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Upton's website once stated: "I strongly believe that everything must be on the table as we seek to reduce [[carbon emissions]]."<ref name=MoJo>Sheppard, Kate (2011-01-04) [http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2011/01/fred-upton-global-warming Fred Upton's Climate Changeup], ''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]''</ref> In April 2009, he maintained that "[c]limate change is a serious problem that necessitates serious solutions. Everything must be on the table."<ref>[http://www.rivercountryjournal.com/?p=7369 Upton hails KVCC wind energy program as Congress debates climate change bill], ''River Country Journal''{{Who|date=August 2011}} (April 24, 2009)</ref> However, "Upton has gradually retreated from his moderate stance on [[climate change]] and carbon emissions."<ref name=MoJo/> In late 2010, he co-authored a ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' editorial saying he was "not convinced" that "carbon is a problem in need of regulation," and urging [[United States Congress|Congress]] to overturn [[Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency]]. (See [[Regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act]])<ref>{{cite news| url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703929404576022070069905318.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEFTTopOpinion | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | first1=Fred | last1=Upton | first2=Tim | last2=Phillips | title=How Congress Can Stop the EPA's Power Grab | date=December 28, 2010}}</ref> He is the co-sponsor, with [[Ed Whitfield]], of the “Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011”.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hawkins |first=Dave |url=http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/dhawkins/dirty_air_extremism.html |title=Dirty Air Extremism |work=Switchboard |publisher=Natural Resources Defense Council |date=February 9, 2011 |accessdate=February 21, 2012}}</ref>
Upton's website once stated: "I strongly believe that everything must be on the table as we seek to reduce [[carbon emissions]]."<ref name=MoJo>Sheppard, Kate (2011-01-04) [http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2011/01/fred-upton-global-warming Fred Upton's Climate Changeup], ''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]''</ref> In April 2009, he maintained that "[c]limate change is a serious problem that necessitates serious solutions. Everything must be on the table."<ref>[http://www.rivercountryjournal.com/?p=7369 Upton hails KVCC wind energy program as Congress debates climate change bill], ''River Country Journal''{{Who|date=August 2011}} (April 24, 2009)</ref> However, "Upton has gradually retreated from his moderate stance on [[climate change]] and carbon emissions."<ref name=MoJo/> In late 2010, he co-authored a ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' editorial saying he was "not convinced" that "carbon is a problem in need of regulation," and urging [[United States Congress|Congress]] to overturn [[Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency]]. (See [[Regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act]])<ref>{{cite news| url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703929404576022070069905318.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEFTTopOpinion | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | first1=Fred | last1=Upton | first2=Tim | last2=Phillips | title=How Congress Can Stop the EPA's Power Grab | date=December 28, 2010}}</ref> He is the co-sponsor, with [[Ed Whitfield]], of the “Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011”.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hawkins |first=Dave |url=http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/dhawkins/dirty_air_extremism.html |title=Dirty Air Extremism |work=Switchboard |publisher=Natural Resources Defense Council |date=February 9, 2011 |accessdate=February 21, 2012}}</ref>


Regarding the [[regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act]] being upheld in Federal Appeals court, Upton said that Congress’s refusal to approve [[greenhouse gas]] limits constituted a decision and that lawmakers should act now to reverse the [[E.P.A.]] emissions rules. Carbon regulation “threatens to drive energy prices higher, destroy jobs and hamstring our economic recovery,” per Upton.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/27/science/earth/epa-emissions-rules-backed-by-court.htmlCourt Backs E.P.A. Over Emissions Limits Intended to Reduce Global Warming] June 26, 2012</ref>


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Revision as of 05:06, 7 July 2012

For the businessman, see Frederick and Louis Upton.
Fred Upton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 6th district
Assumed office
January 3, 1993
Preceded byBob Carr
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 4th district
In office
January 5, 1987 – January 3, 1993
Preceded byMark Siljander
Succeeded byDave Camp
Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
Assumed office
January 5, 2011
Preceded byHenry Waxman
Personal details
Born
Frederick Stephen Upton

(1953-04-23) April 23, 1953 (age 71)
St. Joseph, Michigan
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAmey Rulon-Miller
ResidenceSt. Joseph, Michigan
Alma materUniversity of Michigan
OccupationU.S. Congressman from Michigan

Frederick Stephen "Fred" Upton (born April 23, 1953) is the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 6th congressional district, serving since 1987. He is a member of the Republican Party and Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The district stretches along the Michigan-Indiana border in the southwestern part of the state.

