Tammy Duckworth

Duckworth was born on March 12, 1968, in Bangkok, Thailand, to an American father, Franklin Duckworth, and his Thai wife, Lamai Sompornpairin.{{cite news |last1=Faulder |first1=Dominic |last2=Fang |first2=Alex |date=July 30, 2020 |title=Asia watches as Bangkok-born Tammy Duckworth rises in US politics |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/US-elections-2020/Asia-watches-as-Bangkok-born-Tammy-Duckworth-rises-in-US-politics |work=Nikkei Asia |location=Tokyo, Kapan}} Her father, who died in 2005,{{Cite web|last=O'Connor|first=Phillip|date=June 21, 2005|title=Downed pilot finally hears uplifting words she awaited|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/archives/downed-pilot-finally-hears-uplifting-words-she-awaited/article_c0176b1d-d730-5cfd-9eab-006f705ed828.html|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=STLtoday.com|language=en}} was a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps{{Cite web|last=O'Connor|first=Phillip|date=June 19, 2005|title=Pilot flew Black Hawks to serve her country – and please her father|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/archives/pilot-flew-black-hawks-to-serve-her-country---and-please-her-father/article_2723542e-7149-58e1-8ec5-a0cc7be79621.html|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=STLtoday.com|language=en}} who traced his family's roots to the American Revolution.{{cite web |last1=Kravitz |first1=Derek |title=Yes, Tammy Duckworth's Family Has Served in the Military for Centuries |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/the-dig-tammy-duckworths-family-has-served-in-the-military-for-centuries |website=ProPublica |date=November 2016 |access-date=28 June 2020 |ref=Ancestry}} Duckworth is also descended from Henry Coe, her 6th-great grandfather, who owned four slaves mentioned in freedom clauses of his 1827 will; according to Duckworth, although "gut wrenching" . . . "it's a disservice to our nation and our history to walk away from this [fact]. If I am going to claim—and be proud that—I am a Daughter of the American Revolution, then I have to acknowledge that I am also a daughter of people who enslaved other people".{{Cite news |date=June 27, 2023 |title=More than 100 U.S. political elites have family links to slavery |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-slavery-lawmakers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629131056/https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-slavery-lawmakers/ |archive-date=June 29, 2023}} Her mother is Thai Chinese,{{cite web |url= https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/08/tammy-duckworth-versus-joe-walsh-congress |title= Nobody Puts Tammy Duckworth in a Corner |date= September–October 2012 |access-date= January 4, 2012 |work= Mother Jones |author= Adam Weinstein}} originally from Chiang Mai.{{Cite news|last1=O'Connor|first1=Joseph|last2=Nguyen|first2=Son|date=2019-08-24|title=US Senator is a woman who speaks Thai – Tammy Duckworth visits Thailand to foster American ties|language=en-GB|work=Thai Examiner|url=https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2019/08/24/first-thai-born-united-states-senator-tammy-duckworth-visit-to-thailand-bangkok-american-ties/|access-date=2020-07-08}} Her father was a Baptist,{{cite web | last=Waldman | first=Steven | title=Will Tammy Duckworth be the first deist veep since Thomas Jefferson? | website=Religion News Service | date=2020-08-05 | url=https://religionnews.com/2020/08/05/will-tammy-duckworth-be-the-first-deist-veep-since-thomas-jefferson/ | access-date=2022-11-13}} who after his military service worked with the United Nations and international companies in refugee, housing, and development programs.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-tammy-duckworth-met-20161109-story.html|title=Duckworth reaches pinnacle of Senate nearly 12 years to day after Iraq crash|first=John|last=Chase|date=November 9, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=November 13, 2016}} As the family moved around Southeast Asia for her father's work, Duckworth became fluent in Thai and Indonesian, in addition to English.{{cite news |last1=Felsenthal |first1=Carol |title='Nothing to Lose': Tammy Duckworth on Her Quest to Go to Congress |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Felsenthal-Files/May-2012/Tammy-Duckworth-on-her-Quest-to-Go-to-Congress-Nothing-to-Lose/ |access-date=April 6, 2019 |work=Chicago |date=May 11, 2012 |language=en}}

Duckworth attended schools outside the U.S. but based on a standard American curriculum: Singapore American School, the International School Bangkok, and the Jakarta International School.{{cite web |url=https://www.jisedu.or.id/about-jis/alumni |title=JIS Alumni |work=Jakarta Intercultural School |access-date=January 8, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://media.skyegrid.id/mau-sekolah-gratis-di-jis-begini-caranya/ |title=Mau Sekolah Gratis di JIS? Begini Caranya |work=SkyeGrid Media |date=November 6, 2019 |access-date=January 8, 2020 |language=id |archive-date=February 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219165159/https://media.skyegrid.id/mau-sekolah-gratis-di-jis-begini-caranya/ }} The family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, when Duckworth was 16, and she attended Honolulu's McKinley High School, where she participated in track and field and graduated in 1985.{{cite news |last=Daranciang |first=Nelson |date=October 19, 2007 |title=Duckworth still stands strong |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/10/19/news/story03.html |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |location=Honolulu, HI}} Because of a difference in the grade levels between the school systems she attended, Duckworth skipped half of her ninth grade year and half of her tenth.{{cite book |last=Duckworth |first=Tammy |date=2021 |title=Every Day Is a Gift: A Memoir |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pPAHEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT33 |location=New York, NY |publisher=Hachette Book Group |page=33 |isbn=978-1-5387-1849-0 |via=Google Books |ref={{sfnRef|Duckworth}}}} She was a Girl Scout, and earned her First Class (Gold Award).{{Cite web|title=Girl Scouts Welcomes All Alums Who Have Earned Its Highest Award into the Gold Award Girl Scout Family|url=https://www.girlscouts.org/en/press-room/press-room/news-releases/2019/highest-awards-recipients-welcomed-into-gold-award-girl-scout-family.html|access-date=2020-12-20|website=Girl Scouts of the USA|language=en}} Her father was unemployed for a time, and the family relied on public assistance. She graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. In 1992, she received a Master of Arts in international affairs from George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.{{cite news |author=Will Hoover|title=Duckworth working to win|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Jan/08/ln/FP601080334.html|date=January 15, 2006}}{{cite news |date=February 21, 2017 |title=U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth to Deliver GW Commencement Address |url=https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/us-sen-tammy-duckworth-deliver-gw-commencement-address |work=GW Today |location=Washington, DC}}

After moving to Illinois, Duckworth began a PhD program at Northern Illinois University, with interests in public health and the politics of southeast Asia, which was interrupted by her war service.{{cite news |date=June 2, 2010 |title=Tammy Duckworth receives honorary doctoral degree from NIU |url=https://www.niutoday.info/2010/06/02/tammy-duckworth-receives-honorary-doctoral-degree-from-niu/ |work=NIU Today |location=DeKalb, IL}} She completed a PhD in human services at Capella University School of Public Service Leadership in March 2015.{{cite web |title=Countdown to commencement |url=http://www.capella.edu/blogs/educationmatters/2015/03/02/countdown-to-commencement-in-d-c/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416231642/http://www.capella.edu/blogs/educationmatters/2015/03/02/countdown-to-commencement-in-d-c/ |archive-date=April 16, 2015 |website=capella.edu }}{{Cite thesis |last=Duckworth |first=L. Tammy |title=Exploring Illinois physicians' experience using electronic medical records (EMR) via the UTAUT model |date=2015 |degree=Ph.D. |publisher=Capella University |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1657428437/}} Her dissertation was titled Exploring Illinois physicians' experience using electronic medical records (EMR) via the UTAUT model.

