Buck McKeon
| Howard McKeon | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 25th district |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1993 |
|
| Preceded by | Edward R. Roybal |
| Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Ike Skelton |
| Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Workforce | |
| In office February 2, 2006 – January 3, 2007 |
|
| Preceded by | John Boehner |
| Succeeded by | George Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 9, 1938 Tujunga, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Patricia Kunz McKeon |
| Children | 6 |
| Residence | Santa Clarita, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Brigham Young University |
| Occupation | Banking Executive Small Business Owner |
| Religion | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) |
Howard Philip "Buck" McKeon (born September 9, 1938) is the U.S. Representative for California's 25th congressional district, serving since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
Contents |
Early life, education and career [edit]
Born in Tujunga, Los Angeles, California, McKeon graduated from Verdugo Hills High School in Tujunga. He spent two years as a Mormon missionary before enrolling at Brigham Young University.[1] He later received his Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry in 1985, after previously putting his studies on hold to raise a family and establish his early business career. He was the owner of a Western clothing shop until its bankruptcy in 1999[2] and has also served as the chairman of a small, regional bank. McKeon gained his first political experience when he was elected to the William S. Hart High School District board of trustees.
Early political career [edit]
McKeon was a one-term councilman of Santa Clarita, being one of the first to hold that post after the city incorporated in 1987. He held that position until entering the House.
U.S. House of Representatives [edit]
Committee assignments [edit]
- Committee on Armed Services (Chairman)
- As chair of the full committee, McKeon may serve as an ex officio member of all subcommittees. Even though he is the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, McKeon never served in the armed forces.
- Committee on Education and the Workforce
In 2009, McKeon served as ranking member of the House Committee on Education and Labor. In June, President Barack Obama nominated Representative John M. McHugh of New York, who was the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee, as Secretary of the Army. On June 9, the House Republican leadership appointed McKeon as the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee. Under rules of the House of Representatives, McKeon was required to step down from his position as ranking member of the Education and Labor Committee, though he continues to serve on the committee. McKeon was named chairman of the Committee on Armed Services in January, following the Republican takeover of the House in the November 2010 elections.[3]
As a member of the House, he has made education and defense issues two of his main priorities. He was greatly involved in the reform of the Student Loan Aid Program, which reduced interest rates but controversially increased federal control over education policy, such as teacher training. He also supports a strong national defense budget. Along with Dean Gallo of New Jersey, McKeon introduced the Religious Freedom Restoration Act on March 11, 1993. McKeon is a member of the Republican Study Committee.
Political campaigns [edit]
In 1992, California gained seven additional seats following the census. A "new" 25th District was created in the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys in north Los Angeles County and the communities of Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Northridge, and Porter Ranch in the northwestern San Fernando Valley. McKeon was thus the first congressman to represent the new district. In the 2002 reapportionment, the San Fernando Valley and portions of the Antelope Valley were removed from the 25th District while Inyo County, Mono County, and about half of the land area within San Bernardino County were added. The Los Angeles County portion of the district still includes the cities of Santa Clarita, Palmdale, and part of the city of Lancaster. In 2012, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission drew new lines for the 25th district. The "new" district now only contains those previous held areas of Los Angeles County and expands into parts Ventura County, including the city of Simi Valley.[4]
During the 2006 election cycle, McKeon received 60% of the vote in his district, defeating Democrat Robert Rodriguez and Libertarian David Erickson. The district has been considered to be "safe" for the Republican Party because it includes predominantly Republican areas in the Antelope and Santa Clarita Valleys and conservative rural areas of the High Sierras and desert regions of California. Changes in ethnic demographics in the district may make it less a safe Republican district in the future. McKeon handily won reelection with 58% of the vote in 2008, even though Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama received more votes than his Republican rival John McCain.[5]
McKeon’s campaigns have received the greatest financial support from the defense industry, especially aerospace companies such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing.[6] Additionally, he is endorsed by the National Rifle Association, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the California Pro-Life Council .[6]
Political Stance [edit]
McKeon is a member of the Republican Party, and generally follows the Republican Party line; he is generally a social and fiscal conservative.
