Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.)

U.S. Representative (since January 1999)

(Congress Bio Directory)

Why She Matters

When Baldwin was elected to represent Wisconsin's 3rd district, she became the first woman from Wisconsin, the first openly gay non-incumbent and the first out lesbian elected to Congress.

The issue Baldwin has wanted to be defined by is health care. A champion of universal health care since her days as a state legislator, Baldwin has offered several health-care reform proposals before voting for Democrats' edition enacted in March 2010. In addition to health care, she has been a vocal opponent of the Iraq war.

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: Wisconsin Assembly (1992-1998); Dane County Board of Supervisors (1986-1994)
Birthday: February 11, 1962
Hometown: Madison, Wis.
Alma Mater: University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 1989; Smith College, A.B., 1984
Spouse : N/A

Committees: Energy and Commerce
DC Office: 2446 Rayburn Building, 202-225-2906
District Offices: Beloit, 608-362-2800; Madison, 608-258-9800
Email
Website

Path To Power

Born in 1962 in Madison, Wis., Baldwin was raised by her grandparents because her mother, a University of Wisconsin student who attended protest rallies in the 1960s, was addicted to prescription drugs.

Baldwin's political exposure came early, with her grandparents valuing both voting and contacting elected officials. In middle school, Baldwin served on a school committee to improve relations with homeowners near her school.

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The Issues

Baldwin has consistently rated among the most liberal House members, according to analysis by the National Journal. As of August 2010, Baldwin voted with the majority of House Democrats 97.5 percent of the time during the 111th Congress (2009-2011).

Baldwin supported the climate change bill that included provisions for cap-and-trade measures for lowering emissions and passed the House in June 2009. Baldwin used her perch on the House Energy and Commerce panel to convince fellow lawmakers to vote for the bill. She said she viewed the bill as a way to reform the Midwest's economy by gaining new manufacturing jobs in a "green economy."

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In December 2007, Baldwin was among the legislators pushing for a House Judiciary Committee hearing into the possible impeachment of officials in George W. Bush's administration on grounds related to intelligence, foreign wars and the firing of U.S. attorneys.

Baldwin voted for the $700-billion financial bailout bill in fall 2008, saying it included protections for the taxpayers while the economy was on "very shaky grounds."

Baldwin and Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) have sponsored bills seeking to eliminate antitrust exemptions for the railroad industry. Baldwin introduced a version of it in January 2009.

Health Care

Since running for the Dane County Board of Supervisors in 1986, Baldwin has long sought for a single-payer, government-run health-care program. Baldwin has introduced the Health Security for All Americans Act, aimed at creating universal coverage, multiple times since 2000.

Baldwin voted for the November 2009 version of health-care reform that passed in the House and included a public option, a government-run health care plan available alongside private plans that fell short of the single-payer model.

At the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Baldwin was given a prime-time spot to speak on health-care reform. The speech included mention of her support for federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research, but not universal health care, because presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) didn't include such provisions in his proposal.

In April 2007, a Baldwin-sponsored bill was enacted funding breast and cervical-cancer screening programs.

LGBT Issues

Baldwin co-founded and co-chairs the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.

Baldwin has sought the repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

While in the Wisconsin assembly, Baldwin introduced separate bills that would legalize same-sex marriage and "domestic partnerships" in which same-sex couples would have many of the rights of married couples. In 2009, Baldwin and her then-partner, Lauren Azar, registered for one of the state's first domestic partnerships. The following year, after 15 years together, the two decided to separate.

In 2008, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) intervened on Baldwin's behalf to allow Azar to travel with her on a military flight to Europe. The Pentagon only allows lawmakers to bring recognized spouses with them on military planes. A Pentagon press secretary said Defense Secretary Robert Gates honored Pelosi's request to make an exception and that "this should not be viewed as a precedent which would now permit all nonspouse travel."

Baldwin voted in May 2010 to abolish the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy for homosexual service members.

Foreign Policy

Since voting against the 2002 Iraq war resolution, Baldwin has been a vocal critic of the military campaign, often voting against funding the war.

The Network

Among Baldwin's close congressional friends is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Baldwin co-chairs the House Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality Caucus with Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who is also gay.

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