During their second general-election debate, Kirk's challenger, Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), spoke about her deep connection to military service. “You know, my family has served this nation in uniform going back to the Revolution. I’m a Daughter of the American Revolution,” she said.
“I’ve bled for this nation. But I still want to be there in the Senate when the drums of war sound, because people are quick to sound the drums of war, and I want to be there to say, ‘This is what it costs. This is what you’re asking us to do. And if that’s the case, I’ll go.' Families like mine are the ones that bleed first.”
Kirk was given a chance to respond. “I forgot that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington,” he said.