Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

H.R. 4509 - NOPAIN for Veterans Act Submitted written statement for the record to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Health (January 13, 2026). Advocated for legislation ensuring VA providers can access a full range of individualized, evidence-based post-surgical pain management options, including non-opioid therapies, without overly restrictive one-size-fits-all barriers. Argued that clinical judgment must guide acute pain care for veterans recovering from surgery or serious procedures. Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102 / S. 1032) - Concurrent Receipt for Combat-Injured Retirees Advocated for elimination of the dollar-for-dollar offset that reduces retirement pay for approximately 52,000 combat-injured veterans medically retired before completing 20 years of service. Communicated that this 'wounded veteran tax' breaks faith with those who sacrificed most and that concurrent receipt of earned retirement pay and VA disability compensation should be permitted. Veterans Mental Health & Suicide Prevention - VA Staffing, Telehealth, In-Person Care Advocated for a comprehensive strategy to address veteran suicide (averaging 17.6 deaths per day). Communicated support for increased VA mental health staffing, expanded telehealth services to reach rural and underserved veterans, and preservation of in-person mental health care. Emphasized that telehealth must complement, not replace, VA mental health professionals. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) - VA Pilot Program for PTSD/TBI Advocated for VA implementation of pilot programs to evaluate Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a covered treatment for veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries, citing studies indicating HBOT can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms and improve cognitive function. Urged Congress to direct the VA to expand access to evidence-based alternative treatments. Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act Advocated for legislation ensuring all service days count toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility for National Guard and Reserve members who serve alongside active-duty counterparts. Communicated that existing education benefit disparities are inequitable given equivalent operational contributions. Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act Advocated for legislation ensuring veterans who lose education benefits due to school closures or fraud have those benefits restored. Communicated that veterans should not suffer financial losses due to circumstances beyond their control. Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act Advocated for comprehensive reforms to support family caregivers of veterans, including provisions addressing financial security, career reemployment, and retirement benefits for individuals who sacrifice their own professional advancement to provide uncompensated daily care. Communicated that caregivers are the backbone of the veterans' care system and must not be left behind when caregiving roles end. Survivor Benefits - DIC Modernization (Remarriage Restriction Repeal / Rate Modernization) Advocated for elimination of the DIC remarriage age restriction and modernization of DIC rates to reflect the true cost of sacrifice. Communicated that surviving spouses should not be forced to choose between financial security and honoring their loved one's wishes, and that current restrictions impose unnecessary financial penalties on Gold Star families. Protecting Veterans' Disability and Retirement Pay from Budget Reductions Advocated against any legislative or executive action to reduce veterans' disability compensation or retirement pay to balance the federal budget. Communicated alignment with VA Secretary Doug Collins's stated opposition to cutting earned veterans' benefits, and emphasized that reducing these benefits undermines national trust and deters future enlistment. Written Informed Consent for Black Box Medications (VA Policy) Advocated for VA policy requiring written informed consent before prescribing psychiatric medications with black box warnings. Communicated that veterans deserve transparency, patient autonomy, and the ability to make fully informed decisions regarding high-risk medications. Protecting the VA as an Institution - Structural and Operational Integrity Advocated for preservation of VA capacity, organizational structure, and services for enrolled veterans. Communicated concerns about any restructuring or resource reductions that would diminish the VA's ability to deliver timely, high-quality care and benefits to the veteran community.

Pay Our Troops Act (S. 3002 / H.R. 5401) Advocated for passage of legislation guaranteeing uninterrupted military pay during government shutdowns or continuing resolution periods. Communicated to committee staff and bill sponsors that pay disruptions harm retention, readiness, and financial stability of enlisted Airmen and Guardians and their families. AFSA's primary priority is full-year defense appropriations on time; this bill serves as a critical backstop. IVF for Military Families Act (H.R. 2557 / S. 1231) Advocated for TRICARE coverage of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments for servicemembers whose ability to start families has been impaired by service-connected injuries or deployments. Emphasized closing the gap between military and federal civilian workforce healthcare access and the importance of family planning support to retention and holistic readiness. Military Family GI Bill Promise Act (H.R. 4540) Advocated for legislation ensuring transferable Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits can be passed to dependents by servicemembers who separate or have children later in life or after separation. Emphasized that no servicemember should lose benefits they rightfully earned and that transferability is a powerful family-focused recruiting and retention tool. H.R. 6976 - Codify Duty Status Reform Advocated for legislation codifying duty status reforms for National Guard and Reserve members to ensure appropriate benefits and protections apply during all periods of service, including those not covered under traditional active duty orders. H.R. 6796 - Military CARE Act Advocated for provisions supporting military caregiver support programs and expanding resources available to servicemembers and their families during and after service. S. 2448 / H.R. 4768 - Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act Advocated for parity in healthcare access, affordability, and quality between military families and the federal civilian workforce, reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving the overall TRICARE benefit. H.R. 4381 / S. 2239 - Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act Advocated for legislation improving access to prenatal care for military families, addressing gaps in TRICARE coverage and geographic access to maternity services for servicemembers stationed at remote or OCONUS installations.

