Tammy Baldwin
Encyclopedia
Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin (born February 11, 1962) is the U.S. Representative
for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district
, serving since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party
. In September 2011, Baldwin announced she would be a candidate in the 2012 U.S. Senate election in Wisconsin
to succeed Herb Kohl
, who is retiring.
. Baldwin graduated from Madison West High School
in 1980 as the class valedictorian
. She earned a bachelor's degree from Smith College
in 1984 and a law degree
from the University of Wisconsin Law School
in 1989.
Board of Supervisors
, a position that she held until 1994. She also served for one year on the Madison, Wisconsin
City Council
to fill a vacancy in the coterminous district. Baldwin then served in the Wisconsin State Assembly
from 1993 to 1999.
. She was also the first openly gay non-incumbent elected to the House of Representatives.
On October 10, 2002, Baldwin was among the 133 members of the House who voted against authorizing the invasion of Iraq
.
On August 1, 2007, Baldwin signed on to co-sponsor H. Res. 333, a bill proposing articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney
and H Res. 589, a bill proposing the impeachment of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
.
During the 2008 presidential election, she pledged as a superdelegate to Hillary Clinton.
Baldwin is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
. According to a 2011 survey by the National Journal
, Baldwin is among the most liberal members of the House.
in prime time
on the issue of health care. During the 110th Congress, Baldwin authored several pieces of legislation that were passed by the House. The Reeve Paralysis Act authorizes more funding for the treatment of ailments that result in immobility, while the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Act increases funding for low-income women to receive preventative screenings. Another bill that she authored, the Veteran Vision Equity Act, guarantees benefits for military veterans.
(EPA) and voted for the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. These acts criminalize and outline prosecution guidelines and punishments for wage discrimination based on sex. She received a grade of 100 from the League of Women Voters
as of 2007. She has received favorable evaluations from other civil rights groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union
.
Representative Baldwin has also advanced what she sees as stronger enforcement of laws against sexual violence and violence against women. She is a supporter of the Violence Against Women Act
, which allowed victims of sexual violence and other sexual crimes to take their cases to federal courts as well as providing funding for various anti-sexual violence initiatives and programs. She is also among the sponsors of a resolution to promote and support National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
Baldwin has also promoted her efforts on behalf of women's health and reproductive rights. She sponsored of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2007, which helped low-income, underinsured and uninsured women pay for cervical and breast cancer-related medical services.
Articles / presentations
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district
Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district
Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in southern Wisconsin, covering Dane County, Green County and Columbia County, as well as portions of Jefferson County, Sauk County, Rock County and a small region of Walworth County...
, serving since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. In September 2011, Baldwin announced she would be a candidate in the 2012 U.S. Senate election in Wisconsin
United States Senate election in Wisconsin, 2012
The 2012 United States Senate election in Wisconsin will take place on November 6, 2012 alongside a U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S...
to succeed Herb Kohl
Herb Kohl
Herbert H. "Herb" Kohl is the senior U.S. Senator from Wisconsin and a member of the Democratic Party. He is also a philanthropist and the owner of the Milwaukee Bucks National Basketball Association team...
, who is retiring.
Early life, education and career
Baldwin was born to Pamela Green and grew up in Madison, WisconsinMadison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. Baldwin graduated from Madison West High School
Madison West High School
Madison West High School is one of four comprehensive four-year high schools in Madison, Wisconsin. It was established in 1930. Its mascot is the "Reggie the Regent," a lion, and its school colors are maize and blue...
in 1980 as the class valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
. She earned a bachelor's degree from Smith College
Smith College
Smith College is a private, independent women's liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is the largest member of the Seven Sisters...
in 1984 and a law degree
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Wisconsin Law School
University of Wisconsin Law School
The University of Wisconsin Law School is the professional school for the study of law at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. The law school was founded in 1868.-Facilities:...
in 1989.
Early political career
Baldwin was first elected to political office in 1986 when she was elected to the Dane CountyDane County, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile . There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
Board of Supervisors
County board of supervisors
The Board of Supervisors is the body that supervises the operation of county government in all counties in Arizona, California, Iowa, Mississippi, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Sussex County, New Jersey as well as a handful of counties in New York...
, a position that she held until 1994. She also served for one year on the Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
to fill a vacancy in the coterminous district. Baldwin then served in the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
from 1993 to 1999.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Energy and CommerceUnited States House Committee on Energy and CommerceThe Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more than 200 years...
- Subcommittee on Environment and EconomyUnited States House Energy Subcommittee on Environment and EconomyThe Energy Subcommittee on Environment and Economy is a subcommittee within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Prior to 2009, it was known as the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, and was part of the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment from 2009 to 2011...
- Subcommittee on Health
- Subcommittee on Environment and Economy
Caucus memberships
- Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus
- Congressional Fitness Caucus
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Congressional Wine Caucus
- Food Safety Caucus
- Future of American Media Caucus
- International Conservation CaucusUnited States Congressional International Conservation CaucusThe U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization that was founded in September 2003 with the conviction that “the United States of America has the opportunity, the obligation and the interests to advance the conservation of natural resources for...
- Congressional Arts Caucus
Tenure
Baldwin was the first woman elected to Congress from the state of WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. She was also the first openly gay non-incumbent elected to the House of Representatives.
