Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, for his stance against women in combat roles, calling him "flat-out wrong" and "inordinately unqualified." Duckworth, a veteran who lost her legs in Iraq, emphasized the importance of women in the military, noting their capability and contribution to effectiveness. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has faced controversy over past sexual misconduct allegations and his views on military gender equality. Duckworth expressed concerns about his nomination, given the military's ongoing struggles with sexual assault issues.
Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized Donald Trump's nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, citing his lack of military command experience and controversial views on women in combat roles. Duckworth, a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, described Hegseth as "inordinately unqualified" for overseeing the Pentagon's vast operations and budget. Hegseth, a Fox News commentator, also faces a sexual assault allegation, which Duckworth argues makes him unsuitable for the position. Concerns were raised about Senate Republicans potentially approving Trump's nominees without scrutiny.
Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized Donald Trump's nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, arguing he is unqualified due to his lack of experience and controversial views on women in combat roles. Duckworth, an Army veteran, emphasized the essential role women play in the military and expressed concerns over Hegseth's past comments and sexual assault allegations. She also commented on other Trump nominations, expressing mixed views on candidates like Doug Collins and Tulsi Gabbard.
Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized Pete Hegseth's qualifications for leading the Defense Department, highlighting his lack of command experience and low military rank. Duckworth, a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, defended the role of women in the military, emphasizing their contribution to effectiveness and combat readiness. She dismissed Hegseth's views on women complicating military operations, asserting that her own experiences as a female officer enhanced her unit's performance.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth criticizes Alabama's new law protecting IVF, stating that it "does not go far enough" in addressing the issue of whether a fertilized egg is considered a human being with rights. The legislation, signed into law by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, shields clinics from criminal liability but does not directly confront the recent controversial ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court. Duckworth, who has re-introduced a bill to provide federal protection to IVF services, emphasizes the need for nationwide IVF access and reproductive rights.
Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith blocked a bill sponsored by Sen. Tammy Duckworth that aimed to protect access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) following a recent Alabama state Supreme Court ruling that embryos created through IVF are considered children. Duckworth, who used IVF to have her two daughters, criticized the ruling as a threat to IVF access and accused it of being hypocritical and misogynistic. Hyde-Smith objected to the bill, stating that it was an overreach and contained "poison pills." The issue has sparked political debate, with Democrats accusing Republicans of attempting to control women's reproductive rights, while some Republicans have had to clarify their views on IVF.
Senate Republicans blocked a bill to protect access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, following a recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling that considers frozen embryos as children under state law. Democrats warn that the ruling could threaten reproductive rights, similar to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who used IVF to have her children, introduced the bill and emphasized the personal significance of IVF in her life. Republicans, while expressing support for IVF, argue that the federal government should not interfere with state-level decisions on reproductive care.
Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi blocked a bill that would have protected in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the doctors who perform the procedure, arguing that the legislation was an overreach and lacked limits on genetic engineering, surrogacy, and cloning. Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who requested the bill's passage, shared her personal experience with IVF and emphasized the need to protect individuals seeking assisted reproductive technology without fear of prosecution. The debate highlights differing views on federal versus state regulation of IVF and the rights of individuals and physicians in accessing and providing this technology.
Senators Duckworth and Murray are demanding a vote on their bill to federally protect in-vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments in response to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos should be protected as people. The bill, first introduced in 2022, aims to establish federal protections overriding any state policy restricting IVF access. While some Republicans are open to considering the bill, others insist no action is needed, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Republicans for laying the groundwork for the Alabama ruling but did not confirm plans for a vote on IVF.
Senator Tammy Duckworth, a former Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot and advocate for disability rights, expressed frustration when she discovered that the theater she went to see the Barbie movie with her daughters was not wheelchair accessible due to a broken elevator. Despite checking beforehand, Duckworth was unable to join her daughters for the show and felt let down by the lack of signage and support from theater staff. She emphasized the need for accessibility to be the default in America and highlighted the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized Senator Tommy Tuberville for his hold on over 270 military promotions, calling it a threat to national security. Tuberville's blockade, which has been ongoing for months, is in response to the Pentagon's policy of paying for service members to travel for abortions. This has left the Marine Corps without a Senate-confirmed leader for the first time in 100 years, and if the blockade continues, it could affect the leaders of the Army, Navy, and the Joint Chiefs nominee. Duckworth and other Democrats argue that this jeopardizes national security and allows foreign adversaries to see how one person can halt military careers and prevent vital positions from being filled. Tuberville has declined multiple options for a vote, while Senator Dan Sullivan defended Tuberville's right to place holds on nominees based on policy importance.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Army veteran helicopter pilot who chairs the subcommittee in charge of aviation in the Senate, criticized a proposal by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to alter pilot training requirements for commercial aircraft, saying senators will have "blood on your hands" if they support the changes. Sinema's proposal had forced the Senate Commerce Committee to postpone a vote on a major aviation policy bill. Some smaller, regional airlines have been pushing for changes to the current rule requiring pilots to have 1,500 hours of training before they can fly for a commercial airline, arguing that the rule is contributing to ongoing pilot workforce problems.