File:Tammy Duckworth stands by her UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter (001130-A-FI215-212).jpg

Following in the footsteps of her father, who served in World War II and the Vietnam War, and ancestors who served in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War, Duckworth joined the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps{{cite web|url=http://www.defendamerica.mil/profiles/jan2005/pr010605a.html|title=U.S. Army National Guard Maj. Tammy Duckworth: Illinois Guard officer faces adversity with courage, concern for troops|access-date=July 10, 2007|last=Haskall|first=Bob|date=January 6, 2005|work=Defend America|publisher=U.S. Department of Defense|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711122052/http://defendamerica.mil/profiles/jan2005/pr010605a.html|archive-date=July 11, 2007 }} in 1990 as a graduate student at George Washington University.{{cite web|author=Irwin, James|url=https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/university-honors-alumna-rep-tammy-duckworth|title=University Honors Alumna Rep. Tammy Duckworth|work=GW Today|publisher=George Washington University|date=May 12, 2014|access-date=July 7, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025155727/https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/university-honors-alumna-rep-tammy-duckworth}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ELq9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT1070|author=Felder, Deborah G.|title=The American Women's Almanac: 500 Years of Making History|publisher=Visible Ink Press|date=February 1, 2020|isbn=978-1-57859-711-6|via=Google Books|access-date=July 7, 2020}} She became a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve in 1992 and chose to fly helicopters because it was one of the few combat jobs open to women at that time.{{cite news |last=Hirst |first=Ellen Jean |date=January 24, 2013 |title=Local female veterans take sides on women in combat |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2013-01-24-ct-met-local-women-in-combat-20130124-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |location=Chicago, IL}} As a member of the Army Reserve, she went to flight school, later transferring to the Army National Guard and in 1996 entering the Illinois Army National Guard. Duckworth also worked as a staff supervisor at Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, Illinois,{{cite journal|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0222/p10s01-uspo.html|title=For veteran Tammy Duckworth, latest fight is for a House seat|first=Amanda|last=Paulson|date=February 22, 2006|access-date=October 28, 2016|journal=Christian Science Monitor}}{{cite web |title=Illinois lieutenant governor honors Rotary Centennial and RI employee |publisher=Rotary International |url=https://www.rotary.org/newsroom/print/cen_050615.html |access-date=July 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608120650/http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/print/cen_050615.html |archive-date=June 8, 2007 }} and was the coordinator of the Center for Nursing Research at Northern Illinois University.{{cite news |last=Davey |first=Monica |date=November 28, 2008 |title=The New Team: Tammy Duckworth |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/29/us/politics/29web-duckworth.html |work=The New York Times |location=New York, NY}}

Duckworth was working toward a PhD in political science at Northern Illinois University, with research interests in the political economy and public health of southeast Asia, when she was deployed to Iraq in 2004. She lost her right leg near the hip and her left leg below the knee{{cite news |newspaper=Honolulu Advertiser |author=Sexton, Connie |author2=Camire, Dennis |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Mar/17/ln/ln01p.html |title=Can-do spirit rises from crash |date=March 17, 2005 |access-date=August 22, 2012 |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630061300/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Mar/17/ln/ln01p.html }} from injuries sustained on November 12, 2004, when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter she was co-piloting was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by Iraqi insurgents.{{cite news |first=Leo III |last=Shane |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/the-pedals-were-gone-and-so-were-my-legs-1.34578 |title=The pedals were gone, and so were my legs |date=June 14, 2005 |newspaper=Stars and Stripes }} She was the first American female double amputee from the Iraq War.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/14/women-at-war-unseen_n_1498291.html|work=The Huffington Post|first=Molly|last=O'Toole|title=Unseen: Trailblazing Military Women Forced To Fight For Recognition, Equal Treatment|date=May 14, 2012}} The explosion severely broke her right arm and tore tissue from it, necessitating major surgery to repair it. Duckworth received a Purple Heart on December 3 and was promoted to the rank of major on December 21 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center,{{cite news |last=Toth |first=Catherine E. |date=October 18, 2007 |title=Hawaii school honoring Iraq war vet grad |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Oct/18/ln/hawaii710180356.html |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |location=Honolulu, HI |access-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305171228/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Oct/18/ln/hawaii710180356.html }} where she was presented with an Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal. She retired from the Illinois Army National Guard in October 2014 as a lieutenant colonel.{{cite web|title=Duckworth Retires|url=http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/PAO/newsrelease.aspx?id=1146|publisher=Public Affairs Office, Illinois National Guard|access-date=October 15, 2014|archive-date=October 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020185702/http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/PAO/newsrelease.aspx?id=1146}}

File:Barack Obama, Daniel Akaka, and Tammy Duckworth.jpg and Daniel Akaka in 2005 at a Veterans Affairs hearing]]

In 2011 the Daughters of the American Revolution erected a statue with Duckworth's likeness and that of Molly Pitcher in Mount Vernon, Illinois. The statue is dedicated to female veterans.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/illinois-national-guard/mount-vernon-statue-honors-women-vets-maj-tammy-duckworth/10150340480198312/|title=Mount Vernon Statue Honors Women Vets, Maj. Tammy Duckworth|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=November 12, 2016}}

In 2019, Duckworth participated in the National Air and Space Museum's "The Military Women Aviators Oral History Initiative (MWAOHI)" project alongside fourteen other veteran women aviators, including Olga Custodio, Sarah Deal, Stayce Harris, Jeannie Leavitt, Nicole Malachowski, Sally Murphy, Tammie Shults, Jacqueline Van Ovost, Lucy Young, and Kim "K. C." Campbell.{{Cite web |title=Military Women Aviators Oral History Initiative (MWAOHI) {{!}} Collection {{!}} search=s=0&n=10&t=C&q=duckworth&i=3 {{!}} SOVA |url=https://sova.si.edu/record/NASM.2020.0005?s=0&n=10&t=C&q=duckworth&i=3 |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=sova.si.edu}}

File:Duckworth swearing in May 2009.jpg with her husband Bryan Bowlsbey beside her]]

On November 21, 2006, several weeks after losing her first congressional campaign, Duckworth was appointed director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs by Governor Rod Blagojevich.{{cite web|url=http://www.veterans.illinois.gov|title=Director L. Tammy Duckworth: Committed to Serving Country and Community|publisher=Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs|access-date=November 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081027014752/http://www.veterans.illinois.gov/|archive-date=October 27, 2008}}{{cite news|last=Sweet|first=Lynn|title=Gov picks Duckworth for Veterans Affairs|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=November 21, 2006}} She served in that position until February 8, 2009. While director, she was credited with starting a program to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and veterans with brain injuries.{{cite news|title=Veterans' advocate promotes PTSD site|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans-advocate-promotes-ptsd-site-1.84266|author=Abramson, Mark|date=October 20, 2008|newspaper=Stars and Stripes}}

On September 17, 2008, Duckworth attended a campaign event for Dan Seals, the Democratic candidate for Illinois's 10th congressional district. She used vacation time, but violated Illinois law by going to the event in a state-owned van that was equipped for a person with physical disabilities. She acknowledged the mistake and repaid the state for the use of the van.{{cite news |url=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/09/duckworth-admit.html |date=September 18, 2008 |first=Susan |last=Kuczka |title=Official admits error using state van; Tammy Duckworth took time off from job as state Veterans Affairs director to attend a campaign event but ran into controversy |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |page=1}}

In 2009, two Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs employees at the Anna Veterans' Home in Union County filed a lawsuit against Duckworth.{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-10-11/news/ct-met-walsh-duckworth-lawsuit-20121011_1_veterans-affairs-wrongful-termination-ethics-act|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012120747/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-10-11/news/ct-met-walsh-duckworth-lawsuit-20121011_1_veterans-affairs-wrongful-termination-ethics-act|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 12, 2012|title=Employee lawsuit pops up in Walsh-Duckworth race|work=Chicago Tribune|date=October 11, 2012 |access-date=July 20, 2015}} The lawsuit alleged that she wrongfully terminated one employee and threatened and intimidated another for bringing reports of abuse and misconduct of veterans when she was head of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.{{cite web|url=http://qctimes.com/news/local/government-and-politics/elections/duckworth-whistleblower-trial-date-set/article_9a8cd310-28c6-56ef-8c16-cac28ce00df7.html|title=Duckworth whistleblower trial date set|author=Kurt Erickson|work=The Quad-City Times|date=June 15, 2015 |access-date=July 20, 2015}} Duckworth was represented in the suit by the Illinois Attorney General's office.{{cite news|title=Morning Spin: Judge sets May date in Duckworth 'retaliation' lawsuit|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-tammy-duckworth-mark-kirk-veterans-lawsuit-20160322-story.html|access-date=March 23, 2016|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=March 23, 2016}} The case was dismissed twice but refilings were allowed.{{cite news|title=Judge allows workplace case against Tammy Duckworth to go to trial|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-duckworth-workplace-retaliation-lawsuit-20160512-story.html|access-date=May 13, 2016|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=May 12, 2016}} The case settled in June 2016 for $26,000 with no admission of wrongdoing.{{cite news|last1=Pearson|first1=Rick|title=Workplace lawsuit against Tammy Duckworth settled|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-tammy-duckworth-lawsuit-settled-met-0626-20160624-story.html|access-date=June 28, 2016|publisher=Chicago Tribune|date=June 24, 2016}} The plaintiffs later indicated they no longer wanted to settle, but the judge gave them 21 days to sign the settlement and canceled the trial.{{cite web|url=http://foxillinois.com/news/local/judge-vacates-rep-duckworths-lawsuit|title=Judge Vacates Rep. Duckworth's Lawsuit|first=Fox Illinois News|last=Team|date=August 5, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://abc7chicago.com/news/duckworth-lawsuit-not-going-to-trial-monday/1467853/|title=Duckworth lawsuit not going to trial Monday|date=August 12, 2016}}

