It opened her eyes to the issues surrounding both motherhood and being a working mother. [13], Duckworth attended Singapore American School, the International School Bangkok, Jakarta Intercultural School[14][15] (then known as Jakarta International School) for a few months her senior year in the class of 1985, and graduated with honors from McKinley High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1985 after her family settled in Hawaii when she was sixteen. Duckworth voted against Senator Bernie Sanders's amendment to reduce the $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. Corrections? The resolution changed Senate rules so that a senator may bring a child under one year old to the Senate floor during votes. …facing off against Democratic challenger. She graduated (1989) from the University of Hawaii, then took a master’s degree (1992) in international affairs at George Washington University, where she joined the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). State Senator Peter Roskam was unopposed in the Republican primary. [47], After longtime incumbent Republican Henry Hyde announced his retirement from Congress, several candidates began campaigning for the open seat. [105], In a 2016 interview with GQ magazine, Duckworth stated that gaining control of the Senate and "closing the gap" in the House would be necessary in order to pass common sense gun laws. [126], Duckworth helped establish the Intrepid Foundation to help injured veterans. The statue was dedicated to female veterans. Senator Tammy Duckworth During his eight years of service, State Senator Andy Manar accomplished so much for Central Illinois and our entire state—fairer school funding, expanded ballot access and more affordable insulin. Go ahead, take a shot at me.” She was elected by a broad margin, making her the first U.S. senator born in Thailand. [4] She is the first Thai American woman elected to Congress, the first person born in Thailand elected to Congress, the first woman with a disability elected to Congress, the first female double amputee in the Senate, and the first senator to give birth while in office. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. [119], Duckworth is heavily decorated for her service in Iraq, with over 10 distinct military honors. 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. In 2018, after giving birth to Maile, Duckworth became the first senator to cast a vote on the … While working on a doctorate at Northern Illinois University, she was called to active duty and sent to Iraq in 2004. She was the first female double amputee from the war. [30], 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. [87], Duckworth has spoken at the 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020, Democratic National Conventions. Donald Trump over allegations that he withheld aid to Ukraine in order to pressure the country into opening a corruption investigation into Joe Biden (in 2020 Biden became the Democratic presidential nominee). [95] Fellow U.S. She skipped 9th grade. While Director, she was credited with starting a program to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and veterans with brain injuries. [99], 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. [25], Duckworth was working toward a Ph.D. in political science at Northern Illinois University, with research interests in the political economy and public health in southeast Asia, when she was deployed to Iraq in 2004. 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. Duckworth is next up for reelection in 2022 and serves until Jan 3, 2023. How long has Tammy Duckworth been a member of the US Senate? [49][50] While she raised $4.5 million to Roskam's $3.44 million, Duckworth lost by 4,810 votes, receiving 49% to Roskam's 51%. [61], Duckworth was sworn into office on January 3, 2013. Duckworth is the second of three Asian American women to serve in the U.S. Senate, after Mazie Hirono, and before Kamala Harris. She also stated that she believed moderate Republicans, who support common sense gun control, would have more power to influence gun control if they were not "pushed aside by those folks who are absolutely beholden to the NRA. In 2004, after her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by Iraqi insurgents, she suffered severe combat wounds, which caused her to lose both of her legs and some mobility in her right arm. Senator to give birth while in office. [108], In August 2018, Duckworth was one of seventeen 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. [46] 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. The following year she received a doctorate in human services at Capella University. [100], Duckworth supports continued U.S. military aid to Israel and opposes the movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. Was acquitted in a largely party-line vote retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel 83 ] the after! And other issues to the U.S. Department of veteran Affairs ( 2009–11 ) the halting of gun... Representatives but was defeated she previously was a Girl Scout, and before Kamala Harris General 's office the of... Senator Barack Obama became president, Duckworth was publicly critical of Trump 's decision to nominate Amy Coney to... Retirement from Congress, Duckworth launched her Campaign to Prevent gun Violence and the halting of gun... 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