Who is Tammy Duckworth, the US senator who excoriated Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Singapore?

SINGAPORE: As the US decides on its ambassador to Singapore, one senator has drawn attention after her questioning of President Donald Trump's pick left him struggling to respond. 

Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth probed Dr Anjani Sinha about Singapore during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday (Jul 9), concluding that she did not believe he was particularly qualified for the role. 

"You are not taking this seriously, you think this is a glamour posting, that you're going to live a nice life in Singapore," she said as her questioning time ran out. 

"You are not currently prepared for this posting, period, and you need to shape up and do some homework."

Dr Sinha, who had difficulties answering Duckworth's questions on trade between the US and Singapore, is not the first Trump nominee to be grilled by her. 

The Iraq War veteran also put Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth on the spot during his confirmation hearing, raising concerns when he failed to answer her queries on America's relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

Here’s what you need to know about Duckworth and her history in politics and the military. 

INTERNATIONAL UPBRINGING

Born in Bangkok to a US father and Thai mother, Duckworth lived in various countries in Asia as her father pursued jobs in the region. 

She spent most of her childhood in Indonesia but also stayed in Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam during her father’s stint with United Nations development programmes. 

She attended the Singapore American School (SAS) in the 1980s. According to the school's website, she was part of its basketball and track teams. 

Duckworth finished her high school education in Hawaii after her family left Asia. 

She graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1989 before moving to Washington to pursue a Master’s degree in International Relations at George Washington University.

A WOMAN OF MANY FIRSTS

Described by George Washington University as someone who has led "a life filled with firsts", Duckworth was the first Thai-American woman and first person born in Thailand elected to Congress.

The 57-year-old, who lost both of her legs and some mobility in her right arm while serving during the Iraq War, was also the first disabled woman elected to Congress. 

When she was elected to the US Senate in 2016, she was the first female double amputee in the upper house.

Duckworth went on to become the first senator to give birth while in office when she had her second daughter in 2018, highlighting issues of parental leave and working mothers in politics.

After giving birth, she secured a rules change that allowed senators to bring their infant children onto the Senate floor.

TOUGH QUESTIONER

Duckworth subjected Hegseth to rigorous questioning during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington. 

The former National Guard officer's performance drew criticism after he appeared to struggle with Duckworth’s queries about ASEAN and the US' agreements with its members.

When asked to state how many nations are in ASEAN, Hegseth replied: “I couldn't tell you the exact amount of nations in that, but I know we have allies in South Korea, in Japan and in AUKUS with Australia – you're trying to work on submarines with them."

AUKUS is a defence partnership between Australia, Britain and the US.

Duckworth cut him off at this point: "None of those three countries that you mentioned are in ASEAN. I suggest you do a little homework before you prepare for these types of negotiations."

MILITARY BACKGROUND

Before she held a place on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Duckworth began building a career in the military during her time at George Washington University. 

She joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps, a leadership training and development programme that prepares college students for opportunities in the military. She was the only woman in her helicopter training class and finished as the best in her class with the highest test scores, according to the US National Women's History Museum. 

She continued to serve in the Reserve Forces and was deployed during the Iraq War, becoming one of the first few women to fly combat missions. 

In 2004, her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, which exploded in her lap. She lost both legs and partial use of her right arm as a result.

She was awarded a Purple Heart, a medal presented to US military members who were wounded or killed as a result of enemy action during service.

After her recovery, Duckworth became Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

She served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2014. 

ADVOCATE FOR WORKING FAMILIES

During her political career, Duckworth advocated for working families and job creation, introducing Bills such as a move to ensure new mothers have access to safe, clean and accessible lactation rooms when travelling through airports. 

According to her biography on the George Washington University alumni website, she also introduced and passed the Troop Talent Act to help returning veterans find jobs in the private sector, and worked to cut waste and fraud at the Pentagon and throughout the government.

Her first Senate Bill to help support jobs in Illinois and cut bureaucratic red tape on infrastructure projects was passed in a record 64 days.

As a result of her achievements, Duckworth was recognised by the Center for Effective Lawmaking as one of the top five most effective Democratic Senators overall and the second-most effective on defence issues in the 117th Congress.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article stated that Duckworth was the first disabled veteran elected to Congress. This is incorrect. We apologise for the error.