On February 3, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Duckworth to be the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).{{cite press release |url=http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1650|title=Duckworth Tapped for VA Assistant Secretary|publisher=United States Department of Veterans Affairs|date=February 3, 2009|access-date=April 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408194508/http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1650|archive-date=April 8, 2009}} and the United States Senate confirmed her for the position on April 22.{{cite news |url=https://news.wsiu.org/post/senate-confirms-duckworths-federal-nomination |title=Senate Confirms Duckworth's Federal Nomination|date=April 23, 2009|access-date=January 4, 2012|agency=Associated Press}} As Assistant Secretary, she coordinated a joint initiative with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help end Veteran homelessness, worked to address the unique challenges faced by female as well as Native American Veterans, and created the Office of Online Communications to improve the VA's accessibility, especially among young Veterans.{{Cite web|title=About Tammy {{!}} U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois|url=https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/about-tammy/biography|access-date=2020-08-09|website=www.duckworth.senate.gov|language=en}} Duckworth resigned her position in June 2011 in order to launch her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois's 8th congressional district in the 2012 election.{{cite news|title=Tammy Duckworth Resigns At VA, Illinois Congressional Run Could Be In The Cards|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/14/tammy-duckworth-resigns-a_n_876975.html|access-date=February 5, 2016|work=The Huffington Post|date=June 14, 2011}}

{{Main|2006 Illinois's 6th congressional district election}}

After longtime incumbent Republican Henry Hyde announced his retirement from Congress, several candidates began campaigning for the open seat. Duckworth won the Democratic primary with a plurality of 44%, defeating 2004 nominee Christine Cegelis with 40%, and Wheaton College professor Lindy Scott with 16%. State Senator Peter Roskam was unopposed in the Republican primary. For the general election, Duckworth was endorsed by EMILY's List, a political action committee that supports female Democratic candidates who back abortion rights.{{cite journal |first1=Jeff |last1=Zeleny |first2=John |last2=Biemer |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-145673843.html |title=Duckworth praised for stance on abortion: EMILY'S List backs congressional hopeful |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=May 12, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019152220/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-145673843.html |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }} She was also endorsed by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Fraternal Order of Police.{{cite news |first1=John |last1=Biemer |first2=Christi |last2=Parsons |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-10-11-0610110053-story.html |title=Gun law heats up race for Congress |work=Chicago Tribune |date=October 11, 2006 }}{{cite news |first=Eric |last=Krol |url=http://www.dailyherald.com/politics/story.asp?id=237246 |title=Duckworth takes aim at Roskam gun record |newspaper=Daily Herald |date=October 11, 2006 }} While she raised $4.5 million to Roskam's $3.44 million, Duckworth lost by 4,810 votes, receiving 49% to Roskam's 51%.{{cite news | title =Election 2006 Results: State Races, Illinois| publisher =CNN| url = http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006//pages/results/states/IL/index.html| access-date = March 27, 2007}}

{{see also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois#District 8}}

File:Tammy Duckworth, official portrait, 113th Congress.jpg

In July 2011, Duckworth launched her campaign to run in 2012 for Illinois's 8th congressional district. She defeated former Deputy Treasurer of Illinois Raja Krishnamoorthi for the Democratic nomination on March 20, 2012, then faced incumbent Republican Joe Walsh in the general election.{{cite news|title=Tammy Duckworth running for Congress again, in redrawn 8th|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/6380418-418/tammy-duckworth-running-for-congress-again-in-redrawn-8th.html|access-date=July 9, 2011|newspaper=Chicago Sun Times|date=July 6, 2011|first=Michael|last=Sneed|archive-date=November 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118073053/http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/6380418-418/tammy-duckworth-running-for-congress-again-in-redrawn-8th.html}} Duckworth received the endorsement of both the Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald.{{cite news |url=http://elections.chicagotribune.com/editorial/tammy-duckworth/ |title=For the House: Duckworth |author=Editorial board |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516015457/http://elections.chicagotribune.com/editorial/tammy-duckworth/ |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=October 8, 2012 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20121008/discuss/710089958/ |title=Endorsement: Duckworth over Walsh in 8th Congressional District |author=Editorial board |newspaper=Daily Herald |date=October 8, 2012 }} Walsh generated controversy when in July 2012, at a campaign event, he accused Duckworth of politicizing her military service and injuries, saying "my God, that's all she talks about. Our true heroes, the men and women who served us, it's the last thing in the world they talk about." Walsh called the controversy over his comments "a political ploy to distort my words and distract voters" and said that "Of course Tammy Duckworth is a hero ... I have called her a hero hundreds of times."{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2012-07-03-ct-met-walsh-duckworth-0704-20120704-story.html |first=Katherine |last=Skiba |work=Chicago Tribune|title=Walsh defends remarks on whether Duckworth is true hero|date=July 3, 2012}}

On November 6, 2012, Duckworth defeated Walsh 55%–45%,{{cite web|url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/11/06/duckworth-defeats-walsh-in-8th-congressional/|title=Duckworth Defeats Rep. Walsh In 8th Congressional|publisher=CBS Chicago|date=November 2012|access-date=July 7, 2020|archive-date=November 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109051616/http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/11/06/duckworth-defeats-walsh-in-8th-congressional/}} making her the first Asian-American from Illinois in Congress,{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/11/10/duckworth-the-first-asian-american-from-illinois-in-congress/|title=Duckworth the first Asian-American from Illinois in Congress|author=Duaa Eldeib|date=November 10, 2012|access-date=January 4, 2013|work=Chicago Tribune}} the first woman with a disability elected to Congress,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42803733|work=BBC News|title=Tammy Duckworth: The mother making history in the US Senate|date=January 27, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2020|archive-date=March 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319044152/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42803733}} and the first member of Congress born in Thailand.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/01/24/tammy-duckworth-will-be-the-senates-first-new-mom-but-she-already-has-a-record-of-blazing-trails/|author=Swenson, Kyle|title=Tammy Duckworth will be the Senate's first new mom, but she already has a record of blazing trails|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 27, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2020|archive-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124131418/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/01/24/tammy-duckworth-will-be-the-senates-first-new-mom-but-she-already-has-a-record-of-blazing-trails/}}

{{see also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois#District 8}}

In the 2014 general election, Duckworth faced Republican nominee Larry Kaifesh, a United States Marine Corps officer who had recently left active duty as a colonel.{{cite news|last=Hinz|first=Greg|date=November 4, 2013|title=Marine veteran to take on U.S. Rep. Duckworth|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20131104/BLOGS02/131109957/marine-veteran-to-take-on-u-s-rep-duckworth|newspaper=Crain's Chicago Business|access-date=January 24, 2015}} She defeated him with 56% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionInformation/GetVoteTotals.aspx|title=Illinois General Election 2014|publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections|date=November 4, 2014|access-date=February 24, 2015|archive-date=December 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215214831/http://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionInformation/GetVoteTotals.aspx}}

Duckworth was sworn into office on January 3, 2013.{{cite news|last1=Santostefano|first1=Melanie|title=Tammy Duckworth Sworn in to Congress|url=http://patch.com/illinois/palatine/tammy-duckworth-sworn-in-to-congress-3c86ea11|access-date=February 5, 2016|newspaper=Palatine Patch|date=January 5, 2013}}

On April 3, 2013, Duckworth publicly returned 8.4% ($1,218) of her congressional salary for that month to the United States Department of Treasury in solidarity with furloughed government workers.{{cite news|last1=Kiene|first1=Chelsea|title=Tammy Duckworth Returns Portion Of Salary In Sequestration Solidarity|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/04/tammy-duckworth-salary_n_3016083.html|access-date=February 5, 2016|work=The Huffington Post|date=April 4, 2013}}

On June 26, 2013, during a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Duckworth received national media attention after questioning Strong Castle CEO Braulio Castillo on a $500 million government contract the company had been awarded based on Castillo's disabled veteran status.{{cite news|last=Graham|first=D. A.|title=Tammy Duckworth's Impassioned Shaming of a Faux-Disabled Vet|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/06/tammy-duckworths-impassioned-shaming-of-a-faux-disabled-vet/277282|work=The Atlantic|date=June 27, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2013}}{{cite magazine|last=Thompson|first=M.|title=Service-Connected Dissembling|url=https://nation.time.com/2013/06/27/service-connected-dissembling/|magazine=Time |date=June 27, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2013}} Castillo had injured his ankle at the US Military Academy's prep school, USMAPS, in 1984.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/duckworth-scolds-contractor-over-phony-war-wound/1957483/|title=Duckworth Scolds Contractor Over Phony "War Wound"|newspaper=NBC Chicago }}

