Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Guide to the
New Congress
n Profiles of new members
n Preview of legislative action
n Impact on committees
112th Congress
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 3
the White House. Boehner has hinted at a similar House-first to encourage middle-of-the-road deals or mirror the tough parti-
strategy for scoring political points and prodding the Senate and san stand the GOP took against the rival party’s initiatives in the
Obama to cut deals. On the stump this fall, Boehner repeated 111th Congress. “Obama will have to cut deals with Republicans to
the conflict-resolution advice Obama offered when Republicans get anything done, and House Democrats have to decide whether
stubbornly resisted his health care proposals: “That’s what elec- they will support that,” said Ronald M. Peters, a political scientist
tions are for.” at the University of Oklahoma.
As the president attempted to do after his election in 2008, Boehner’s push for spending cuts and other priorities will re-
Boehner hopes to seize momentum from the election results. That quire support from a big freshman class that won election on an
will begin even before the new Congress convenes, as Republi- anti-deficit platform that did not make clear where the knife should
cans insist during a post-election session of the 111th Congress cut. The emphasis on spending cuts could trigger a reordering of
on an across-the-board extension of the income tax rates expiring priorities on Appropriations panels.
at the end of the year. The Republicans will also push for as-yet- It could also lead to a push to rewrite the 1974 budget law
unspecified spending cuts when the lame-duck session takes up an to restructure the Budget Committee and impose new fiscal
omnibus fiscal 2011 spending package. disciplinary measures, including a requirement that spending
Boehner will be looking for a way to avoid the hostility between increases be offset only with cuts in other spending, not with
House and Senate Republicans that developed during the Clinton revenue increases.
and George W. Bush administrations. Boehner has a close working
relationship with Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Ken- Focus on Committees
tucky. And he has promoted an agenda of broad themes rather Boehner has promised to move away from Pelosi’s “strong cau-
than detailed initiatives like those in the GOP’s 1994 “Contract cus” model for developing major legislation and has outlined a
With America” platform. more traditional approach to moving bills under the leadership of
Cantor, 47, said the GOP majority will push for spending cuts committee chairmen.
but will not force a government shutdown in an attempt to force A race has already begun for the gavels of the Appropriations
the hand of Obama and the Democrats. The Republican majority and Energy and Commerce committees, with Jerry Lewis of Cali-
elected in 1994 tried that tactic in 1995 and 1996 and paid a price fornia and Joe L. Barton of Texas, currently the top Republicans
politically. “I don’t think the public wants to see a government shut- on those panels, seeking waivers of a GOP rule limiting lawmakers
down,” Cantor said. to three terms as either a panel’s chairman or ranking minority
It remains to be seen if the numerous conservatives joining the member. If waivers are not granted, Harold Rogers of Kentucky
GOP caucus are willing to draw a line short of a shutdown. will probably become Appropriations chairman; a race for Energy
Former Republican Rep. Bill Frenzel of Minnesota, now a and Commerce chairman would pit Fred Upton of Michigan, the
scholar at the Brookings Institution, said House Republicans will front-runner, against John Shimkus of Illinois.
probably lack the leverage to win major concessions. “They will Another race looms for the chairmanship of the Intelligence
have trouble getting anything done either on budget process, or Committee, where William M. “Mac” Thornberry of Texas is vy-
on the budget itself. That will take compromise. It’s going to be ing with Mike Rogers of Michigan to succeed the current ranking
hard to do anything that satisfies the Republican caucus and the member, Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, who is retiring.
Democratic caucus,” Frenzel said. On the Democratic side, Sander M. Levin of Michigan, the Ways
House Democratic leaders will face tough decisions on whether and Means Committee’s acting chairman, faces a tough challenge
from Richard E. Neal of Massachusetts for the top Democratic
slot. Allyson Y. Schwartz of Pennsylvania is poised to succeed
Publication Note Spratt as the top Democrat on the Budget panel, but she could
Profiles of new members of the 112th Congress begin with an face a challenge from Marcy Kaptur of Ohio.
introduction on page 19. Norm Dicks of Washington is the favorite against Chaka Fattah
Some races remained too close to call at press time Wednesday, of Pennsylvania in a race for ranking member on the Appropria-
including three in the Senate: Democratic incumbent Michael Ben- tions Committee. And the Democratic leaders will have to decide
net of Colorado held a narrow lead over Republican Ken Buck, so
whether to reappoint Silvestre Reyes of Texas as the top Democrat
the challenger’s profile was included here. Later in the day however,
that race was called for Bennett. The race in Washington was too
on Intelligence or select a replacement such as Anna G. Eshoo of
close to call, so the profile of Republican challenger Dino Rossi can California, Rush D. Holt of New Jersey or Alcee L. Hastings of
be found inside. In Alaska, write-in candidate Lisa Murkowski had a Florida.
healthy lead with nearly all precincts reporting, so profiles of Repub- Boehner and the Republicans have promised significant changes
lican Joe Miller and Democrat Scott McAdams are not included. in the way the House does its business, including wider partici-
A number of House races remained tight, including those in Califor- pation in writing legislation and less restrictive floor procedures.
nia’s 11th and 20th districts, Illinois’ 8th and Virginia’s 11th. In those Honoring those promises could make life more difficult for the
situations and others, the profiles of potential freshmen who were new majority.
slightly trailing — and in some cases leading — are provided. Some
Since Democrats took control of the House in 2007, the GOP
races might not be resolved for weeks as officials begin recounts.
Others could be resolved much faster.
minority has taken advantage of nearly every opportunity provided
For updates on all of the undecided races, go to rollcallpolitics.com. under House rules to delay action on legislation and force Demo-
crats to cast votes that the Republicans considered politically ad-
vantageous. F
Page 8 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
Fla.
Hawaii
Winners listed in bold * Incumbents marked with an asterisk Races too close to call are highlighted
State Candidate Percentage State Candidate Percentage State Candidate Percentage
Alabama Richard C. Shelby, R* 65% Illinois Mark Kirk, R 48% North Dakota John Hoeven, R 76%
William Barnes, D 35% Alexi Giannoulias, D 46% Tracy Potter, D 22%
Alaska Joe Miller, R 34% Indiana Dan Coats, R 55% Ohio Rob Portman, R 57%
Write-in candidate** 41% Brad Ellsworth, D 40% Lee Fisher, D 39%
Scott McAdams, D 24% Iowa Charles E. Grassley, R* 65% Oklahoma TomCoburn, R* 71%
Arizona John McCain, R* 59% Roxanne Conlin, D 33% Jim Rogers, D 26%
Rodney Glassman, D 35% Kansas Jerry Moran, R 70% Oregon Ron Wyden, D* 56%
Arkansas John Boozman, R 58% Lisa Johnston, D 26% Jim Huffman, R 40%
Blanche Lincoln, D* 37% Kentucky Rand Paul, R 56% Pennsylvania Patrick Toomey, R 51%
California Barbara Boxer, D* 52% Jack Conway, D 44% Joe Sestak, D 49%
Carly Fiorina, R 43% Louisiana David Vitter, R* 57% South Carolina JimDeMint, R* 62%
Colorado Michael Bennet, D* 48% Charlie Melancon, D 38% Alvin Greene, D 28%
Ken Buck, R 47% Maryland*** Barbara A. Mikulski, D* 62% South Dakota John Thune, R* 100%
Connecticut Richard Blumenthal, D 54% Eric Wargotz, R 36%
Utah Mike Lee, R 62%
Linda McMahon, R 44% Missouri Roy Blunt, R 54% Sam Granato, D 33%
Delaware Chris Coons, D 57% Robin Carnahan, D 41%
Vermont Patrick J. Leahy, D* 64%
Christine O’Donnell, R 40% Nevada Harry Reid, D* 50% Len Britton, R 31%
Florida Marco Rubio, R 49% Sharron Angle, R 45%
Washington Patty Murray, D* 50%
Charlie Crist, I 30% New Hampshire Kelly Ayotte, R 60% Dino Rossi, R 50%
Kendrick B. Meek, D 20% Paul Hodes, D 37%
Georgia Johnny Isakson, R* 58%
West Virginia Joe Manchin III, D 54%
NewYork Kirsten Gillibrand, D* 61% John Raese, R 43%
Michael Thurmond, D 39% Joseph DioGuardi, R 37%
Hawaii Daniel Inouye, D* 75%
Wisconsin Ron Johnson, R 52%
NewYork Charles E. Schumer, D* 66% Russ Feingold, D* 47%
Cam Cavasso, R 22% Jay Townsend, R 33%
Idaho Michael D. Crapo, R* 71%
North Carolina Richard M. Burr, R* 55%
Tom Sullivan, D 25% Elaine Marshall, D 43%
Senate continued from page 8 2008 and Republicans this year — 40 percent of the senators will
be serving their first terms, including the 16 or more new members
said, adding that a divided Congress “is hardly a recipe for elected Nov. 2. Still, the class of 2010 is largely a group of experi-
cooperation.” enced politicians.
Seven Republican senators-elect previously served in the
AFreshman’s Senate House — one of whom, Dan Coats of Indiana, also served previ-
In the early months of the 112th, many senators will be adjusting ously in the Senate, from 1989 to 1999. Two new senators, Republi-
to a new life in a chamber that cherishes its billing as the world’s can John Hoeven of North Dakota and Democrat Joe Manchin III
greatest deliberative body. After three consecutive elections pro- of West Virginia, are now governors. At least four new Republicans,
ducing significant turnover — favoring Democrats in 2006 and including tea party favorites Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ron John-
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 11
son of Wisconsin, have never held elected office. ried traditions and complex rules, Democrat Robert C. Byrd of
Virtually all the newly elected senators campaigned on anti- West Virginia, who died in June, and its most practiced dealmaker,
Washington themes — including the three new Democrats. The Democrat Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, who died in
GOP freshmen will be hard-pressed to hold on to their indepen- August 2009.
dence and take part in the give and take of legislative negotiations. One important constant in the chamber will be the leadership
“They ran on saying ‘no’ to everything,” said Christine Todd Whit- slates of both parties. Reid and his top two deputies — Majority
man, the moderate former Republican governor of New Jersey. Whip Richard J. Durbin of Illinois and Caucus Vice Chairman
“The challenge for them is figuring out where are the yeses.” Charles E. Schumer of New York — are expected to once again
Already, many Democrats first elected in 2006 and 2008 are face off with McConnell and his lieutenants — Minority Whip
agitating for rule changes to limit the ability of the minority to Jon Kyl of Arizona and Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander
use procedures to block legislation. But such changes would likely of Tennessee. All are expected to be re-elected when their parties
intensify partisan tensions. Republicans would take them as a sign organize for the new Congress during the coming weeks. Senate
that Democrats want to exclude them from lawmaking. Democrats set Nov. 16 as the date of their leadership elections.
Bipartisan deals have been rare in the Senate since 2007, so Newly elected senators will be at the Capitol for several days of
many senators have never been part of cross-party agreements on orientation organized by the secretary of the Senate’s office. Sen-
major legislation. Exacerbating that situation, both parties are los- ate Republicans have yet to announce the date for their leadership
ing veteran moderate dealmakers at the end of the 111th Congress. elections, though both parties usually hold them on the same day.
Evan Bayh of Indiana, a former governor, and Blanche Lincoln of Reid and McConnell are well-versed and well-tested in using
Arkansas are Democratic moderates with a history of working with procedural rules to maximum advantage. Both are highly partisan
Republicans. Bayh is retiring and Lincoln was defeated. The only and cherish party unity on important votes, but they also have spent
other defeated incumbent on Nov. 2, Democrat Russ Feingold of many hours behind closed doors together working out agreements
Wisconsin, famously wrote campaign finance legislation with John to allow must-pass legislation to get through the Senate in ways that
McCain, R-Ariz. They are joined by retiring Banking, Housing and appease the ideological wings of each party.
Urban Affairs Chairman Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, who With Reid’s re-election and McConnell’s in 2008 neither will
helped create the 2008 financial bailout signed into law by Repub- face voters before 2014 and can concentrate on their Senate re-
lican President George W. Bush. sponsibilities. Neither has other political ambitions, meaning they
On the Republican side, former governors Judd Gregg of New will be willing followers of their party’s 2012 presidential candi-
Hampshire and George V. Voinovich of Ohio are taking their ex- dates, who shape much of Congress’ legislative debate.
perience crafting bipartisan deals with them into retirement. And,
before the elections, the Senate lost a stalwart defender of its sto- Senate continued on page 12
Page 12 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
AP PHOTOS
Kelly Ayotte, whoeasily won an open seat in NewHampshire, will be one of TimScott of South Carolina will be one of twoblack Republicans beginning
at least four Republican women senators in the 112th Congress. their service in January.
Religion Women
SENATE Count HOUSE (73, four fewer than in 111th) Pennsylvania: Allyson Y. Schwartz, D
Roman Catholic 22 Alabama: Martha Roby, R; Terri A. Sewell, D South Dakota: Kristi Noem, R
Presbyterian 14 California: Terri A. Sewell, D; Karen Bass, D; Mary Bono Tennessee: Diane Black, R; Marsha Blackburn, R
Jewish 12 Mack, R; Lois Capps, D; Judy Chu, D; Susan A. Davis, Texas: Kay Granger, R; Sheila Jackson Lee, D;
Methodist 11 D; Anna G. Eshoo, D; Jane Harman, D; Barbara Lee, D; Eddie Bernice Johnson, D
Protestant - Unspecified 10 Zoe Lofgren, D; Doris Matsui, D; Grace F. Napolitano, D; Virgin Islands: Donna M.C. Christensen, D (delegate)
Baptist 8 Nancy Pelosi, D; Laura Richardson, D; Lucille Roybal-
Allard, D; Linda T. Sanchez, D; Loretta Sánchez, D; Jackie Washington: Jaime Herrera, R; Cathy McMorris
Mormon 5 Rodgers, R
Episcopalian 4 Speier, D; Maxine Waters, D; Lynn Woolsey, D
Lutheran 4 Colorado: Diana DeGette, D West Virginia: Shelley Moore Capito, R
United Church of Christ and Congregationalist 4 Connecticut Rosa DeLauro, D Wisconsin: Tammy Baldwin, D; Gwen Moore, D
Eastern Orthodox 1 District of Columbia: Eleanor Holmes Norton, D Wyoming: Cynthia M. Lummis, R
Unitarian 1 (delegate)
Christian Reform Church 1 Florida: Corrine Brown, D; Kathy Castor, D; Suzanne M. SENATE (15, two fewer than in 111th)
Kosmas, D; Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R; Debbie Wasserman California: Barbara Boxer, D; Dianne Feinstein, D
HOUSE
Roman Catholic 126 Schultz, D; Frederica Wilson, D Louisiana: Mary L. Landrieu, D
Baptist 60 Guam: Madeleine Z. Bordallo, D (delegate) Maine: Susan Collins, R; Olympia J. Snowe, R
Protestant - Unspecified 55 Hawaii: Colleen Hanabusa, D; Mazie K. Hirono, D Maryland: Barbara A. Mikulski, D
Methodist 37 Illinois: Judy Biggert, R; Jan Schakowsky, D Michigan: Debbie Stabenow, D
Episcopalian 31 Kansas: Lynn Jenkins, R Minnesota: Amy Klobuchar, D
Presbyterian 30 Maine: Chellie Pingree, D Missouri: Claire McCaskill, D
Jewish 26
Maryland: Donna Edwards, D New Hampshire: Kelly Ayotte, R; Jeanne Shaheen, D
Lutheran 22
Mormon 9 Massachusetts: Niki Tsongas, D NewYork: Kirsten Gillibrand, D
Unspecified 5 Michigan: Candice S. Miller, R North Carolina: Kay Hagan, D
Eastern Orthodox 4 Minnesota: Michele Bachmann, R; Betty McCollum, D Texas: Kay Bailey Hutchison, R
Christian Scientist 3 Missouri: Jo Ann Emerson, R; Vicky Hartzler, R Washington: Maria Cantwell, D
African Methodist Episcopal 3 Nevada: Shelley Berkley, D
Buddhist 3 NewYork: Yvette D. Clarke, D; Nan Hayworth, R; Nita M.
Seventh-day Adventist 2 Lowey, D; Carolyn B. Maloney, D; Carolyn McCarthy, D;
Muslim 2 Louise M. Slaughter, D; Nydia M. Velázquez, D
United Church of Christ and Congregationalist 2 North Carolina: Renee Ellmers, R; Virginia Foxx, R;
Christian Reformed Church 1 Sue Myrick, R
Unitarian 1
Ohio: Marcia L. Fudge, D; Marcy Kaptur, D;
Community of Christ 1
Jean Schmidt, R; Betty Sutton, D
Quaker 1
DEPARTINGMEMBERS
* Appointed to seat
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 17
DEPARTINGMEMBERS
NEW MEMBERS
of the 112th Congress
The Democratic tide that swept President Obama into office and The 112th will include the first African-American Republicans
expanded the Democratic majorities in 2008 reversed this year, pulling in Congress since 2003: Tim Scott of South Carolina and Allen West
the party out of power in the House, trimming its majority in the Senate of Florida. It also will include a former vice president’s son, Republi-
and leaving Obama to face a more conservative Congress over the next can Ben Quayle of Arizona. California Democrat Nancy Pelosi will no
two years. longer be Speaker, but a former Speaker of the California Assembly,
In total, one-fifth of the new Congress will be freshmen. Democrat Karen Bass, is coming to Congress. The arrival of New Jersey
The diminished Democratic Caucus in the House will be more lib- Republican Jon Runyan will double the number of ex-NFL players in
eral. Many of those who lost Nov. 2 came from the party’s moderate the House.
ranks. The following pages highlight the plans and backgrounds of newly
Republicans could face a different challenge as distinctions be- elected members of both chambers. A handful of the profiles are for can-
tween the chambers grow. Generally, when a party’s numbers increase, didates in races whose outcomes had not been determined at press time.
the caucus becomes less ideological. That might prove true in the House. In addition, five new members — Republican Reps. Tom Reed of
But the Senate GOP Conference is likely to shift to the right. In addition New York and Marlin Stutzman of Indiana, GOP Sen. Mark Steven
to the Republicans who won Democratic seats, several Republicans can Kirk of Illinois and Democratic Sens. Chris Coons of Delaware and Joe
be expected to be more reliably conservative than the party colleagues Manchin III of West Virginia — will be seated immediately because they
they replaced. Mike Lee of Utah, Marco Rubio of Florida, Rob Portman are filling vacant seats (in the case of the House members) or replacing
of Ohio and Roy Blunt of Missouri fall into that category. appointed members (in the case of the senators).
