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Cliff Stearns

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Cliff Stearns, Sr.
File:Cliff Stearns Official.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 1989
Preceded byBuddy MacKay
Personal details
Born (1941-04-16) April 16, 1941 (age 83)
Washington, DC
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJoan Stearns
ResidenceOcala, Florida
Alma materGeorge Washington University
Occupationbusiness owner, consultant
AwardsCommendation Medal for Meritorious Service[1]
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Air Force
Years of service1963-1967
RankCaptain

Clifford Bundy "Cliff" Stearns, Sr. (born April 16, 1941) is the U.S. Representative for Florida's 6th congressional district, serving since 1989. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Early life, education, and business career

According to his official biography,[2] 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 the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at GW and was honored as the Air Force ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate.

Following graduation, he served four years in the United States 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.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

In 1988, incumbent Democrat U.S. Congressman Buddy Mackay of Florida's 6th congressional district decided to retire to run for the U.S. Senate. Stearns and Jim Cherry qualified for a run-off election as no one reached the 50% threshold in the six candidate election. Cherry got 32% as Stearns got 26%.[3] In run-off, he defeated Cherry 54%-46%.[4] In the general election, he defeated State Representative Jon Mills 53%-47%.[5] He never won re-election with less than 59% of the vote.

2006
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2006 § District 6; United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2008 § District 6; and United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2010 § District 6

Stearns was re-elected with 60% of the vote.[6]

2008

Stearns was re-elected with 61% of the vote.[7]

2010

Stearns was re-elected with 71% of the vote.[8]

Tenure

Stearns is a signer of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.[9]

Stearns is a member of the Electronic Cigarette Association and supports the use of these products.[10]

On September 29, 2008, Stearns voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008[11]

Solyndra Investigation

As Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Stearns is leading the investigation into the Solyndra loan guarantee, which has resulted in Solyndra declaring bankruptcy and the taxpayers losing $535 million. Among the revelations in the investigation are multiple warnings from government officials against giving Solyndra the loan because the company's health was shaky. Even so, the White House pressed for a speedy review. The company, which faced a highly competitive environment, went bankrupt and was raided by the FBI for possible fraud [12]

Although the White House instituted an internal review of the loan guarantee program, Stearns believes that the review should have occurred before the Obama administration handed out the money [13]

Stearns received emails showing that the White House had a major influence on the loan guarantee as well as on the Solyndra loan restructuring that subordinated the taxpayers to two commercial firms in violation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.[14]

Abortion

As Chairman of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Stearns conducted the first-ever oversight on taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider. National Public Radio reported, "Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest single provider of abortions, yet it gets millions of dollars in federal funding with which to provide other services." .[15]

The investigation was started in response to an investigative report released in July 2011 by the pro-life organization Americans United for Life (AUL). [16] According to AUL, "Audits of Planned Parenthood affiliates in California, New Jersey, New York, and Washington State demonstrate a pattern of overbilling and abuse involving Medicaid funds, and in at least Washington even charging drugs used in an abortion as 'family planning.'"[17]

Planned Parenthood is the largest single abortion provider in the United States. The investigation was sweeping, requesting internal audits dating back 12 years and state audits for the past 20 years for the national organization and all 83 of its affiliates. Representative Henry Waxman questioned the political motivations for the timing of the investigation, saying, "Your fervent ideological opposition to Planned Parenthood does not justify launching this intrusive investigation."[18]

Economic Issues

Stearns has held several economic roundtables throughout the district, meeting with business owners, bankers, and realtors to get their views on improving the creating of jobs. Last year, he sponsored four homeowner workshops in Ocala, Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Orange Park.[19] He brought in realtors, bankers, and mortgage experts to help people who are having trouble making their payments – they also provided essential information[citation needed] for first-time homebuyers.