• Committee on Armed Services
• Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces (2013–2017)
• Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (2013–2015)
• Subcommittee on Readiness (2015–2017)
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
• Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements (2013–2015)
• Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Job Creation and Regulatory Affairs (2013–2015)
• Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets, Ranking Member (2015–2017)
• Subcommittee on Information Technology (2015–2017)
• United States House Select Committee on Benghazi (May 2014–July 2016)

{{main|2016 United States Senate election in Illinois}}

On March 30, 2015, Duckworth announced that she would challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk in the 2016 Senate election in Illinois.{{cite news|title=Tammy Duckworth Running Against Mark Kirk for US Senate |first=Michelle |last=Gallardo |url=https://abc7chicago.com/politics/duckworth-running-against-kirk-for-us-senate/587706/|access-date=March 30, 2015|publisher=Chicago ABC 7 Eyewitness News|date=March 30, 2015}} She defeated Andrea Zopp and Napoleon Harris in the March 15, 2016, Democratic primary.{{cite news |first=Karen |last=Jordan |title=Duckworth, Kirk win Illinois US Senate Primaries|url=https://abc7chicago.com/politics/duckworth-kirk-win-illinois-us-senate-primaries/1247032/|access-date=March 17, 2016|publisher=Chicago ABC 7 Eyewitness News|date=March 16, 2016}}

During a televised debate on October 27, 2016, Duckworth talked about her ancestors' past service in the U.S. military. Kirk responded, "I'd forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington." This led the Human Rights Campaign to rescind its endorsement of Kirk and switch it to Duckworth, calling Kirk's comment "deeply offensive and racist."{{cite news|last1=Morin|first1=Rebecca|title=Human Rights Campaign revokes Mark Kirk endorsement|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/human-rights-campaign-revokes-mark-kirk-endorsement-230495|access-date=October 30, 2016|publisher=Politico|date=October 29, 2016}}{{cite news|title=HRC Revokes Endorsement Following Racist Comments of Senator Mark Kirk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202002122/https://www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-revokes-endorsement-following-racist-comments-of-senator-mark-kirk|url=http://www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-revokes-endorsement-following-racist-comments-of-senator-mark-kirk|archive-date=February 2, 2017|access-date=October 30, 2016|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|date=October 29, 2016}}

Duckworth was endorsed by Barack Obama, who actively campaigned for her.{{Cite news|title=Obama's appearance with this Illinois Senate candidate may be the exception and not the rule|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/10/12/obamas-appearance-with-this-illinois-senate-candidate-may-be-the-exception-and-not-the-rule/|access-date=2020-08-09|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en}}

On November 8, Duckworth defeated Kirk, 55% to 40%.{{cite news |last1=Pearson |first1=Rick |date=2016-11-09 |title=Duckworth claims victory over Kirk in U.S. Senate race |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-senate-election-kirk-duckworth-met-1109-20161108-story.html |url-status=live |work=Chicago Tribune |language=en |issn=2165-171X |oclc=7960243 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108143839/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-senate-election-kirk-duckworth-met-1109-20161108-story.html |archive-date=2020-11-08 |access-date=2021-06-03}} She and Kamala Harris, who was also elected in 2016, are the second and third female Asian American senators, after Mazie Hirono, who was elected in 2012.

{{Main|2022 United States Senate election in Illinois}}

In March 2021, Duckworth announced her candidacy for reelection in 2022.{{cite news |date=2021-03-10 |title=US Sen. Tammy Duckworth announces re-election bid |language=en-US |work=Associated Press |location=Chicago |url=https://apnews.com/article/cory-booker-mark-kirk-chicago-new-jersey-elections-018702d66dd210a986ddf8826894386c |url-status=live |access-date=2021-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311010343/https://apnews.com/article/cory-booker-mark-kirk-chicago-new-jersey-elections-018702d66dd210a986ddf8826894386c |archive-date=Mar 11, 2021}} On November 8, 2022, she was reelected, defeating Republican nominee Kathy Salvi.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth wins second term; incumbent Illinois comptroller, treasurer also see early leads in reelection bids |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/elections/ct-illinois-us-senate-state-comptroller-treasurer-20221109-cv65xyudtbhxxc2trhdikeqqiq-story.html|date=2022-11-09 |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=Chicago Tribune|first1=Alice|last1=Yin|first2=Adriana|last2=Pérez}} The win made Duckworth the first woman reelected to the Senate from Illinois.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-09 |title=Sen. Tammy Duckworth cruises to second term over Republican challenger Kathy Salvi |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2022/11/8/23447713/senate-duckworth-election-illinois-tammy-kathy-salvi-results |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=Chicago Sun-Times|first1=Mitchell|last1=Armentrout|first2=Michelle|last2=Meyer|language=en}}

File:DSC 7407 (35341492491).jpg in the Senate and its staff, June 21, 2017]]

According to The Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL), a joint partnership between the University of Virginia's Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and Vanderbilt University,{{cite web|url=https://thelawmakers.org/ |publisher=University of Virginia & Vanderbilt University |title=The Center for Effective Lawmaking |access-date=2020-05-03}} Duckworth's "Legislative Effectiveness Score" (LES) is "Exceeds Expectations" as a freshman senator in the 115th Congress (2017–18), the 11th highest out of 48 Democratic senators.{{cite web|url=https://thelawmakers.org/legislative-effectiveness-scores/highlights-from-the-new-115th-congress-legislative-effectiveness-scores |title=Highlights from the New 115th Congress Legislative Effectiveness Scores |publisher=The Center for Effective Lawmaking |date=2019-02-27 |access-date=2020-05-03 |quote=Finally, we note those new freshmen lawmakers who are off to a promising start in their first two years, scoring in our "Exceeds Expectations" category in their first term in office. Research suggests that performance in a lawmaker's freshman term is highly correlated with subsequent lawmaking effectiveness, as well as with their overall career trajectory.

Among them are two Senators (out of the eleven Senators in their freshman class), John Kennedy of Louisiana and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois. Kennedy sponsored 26 bills, including four that passed the Senate and eventually became law, on issues ranging from national flood insurance and small business disaster loans to mandatory disclosure of corrupt practices among lobbyists. Duckworth shepherded three of her 45 proposed bills into law, including the Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act of 2018.}}

GovTrack's Report Card on Duckworth for the 115th Congress found that among Senate freshmen, she ranked first in favorably reporting bills out of committee and "Got influential cosponsors the most often compared to Senate freshmen."{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/tammy_duckworth/412533/report-card/2018 |publisher=GovTrack |title=Sen. Tammy Duckworth's 2018 Report Card |access-date=2020-07-12}} GovTrack also found that in the first session of the 116th Congress, Duckworth ranked first in favorably reporting bills out of committee and "Got influential cosponsors the most often compared to Senate sophomores."{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/tammy_duckworth/412533/report-card/2019 |publisher=GovTrack |title=Sen. Tammy Duckworth's 2019 Report Card |access-date=2020-07-12}}

During the 115th Congress, Duckworth was credited with saving the Americans with Disabilities Act.{{cite web|url=https://rewire.news/article/2018/04/03/sen-tammy-duckworth-saves-americans-disabilities-act-now/|title=Sen. Tammy Duckworth Saves the Americans With Disabilities Act—For Now|publisher=Rewire.News|author=Powell, Robyn|date=April 3, 2018|access-date=July 12, 2020}} Specifically, she led public opposition to a controversial bill, H.R. 620,{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/congress-is-on-the-offensive-against-americans-with-disabilities/2017/10/17/f508069c-b359-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html|title=Congress wants to make Americans with disabilities second-class citizens again|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Duckworth, Tammy|date=October 17, 2017|access-date=July 12, 2020}} and led 42 senators in pledging to oppose any effort to pass H.R. 620 through the Senate.{{cite web|url=http://www.c-c-d.org/fichiers/Joint-Letter-to-Majority-Leader-Opposing-H.R.-620.pdf|title=Joint Letter to Majority Leader Opposing H.R. 620 |author=Duckworth, Tammy|date=March 28, 2018|access-date=July 12, 2020}} The Veterans Service Organization and Paralyzed Veterans of America recognized Duckworth's leadership in defending the Americans with Disabilities Act.{{cite web|url=https://www.pva.org/news-and-media-center/recent-news/pva-announces-senator-duckworth-as-recipient-of-20/ |title=PVA announces Senator Duckworth as recipient of 2019 Gordon Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award |publisher=Paralyzed Veterans of America |date=2019-09-17 |access-date=2020-07-12 }}