Page 20 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
s e n at e
TOO CLOSE TO CALL AT PRESS TIME
Arkansas Colorado
John Boozman, R Ken Buck, R
Pronounced: BOZE-man Election: Opposed Sen. Michael Bennet, D
Election: Defeated Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D Residence: Greeley
Residence: Rogers Born: Feb. 16, 1959; Ossining, N.Y.
Born: Dec. 10, 1950; Shreveport, La. Religion: Wesleyan
Religion: Baptist Family: Wife, Perry Buck; two children
Family: Wife, Cathy Boozman; three children Education: Princeton U., A.B. 1981 (politics); U. of
Education: U. of Arkansas, attended 1969-72; Wyoming, J.D. 1985
Southern College of Optometry, O.D. 1977 Career: Construction company business adviser;
Career: Optometrist; cattle-farm owner federal prosecutor; congressional aide; lawyer;
Political highlights: Rogers Public Schools Board of Education, 1994-2001; state legislative aide
U.S. House, 2001-present Political highlights: Assistant U.S. attorney, 1990-2002; Weld County district
attorney, 2005-present
s e n at e
Connecticut D e l awa r e
Richard Blumenthal, D Chris Coons, D
Election: Defeated Linda McMahon, R, to succeed Election: Defeated Christine O’Donnell, R, to succeed
Christopher J. Dodd, D, who retired Ted Kaufman, D, who retired
Residence: Greenwich Residence: Wilmington
Born: Feb. 13, 1946; Brooklyn, N.Y. Born: Sept. 9, 1963; Greenwich, Conn.
Religion: Jewish Religion: Presbyterian
Family: Wife, Cynthia Blumenthal; four children Family: Wife, Annie Lingenfelter; three children
Education: Harvard U., A.B. 1967 (political science); Education: Amherst College, A.B. 1985 (chemistry
Cambridge U., attended 1967-68; Yale U., J.D. 1973 & political science); Yale U., J.D. 1992, M.A.R. 1992
Military: Marine Corps Reserve 1970-75 (ethics)
Career: Lawyer; congressional aide; White House aide Career: Lawyer; education foundation aide; campaign aide
Political highlights: U.S. attorney, 1977-81; Conn. House, 1984-87; Conn. Political highlights: New Castle County Council president, 2001-05; New
Senate, 1987-91; Conn. attorney general, 1991-present Castle County executive, 2005-present
s e n at e
Florida IllinoiS
Marco Rubio, R Mark Steven Kirk, R
Election: Defeated Kendrick B. Meek, D, to succeed Election: Defeated Alexi Giannoulias, D, to succeed
George LeMieux, R, who retired Roland W. Burris, D, who retired
Residence: West Miami Residence: Highland Park
Born: May 28, 1971; Miami, Fla. Born: Sept. 15, 1959; Champaign, Ill.
Religion: Roman Catholic Religion: Congregationalist
Family: Wife, Jeanette Rubio; four children Family: Divorced
Education: Tarkio College, attended 1989-90; Santa Education: Cornell U., B.A. 1981 (history); London
Fe Community College, attended 1990-91; U. of School of Economics, M.S. 1982; Georgetown U., J.D.
Florida, B.S. 1993 (political science); U. of Miami, J.D. 1992
1996 Military: Naval Reserve 1989-present
Career: Lawyer; campaign aide Career: Lawyer; U.S. State Department aide; World Bank officer; congres-
Political highlights: West Miami City Commission, 1998-00; Fla. House, sional aide
2000-2008 (majority leader, 2003-06; Speaker, 2006-08) Political highlights: U.S. House, 2001-present
s e n at e
Indiana Ka n s a s
Dan Coats, R Jerry Moran, R
Election: Defeated Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D, to succeed Election: Defeated Lisa Johnston, D, to succeed Sam
Evan Bayh, D, who retired Brownback, R, who ran for governor
Residence: Indianapolis Residence: Hays
Born: May 16, 1943; Jackson, Mich. Born: May 29, 1954; Great Bend, Kan.
Religion: Presbyterian Religion: Methodist
Family: Wife, Marsha Coats; three children Family: Wife, Robba Moran; two children
Education: Wheaton College, B.A. 1965 (political Education: U. of Kansas, B.S. 1976 (economics),
science); Indiana U., Indianapolis, J.D. 1972 J.D. 1981; Fort Hays Kansas State College, attended
Military: Army Corps of Engineers, 1966-68 1972-73
Career: Lobbyist; congressional district aide; lawyer Career: Lawyer; banker
Political highlights: U.S. House, 1981-89; U.S. ambassador to Germany, Political highlights: Kan. Senate, 1989-97 (vice president, 1993-95; majority
2001-05 leader, 1995-97); U.S. House, 1997-present
s e n at e
Kentucky Missouri
Rand Paul, R Roy Blunt, R
Election: Defeated Jack Conway, D, to succeed Jim Election: Defeated Robin Carnahan, D, to succeed
Bunning, R, who retired Christopher S. Bond, R, who retired
Residence: Bowling Green Residence: Strafford
Born: Jan. 7, 1963; Pittsburgh, Pa. Born: Jan. 10, 1950; Niangua, Mo.
Religion: Presbyterian Religion: Baptist
Family: Wife, Kelley Paul; three children Family: Wife, Abigail Blunt; four children
Education: Baylor U., attended 1981-84; Duke U., M.D. Education: Southwest Baptist U., B.A. 1970 (history);
1988 Southwest Missouri State U., M.A. 1972 (history &
Career: Ophthalmologist government)
Political highlights: No previous office Career: University president; teacher
Political highlights: Greene County clerk, 1973-84; Republican nominee for
lieutenant governor, 1980; Mo. secretary of state, 1985-93; sought
Republican nomination for governor, 1992; U.S. House, 1997-present
s e n at e
New Hampshire N o r t h D a ko ta
Kelly Ayotte, R John Hoeven, R
Pronounced: EYH-ott Pronounced: HO-ven
Election: Defeated Rep. Paul W. Hodes, D, to succeed Election: Defeated Tracy Potter, D, to succeed Byron
Judd Gregg, R, who retired L. Dorgan, D, who retired
Residence: Nashua Residence: Bismarck
Born: June 27, 1968; Nashua, N.H. Born: March 13, 1957; Bismarck, N.D.
Religion: Roman Catholic Religion: Roman Catholic
Family: Husband, Joseph Daley; two children Family: Wife, Mical Hoeven; two children
Education: Pennsylvania State U., B.A. 1990 (political Education: Northwestern U., M.B.A. 1981; Dartmouth
science); Villanova U., J.D. 1993 College, B.A. 1979 (history & economics)
Career: Gubernatorial aide; state prosecutor; lawyer; state deputy attorney Career: Bank CEO
general Political highlights: Governor, 2000-present
Political highlights: N.H. attorney general, 2004-09
s e n at e
Oh i o P e n n s y lva n i a
Rob Portman, R Pat Toomey, R
Election: Defeated Lee Fisher, D, to succeed George Election: Defeated Rep. Joe Sestak, D, to succeed
V. Voinovich, R, who retired Arlen Specter, D, who lost in the primary
Residence: Terrace Park Residence: Zionsville
Born: Dec. 19, 1955; Cincinnati, Ohio Born: Nov. 17, 1961; Providence, R.I.
Religion: Methodist Religion: Roman Catholic
Family: Wife, Jane Portman; three children Family: Wife, Kris Toomey; three children
Education: Dartmouth College, B.A. 1978 Education: Harvard U., A.B. 1984 (political
(anthropology); U. of Michigan, J.D. 1984 philosophy)
Career: Lawyer Career: Restaurateur; investment banker; Club for
Political highlights: White House associate counsel, 1989; White House Growth president
Legislative Affairs director, 1989-91; U.S. House, 1993-2005; U.S. trade rep- Political highlights: Allentown Government Study Commission, 1994-96; U.S.
resentative, 2005-06; Office of Management and Budget director, 2006-07 House, 1999-2005; sought Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, 2004
s e n at e
TOO CLOSE TO CALL AT PRESS TIME
U ta h Was h i n gto n
Mike Lee, R Dino Rossi, R
Election: Defeated Sam Granato, D, to succeed Election: Opposed Sen. Patty Murray, D
Robert F. Bennett, R, who was not renominated Residence: Sammamish
Residence: Alpine Born: Oct. 15, 1959; Seattle, Wash.
Born: June 4, 1971; Mesa, Ariz. Religion: Roman Catholic
Religion: Mormon Family: Wife, Terry Rossi; four children
Family: Wife, Sharon Lee; three children Education: Shoreline Community College, attended;
Education: Brigham Young U., B.A. 1994 (political Seattle U., B.A.B.A. 1982
science), J.D. 1997 Career: Real estate broker and developer
Career: Lawyer; gubernatorial aide Political highlights: Republican nominee for Wash.
Political highlights: Assistant U.S. attorney, 2002-05 Senate, 1992; Wash. Senate, 1997-2003; Republican nominee for governor,
2004, 2008
L ike many Republicans, Lee wants to tackle the federal deficit. “I’ve
been worrying about the deficit for a long time, since the 1980s,”
he says. “We had a $3 trillion deficit back then. Now that’s multiplied,
R ossi, who made his personal fortune in commercial real estate,
brings to the Senate significant business experience as well as
two four-year terms in the state Senate, where he chaired the Ways
and soon it will be five times more than when I first started worrying.” and Means Committee.
He plans to propose a balanced-budget amendment to the As chairman in 2003, he helped enact a budget with big
Constitution that would limit federal spending to 15 percent of spending cuts and no tax increases, despite strong pressure
gross domestic product, unless two-thirds of the House and Senate from Democrats to avoid many of the cuts. In doing so, Rossi
override the restriction. Lee would like to see Congress follow the cited the state’s need to fill a hole in the budget without raising
example set by state legislatures that have imposed balanced budget taxes. (Washington state lawmakers are required to balance the
requirements. budget.)
Lee believes that lowering the deficit will lead to jobs. “In order In 2004, as he announced his first of two runs for governor,
to create jobs, Congress has to control what it spends so it’s not Rossi described himself as a “fiscal conservative with a social
stuck with so much debt that it has to inflate the dollar to pay it conscience.”
off,” he says. “Any time you require Congress to discipline itself Rossi is in favor of repealing the 2010 health care overhaul
to spend less, it increases confidence in investments and people and replacing it with smaller, more focused provisions that are
investing, and when they invest more, they create more jobs.” intended to reduce costs for individuals and small businesses.
The issue is also a matter of principle for Lee, who says the defi- Those ideas include allowing individuals to buy health insurance
cit increases corruption by allowing members to avoid account- plans across state lines and giving them the same tax deductions
ability for spending taxpayer money on unnecessary programs. that corporations receive.
“Every war we fought, starting with the Revolution, required the He favors making permanent the 2001 and 2003 Bush-era tax
country to incur debt, but it has become so easy that it’s gotten out cuts, which Rossi says spurred economic growth. The best economic
of control,” he says. “It allows Congress to overspend and create results, he says, stem from allowing individuals and small businesses
new programs and benefits for constituents without having any to invest more of their own money into the economy. Raising taxes
new money to pay for it.” is not a solution to the government’s budget problems, he says.
Lee believes his background in law will serve him well as a Rossi also supports a balanced-budget amendment to the
lawmaker, and he views his transition from the judiciary to the Constitution requiring a supermajority of House and Senate
legislative branch as a “continuum,” as opposed to a career change. votes to raise taxes. He favors cutting the federal workforce
As a lawyer, he came across laws that were muddled, and riddled along with its “generous pay and benefits.” He wants unspent
with loopholes and complicated wording. Lee has been looking bailout and stimulus money to be used to pay down the na-
for a way to “clean up the mess” and believes the best method is tional debt, and he opposed the financial regulatory overhaul
legislation. He hopes to land a spot on the Judiciary Committee. that Congress enacted in 2010.
“There are limits on what the court can do,” he says. “The courts Rossi favors an outright ban of congressional earmarks, but
aren’t there to be the first and last interpreter of the Constitution. during his tenure in the state Senate he did steer millions of dol-
They are prohibited from acting unless there are two or more lars to his district. He argues that the process in Olympia is far
parties to a dispute. That is the only time, but there are a lot of better in terms of transparency than on Capitol Hill.
questions that never result in this kind of dispute.” On energy, Rossi opposes the idea of using a cap-and-trade sys-
Lee also hopes to join the Energy and Natural Resources Com- tem to address greenhouse gas emissions, and he supports the de-
mittee. He would back legislation to open up the nation’s natural velopment of more renewable-energy sources and alternative fuels.
energy resources, including a proposal to drill for oil and gas in the He opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants and supports the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and to extract shale oil completion of a border fence.
from rock in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. He is also interested According to aides, Rossi has no particular committee
in the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. preferences.
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 29
s e n at e
M anchin’s victory in the special election to fill the seat once held
by the late Democrat Robert C. Byrd promises a continuation
of the legendary senator’s practice of using the federal government
I nitially dismissed as a long shot, Johnson rode the nationwide
anti-incumbent, anti-government wave into office.
He is a political novice who assailed the three-term incumbent,
to benefit the Mountain State. Democrat Russ Feingold, as a “career politician.” He jumped
The governor hopes for a seat on the Appropriations Commit- into the race at the urging of conservative tea party activists who
tee, which Byrd chaired for years and used to steer millions of cheered his attacks on the 2010 health care overhaul. Like other
federal dollars in earmarks to West Virginia, one of the poorest Republican candidates this year, he has called for the law’s repeal.
states. He is also interested in the Energy and Natural Resources He is also a sharp critic of the 2009 economic stimulus law,
Subcommittee on Energy because of its jurisdiction over coal, a which he condemns as ineffectual, and of Congress’ repeated
key component of the state economy. extensions of unemployment benefits over the past two years. He
But Manchin will not limit himself to parochial matters. says the extended jobless benefits deter recipients from taking
He wants to serve on the Finance Subcommittee on Taxation, new jobs that might pay less than their old ones.
IRS Oversight, and Long-Term Growth because it has jurisdic- Backed by the conservative Club for Growth, Johnson urges
tion over tax policy. He also is targeting Armed Services, particu- an overall cap on government spending, reduced regulation and
larly its Personnel Subcommittee or its Readiness and Manage- lower taxes. “Ron’s first priorities will be to address our ailing
ment Support Subcommittee; the Veterans’ Affairs Committee; economy and the government’s out of control spending,” cam-
and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. paign spokeswoman Sara Sendak said.
Manchin, who heads to Washington in what would have been Johnson was criticized during the campaign for being vague
the middle of his second term as governor, has a long list of on how he would go about slashing spending and spurring
legislative priorities, including a proposal for a balanced-budget job creation. “I don’t think this election is about details,” he
amendment to the Constitution. responded at one point, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
He also intends to work toward implementing tax cuts; ex- But he has indicated on other occasions that he favors an across-
panding small-business tax credits and lending to small busi- the-board spending cut.
nesses; pushing legislation aimed at encouraging domestic com- He was among a number of conservative GOP candidates who
panies to relocate overseas jobs back in the U.S.; and approving signed the “Contract from America,” proposed by tea party sup-
new mine safety regulations. porters at FreedomWorks. The contract calls for a moratorium
He likely won’t always be a reliable vote for his own party on earmarks until Congress balances the budget, a two-thirds
because he opposes abortion rights and same-sex marriage, and majority in Congress to pass earmarks as well as tax increases, a
he wants to reduce government spending and the federal deficit. flat tax system and limits on federal spending.
Manchin also advocates for Second Amendment rights and op- He is a social conservative, opposing abortion rights and em-
poses most gun-control measures. He plans to focus on improv- bryonic stem cell research. “My basic belief is you don’t want to
ing services for military veterans and creating a “pro-growth tax get in a situation where you’re creating life though destroying it,”
environment that facilitates job growth and economic expan- Johnson told the Associated Press in October. He also supports
sion,” according to information provided by his campaign. gun owners’ rights, winning endorsement from the National
As governor, Manchin has enjoyed approval ratings consis- Rifle Association.
tently around 70 percent. Prior to being elected governor, he Johnson is a skeptic on global warming, saying “it’s not settled
served as secretary of state and in both houses of the West Vir- science” and speculating that sunspots create natural changes
ginia Legislature. He worked in several family-owned businesses in Earth’s temperature. “We certainly should not penalize our
before entering politics. economy to the tune of a trillion dollars when we have this
Considered a moderate, he campaigned at a distance from weakened economy,” he told Fox News.
the White House, promising not to “rubber stamp” President As an accountant, Johnson would like to serve on the Budget
Obama’s policies. Committee in order to help redirect fiscal policy.
Page 30 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
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G osar’s 25 years as a
dentist give him a
perspective on the health
Q uayle hadn’t even
been elected to
the House yet when the
S chweikert plans to
pack a calculator
when he heads to Wash-
care system and small speculation began about ington and use it to hack
businesses that makes whether the 33-year-old away at the federal bud-
him determined to end son of former Vice Presi- get. “People around here
the Democrats’ “job-kill- dent Dan Quayle might seem to make decisions
ing agenda” and bureau- follow his father’s foot- by folklore instead of
cratic ways, he says. Democrats have “built steps to the Senate and beyond. facts. What I’d love to do is budgeting based
levels upon levels of bureaucracy” that are Quayle’s father was elected to the House on what the numbers really are,” he says.
choking off job creation and that must be from Indiana at age 29 and moved to the Schweikert is vague on what programs
stripped away, he says. A case in point: envi- Senate four years later before George H. he would cut, saying his experience as
ronmental regulation. Businesses not only W. Bush tapped him to be his vice presi- treasurer of Arizona’s Maricopa County
must deal with the EPA, but also with state dential nominee at age 41. But Quayle says taught him that he should study the fig-
and local regulators, he explains. his ambition will not extend beyond the ures before making any decisions.