Domestic Policies [edit]
McKeon is a social conservative. He is strongly pro-life, and is endorsed by the California Pro-Life Council.[6] He strongly opposes amnesty for illegal aliens; he does “not support amnesty for those who have entered the country illegally,” and believes “that our country needs to remain focused on securing our borders and ports of entry”.[7] Along with the Republican majority in the House, McKeon plans to “press for stronger enforcement measures, including: strengthening the border, imposing mandatory employment verification, ending birthright citizenship of immigrants' children and pressing for more Arizona-like state laws where people are asked for papers”[8] He has supported national defense and security groups and the military extensively, but, oddly, has an inconsistent voting record on supporting veterans.[9] His opposition is mainly based on the timing of the issue. McKeon’s voting record shows that he has not supported the interests of many education groups; he consistently receives rankings in the lower half and failing grades from the National Educators Association.[10]
Defense and Foreign Policy [edit]
McKeon serves as the chairman on the Armed Services Committee. He assumed the position in January 2011, following the November 2010 elections. He was previously the ranking member of the committee. California’s 25th District holds several military bases, including Fort Irwin, Edwards Air Force Base, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, and the Marine Mountain Warfare Training Center.[11] Although he has spoken strongly against Obama’s budgets and governmental support of the economy and has encouraged reducing spending, McKeon has opposed cutting the military budget, stating that “a defense budget in decline portends an America in decline”.[12] McKeon is opposed to recent propositions to cut $100 billion from the defense budget, including contracts from Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and Boeing,[8] all companies that have financially supported his campaigns.[13] In fact, Lockheed is the top contributor to McKeon, "giving more than $50,000 in the most recent election cycle."[14]
McKeon voted in favor of American military intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as Barack Obama's Afghanistan "surge" strategy, and has voted for increasing money and supplies to troops there. He has gone on record saying that withdrawal from Afghanistan should be conditions-based, and done with full consultation with senior military leadership. In a statement from May 2010, McKeon outlined his personal philosophy on the role of the United States and its military, calling for a return to “peace through strength” and Reagan-esque policies, including full financial and material support for the military in its current wars, keeping Guantanamo Bay open, and military posturing.[11] He also recently voted in favor of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act.[15]
In a speech before the Foreign Policy Initiative research group that did not mention that the US was then $13 Trillion in debt, McKeon called for increases in government spending on defense above Obama's budgets.[16] He has also called on Congress to "embrace and build on" Robert Gates' plan to find $100 billion in savings in the defense budget.[17]
In 2011 McKeon organized a fundraiser for the "Lucky 13" Republican freshmen on the House Armed Services Committee to get contributions from defense contractor political action committees.[18] He has also pushed to require the marine corps to engage in additional studies before they can move forwards on what Marine Corps Commandant James F. Amos has called a "critical amphibious and warfighting capability" to acquire a new amphibious tracked fighting vehicle.[19][20][21]
McKeon inserted language into the 2012 National Defense Authorization Bill that would grant the President of the United States unprecedented powers to wage war freely against persons abroad.[22] Detractors, such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the New York Times, have claimed that it could lead to “unending conflict” and an unchecked spread of the war on terrorism. Authorizing force against “associated forces” to Al Qaeda in the AUMF update have been criticized as so vague that it could unintentionally authorize attacks on Iran, Yemen, the Horn of Africa, and others, including U.S citizens living at home and abroad.[23][24]
McKeon said if forced to choose between tax increases and cuts to the Pentagon budget, he would choose tax increases.[25] He later changed to favor a trillion dollar cut in Medicare and Social Security instead.[26][27] In 2012, McKeon sought a one-year fix to stave off the budget cuts he had voted for the previous year.[28]