In January 2018, when the federal government shut down after the Senate could not agree on a funding bill, Duckworth responded to President Trump's accusations that the Democrats were putting "unlawful immigrants" ahead of the military: {{cquote|I spent my entire adult life looking out for the well-being, the training, the equipping of the troops for whom I was responsible. Sadly, this is something that the current occupant of the Oval Office does not seem to care to do—and I will not be lectured about what our military needs by a five-deferment draft dodger. And I have a message for Cadet Bone Spurs: If you cared about our military, you'd stop baiting Kim Jong Un into a war that could put 85,000 American troops, and millions of innocent civilians, in danger.{{cite web|last1=Carter|first1=Brandon|title=Duckworth slams Trump: I won't be lectured on military needs by a 'five-deferment draft dodger'|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/369960-dem-slams-trump-i-wont-be-lectured-on-military-needs-by-a-five-deferment/|website=The Hill |date=January 20, 2018 |access-date=January 20, 2018}}}}

File:Murray StopKavanaugh Presser 090618 (18 of 51) (44518649941).jpg press conference on September 6, 2018]]

In 2018, Duckworth became the first U.S. senator to give birth while in office.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/09/600896586/tammy-duckworth-becomes-first-u-s-senator-to-give-birth-while-in-office|title=Tammy Duckworth Becomes First U.S. Senator To Give Birth While In Office|publisher=NPR|author=Wamsley, Laurel|date=April 9, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2020|archive-date=April 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409234711/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/09/600896586/tammy-duckworth-becomes-first-u-s-senator-to-give-birth-while-in-office}} Shortly afterward, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 463, which she introduced on April 12, 2018, by unanimous consent. The resolution changed Senate rules so that a senator may bring a child under one year old to the Senate floor during votes.{{cite news |date=April 19, 2018 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/18/politics/tammy-duckworth-senate-baby-rules/index.html|title=Babies now allowed on Senate floor after rule change|first=Sunlen |last=Serfaty|publisher=CNN}} The day after the rules were changed, Duckworth's daughter became the first baby on the Senate floor.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/17/politics/tammy-duckworth-senate-baby-rules/index.html|title=Duckworth proposes rule allowing babies on Senate floor|first=Sunlen |last=Serfaty|publisher=CNN|date=April 17, 2018|access-date=September 5, 2020}}{{cite news |first=Elise |last=Viebeck |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/a-duckling-onesie-and-a-blazer-the-senate-floor-sees-its-first-baby-but-many-traditions-stand/2018/04/19/451ea160-43e0-11e8-ad8f-27a8c409298b_story.html |title=A duckling onesie and a blazer: The Senate floor sees its first baby, but many traditions stand |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 20, 2018 |access-date=2018-04-20}}

On April 15, 2020, the Trump administration invited Duckworth to join a bipartisan task force on the reopening of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/16/white-house-congress-advise-reopening-economy-190027|title=White House taps members of Congress to advise on reopening economy|website=Politico |first1=Marianne |last1=Levine |first2=Sarah |last2=Ferris |first3=Melanie |last3=Zanona |date=April 16, 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-04-16}}

Duckworth was publicly critical of Trump's decision to nominate Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in September 2020. A devout Catholic, Barrett is a member of a group that considers in vitro fertilization immoral. Duckworth said that Barrett's membership in such an organization was "disqualifying and, frankly, insulting to every parent".{{cite web|title=Democratic US Senator opposes Amy Coney Barrett confirmation over IVF|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/46126/democratic-us-senator-opposes-amy-coney-barrett-confirmation-over-ivf|date=October 7, 2020|access-date=October 9, 2020|publisher=Catholic News Agency}}

The Center for Effective Lawmaking, a joint initiative of the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, ranked Duckworth the fifth-most effective Democratic senator in the 116th Congress and the most effective Democratic senator on transportation policy.{{Cite web|title=Highlights from the New 116th Congress Legislative Effectiveness Scores|url=https://thelawmakers.org/legislative-effectiveness-scores/highlights-from-the-new-116th-congress-legislative-effectiveness-scores|quote=Sen. Tammy Duckworth is also in her first term as a U.S. Senator. Looking back to the previous Congress, it is worth noting that she was one of only two freshmen Senators in the 115th Congress who was designated to be in our "Exceeds Expectations" categories, and she continues to retain that rating into the 116th Congress, in which she rounds out the top five most effective Democratic lawmakers in the Senate.}} Craig Volden and Alan Wiseman, co-directors of the Center for Effective Lawmaking, said, "While still in her first term, Senator Tammy Duckworth has risen to the top five among effective Democratic lawmakers in the Senate. She sponsored 77 bills in the 116th Congress, with four of them passing the Republican-controlled Senate and two becoming law."{{Cite web|date=March 11, 2021|title=DUCKWORTH AMONG CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE LAWMAKING'S "MOST EFFECTIVE" DEMOCRATIC SENATORS|website=duckworth.senate.gov|url=https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-among-center-for-effective-lawmakings-most-effective-democratic-senators-}}

File:06.06 總統接見美國聯邦參議員訪團 - Flickr id 51227057227.jpg in Taipei, Taiwan, June 2021]]

On January 3, 2021, Duckworth received a vote for Speaker of the House of Representatives from Jared Golden despite not being a member of that legislative body and therefore not a serious candidate.{{Cite web| last1=Lillis| first1=Mike| last2=Wong| first2=Scott| date=January 3, 2021| title=Pelosi wins Speakership for fourth time in dramatic vote| url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/532444-pelosi-wins-speakership-for-fourth-time-in-dramatic-vote/| work=The Hill| access-date=January 4, 2021}}

Duckworth was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. In the wake of the attack, she called Trump "a threat to our nation" and called for his immediate removal from office through the invocation of the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution or impeachment.{{cite news |last1=Bremer |first1=Shelby |title=16 Members of Congress From Illinois Support Trump's Removal From Office |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/15-members-of-congress-from-illinois-support-trumps-removal-from-office/2411443/ |access-date=9 January 2021 |work=NBC Chicago |date=8 January 2021}} Two days later, on January 8, she also called for the resignation of Representative Mary Miller, who had quoted Adolf Hitler during a speech on January 5.{{cite news |last1=Kapos |first1=Shia |title=Freshman lawmaker hit with colleagues' fury after Hitler comments |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/08/illinois-lawmaker-hitler-comments-456596 |access-date=9 January 2021 |work=POLITICO |date=8 January 2021 |language=en}}

In June 2022, President Biden sent Duckworth to Taiwan, where she held a press conference with Tsai Ing-wen to announce the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade in the wake of fears of angering China by the other partners to the May 2022 Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.{{cite news |title=China angered by Taiwan-US trade talks |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNWii5_qk7s |agency=YouTube |publisher=DW News |date=3 June 2022}}{{cite news |title=U.S., Taiwan to launch trade talks after island excluded from Indo-Pacific group |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/us-taiwan-launch-trade-talks-after-biden-excludes-island-indo-pacific-group-2022-06-01/ |publisher=Reuters |date=1 June 2022}} Her mission was planned in conjunction with the Office of the United States Trade Representative, which leads the Initiative for Washington.