On October 10, 2002, Baldwin was among the 133 members of the House who voted against authorizing the invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
.
On August 1, 2007, Baldwin signed on to co-sponsor H. Res. 333, a bill proposing articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
and H Res. 589, a bill proposing the impeachment of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
Alberto Gonzales
Alberto R. Gonzales was the 80th Attorney General of the United States. Gonzales was appointed to the post in February 2005 by President George W. Bush. Gonzales was the first Hispanic Attorney General in U.S. history and the highest-ranking Hispanic government official ever...
.
Baldwin is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
Congressional Progressive Caucus
The Congressional Progressive Caucus is the largest caucus within the Democratic caucus in the United States Congress with 83 declared members, and works to advance progressive issues and positions....
. According to a 2011 survey by the National Journal
National Journal
National Journal is a nonpartisan American weekly magazine that reports on the current political environment and emerging political and policy trends. National Journal was first published in 1969. Times Mirror owned the magazine from 1986 to 1997, when it was purchased by David G. Bradley...
, Baldwin is among the most liberal members of the House.
Health care
On July 26, 2004, Baldwin spoke at the 2004 Democratic National Convention2004 Democratic National Convention
The 2004 Democratic National Convention convened from July 26 to July 29, 2004 at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts, and nominated John Kerry and John Edwards as the official candidates of the Democratic Party for President and Vice President of the United States, respectively, in the 2004...
in prime time
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
on the issue of health care. During the 110th Congress, Baldwin authored several pieces of legislation that were passed by the House. The Reeve Paralysis Act authorizes more funding for the treatment of ailments that result in immobility, while the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Act increases funding for low-income women to receive preventative screenings. Another bill that she authored, the Veteran Vision Equity Act, guarantees benefits for military veterans.
Women's rights
Baldwin has stated her support for such legislation as the Equal Pay ActEqual Pay Act of 1963
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 is a United States federal law amending the Fair Labor Standards Act, aimed at abolishing wage disparity based on sex . It was signed into law on June 10, 1963 by John F. Kennedy as part of his New Frontier Program...
(EPA) and voted for the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. These acts criminalize and outline prosecution guidelines and punishments for wage discrimination based on sex. She received a grade of 100 from the League of Women Voters
League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters is an American political organization founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt during the last meeting of the National American Woman Suffrage Association approximately six months before the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution gave women the right to vote...
as of 2007. She has received favorable evaluations from other civil rights groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
.
Representative Baldwin has also advanced what she sees as stronger enforcement of laws against sexual violence and violence against women. She is a supporter of the Violence Against Women Act
Violence Against Women Act
The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 is a United States federal law. It was passed as Title IV, sec. 40001-40703 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, , and signed as by President Bill Clinton on September 13, 1994...
, which allowed victims of sexual violence and other sexual crimes to take their cases to federal courts as well as providing funding for various anti-sexual violence initiatives and programs. She is also among the sponsors of a resolution to promote and support National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
Baldwin has also promoted her efforts on behalf of women's health and reproductive rights. She sponsored of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Reauthorization Act of 2007, which helped low-income, underinsured and uninsured women pay for cervical and breast cancer-related medical services.
Political campaigns
2012
Baldwin announced her candidacy for the election on September 6, 2011 in a video emailed to supporters.Electoral history
- 1998 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district
- Tammy Baldwin (D), 53%
- Josephine Musser (R), 47%
- 2000 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district
- Tammy Baldwin (D) (inc.), 51%
- John Sharpless (R), 49%
- 2002 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district
- Tammy Baldwin (D) (inc.), 66%
- Ron Greer (R), 34%
- 2004 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district
- Tammy Baldwin (D) (inc.), 63%
- Dave Magnum (R), 37%
- 2006 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district
- Tammy Baldwin (D) (inc.), 63%
- Dave Magnum (R), 37%
- 2008 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district
- Tammy Baldwin (D) (inc.), 69%
- Peter Theron (R), 31%
- 2010 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district
- Tammy Baldwin (D) (inc.), 62%
- Chad Lee (R), 38%
Personal life
For fifteen years, her domestic partner was Lauren Azar, until the couple separated in 2010.External links
- Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin official U.S. House site
- Tammy Baldwin for Congress official campaign site
- Profile at SourceWatchSourceWatchSourceWatch is an internet wiki site that is a collaborative project of the liberal Center for Media and Democracy...
- Profile at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin
Articles / presentations
- "The Students' Rep", American Prospect, October 1, 2003
- WTN Interview with Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin: Facilitating technology growth and regional economic development is a priority Mike Klein, Wisconsin Technology Network, August 6, 2003
- "Tammy Baldwin's Turn" John Nichols, The NationThe NationThe Nation is the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the United States. The periodical, devoted to politics and culture, is self-described as "the flagship of the left." Founded on July 6, 1865, It is published by The Nation Company, L.P., at 33 Irving Place, New York City.The Nation...
, July 25, 2004 - "Federal Politics and Medical Practices", Presentation given by Tammy Baldwin at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, January 25, 2007
- "Health Care Reform in 2009? The View from Washington, DC", Presentation given by Tammy Baldwin at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, February 4, 2008