History of Tammy Duckworth in Timeline
"Ladda Tammy Duckworth is a prominent American politician affiliated with the Democratic Party. She has served as the junior United States Senator from Illinois since 2017. Prior to her Senate role, she represented Illinois's 8th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017. Beyond her political career, Duckworth also holds the rank of a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard."
March 12, 1968: Birth of Tammy Duckworth
Tammy Duckworth was born on March 12, 1968, in Bangkok, Thailand.
1984: Castillo's Injury
Braulio Castillo, CEO of Strong Castle, injured his ankle at the US Military Academy's prep school in 1984. This injury was later the basis for a government contract awarded to his company, which was questioned by Tammy Duckworth.
1985: Graduation from McKinley High School
Tammy Duckworth graduated from McKinley High School in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1985.
1989: Graduation from University of Hawaii at Manoa
Tammy Duckworth graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1989.
1990: Joining Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Tammy Duckworth joined the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps in 1990 while a graduate student at George Washington University, following a family tradition of military service.
1992: Commissioned Officer in the United States Army Reserve
Tammy Duckworth became a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve in 1992 and chose to become a helicopter pilot.
1992: Graduation from George Washington University
Tammy Duckworth earned a Master of Arts in international affairs from George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs in 1992.
1993: Marriage to Bryan Bowlsbey
In 1993, Duckworth married Bryan Bowlsbey, a fellow Signal Corps officer whom she met during her time in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. They both served together in the Illinois Army National Guard and are veterans of the Iraq War.
1996: Joining the Illinois Army National Guard
Tammy Duckworth joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1996.
September 11, 2001: 9/11 Attacks and Subsequent Spending
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the U.S. allocated significant funds to overseas military and foreign aid. During her 2006 congressional campaign, Duckworth called for an audit of this spending, estimated at $437 billion.
November 12, 2004: Injuries Sustained in Iraq War
On November 12, 2004, while co-piloting a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Iraq, Tammy Duckworth sustained severe injuries when the aircraft was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
2004: First Congressional Run
In 2004, Tammy Duckworth ran for Congress in Illinois's 6th congressional district, losing to Republican Peter Roskam.
2004: Helicopter Crash and Injuries
While serving in Iraq, Tammy Duckworth's helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade on November 12, 2004, resulting in the loss of both her legs and partial mobility in her right arm. She became the first female double amputee from the war.
2005: Death of Franklin Duckworth
Tammy Duckworth's father, Franklin Duckworth, passed away in 2005.
September 30, 2006: Democratic Response to President Bush's Address
On September 30, 2006, Duckworth delivered the Democratic Party's response to President George W. Bush's weekly radio address, using the opportunity to criticize his strategy for the Iraq War.
October 2006: Agreement with British Army Chief on Iraq War
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.
November 21, 2006: Appointment as Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Tammy Duckworth was appointed director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs by Governor Rod Blagojevich on November 21, 2006.
2006: Call for Audit of Overseas Spending
During her 2006 congressional campaign, Duckworth called for an audit of the estimated $437 billion spent on overseas military and foreign aid since September 11, 2001.
2006: First Congressional Campaign and Appointment as Director of Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Tammy Duckworth ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, but was unsuccessful. Following the election, she was appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
September 17, 2008: Violation of Illinois Law
Tammy Duckworth attended a campaign event for Dan Seals, using vacation time, but violated Illinois law by using a state-owned van equipped for people with disabilities. She admitted her mistake and reimbursed the state for the use of the van.
2008: Democratic National Convention Speaker
Duckworth spoke at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, marking her first appearance as a speaker at the event.
February 3, 2009: Nomination for Assistant Secretary of VA
On February 3, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Tammy Duckworth to be the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
February 8, 2009: End of Term as Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Tammy Duckworth's term as director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs ended on February 8, 2009.
2009: Appointment as Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Tammy Duckworth was appointed as Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in 2009.
2009: Lawsuit Filed
In 2009, two employees of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs filed a lawsuit against Tammy Duckworth, alleging wrongful termination and intimidation. Duckworth was head of the department at the time.
May 2010: Honorary Degree from Northern Illinois University
In May 2010, Northern Illinois University recognized Duckworth's accomplishments by awarding her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
2010: Induction into the Army Women's Hall of Fame
In 2010, Duckworth was honored for her military service with induction into the Army Women's Hall of Fame.
June 2011: Resignation from VA
In June 2011, Tammy Duckworth resigned from her position as Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to pursue a Congressional campaign.
July 2011: Congressional Campaign Launch
Tammy Duckworth launched her campaign for Illinois's 8th congressional district in July 2011.
2011: Statue Erected in Honor of Female Veterans
The Daughters of the American Revolution erected a statue in Mount Vernon, Illinois, in 2011, featuring the likenesses of Tammy Duckworth and Molly Pitcher to honor female veterans.
2011: End of Term at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Tammy Duckworth's tenure as Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs concluded in 2011.
2011: Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award
In 2011, Chicago's Access Living, an organization advocating for people with disabilities, presented Duckworth with the Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award. This honor recognized her significant contributions and advocacy on behalf of veterans with disabilities.