He believes the health care law will cut off boundaries of his district. He is no fan of how Democrats have run
access to doctors and dentists by imposing “I’ll solely be focused on the job at the government for the last two years. He
new paperwork burdens, lowering reim- hand,” he says. opposes the health care overhaul for being
bursement and allowing mid-level practi- The family name — and the Quayles’ “devastating fiscally,” financial regulation
tioners such as dental aides to stand in for party fundraising connections — helped for missing an opportunity to increase
dentists and doctors on certain procedures. him win a 10-way primary to replace Re- transparency in the sector and the stimu-
The way to lower health costs is through publican John Shadegg in this heavily lus packages for being ineffective.
market forces, not government, he explains. GOP district. Quayle made headlines with Schweikert proposes a flat-tax structure
Gosar has had the backing of Sarah Palin some caustic campaign rhetoric, labeling as a way to revive the economy. “I believe the
and the tea party, but he emphasizes his Barack Obama “the worst president in fastest way to create economic growth is
independence by calling himself a “Paul history” and running an ad promising to to get the government out of the so-called
Gosar Republican.” “knock the hell out of” Washington. job-creation business. It doesn’t do it and it
He would like to cut federal spending His general-election contest proved clos- doesn’t do it well,” he says. The government
and the federal workforce to help make er than expected, in part because his op- spent billions of dollars but only created
the government “lean and mean.” But he ponent questioned his character, assailing hundreds of jobs in his district, he says.
says government investment has a role to Quayle’s prior postings on a racy website. He believes a carbon tax as part of the
play in strengthening business and eco- His agenda is more or less typical for president’s cap-and-trade proposal on
nomic activity by building roads, bridges winning GOP candidates this year. He climate change could be “devastating to
and other infrastructure and by spending says his top three priorities will be border economic growth” and the nation’s com-
on agriculture. “I also know that you have security, creating new jobs and curbing petitiveness abroad.
to invest in things,” he says. “You just can’t “out-of-control government spending.” Immigration also concerns the Arizona
always cut, cut, cut.” Gosar also supports Quayle says that prior to Election Day lawmaker, who defended his state’s re-
assistance for American Indians. he was too superstitious to venture a guess cently enacted enforcement law. “We’re
His background and policy concerns about the sorts of committees he might carrying as a state something that was
make the Energy and Commerce Commit- like to serve on, a task he says will now be supposed to be controlled and regulated
tee a natural assignment, Gosar says. “the first order of business.” by the federal government,” he says.
Page 32 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
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TOO CLOSE TO CALL AT PRESS TIME
Arizona (8) A r k a n sas ( 1 ) A r k a n sas ( 2 )
Jesse Kelly, R Rick Crawford, R Tim Griffin, R
Election: Opposed Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D Election: Defeated Chad Causey, D, to succeed Election: Defeated Joyce Elliott, D, to succeed
Residence: Marana Marion Berry, D, who retired Vic Snyder, D, who retired
Born: July 20, 1981; Steubenville, Ohio Residence: Jonesboro Residence: Little Rock
Religion: Christian Born: Jan. 22, 1966; Homestead Air Force Base, Born: Aug. 21, 1968; Charlotte, N.C.
Family: Wife, Aubrey Kelly; two children Fla. Religion: Baptist
Education: Montana State U., attended 1999-00 Religion: Southern Baptist Family: Wife, Elizabeth Griffin; two children
Military: Marine Corps 2000-2004 Family: Wife, Stacy Crawford; two children Education: Hendrix College, B.A. 1990 (econom-
Career: Construction company project manager Education: Arkansas State U., B.S. 1996 (agricul- ics and business); Oxford U., attended 1991
ture business economics) (history); Tulane U., J.D. 1994
Political highlights: No previous office
Military: Army 1985-89 Military: Army Reserve 1996-present
Career: Agricultural news service owner; radio Career: Lawyer; White House aide; federal
and television broadcaster; rodeo announcer; prosecutor; party official; congressional aide;
automotive decal and sign shop employee associate investigative counsel
Political highlights: No previous office Political highlights: Asst. U.S. attorney, 2006-07
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LEADING AT PRESS TIME
A r k a n sas ( 3 ) California (11) California (19)
Steve Womack, R David Harmer, R Jeff Denham, R
Election: Defeated David Whitaker, D, to succeed Election: Opposed Rep. Jerry McNerney, D Election: Defeated Loraine Goodwin, D, to suc-
John Boozman, R, who ran for Senate Residence: San Ramon ceed George Radanovich, R, who retired
Residence: Rogers Born: May 28, 1962; Glendale, Calif. Residence: Atwater
Born: Feb. 18, 1957; Russellville, Ark. Religion: Mormon Born: July 29, 1967; Hawthorne, Calif.
Religion: Baptist Religion: Presbyterian
Family: Wife, Elayne Harmer; four children
Family: Wife, Terri Williams; three children Family: Wife, Sonia Denham; two children
Education: Brigham Young U., B.A. 1984 (Eng-
Education: Arkansas Tech, B.A. 1979 (speech) lish), J.D. 1988 Education: Victor Valley Junior College, A.A. 1989
(liberal arts); California Polytechnic State U., San
Military: Ark. National Guard 1979-2009 Career: Lawyer; education policy advocate; Luis Obispo, B.A. 1992 (political science)
Career: Securities broker; college ROTC program congressional and campaign aide
Military: Air Force 1984-88; Air Force Reserve
director; radio station manager Political highlights: Republican nominee for U.S. 1988-00
Political highlights: Rogers City Council, 1983- House (special election), 2009 Career: Agricultural packaging company owner;
84, 1997-98; mayor of Rogers, 1999-present almond farmer
Political highlights: Republican nominee for Ca-
lif. Assembly, 2000; Calif. Senate, 2002-present
W omack pledges to
be a team player for
the Republican Party and
H armer calls himself
“an American first, a
conservative second, a Re-
D enham, a self-
described fiscal
conservative, says that
says he will fight legisla- publican third.” He says one of his top priorities
tion he considers a costly his top priority in Con- as a freshman member
burden on businesses. gress would be to “con- of Congress will be to
He opposes legisla- trol federal spending.” find ways to reduce the
tion that would make it He hopes to join fis- national debt.
easier for labor unions to recruit members cal conservatives on Capitol Hill — par- “I think it is hurting us on a worldwide
and any efforts to revive cap-and-trade lim- ticularly GOP Reps. Jeff Flake of Arizona scale,” Denham says. The debt has led to a
its on carbon emissions. and Jason Chaffetz of Utah — to beat back “lack of confidence from consumers and
Womack also sees the health care law as government waste. “There’s already mem- from businesses.”
a costly mandate on business but says it bers who are doing great work,” he says. Denham, who owns an almond orchard
would be difficult to repeal. He says Con- “They need reinforcements.” in California’s Central Valley, got his start
gress can blunt the law’s effect by withhold- Harmer calls earmarks, funding set- in politics as a state senator. He also owns
ing funding for key portions of it. asides for members’ districts, “the gate- a plastic container company and plans to
He would like a spot on a committee in- way drug to the rest of federal spending,” set up his congressional office “more as a
volving infrastructure. And after 30 years as and he admires Flake’s work to combat business than a bureaucracy,” with an eye
an officer in the Arkansas Army National them. He also supports Chaffetz’s efforts toward his constituents’ needs.
Guard and a stint as the executive officer to force every federal spending program to “Customer service is not something
for the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at expire. “Just doing that takes away some that’s talked about in politics very much,”
the University of Arkansas, he is interested of the built-in ratcheting effect of federal Denham says.
in military issues as well. spending,” Harmer says. Given his agricultural background and
Womack is used to being in charge and He criticizes the “bureaucratic superstruc- experience dealing with water supply is-
getting things done quickly as mayor of tures” that he believes Democratic leaders are sues, Denham would like to land a spot on
Rogers, one of Arkansas’s largest mid-sized set on creating. He supports repealing the the Natural Resources Committee.
cities, but he says he is getting ready for a far health care overhaul and would like to see the Denham, who served in the Air Force,
different experience in Washington. 2001 and 2003 tax cuts extended across the also wants a seat on the Veterans Affairs
“I’ve tried to mentally prepare myself for board. He also supports a border-security- Committee. He participated in Operation
being one of 435 people,” Womack says. based approach to illegal immigration and Desert Storm in Iraq in the early 1990s
He says that during his tenure as may- has applauded the controversial immigra- and is particularly interested in addressing
or, the city has benefited from more than tion enforcement law that Arizona enacted. issues facing the large number of recent
$1 billion in improved infrastructure and Harmer would be interested in six com- Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans.
development that attracted retailers, a con- mittees: Agriculture; Transportation and Denham, whose state senate district is
vention hotel and other businesses. Being Infrastructure to benefit his sprawling more populous than his new congressio-
a neighbor of Bentonville, the world head- district, which stretches from the traffic- nal district, is no stranger to the pressures
quarters for retail giant Wal-Mart, didn’t clogged Bay Area to the farms and ranches of political life. He was targeted unsuc-
hurt either, he says. of the San Joaquin Valley; Financial Servic- cessfully with a recall campaign in 2008.
Womack promises “to do everything I es and Judiciary to tap his professional ex- But he says that serving in Congress will
can do” in Congress to improve the na- perience; and Budget and Ways and Means be a whole new experience, which he likens
tion’s economy and reduce the deficit. to make a nationwide impact. to “drinking water from a fire hose.”
Page 34 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
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California (20) California (33) Colorado (3)
Andy Vidak, R Karen Bass, D Scott Tipton, R
Pronunciation: VIE-dack Election: Defeated James Andion, R, to succeed Election: Defeated Rep. John Salazar, D
Election: Opposed Rep. Jim Costa, D Diane Watson, D, who retired Residence: Cortez
Residence: Hanford Residence: Los Angeles Born: Nov. 9, 1956; Española, N.M.
Born: Nov. 13, 1965; Visalia, Calif. Born: Oct. 3, 1953; Los Angeles, Calif. Religion: Anglican
Religion: Christian Religion: Baptist Family: Wife, Jean Tipton; two children
Family: Single Family: Divorced; one child (deceased) and four Education: Fort Lewis College, B.A. 1978 (politi-
Education: College of the Sequoias, attended; stepchildren cal science)
California State U., Fresno, attended; Texas Tech Education: San Diego State U., attended 1971-73 Career: Pottery company owner
U., B.S. 1991 (animal business) (philosophy); California State U., Dominguez Political highlights: Montezuma County Re-
Career: Cherry orchard owner Hills, B.S. 1990 (health sciences) publican Party chairman, 1980-84; Republican
Political highlights: No previous office Career: Nonprofit community activism organiza- nominee for U.S. House, 2006; Colo. House,
tion founder; physician assistant 2009-present
Political highlights: Calif. Assembly, 2004-pres-
ent (Speaker, 2008-10)
V idak is a political
novice who wears
the label proudly. Backed
B ass brings to the
House her experi-
ence as a legislator dur-
A small-business
owner who served a
single term in his state’s
by tea party activists, he ing difficult economic General Assembly, Tip-
pledges to cut federal times and a track record ton wants to cut spend-
spending and oppose tax as a fast riser in political ing and taxes while re-
increases. He also vows ranks. ducing the federal deficit.
to restore jobs to his dis- Four years after her He also is seeking to
trict, which is beset by high unemployment election to the California Assembly, Bass redo much of the health care overhaul,
and sustained drought conditions. was elected Speaker, making her one of calling it “disastrous.” He says people who
Water is perhaps the most pressing is- the most powerful politicians in the na- buy their own health insurance should get
sue for the district, which has a vast and tion’s most populous state. The first black the same tax breaks that companies receive
diverse agriculture industry. Vidak, a cherry woman to lead the chamber, Bass drew when providing insurance to employees.
farmer, blames federal restrictions for local praise from California’s most prominent When it comes to the budget, Tipton has
economic woes. Republican, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, called for a 10 percent cut in discretionary
San Joaquin Valley farms rely on water who said that she earned her post “the spending — excluding defense programs —
pumped from the San Francisco Bay area, old-fashioned way — she worked.” and a flat 10 percent corporate tax with no
and recent environmental decisions have During her tenure as Speaker, while un- deductions and no loopholes.
prompted officials to turn off pumps that employment in California rose from 6.6 The husband of a retired teacher, Tipton
send the water south. Vidak supports a percent to 12.6 percent, jobs legislation also lists education among his priorities.
bill to restore the flow of water by waiving occupied a great deal of her time. Bass also He backs tougher graduation standards,
certain Endangered Species Act provisions. was a strong proponent of legislation ex- stronger safety programs at schools and
The district’s combination of water- panding health care coverage. In the 112th more federal support for charter schools.
rights issues and agricultural activity Congress, she intends to work for policies Agriculture is the “backbone” of the dis-
would make Vidak a likely candidate for that increase employment in her district, trict, he says, adding that it is important to
the Natural Resources and Agriculture specifically in the transportation and the protect the water supply from “downstream
committees — panels on which his oppo- entertainment industries. She also expects threats, and from in-state water grabs.”
nent serves. to continue to address pressing needs in On social issues, Tipton supports strong
On fiscal policy, Vidak proposes elimi- health care, and to support legislation gun rights, opposes amnesty for illegal
nating earmarks, freezing further spending that can keep children from entering the immigrants and says abortion should be
on bailouts and stimulus programs, abol- foster care system and aid those who do limited to cases of “rape, incest or threat to
ishing the estate tax, and overhauling the go into it. the life of the mother.”
tax code and entitlement programs. Bass founded the nonprofit Commu- Tipton worked for Ronald Reagan’s 1976
Many of the district’s agricultural workers nity Coalition in 1990 in response to the presidential bid and was a delegate to that
are Hispanic immigrants. Vidak says that to crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s and year’s Republican National Convention.
guarantee farmers have enough legal labor- served as the organization’s executive di- After college, he co-founded Mesa Verde
ers, there should be a guest worker program rector for 14 years. A former physician as- Pottery with his brother, selling handmade
coupled with strong federal law enforce- sistant, she has also been a clinical instruc- Navajo and Ute items.
ment and border security. Only when those tor in the Physician Assistant Program at Tipton says he would prefer seats on the
things are in place, he says, should guest the University of Southern California’s Agriculture and Energy and Commerce
workers have a path to citizenship. Keck School of Medicine. committees.
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 35
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G ardner, a fifth-
generation Colora-
dan, hopes for seats on
C arney overcame the
electoral challenges
facing Democrats this
O ne of Southerland’s
top priorities will
be shrinking the federal
the Agriculture and Natu- year to wrest his state’s government by cutting
ral Resources committees, lone House seat from the taxes and spending, as
which are important to GOP. But he insists he well as rolling back fed-
his Mountain West state will not arrive in Wash- eral regulations.
and largely rural district. ington as a partisan. “Government has ex-
But he won’t stick exclusively to farming, In Congress, Carney says, he will work panded way beyond their means,” South-
land and water issues. with his colleagues from both parties, es- erland says. “Every dollar Congress has is
His first bills in Congress, he says, will pecially on his primary focus: energy issues. a dollar it’s taken away from the family
focus on reducing federal spending and en- And he intends to criticize ideas from his budget and taken away from small busi-
couraging a balanced-budget amendment own party when he is in disagreement. ness.”
to the Constitution. “I’ll be that kind of leader in Congress — Southerland singled out the 2010
As a state legislator, Gardner already rep- one who works with both Republicans and health care overhaul as an “egregious”
resented half the land area in his district but Democrats to move our country forward, example of the growth of government. He
only 20 percent of the people. He bridged starting with a focus on creating jobs and says that a repeal of the law “realistically
that gap with voters in the northwestern getting our economy back on track,” he can’t be done” in the 112th Congress, but
part of the district during his campaign, says. he signals that he would support efforts
and he now plans to make himself a regular And he was not afraid to go against the to limit funding for some of its provi-
presence throughout northern and eastern party during his congressional campaign: sions.
Colorado. Carney was one of the first Democratic “If you believe that government is grow-
“This is a district where the people ex- candidates to attack the Obama administra- ing beyond a sustainable level, then you’ve
pect you to be in their living rooms and tion’s plan to drill for oil off the shores of got to go back to that piece of legislation,”
on Main Street, and that’s what I plan to the East Coast. he says.
do,” he says. “I strongly support the goal of energy Southerland, who is the CEO of his
His experience in Denver and in Wash- independence, however I am opposed to family’s funeral home business, says that
ington, where he was a Senate aide, gives oil exploration and drilling off the coast small businesses like his are “battling
him some familiarity with the legislative of Delaware,” he said at the time. “I have senseless regulation,” which he likens to
process. He wants to draw on that back- serious concerns about the impact of off- kudzu.
ground to reduce the federal government’s shore oil drilling on our beaches and fragile A self-described conservative from a
regulatory burden on water storage projects, coastal areas.” conservative family, Southerland intends
which are vital to both farming and residen- Carney, who declined to say which com- to make constituent outreach a high pri-
tial development. mittee assignments he is seeking, has been ority. “We’ve got to have representatives
He does not like to compare himself to the a fixture in Delaware politics for 20 years. that interact on a more consistent basis
last Republican to hold the seat, the outspo- But recently he has been spending time in and listen to the people,” he says.
ken social conservative Marilyn Musgrave. the private sector: After his 2008 guberna- Southerland, who has four children, is
“I obviously will be my own person,” says torial primary loss, he became president also interested in issues related to child-
Gardner, whose recent homefront hobbies and chief operating officer of Transforma- hood health and education. “Early child-
included turning an antique dresser into tive Technologies LLC, a renewable-energy hood health is a critical component to
a sink. company. expecting that child to learn,” he says.
Page 36 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
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R ivera, a former
House Appropria-
tions panel chairman
W oodall already
knows the hall-
ways and back rooms
in Florida, says that he of the Capitol. After 16
plans to focus on the years as a legislative staff
economy. His constitu- member on the Hill, he
ents can expect him to won’t waste time finding
champion traditional Re- his way around when he
publican policies such as cutting spending reports for his first day on the job.
and easing taxes on small businesses. “What we’ll bring to the table is the abil-
Rivera says his first goal will be support- ity to start work on day one,” says Woodall,
ing measures — such as tax cuts — that are who will represent an increasingly diverse
intended to give private employers incen- suburban district.
tives to hire more workers. He also says that One of his top priorities will be a pro-
he wants to see a constitutional amendment posal for a national sales tax, which he
requiring a balanced federal budget. calls the “FairTax Plan.” He is continuing
As a representative from a Hispanic- to push a “near and dear” cause backed
majority district, Rivera says he also will by his former boss and predecessor, retir-
focus on policy toward Latin America, par- ing Republican John Linder. Simplifying
ticularly concerning trade and relations the tax code, he says, would help create
with Cuba. jobs and encourage investment in the U.S.
Congress should move forward on the economy.
stalled free-trade deal with Colombia, he But don’t expect Woodall, who is hoping
says, estimating that it could create hun- for a spot on the powerful Rules Committee,
dreds of thousands of jobs in his district always to agree with his own party. Newly
and elsewhere. elected Republicans, he believes, must not
“The import-export market is very im- repeat the mistakes of Republicans who won
portant in South Florida,” he says. in 1994 but subsequently lost their way.