Pay Our Troops Act (S. 3002 / H.R. 5401) Advocated for passage of legislation guaranteeing uninterrupted military pay during government shutdowns or continuing resolution periods. Communicated to committee staff and bill sponsors that pay disruptions harm retention, readiness, and financial stability of enlisted Airmen and Guardians and their families. AFSA's primary priority is full-year defense appropriations on time; this bill serves as a critical backstop. IVF for Military Families Act (H.R. 2557 / S. 1231) Advocated for TRICARE coverage of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments for servicemembers whose ability to start families has been impaired by service-connected injuries or deployments. Emphasized closing the gap between military and federal civilian workforce healthcare access and the importance of family planning support to retention and holistic readiness. Military Family GI Bill Promise Act (H.R. 4540) Advocated for legislation ensuring transferable Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits can be passed to dependents by servicemembers who separate or have children later in life or after separation. Emphasized that no servicemember should lose benefits they rightfully earned and that transferability is a powerful family-focused recruiting and retention tool. H.R. 6976 - Codify Duty Status Reform Advocated for legislation codifying duty status reforms for National Guard and Reserve members to ensure appropriate benefits and protections apply during all periods of service, including those not covered under traditional active duty orders. H.R. 6796 - Military CARE Act Advocated for provisions supporting military caregiver support programs and expanding resources available to servicemembers and their families during and after service. S. 2448 / H.R. 4768 - Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act Advocated for parity in healthcare access, affordability, and quality between military families and the federal civilian workforce, reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving the overall TRICARE benefit. H.R. 4381 / S. 2239 - Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act Advocated for legislation improving access to prenatal care for military families, addressing gaps in TRICARE coverage and geographic access to maternity services for servicemembers stationed at remote or OCONUS installations.

Issues related to rare pediatric disease Priority Review Vouchers; H.R. 1262/S. 932, Give Kids a Chance Act; S. 3302, Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025.

Issues related to rare pediatric disease Priority Review Vouchers; H.R. 1262/S. 932, Give Kids a Chance Act; S. 3302, Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025.

Independent contracting in trucking H.R. 20/S. 852 (Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act)

H.R. 1659 (Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act) H.R. 880/S. 337 (Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act) H.R. 2819/S. 1696 (Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act) H.R. 2853/S. 1404 (Combating Organized Retail Crime Act) freight fraud provisions Highway Trust Fund fuel tax, vehicle miles traveled Rescinding FMCSAs speed limiter mandate on all heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles (FMCSA-2022-0004-0001) Rescinding FMCSAs automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems mandate Automatic Emergency Braking Test Devices: Heavy Vehicle Automatic Emergency Braking (Docket No. FMCSA-2022-0171) Mitigation of Final Rule, Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs: Addition of Oral Fluid Specimen Testing for Drugs (Docket No. DOT-OST-2021-0093-0420) provisions related to specimen collectors USDOT Office of Inspector General freight fraud enforcement, National Consumer Complaint Database (OMB Control Number: 2126-0067) reforms USDOT advisory committees proportion of representatives from small motor carriers Commercial motor carrier regulatory policy issues, including Compliance Safety Accountability program/DataQ Waiver for noncompliant states with National Registry II Implementation with moving from paper to electronic medical certificates Eligibility standards for nondomiciled commercial learners permits and commercial drivers licenses Provisions of H.R. 7148 (Transportation-HUD FY2026 appropriations) related to English-language proficiency standards of commercial truck drivers; priority infrastructure needs, including truck parking project funding; establishing a nationwide dashboard for shippers and carriers to track real-time supply chain movements; cuts or redirecting Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act funds Nondomiciled holders of Commercial Drivers Licenses, recertification of certain CDL holders Efforts to remove chameleon motor carriers from highways and ensure only legitimate training entities operate commercial drivers license programs H.R. 7539 (Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement Act) H.R. 5688 (Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act/Dalilahs Law) S. 3950 (SAFER Transport Act)

Research into spinal muscular atrophy, timely access to care, treatments, medical devices, and home and community-based services, Give Kids a Chance Act (H.R.1261/ S.932- FDA Pediatric Priority Review Voucher Program), DOD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program & Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program, Labor-Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, Family Caregiver Awareness, Resources, and Education (CARE) Partnerships Act, Pediatric Palliative Care Homes, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research funding, Seat Elevation in Group 2 Non-Complex Power Wheelchairs, Coverage of Standing Systems in Group 3 Power Wheelchair, Competitive Bidding for Tracheostomy, Ostomy and Urological Supplies; FDA Rare Disease Patient Listening Session, Coverage of Respiratory Assist Devices (RADs) and Home Mechanical Ventilators (HMVs), Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act (H.R. 1509/S. 752, National Institutes of Health funding; Medicaid home and community-based services, Public Law 119-21 Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements - disability and medically frail definition; Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act (H.R. 5343), Veterans STAND Act (H.R. 6835), Veterans SPORTS Act (S. 3138) Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 (P.L. 119-75)

Research into spinal muscular atrophy, timely access to care, treatments, medical devices, and home and community-based services, Give Kids a Chance Act (H.R.1261/ S.932- FDA Pediatric Priority Review Voucher Program), DOD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program & Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program, Labor-Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, Family Caregiver Awareness, Resources, and Education (CARE) Partnerships Act, Pediatric Palliative Care Homes, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research funding, Seat Elevation in Group 2 Non-Complex Power Wheelchairs, Coverage of Standing Systems in Group 3 Power Wheelchair, Competitive Bidding for Tracheostomy, Ostomy and Urological Supplies; FDA Rare Disease Patient Listening Session, Coverage of Respiratory Assist Devices (RADs) and Home Mechanical Ventilators (HMVs), Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act (H.R. 1509/S. 752, National Institutes of Health funding; Medicaid home and community-based services, Public Law 119-21 Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements - disability and medically frail definition; Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act (H.R. 5343), Veterans STAND Act (H.R. 6835), Veterans SPORTS Act (S. 3138) Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 (P.L. 119-75)

Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill; IDEA Full Funding Act (H.R.2598/ S.1277), IDEA enforcement and oversight, Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services staffing and enforcement

Disaster Relief Medicaid Act (H.R.3990/ S.2071), disaster planning and readiness assistance for individuals with disabilities