History of Tammy Duckworth in Timeline

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.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

March 12, 1968: Tammy Duckworth Born

On March 12, 1968, Ladda Tammy Duckworth was born. She is an American politician and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel.

Others born on this day/year

1993: Married Bryan Bowlsbey

In 1993, Duckworth married Bryan Bowlsbey, whom she met during ROTC participation. Both served in the Illinois Army National Guard and are veterans of the Iraq War.

September 11, 2001: Mention of 9/11 spending

On September 11, 2001, the events of that day are referenced in the context of Duckworth's later call for an audit of overseas military and foreign aid spending.

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.

2008: Spoke at the Democratic National Convention

In 2008, Duckworth spoke at the Democratic National Convention.

May 2010: Awarded honorary degree by Northern Illinois University

In May 2010, Northern Illinois University awarded Duckworth the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.

2010: Inducted into the Army Women's hall of fame

In 2010, Duckworth was inducted into the Army Women's hall of fame.

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: Spoke at the Democratic National Convention

In 2012, Duckworth spoke at the Democratic National Convention.

2012: Mazie Hirono elected to Senate

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

2014: Birth of daughter Abigail

In 2014, Duckworth and Bowlsbey's first daughter, Abigail, was born.

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.

June 2016: Settlement of Lawsuit

In June 2016, a lawsuit filed in 2009 by two Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs employees against Tammy Duckworth was settled for $26,000 with no admission of wrongdoing. The lawsuit alleged wrongful termination and intimidation related to reports of abuse and misconduct of veterans when she headed the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

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: Participated in gun control filibuster and House sit-in

In 2016, Duckworth participated in the 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 from being taken away.

2016: Spoke at the Democratic National Convention

In 2016, Duckworth spoke at the Democratic National Convention.

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.

2016: Interview with GQ magazine on gun control

In a 2016 interview with GQ magazine, Duckworth discussed the need for Senate control to pass firearm restrictions and the influence of the NRA on moderate Republicans.

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.

January 2018: Responded to President Trump during government shutdown

In January 2018, during a federal government shutdown, Duckworth responded to President Trump's accusations that Democrats were prioritizing "unlawful immigrants" over the military.

April 6, 2018: Death of Daniel Akaka

On April 6, 2018, former Senator Daniel Akaka, who helped name Duckworth's daughters, passed away.

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.

August 2018: Signed letter demanding action to reunite migrant children with families

In August 2018, Duckworth was one of 17 senators who signed a letter to Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen demanding action to reunite 539 migrant children with their families.

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.

September 2020: Critical of Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court nomination

In September 2020, Duckworth publicly criticized Trump's decision to nominate Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, citing Barrett's membership in a group that considers in vitro fertilization immoral.

2020: Spoke at the Democratic National Convention

In 2020, Duckworth spoke at the Democratic National Convention and called Trump "coward-in-chief" for not supporting the American military. She was the permanent co-chair of the convention.

January 3, 2021: Received vote for Speaker of the House

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.

January 6, 2021: Capitol attack and death of Jeffrey Smith

On January 6, 2021, the Capitol attack occurred and Washington, D.C. police officer Jeffrey Smith, who died of post-concussive syndrome after suffering repeated attacks at the Capitol, served as the basis for the bill.

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.

2021: Response to Capitol attack

In 2021, after the attack on the U.S. Capitol, Duckworth called Trump "a threat to our nation" and advocated for his removal from office. She also called for the resignation of Representative Mary Miller for quoting Adolf Hitler.

May 2022: Mention of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

In May 2022, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework was established, influencing the context for Duckworth's visit to Taiwan the following month.

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.

2022: Response to Roe v. Wade Overturn

In 2022, after Roe v. Wade was overturned, Duckworth expressed outrage and called the decision a "nightmare" that robbed women of their right to make health care decisions.

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.

June 2023: Criticized Senator Kyrsten Sinema

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.

November 2023: Organized meeting with Israeli defense officials

In November 2023, Duckworth organized a meeting with Israeli defense officials to discuss their strategy in the Gaza war. She stated that a ceasefire "would not help the residents of Gaza nor would it help the security of Israel".