March 20, 2012: Democratic Nomination for Congress
On March 20, 2012, Tammy Duckworth won the Democratic nomination for Illinois's 8th congressional district.
July 2012: Controversy with Joe Walsh
In July 2012, incumbent Congressman Joe Walsh accused Tammy Duckworth of politicizing her military service, sparking controversy during their campaign.
November 6, 2012: Congressional Election Victory
Tammy Duckworth won her first congressional election on November 6, 2012, becoming the first Asian-American from Illinois in Congress, the first woman with a disability elected to Congress, and the first member of Congress born in Thailand.
2012: Democratic National Convention Speaker
Duckworth spoke at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, marking her second appearance as a speaker at the event.
2012: Mazie Hirono's Election
Mazie Hirono became the first female Asian American senator in 2012.
2012: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
Tammy Duckworth was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012.
January 3, 2013: Sworn into Congress
Tammy Duckworth was sworn into office as a member of Congress on January 3, 2013.
April 3, 2013: Salary Return in Solidarity
On April 3, 2013, Tammy Duckworth returned 8.4% of her congressional salary to the U.S. Department of Treasury in solidarity with furloughed government workers.
June 26, 2013: Questioning of Strong Castle CEO
On June 26, 2013, during a House Oversight Committee hearing, Tammy Duckworth questioned Strong Castle CEO Braulio Castillo about a $500 million government contract awarded based on Castillo's claim of being a disabled veteran.
2013: Start of Congressional Term
Tammy Duckworth began her tenure as a U.S. Representative for Illinois's 8th congressional district in 2013.
October 2014: Retirement from the Illinois Army National Guard
Tammy Duckworth retired from the Illinois Army National Guard in October 2014 as a lieutenant colonel.
2014: Retirement from Military Service
Tammy Duckworth retired from the Illinois Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel in 2014 after serving for ten years post-injury.
2014: Congressional Re-election
Tammy Duckworth was re-elected to Congress in 2014.
2014: Abigail Duckworth's Birth
Tammy Duckworth and Bryan Bowlsbey welcomed their first daughter, Abigail, in 2014.
March 2015: Completion of PhD at Capella University
Tammy Duckworth completed her PhD in human services at Capella University School of Public Service Leadership in March 2015.
March 30, 2015: Senate Campaign Announcement
Tammy Duckworth announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate on March 30, 2015, challenging incumbent Republican Mark Kirk.
March 15, 2016: Democratic Senate Primary Victory
Tammy Duckworth won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Illinois on March 15, 2016.
June 2016: Lawsuit Settlement
In June 2016, a lawsuit filed against Tammy Duckworth by two former employees of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs was settled for $26,000. The lawsuit alleged that Duckworth had wrongfully terminated one employee and threatened another for reporting abuse and misconduct. Duckworth, who was represented by the Illinois Attorney General's office, did not admit to any wrongdoing.
October 27, 2016: Debate Controversy with Mark Kirk
During a televised debate on October 27, 2016, incumbent Senator Mark Kirk made a comment about Tammy Duckworth's family history that was widely condemned as racist, leading to the Human Rights Campaign withdrawing its endorsement of Kirk and endorsing Duckworth.
2016: Senate Election Victory
Tammy Duckworth was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016.
2016: Elected to U.S. Senate
Tammy Duckworth was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016, defeating incumbent Republican Mark Kirk.
2016: Views on Gun Control
In a 2016 interview with GQ magazine, Duckworth expressed her belief that achieving stricter gun control measures would necessitate gaining control of the Senate and narrowing the gap in the House. She also opined that moderate, pro-gun control Republicans were being marginalized by their colleagues who were "absolutely beholden to the NRA," hindering the progress of gun control legislation.
2016: Participation in Gun Control Filibuster and House Sit-in
In 2016, Duckworth actively participated in the Chris Murphy gun control filibuster, demonstrating her commitment to the cause. Additionally, during the 2016 United States House of Representatives sit-in, she cleverly concealed her mobile phone in her prosthetic leg. This act aimed to circumvent the House floor's policy against photography and recording.
2016: Democratic National Convention Speaker
Duckworth spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, marking her third appearance as a speaker at the event.
2017: Elected to the U.S. Senate
In 2017, Tammy Duckworth assumed office as the junior United States Senator from Illinois.
2017: Legislative Effectiveness Score
In 2017, The Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL) gave Tammy Duckworth a "Legislative Effectiveness Score" of "Exceeds Expectations" for her work in the 115th Congress.
January 2018: Response to President Trump on Government Shutdown
In January 2018, Tammy Duckworth responded to accusations from President Trump regarding the Democrats' stance during a government shutdown.
April 6, 2018: Daniel Akaka's Passing
Former Senator Daniel Akaka, who helped Duckworth name her daughters, passed away on April 6, 2018.
April 12, 2018: Senate Rule Change for Children
Tammy Duckworth introduced a resolution to change Senate rules to allow children under one year old on the Senate floor. The resolution passed unanimously, and Duckworth's daughter became the first baby on the Senate floor.
