Tammy Duckworth

Tammy Duckworth is an American politician and U.S.

Tammy Duckworth is an American politician and U.S. Senator from Illinois, serving since 2017. A Democrat, she previously represented Illinois’s 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives and is a U.S. Army veteran who was severely wounded in Iraq. She is known for her advocacy on veterans’ issues and disability access.

Early life and education

Duckworth was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and is fluent in Thai and Indonesian. She studied at the University of Hawaii and earned a Master of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University. She also began doctoral studies in political science at Northern Illinois University.

Military service

Duckworth served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 23 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. She flew combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was severely injured in a 2004 helicopter attack that resulted in the loss of both legs.

Political career

Duckworth served as Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, then as Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Barack Obama. She was elected to the U.S. House in 2012 and to the Senate in 2016. In the Senate, she has focused on issues such as veterans’ affairs, national security, and family-friendly workplace policies, serving on committees including Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Commerce, and Veterans’ Affairs. Her work on foreign relations and national security connects her to broader discussions on Canada–U.S. relations, including with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Senate tenure

Duckworth became the first U.S. senator to give birth while in office in 2018. She has focused on veterans’ issues, national security, transportation, civil rights, and family-friendly workplace policies. She serves on major Senate committees including Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Commerce, and Veterans’ Affairs.