Tammy Baldwin

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Tammy Baldwin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 3, 1999
Preceded by	Scott Klug
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 78th district
In office January 1993 – January 1999
Preceded by	David E. Clarenbach
Succeeded by	Mark Pocan
Born	February 11, 1962 (1962-02-11) (age 47) Madison, Wisconsin
Political party	Democratic
Domestic partner	Lauren Azar
Residence	Madison, Wisconsin
Alma mater	Smith College, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Occupation	attorney
Website	tammybaldwin.house.gov

Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin (born February 11, 1962) is an American politician, and has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1999, representing Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district.

[edit] Early life and career

Baldwin was born to Pamela Green and grew up in Madison, Wisconsin.^[1] 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.^[2]

Baldwin was first elected to political office in 1986 when she was elected to the Dane County Board of Supervisors, a position that she held until 1994. She also served 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 and was elected to the House in 1998.

Baldwin is the first woman elected to Congress from the state of Wisconsin, and is currently serving her fifth term. She was also the first ever openly gay non-incumbent to be elected to the House of Representatives, her election having won the backing of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. As of January 6, 2009, Baldwin is one of three openly gay members of Congress, the others being Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Jared Polis of Colorado.^[3] Her domestic partner is Lauren Azar.^[4] She is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

On August 1, 2007, Tammy Baldwin signed on to cosponsor 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.

Baldwin speaks during the second day of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

On July 26, 2004, she spoke at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in prime time on the issue of health care. For the 2008 presidential election, she pledged as a superdelegate to Hillary Clinton.

On October 10, 2002, Tammy Baldwin was among the 133 members of the House who voted against authorizing the invasion of Iraq.

During the 110th Congress, Baldwin has authored several pieces of legislation that have been passed by the House. The Reeve Paralysis Act authorizes more funding for treating ailments that result in immobility, while 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.^[4]

[edit] Women's Rights

Tammy Baldwin is a self-proclaimed strong supporter of and activist for women's rights and equality.^[5] She has stated her support for such legislation as the Equal Pay Act (EPA) and recently voted for the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.^[5][6] 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.^[7] She has also received favorable evaluations from other civil rights groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union.^[7]

Representative Baldwin has also made clear her support for better and stronger enforcement of laws against sexual violence and violence against women.^[5] 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.^[5]

Baldwin likewise works for the betterment of women's health and reproductive rights.^[5] 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.^[5][8]

[edit] Crime, Drugs and Military

In the years 2005 to 2006 Representative Tammy Baldwin has supported Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants 90 percent; in past years she has voted between 70 to 80 percent on this issue^[9]. This group’s two main goals are to ensure that prisons are just for those who need to be in them and to ensure that they have all the rehabilitative services that they need. This group’s objective is to improve the criminal justice system.^[10]

In the years 2005 to 2006, Representative Baldwin supported the interests of National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors 88 percent.^[11] She has also supported the interests of the Drug Policy Alliance Network 75 percent in the years 2007 to 2008. Representative Baldwin supports the cause to help addicts create a healthier environment for their families and communities through prevention and treatment.^[12]

Representative Baldwin has exponentially increased her support of the interest of the Non Commissioned Officers Association since 2000. In 2003 she supported this group 75 percent.^[13] This association works to benefit the noncommissioned officers and their families.^[14]

[edit] Committee assignments

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Environment
  • Subcommittee on Health
• Committee on the Judiciary
  • Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties

Tammy Baldwin presiding over the House while serving as Speaker Pro Tempore

[edit] Electoral history

• 2008 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 2nd District
  • Tammy Baldwin (D) (inc.), 69%
  • Peter Theron (R), 31%
• 2006 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 2nd District
  • Tammy Baldwin (D) (inc.), 63%
  • Dave Magnum (R), 37%
• 2004 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 2nd District
  • Tammy Baldwin (D) (inc.), 63%
  • Dave Magnum (R), 37%
• 2002 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 2nd District
  • Tammy Baldwin (D) (inc.), 66%
  • Ron Greer (R), 34%
• 2000 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 2nd District
  • Tammy Baldwin (D) (inc.), 51%
  • John Sharpless (R), 49%
• 1998 Race for U.S. House of Representatives — 2nd District
  • Tammy Baldwin (D), 53%
  • Josephine Musser (R), 47%

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] External links

• Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin official U.S. House website
• Tammy Baldwin for Congress campaign website

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia
• Democratic Party of Wisconsin — Tammy Baldwin profile

Articles / presentations

• "Federal Politics and Medical Practices", Presentation given by Tammy Baldwin at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
• "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
• "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 Nation, July 25, 2004