Career Timeline of Tammy Duckworth: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Tammy Duckworth, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Tammy Duckworth is an American politician and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel currently serving as a U.S. Senator from Illinois since 2017. As a member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented Illinois's 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017. Duckworth is a veteran who served in the Iraq War, where she lost both of her legs and injured her right arm, receiving a Purple Heart. Her military service significantly shaped her career and public image.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

September 30, 2006: Gave Democratic Party's response to President Bush's radio address

On September 30, 2006, Duckworth gave the Democratic Party's response to President George W. Bush's weekly radio address, criticizing his Iraq War strategy.

October 2006: Reported agreement with General Dannatt on Iraq War

In October 2006, The Sunday Times reported that Duckworth agreed with General Sir Richard Dannatt that the presence of coalition troops was exacerbating the conflict in Iraq.

2006: Called for audit of overseas military and foreign aid spending

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.

2011: Received Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award

In 2011, Access Living honored Duckworth with the Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award for her work on behalf of veterans with disabilities.

2012: Mazie Hirono elected to Senate

In 2012, Mazie Hirono became the first female Asian American senator.

March 2015: Completion of PhD

In March 2015, Tammy Duckworth completed her PhD in human services at Capella University School of Public Service Leadership, with her dissertation titled 'Exploring Illinois physicians' experience using electronic medical records (EMR) via the UTAUT model'.

March 30, 2015: Senate Campaign Announcement

On March 30, 2015, Tammy Duckworth announced her candidacy to challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk in the 2016 Senate election in Illinois.

March 15, 2016: Won Democratic Primary

On March 15, 2016, Tammy Duckworth won the Democratic primary election.

October 27, 2016: Kirk's controversial statement

On October 27, 2016, during a televised debate, Senator Mark Kirk made a controversial statement about Tammy Duckworth's parents, which led the Human Rights Campaign to rescind its endorsement of Kirk and endorse Duckworth instead.

2016: Elected to the Senate

In 2016, Tammy Duckworth defeated Kirk with 55% of the vote. Along with Kamala Harris, Duckworth became one of the second and third female Asian American senators, following Mazie Hirono.

2017: Legislative Effectiveness Score

In 2017, as a freshman senator in the 115th Congress, Duckworth's "Legislative Effectiveness Score" (LES) was "Exceeds Expectations", ranking 11th highest among 48 Democratic senators.

April 12, 2018: Introduced Senate Resolution 463

On April 12, 2018, Duckworth introduced Senate Resolution 463, which was passed by unanimous consent, changing Senate rules to allow senators to bring a child under one year old to the Senate floor during votes.

April 2019: Signed letter advocating for carbon capture funding

In April 2019, Duckworth signed a bipartisan letter advocating for maximum funding for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) at the Energy Department.

May 2019: Cosponsored South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act

In May 2019, Duckworth cosponsored the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act, intended to disrupt China's expansion in disputed zones.

April 15, 2020: Invited to join bipartisan task force

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.

August 2020: Published report on the climate crisis

In August 2020, Duckworth was a member of the Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, which published a report of its findings.

March 2021: Announced candidacy for reelection

In March 2021, Tammy Duckworth announced her candidacy for reelection to the Senate in 2022.

June 6, 2021: Visited Taipei to announce COVID-19 vaccine donation

On June 6, 2021, Duckworth visited Taipei with Senators Dan Sullivan and Christopher Coons to announce President Biden's donation plan of 750,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan.

June 2022: Visited Taiwan to announce U.S.-Taiwan trade initiative

In June 2022, Duckworth was sent to Taiwan by President Biden, where she announced the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade with Tsai Ing-wen.

November 8, 2022: Reelected to the Senate

On November 8, 2022, Tammy Duckworth was reelected to the Senate, defeating Republican nominee Kathy Salvi, becoming the first woman reelected to the Senate from Illinois.

2022: Sponsor of Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022

In 2022, Duckworth sponsored 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.

February 2023: Named chair of Subcommittee on Aviation Safety

In February 2023, Duckworth was named chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.