In meeting with community bankers from Florida, he learned that 70% of Florida’s community banks are under some kind of regulatory order that reduce capital for businesses to grow and loans to revitalize the housing industry.[citation needed]

He took a leadership role for the Florida delegation in sending a letter to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chairman Sheila Bair, claiming that banking examiners may be pursuing an unreasonably tough analysis of Florida banks’ asset quality and are regularly requiring downgrades of performing loans.[citation needed]

Fiscal Issues

Stearns was one of only 39 House members to receive an “A” rating from the National Taxpayers Union (NTU).[20] In addition, in 2010 Citizens Against Government Waste once again named Stearns a “Taxpayer Hero.”[21]

Stearns also is a strong opponent of automatic congressional pay raises. He also offered legislation to prevent a pay increase in a year following a federal budget deficit.[22]

In fiscal years 2008-2010 Cliff Stearns has sponsored 46 earmarks totaling $85,810,100.[23]

Stearn voted for Cut, Cap & Balance & the Boehner Debt Ceiling Bill; however, he voted against the final Debt Ceiling compromise bill (The "Budget Control Act of 2011").[24]

Veterans Issues

Throughout his tenure, Stearns has served on the Veterans Affairs Committee. He advocates for increased funding for the VA and has pushed to establish a VA cemetery in the Jacksonville area.[25] He supports the VA's CARES plan to develop a new Regional Health Care Facility in Marion County and the expansion of the VA Hospital in Gainesville with a new 230-bed patient tower.[25] The groundbreaking for this addition occurred in 2008. His Veterans Millennium Health care & Benefits Act and language from his VA Health Care Personnel Act to increase pay for VA health professionals were signed into law.[26]

Technology and Privacy

Stearns has been working on extending privacy protection for about 10 years.[27] In 2003, the International Association of Privacy Professionals gave Stearns its Privacy Leadership Award for his efforts on leadership, including holding the most extensive hearings on privacy issues as Chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee.[28]

On April 13, 2011, Stearns offered bi-partisan legislation to protect consumer privacy on line—H.R. 1528, the Consumer Privacy Protection Act.[29] The goal is to encourage greater levels of electronic commerce by providing to Internet users the assurance that their experience online will be more secure.[citation needed]

Stearns also is a leader in opposing net neutrality.[30]

Stearns voted for the Patriot Act.[31]

Stearns is the Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Oversigh and Investigations Subcommittee. From 2001 until 2007, Stearns was Chairman of the Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee and he still serves on the Subcommittee. He helped to create the Do-Not-Call List to protect consumers from unwanted telephone solicitations and legislation to combat spyware, which is software that allows a third party to monitor the computer use of individuals without their knowledge.

Energy Issues

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.[32] Stearns’ paper on developing clean-coal technology and applying coal-to-liquid technology was published in December 2008 in the Stanford Law & Policy Review.[33]

During consideration of cap-and-trade legislation in the Energy and Commerce Committee in May 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.[citation needed]

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.[34]

Accessibility

Like every other member of Congress, Stearns holds town meetings and has conducted nearly 560 of these events. In addition, he has held over 40 tele-town halls.

Stearns at one of his 560 town meetings, June 2010
File:Stearns-UrbanMeyer.jpg
Stearns with Coach Urban Meyer presenting a flag that flew over the US Capitol in honor of the Gators 2008 Collegiate Football Championship
Stearns offers alternative to Clinton health care bill
Community Service

Served on the Munroe Regional Community Hospital Board of Directors, the Board of the Ocala Boys and Girls Club, and was President of the Ocala Kiwanis Club. Was also active with the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce and President of the local Motel/Restaurant Association.

Health Care Reform

During consideration of the health care legislation, Stearns offered the following amendments[citation needed]:

  • Provide tax deduction for health care;
  • Require the President, Supreme Court Justices, and Members of Congress to buy their coverage of the Exchange:
  • Eliminate the tax on medical devices;
  • Repeal the cuts to Medicare Advantage.
9/11 First Responders

During the debate over compensation for 9/11 first responders and others, Stearns advocated a "standard re-authorization and appropriation process".[35] Congressman Stearns submitted an amendment that was adopted without opposition [36] to H.R.#847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, that would screen thousands of non-first responders and First Responders who submit claims for chronic medical conditions against a Department of Homeland Security terrorist watch list (original committee markup referenced).[37]

Other

Bars fund for IRS to implement the Spanish language for tax refunds.[citation needed]

