Tammy Duckworth Eviscerates Contractor Who Claimed Veterans Disability

Kudos to Tammy Duckworth for telling it like it is. Duckworth while serving in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot and suffered severe combat wounds, losing both of her legs and severely damaging her right arm. Duckworth is a former PhD candidate in political science. She continues to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard. In other words she knows her shit,,,

Speaking during a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Duckworth vividly described to a committee witness, Braulio Castillo, how she lives in near constant pain after losing both of her legs during her service as a combat pilot.

Castillo cited his foot injury, suffered at a military prep school, as the basis for his IT company's application for special status as a "service-disabled veteran-owned small business." The application was granted, and his company, Strong Castle, was given preferential treatment in federal contract bids.

"Does your foot hurt?" Duckworth asked Castillo, who answered yes.

"My feet hurt too," said Duckworth. "In fact, the balls of my feet burn continuously, and I feel like there's a nail being hammered into my heel right now. So I can understand pain and suffering, and how service connection can actually cause long-term, unremitting, unyielding, unstoppable pain."

"I'm sorry that twisting your ankle in high school has now come back to hurt you in such a painful way, if also opportune for you to gain this status for your business," she added.

Tammy Duckworth Eviscerates Contractor Who Claimed Veterans Disability