Duckworth is the sponsor of S. 3635, the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022, which would provide line of duty death designation to law enforcement and other public safety officers who die as a result of traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other "silent" injuries.{{Cite web |last=Duckworth |first=Tammy |date=2022-06-14 |title=All Info - S.3635 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022 |url=http://www.congress.gov/ |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=www.congress.gov}} The bill is based on the death of Washington, D.C. police officer Jeffrey Smith in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Smith died of post-concussive syndrome after suffering repeated attacks at the Capitol.{{Cite web |last=Duckworth |first=Tammy |date=March 30, 2022 |title=Tweet |url=https://twitter.com/senduckworth/status/1509272006239395845 |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Exclusive: Widow of D.C. police officer Jeff Smith, who died by suicide, says battling rioters on Jan. 6 |url=https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/in-the-news/exclusive-widow-of-dc-police-officer-jeff-smith-who-died-by-suicide-says-battling-rioters-on-jan-6-changed-him |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=www.duckworth.senate.gov |language=en}}

In February 2023, Duckworth was named chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.{{Cite web |last=Lynch|first=Kerry|title=Duckworth Takes Helm of Senate Aviation Panel |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-02-06/duckworth-takes-helm-senate-aviation-panel |access-date=2023-03-14 |date=2023-02-06 |publisher=Aviation International News |language=en}} She and Deb Fischer sponsored a bill to improve reporting on complaints from disabled airline passengers.{{Cite web |last=Wichter|first=Zach|title=Senate bill would require more detailed reporting on complaints from disabled travelers |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2023/02/14/disability-complaints-airline/11250275002/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |date=2023-02-14 |publisher=USA Today |language=en}} In June 2023, Duckworth criticized Senator Kyrsten Sinema for proposing legislation to limit the amount of time an airplane pilot needs to train for certification.{{cite web | url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate/tammy-duckworth-hits-sinema-pilot-proposal-blood-on-hands | title=Tammy Duckworth hits Kyrsten Sinema for pilot proposal: 'Blood on your hands' | date=June 16, 2023 }}

In November 2023, Duckworth organized a meeting with Israeli defense officials to discuss their strategy in the Gaza war.{{cite news |title=With Ceasefire Calls Growing, Israeli Military Launches Closed-Door "PR Blitz" on Capitol Hill |url=https://theintercept.com/2023/11/28/israel-ceasefire-congress-gaza/ |work=The Intercept |date=November 28, 2023}} When asked whether she would support a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, she replied that it "would not help the residents of Gaza nor would it help the security of Israel".{{cite news |last1=Prout |first1=Katie |title=Why isn't Senator Tammy Duckworth picking up the phone? |url=https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/duckworth-durbin-ceasefire/ |work=Chicago Reader |date=February 1, 2024}}

• Committee on Armed Services (2019–present)
• Subcommittee on Airland
• Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
• Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
• Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
• Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security (chair)
• Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet
• Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security
• Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
• Committee on Foreign Relations (2023–present)
• Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy and Environmental Policy (chair)
• Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation
• Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy
• Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

• Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (2017–2019)
• Committee on Environment and Public Works (2017-2023)

• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://capac-chu.house.gov/members|publisher=Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus|access-date=17 May 2018}}
• Expand Social Security Caucus
• Senate Taiwan Caucus{{cite web|title=Senate Taiwan Caucus 118th Congress (2023-2024)|author=|url=https://fapa.org/senate-taiwan-caucus/|format=|publisher=Formosan Association for Public Affairs|date=February 5, 2004|accessdate=8 October 2024}}
• Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus{{Cite web |title=Bipartisan Group of Senators Launches Whistleblower Protection Caucus |url=https://www.whistleblowers.org/news/bipartisan-group-of-senators-launches-whistleblower-protection-caucus/ |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=National Whistleblower Center |language=en-US}}

Duckworth spoke at the 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024 Democratic National Conventions.{{cite news|title=Conventions 2008 – the Democrats|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/campaign08/democratic-convention/aug27.html|access-date=August 26, 2008}}{{cite web|title=Ledbetter, Baldwin, Longoria to address Dem convention |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/08/ledbetter-baldwin-longoria-to-address-dem-convention-132764 |first=Alexander |last=Burns |date=August 21, 2012 |access-date=August 22, 2012}}{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2012-09-04-chi-duckworth-touts-obama-record-at-dnc-convention-20120904-story.html |first=Rick |last=Pearson |date=September 4, 2012 |title=Duckworth touts Obama record at DNC convention |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=November 12, 2014 }} She was the permanent co-chair of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.{{cite web |title=Democratic National Convention Announces 2020 Convention Officers, Schedule of Events |url=https://www.demconvention.com/press-releases/democratic-national-convention-announces-2020-convention-officers-schedule-of-events/ |website=2020 Democratic National Convention |access-date=August 3, 2020 |date=July 30, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804111045/https://www.demconvention.com/press-releases/democratic-national-convention-announces-2020-convention-officers-schedule-of-events/ }} At the 2020 convention, she called Trump "coward-in-chief" for not supporting the American military.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/513044-duckworth-blasts-trump-as-coward-in-chief/|title=Duckworth blasts Trump as 'coward in chief'|work=The Hill|last=Carney|first=Jordain|date=August 20, 2020|access-date=August 21, 2020}}{{cite AV media|url=https://www.politico.com/video/2020/08/20/duckworth-calls-trump-coward-in-chief-085596|people=Tammy Duckworth|date=August 20, 2020|title=Duckworth calls Trump 'coward in chief'|publisher=Politico|access-date=August 21, 2020|time=2:07}}

Duckworth was vetted as a possible running mate during Joe Biden's vice presidential candidate selection.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/duckworth-emerging-as-a-contender-to-be-bidens-running-mate/2020/07/05/285fed3e-be60-11ea-bdaf-a129f921026f_story.html|title=Duckworth emerging as a contender to be Biden's running mate|date=July 5, 2020|last=Sullivan|first=Sean|newspaper=The Washington Post }} Kamala Harris was selected instead.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/02/politics/joe-biden-vice-presidential-running-mate/index.html|title=Top Biden VP contenders face sexist tropes, intense scrutiny in final stretch|date=August 2, 2020|work=CNN|last=Reston|first=Maeve}} Biden nominated Duckworth as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, along with Gretchen Whitmer, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Filemon Vela Jr.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/jaime-harrison-dnc-biden/index.html|title=Biden names Jaime Harrison as his pick for DNC chair|author=Dan Merica, Jeff Zeleny and Kate Sullivan|website=CNN|date=January 14, 2021}}

In April 2019, Duckworth was one of 12 senators to sign a bipartisan letter to top senators on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development advocating that the Energy Department be granted maximum funding for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), arguing that American job growth could be stimulated by investment in viable options to capture carbon emissions and expressing disagreement with Trump's 2020 budget request to combine the two federal programs that include carbon capture research.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/437618-bipartisan-group-of-senators-request-highest-possible-funding-for/|title=Bipartisan senators want 'highest possible' funding for carbon capture technology|first=Miranda|last=Green|date=April 5, 2019|work=The Hill}} She was a member of the Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, which published a report of its findings in August 2020.{{Cite web |title=Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis {{!}} Senate Democratic Leadership |url=https://www.democrats.senate.gov/about-senate-dems/climate |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=www.democrats.senate.gov |language=en}}

File:Tammy Duckworth wheelchair.jpg, June 2, 2005.]]

During her unsuccessful 2006 congressional campaign, Duckworth called on Congress to audit the estimated $437 billion spent on overseas military and foreign aid since September 11, 2001.{{cite news|newspaper=Northbrook Star|date=August 17, 2006|author=Pat Corcoran|title=Duckworth calls for investigation of foreign spending since 9/11|url=http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/nb/08-17-06-1005047.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821081045/http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/nb/08-17-06-1005047.html|archive-date=August 21, 2006}}

On September 30, 2006, Duckworth gave the Democratic Party's response to President George W. Bush's weekly radio address. In it, she criticized Bush's Iraq War strategy.{{cite news|last1=Biemer|first1=John|title=Duckworth: Bush has slogans, not strategies on Iraq|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/10/01/duckworth-bush-has-slogans-not-strategies-on-iraq/|access-date=May 9, 2016|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=October 1, 2006}}

In October 2006, The Sunday Times reported that Duckworth agreed with General Sir Richard Dannatt, the British Army chief, that the presence of coalition troops was exacerbating the conflict in Iraq.{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Baxter |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,2089-2415686,00.html |title=War heroine leads Democrat charge |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=October 22, 2006 }}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Duckworth supports continued U.S. military aid to Israel and opposes the movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. She opposes Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.{{cite news |title=Illinois's Jewish community praises VP contender Tammy Duckworth |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2020/07/illinoiss-jewish-community-praises-vp-contender-tammy-duckworth/ |work=Jewish Insider |date=July 29, 2020}}

In May 2019, Duckworth was a cosponsor of the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act,{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1634/text |title=S.1634 - A bill to impose sanctions with respect to the People's Republic of China in relation to activities in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, and for other purposes |date=May 23, 2019 |website=Congress.gov |publisher=116th United States Congress |access-date=June 28, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424041819/https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1634/text |archive-date=April 24, 2020}} a bipartisan bill reintroduced by Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin that was intended to disrupt China's consolidation or expansion of its claims of jurisdiction over both the sea and air space in disputed zones in the South China Sea.{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/bill-introduced-to-deter-china-in-south-china-east-china-seas|title=US Bill reintroduced to deter China in South China, East China seas|first=Nirmal|last=Ghosh|date=May 24, 2019|publisher=The Straits Times}}

