8th District U.S. Representative Duckworth: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: Hanover ParkWebsite: www.tammyduckworth.comOffice sought: 8th District U.S. Representative Age: 46Family: Married to Bryan BowlsbeyOccupation: U.S. Congresswoman 8th Congressional District of IllinoisEducation: University of Hawaii, B.A. in Political Science George Washington University, M.A. in International Affairs Doctoral Candidate, Political Science, Northern Illinois University Doctoral Candidate, Health Human Services, Capella UniversityCivic involvement: Lt. Colonel, Illinois Army National Guard Daughters of the American Revolution Public Relations Society of America Amputee Coalition of America DAV VFW American Legion AmVets Military Order of the Purple HeartElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoQuestions Answers Many Americans see gridlock as the greatest problem facing Washington today, and public opinions are at historic lows regarding the job their Senators and congressmen are doing. Specifically, what will you do to make Congress more productive and effective?While the gridlock in Washington is very real and incredibly frustrating, Iâ#128;™ve refused to let it get in the way of my job serving the 8th Congressional District. Iâ#128;™ve found ways to work with many members of Congress from across the aisle on targeted pieces of legislation. Nearly every bill that I introduced this term has been bipartisan with a Republican co-introducer. I am hopeful that when we work to find common ground on specific issues of shared interest, we can use that cooperation as a building block for more comprehensive bipartisan legislation at a broader level. I have introduced a wide range of bipartisan bills â#128;#147; from one with Kristi Noem (R-SD) that expands maternity leave for military mothers to a bill with Darrell Issa (R-CA) to crack down on contractor fraud in the Veterans benefit system.What immigration policies do you support? Where, if at all, do you see room for compromise to produce an effective policy on immigration? How will these policies have an impact in your district?I support comprehensive immigration reform that is practical, fair and humane. Our current immigration system is broken and the US is in need of long-term legislation that includes a pathway to citizenship for nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, secures our borders and keeps families together. Iâ#128;™ve met with over 35 organizations across the 8th District, from law enforcement agencies to the Chambers of Commerce. They all stressed to me the importance of comprehensive immigration reform. By moving forward with reform, Congress can not only better the lives of so many hard-working families living in the United States, but also secure Americaâ#128;™s future global competitiveness and boost our economy. The Congressional Budget Office has stated that comprehensive immigration reform will reduce our national debt by $1 trillion dollars over 20 years and help small businesses in the 8th District to grow and create jobs.How do you assess the state of the federal budget? Do you see a need for changes in how revenue is produced or in spending priorities? What specific changes do you consider necessary regarding federal tax policy and practice?Itâ#128;™s important that we have a balanced approach to government spending that eliminates waste and fraud, promotes job creation and encourages entrepreneurship and innovation. Congress must responsibly manage government spending in a manner that reduces our deficit while investing in the future of our country. I support a deficit reduction plan that eliminates waste in government spending while protecting the safety nets that millions of Americans depend on. I cosponsored the bipartisan PRIME Act with Peter Roskam to address Medicare waste and fraud. Iâ#128;™ve gone after waste in the DOD. Several of my provisions cutting waste in military spending became law last year. I support comprehensive tax reform that will simplify our tax code so that American businesses can better compete in a global marketplace, repatriate their profits being hidden in offshore tax havens and close tax loopholes so middle class families arenâ#128;™t left paying more than their fair share.How would you work to produce a stable, affordable, effective federal health care policy? What shortcomings do you see in the Affordable Care Act, and how do you propose addressing them? If you favor scrapping the Act altogether, what do you propose as an alternative?The Affordable Care Act has been successful in providing health insurance to millions of Americans â#128;#147; over 600,000 people here in Illinois â#128;#147; giving patients more control over their health care coverage. Itâ#128;™s also clear that the ACA is not perfect and I support fixing flaws in the legislation. Iâ#128;™ve voted to ensure that my constituents who prefer to stay on their current insurance plan are able to and supported a delay of the employer mandate so small businesses arenâ#128;™t unfairly burdened by the failure of the ACA exchange launch. While Iâ#128;™m disappointed in the roll-out of the ACA, it has benefited my constituents. The number of uninsured individuals in the District has declined by over 45%, according to a report by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Iâ#128;™m willing to listen to all stakeholders and work to improve the ACA so it can benefit the maximum number of Americans.What can be done at the federal level to aid Illinois' economy and your district in particular?Illinoisâ#128;™ economy and the 8th District benefit greatly from resources that stem from the federal level. I have secured millions of dollars in federal grants for small businesses and infrastructure projects in the District. These are crucial federal resources that go towards improvement projects, creating jobs and boosting our local economy. After the severe flooding that devastated communities across the District, I led the bipartisan effort to secure Federal aid for flood relief. The 8th District is a transportation hub and I was proud to help secure funding for projects such as the expansion of the Elgin Oâ#128;™Hare Expressway, which the Illinois Tollway projects will create 65,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2040. I continue to champion efforts for more Federal transportation TIGER Grant funding for the 8th District and have a full-time staff member whose job it is to locate Federal funds for businesses, non-for-profits and local government projects.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am a firm believer that no one who works full-time should have to live in poverty. Todayâ#128;™s minimum wage just simply isnâ#128;™t enough to make ends meet. I support efforts in Congress to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. I am also a strong supporter of manufacturing and small businesses in the 8th District. That is why I held workshops on exports and imports with manufacturers and small businesses and will continue to bring experts to the District. We also must make sure that Veterans have access to good paying jobs when they return home. A bill I introduced, the Troop Talent Act, helps ease Veterans transition into the private sector job market. I also am a strong supporter of STEAM education because I believe we need a trained workforce that can compete in our 21st century economy.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Iâ#128;™m inspired by the mayors in my District, who are pragmatic problem solvers and place the needs of our local communities ahead of partisanship.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My father instilled in me a pride and deep sense of obligation to serve in return for the privilege of being an American.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have fought to fly more missions. My years flying Blackhawks ended too quickly. I left a piece of my heart on that battlefield.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Iâ#128;™m working on my dissertation for a PhD in Health and Human Services and rely on statistical analyses. I find accurate data important to decision-making.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Donâ#128;™t be afraid to fail. The measure of a person isnâ#128;™t that they tried and failed, but that they get up when they fall.