Early life, education, and early political career

Upton was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, the son of Elizabeth B. (née Vial) and Stephen Edward Upton.[1] Upton earned a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Michigan in 1975. He was a sports editor at The Michigan Daily and thought he might someday cover the Chicago Cubs.[2] He served on the congressional staff of U.S. Congressman David Stockman (R-MI) from 1976 to 1980. He was in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1985, while David Stockman was OMB Director.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

1986

A protege of OMB director and former U.S. Congressman Dave Stockman, he ran in Michigan's 4th congressional district against incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman Mark Siljander, Stockman's successor. Upton won the Republican primary 55%-45%.[3] He won the general election with 62% of the vote.[4]

1988

He won re-election to a second term with 71% of the vote.[5]

1990

He faced a challenge in the Republican primary to Ed Fredericks and defeated him 63%-37%.[6] In the general election, he won re-election to a third term with 58% of the vote.[7]

1992–2000

After redistricting, he decided to run in the newly redrawn Michigan's 6th congressional district and won re-election in 1992 to a fourth term with 62% of the vote.[8] During this time period, he didn't have a Republican challenger and never won re-election with less than 62%.

2002

After redistricting, Upton faced a primary challenge from State Senator Dale Shugars. Shugars ran well to Upton's right on several issues, especially abortion. Upton defeated him 66%-32%.[9] He won the general election with 69% of the vote.[10]

2004

Upton defeated Democrat Scott Elliott, an art gallery owner, 65%-32%.[11]

2006
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2006; United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2008; United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2010; and United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2012

Upton defeated Democrat Kim Clark 61%-38%.[12]

2008

Upton defeated Democrat Don Cooney, a Kalamazoo City Commissioner, 59%-39%.[13]

2010

Upton was challenged in the Republican primary by former State Representative Jack Hoogendyk. Upton defeated him 57%-43%.[14][15] In the general election, he defeated Cooney in a rematch 62%-34%.[16]

2012

In 2011, Hoogendyk met with the Club for Growth, a conservative 527 organization and political action committee, about running against Upton in a rematch in 2012.[17] Upton has received criticism of not being conservative enough from Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, FreedomWorks, Right to Life of Michigan, and the Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots.[18] On January 17, 2012, Hoogendyk announced that he would challenge Upton in the primary, the winner of which will face Democrat Mike O'Brien in the general election.[19][20]

Tenure

Environment

Upton's website once stated: "I strongly believe that everything must be on the table as we seek to reduce carbon emissions."[21] In April 2009, he maintained that "[c]limate change is a serious problem that necessitates serious solutions. Everything must be on the table."[22] However, "Upton has gradually retreated from his moderate stance on climate change and carbon emissions."[21] In late 2010, he co-authored a Wall Street Journal editorial saying he was "not convinced" that "carbon is a problem in need of regulation," and urging Congress to overturn Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency. (See Regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act)[23] He is the co-sponsor, with Ed Whitfield, of the “Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011”.[24]

Regarding the regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act being upheld in Federal Appeals court, Upton said that Congress’s refusal to approve greenhouse gas limits constituted a decision and that lawmakers should act now to reverse the E.P.A. emissions rules. Carbon regulation “threatens to drive energy prices higher, destroy jobs and hamstring our economic recovery,” per Upton.[25]

Video Game Content Ratings

On September 29, 2006, Upton introduced the Video Game Decency Act (H.R.6120) to the House.

Healthcare

Upton voted against passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and has since voted in favor of its complete repeal, stating that the law ignored the will of the people and that a bill that important should not have been passed without strong bipartisan support.[clarification needed] Upton also believes that with the current level of debt, the United States cannot afford the PPACA.[citation needed]

Abortion

Upton opposes abortion in most circumstances, voting to prohibit partial-birth abortion and supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 75 percent in 2009.[26] Upton is an original cosponsor of the Protect Life Act, which among other things would amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to maintain previous restrictions on federal funding of abortion. He is also a supporter of the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, which seeks to prohibit the taking of minors across state lines in circumvention of laws requiring the involvement of parents in abortion decisions.[citation needed]

Gun control

Upton does not support the restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns in most circumstances, and in 2010 received "A" and "A-" ratings from the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners of America, respectively.[citation needed] Yet Upton also supports some gun safety laws. From 1991-2003, Upton supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 55 percent and in 1993, Upton supported a waiting period for gun purchase to provide background checks for criminal records.[26]

LGBT Rights

Upton believes that marriage should be defined as between one man and one woman. Upton voted to propose an amendment to the constitution regarding the definition of marriage on July 18, 2006.[26] He received a 15% rating from the Human Rights Campaign on LGBT Rights in 2008.[27]

Fiscal Issues

Upton supports a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution, a proposal that failed to acquire the two-thirds support necessary to pass the House in the 112th Congress. Upton also supports the line-item veto, which would authorize the President to propose the rescission of full or partial funding in a bill passed by Congress. Along with the majority of House members, Upton supported the current prohibition on congressional earmark spending.