Like his predecessor, Republican Mario Republicans, he says, should put their
Diaz-Balart (who won election to the neigh- small-government principles ahead of par-
boring 21st District), Rivera takes a hard tisan politics.
line with the Cuban government. Rivera “If it’s wrong when Nancy Pelosi does it,
was the author of a 2006 Florida law that then it’s also going to be wrong when John
bans state funding for education research Boehner does it,” he says.
and travel to nations that are deemed to be Woodall, who is an anti-abortion con-
“sponsors of terrorism,” a designation that servative and a supporter of gun rights,
includes Cuba. considers himself an outdoorsman and
“I do not believe we should give any uni- hiker. He is unmarried and views his sin-
lateral concessions until all political prison- gle status as an asset for his constituents:
ers are freed, civil liberties are restored, and “That gives me twice as much time to work
free elections are held,” he says. for the people.”
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 39
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G eo r g i a ( 8 ) H awa i i ( 1 ) I d a ho ( 1 )
Austin Scott, R Colleen Hanabusa, D Rául R. Labrador, R
Election: Defeated Rep. Jim Marshall, D Election: Defeated Rep. Charles K. Djou, R Election: Defeated Rep. Walt Minnick, D
Residence: Ashburn Residence: Honolulu Residence: Eagle
Born: Dec. 10, 1969; Augusta, Ga. Born: May 4, 1951; Honolulu, Hawaii Born: Dec. 8, 1967; Carolina, P.R.
Religion: Baptist Religion: Buddhist Religion: Mormon
Family: Wife, Vivien Scott; one child Family: Husband, John Souza Family: Wife, Rebecca Johnson Labrador; five
Education: U. of Georgia, B.B.A. 1993 (risk Education: U. of Hawaii, B.A. 1973 (economics & children
management and insurance) sociology), M.A. 1975 (sociology), J.D. 1977 Education: Brigham Young U., B.A. 1992
Career: Insurance agency owner Career: Lawyer (Spanish); U. of Washington, J.D. 1995
Political highlights: Ga. House, 1997-present Political highlights: Hawaii Senate, 1999-present Career: Lawyer
(majority leader, 2003-07; president, 2007-pres- Political highlights: Idaho House, 2006-present
ent); candidate for U.S. House (special election),
2003; sought Democratic nomination for U.S.
House, 2006; candidate for U.S. House (special
election), 2010
HOUSE
LEADING AT PRESS TIME
ILLIN O I S ( 8 ) Illinois (10) Illinois (11)
Joe Walsh, R Robert Dold, R Adam Kinzinger, R
Election: Opposed Rep. Melissa Bean, D Election: Defeated Dan Seals, D, to succeed Election: Defeated Rep. Debbie Halvorson, D
Residence: North Barrington Mark Steven Kirk, R, who ran for Senate Residence: Manteno
Born: December 27, 1961; Barrington, Ill. Residence: Kenilworth Born: Feb. 27, 1978; Kankakee, Ill.
Religion: Roman Catholic Born: June 23, 1969; Evanston, Ill. Religion: Protestant
Family: Wife, Helene Walsh; five children Religion: Christian Family: Single
Education: U. of Iowa, B.A. 1995 (English); U. of Family: Wife, Danielle Dold; three children Education: Illinois State U., B.A. 2000 (political
Chicago, M.P.P. 1991 Education: Denison U., B.A. 1991 (political science)
Military: None science); Indiana U., J.D. 1996; Northwestern U., Military: Wis. Air National Guard 2003-present;
Career: Investment banker M.B.A. 2000 Ill. Air National Guard 2001-03
Political highlights: Republican nominee for U.S. Career: Pest control company owner; Internet Career: Information technology services
House, 1996; Republican nominee for Ill. House, data storage company manager; congressional company account representative
1998 aide; White House aide Political highlights: McLean County Board,
Political highlights: No previous office 1998-2003
W alsh comes to
Washington hav-
ing made a “six-point”
A self-described fis-
cal conservative
and social moderate,
W hat compelled
Kinzinger to seek
and win a seat on the
pledge to his northeast- Dold says a respon- county board when he
ern Illinois constituents. sible politician doesn’t was 20 years old contin-
The “proud Reagan simply stay true to his ues to drive him now:
Republican” promises party and his constit- He wants to give voters a
to serve only three terms uents but also under- sense that they are being
in the House, pledges to forgo earmarking stands the importance of “staying true heard — and heeded.
and to vote against any legislation that “in- to yourself.” “They just want to be heard,” the 32-year-
creases the size of government or isn’t sup- It is an easy-to-follow mantra for Dold, old says of his district’s constituents. “They
ported by the Constitution,” and promises whose family has lived in the 10th District are literally clamoring for an opportunity
that he will not receive “any health plans for three generations. to be heard.”
or retirement benefits that only congress- Dold says his priority is to “get people Like many office-seekers this year, he
men get and that aren’t available to all back to work and jump-start the economy.” says he will give priority to restoring the
Americans.” As the owner of a small pest control busi- economy and doing something about his
A tea party activist, Walsh painted himself ness, he says he understands the pressures region’s 12 percent unemployment rate.
as an outsider in his campaign, criticizing small-business owners face every day and “You don’t do it with more programs
politicians of both parties who he said “only will use his expertise to create jobs in his and spending,” he says. “You do that with a
care about getting re-elected.” He told the district. promise to start fiscal restraint.”
Chicago Tribune in February that his first “I meet a payroll. I hire people. I under- Along with extending the 2001 and 2003
goal in Congress would be to work with a stand what regulations do to small busi- tax cuts, Kinzinger’s five-pronged approach
“new class of congressmen and women who nesses. I live it each and every day,” he says. for turning around the economy would
will put a spotlight on this reckless growth “I get up each and every day worrying about limit the federal government’s role in the
of government.” other people. That’s something I hope to private sector, provide additional business
Walsh, who has worked as an investment leverage as a legislator.” tax incentives, provide new spending only
banker, is a fierce defender of free-market As the economy struggles to emerge from for national security and infrastructure, and
solutions, saying he would like to help find the deep recession, Dold wants to lower explore new energy resources.
private-sector, market-based answers to ques- the corporate tax rate for businesses. He Kinzinger, who conducted five tours in
tions on taxation, health care, education and also supports an indefinite extension of the Iraq and Afghanistan as an Air Force pilot,
the entitlement programs. 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for all Americans. says his experiences would be valuable
A former think tanker who advocates Dold opposes the 2010 health care over- on the Armed Services Committee. But
school choice, Walsh is likely to work on haul and espouses sweeping tort reform to he also would like to take a lead in iden-
education issues in Congress. reduce malpractice litigation and the costs tifying new energy sources and working
He has expressed concern with federal of defensive medicine. He also wants to pro- toward energy independence, he says. His
education initiatives, including the Obama vide greater transparency in medical pricing district has three nuclear power plants,
administration’s Race to the Top program. and outcomes. and Illinois leads the country in nuclear
He supports charter schools and merit pay Dold is interested in serving on the power production. He would relish a seat
for teachers, but he argues that responsibility Budget, Energy and Commerce, and on the Energy and Commerce Commit-
for education should be left to the states and Transportation and Infrastructure tee, an ambitious reach for a freshman
local communities. committees. member.
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 41
HOUSE
A mainline conserva-
tive who has served
in the Illinois legislature
S chilling is leaving
pizza for politics.
The owner of Saint Gi-
S tutzman brings po-
litical experience and
a bit of tea-party zeitgeist
for more than a decade, useppe’s Heavenly Pizza to Washington after
Hultgren plans to focus arrives in the House with eight years as a state legis-
on the economy and a vow to oppose all tax lator and two congressio-
drawing jobs to his dis- increases and to slash dis- nal campaigns covering
trict, which lies west of cretionary federal spend- three races in 2010.
Chicago. The best way to do that, he says, is ing in his quest to improve job prospects in A farmer and owner of a farm-trucking
by shrinking the size of the federal govern- his native western Illinois. company, Stutzman has an interest in small
ment and ensuring that laws already in place Schilling says his experience as a small- business and agriculture issues. He op-
are implemented correctly and explained to business operator leads him to believe the poses pro-union “card check” legislation
his constituents. corporate tax rate is too high and should be and argues in favor of eliminating taxes on
“Our manufacturers are nervous with how reduced to increase job competitiveness. capital gains to spur job creation.
many of the big new pieces of legislation that He also supports extending the 2001 Stutzman supports gun owners’ rights;
have been passed will be implemented,” and 2003 tax cuts at every income lev- in the state House, he won enactment of
Hultgren says. “I want to bring some stabil- el. “We’ve got to use things that have a a 2006 law creating handgun permits that
ity back, bring some confidence back.” proven track record,” says Schilling, cit- last for a gun owner’s lifetime.
Of particular concern is the health care ing tax cuts made during President John He backs a balanced budget amend-
overhaul law passed earlier this year. “I F. Kennedy’s administration. He judges ment and full repeal of the health care
don’t think the bill that was passed will the stimulus law as a “complete failure” overhaul while opposing abortion rights.
decrease costs at all,” Hultgren says. because it was accompanied by deficit He also backs expanded development
While in the state legislature, he cospon- spending, and he will oppose any initia- of domestic coal, oil and natural gas
sored a successful medical malpractice re- tive that would build on it. resources to promote U.S. energy in-
form bill. Hultgren would like to continue “We need to take a look at an across-the- dependence, and supports exploring
working to lower health care costs and sees board — say a 10 percent — cut” in discre- renewable-energy sources.
the potential for doing so by creating more tionary spending, he adds. He wants Con- However, Stutzman calls cap-and-trade
price transparency and nationwide compe- gress to take a closer look at waste and fraud legislation to limit carbon emissions “a
tition among insurers. in programs such as Medicare. It is unrealis- direct attack on Indiana’s economy.”
Hultgren says a spot on the Energy and tic to think the GOP could repeal the health Unlike most freshmen, Stutzman will
Commerce Committee would be a good fit care law, he says, so he wants to pass legis- take office almost immediately.
given both his interests and his experiences. lation removing some provisions, including Despite having built a statewide base in
In addition, he believes that his career as an the medical device tax, while retaining new his bid to succeed retiring Sen. Evan Bayh
investment adviser would help him serve protections for health insurance consumers. in May 2010, Stutzman did not survive the
effectively on the Financial Services Com- Schilling signed a pledge to refuse con- primary. So when Republican Rep. Mark
mittee. gressional pay raises and to accept a term Souder resigned in May after confessing
Hultgren notes that all his legislative suc- limit of eight years in the House. to an extramarital affair, Stutzman joined
cesses have come while serving in the minor- He would like to be named to the Agri- the special election contest to succeed
ity, and he says that experience will help him culture, Small Business or Veterans’ Affairs him. He simultaneously won both the
build relationships with members on both committees to represent interests in his special election and the race for a full term
sides of the aisle. district. in the 112th Congress.
Page 42 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
HOUSE
R okita, a veteran of
the state govern-
ment, emphasizes the
T he only criticisms
Bucshon faced from
conservative voters dur-
Y oung describes him-
self as a libertarian
conservative in the model
need to improve gov- ing the campaign were of Ronald Reagan and
ernment services while complaints that he was says he has one goal as a
scaling back the growth too neatly in line with legislator: to “get our bal-
of federal spending. Washington Republi- ance sheet back in order
His own fiscal to-do list cans. His political phi- as a country.”
includes making the 2001 and 2003 tax losophy reflects the meat and potatoes of Young says that until Congress shrinks
cuts permanent, reducing the number of the GOP platform. the federal budget, it will remain his only
tax brackets, curbing debt-limit increases “I’m a person that always believes in concern. “Everything seemingly comes
and establishing presidential line-item veto limited government, low taxation by gov- back to this massive issue,” he says. “If we
authority. ernment on business, and I’m a strong be- get this one knocked out while I’m there,
He says government should act “in liever in the private sector and free-market maybe there’ll be something else that I’ll
precise, laser-like fashion to incentiv- economy,” he says. “I’m a fiscal conserva- turn most of my attention to.”
ize business growth and not dictate tive, a social conservative.” His plan involves passing balanced-
economic outcomes.” Rokita backs tar- A cardiothoracic surgeon, Bucshon budget legislation and eliminating waste
geted business tax breaks and measures wants to push for repeal of this year’s across government, including areas where
that could help farmers, such as free- health care overhaul, even though he many Republicans are reluctant to make
trade deals and a repeal of the estate tax. thinks it is unlikely to happen while Presi- cuts. “I’m not one of these legislators who,
Rokita also argues that government dent Obama is in office. His more imme- without pause, thinks we ought to ramp
should “protect our citizens and ensure diate goal is to prevent any tax increases up our spending in the military,” he says.
interstate commerce, while creating a amid the current economic difficulties, Young also says he would support
level and fair playing field for all partici- and he says that cutting government proposals to repeal and replace the 2010
pants.” He takes a conservative stance spending will help create jobs. health care overhaul. He wants Congress
on social issues, opposing abortion and He also gives priority to national is- to boost investment in critical infrastruc-
gun control. sues that have ramifications for the 8th ture and remove regulations he says are
Rokita, who was a regulator of the District. As an example, he says he would harmful to businesses. And he opposes
securities industry as Indiana’s secretary fight Democrats’ cap-and-trade legisla- any cap-and-trade program for control-
of state, has an eye on the Financial Ser- tion, contending it would damage the coal ling greenhouse gas emissions.
vices Committee. He also could be a good industry — a major employer in Indiana Young says he has no illusions about the
fit for the Oversight and Government and specifically in the district. limited power of a freshman, but he does
Reform Committee. Bucshon says he would like a seat on the not think he will be overwhelmed by the
During his tenure, he created an online Armed Services Committee to protect the transition to federal lawmaking.
service center for businesses registered Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, His previous Capitol Hill experience
with his office. He also helped win a man- Ind., but he also is interested in serving includes a stint as an energy and economic
date for the use of voter photo identifi- on the Energy and Commerce Committee policy aide for Sen. Richard G. Lugar, an
cation cards such as driver’s licenses at and its health panel. A spot on the Trans- Indiana Republican. He lists former Brit-
polling places. He served as president of portation and Infrastructure panel, mean- ish Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as
the National Association of Secretaries of while, would allow him to address highway “one of the statesmen that I respect most
State from 2007 to 2008. and railroad issues in his state, he says. in history.”
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 43
HOUSE
H uelskamp says he
will be a “reliable
conservative vote” in
Y oder is expected to
join the ranks of the
conservative Republican
P ompeo is expected
to fit comfortably
with his fellow incom-
Congress, and he has a Study Committee, where ing GOP conservatives.
record in the Kansas Sen- he will focus on fiscal He was one of the
ate to prove it. responsibility, building f irst candidates in
During his 14-year the economy and cut- the country to be en-
tenure there, he spon- ting spending to reduce dorsed by the Club for
sored an amendment to strip Planned Par- government debt. During his eight years Growth, a political group that supports
enthood of its state funding and pushed in the Kansas House of Representatives, he fiscal conservatives. The endorsement,
for amendments to the state constitution developed a reputation as a champion of together with a Pompeo commercial
to ban gay marriage and guarantee indi- small businesses and earned a “pro-business” that accused one of his primary op-
vidual gun rights. rating from the Kansas Chamber of Com- ponents of being a RINO (Republican
On Capitol Hill, Huelskamp says, he merce in 2009. In Name Only), helped him grab the
plans to work with the far-right contin- Having served as chairman of the state nomination in the heavily Republican
gent of the Republican Party to battle House Appropriations Committee, Yoder district. He succeeds Republican Todd
the health care overhaul enacted in 2010 is most interested in a seat on the Appropri- Tiahrt, who made an unsuccessful bid
and to block legislation that would cre- ations Committee as well as the Ways and for the party’s Senate nomination.
ate a cap-and-trade system for green- Means Committee, where he would push Pompeo intends to try to reduce the
house gas emissions. for permanent elimination of the estate tax. size of government, which he says is de-
He has experiences that could make Yoder was first elected to the state leg- stroying jobs and creating uncertainty
him a leading voice on other issues: A islature in 2002 and served all eight years for private sector job creators.
career farmer, Huelskamp says the EPA of his tenure on that chamber’s Judiciary He also believes the government should
has “a real anti-farmer agenda,” citing its Committee. His background as a busi- work to eliminate or outsource social pro-
efforts to ban chemicals that farmers use ness, banking and real estate lawyer — as grams. Instead, he says, the nation should
to grow crops. well as an interest in driving the brewing rely more on the good works of individuals
He has a familiarity with immigration: debate over a comprehensive overhaul of to take care of the poor and marginalized.
Two of his four adopted children are from immigration laws — has fueled an interest He plans to focus on de-funding and
Haiti. Although he says the international in a seat on the House Judiciary Commit- repealing the 2010 health care overhaul,
adoption process could be streamlined, tee as well. securing the nation’s borders, strength-
he advocates a hard-line approach to il- A fifth generation Kansan who grew ening national security and promoting
legal immigration. He pushes for more- up on a grain and livestock farm near the growth in the private sector.
secure borders and giving employers the community that carries his family name, Pompeo graduated first in his class
right to do status checks on employees. Yoder supports private-sector innovation from the U.S. Military Academy at West
“I’ve been through Immigration and and free-market competition. His first Point before serving as a tank com-
Customs Enforcement [and] the paper- year agenda will include a push for legisla- mander in the 1980s. After leaving the
work,” Huelskamp says. “And it was a tion to create private-sector jobs and a re- Army, he earned a law degree from Har-
difficult situation, going through all that peal of portions of the Democratic-driven vard and moved to Kansas to co-found
paper. But when I look at that situation, I health care law enacted in 2010 that he an aerospace company. He sold his share
see that citizenship should be a privilege, says will drive up patient costs and grow of it in 2006 and is now president of an
not a right. It should be difficult.” government bureaucracy. oil services equipment company.
Page 44 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
HOUSE
TOO CLOSE TO CALL AT PRESS TIME
Kentucky (6) Louisi a n a ( 2 ) Louisi a n a ( 3 )
Andy Barr, R Cedric Richmond, D Jeff Landry, R
Election: Opposed Rep. Ben Chandler, D Election: Defeated Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, R Election: Defeated Ravi Sangisetty, D, to succeed
Residence: Lexington Residence: New Orleans Charlie Melancon, D, who ran for Senate
Born: July 24, 1973; Lexington, Ky. Born: Sept. 13, 1973; New Orleans, La. Residence: New Iberia
Religion: Episcopalian Religion: Baptist Born: Dec. 23, 1970; St. Martinville, La.
Family: Wife, Carol Leavell Barr Family: Single Religion: Roman Catholic
Education: U. of Virginia, B.A. 1996 Education: Morehouse College, B.A. 1995 Family: Wife, Sharon Landry; one child
(government); U. of Kentucky, J.D. 2001 (business administration); Tulane U., J.D. 1998 Education: U. of Southwestern Louisiana, B.S.
