Tammy 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: ChicagoWebsite: www.tammyduckworth.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: U.S. Senate Age: 48Family: Husband, Bryan Bowlsbey and daughter, Abigail.Occupation: U.S. Representative for the 8th Congressional District of IllinoisEducation: University of Hawaii, B.A., The George Washington University, M.A., Capella University, Ph.DCivic involvement: U.S. Representative for the 8th Congressional District of IllinoisElected offices held: Assistant Secretary â#128;#147; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2009-2011; Director â#128;#147; Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, 2006-2009Questions Answers How will you work to make Congress more productive and effective? What actions are needed to produce a healthy federal budget? Specifically, what changes do you advocate regarding how revenue is produced or what our spending priorities are? In particular, what effect does current policy have on your district and what changes, if any, are needed?Balancing our budget starts by investing in the real engine of our economy: working families and small businesses. Too many families across Illinois are working harder than ever before, yet they feel like theyâ#128;™re falling further behind. Our country is in need of a responsible deficit reduction plan that eliminates waste and fraud, encourages innovation and supports initiatives that boosts our economy and promotes job creation.First, we should level the playing field for all Americans by closing those loopholes that allow wealthy CEOs to write-off their own pay, reward companies for dodging U.S. taxes by incorporating overseas, and let hedge fund managers benefit from artificially low tax rates that are often lower than what their secretaries pay. This year, I introduced the In the Red Act, which would eliminate these unfair tax loopholes to pay for a comprehensive program that would make higher education more accessible and affordable for all Americans. I also support the Presidentâ#128;™s plan to limit corporate inversions, which could save the U.S. Treasury as much as $40 billion over the next decade. And rather than reward companies that ship American jobs overseas, tax cuts should go to companies that bring jobs back home. At the end of the day, we need to invest in infrastructure, education and manufacturing jobs while also cutting waste and fraud to build a stronger economy and balance our budget.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 affect your district?I have always supported comprehensive immigration reform that is practical, fair and humane. Itâ#128;™s clear to me that our current immigration system is broken and ineffective. Iâ#128;™m supportive of a long-term plan that secures our borders, keeps families together and includes an earned pathway to citizenship for nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States only after they pay a fine, pass a background check and wait at the back of the line. I will continue to be a strong voice for legislation that provides a level of certainty for families waiting on Congress to take action. Iâ#128;™ve met with dozens of organizations from across our state, from law enforcement agencies to Chambers of Commerce. They have all stressed to me the importance of comprehensive immigration reform, making compromise a necessity. Not only will reform improve the lives of so many living in the shadows, but it will also secure Americaâ#128;™s future global competitiveness and boost our economy by enabling them to contribute to it. The Congressional Budget Office has stated that comprehensive immigration reform will reduce our national debt by $1 trillion over 20 years and help small businesses in Illinois grow and create jobs. Itâ#128;™s time for Congress to put partisanship aside, work together and do what is right for both our economy and for so many hardworking undocumented immigrants living in Illinois, and all across America.What should be the top priorities in Congress related to the Affordable Care Act? If you want changes, what specifically do you recommend? If you want the act entirely eliminated, please address these questions: Is that politically feasible? If it proves infeasible, where do you see the potential for compromise? If it is eliminated, what would you replace it with, if anything?Itâ#128;™s time for Congress to accept that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is settled law. Instead of wasting time and taxpayer dollars on trying to repeal it, Congress should begin working together to improve the law. In Illinois, hundreds of thousands of people have signed up for health care plans through the ACA, and the current uninsured rate has dropped from 15.5 percent to 8.8 percent. We cannot go back to the days where one medical emergency could put a person in debt for the rest of their life and insurance companies could deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. However, The ACA is not perfect and I support fixing flaws in the legislation so it can benefit the greatest number of Americans. For example, I was a proud cosponsor of the bipartisan PACE Act, which protects small businesses, and am pleased it was signed into law. I also reached across the aisle to support repealing