Senator Duckworth Highlights National Security Value of Diplomacy and American Alliances in Asia

At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the importance of alliances in the Asia and Pacific Island region with INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Philip S. Davidson. Duckworth questioned the admiral on the recent Asia Reassurance Initiative Act and how it will affect U.S. relations in the region, particularly with the Republic of Korea and Japan. Duckworth also discussed the importance of transportation and logistics networks in the Pacific. Duckworth is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), which has jurisdiction over the nation’s common defense, military operations, servicemember pay and retirement, military family benefits and the selective service system. SASC also oversees the Department of Defense, the United States Armed Services and several other national security-related issues at home and abroad. Duckworth served on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee for four years before joining the Senate.