Career: Lobbyist; lawyer; gubernatorial and state Career: Lawyer 1999; Southern U. Law School, attended 2001-
agency aide; congressional aide Political highlights: La. House, 2000-present; 03; Loyola U. New Orleans, J.D. 2004
Political highlights: No previous office sought Democratic nomination for U.S. House, Military: La. National Guard 1987-98
2008 Career: Lawyer; oil and gas contamination
cleanup company owner
Political highlights: Republican nominee for La.
Senate, 2007
HOUSE
HOUSE
H uizenga says he
plans to be a voice
of fiscal restraint — a
C entral Michigan,
represented by soft-
spoken Republican Ver-
W alberg will pick up
where he left off
two years ago, advocating
member of Congress non J. Ehlers for eight full for conservative causes
who “rages against the terms, is in for big stylis- in the House. He served
spending machine.” tic changes in Amash. one term before losing to
The first piece of leg- The member-elect was Democrat Mark Schauer
islation he plans to offer already well on his way in 2008 — and then de-
would amend the Constitution to require a to becoming a national celebrity before Elec- feated him to reclaim the seat.
balanced budget. tion Day, earning a spot on Time magazine’s Walberg is a proponent of repealing the
He cites the growing debt and govern- “40 Under 40” list of rising political stars in Democratic-backed health care overhaul,
ment regulation as major roadblocks to October. extending all Bush-era tax cuts and enact-
economic prosperity. To address those ar- The ambitious lawmaker says his pri- ing spending cuts.
eas of concern, Huizenga says, he wants mary initiatives on Capitol Hill will be to “The trillion-dollar stimulus, govern-
a seat on a committee with an economic increase transparency in the legislative ment takeover of health care, and Speaker
purview, preferably Energy and Commerce, process and to interact with constituents Pelosi’s budget with trillion-dollar deficits
Financial Services or Budget. using online tools such as Facebook and are placing America on an unsustainable
On matters ranging from health care to Twitter. financial course,” he says. He also favors
energy, Huizenga claims the private sector “One of the things that I do as a state line-item veto power for the president and
has to be the vehicle for reform and that legislator is to explain every single vote a constitutional amendment requiring a
he will be a stalwart advocate for solutions that I take in real time on the Internet, balanced budget.
pointing in that direction. and I’d like to carry the practice forth to Walberg supports increased exploration
Huizenga takes over Michigan’s most Congress,” Amash says. “We might have of U.S. oil and natural gas reserves, along
conservative House district from his for- some sort of website where you can show with development of wind and solar energy
mer boss, Republican Peter Hoekstra, who how your members of Congress are vot- as well as other alternative sources.
unsuccessfully ran for governor. Huizenga ing and have some kind of congressional In the 110th Congress, he had seats on
worked for Hoekstra as his director of social network.” the Agriculture and Education and Labor
public policy before becoming a state rep- Amash says he will seek spots on the En- panels — assignments that reflected some
resentative in 2003, and he says his social ergy and Commerce, Financial Services or of his constituents’ needs. Farming is a big
and fiscal beliefs are closely aligned with Judiciary committees. He also says he will part of the district’s economy, while Michi-
those of his old boss. vote to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. gan’s jobless rate remains high.
Huizenga, who co-owns a small gravel “I’ll have a very strong focus on eco- Walberg positions himself as a “tradi-
business, will be a reliable Republican vote. nomic issues, limiting government, de- tional values” lawmaker, saying he opposes
But he is careful to note that Republicans creasing the size and scope of govern- abortion, gay marriage and allowing illegal
must offer alternatives to Democratic pro- ment and also on some criminal justice immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. He
grams like cap and trade for carbon emis- issues,” Amash says. supports making English the nation’s of-
sions and the health care overhaul. Just don’t expect him to cut a similar ficial language.
“We can’t just be the party of ‘no.’ We profile to Ehlers. He also favors privatizing Social Security,
have to offer alternative solutions. We can’t “We come from different generations,” saying that younger workers should have
just repeal. We need to work toward creat- Amash says. “My predecessor was in his “the option to save their own money in
ing different systems,” he says. 70s, and I’m a 30-year-old.” their own name in their own account.”
Page 48 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
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M i ss i ss i p p i ( 4 ) M i ssou r i ( 4 ) M i ssou r i ( 7 )
Steven Palazzo, R Vicky Hartzler, R Billy Long, R
Pronounced: puh-LAZZ-oh Election: Defeated Rep. Ike Skelton, D Election: Defeated Scott Eckersley, D, to succeed
Election: Defeated Rep. Gene Taylor, D Residence: Harrisonville Roy Blunt, R, who ran for Senate
Residence: Biloxi Born: Oct. 13, 1960; Archie, Mo. Residence: Springfield
Born: Feb. 21, 1970; Gulfport, Miss. Religion: Evangelical Christian Born: August 11, 1955; Springfield, Mo.
Religion: Roman Catholic Family: Husband, Lowell Hartzler; one child Religion: Presbyterian
Family: Wife, Lisa Palazzo; three children Education: U. of Missouri, B.S. 1983 (home Family: Wife, Barbara Long; two children
Education: U. of Southern Mississippi, B.S.B.A. economics & education); Central Missouri State Education: U. of Missouri, attended 1973-74
1994 (accounting), M.B.A. 1996 U., M.S. 1992 (education) Career: Auction company owner; Realtor; radio
Military: Marine Corps Reserve 1988-96; Career: Farmer; rancher; farm equipment talk show host
Mississippi National Guard 1997-present dealership owner; homemaker; teacher Political highlights: No previous office
Career: Accountant; defense contracting Political highlights: Mo. House, 1995-2001
company financial manager; oil rig inventory
supervisor
Political highlights: Miss. House, 2007-present
HOUSE
Ne v a d a ( 3 ) Ne w H a m p sh i r e ( 1 ) Ne w H a m p sh i r e ( 2 )
Joe Heck, R Frank Guinta, R Charles Bass, R
Election: Defeated Rep. Dina Titus, D Pronounced: GIN (sounds like “grin”)-ta Election: Defeated Ann McLane Kuster, D, to suc-
Residence: Henderson Election: Defeated Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D ceed Paul W. Hodes, D, who ran for Senate
Born: Oct. 30, 1961; Queens, N.Y. Residence: Manchester Residence: Peterborough
Religion: Roman Catholic Born: Sept. 26, 1970; Edison, N.J. Born: Jan. 8, 1952; Boston, Mass.
Family: Wife, Lisa Heck; three children Religion: Roman Catholic Religion: Episcopalian
Education: Pennsylvania State U., B.S. 1984 Family: Wife, Morgan Guinta; two children Family: Wife, Lisa L. Bass; two children
(health education); Philadelphia College of Education: Assumption College, B.A. 1993; Education: Dartmouth College, A.B. 1974
Osteopathic Medicine, D.O. 1988 Franklin Pierce Law Center, M.I.P. 2000 Career: Congressional aide; architectural prod-
Military: Army Reserve 1991-present Career: Campaign and congressional district ucts executive; energy consultant
Career: Physician; medical response training aide; insurance and risk management consul- Political highlights: Sought GOP nom. for U.S.
consultant; Defense Department medical school tant; insurance claims manager House, 1980; N.H. House, 1982-88; N.H. Senate,
administrator Political highlights: N.H. House, 2000-2002; 1988-92; defeated in primary for re-election to N.H.
Political highlights: Nev. Senate, 2004-08; Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Senate, 1992; U.S. House, 1995-2007; defeated for
defeated for re-election to Nev. Senate, 2008 2002-06; mayor of Manchester, 2006-10 re-election to U.S. House, 2006
R epresenting a dis-
trict hurt more than
most by the economic
G uinta says he is “a
small-government
kind of guy” who wants
B ass is no stranger to
the 12th District —
he held the seat for 12
downturn and real estate to focus on tax policy, years, winning election
crisis, Heck will look to with an eye toward eco- as part of the 1994 “Re-
help mold a fiscal policy nomic growth and job publican revolution,” but
aimed squarely at job cre- creation. was ousted in 2006.
ation. He takes credit for He says he wanted
“The No. 1 issue we’re facing is the fact several fiscal moves made in Manchester to reclaim his old seat to counteract the
that no matter what’s coming out of Wash- while he was mayor, including a tax cut, “arrogance” Democrats have shown since
ington there’s been absolutely nothing to budget cuts and a tax cap. Federal lawmak- gaining control of Congress in 2006. The
stimulate our economy and create an envi- ers, he says, should approach the nation’s Congressional Budget Office’s prediction
ronment where we can have sustainable job budget with “common sense, responsibil- of $1 trillion annual federal deficits over
growth,” Heck says. “It seems like the folks ity and accountability.” Small businesses, the next decade was “the straw that broke
in Washington don’t have a clue.” meanwhile, should receive more tax incen- the camel’s back for me,” he says.
There is no doubt that Heck’s constitu- tives, he says. Bass wants to return to the Energy and
ents have had a rough time lately. Com- Guinta acknowledges that freshmen Commerce Committee, where he has six
prising much of the Las Vegas suburbs, his have limited influence, but he says that he years of experience and played a role in writ-
district has seen home prices fall steeply learned a few things as a New Hampshire- ing the 2005 energy bill. Since leaving Con-
while unemployment has steadily risen. based aide to Republican Jeb Bradley, who gress, he has worked as a consultant with
As a member of Congress, Heck will held the same seat from 2003 to 2007. companies that develop alternative-energy
embrace a “fair” tax structure that, he “Certainly having two years of experience technologies, and he wants to form a bio-
says, would allow citizens to keep a larger understanding the needs of constituents mass energy caucus in Congress to promote
percentage of their income. His proposed and how the process works in Washington such technology, which uses plant material
policies include lowering the long-term gives me a leg up,” Guinta says. and animal waste to generate power.
capital gains tax rate and eliminating the He opposes the 2010 health care law and Bass also wants his colleagues to estab-
estate tax. says it should be replaced with measures that lish a new standing committee dedicated
The nation’s health care system is also allow small businesses to pool employees to spending reduction. It would recom-
a central concern for Heck, a practicing together in larger groups and allow people to mend cuts to the full House, he says, giving
physician. cross state lines to purchase insurance. members the opportunity to vote on them
“I think that we need to rely more on Guinta supports gun rights and opposes as resolutions.
people who have real-world experience to abortion, saying that society can do more Though Bass is more socially liberal than
craft changes to our health care system, to help women in “crisis pregnancies” to many Republicans — he opposes a consti-
as opposed to a 2,700-page behemoth,” find alternatives to abortion. tutional amendment to define marriage
he says. Guinta says a seat on the Ways and as a union between a man and a woman
Heck’s ideas for improving the health Means or Budget committees would be — he says he generally supports the GOP’s
care system include implementing an ideal, although he acknowledges they “Pledge to America.” The campaign plat-
individual-based (rather than employer- are long shots. His other choices include form’s fiscal recommendations are most
provided) insurance option, passing tort Transportation and Infrastructure, Vet- important, he says: “We’ve got to cut
reform and improving the health of the erans’ Affairs, Energy and Commerce, or spending — that’s going to be the hardest
nation through more nutritious diet plans. Financial Services. part of all.”
Page 52 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
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Ne w J e r se y ( 3 ) Ne w M e x i c o ( 2 ) Ne w Yo r k ( 1 3 )
Jon Runyan, R Steve Pearce, R Michael Grimm, R
Election: Defeated Rep. John Adler, D Election: Defeated Rep. Harry Teague, D Election: Defeated Rep. Michael E. McMahon, D
Residence: Mt. Laurel Residence: Hobbs Residence: Staten Island
Born: Nov. 27, 1973; Flint, Mich. Born: Aug. 24, 1947; Lamesa, Texas Born: Feb. 7, 1970; Brooklyn, N.Y.
Religion: Roman Catholic Religion: Baptist Religion: Roman Catholic
Family: Wife, Loretta Runyan; three children Family: Wife, Cynthia Pearce; one child Family: Divorced
Education: U. of Michigan, attended 1992-95 Education: New Mexico State U., B.B.A. 1970 Education: Baruch College, B.B.A. 1994; New
(movement science) (economics); Eastern New Mexico U., M.B.A. York Law School, J.D. 2002
Career: Professional football player; professional 1991 Military: Marine Corps 1989-90; Marine Corps
arena football team owner Military: Air Force 1970-76 Reserve 1990-97
Political highlights: No previous office Career: Oil well services company owner; pilot Career: Health food store owner; FBI agent;
Political highlights: N.M. House, 1997-00; sought stockbroker
Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, 2000; Political highlights: No previous office
U.S. House, 2003-09; Republican nominee for
U.S. Senate, 2008
R unyan, a hulking
former professional
football player, likely will
P earce won his old job
back, and now he
wants to pick up where
G rimm cites his days
in the Marine Corps
when he talks about the
stand out more for his he left off on the House importance of teamwork
6-foot-7-inch frame than Financial Services Com- in policymaking, espe-
for his political views. mittee. cially with Congress so
He expects to align Pearce served on the polarized.
closely with the positions committee in the 110th “It’s stifled our abil-
of the most recent Republican to hold his Congress and was the deputy ranking mem- ity to lead,” he says. “In the military, there
seat: H. James Saxton, who retired in 2009. ber of its Housing and Community Op- are arguments, there are fights. The Navy
Runyan wants seats on the same commit- portunity Subcommittee prior to his un- fights with the Marines. But when it’s time
tees occupied by Saxton: Armed Services welcome two-year hiatus from Capitol Hill. to get back to work, we all have each other’s
and Natural Resources. He says those assign- A slot on the panel would give him a plat- hands and move forward.”
ments would allow him to look out for one form for several of his priority issues, which “Congress needs to take a page out of the
of his district’s biggest employers — the mega include reducing taxes on investments and military’s book,” he continued. “At the end
military complex composed of McGuire Air capital gains. Pearce says such cuts would of the day, we’re all Americans.”
Force Base, Fort Dix and the Lakehurst naval give the economy a boost. As a Republican, Grimm describes his
station — and to protect the pinelands and Another way to foster growth is to bring politics as “just right of center” — he wants
beaches of southern New Jersey. stability to the dollar, he says. to repeal the 2010 health care overhaul law
Even though he would have voted against Pearce, who left the Hill following an and opposes cap-and-trade energy policy
the health care overhaul, Runyan says a full unsuccessful run for Senate, also would feel and gay marriage.
repeal is unrealistic. Instead, lawmakers familiar on the Natural Resources Com- But he says that he could side with
should “chip away at it” by eliminating its mittee, another panel he served on during Democrats if they introduce legislation he
most costly provisions, he says. his first stint in the House. He was the thinks would benefit his constituents.
Runyan will also focus on finding ways ranking member on the Energy and Min- “If they put forth a bill that’s good for my
to reduce federal spending and to jump- eral Resources Subcommittee and he has district and this country, I’m supporting it
start the economy. “We really need a bal- extensive experience with mineral resources . . . regardless of who gets the credit.”
anced budget amendment,” he adds. from owning Lea Fishing Tools, an oilfield His days as an undercover FBI agent on
Though he’s an economic conservative, services firm. Wall Street, cracking down on white collar
Runyan supports abortion rights, except He also is likely to reprise his role as a crime, position him to back moves against
for late-term and partial-birth abortions. point person on the immigration debate. corruption in big businesses.
While believing marriage should be be- While representing a district that shares As founder of a health-food restaurant
tween a man and a woman, he backs civil a border with Mexico, Pearce served as a co- and owner of a biofuels company, he sup-
unions for gay people. “Social issues are the chairman of the Border Security Caucus. ports policy initiatives that could help
only issues that really pull me back to be a He supports upping the man hours spent struggling and aspiring entrepreneurs
moderate,” Runyan says. on patrolling the border, so that officials alike. He advocates dispensing with the
Runyan, who spent most of his 13-year can more quickly respond to reports of capital gains taxes for the next two years;
NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles, illegal crossings. temporarily reducing the payroll tax by
says his charity work put him in touch with Pearce and his wife, who have been mar- 30 percent to 40 percent, and redirecting
community leaders who urged him to run ried for nearly 30 years, reside in the same unspent stimulus money to help small
for Congress. town where he was raised. businesses.
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 53
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Ne w Yo r k ( 1 9 ) Ne w Yo r k ( 2 0 ) Ne w Yo r k ( 2 4 )
Nan Hayworth, R Chris Gibson, R Richard Hanna, R
Election: Defeated Rep. John Hall, D Election: Defeated Rep. Scott Murphy, D Election: Defeated Rep. Michael Arcuri, D
Residence: Mount Kisco Residence: Kinderhook Residence: Barneveld
Born: Dec. 14, 1959; Chicago, Ill. Born: May 13, 1964; Rockville Centre, N.Y. Born: Jan. 25, 1951; Utica, N.Y.
Religion: Lutheran Religion: Roman Catholic Religion: Roman Catholic
Family: Husband, Scott Hayworth; two children Family: Wife, Mary Jo Gibson; three children Family: Wife Kim Hanna; two children
Education: Princeton U., A.B. 1981 (biology); Education: Siena College, B.A. 1986 (history); Education: Reed College, B.A. 1976 (economics
Cornell U., M.D. 1985 Cornell U., M.A. 1995 (government), Ph.D. 1998 and political science)
Career: Ophthalmologist; health care advertising (government) Career: Construction company owner; property
firm executive Military: Army 1986-2010 development company manager
Political highlights: No previous office Career: Army officer Political highlights: Republican nominee for U.S.
Political highlights: No previous office House, 2008
A retired ophthal-
mologist who later
became vice president of
A retired colonel, Gib-
son spent nearly a
quarter century in the
A native of the 24th
district, Hanna
prevailed in a rematch
a health care advertising Army before retiring against Arcuri, who
agency, Hayworth wants earlier this year to pur- bested him in 2008 when
to spend the 112th Con- sue a political career. But Democrats were riding
gress on the “depower- Gibson doesn’t want to high.
ing” of the 2010 health be typecast in Congress Rebuilding the econ-
care overhaul. as a military man. omy will be a core issue for the business
Specifically, she wants to work on leg- He says his first priority is to help re- owner and philanthropist. Hanna says
islation that would give consumers more pair the ailing economy, particularly the he is ready to “immerse in big problems”
choices by facilitating the sale of insurance hard-hit farm sector of his upstate district. and mentions spending caps as well as
across state lines and ensuring that health That means cutting taxes and burdensome permanent small-business tax credits as
savings accounts are not discouraged. regulations while expanding free trade, possible policy options in the 112th Con-
Hayworth hopes to make changes to Gibson says. gress.
