Tammy Duckworth: 2022 candidate for U.S. Senate

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office sought: U.S. Senate

City: Hoffman Estates

Age: 54

Occupation: U.S. Senator

Previous offices held: U.S. Representative, Illinois 8th District

Q&A

Q: What is your reaction to the results so far presented by the committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol and what should Congress do next as a result of them?

A: As Members of Congress, we swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies - foreign and domestic. On January 6th, when terrorists stormed our nation's Capital in an effort to overturn a free and fair election, brave officers and servicemembers sacrificed their own lives to fight them off.

It is important for the world to have a full picture of what led to the January 6th insurrection and to know who is responsible for this attempted coup. It's critical that the committee be able to complete its investigation and share these findings with the American people. Uncovering what occurred is not political; our democracy depends on it.

Q: What is America's role in foreign affairs, particularly related to two separate crises: Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Israel's conflict with the Palestinians.

A: Our country and the world remain in awe of the bravery of the Ukrainian people who are so effectively defending their homeland and their freedom and are continuing to repel Putin's forces against overwhelming odds. The human suffering caused by Putin's unjustified and unjustifiable attack on Ukraine's sovereign territory demands our continued attention, and it's why I'm proud to have supported U.S. aid to Ukraine. Thanks to the support our nation and others have provided since this war began - and the incredible bravery and sacrifices of so many Ukrainians - Putin is losing this war and NATO is more united and stronger than ever.

I fully support Israel's right to self-defense. My experience serving my country in the military has shaped how I approach national security issues, especially when it comes to the U.S.-Israel alliance. I will continue working to promote collaboration between our two nations and ensure Israel has the resources it needs to maintain its national security.

Q: Mass shootings at schools and public gatherings are generally a uniquely American phenomenon. What should Congress do to address the problem?

A: I will continue to push for common-sense solutions for gun violence, because I'm sick over the thought of raising my two daughters in a country that won't protect them from gun violence. I spent 23 years in the Army, so I recognize a weapon of war when I see one. An AR-15 rifle is a weapon of the battlefield and has no business being on our streets and in our schools.

I'm proud I helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which will enhance background checks, help states implement red flag laws, work to close the boyfriend loophole and, ultimately, save lives. This law is important, but it's not enough. We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines to keep our kids and our communities safe.

Q: What is the value of the filibuster? Should it be eliminated?

A: I don't want to get rid of the filibuster, but the process must be more transparent. If you want to put a filibuster on, I want to see Senators on the Senate Floor talking and defending their position. Tell the American people watching at home or sitting in the gallery why you're opposing something. When the filibuster is used correctly and agreed upon unanimously by the Senate, it is valuable. When the filibuster is abused, it is anti-democratic.

Q: The Supreme Court has made it clear it considers abortion a state's rights issue and has suggested it may rule similarly on gay marriage and other social issues. What should the response be from Congress? How do you define whether such issues should be governed by federal authority or state authority?

A: Millions of American families - including my own - have relied on Roe v. Wade for almost 50 years. Seventy percent of Americans believe it should remain the law of the land and I will do everything I can to enshrine full reproductive rights into law on the federal level. Overturning Roe, and threatening to come after same-sex marriage and other social issues next isn't about states' rights, it's about Republicans taking away the rights of millions of Americans.

Q: Are you concerned about the impact of all the recent federal spending on inflation, and what is the role of Congress in managing the economy? If you favor spending cuts, where specifically would you want to see spending reduced?

A: I was proud to bring much-needed relief to Illinoisans through the American Rescue Plan, providing necessary resources for our hardest-hit small businesses, helping our schools safely re-open and boosting support for local municipalities in every corner of our state.

With the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, we're helping lower everyday costs for working families. Senate Democrats - without a single Republican vote - passed historic changes that will put working Americans first by helping them save money on prescription drugs, fighting inflation, tackling the climate crisis to protect our planet for future generations, cutting the deficit by hundreds of billions and ensuring megacorporations pay their fair share.

Q: Are you confident that elections and voting access are free and fair in America? If not, why not and what should be done?

A: I didn't sign up to defend our democracy only to watch it crumble at the hands of powerful people more focused on their own self-interest than in the foundational component of America that everyone, regardless of social status, wealth, skin color or sex, has a right to vote. It's shameful Senate Republicans refuse to pass critical legislation like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

I've also introduced legislation to expand voter registration efforts nationwide and increase American citizens' participation in the democratic process. The right to vote is a founding tenet of our democracy, and the strength of our democracy depends upon the participation of the American people. Unfortunately, many Americans are facing unnecessary barriers when it comes to casting their vote, and voter turnout continues to lag behind that of many other developed nations. We should constantly be looking for ways to bring new voters into the fold and make voting easier - not harder.