# Tammy Duckworth

Ladda Tammy Duckworth (born March 12, 1968) is an American politician and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel serving as the junior United States senator from Illinois since 2017. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

## Quotes

* America’s daughters are just as capable of defending liberty as her sons.
** Tammy Duckworth in Speech at the Democratic National Convention focused on jobs and her military service. (September 4, 2012)
* You don’t have to suffer war injuries to understand how tough life can be.
** Tammy Duckworth in What I Learned at War Politico magazine (August, 2015).
* That day, and so many others when I served, illustrated the two most important lessons the military taught me: Never leave anyone behind—not on the battlefield and not in our country. And never put a service member in harm’s way without understanding the cost—the very real and very human cost—of war.
** Tammy Duckworth in What I Learned at War Politico magazine (August, 2015).
* When I was bleeding to death in my Black Hawk helicopter after I was shot down, I didn't care if the American troops risking their lives to help save me were gay, straight, transgender, black, white or brown.
** Tammy Duckworth in "White House to instruct Pentagon on how to implement president's transgender ban in the military" by Brian Bennett and David S. Cloud, LA Times, (August 24, 2017)
* Our troops know how to work together,they stand shoulder-to-shoulder to protect and defend this country. We surely in these chambers can do the same. So let's stop blaming each and other and let's get to work. Our men and women in uniform deserve nothing less.
** Sen. Tammy Duckworth blasts Trump as 'draft dodger' (January 21, 2018).
* Parenthood isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s an economic issue and an issue that affects all parents — men and women alike.
** Duckworth to be first sitting US senator to give birth AP News (January 23, 2018).
* This is a truly awful hate crime that has no place anywhere in this nation. No one should be attacked because of the color of their skin or who they love. Jussie, please know that many people across IL and our country are sending love your way.
** On the early reports about the attack on Jussie Smollett (January 24, 2019)
* If there’s anything that my ancestors’ service taught me, it’s the importance of protecting our founding values, including every American’s right to speak out. In a nation born out of an act of protest, there is nothing more patriotic than standing up for what you believe in, even if it goes against those in power.
** Sen. Tammy Duckworth defends her patriotism, Tucker Carlson's right to free speech. (July 10, 2020
* We haven’t done justice to the justice promised in its sentences and sentiments, so you better believe that in my next term, I’m going to keep doing everything in my power to change that
** she said when she won the election
* If you love this country as much as I love this country, and you're willing to die for this country, like I was willing to die for this country, we can find a way to work with each other. But I will tell you that it's not always that easy. I don't think Donald Trump, for example, loved this country. And that made it hard to work with him
** on her love for her country
* Assume the person you're dealing with is coming from an honorable place. They're just coming at the problem from a different perspective than you. It's a version of: Assume they love this country as much as you do
** on her advice to live by
* My position is if you want to filibuster something, then come to the floor of the Senate and speak and let the American people see why you’re opposing something, instead of where we are right now is you can actually say, I’m filibustering a bill’ and then never talk about it and the bill doesn’t move
** on if she would support having a more transparent filibuster process instead of the “secret filibuster we have right now
* When I see myself wearing those legs in a mirror, I see loss. But when I see this I see strength. I see a reminder of where I am now. People always want me to hide it in pictures. I say no! I earned this wheelchair. It’s no different from a medal I wear on my chest. Why would I hide it
** Senator Tammy Duckworth on the Attack That Took Her Legs
* I don't know that they disbelieved the results of the election, I think that maybe some of them are realizing the enormity of appealing to, you know, those who believe in conspiracy theories, and the damaging effects it has on our democracy and our institutions
** on if she thinks the shocking scenes at the Capitol would cause any of those Republican objectors to change their minds about the election

## Quotes about her

* While she and I differ on many issues, we share the view that we need to strengthen our economy, make communities safe and restore civility to our political system, it is my sincere hope that she will be a strong voice on behalf of all Illinoisans in the United States Senate over the next six years and I wish her well
** Salvi’s campaign said she called to congratulate Duckworth on the win

## External links

* Senator Tammy Duckworth official U.S. Senate website
* Tammy Duckworth for Senate campaign website