Medicare, and she wants to guarantee that To that end, he wants to repeal the new Hanna says that “neither party has it
doctors are adequately reimbursed by the health care law, which he fears will bust right” on everything, but Republicans have
program. the budget and sap small businesses, and “a much better handle” on economic is-
“Right now, Medicare providers are shelve legislation aimed at combating sues. He describes himself as a fiscal con-
headed for an enormous cut in reimburse- global warming by capping emissions of servative but a social moderate; he sup-
ments,” Hayworth says. “That needs to be greenhouse gases. He also would vote to ex- ports civil unions for same-sex partners
worked out, and that needs to be a pay-for.” tend the tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003. and abortion rights. Currently, he says,
She wants a seat on the Energy and Com- “There are three specific reasons small- many “social issues are really a diversion
merce Committee, in order to have a say on business owners say they are not going to from the desperate need we have to regrow
those issues as well as focus on helping to grow next year: taxes, regulation and health our economy.”
develop nuclear energy. care costs,” he says. To serve his farm-dependent district,
Interested in education and jobs issues Gibson says he wants to serve on the Hanna will probably try for a seat on the
as well, Hayworth would like a seat on the Agriculture Committee as well as Ways and Agriculture Committee. He also would
Education and Labor Committee if she Means or Energy and Commerce. Armed be interested in serving on the Energy
cannot serve on Energy and Commerce. Services is another choice, although it and Commerce Committee.
But as a fiscal conservative who wants ranks behind the others on his priority list. His father died when Hanna was 20 years
to cut taxes and balance the budget, she That’s not to say Gibson doesn’t have old, leaving Hanna and his sister to provide
believes funding for the Education Depart- some thoughts on military issues. He’s for the family. He put himself through
ment should not be increased and other the author of a 2008 book, “Securing the college during the next several years and
non-military federal spending should be State,” which argues for a more cooperative afterward founded Hanna Construction,
cut. relationship between civilian and military which he still owns and manages.
“The Department of Education, unfor- leaders. He praises Defense Secretary Rob- Since then, Hanna has played an ac-
tunately, however nobly intended, has not ert M. Gates for doing a good job repair- tive role in the community, serving on
produced any benefit to our nation’s stu- ing that rift. And Gibson says he supports local boards and charities. He is also a
dents,” Hayworth says. “We need to cut President Obama’s approach to the wars in “sustaining member” of the libertarian
spending. We need to facilitate growth.” Afghanistan and Iraq. Cato Institute.
Page 54 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
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TOO CLOSE TO CALL AT PRESS TIME
Ne w Yo r k ( 2 5 ) Ne w Yo r k ( 2 9 ) No r t h C a r o l i n a ( 2 )
Ann Marie Buerkle, R Tom Reed, R Renee Ellmers, R
Pronounced: BUR-kul Election: Defeated Matt Zeller, D, to fill a vacancy Election: Defeated Rep. Bob Etheridge, D
Election: Opposed Rep. Dan Maffei, D Residence: Corning Residence: Dunn
Residence: Syracuse Born: Nov. 18, 1971; Joliet, Ill. Born: February 9, 1964; Ironwood, Mich.
Born: May 8, 1951; Auburn, N.Y. Religion: Roman Catholic Religion: Roman Catholic
Religion: Roman Catholic Family: Wife, Jean Reed; two children Family: Husband, Brent Ellmers; one child
Family: Divorced; six children Education: Alfred U., B.A. 1993 (political Education: Oakland U., B.S. (nursing)
Education: Le Moyne College, B.S. 1977 (sci- science); Ohio Northern U., J.D. 1996 Career: Hospital administrator; nurse
ence); Syracuse U., J.D. 1993 Career: Lawyer; real estate company owner Political highlights: Dunn Planning Board,
Career: Assistant state attorney general; lawyer; Political highlights: Mayor of Corning, 2008-09 2006-present (chairwoman, 2008-10)
homemaker; nurse
Political highlights: Syracuse Common Council,
1994-95; defeated for election to Syracuse
Common Council, 1994; Republican nominee for
Onondaga County Legislature, 1987, 1989
HOUSE
HOUSE
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O k l a ho m a ( 5 ) P enns y l v a n i a ( 3 ) P enns y l v a n i a ( 7 )
James Lankford, R Mike Kelly, R Pat Meehan, R
Election: Defeated Billy Coyle, D, to succeed Election: Defeated Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, D Election: Defeated Bryan Lentz, D, to succeed
Mary Fallin, R, who ran for governor Residence: Butler Joe Sestak, D, who ran for Senate
Residence: Edmond Born: May 10, 1948; Pittsburgh, Pa. Residence: Drexel Hill
Born: March 4, 1968; Dallas, Texas Religion: Roman Catholic Born: Oct. 20, 1955; Cheltenham, Pa.
Religion: Baptist Family: Wife, Victoria Kelly; four children Religion: Roman Catholic
Family: Wife, Cindy Lankford; two children Education: U. of Notre Dame, B.A. 1970 Family: Wife, Carolyn Meehan; three children
Education: U. of Texas, B.S.Ed. 1990 (secondary (sociology) Education: Bowdoin College, B.A. 1978 (classics
education-history); Southwestern Career: Car dealership owner & government); Temple U., J.D. 1986
Theological Baptist Seminary, M.Div. 1994 Political highlights: Butler Area School Board, Career: Lawyer; congressional district and
(biblical languages) 1992-96; Butler City Council, 2006-09 campaign aide; professional hockey referee
Career: Religious youth camp director Political highlights: Delaware County district
Political highlights: No previous office attorney, 1996-2001; U.S. attorney, 2001-08
L ankford brings an
unusual background
to Congress.
K elly hopes to land a
seat on the Budget
Committee, where he
M eehan promises to
focus on economic
issues in Congress, telling
Instead of a law de- would serve as a fiscal Pennsylvania voters he
gree or a master’s in hawk. will push for federal in-
business administra- “I think if there were vestments in the district
tion, his advanced de- more people in the leg- while fighting against
gree is a master’s of di- islature that had actu- any tax increases on small
vinity focusing on biblical languages. ally run a business, I think they’d have a businesses or individual taxpayers.
His 13 years as program director at better idea of what they’re doing,” the car Repairing the economy “is going to
Falls Creek, a huge Baptist youth camp dealership owner says. take courageous decisions at a bipar-
south of Oklahoma City, helped him Kelly supports a legislative “sunset tisan level,” Meehan said at an issues
develop a network of Southern Baptists clause” that would mandate the expira- forum during the campaign. To help
that proved invaluable to his grass-roots tion of federally funded programs unless create jobs, he wants to allocate federal
mobilization effort in the Republican Congress acts to renew them. dollars to infrastructure projects for
primary and runoff. He will vote to repeal the 2010 health highways and mass transit.
He says the job also gave him leadership care overhaul if given the opportunity, be- The former U.S. attorney, who was
and business experience, as he applied the cause it addresses government, not health sworn in six days after the Sept. 11 terror-
limited resources of a nonprofit corpora- care, according to his campaign website. ist attacks, is likely to be a leader in Con-
tion to the complexity of a large institu- The Veterans’ Affairs Committee inter- gress on terrorism and crime matters. He
tion serving tens of thousands of people ests Kelly. He is not a veteran, but he says earned a reputation in that post for pros-
annually. he is inspired by his father’s military ser- ecuting Pennsylvania officials brought up
He decided to run for Congress, he says, vice in World War II. “I’d like to somehow on corruption charges.
because he believes the nation is “in great be able to work on something that gives He also focused on efforts against ter-
risk of losing our freedom to worship, live back to [veterans] and everything they’ve rorism, identity theft and gang crime.
as traditional families, pass on a better life done for us,” Kelly says. Meehan, who is mum about which
to our children, and speak out for the is- He notes that his district is home to committee assignments he is angling for,
sues we hold dear. Our Constitution does two veterans’ hospital facilities and that arrives in Congress after a highly com-
not give us freedom; our Constitution rec- veterans “have to feel assured that they petitive race. And it wasn’t even the first
ognizes the freedom given to us by God. can go and get the kind of care that they’re race he entered during the 2010 cycle. He
Every generation must work to protect entitled to.” originally sought to run for Pennsylvania
that freedom for the next generation.” While Kelly attended numerous events governor, but he pulled out early in the
Lankford’s top priorities in the House for the tea party movement during his contest to run for the congressional seat
are consistent with those of other fresh- campaign, he says he has not decided being vacated by Democrat Joe Sestak,
man Republicans: stopping deficit spend- whether to join the Tea Party Caucus who ran for Senate.
ing, simplifying the tax code, defending formed by Republican Michele Bachmann The 7th District is a big pickup for Repub-
states’ rights, increasing domestic oil and of Minnesota this year. “I’m not really licans, who counted on capturing the seat
gas production, and securing the borders. painting myself in a corner right now,” he as part of their effort to win back the House
He would like to win assignments to the says. “I’m certainly open to anything that of Representatives. The National Republi-
Budget and Transportation and Infra- would help me serve better as a representa- can Congressional Committee identified
structure committees. tive to the people in the 3rd District.” Meehan as one of their first “Young Guns.”
Page 58 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
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F itzpatrick proved
during his previous,
one-term stay in the
J udiciary would seem
to be a natural com-
mittee assignment for
B arletta made na-
tional news as may-
or of Hazleton in 2006,
House that he was a reli- Marino, who was the dis- when he vowed that his
able conservative on both trict attorney in his rural small city would be “the
economic and social home county for a de- toughest place on illegal
issues. cade and then the Bush immigrants in America.”
During his come- administration’s top fed- The tough ordinance he
back campaign he stressed jobs and defi- eral prosecutor in a mostly rural region that pushed through the city council has been
cits, saying, “Federal spending is out of stretches from Harrisburg to Scranton. struck down in federal court, but illegal im-
control.” No Pennsylvanian from either party is migration remains a signature issue for him.
On the tax side, Fitzpatrick backs ex- currently on the panel. GOP leaders gener- Although Barletta follows the conser-
tension of the 2001 and 2003 cuts for all ally pick reliable social conservatives for the vative GOP line on most topics — he
income levels, arguing that letting tax committee, and Marino is unambiguous opposes abortion and favors strong gun
rates go up now would discourage job on many of the hot-button issues within rights — he says he wants to be an in-
creation. its purview, starting with his opposition to dependent voice in Congress and find
A former Bucks County commis- abortion, gun control and creating a path common-sense solutions whenever pos-
sioner, the business-friendly Fitzpatrick to citizenship for illegal immigrants. sible. “I hope to make a difference in
served on the Small Business and Finan- If Republicans push to reopen the debate Washington,” he says.
cial Services panels during the 109th on the health care system, Marino could On the economy, Barletta says there
Congress. And he espouses a familiar use a Judiciary assignment to advance his are “many things” that Congress can do
GOP refrain: “Government does not cre- (and his party’s) longstanding goal of limit- to help create jobs while bringing “some
ate jobs. Free enterprise, business, indus- ing medical-malpractice litigation. sense” to federal tax laws. He also opposes
try and entrepreneurs do.” Marino also has expressed interest in a the 2010 health care overhaul.
On a range of issues, Fitzpatrick hews few other committees: Veterans’ Affairs, He would like to put his background
to the conservative line: He takes a tough because the aging population he will rep- in road construction to good use on the
stance on national security, backs stricter resent includes a large number of veterans, Transportation and Infrastructure Com-
immigration enforcement, supports gun and Agriculture, where he would work to mittee. His father owned a road construc-
owners’ rights and criticizes the Demo- protect the interests of the dairy farmers tion company, and Barletta co-founded
crats’ health care overhaul while promot- populating the state’s northeast corner. his own construction firm, Interstate
ing “free-market solutions” to boost insur- Another parochial priority will be boosting Road Marking Corp., before becoming
ance coverage. efforts to extract natural gas from the Mar- mayor.
Fitzpatrick says he supports a “bal- cellus Shale geologic formation underneath Barletta is expected to continue to
anced” energy policy that includes nuclear central Pennsylvania. promote a project that will transform
power, development of clean-coal tech- Marino, who describes himself as support- an abandoned coal-mining operation in
nology and “responsible” offshore drill- ive of but not part of the tea party movement, Hazleton into a tourist destination with a
ing. He would also be a champion for the expects to be a reliable vote for the GOP on 20,000-person amphitheater.
development of natural gas from Penn- all major areas but one: While most Repub- He would also like a seat on the Judi-
sylvania’s Marcellus Shale, which he says licans describe themselves as free-traders, he ciary Committee, which handles the bulk
would provide both an increased supply has expressed opposition to several pending of immigration legislation that moves
of domestic energy and jobs for the state. trade liberalization agreements. through the House.
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 59
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Rhode Isl a nd ( 1 ) S ou t h C a r ol i n a ( 1 ) S ou t h C a r ol i n a ( 3 )
David Cicilline, D Tim Scott, R Jeff Duncan, R
Pronounced: sis-uh-LEE-nee Election: Defeated Ben Frasier, D, to succeed Election: Defeated Jane Dyer, D, to succeed J.
Election: Defeated John Loughlin, R, to succeed Henry E. Brown Jr., R, who retired Gresham Barrett, R, who ran for governor
Patrick J. Kennedy, D, who retired Residence: Charleston Residence: Laurens
Residence: Providence Born: Sept. 19, 1965; North Charleston, S.C. Born: Jan. 7, 1966; Greenville, S.C.
Born: July 15, 1961; Providence, R.I. Religion: Christian Religion: Baptist
Religion: Jewish Family: Single Family: Wife, Melody Duncan; three children
Family: Single Education: Presbyterian College, attended 1983- Education: Clemson U., B.A. 1988 (political
Education: Brown U., B.A. 1983 (political 84; Charleston Southern U., B.S. 1988 science)
science); Georgetown U., J.D. 1986 Career: Insurance agency owner; financial Career: Real estate auction company owner; real
Career: Lawyer; public defender adviser estate broker; banker
Political highlights: Sought Democratic Political highlights: Charleston County Council, Political highlights: S.C. House, 2003-present
nomination for R.I. Senate, 1992; R.I. House, 1995-2008 (chairman, 2002-03, 2007-08);
1995-2003; mayor of Providence, 2003-present Republican nominee for S.C. Senate, 1996; S.C.
House, 2009-present
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S ou t h C a r ol i n a ( 4 ) S ou t h C a r ol i n a ( 5 ) S ou t h D a k o t a ( A L )
Trey Gowdy, R Mick Mulvaney, R Kristi Noem, R
Election: Defeated Paul Corden, D, after Election: Defeated Rep. John M. Spratt Jr., D Pronounced: NOHM
defeating Bob Inglis in the primary Residence: Indian Land Election: Defeated Rep. Stephanie Herseth
Residence: Spartanburg Born: July 21, 1967; Alexandria, Va. Sandlin, D
Born: Aug. 22, 1964; Greenville, S.C. Religion: Roman Catholic Residence: Castlewood
Religion: Baptist Family: Wife, Pam Mulvaney; three children Born: Nov. 30, 1971; Watertown, S.D.
Family: Wife, Terri Gowdy; two children Education: Georgetown U., B.S.F.S 1989 Religion: Evangelical Christian
Education: Baylor U., B.A. 1986 (history); U. of (international economics); U. of North Carolina, Family: Husband, Bryon Noem; three children
South Carolina, J.D. 1989 J.D. 1992 Education: Northern State U., attended 1990-92;
Career: Lawyer Career: Real estate developer; restaurateur; South Dakota State U., attending (political
Political highlights: Assistant U.S. attorney, 1994- lawyer science)
2000; S.C. 7th Circuit solicitor, 2001-present Political highlights: S.C. House, 2007-09; S.C. Career: Farmer; rancher; hunting lodge owner;
Senate, 2009-present restaurant manager
Political highlights: S.D. House, 2007-present
(assistant majority leader, 2009-present)
HOUSE
A longtime lawyer
and occasional ra-
dio talk show host, Fleis-
D esJarlais, a physi-
cian, says he was
inspired to run by what
B lack, who will oc-
cupy a seat that was
long in the Democratic
chmann is expected to be patients were saying at column, wants to apply
a party-line Republican his Jasper practice. People her conservative ideas to
in Congress. He told a were talking less about areas such as health care,
Tennessee social club hunting and fishing, he the federal budget and
before the election that says, and more about immigration.
his first line of business would be to “say their anger at the Obama administration. With a background as an emergency
goodbye to [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi.” He promises that he will be an “equal room nurse, she has made her top priority
He has promised to support a repeal of the opportunity cutter” in Congress: “Every repealing the 2010 health care overhaul.
health care overhaul law enacted in 2010, and program in the government right now has “As a registered nurse, I believe patients,
he says that he will work to reduce the deficit, waste and abuse in it,” he says. “The In- doctors, and health care providers should
promote gun rights, and fight against abor- ternal Revenue Service is a great example be making health care decisions — not
tion rights and gay marriage. He also sup- of a place to start, but there’s so many bureaucrats in Washington,” Black says.
ports oil exploration in the Arctic National departments that need to be pared down Black, who was a leader in the state Sen-
Wildlife Reserve, increasing nuclear power and cleaned up.” ate’s GOP caucus, is proposing an over-
capabilities and clean-coal energy. Bureaucracy limits all levels of the pri- haul of Capitol Hill’s budgeting process,
When he arrives in Washington, Fleis- vate sector, DesJarlais says. “Small busi- advocating that lawmakers’ paychecks be
chmann will be hoping for a seat on the nesses and corporations are being smoth- withheld for every day that Congress fails
Appropriations Committee, where eight- ered by regulations that are keeping us to meet its annual budget deadline. She
term Republican Zach Wamp, his prede- from being competitive with foreign coun- also wants to end congressional pensions
cessor, served. tries,” he argues. and adopt a constitutional amendment
Fleischmann has no prior service in He promises to do “anything that re- requiring a balanced federal budget.
public office. He founded a law firm with duces the size and scope of government Black is conservative on social issues, op-
his wife almost immediately after gradu- and reduces taxes” and says seats on the posing gun control efforts and supporting
ating from law school in 1986. Although Budget or Small Business panels would policies that limit abortion. She also wants to
a political novice, Fleischmann’s victory help him pursue those goals. crack down further on illegal immigration;
over Democrat John Wolfe came as no He identifies with the 1994 House GOP she was endorsed by Jim Gilchrist, founder
surprise. His first-place finish in a con- class and wants to revive one of its signa- of the Minuteman Project, a vigilante group
tentious and crowded August primary ture issues: term limits. They would help that patrols the U.S.-Mexico border.
basically ensured that he would go on to restore accountability and leadership in Black was thrust into the national spot-
represent the majority-Republican district. Congress, he says, moving it to an environ- light when an aide sent out from a state
Fleischmann’s primary win was largely ment where a lawmaker can “say what you computer a racist e-mail about President
credited to his deep campaign coffers, in- mean and mean what you say.” Obama. After an outcry from state Demo-
cluding $700,000 of his own money, which The 2010 health care law also is a tar- cratic leaders, Black reprimanded the aide,
helped him defeat former state party chair- get. “I think that I can lend a lot of exper- saying the communication “does not re-
woman Robin Smith. An endorsement tise as a physician and would be a strong flect my opinions or my beliefs.”
by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee supporter of repeal,” says DesJarlais, who Black has an interest in defense issues
also helped Fleischmann nab the primary works in the family practice at a commu- and says that she would welcome a seat on
victory. nity hospital. the Armed Services Committee.