The congressman has threatened to derail the 2012 defense authorization bill unless it contained provisions prohibiting military chaplains from officiating at gay marriages and restricting access to the civil court system by persons suspected of terrorism.[3]
Countrywide Financial loan [edit]
In January 2012, it was reported that McKeon received a so-called "VIP" or "Friends of Angelo" loan from troubled mortgage lender Countrywide Financial, in which loans were granted at lower interest rates than were available to the public. Former Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo created the program to boost the company's standing with politicians, celebrities and well-connected business figures. The congressman received a $315,000 loan from Countrywide at below-market rates in the late 1990s, which he never declared in financial disclosures. A congressional probe identified an internal Countrywide email regarding McKeon's loan that stated: "Per Angelo—'take off 1 point, no garbage fees, approve the loan and make it a no doc.'"[29] McKeon and names of other legislators who received similar loans were subsequently referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as part of an ethics investigation into improper gifts. McKeon denied knowing that he was part of Countrywide Financial's special loan program.[30][31]
In a response to a press inquiry about his knowledge of the loan discounts McKeon stated, "If I had known we had got a good deal then I would have gotten all my loans from Countrywide."[32]
Spouse [edit]
McKeon is married to the former Patricia Kunz; they have six children. They are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Patricia Kunz McKeon has been active in her husband's political campaigns, serving as treasurer and drawing a salary which has been the subject of controversy. According to a study by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, McKeon's campaign committees paid her a total of $263,168 between 2001 and 2006 - the highest such payment in the group of Representatives studied by CREW.[33] In the 2005-2006 election cycle she was paid $110,000 to do fundraising and prepare campaign finance reports.[34] She has also worked as a lobbyist.[35]
In September 2011, Patricia McKeon declared her candidacy for the California State Assembly in the 2012 election in the 38th District, which is being vacated by term limited fellow Republican Cameron Smyth.[36] She put $40,000 of her money into her campaign at the end of 2011.[37] In response to an anonymous website[38] that wrote about ethical issues with the behaviour of her and her husband, McKeon made complaints to the Los Angeles County District Attorney, Steve Cooley, seeking to have the website shut down.[39] Her opponent, Scott Wilk, claimed she named him as the author in the complaint. McKeon asserted she only made a general inquiry and did not name Wilk in any way.
Receipt of federal lobbyist donations [edit]
Patricia McKeon's state assembly campaign received campaign contributions from a federal lobbyist[who?] who also gave to her husband.[40]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000508
- ^ Bustillo, Miguel; Stassel, Stephanie (15 May 1999). "Howard & Phil's Stores Hang Up Their Hats". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
- ^ a b http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/1011/Buck_McKeon_no_defense_bill_without_gay_marriage_ban_detainee_provisions.html
- ^ California Citizens Redistricting Commission
- ^ Democrats See Golden Pickup Opportunities in California, Roll Call, May 7, 2009
- ^ a b c Endorsements, Project Vote Smart
- ^ "Immigration Reform Still in the Spotlight." Daily News of Los Angeles, 15 November 2010, Valley Ed. A3. Online.
- ^ a b Cappacio, Tony. "Deficit Panel Refuses to Shield Pentagon." The Houston Chronicle 13 November 2010, 3 Star Ed. A8. Accessed Online.
- ^ Agriculture, Project Vote Smart.
- ^ Education, Project Vote Smart.
- ^ a b Rep. Buck McKeon. Obama should return to 'peace through strength, The Hill, 05/05/10
- ^ Freking, Kevin. "Calif. Republicans to wield power in new Congress." Associated Press State and Local Wire, 17 November 2010. Accessed Online.
- ^ Finance, Project Vote Smart
- ^ Hartung, William (2011-01-12) Is Lockheed Martin Shadowing You?, Mother Jones
- ^ www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-hank-johnson/reject-indefinite-detenti_b_1149729.html
- ^ Capaccio, Tony. "China Threats Merit Shifting of U.S. Defense Dollars, House's McKeon Says." Bloomberg L.P., 15 November 2010
- ^ McKeon, Howard "Buck". "Opposing view on defense spending: Military cuts 'a non-starter'." USATODAY, 2 December 2010.
