Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith today released the following statement recognizing Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth’s service on the committee.

“I want to recognize Congresswoman Duckworth’s service on the Armed Services Committee. As an Iraq war Veteran and former director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs as well as Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) she has brought an invaluable perspective to the committee during her time in Congress. As Assistant Secretary, she spearheaded an initiative to end Veterans' homelessness and created the Office of Online Communications to improve the VA’s accessibility. Following her leadership at the VA, she came to Congress to advocate for practical solutions and cooperation that we need in order to move our country forward.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, she has fought tirelessly to save money for taxpayers by reducing waste, to improve servicemember quality of life, to find jobs for returning Veterans and protect them from predatory lending practices, to extend parental leave, and to prevent sexual assault in the military. Congresswoman Duckworth has contributed greatly to the national defense. It has been an honor working with her and she will be missed.”