Page 62 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
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LEADING AT PRESS TIME
T E XA S ( 2 7 ) Virginia (2) Virginia (5)
Blake Farenthold, R Scott Rigell, R Robert Hurt, R
Election: Opposed Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz, D Pronounced: RIDGE-uhl Election: Defeated Rep. Tom Perriello, D
Residence: Corpus Christi Election: Defeated Rep. Glenn Nye, D Residence: Chatham
Born: December 12, 1961; Corpus Christi Residence: Virginia Beach Born: June 16, 1969; Manhattan, N.Y.
Religion: Episcopalian Born: May 28, 1960; Titusville, Fla. Religion: Presbyterian
Family: Wife, Debbie Farenthold; two children Religion: Protestant Family: Wife, Kathy Hurt; three children
Education: University of Texas, B.S. 1985 (radio, Family: Wife, Teri Rigell; four children Education: Hampden-Sydney College, B.A. 1991
television, film); St. Mary’s U., J.D. 1989 (English); Mississippi College, J.D. 1995
Education: Brevard Community College, A.A.
Career: Lawyer; computer and web design 1981; Mercer U., B.B.A 1983 (management); Career: Lawyer; county prosecutor
consulting firm owner Regent U., M.B.A. 1990 Political highlights: Chatham Town Council,
Political highlights: No previous office Military: Marine Corps Reserve 1978-84 2000-2001; Va. House, 2002-08; Va. Senate,
Career: Car dealership owner 2008-present
Political highlights: Va. Motor Vehicle Dealer
Board, 1995-99
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TOO CLOSE TO CALL AT PRESS TIME LEADING AT PRESS TIME
Virginia (9) Virginia (11) W a sh i n g to n ( 2 )
Morgan Griffith, R Keith Fimian, R John Koster, R
Election: Defeated Rep. Rick Boucher, D Election: Opposed Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, D Election: Opposed Rep. Rick Larsen, D
Residence: Salem Residence: Oakton Residence: Arlington
Born: March 15, 1958; Philadelphia, Pa. Born: Aug. 2, 1956; Charleston, S.C. Born: Sept. 8, 1951; Arlington, Wash.
Religion: Protestant Religion: Roman Catholic Religion: Baptist
Family: Wife, Hilary Griffith; three children Family: Wife, Cathy Fimian; three children Family: Wife, Vicki Koster; four children
Education: Emory & Henry College, B.A. 1980 Education: College of William & Mary, B.B.A. Education: Everett Community College, A.G.S.
(history); Washington and Lee U., J.D. 1983 1979 (accounting) 1984 (business)
Career: Lawyer Career: Home inspection company executive; Career: Dairy farmer
Political highlights: Salem Republican accountant Political highlights: Sought Republican nomina-
Committee chairman, 1986-88, 1991-94; Political highlights: Republican nominee for U.S. tion for Wash. Senate, 1992; Wash. House,
Va. House, 1994-present (majority leader, House, 2008 1995-2001; Republican nominee for U.S. House,
2000-present) 2000; Snohomish County Council, 2001-present
H errera is no stranger
to Capitol Hill: As
a former aide to fellow
M uri wants to balance
the federal budget,
streamline the tax code
Washington Republican and lower rates on busi-
Cathy McMorris Rodg- nesses to free up capital.
ers and an intern in the He also wants to “re-
George W. Bush White peal and replace” the
House, she is familiar Democrats’ health care
with the machinations of the nation’s capital. overhaul enacted in March because it does
At 32, she will be one of the youngest not comply with the “free market prin-
members of Congress and the youngest ciples on which the American economy has
woman in the chamber. The National flourished.”
Republican Congressional Committee Muri is an advocate of a smaller and
named her to the top tier of its “Young more efficient government. While on the
Guns” program, a distinction it credited Pierce County Council, he served as chair-
to her fundraising efforts. man of the performance audit committee,
Although Herrera is seen as an “estab- where he worked to improve processes in
lishment” Republican (she bested two the county judicial system in an effort to
more conservative candidates in the pri- streamline costs and promote efficiency.
mary, including one backed by the tea par- In Congress, he also would focus on
ty movement) she has positioned herself as military and veterans issues. He retired as
an independent thinker, a good fit given a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force and
her district’s swing status. She has criti- his district includes Joint Base Lewis-Mc-
cized Republicans for not reining in deficit Chord, an Army and Air Force facility. He
spending or passing their own health care opposes any spending cuts to the military
legislation while in the majority. or to veterans programs, and hopes to win
Her record in the state legislature in- a seat on the Armed Services Committee.
dicates that she does not always toe the He combines a call for tougher border
party line — for example, she voted to al- security and workplace enforcement with
low unionization of child care workers, a a call for a smoother path for those who
position that put her at odds with other seek to immigrate legally. He was a strong
Republicans in the state House. proponent on the county council of requir-
Her agenda in Congress is expected to ing private companies that get county con-
focus on job creation, a direction dictated tracts to use the E-Verify system to validate
by her district’s economic woes. The 3rd workers’ immigration status.
District’s unemployment rate is higher Muri would be interested in serving on
than the national average and its counties’ the Small Business Committee and the
rates are among the highest in the state. Natural Resources panel — a key spot for a
In addition, Herrera has pledged to Westerner — so he can put his educational
oppose all tax increases, and she backs a background in environmental science to
balanced-budget amendment. work.
Page 66 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
HOUSE
Agriculture
Frank D. Lucas of Oklahoma, in line to hold the gavel as Ag-
Lewis, secondfromright, has ledthe Appropriations Committee before. Rogers,
riculture Committee chairman, will spend much of the next two
seated, alsowants the job— but GOP leaders previously have passedhimover.
years formulating farm policy in anticipation of a new five-year
farm bill in 2012. But until that effort gets under way in earnest, a focus of their successful campaign to win control of the House.
Lucas intends to use his panel’s oversight powers to spotlight what Before they start paring the budget, however, GOP leaders must
he describes as regulatory “overreach” by the EPA. decide which veteran appropriator will lead the effort. Former
In the 111th Congress, the EPA came under fire from farm- chairman Jerry Lewis of California and Harold Rogers of Kentucky,
country Democrats and Republicans alike for proposing tighter No. 3 on the panel, are the top contenders, and Rogers has said he
regulations and tougher particulate-matter rules under federal intends to fight for the gavel. Party leaders already passed over him
pollution laws that might affect farm and livestock operations, and once, picking the junior Lewis as chairman for the 109th Congress.
for finding that in the absence of climate change legislation it could Lewis stayed on as ranking member during the past four years
regulate greenhouse gases as threats to human health. As the com- and seems likely to win a waiver from the GOP’s term-limit rule,
mittee’s ranking member, Lucas has led GOP criticism of the EPA. which allows lawmakers six consecutive years as chairman or rank-
Rewriting federal farm programs will still demand most of the ing member of a committee. The No. 2 GOP appropriator, C.W.
committee’s attention over the next two years, and Lucas plans Bill Young of Florida, was chairman from 1999 to 2005. There is
to expand on hearings held by the current chairman and future also certain to be shuffling among the top Republican and Demo-
ranking Democrat Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota into the ef- cratic spots on the panel’s 12 subcommittees, given the number of
fectiveness of federal farm policies. Lucas said he will particularly senior members who are leaving.
focus on 37 programs set to expire with the current farm law in The Republican victory will give party leaders new seats on the
2012. They cost almost $9 billion annually, and continuing them at panel to fill in addition to the spots of three appropriators who left
even their current rate of spending would add to the budget deficit, to seek other offices — Mark Steven Kirk of Illinois, Todd Tiahrt
which makes them targets for savings. of Kansas and Zach Wamp of Tennessee.
Critics of farm subsidies are expected to go after “direct pay- While the Democrats’ loss will cost them seats on the panel,
ments” that account for $5 billion a year in spending. These pay- retirements — including that of current Chairman David R. Obey
ments are based on historical crop yields and they go to farmland of Wisconsin — and defeats at the polls may spare them from hav-
owners regardless of need or market conditions. Direct payments ing to bump off junior members. Norm Dicks of Washington is
were part of the 1996 farm law and were designed to serve as tran- expected to step up as ranking Democrat.
sition assistance for farmers moved from reliance on federal crop GOP appropriators say that they want to reduce discretionary
production policies to market-driven production. The payments federal spending to fiscal 2008 levels. The budget resolution for
survived, however, after that farm law expired. — Ellyn Ferguson that year capped routine discretionary spending at $954.1 billion,
a sharp drop from the $1.12 trillion cap that the House Democratic
Appropriations majority has proposed for fiscal 2011, which began Oct. 1 and for
Always a centerpiece of legislative activity, the Appropriations which work is not complete.
Committee will be an even more lively battleground in the 112th Seeking to make the most of their final months in control of both
Congress because Republicans made a deep reduction in spending House continued on page 68
Page 68 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
Current ranking Republican Joe L. Barton he has not announced whether he will make
of Texas has made it clear that he wants to a bid, and other GOP committee members
take back the gavel he wielded when Repub- appear to be supportive of Bachus.
licans last controlled the House — in spite of
Barton’s apology to Bachus says Democrats have shielded the
the caucus rule that would appear to bar him BP’s chief executive Obama administration from tough questions
from the top position after his having served regarding the gulf oil on financial policy decisions and contends
three terms as top GOP member of the panel. that in shaping the financial regulatory law
Barton will seek a waiver, but he is hardly spill could affect his the administration elevated the role of gov-
a shoo-in, especially in light of his apology to bid for the Energy ernment while diminishing the rights of indi-
BP chief executive Tony Hayward earlier this viduals and companies to make choices.
year over government efforts to make the oil chairmanship. In particular, Republicans will keep a close
company finance a reparations account. That eye on the Consumer Financial Protection
prompted calls from within the conference to Bureau, created to supervise consumer lend-
strip him of his post as ranking member, and Barton was forced to ing, such as home loans and credit cards. And while Republicans
recant the apology the day he offered it. may attempt a repeal of the financial services law, at the least they
Other potential contenders for the gavel are Fred Upton of will try to curtail the effect of new regulations.
Michigan, John Shimkus of Illinois and Cliff Stearns of Florida. Republicans Scott Garrett of New Jersey and Royce are expect-
Upton, generally considered more moderate than Barton, was ed to lead the panel’s efforts to create a new housing finance system
particularly aggressive in recent weeks, stepping up his criticism to replace Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two giant mortgage
of the Democratic leadership, calling for elimination of the Select agencies that were put under government conservatorship in 2008.
Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and In October, the Federal Housing Finance Agency reported that
taking aim at EPA regulations. Fannie and Freddie, which have already tapped a combined $148
With broad jurisdiction spanning energy policy, health care, tele- billion from taxpayers, may need as much as $215 billion in addi-
communications, technology and consumer protection, the com- tional taxpayer support over the next three years.
mittee is one of the most active in the House, and it is expected to Garrett and Royce advocate a dismantling of the pair and com-
take a lead role in trying to chip away at the health care law. plete privatization of the mortgage system — a step that Demo-
Comprehensive legislation to address global warming and over- crats say could bring housing finance to a grinding halt.
haul energy policy will be off the table with Democrats in the mi- Committee Democrats, working in conjunction with the admin-
nority. The panel is expected to focus on expanding nuclear power istration, are expected to release their own blueprint for overhaul-
and press for an inventory of the costs of complying with EPA rules ing Fannie and Freddie. Early reports indicate that those plans
implementing the Clean Air Act and other environmental laws. would include a role for the government to help preserve the long-
Both Upton and Barton opposed the cap-and-trade climate term fixed-rate mortgages that the two back. — Charlene Carter
change bill written by current Chairman Henry A. Waxman of Cali-
fornia and No. 3 Democrat Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, Foreign Affairs
which passed the House in June 2009. But Barton, a former oil Although the White House has faced considerable pressure on
industry consultant, has been an advocate for oil and gas producers, foreign policy from the Democratic-led 111th Congress, the push-
while Upton has been more sympathetic to legislation designed to back from the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Republican-led
promote energy conservation. 112th will be considerably more vigorous.
Republicans put the brakes on a last-minute push in the current To begin with, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, who is expected
Congress to write legislation addressing network neutrality — pre- to take the gavel, is likely to take a much tougher line than has cur-
venting broadband providers from unduly discriminating in how rent Chairman Howard L. Berman, D-Calif., who cooperated with
they handle online traffic — but the panel may revisit the issue. the administration on issues such as Iran sanctions and relations
The House passed a comprehensive food safety bill in 2009, but with Russia and China. Other senior Republicans on the commit-
the Senate has not acted on its companion bill. Concerns about tee — including Dan Burton of Indiana, Christopher H. Smith of
food safety were renewed recently with the recall of hundreds New Jersey and Dana Rohrabacher of California — are equally if
of millions of potentially tainted eggs, and if the legislation is not not more skeptical of President Obama’s desire to engage on the
completed in the lame-duck session it is likely to be back on the international stage.
committee’s agenda next year. — Jennifer Scholtes That does not bode well for some of the initiatives that Berman
pushed last year but was unable to move in the committee. Instead,
Financial Services the committee is likely to intensify its scrutiny of the administra-
Republican control of the Financial Services Committee is likely tion’s enforcement of Iran sanctions, which Ros-Lehtinen has com-
to bring aggressive oversight of this year’s Dodd-Frank financial plained were watered down by Democrats in Congress; military
services regulatory overhaul law and a new approach for financing aid to countries such as Saudi Arabia and Lebanon; and efforts to
home loans. Ranking Republican Spencer Bachus of Alabama is promote human rights in China, Russia and elsewhere.
expected to beat back other GOP contenders to take the gavel from Ros-Lehtinen, the ranking member in the 111th Congress, is
current Chairman Barney Frank of Massachusetts. staunchly opposed to efforts to lift portions of the U.S. embargo on
Ed Royce of California, currently the No. 4 Republican on the Cuba. And she may set as a priority a bill she introduced in 2009 to
panel, is regarded as a potential candidate for the top spot, though House continued on page 70
Page 70 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
risdiction is burdensome. Both King and current chairman Bennie With Republicans running the House, Thornberry’s tempera-
Thompson, D-Miss., have lobbied for consolidating oversight un- ment might give him an edge over Rogers. Aides say the more
der a single authorizing committee in each chamber. But neither confrontational Rogers might have won out over the more collab-
has been able to sway their parties’ leaders into acting. orative Thornberry if Republicans had remained in the minority.
King was chairman before the Democratic takeover after the Both Thornberry and Rogers are staunchly conservative, but
2006 election. And to take the gavel again in January, he may need both have their fans on the liberal side of the committee. Rogers, a
a waiver of Republican rules that limit lawmakers’ time in the top former FBI agent, has frequently gone after the Obama adminis-
spot. King’s bid is not expected to be met with much resistance, tration over law-and-order issues such as whether terror suspects
but in the unlikely event he is deemed ineligible, the gavel would should be read their Miranda rights, but he also sees broad policy
be up for grabs. The two Republicans next in line for the post value in regularly enacting intelligence authorization bills. While
already lead their party on other panels — Lamar Smith of Texas Thornberry has often focused on big-picture questions such as
on Judiciary, and Dan Lungren of California on House Adminis- cybersecurity and terrorism financing, he also has criticized the
tration — leaving third-in-line Mike D. Rogers of Alabama as a administration for an investigation into whether intelligence per-
potential candidate. sonnel broke the law during interrogations of terror suspects.
On the Democratic side, Thompson is expected to retain his It is unclear who will hold the ranking Democrat slot. If Nan-
party’s top spot, a post he has held since the Homeland panel was cy Pelosi of California retains leadership of the House caucus,
made a permanent committee in 2005. she might be inclined to replace current Intelligence Chairman
The panel may have high turnover in its rank-and-file member- Silvestre Reyes of Texas with friend and liberal ally Anna G. Eshoo
ship. When the 111th Congress convened in 2009, Democrats saw of California. If Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland takes over, Reyes
roughly one third of their membership leave the committee and might remain in the committee’s top Democrat role, given both
welcomed an influx of freshman and sophomore members to their men’s moderate impulses. Or fellow Maryland moderate C.A.
ranks — several of whom lost their re-election bids. Those results, Dutch Ruppersberger might replace Reyes. — Tim Starks
coupled with the change in the majority and the prospect of mem-
bers seeking other assignments, might prompt big changes again. Judiciary
— Joanna Anderson The partisan rancor that helps define the Judiciary Committee
— if not the relationship between current Chairman John Conyers
House Administration Jr. of Michigan and ranking Republican Lamar Smith — will not
Whether he chooses to elevate current ranking member Dan abate when the two men switch jobs in the 112th Congress.
Lungren or another loyal Republican, presumptive Speaker John Smith and the new GOP majority are likely to press the Obama
A. Boehner can be expected to put a strong ally atop the House Ad- administration about its anti-terrorism and immigration enforce-
ministration Committee, which controls many of the perquisites ment policies, while using the panel as a springboard for more-
vital to the lawmakers’ day-to-day lives — office space and parking vigorous oversight of the Justice Department. Among the likely
foremost among them. targets are charges that the administration did not sufficiently in-
The panel’s duties also include settling disputed House elec- vestigate allegations of voter intimidation at a Philadelphia polling
tions, oversight of the Capitol Police and Capitol Visitor Center, place by members of the New Black Panther Party in 2008.
personnel issues and franking. Smith and Conyers are more cordial with each other than were
When Republicans took control of the House after the 1994 previous chairmen and ranking members. But Smith — who can
election, they briefly renamed the panel the House Oversight serve a single term before term limits force him to step aside — has
Committee. With the GOP leadership’s current focus on oversight proved to be a sharp critic of the administration, particularly on the
of government activities and reductions in spending, the commit- issue of detaining and prosecuting terrorism suspects.
tee is likely to try to rein in costs of operating the House that it views That combativeness is likely to set the tone. Smith has made clear
as unnecessary. Lawmakers depend on the committee for office that he believes tough border enforcement must be the top priority
allowances and approval of various expenditures. when it comes to immigration. Steve King of Iowa, the top Repub-
Lungren won a close race to return to the House. But having lican on the Immigration Subcommittee in the 111th Congress and
challenged Boehner for party leader in 2008, he may not be close in line to become its chairman, is one of the most forceful and often
enough to the likely Speaker to hold on to the top spot. The rest antagonistic voices within the GOP Conference on immigration.
of the committee’s membership is also in flux, as Kevin McCarthy An overhaul of the nation’s patent laws is one potential rare op-
of California is in line to become majority whip, a promotion that portunity for bipartisan cooperation. Smith has long made the pat-
will remove him from serving on any standing committees. Gregg ent law overhaul a top priority, working closely on the issue with
Harper of Mississippi may remain on the panel, and the number of Democrats, including Howard L. Berman of California.