On June 6, 2021, Duckworth and Senators Dan Sullivan and Christopher Coons visited Taipei in an U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport to meet President Tsai Ing-wen and Minister Joseph Wu during the pandemic outbreak of Taiwan to announce President Biden's donation plan of 750,000 COVID-19 vaccines included in the global COVAX program.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/three-us-senators-arrive-taiwan-meet-president-2021-06-05/ |title=U.S. boosts Taiwan's COVID-19 fight with vaccines as senators visit |last=Blanchard |first=Ben |work=Reuters |date=June 6, 2021 |location=Taipei |access-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606001617/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/three-us-senators-arrive-taiwan-meet-president-2021-06-05 |archive-date=June 6, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/3-us-senators-to-visit-taiwan-discuss-relations/2021/06/05/d06a1b8a-c60c-11eb-89a4-b7ae22aa193e_story.html |title=US senators promise vaccines for Taiwan amid China row |author=Taijing Wu |author2=Zen Soo |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 6, 2021 |access-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606020714/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/3-us-senators-to-visit-taiwan-discuss-relations/2021/06/05/d06a1b8a-c60c-11eb-89a4-b7ae22aa193e_story.html}}

Duckworth was rated by the National Rifle Association of America as having a pro-gun control congressional voting record.{{cite web|title=Tammy Duckworth on Gun Control|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Tammy_Duckworth_Gun_Control.htm|website=On The Issues|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706152058/http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Tammy_Duckworth_Gun_Control.htm|archive-date=July 6, 2022|url-status=live}} A gun owner herself, she cites violence in Chicago as a major influence for her support of gun control. She supports universal background checks, the halting of state-to-state gun trafficking, and a national assault weapons ban.{{cite web |title=Senate Democrats face new pressure to pass assault weapons ban |work=The Hill |date=July 8, 2022 |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3549487-senate-democrats-face-new-pressure-to-pass-assault-weapons-ban/ |access-date=7 August 2022 |ref=34 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708103702/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3549487-senate-democrats-face-new-pressure-to-pass-assault-weapons-ban/ |archive-date=July 8, 2022 |url-status=live |last1=Bolton |first1=Alexander }}

Duckworth participated in the 2016 Chris Murphy gun control filibuster. During the 2016 United States House of Representatives sit-in, she hid her mobile phone in her prosthetic leg to prevent it being taken away from her since taking pictures and recording on the House floor is against policy.{{cite web|last1=Nelson|first1=Rebecca|title=The Dark Humor of Tammy Duckworth, Iraq War Hero and Gun Control Advocate|url=https://www.gq.com/story/tammy-duckworth-iraq-war-hero-and-gun-control-advocate-interview|website=GQ|access-date=October 4, 2017|language=en|date=September 29, 2016}}

In a 2016 interview with GQ magazine, Duckworth said that gaining control of the Senate and "closing the gap" in the House would be necessary to pass firearm restrictions. She also said she believed that moderate Republicans, who support gun control, would have more power if they were not "pushed aside by those folks who are absolutely beholden to the NRA. And so we never get the vote."

Duckworth supports abortion rights.{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Slevin |date=February 19, 2006 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/18/AR2006021801295_pf.html|title=After War Injury, an Iraq Vet Takes on Politics|newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 20, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Pathe|first1=Simone|title=Another Democrat Gets in Race to Replace Duckworth|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/another-democrat-gets-race-replace-duckworth|access-date=May 9, 2016|newspaper=Roll Call|date=August 25, 2015}} After Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, she said she was "outraged and horrified" and called the decision a "nightmare" that robbed women of their right to make health care decisions.{{cite web |last1=Duckworth |first1=Tammy |title="I am outraged and horrified—this outcome is a nightmare that robs women of their right to make their own choices about their healthcare and their bodies, and it paves the way for a nationwide abortion ban that Republicans have been seeking for decades." |url=https://twitter.com/SenDuckworth/status/1540356083616727040 |website=Twitter |access-date=24 June 2022 |language=en}}

Duckworth supported the Affordable Care Act.{{cite news|last1=Skiba|first1=Katherine|title=Duckworth's rebound paved by help from Democrats in high places|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-tammy-duckworth-us-senate-profile-met-20160302-story.html|access-date=May 9, 2016|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=March 3, 2016}}

Duckworth supports comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for those in the country illegally. She would admit 100,000 Syrian refugees into the United States.

In August 2018, Duckworth was one of 17 senators to sign a letter spearheaded by Kamala Harris to United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen demanding that the Trump administration take immediate action in attempting to reunite 539 migrant children with their families, citing each passing day of inaction as intensifying "trauma that this administration has needlessly caused for children and their families seeking humanitarian protection."{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/401999-senate-democrats-demand-immediate-reunification-of-remaining-separated/|title=Senate Dems demand immediate reunification of remaining separated children|first=Nathaniel|last=Weixel|date=August 15, 2018|work=The Hill}}

In May 2010, Northern Illinois University awarded Duckworth the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.{{cite web|url=http://www.niu.edu/mediarelations/news/2010/april/duckworth.shtml |title=NIU to award honorary degree to 'a true American hero' |publisher=Northern Illinois University |access-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606171021/http://www.niu.edu/mediarelations/news/2010/april/duckworth.shtml |archive-date=June 6, 2011 }}{{Cite web|url=https://niu.edu/academicaffairs/awards/degrees-recipient.shtml|title=Honorary Degrees Recipients – NIU – Division of Academic Affairs|website=Northern Illinois University}} In 2011, Chicago's Access Living honored her for her work on behalf of veterans with disabilities, giving her the Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award.{{cite news |first=Karen |last=Meyer |url=http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=community&id=5400678 |title=Duckworth to be honored for commitment to disabled veterans |work=ABC-7 Chicago |access-date=November 12, 2014 |date=June 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604005120/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=resources%2Flifestyle_community%2Fcommunity&id=5400678 |archive-date=June 4, 2011 }}

Duckworth is heavily decorated for her service in Iraq, with over 10 distinct military honors, most notably the Purple Heart, an award her Marine father had also received. In 2010, she was inducted into the Army Women's hall of fame.{{Cite web |last= Hemmerly-Brown |first=Alexandra |date=March 18, 2010 |title=Duckworth, Vaught inducted into Army Women's Foundation hall of fame |url=https://www.army.mil/article/36038/duckworth_vaught_inducted_into_army_womens_foundation_hall_of_fame |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=U.S. Army |language=en}}

Former Republican presidential candidate and U.S. senator Bob Dole dedicated his autobiography One Soldier's Story in part to Duckworth.{{cite news|first=Michael|last=Sneed|author-link=Michael Sneed|title=Did you know.|work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=August 20, 2006}} Duckworth credits Dole for inspiring her to pursue public service, while she recuperated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.{{cite news|first=John|last=Biemer|title=Dole makes it clear: He backs Roskam over Duckworth|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-09-29-0609290287-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |date=September 29, 2006|access-date = October 20, 2006}}

Duckworth has been married to Bryan Bowlsbey since 1993.{{cite news |last=Fergus |first=Mary Ann |date=June 29, 2007 |title=Duckworth on homefront as husband off to war |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-06-29-0706281057-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |location=Chicago, IL}} They met during Duckworth's participation in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and served together in the Illinois Army National Guard. A Signal Corps officer, Bowlsbey is also a veteran of the Iraq War.{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Mark|title=Duckworth's husband Iraq-bound|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=February 14, 2007|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/256202,CST-NWS-brown14.article|access-date=March 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224223942/http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/256202,CST-NWS-brown14.article|archive-date=February 24, 2007}} Both have since retired from the armed forces.{{cite news |last=Laviola |first=Erin |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Tammy Duckworth's Husband, Bryan Bowlsbey: 5 Fast Facts |url=https://heavy.com/news/2020/07/tammy-duckworth-husband-bryan-bowlsbey/ |work=Heavy.com |location=New York, NY}}

