earlier in the year, recognizes the Air Force’s decision to retain C-40 aircraft—like those flown by the 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base—in the coming fiscal years. The conference committee required the Air Force to provide Congress with its plan for the long-term future of the aircraft. As the junior Senator from Illinois, Senator Duckworth is committed to helping bolster Scott AFB’s capabilities. Scott AFB is critical in our entire military’s ability to get things where they need to be quickly, precisely and efficiently.

A full list of Duckworth’s priorities included in the FY24 NDAA can be found here.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:56:20Z