Republicans will grow as a result of the GOP takeover. It remains to be seen how much emphasis committee Repub-
— Frances Symes licans put on hot-button social issues such as abortion or gun
rights, which Democrats had largely avoided in the four years
Intelligence they controlled the House. In recent years, Republicans have
The retirement of Michigan Republican Peter Hoekstra leaves backed off attempts to limit the jurisdiction of federal judges
an opening for either William M. “Mac” Thornberry of Texas or after backlash from their 2005 attempt to intervene to maintain
Mike Rogers of Michigan to take the gavel of the Intelligence Com- life support in the case of Terri Schiavo, a Florida woman in a
mittee. The choice will also help determine the panel’s agenda. House continued on page 72
Page 72 Guide to the New Congress Thursday, November 4, 2010
House continued from page 73 of Florida, currently the No. 2 Republican on the panel, whose role
is expected to broaden.
has rejected both a higher gasoline tax and a new tax based on Veterans’ programs are among the few areas that typically re-
the number of miles driven. Mica, too, deemed a gasoline tax in- ceive bipartisan support in the House. Over the past several years,
crease “dead” and has suggested replacing the per-gallon tax with Congress has expanded veterans’ medical care, access to higher
a percentage sales tax on gasoline. He also advocates more public- education for vets and their families, and increased reimburse-
private transportation partnerships, large-scale bond issues and ments for veterans who must travel long distances to get care.
speedier approval of infrastructure projects. For Democrats, Bob Filner of California will move from the
Mica also is likely to break with President Obama on one priority: chairmanship to ranking member. Filner has been pursuing a five-
his call for an immediate investment of $50 billion from the next year plan to end homelessness among veterans. – Eugene Mulero
highway bill on job-creating infrastructure projects. Mica called
the investment plan a “pitiful and tardy” excuse for not enacting a Ways and Means
full six-year reauthorization bill. In taking the gavel as chairman of the Ways and Means Commit-
Administration plans to develop high-speed passenger rail net- tee, Michigan’s Dave Camp will hold one of the most important
works also may suffer. Though generally a supporter of fast trains, positions in Congress and have responsibility for moving the Re-
Mica has criticized the administration’s awards of $8 billion in high- publican Party’s ambitious agenda on taxes and health care against
speed rail grants made possible by the 2009 economic stimulus law, likely obstacles erected by the Senate and the White House.
saying that the winning projects lacked enough private support to Just 13 Republicans on the panel will be returning from the 111th
make them viable and were motivated by politics. Congress, and the party will have to fill out the roster with a half-
Amtrak may be in for a bumpier road as well. Like many House dozen or more new people. The GOP will lose retiring members
Republicans , Mica is not an Amtrak fan. He favors more competi- John Linder of Georgia and Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida. And
tion for passenger rail services. Virginia’s Eric Cantor may depart if he becomes majority leader.
And if the House and Senate can’t agree on reauthorizing the The opposite trend will be true on the Democratic side, where
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the lame-duck session, just three of the 26 members did not seek re-election. Even with a
the committee next year will also have to move a new FAA bill, couple members of the panel losing their re-election bids, recent
which Mica also may want to rewrite. Congress has been trying for additions to the panel, including John Yarmuth of Kentucky, Brian
months to finish a long-term authorization, but disagreements over Higgins of New York and Linda T. Sánchez of California, might lose
allowing more long-distance flights at Ronald Reagan Washington the seats they won in 2009.
National Airport and a House provision that would effectively put Current Chairman Sander M. Levin of Michigan, who took over
ground-based FedEx Corp. employees under the same labor laws in 2010 when Charles B. Rangel of New York stepped aside during
as archrival United Parcel Service Inc. have stymied an agreement. an ethics investigation, might face a challenge for the top spot from
The committee also will tackle a reauthorization of the Water Richard E. Neal of Massachusetts.
Resources Development Act. Water programs were last autho- The committee’s legislative goals will depend, in part, on wheth-
rized in 2007 over the veto of President George W. Bush. er and how the debate over the extension of the tax cuts enacted
Oberstar’s defeat will cause a shuffle for the ranking Democratic in 2001 and 2003 is resolved during this year’s lame-duck session.
spot. Nick J. Rahall II of West Virginia is next in line but may prefer Inaction would put immediate pressure on the new Congress to
the top spot on the Natural Resources panel. That may set up a revive some or all of them as workers see their income tax with-
race between Peter A. DeFazio of Oregon and Jerry F. Costello of holding rise in January.
Illinois, the No. 3 and No. 4 Democrats. — Kathryn A. Wolfe And any temporary extensions of current policy, whether they
apply to the income tax, the estate tax or the alternative minimum
Veterans’ Affairs tax, would put significant issues on the committee’s plate right
The retirement of Steve Buyer of Indiana leaves an opening away. If any of these issues are resolved over Republican objections
at the top of the GOP roster of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee during the lame-duck session, the new majority is likely to use its
that will also stir the new majority’s subcommittee lineup. But the first few months to work out changes more to its liking.
panel’s approach to issues is likely to change relatively little. Camp will try to make good on Republican promises to repeal
Spending on veterans’ programs is always a focal point for its and replace the health care overhaul enacted in March, though
work. And senior Republicans say they will pursue almost every details of such an attempt would be vigorously contested. And such
objective laid out during the current Congress. efforts, if they even make it through Congress, are likely to be
The GOP’s chief concerns will remain the processing of claims doomed by President Obama’s veto pen. Still, Ways and Means
by the Department of Veterans Affairs, creating a strong electron- Republicans will be able to use their oversight powers to draw at-
ic-claims management system and reducing the backlog of about tention to the law and point out concerns over its implementation.
400,000 unprocessed claims at the Veterans Benefits Administra- Camp and the Republicans will put pressure on the administra-
tion. tion to advance pending free-trade agreements with South Korea,
Although the panel has a tradition of bipartisanship, Republicans Colombia and Panama. The Korea deal, in particular, may present
have stressed they will increase scrutiny of Obama administration an opportunity for the new majority to work with the president,
officials over their handling of health care benefits for veterans. who favors free trade more than many congressional Democrats.
“We need to ensure there’s proper oversight and accountability to The panel may also attempt a long-term reauthorization of the law
provide veterans with the best possible benefits,” said Cliff Stearns that governs federal welfare programs. — Richard Rubin
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 75
Senate continued from page 75 Evan Bayh, D-Ind., is retiring. Appointed Sens. Roland W. Bur‑
ris, D-Ill., Ted Kaufman, D-Del., and Carte P. Goodwin, D-W.Va.,
With a shrinking pie to carve, Democrats will be looking to pro‑ will depart as soon as their elected successors arrive, while George
tect some of their major discretionary spending priorities, such as LeMieux, R-Fla., will leave office at the end of this Congress.
education and health care. But Inouye, who also chairs the De‑ — Frank Oliveri
fense Subcommittee, may be less inclined than some of his col‑
leagues to find savings from that side of the budget. Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs
Backed by President Obama, panel Democrats will also have The committee will be under new leadership in 2011, when
their hands full combating House GOP efforts to “de-fund” imple‑ South Dakota Democrat Tim Johnson is expected to take the gavel
mentation of the 2010 health care overhaul. from retiring Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn.
The committee will see major turnover in 2011. Five senior After a hectic two years consumed by an overhaul of the regula‑
members are retiring: Republicans Sam Brownback of Kansas, tory structure governing Wall Street, the panel is likely to moderate
Christopher S. Bond of Missouri, Judd Gregg of New Hampshire both its pace and approach to the financial services sector.
and George V. Voinovich of Ohio, plus Democrat Byron L. Dorgan Johnson in the past has been more supportive of the credit card
of North Dakota. Robert F. Bennett, R-Utah, and Arlen Spec‑ industry than Dodd. The industry is a major employer in his state,
ter, D-Pa., were denied renomination, while Lisa Murkowski, R- and Johnson was the only Senate Democrat to oppose the success‑
Alaska, and Patty Murray, D-Wash., were in re-election battles too ful 2009 legislation tightening credit card regulation.
close to call at press time. The major issue facing the committee in 2011 will be the restruc‑
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., already has prom‑ turing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. More than two years after
ised one of the open GOP seats to John Hoeven of North Dakota. the George W. Bush administration seized the two government-
— Kerry Young sponsored entities, the committee must decide what to do with
them. Fannie and Freddie have received nearly $150 billion in
Armed Services taxpayer support, with no end in sight.
Under the continued leadership of Chairman Carl Levin, The options range from full privatization to complete national‑
D‑Mich., Democrats will face a difficult task in trying to rebuild the ization. The Obama White House is expected to release a plan in
panel’s traditionally bipartisan tone. And given their diminished January for the firms and the mortgage market as a whole. But that
numbers, their policy initiatives might be sharply circumscribed. plan could hit a wall of opposition from Republicans if, as expected,
As the 111th Congress nears its end, the panel is deeply divided it lays the groundwork for a new system of housing finance that
over a number of issues that could undermine efforts to com‑ would still allow the government to guarantee some mortgages, as
plete the fiscal 2011 defense authorization bill and draft a fiscal Fannie and Freddie do now.
2012 version. Ranking Republican John McCain of Arizona led Most Republicans revile Fannie and Freddie and see their fail‑
his panel members to a united vote in the committee against the ure as the natural result of inappropriate government involvement
current bill. in financial markets. Republicans will likely push for a fully priva‑
With the fate of that defense authorization bill uncertain, Demo‑ tized system of housing finance.
crats are unsure whether to try again next year to repeal the ban The committee is also expected to review implementation of the
on openly gay servicemembers and the ban on servicemembers 2010 Dodd-Frank financial services overhaul. Members will likely
obtaining abortions at military medical facilities. But the GOP seek frequent updates from administration officials and leaders of
takeover of the House likely would doom renewed repeal efforts. the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
Given the intensifying pressure to cut federal spending, com‑ the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Office of the
mittee Democrats will face pressure from party liberals to reduce Comptroller of the Currency.
defense authorizations — but pushback from GOP senators who If lawmakers are unhappy with the implementation, or regula‑
tend to see any defense cuts as unwise, if not downright dangerous. tors report significant problems, the committee could pursue a
The panel will scrutinize — and sometimes contest — Defense corrections bill to revise the overhaul.
Secretary Robert M. Gates’ efforts to find savings within the de‑ The panel has waded into currency issues in the past, and with
fense budget and manage controver sial and immensely expensive senior member Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., threatening legisla‑
weapons programs, such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Ma‑ tion targeting China’s currency practices, it might do so again.
rine Corps’ Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, the Army’s Ground In addition to Dodd, Evan Bayh, D-Ind., Jim Bunning, R-Ky.,
Combat Vehicle and the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship. and Judd Gregg, R-N.H., are retiring. Robert F. Bennett, R-Utah,
The committee also will closely monitor the expanded war in was denied renomination.
Afghanistan, debating a White House review of military operations — Steven Sloan
there that is due in December, as well as the president’s plan to be‑
gin the withdrawal of U.S. troops in July 2011. Levin will press the Budget
administration to hold to its current plans in Afghanistan, and to The Budget Committee will face new challenges as a narrow
push for the advancement of Afghan military forces and improve‑ Democratic majority comes under pressure from the public and a
ment of Afghan governance as a way to enable a U.S. withdrawal. Republican-led House to scale back government spending.
McCain will continue to lead the GOP’s criticism of a withdrawal The defeat of Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., raises the possibility that
timeline in Afghanistan. That debate will ratchet up as the deadline Budget Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., could take the gavel she
approaches, particularly if military operations bog down. will relinquish at the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Com‑
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 77
mittee. Conrad is up for re-election in two feller IV, D-W.Va., and ranking member Kay
years, when Congress is due to produce the Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, the committee
multi-year 2012 farm bill. also will grapple with several technology is‑
But Conrad loves budget issues; he is the sues. It must decide whether to allow the
Democrats’ leading expert on the process. Federal Communications Commission to
If he remains chairman, he will continue auction off a desirable portion of broadcast
to push for deficit reduction and, perhaps, spectrum known as the “D block,” or instead
changes in the budget process. Given the allocate it to public safety agencies. A Rock‑
D-Ark., was defeated, while Murkowski’s re- there will be tremendous pressure to act early
election race was too close to call Nov. 3. next year.
— Geof Koss The gulf between Boxer The same applies for the estate tax, which
Senate continued from page 79 areas remain, including administration proposals to make more
federal grants to public schools competitive, tie teacher evaluations
In a closely divided committee, the vote of GOP moderate Olym‑ to student performance and require failing schools to take dra‑
pia J. Snowe of Maine — who could face a conservative primary matic turnaround steps. The increased GOP strength in Congress
challenge in 2012 — will be even more important than it is now. could force a fresh start on many issues.
Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., was defeated. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., is Harkin plans to complete an investigation into the recruiting and
retiring. Thomas R. Carper, D-Del., the most junior Democrat, marketing practices of some for-profit colleges, which an under‑
is in jeopardy of being bumped as Democrats lose slots on the cover Government Accountability Office probe in August found
panel. encouraged fraud. He wants to tighten rules for access to federal
— Joseph J. Schatz aid, a goal being pursued independently by the Education Depart‑
ment. But Republicans oppose efforts targeting for-profits, likely
Foreign Relations dooming any such legislation.
Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., will have a piece of old busi‑ The panel may take another swing at a workplace safety measure
ness as his top priority in the new Congress, if the Senate does not in response to recent industrial accidents, including a mine explo‑
approve ratification of the New START nuclear arms reduction sion in West Virginia that killed 29 coal miners. But Republican
agreement with Russia during the lame-duck session. resistance could force Democrats to water down a mine safety bill
The treaty could make it through the committee again, given its that Harkin cosponsored.
broad Democratic support and the backing of ranking Republican Harkin will continue oversight hearings on the health care
Richard G. Lugar of Indiana, who has devoted much of his Senate overhaul that he advocated, and he will try to fend off efforts by
career to nuclear arms reduction and nonproliferation. Republicans in both chambers to repeal the law or “de-fund” its
But the pact could face more resistance in the new Senate, given implementation. As chairman of the Labor-HHS-Education Ap‑
the increased number of Republicans. Many GOP senators already propriations Subcommittee, Harkin is well positioned to protect
have questioned the strength of verification procedures in the the new law from GOP attacks.
agreement, and those concerns are expected to continue. The HELP Committee also will work on reauthorizing laws, set
Kerry’s next order of business will be the war in Afghanistan to expire Sept. 30, 2012, that allow the Food and Drug Adminis‑
and the U.S. relationship with neighboring Pakistan. The panel tration to collect fees from manufacturers to pay for the agency’s
is expected to hold hearings on whether President Obama’s troop pre-marketing review of drugs and medical devices.
“surge” is producing results. In addition, Harkin wants to explore ways to provide more incen‑
The committee also plans to scrutinize the administration’s ef‑ tives to encourage drug companies to develop treatments for rare
forts to broker a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, and neglected diseases, as well as to strengthen U.S. preparedness
as well as U.S. relations with key countries in the Middle East, for bioterrorist attacks.
such as Turkey and Iraq. Kerry is particularly interested in seeing The committee will also to reauthorize the Workforce Invest‑
a revival of peace talks between Israel and Syria, which the United ment Act, which governs job training programs.
States last brokered in 2000 before they broke down amid mutual Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., and Judd Gregg, R-N.H., are
recriminations. “It’s a potential game-changer for the region if we retiring. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska,
could make that happen,” said a senior aide. were in re-election contests too close to call Nov. 3.
China’s growing global footprint also will be on the radar. Kerry — Emily Ethridge
plans to invite both Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
and Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner to testify on U.S. eco‑ Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
nomic relations with China, including efforts to convince Beijing The committee will try again to advance legislation addressing
to revalue its yuan currency. issues that range from border control and cybersecurity to off‑
Kerry hopes to bring several major treaties before the committee shore drilling and earmark transparency. Under Chairman Jospeh
for approval, including the Convention on the Law of the Sea and I. Lieberman, I-Conn., the panel has conducted oversight on all
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination of those issues and then some in the current Congress, but most of
Against Women. its proposed legislation has not become law.
Ted Kaufman, D-Del., will depart as soon as his successor is cer‑ The panel could renew efforts to create a comprehensive ap‑
tified. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., is retiring. Russ Feingold, proach to cybersecurity and to improve security at chemical
D-Wis., was defeated. plants if those measures fail to clear during the lame-duck ses‑
— Jonathan Broder sion. But the chemical bill faces a clouded future, given GOP
election gains.
Health, Education, Labor & Pensions The committee will keep up pressure on the Department of
The biggest challenge facing the committee is a reauthorization Homeland Security to improve its performance on transportation
of the 2001 education law known as No Child Left Behind — a job security, efforts to prevent attacks using weapons of mass destruc‑
the panel did not complete this year. Both Democrats and Repub‑ tion on U.S. soil, cargo screening and coordination between fed‑
licans want changes to the law, saying it is too rigid. eral, state and local officials.
Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, says he has brokered bipartisan Lieberman and ranking Republican Susan Collins of Maine, who
agreement on some of the proposals in the Obama administration’s is expected to keep that post, have a strong working relationship
blueprint for change, released in March. But several contentious and often align on the committee’s priorities. But they differ on a
Thursday, November 4, 2010 Guide to the New Congress Page 81
major bill awaiting action next year. Thomas R. Carper, D-Del., Early next year, the committee will
is pushing a bill that Collins opposes to overhaul the U.S. Postal need to revisit the 2001 anti-terrorism law
Service. Given the increased Republican strength in the new Con‑ known as the Patriot Act. Several provi‑
gress, Carper may have to alter his approach. sions are set to expire at the end of Feb‑