Cliff Stearns
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Cliff Stearns, Sr.
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Buddy MacKay |
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| Born | April 16, 1941 Washington, DC |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Joan Stearns |
| Residence | Ocala, Florida |
| Alma mater | George Washington University |
| Occupation | engineer, small business owner |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1963-1967 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Clifford Bundy "Cliff" Stearns, Sr. (born April 16, 1941), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1989, representing Florida's 6th congressional district (map).
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[edit] Personal and Professional Life
Stearns was born in Washington, D.C. was educated at Woodrow Wilson High School, and later earned a degree in electrical engineering at George Washington University, Washington, D.C. He is also a member of Gamma Beta Chapter of Theta Tau at GW. He participated in U.S. Air Force ROTC at GW and was honored as the Air Force ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate. Following graduation, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force as an aerospace engineer in satellite reconnaissance during the Vietnam War. Stearns owned a small chain of motels and restaurants in north Florida. Before moving to Florida, he worked with a variety of businesses in Florida, such as CBS, Data Control Systems Inc, and Kutola Advertising. Stearns lives in Ocala, FL with his wife, the former Joan Moore. They have three grown sons.
[edit] House career
Stearns was first elected to the House in 1988. On his website, he states that his involvement in community programs is what caused him to run for Congress. In addition, it provides the following information.
- Fiscal Responsibility
Stearns has a strong record on fiscal responsibility, leading efforts to control federal spending and reducing the burden on taxpayers. In April 2009, the National Taxpayers Union named Stearns the “Friend of the Taxpayer,” one of only 39 House members to receive this designation for a strong record on fiscal responsibility.
Earlier in 2009, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce honored Stearns for his record on promoting economic growth. “The Chamber is proud to present Representative Stearns with the Spirit of Enterprise Award on behalf of businesses large and small. In the face of unprecedented economic challenges and in the midst of an election cycle, this Congress made some historic and courageous decisions that impacted the lives of every American. The Spirit of Enterprise Award identified those lawmakers that truly stepped up to the plate and demonstrated real leadership in making this country a place where business can continue to grow and create jobs. ” - Thomas Donohue, President & CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce (March 26, 2009)
http://www.house.gov/stearns/Images/Cliffs-Photos/stearns3.jpg
- Veterans
Throughout his tenure, Stearns has served on the Veterans Affairs Committee. He led the Veterans’ Health Subcommittee as Chairman and is currently the Deputy Republican Leader on the VA Committee. He is a leading advocate for increasing funding for the VA. For years, Stearns pushed for establishing a VA cemetery in the Jacksonville area, and his proposal was enacted and the new VA cemetery is set to open this year. Stearns actively supports the VA's CARES plan, which is developing a new Regional Health Care Facility in Marion County that will open this year and the expansion of the VA Hospital in Gainesville with a new 230-bed patient tower. The groundbreaking for this addition occurred in 2008. In addition, his legislation to improve veterans’ access to long-term care, the Veterans Millennium Health care & Benefits Act; and the language from his VA Health Care Personnel Act to increase pay for VA health professionals; were signed into law.
- Technology and Privacy
Stearns is the Republican Leader on the Communications, Technology and the Internet Subcommittee (formerly the Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee). Stearns is active through the Subcommittee in reforming antiquated laws that hinder the development and expansion of new products and services. From 2001 until 2007, Stearns was Chairman of the Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee and he is still on the Subcommittee. On this panel, Stearns has led efforts to expand consumer protection by enhancing cyber-security, consumer privacy, and data-security. He also is a strong advocate for ensuring that international trade agreements are fair and protect domestic intellectual property rights. In addition, he helped to create the Do-Not-Call List to protect consumers from unwanted telephone solicitations and the House approved legislation he amended to combat the abuse of spyware, which is software that allows a third party to monitor the computer use of individuals without their knowledge.
- Energy
Stearns is member of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, a bi-partisan forum for discussing and disseminating information about renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Stearns’ paper on developing clean-coal technology and applying coal-to-liquid technology was published in December 2008 in the Stanford Law & Policy Review.
During consideration of cap-and-trade legislation in the Energy and Commerce Committee in May of 2009, Stearns offered an amendment to afford existing nuclear power plants the same benefits provided to new nuclear power plants in the bill. The amendment simply recognized that nuclear is carbon free and did not provide any new subsidy to the industry. In 2008, Stearns joined in offering a package of bills to increase domestic energy production. This included more domestic oil and gas production, greater use of clean-coal technology, reducing the barriers to new nuclear power plants, and encouraging renewable energy sources. Said Stearns, “It is within our means to increase the amount of energy we produce here in the United States, which would reduce the upward pressure on energy costs, reduce our imports, and enhance our national and economic security.”
[edit] Committee assignments
[edit] Caucus membership
- Co-Chairman of the Air Force Caucus
- Co-Chairman of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Caucus
- Co-Chairman of the Cystic Fibrosis Caucus
- Co-Chairman of the Horse Caucus
[edit] Elections
Stearns was re-elected in 2008 with over 61% of the vote.
Stearns was re-elected in 2006 with nearly 60% of the vote.
[edit] Amendments
Bars fund for IRS to implement the Spanish language for tax refunds.
Increase funding for nuclear energy activities at the Department of Energy.
Prohibit funds to be used by the Internal Revenue Service to implement a Spanish-language version of the "Where's my Refund?" service.
Cut $25.5 million from AmeriCorp and increase funding for TRIO educational programs and the geriatric program.
Prohibit use of funds for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for litigation expenses incurred in connection with cases against employers on the grounds that such employers require employees to speak English.
[edit] Position on 2008 "Bailout"
On September 29, 2008, Stearns voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008[1]
[edit] References
- ^ "Bailout Roll Call" (PDF). 2008-09-29. http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/29/bailout.rollcall.0929.pdf. Retrieved on September 29, 2008
[edit] External links
- Cliff Stearns at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Congressman Cliff Stearns official U.S. House site
- Cliff Stearns for U.S. Congress official campaign site
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
- Current Bills Sponsored at StateSurge.com
- Congressional profile at GovTrack.us
- Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Buddy Mackay, Jr. |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 6th congressional district 1989–Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