Increase funding for nuclear energy activities at the Department of Energy.[citation needed]

Prohibit funds to be used by the Internal Revenue Service to implement a Spanish-language version of the "Where's my Refund?" service.[citation needed]

Cut $25.5 million from AmeriCorps and increase funding for TRIO educational programs and the geriatric program.[citation needed]

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.[citation needed]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Caucus (Co-Chairman)
  • Congressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus (Co-Chairman)
  • Congressional Horse Caucus (Co-Chairman)
  • Congressional Air Force Caucus (Co-Chairman)
  • Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue (Vice-Chairman)
Stearns with President Bush at the State of the Union Address
Stearns, Co-Chair of the Congressional Air Force Caucus, led a delegation to Afghanistan in December of 2009. He met with Haji Abdul Jabbar, the district governor of Arghandab district. Jabbar was assassinated by the Taliban in June 2010
  • Biomedical Research Caucus
  • Bipartisan Congressional Pro Life Caucus
  • Bipartisan Privacy Caucus
  • Canada-US Interparliamentary Union
  • Community College Caucus
  • Congressional Caucus on Adoption
  • Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues
  • Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans
  • Congressional Caucus on Poland
  • Congressional Caucus on Taiwan
  • Congressional Caucus on US-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans
  • Congressional Cyber Security Caucus
  • Congressional Friends of Liechtenstein Caucus
  • Congressional Invisible Wounds Caucus
  • Congressional Internet Caucus
  • Congressional Israel Allies Caucus
  • Congressional Media Fairness Caucus
  • Congressional Prayer Caucus
  • Congressional Ship Building Caucus
  • Congressional Singapore Caucus
  • Congressional Sovereignty Caucus
  • Congressional Sportmen's Caucus
  • Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus
  • Congressional Wireless Caucus
  • House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus
  • Immigration Reform Caucus
  • New Media Caucus
  • Republican Study Committee (RSC)
  • Tea Party Caucus

Personal life

Stearns lives in Ocala, FL with his wife, Joan (née Moore). They have three grown sons.

References

  1. ^ http://www.cliffstearns.net/about.cfm
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=426526
  4. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=426527
  5. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29140
  6. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=206803
  7. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=334531
  8. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=488447
  9. ^ Current Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers
  10. ^ "Electronic Cigarette Association Speaker List". 2009-07-20. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  11. ^ "Bailout Roll Call" (PDF). 2008-09-29. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  12. ^ "Tampa Tribue".
  13. ^ "The Hill".
  14. ^ "National Review".
  15. ^ "NPR".
  16. ^ "The Case for Investigating Planned Parenthood".
  17. ^ "Planned Parenthood wrong in denials of financial improprieties, notes Americans United for Life".
  18. ^ [2]
  19. ^ "Free home ownership workshops offered".
  20. ^ "NTU Rating".
  21. ^ "CCAGW Rating".
  22. ^ Yager, Jordy. "Congress Unlikely to Give Itself Raise." The Hill. 2010-01-20. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  23. ^ "Representative Cliff Stearns (R-Florida, 6th) Earmarks Requested". LegiStorm. 2006-10-01. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  24. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=26803&type=category&category=10&go.x=11&go.y=11
  25. ^ a b [3]
  26. ^ [4]
  27. ^ [5]
  28. ^ "FTC Commissioner Orson Swindle Receives 2004 Privacy Leadership Award From the IAPP." IAPP. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  29. ^ [6]
  30. ^ [7]
  31. ^ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Stearns on HR 3162 - USA Patriot Act of 2001". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  32. ^ [8]
  33. ^ [9]
  34. ^ [10]
  35. ^ http://static.votesmart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=585310&keyword=&phrase=&contain=
  36. ^ http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?q=markup/full-committee-markup-of-hr-847-the-james-zadroga-911-health-and-compensation-act-of-2010
  37. ^ http://republicans.energycommerce.house.gov/Media/file/Markups/FullCmte/052610/911Stearns_Terror.pdf
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 6th congressional district
1989–Present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Representatives by seniority
49th 		Succeeded by

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