Upton is a leading moderate Republican and a member of the Tuesday Group.[clarification needed] He is frequently criticized for being liberal with regards to fiscal issues.[28] As a result he has been labeled a RINO (Republican In Name Only) by conservative watch-dog groups.[who?][29] He is a member of several Republican groups such as the Republican Main Street Partnership and Christine Todd Whitman's IMP-PAC (Its My Party Too).[citation needed]

Upton has been recognized by Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform as a “Hero of the Taxpayer” and by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with the “Spirit of Enterprise” award.

Daylight Saving Time

Upton, along with Edward Markey, is responsible for changing daylight saving time by adding the provision to the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Upton's grandfather, Frederick Upton, was co-founder of appliance manufacturer and marketer Whirlpool Corporation, which is headquartered in Benton Harbor. His wife’s name is Amey, and he has two children, Meg and Stephen.[30] Upton's niece is Kate Upton, a model known for her appearance on the cover of the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and also becoming the 'Rookie of the Year'.[31]

Upton is a supporter of Michigan Wolverine athletics as well as an enthusiastic Chicago Cubs baseball fan.[2] He is a member of the Emil Verban Society.[30]

See also

Further reading

  • "The Climate War: True Believers, Power Brokers, and the Fight to Save the Earth" (2010) by Eric Pooley deputy editor of Bloomberg Businessweek ISBN 978-1-4013-2326-4

References

  1. ^ "Frederick Stephen Upton". rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  2. ^ a b Will, George F. (January 9, 2011). "Fred Upton, Rust Belt revolutionary". The Washington Post.
  3. ^ "MI District 4 - R Primary Race - Aug 05, 1986". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  4. ^ "MI District 4 Race - Nov 04, 1986". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  5. ^ "MI District 4 Race - Nov 08, 1988". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  6. ^ "MI District 4 - R Primary Race - Aug 07, 1990". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  7. ^ "MI District 4 Race - Nov 06, 1990". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  8. ^ "MI District 6 Race - Nov 03, 1992". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  9. ^ "MI District 6 - R Primary Race - Aug 06, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  10. ^ "MI District 6 Race - Nov 05, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  11. ^ "MI - District 06 Race - Nov 02, 2004". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  12. ^ "MI - District 06 Race - Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  13. ^ "MI - District 06 Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  14. ^ "Elections : Elections News and Photos". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2010-08-23. [dead link]
  15. ^ "MI District 06 - R Primary Race - Aug 03, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  16. ^ "MI - District 06 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  17. ^ Toeplitz, Shira (November 2, 2011). "Club for Growth Encouraging Upton Primary Challenger". Roll Call.
  18. ^ Samuelsohn, Darren; Dobias, Matt (January 11, 2012). "Fred Upton still faces arrows from the right". Politico. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  19. ^ Klug, Fritz (January 17, 2012). "Jack Hoogendyk to challenge U.S. Rep. Fred Upton again for seat in Congress". Kalamazoo Gazette. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  20. ^ Coeman, Zak. "Democrat Campaigns for House". Western Herald. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  21. ^ a b Sheppard, Kate (2011-01-04) Fred Upton's Climate Changeup, Mother Jones
  22. ^ Upton hails KVCC wind energy program as Congress debates climate change bill, River Country Journal[who?] (April 24, 2009)
  23. ^ Upton, Fred; Phillips, Tim (December 28, 2010). "How Congress Can Stop the EPA's Power Grab". The Wall Street Journal.
  24. ^ Hawkins, Dave (February 9, 2011). "Dirty Air Extremism". Switchboard. Natural Resources Defense Council. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  25. ^ Backs E.P.A. Over Emissions Limits Intended to Reduce Global Warming June 26, 2012
  26. ^ a b c "Project Vote Smart". votesmart.org. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
  27. ^ Congressional Scorecard, Human Rights Campaign, 2008, p. 22.
  28. ^ Hair, Connie. "Connie Hair Upton's Shocking Votes on Energy-Related Bills". Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  29. ^ Linnell, Terri. "Fred Upton: RINO". Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  30. ^ a b "Representative Frederick 'Fred' Stephen Upton". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  31. ^ Leach, Robin (February 14, 2012). "Photos and videos: Kate Upton — from S.I. Rookie of the Year to cover girl. if". Las Vegas Sun.
  32. ^ http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2010/11/10/129493/upton-climate-hearings/?mobile=nc
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 4th congressional district
1987–1993 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 6th congressional district
1993–Present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Henry Waxman
California
 Chairman of House Energy and Commerce Committee
2011–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Representatives by seniority
38th 		Succeeded by

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