the Medical Device Tax, which burdens hospitals with unnecessary costs and is likely to result in fewer manufacturing jobs. Congress needs to reduce similar overhead costs for both medical providers and their patients â#128;#147; many of whom struggle to afford the current cost of treatment. Iâ#128;™m confident that the ACA has made a positive impact on the lives of millions of Americans and I will continue to work to improve the law.What military or diplomatic roles should the United States play to promote peace and stability in the Mideast? Under what circumstances should we have military forces actively operating?My military experience informs my views on national security and foreign policy. I currently serve on the House Armed Services Committee, where I work to ensure that our nation never again goes to war without fully considering and understanding the true costs.The U.S. military and diplomatic role in the Middle East must be centered on securing American lives and interests. While we ought not to allow ourselves to be drawn into another sectarian war in the Middle East, we must commit to work with our allies and international partners in the region. In addition to protecting our own national interests abroad, we should be prepared to support those who are looking to make long-lasting change toward freedom and democracy in the region.We need to avoid knee-jerk reactions to every global crisis. Instead, we must promote a mature and knowledgeable view of the world that uses economic and cultural power, as well as military might. To do that, we must build a smart, tightly coordinated, proactive foreign policy around a strong defense, economic development and diplomacy. These goals are not only mutually supportive, but also represent our values. Where political and economic freedoms are frustrated, poverty and anger will breed violence. Where insecurity is rife, the freedoms of economic growth and individual rights will remain unrealized. (233)Will you uphold the international climate change treaty? If not, what alternative steps would you advocate? If so, what steps will you take to meet U.S. obligations under the accord?Yes, I will uphold the Paris Climate Accord. Scientists are near unanimous in their agreement that climate change is caused by human activity, and we know it poses a serious and immediate threat to public health, our economy and national security. Here in Illinois, we are already experiencing the effects of climate change â#128;#147; growing seasons are lengthening, heat waves are increasing and extreme flooding is escalating.During my time in Congress, I have been a consistent defender of our environment. I have supported President Obamaâ#128;™s Clean Power Plan and protections for our most vulnerable natural resources. In 2015, I voted against H.R. 8, a bill that would further entrench the use of fossil fuels in our energy systems and accelerate the construction of pipelines through natural parks. I also voted to solidify the Clean Water rule and to recognize the social cost of carbon emissions on our environment and our economy. For the 21st century, Illinois should be a leader in the renewable energy revolution at each step of the process. Weâ#128;™re already a leader in installed wind capacity, although thereâ#128;™s room for expansion. As it stands now, only five percent of our energy needs are coming from wind, and I want to see our wind power grow as a way to reduce carbon and create jobs, especially when you consider that the Chicago area is home to headquarters or regional offices for fourteen wind energy companiesWhat other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am running for U.S. Senate because we need to do better by working and middle-class families in this state and across the country. For far too many people who are working harder than ever before, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet. For far too many families in Illinois, the cost of a college education seems out of reach, and a secure and dignified retirement seems unobtainable. I will always prioritize putting families first, with a special focus on serving both our nationâ#128;™s seniors and our Veterans. Iâ#128;™m also running to support seniors who rely on Social Security and Medicare. Not only do millions of Americans currently rely on these crucial programs, but also millions more who have paid into the system are counting on Social Security and Medicare to one day provide them with dignity in their retirement. Iâ#128;™m committed to working to ensure Social Security and Medicare are secure for generations to come.I have also always been a strong supporter of Veterans and will bring that commitment to the Senate. Our nation must give Veterans and their families the care and support they deserve. As director of the Illinois VA and later Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, I worked to reduce Veteran homelessness and increase Veteran access to mental health care. During my time in Congress, Iâ#128;™ve led legislation to reduce Veteran suicide, and Iâ#128;™ve worked to protect Veteransâ#128;™ benefits from fraud.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 is 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 in 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.