- ^ Schwellenbach, Nick. "How Buck McKeon Is Showing GOP Freshmen the Ways of Washington." Time Magazine, 21 April 2011.
- ^ Amos, James F. "Termination of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) Program" USMC, 5 January 2011.
- ^ Pincus, Walter. "Lawmakers moving to block defense cuts." The Washington Post, 5 May 2011.
- ^ "America's Choice in a Dangerous Age: Lead or Follow." The Heritage Foundation, 17 May 2011.
- ^ Newman, Alex. "Congress Considers Endless War, Worldwide." New American, 16 May 2011.
- ^ http://www.aclu.org/blog/tag/AUMF
- ^ "A Conflict Without End: House Republicans propose a dangerously expansive new definition of war". The New York Times. 17 May 2011. p. 26. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
- ^ Bennett, John T. "GOP Rep. McKeon would support tax hike to stave off more Pentagon cuts." The Hill, 12 September 2011.
- ^ Tiron, Roxana. "Republicans and Democrats Disagree on How to Save Defense Budget." Bloomberg News, 14 October 2011.
- ^ Kreisher, Otto. "HASC Chair Flip Flops on Raising Taxes." Aol Defense, 14 October 2011.
- ^ "McKeon wants to stop sequestration—and previous Pentagon budget cuts." The Hill. March 14, 2012.
- ^ Emshwiller, John (2012-01-18). "Mozilo Tied to Loan to Top Lawmaker". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2012-01-19.
- ^ Leibovich, Mark (2012-01-14). "Countrywide ‘V.I.P.’ Loans Linked to 2 Congressmen". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
- ^ Bresnahan, John (2012-01-17). "Sessions got Countrywide VIP loan". Politico. Retrieved 2012-01-19.
- ^ Holt, Jim (2012-01-18). "McKeon: Nobody told me loan had VIP treatment". The Signal. Retrieved 2012-01-19.
- ^ Lawmakers used campaign funds to pay relatives, USA Today, June 17, 2007
- ^ Bill could generate family feuds, Politico, July 26, 2007
- ^ Influence Explorer:Patricia McKeon
- ^ McKeon Focuses on Fundraising, The Santa Clarita Valley Signal, September 8, 2012
- ^ Goldmacher, Shane (2012-01-25). "McKeon’s Family Feud: Spouse vs. Former Staffer". National Journal. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
- ^ "Really Patricia".
- ^ Merl, Jean (2012-03-23). "Santa Clarita candidates forum hints at GOP animus". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
- ^ Fang, Lee (January 30, 2012). "D.C. lobbyist aids Rep. McKeon’s wife". Salon.com. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
External links [edit]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Howard McKeon |
- U.S. Congressman Buck McKeon Official house site
- Howard McKeon for U.S. Congress Official campaign site
- The Buck Stops Now Defeat Buck McKeon campaign site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Congressional profile at GovTrack
- Congressional profile at OpenCongress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Financial information (federal office) at OpenSecrets.org
- Staff salaries, trips and personal finance (federal office) at LegiStorm.com
- Issue positions and quotes at On the Issues
- Voting record at The Washington Post
- Appearances on C-SPAN programs
- Congressman Buck McKeon's interview with The Politic
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Edward R. Roybal |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 25th congressional district 1993–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by John Boehner Ohio |
Chairman of House Education and the Workforce Committee 2006–2007 |
Succeeded by George Miller California |
| Preceded by Ike Skelton Missouri |
Chairman of House Armed Services Committee 2011–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| United States order of precedence | ||
| Preceded by Carolyn Maloney D-New York |
United States Representatives by seniority 64th |
Succeeded by John Mica R-Florida |
