Dave Loebsack: Difference between revisions
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'''David Wayne "Dave" Loebsack''' (born December 23, 1952) is the Congressional Representative for the 2nd District of Iowa in the [[United States House of Representatives]]. He is a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] party and the [[Progressive Caucus]]. Prior to entering Congress, he was a professor of political science. |
'''David Wayne "Dave" Loebsack''' (born December 23, 1952) is the Congressional Representative for the 2nd District of Iowa in the [[United States House of Representatives]]. He is a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] party and the [[Progressive Caucus]]. Prior to entering Congress, he was a professor of political science. |
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Revision as of 07:18, 17 March 2010
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David Loebsack | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 2nd district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Leach |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Terry Loebsack |
| Residence | Mount Vernon, Iowa |
| Alma mater | Insert Liberal University here! |
| Occupation | Indoctrinator[citation needed] |
David Wayne "Dave" Loebsack (born December 23, 1952) is the Congressional Representative for the 2nd District of Iowa in the United States House of Representatives. He is a member of the Democratic party and the Progressive Caucus. Prior to entering Congress, he was a professor of political science.
Loebsack was born in Sioux City, Iowa and was raised in a single parent, lower class household. He graduated from East High School and attended college at Iowa State University. There, Loebsack earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in political science. After receiving a PhD from the University of California, Davis, Loebsack took a job as a political science professor at Cornell College, a small liberal arts college in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Today, he serves as a Professor Emeritus. Loebsack started the Linn Phoenix group, a fundraising arm of the Linn County Democrats.
In 2006 Loebsack defeated 15-term incumbent Jim Leach, a moderate Republican who was one of only a handful of Republican congressmen who had voted against authorization for the use of force in Iraq.[1] Loebsack entered the Democratic primary as a write-in candidate after failing to get the required number of signatures, but did not face an actual primary opponent. In the general election he took 51% of the vote to Leach's 49%.[2] His was one of 30 seats to be picked up by the Democrats in Congress during the 2006 elections.[2] Loebsack's victory was one of the biggest upsets of the cycle, even though the 2nd had been trending Democratic for some time.
He was sworn into office on January 4, 2007. He won reelection in 2008, receiving 57%[3] of the vote against medical doctor and political novice Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa, who took 39%.
Loebsack visited Iraq in February, 2007. He has a step son serving there as part of US military actions in that nation.[4]
Loebsack represents a district that was hit hard by the June 2008 Midwest floods. According to his website, the flood damaged his local congressional office and forced its temporary closure. Loebsack has pushed for the federal government to provide full funding for emergency services and for removal of debris left behind by the flooding.[citation needed]
In 2010, Loesback is expected to have a rematch with Miller-Meeks. However, two other Republicans are running in the primary: Businessmen Christopher Reed and Steve Rathje.[5]
Agriculture
Residing and serving the primarily agricultural state of Iowa, Loebsack has also worked to improve agriculture legislation. Between 2007 and 2008, Loebsack received ratings between 93 and 100 from prominent interest groups such as the National Association of Wheat Growers, National Farmer’s Union, and the United Fresh Produce Association. Based on his positive ratings, in addition to the Agribusiness sector’s contribution to his campaigns, agricultural groups approve of Loebsack’s work in the area of agricultural legislation.
Defense and National Security
David Loebsack has consistently voted for legislation involving the betterment of the Homeland Security and Defense departments. Recently, he voted yes to a bill, which authorizes $46.18 billion in appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Overall, Loebsack has supported the National Security effort, declaring foreign nations should be held accountable for terrorists operating in their country. However, he has adamantly rejected the idea of pre-emptive military strikes against foreign nations. Loebsack was selected to serve on the House Armed Services and has recently participated in discussions concerning the National Defense Authorization Act.
Environment
Loebsack strongly advocates for the environment. He received high interest group ratings from Environment America, the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, and the League of Conservation Voters.[6] The American Land Rights Association, an interest group that advocates for private land-owning rights, gave Loebsack a rating of 0 in 2008.[6]
Education Interest Group Ratings
Loebsack also received high ratings from education-based interest groups such as the American Association of University Women (a group that promotes “education and equity for women and girls”[7]), the National Education Association, and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.[8] On November 13, 2009, Loebsack received the Council for Resource Development Congressional Award given to a “U.S. Congressperson or Senator who has assisted significantly in the passage of legislation or other support that benefits higher education, particularly community college education.” In addition, Loebsack has sat on the House Committee on Education and Labor. This committee has been active recently in reducing and eliminating the high school dropout crisis, which, experts predict, will affect the economic stability and growth of the United States in the coming years. Nationally, only about 70% of students graduate high school and about 7,000 kids drop out of high school each day. The recent Graduation for All Act, proposed by Democrats (including Loebsack) on the committee, would help struggling districts by establishing grants to help turn around their lowest performing high schools.[9]
Campaign Contributions
His largest campaign contributions from the 2008 election cycle came from ActBlue, the University of Iowa, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.[10]
Recent Votes
He recently voted for the House version of the Health Care Bill (HR 3962).[11]
Local Efforts
He is urging that funding be included in the 2010 Water Resources Development Act for a flood protection plan for Cedar Rapids, Iowa after major flooding occurred in Cedar Rapids in 2008.[12] He also has been working to help unemployed Iowans by introducing “legislation to expand extended unemployment benefits in Iowa, and other states.” [13] Extensions to the first-time homebuyer tax credit and small business tax credits are also included in the bill. [13]
Committee assignments
Electoral history
- 2006 election
- David Loebsack (D) 107,097, 51%
- Jim Leach (R) 101,386, 49%
- 2008 election
- David Loebsack (D) 174,942, 57%
- Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) 119,165, 39%
References
- ^ desmoinesregister.com
- ^ cnn.com
- ^ [1]
- ^ desmoinesregister.com
- ^ http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20091128/NEWS09/911280327/1056/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+desmoinesregister%2FPolitics+%28DesMoinesRegister.com+-+Politics%29
- ^ a b "Project Vote Smart: Environmental Issues Interest Group Ratings".
- ^ "AAUW About Webpage".
- ^ "Project Vote Smart: Education Interest Group Ratings".
- ^ "Congressman Dave Loebsack Selected for the Council for Resource Development Congressional Award" (Press release). 2009-11-13.
- ^ "Project Vote Smart: Campaign Finances".
- ^ "Project Vote Smart: Votes".
- ^ Smith, Rick (22 November 2009). "Loebsack urges funding for C.R. flood protection in 2010 bill". The Gazette.
- ^ a b "Congressman Loebsack Votes to Extend Unemployment Compensation for Iowans" (Press release). 2009-11-05.
External links
- U.S. Representative Dave Loebsack, U.S. House site
- Dave Loebsack for Congress, official campaign site