August 2018: Letter to Kirstjen Nielsen on Family Reunification
In August 2018, Duckworth joined 16 fellow senators in signing a letter spearheaded by Senator Kamala Harris to Kirstjen Nielsen, then-United States Secretary of Homeland Security. The letter urged the Trump administration to take immediate steps to reunite 539 migrant children separated from their families at the border, arguing that each day of inaction exacerbated the "trauma that this administration has needlessly caused for children and their families seeking humanitarian protection."
April 2019: Bipartisan Letter on Carbon Capture Funding
In April 2019, Duckworth joined a bipartisan group of 12 senators in signing a letter advocating for increased funding for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) research. The letter, addressed to top senators on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, argued that investment in CCUS could stimulate job growth and expressed disagreement with President Trump's budget proposal to combine federal programs related to carbon capture research.
May 2019: Cosponsoring the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act
In May 2019, Duckworth showed her support for the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act by becoming a cosponsor. The bipartisan bill, reintroduced by Senators Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin, aimed to counter China's attempts to strengthen or expand its territorial claims in contested areas of the South China Sea.
2019: Participation in "The Military Women Aviators Oral History Initiative"
In 2019, Tammy Duckworth joined fourteen other veteran women aviators in the National Air and Space Museum's "The Military Women Aviators Oral History Initiative (MWAOHI)" project.
April 15, 2020: Invitation to COVID-19 Task Force
On April 15, 2020, the Trump administration invited Tammy Duckworth to join a bipartisan task force focused on reopening the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 2020: Criticism of Amy Coney Barrett Nomination
Tammy Duckworth publicly criticized President Trump's nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in September 2020, citing Barrett's stance on in vitro fertilization.
2020: Democratic National Convention Speaker
Duckworth was the permanent co-chair of the 2020 Democratic National Convention and used her platform to criticize then-President Trump, calling him "coward-in-chief" for his lack of support for the American military.
2020: Disagreement with Trump's Budget Proposal
In 2020, Duckworth and a group of senators publicly disagreed with President Trump's budget proposal to combine federal programs related to carbon capture research.
January 3, 2021: Vote for Speaker of the House
On January 3, 2021, despite not being a member of the House of Representatives, Duckworth received a vote from Representative Jared Golden for Speaker of the House, a largely symbolic gesture.
January 6, 2021: Public Safety Officer Support Act
Following the death of officer Jeffrey Smith from injuries sustained during the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Duckworth sponsored the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022. The bill aimed to provide line of duty death benefits to officers who die due to PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other "silent" injuries.
March 2021: Senate Re-election Announcement
Tammy Duckworth announced her candidacy for re-election to the U.S. Senate in March 2021.
June 6, 2021: Diplomatic Visit to Taiwan Amidst Pandemic
On June 6, 2021, Duckworth, accompanied by Senators Dan Sullivan and Christopher Coons, arrived in Taipei on a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport plane. The purpose of their visit was to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and Minister Joseph Wu during a COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan. During their visit, they announced President Biden's plan to donate 750,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan as part of the global COVAX program.
2021: Response to the January 6th Capitol Attack
In 2021, Duckworth was present during the storming of the U.S. Capitol. Following the attack, she condemned the actions of the participants and called for Trump's removal from office, labeling him "a threat to our nation."
May 2022: Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
In May 2022, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework was launched, a trade agreement involving several countries. Duckworth's diplomatic mission to Taiwan in June 2022 was planned in conjunction with the Office of the United States Trade Representative, which leads the Initiative for Washington.
June 2022: Diplomatic Mission to Taiwan
In June 2022, President Biden sent Duckworth on a diplomatic mission to Taiwan. During her visit, she held a press conference with President Tsai Ing-wen to announce the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade.
November 8, 2022: Senate Re-election
Tammy Duckworth was re-elected to the U.S. Senate on November 8, 2022, becoming the first woman reelected to the Senate from Illinois.
2022: Response to the Overturning of Roe v. Wade
Following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, Duckworth expressed strong disapproval, labeling it a "nightmare" that strips women of their right to make decisions about their healthcare.
2022: Public Safety Officer Support Act
In 2022, Duckworth sponsored the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022. The bill aimed to provide line of duty death benefits to officers who die due to PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other "silent" injuries.
February 2023: Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety
In February 2023, Duckworth was appointed chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation.
June 2023: Criticism of Senator Sinema's Proposed Legislation
In June 2023, Duckworth publicly criticized Senator Kyrsten Sinema for her proposed legislation aiming to reduce the training time required for airplane pilot certification.
November 2023: Meeting with Israeli Defense Officials
In November 2023, Duckworth met with Israeli defense officials to discuss the ongoing Israel–Hamas war. When asked about her stance on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, she stated her belief that such action would not be beneficial for the residents of Gaza or the security of Israel.
2024: Democratic National Convention Speaker
Duckworth spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, marking her fifth appearance as a speaker at the event.