Tammy Baldwin

Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin has been a Democratic member of the U. S. House of Representatives,  representing the Second Congressional District of Wisconsin, since 1999.

Iraq War
Baldwin voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Veteran's health
On March 21, 2007, the House considered a bill, Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act, sponsored by Rep. Baldwin which would amend existing law to improve compensation benefits for veterans in certain cases of vision impairment. Specifically, it would offer veterans suffering eyesight loss in the range of 20/200 or less, or loss of peripheral field loss of 20 degrees or less, enhanced disability compensation. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs would be required to match listings on the National Directory of New Hires with that of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine individuals under age 65 who are eligible for the benefits. The bill passed 424-0.

Bio
Baldwin was born February 11, 1962 in Madison, Wisconsin where she was also raised. She earned a bachelor's degree from Smith College, and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1993 to 1999 and was elected to the House in 1998. She was the first woman elected to Congress from the state of Wisconsin. She is also the first openly gay person who was not an incumbent to be elected to the House of Representatives. While two openly gay men serve in the House of Representatives, she is the only "out" lesbian.

According to Baldwin's official website, "she is a leading advocate for universal health care" and works at "protecting Social Security from risky privatization schemes, protecting Medicare, and increasing support for public education, including financial aid for higher education." She is also "a forceful supporter of civil rights and an advocate for those in our society whose voices, too often, are not heard."

On July 26, 2004, she spoke at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in prime time on the issue of health care.

2006 elections
In 2006, Republicans nominated David Magnum to face Baldwin in her November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Baldwin retained her seat.

Money in politics
cid=N00004367&cycle=2008

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

2008 Campaign Contact Information
Official Baldwin for Congress campaign website

Tammy Baldwin for Congress P.O. Box 696 Madison, WI 53701

608.663.6300 phone 608.256.2000 fax

[mailto:campaign@tammybaldwin.com campaign@tammybaldwin.com]

External resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Democratic Party of Wisconsin profile
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * The Xoff Files

External articles

 * Chris Bull, "Take a seat - openly lesbian Representative Tammy Baldwin," The Advocate (FindArticles.com), February 16, 1999.
 * Mike Kline, "WTN Interview with Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin: Facilitating technology growth and regional economic development is a priority," Wisconsin Technology Network, August 6, 2003.
 * Heidi Pauken, "The Students' Rep. Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin knows how to represent—and turn out—young people," The American Prospect, October 1, 2003.
 * John Nichols, "Tammy Baldwin's Turn," The Nation, July 25, 2004.
 * Walter Pincus, "Democrats Who Opposed War Move Into Key Positions. New Committee Chairmen Had Warned of Postwar Disorder," Washington Post, December 4, 2006.