Duckworth and Bowlsbey have two daughters: Abigail, born in 2014,{{cite news|last1=Skiba|first1=Katherine|title=Rep. Tammy Duckworth gives birth to daughter|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-tammy-duckworth-baby-met-20141120-story.html|access-date=May 9, 2016|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=November 20, 2014}} and Maile, born in 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/382293-tammy-duckworth-gives-birth-to-baby-girl/|title=Duckworth gives birth to baby girl|last=Anapol|first=Avery|date=2018-04-09|work=TheHill|access-date=2018-04-09|language=en}} Maile's birth made Duckworth the first U.S. senator to give birth while in office.{{Cite news |date=January 24, 2018 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/heidi-stevens/ct-life-stevens-tuesday-tammy-duckworth-pregnant-0123-story.html |title=Tammy Duckworth expecting 2nd child; will be 1st sitting senator to give birth|last=Stevens|first=Heidi|work=chicagotribune.com|access-date=January 23, 2018|language=en-US}} Former Senator Daniel Akaka from Hawaii helped the couple name both girls; Akaka died on April 6, 2018, three days before Maile was born.{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/09/us/politics/tammy-duckworth-birth.html|title=Tammy Duckworth Becomes First U.S. Senator to Give Birth While in Office|last=Stack|first=Liam|work=The New York Times|date=April 9, 2018|access-date=April 10, 2018}} Shortly after Maile's birth, a Senate rule change permitted senators to bring children under one year old on the Senate floor to breastfeed. This was a symbolic moment for Duckworth, as she had previously introduced the bipartisan Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act to ensure new mothers access to safe, clean and accessible lactation rooms in airports. The day after the rule change, Duckworth brought Maile with her while casting a vote, making Duckworth the first senator to cast a vote while holding a baby. Duckworth has discussed using IVF to conceive her daughters after struggling with infertility for 10 years,{{Cite web |last=Release |first=Press |date=June 3, 2024 |title=Duckworth, Murray, Booker Unveil Sweeping Legislative Package to Establish a Nationwide Right to IVF and Lower IVF Costs for Families |url=https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-murray-booker-unveil-sweeping-legislative-package-to-establish-a-nationwide-right-to-ivf-and-lower-ivf-costs-for-families |website=duckworth.senate.gov}} saying, "my struggle with infertility was more painful than any wound I earned on the battlefield".{{Cite web |last=Duckworth |first=Tammy |date=August 20, 2024 |title=2024 DNC Live: Speeches from Doug Emhoff, Tammy Duckworth plus Michelle and Barack Obama |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hj-B9S6w4M |website=youtube.com}}

Duckworth helped establish the Intrepid Foundation to help injured veterans.{{cite news|last1=Haglund|first1=Alex|date=June 27, 2011|title=Duckworth, Pitcher honored along with all women veterans in Mt. Vernon|newspaper=Advocate-Press|url=http://www.advocatepress.com/article/20110627/NEWS/306279893|access-date=February 5, 2016|archive-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124072153/http://www.advocatepress.com/article/20110627/NEWS/306279893}}

Lt. Col. Tammy Duckworth earned the following decorations and awards during her US Army career:

Army Aviator Badge

Purple Heart medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal

Army Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, US Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters

National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze hourglass device and Mobilization M, Army Service Ribbon and Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon with 2 device

Articles

• "We've Been on the Front Lines. We Know What Ukraine Needs." The New York Times, July 24, 2023 (co-authored with Mark Kelly).{{Cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Mark |author-link=Mark Kelly |last2=Duckworth |first2=Tammy |author-link2=Tammy Duckworth |date=July 24, 2023 |title=We've Been on the Front Lines. We Know What Ukraine Needs. |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/24/opinion/ukraine-russia-war-military-aid.html |access-date=April 16, 2024}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Illinois 6th Congressional District Democratic Primary, 2006{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=WSbwuUde0qk%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|title=Election Results 2006 – General Primary|publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections|access-date=November 6, 2019|archive-date=March 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313213538/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=WSbwuUde0qk%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = L. Tammy Duckworth

| votes = 14,283

| percentage = 43.85

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Christine Cegelis

| votes = 13,159

| percentage = 40.40

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Lindy Scott

| votes = 5,133

| percentage = 15.76

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 32,575

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Illinois 6th Congressional District General Election, 2006{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=GJnulrZjDlY%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308102330/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=GJnulrZjDlY%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|archive-date=March 8, 2021|title=Election Results 2006 General Election|publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections|access-date=November 6, 2019}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Peter J. Roskam

| votes = 91,382

| percentage = 51.35

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = L. Tammy Duckworth

| votes = 86,572

| percentage = 48.65

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| party = Write-in votes

| candidate = Patricia Elaine Beard

| votes = 3

| percentage = 0.00

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 177,957

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Illinois 8th Congressional District Democratic Primary, 2012{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=SNr%2bqcRVQhc%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308054910/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=SNr%2bqcRVQhc%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|archive-date=March 8, 2021|title=Election Results 2012 – General Primary |publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections|access-date=November 6, 2019}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tammy Duckworth

| votes = 17,097

| percentage = 66.18

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Raja Krishnamoorthi

| votes = 8,736

| percentage = 33.82

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 25,833

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Illinois 8th Congressional District General Election, 2012{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=iX7bNPizmS8%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|title=Election Results 2012 General Election|publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections|access-date=November 6, 2019}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tammy Duckworth

| votes = 123,206

| percentage = 54.74

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Joe Walsh (incumbent)

| votes = 101,860

| percentage = 45.26

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 225,066

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Illinois 8th Congressional District General Election, 2014{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=z%2fR%2feACUG%2bY%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|title=Election Results 2014 General Election|publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections|access-date=November 6, 2019}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tammy Duckworth (incumbent)

| votes = 84,178

| percentage = 55.73

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Larry Kaifesh

| votes = 66,878

| percentage = 44.27

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 151,056

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Illinois U.S. Senator (Class III) Democratic Primary, 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=GoUnr%2b0cUsk%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|title=Election Results 2016 – General Primary|publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections|access-date=November 6, 2019|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308025725/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=GoUnr%2b0cUsk%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tammy Duckworth

| votes = 1,220128

| percentage = 64.38

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Andrea Zopp

| votes = 455,729

| percentage = 24.05

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Napoleon Harris

| votes = 219,286

| percentage = 11.57

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Patricia Elaine Beard

| votes = 1

| percentage = 0.00

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 1,895,144

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Illinois U.S. Senator (Class III) General Election, 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=MdSiWa1xQus%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308021035/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=MdSiWa1xQus%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|archive-date=March 8, 2021|title=Election Results 2016 General Election|publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections|access-date=November 6, 2019}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tammy Duckworth

| votes = 3,012,940

| percentage = 54.86

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Mark Steven Kirk (incumbent)

| votes = 2,184,692

| percentage = 39.78

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Kenton McMillen

| votes = 175,988

| percentage = 3.20

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Green Party of the United States

| candidate = Scott Summers

| votes = 117,619

| percentage = 2.14

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| party = Write-in votes

| candidate = Chad Koppie

| votes = 408

| percentage = 0.01

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| party = Write-in votes

| candidate = Jim Brown

| votes = 106

| percentage = 0.00

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| party = Write-in votes

| candidate = Christopher Aguayo

| votes = 77

| percentage = 0.00

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| party = Write-in votes

| candidate = Susana Sandoval

| votes = 42

| percentage = 0.00

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| party = Write-in votes

| candidate = Eric Kufi James Stewart

| votes = 5

| percentage = 0.00

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| party = Write-in votes

| candidate = Patricia Beard

| votes = 1

| percentage = 0.00

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,491,878

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Illinois U.S. Senator (Class III) General Election, 2022{{cite web|url=https://elections.il.gov/electionoperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx|title=Election Vote Totals Results|publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections|access-date=March 13, 2023|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128001055/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx|url-status=dead}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tammy Duckworth (incumbent)

| votes = 2,329,136

| percentage = 56.82

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Kathy Salvi

| votes = 1,701,055

| percentage = 41.50

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Redpath

| votes = 68,671

| percentage = 1.68

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| party = Write-in votes

| candidate = Lowell Martin Seida

| votes = 23

| percentage = 0.00

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| party = Write-in votes

| candidate = Connor Vlakancic

| votes = 11

| percentage = 0.00

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 4,098,896

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{external media| float = right| video1 = [https://www.c-span.org/video/?510200-1/after-words-senator-tammy-duckworth After Words interview with Duckworth on Every Day Is a Gift, April 10, 2021], C-SPAN}}

• [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1240116840 Every Day is a Gift: A Memoir], Little, Brown & Company, 2021.

• List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress
• List of United States senators born outside the United States
• Women in the United States House of Representatives
• Women in the United States Senate

{{reflist}}

{{Sister project links |wikt=no |b=no |d=Q3036410 |n=no |v=no}}

• [https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/ Senator Tammy Duckworth] official U.S. Senate website
• [https://tammyduckworth.com/ Tammy Duckworth for Senate] campaign website
• {{C-SPAN|94484}}
• Duckworth Retires, [http://readme.readmedia.com/Duckworth-Retires/9820498 Illinois National Guard] with 23 years of service
• Famous Veteran: Tammy Duckworth [https://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/military-transition/famous-veterans-congresswoman-tammy-duckworth.html Military.com]

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{{Portal bar|Biography|United States|Illinois|Thailand|6=Politics}}

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Category:Living people

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Tammy Duckworth

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