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==Political positions==
==Political positions==

===Alternative energy===

On [[February 8]], Roskam introduced an amendment to pending legislation that advances the development of alternative energy. It provides $10 Million to create three new federal programs to support development of improved methods to transport and store ethanol and biodiesel, taking the money out of previously appropriated EPA funds. Illinois corn produces 40% of the ethanol used in the United States, but existing pipelines and storage facilities are unsuitable for ethanol, making its long-distance transport expensive. "Environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility are not mutually exclusive and I believe strongly in both," said Roskam. "[[Ethanol]] and other biofuels mean jobs for Illinois and clean air for our children." The Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act eventually passed by a vote of 400-3. [http://roskam.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=57893] [http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/02/house_committee.html] [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR00547:@@@L&summ2=m&]


===Education===
===Education===

Revision as of 23:01, 13 February 2007


Peter Roskam
File:PRoskamheadshot.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 6th district
Assumed office
January 4, 2007–
Preceded byHenry Hyde
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
SpouseElizabeth Roskam

Peter James Roskam (born September 13 1961 in Hinsdale, Illinois), is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives as of 2007, succeeding 16-term Republican Henry Hyde. Roskam is a personal injury lawyer and a former member of the Illinois State Senate representing Illinois' 48th district. Roskam is well known for his conservative politics, some of his positions include: support for pro-life policies and traditional marriage, and opposition to embryonic stem cell research.

Personal history

Roskam was born in Hinsdale, Illinois and was raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, graduating from Glenbard West High School. Roskam received his B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his J.D. from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

In 1984, Roskam taught history and government at All Saints High School in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. In 1985, Roskam served as a legislative assistant to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX), and in 1986 as a legislative assistant to Rep. Hyde.[1] In the late 1980s, Roskam served as the Executive Director of Educational Assistance Ltd., a scholarship program for disadvantaged children. In 1992, Roskam was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, serving from 1993 to 1999. In 2000, he was appointed to the Illinois State Senate where he served until his election to the US House of Representatives. Roskam resides in Wheaton, Illinois with his wife Elizabeth and their four children.

File:Salvi Roskam Maher.png
Peter Roskam's former Law Firm (Photo: Chicago Tribune)

Roskam was a partner in the law firm Salvi, Roskam & Maher, a personal injury firm. He was named "Best Oral Advocate" by the American College of Trial Lawyers. The firm, now called Salvi & Maher, is politically notable because former Republican Senate candidate Al Salvi and former Republican House candidate Kathy Salvi are also partners in the firm.

Although never having served in the military himself, Roskam worked with his mother, Martha Roskam, to return lost dog tags from the Vietnam War to military personnel or their surviving relatives.[2]

Electoral history

  • 1998 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - 13th District Republican Primary
  • 2006 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - 6th District

Illinois General Assembly

Peter Roskam served in the Illinois General Assembly as State Representative from 1993 to 1998, and State Senator from 2000 to 2006. In the Senate Roskam served as the Republican Whip, the Republican spokesman on the Executive Committee, and a member of the Rules Committee, Environment and Energy Committee, Insurance and Pensions Committee, and Judiciary Committee. In the Senate Roskam has sponsored legislation giving the Supreme Court of Illinois authority to reverse a death penalty sentence, has sponsored legislation increasing the penalties for repeat D.U.I. offenders, and was the lead sponsor of a law to maintain courts' power to hold deadbeat parents in contempt to ensure child support.[1] Roskam has authored or co-authored fourteen bills to cut taxes.[3]

In January 2005, Roskam fought the passage of the Illinois Human Rights Act on the grounds that it would require churches and religious organizations that view homosexuality as a sin to hire homosexuals. Supporters of the act believe this claim to be a misrepresentation, stating that the act contains an explicit exemption for churches and religious organizations. [4]

In the Senate, Roskam fought State Comptroller Dan Hynes' proposal to fund stem cell research. Supporters of the bill argue that it could have enticed investment and benefited the state economy. Roskam faced opposition from Republican State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, State Senator and DuPage County GOP Chairman Kirk Dillard, and Republican House Minority Leader Tom Cross. Major medical and educational institutions, such as Northwestern University, supported the proposal. [5]

Congressional service

Roskam serves on the House Financial Services Committee and sits on its subcommittees for Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises; Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology; and Oversight and Investigations.

As a Freshman Congressman, Roskam has an understandably modest voting record which may be found here.

Political positions

Education

In the 1990s, according to the Daily Herald, Roskam supported three different state legislative plans to remove books that some parents found objectionable from public schools: one to remove a textbook series that (in the opinion of some parents) contained themes of the occult, violence, witchcraft and disrespect for parental authority from Arlington Heights schools, another to remove any book that "expressly counsels for suicide," and a third to allow local juries to determine whether a book is obscene. [6] [7] Opponents have maintained that the legislation would force the removal of classics like Romeo and Juliet, Little House on the Prairie, and It's a Wonderful Life from classrooms.[7]

Gun politics

Roskam opposes the 1994 Federal assault weapons ban.[8] Roskam sponsored a bill in the state Senate which would have allowed retired military and police personnel to carry concealed weapons. He has gained the endorsement of the National Rifle Association (NRA), for being a supporter of gun rights. On July 15 2006, Roskam was the featured guest at a NRA support rally for him in Addison, Illinois. [9] The NRA has given $4,950 to Roskam's campaign.[10]

While in the state Senate, Roskam sponsored gun legislation with two major components. One part called for the destruction of background check records within 90 days of a gun's purchase. The other part closed the gun show loophole by requiring background checks on potential gun purchasers at gun shows. The Tribune noted that gun-control advocates were supportive of closing the gun-show loophole; however, Roskam received criticism from police for the proposed destruction of background check records. Police use those records to investigate straw purchasers who buy guns for criminals and to prepare themselves when serving a warrant or making an arrest at a home.[11]

Immigration

Roskam supports the House bill on immigration reform. He has called the Senate version, the "Ted Kennedy amnesty bill", and has opposed it as "making a mockery of the law". [12] Roskam supports sending United States National Guard troops to the border and supports Republican House legislation to make illegal presence in the country a felony and require the building of fences along 700 miles of border.[12] On October 26, Roskam appeared at a press conference with U.S. House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin, who the Chicago Sun Times called "one of the most polarizing figures on the [immigration] issue."[13]

The Iraq War and the War on Terror

On September 21 2006, Roskam said that the US should "stay the course" and that US troops should not return home until Iraq is safe.[14] He criticized his opponent Tammy Duckworth's views on withdrawal, saying "the Sixth district is not a cut-and-run district." On October 23 2006, Roskam said it was a mistake the U.S. didn't go in with full force in Iraq. Later, Roskam expressed support for quarterly status reports to Congress on Iraqi troop training.[15]

On January 9 2007, Roskam voted in favor of the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendation Act, providing risk-based allocations of Homeland Security grants and strengthening airline and cargo container security.

O'Hare Airport

Roskam opposes plans to expand O'Hare International Airport, and instead favors building a third regional airport in Chicago's southern suburbs. [16] The expansion is opposed by a consortium of local communities and by congressmen Henry Hyde and Jesse Jackson Jr[17][18] Many business groups, including the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, support O'Hare expansion.[19] Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, a Republican from Illinois, supports O'Hare expansion, as does the local Republican leadership from DuPage County. [20]

Social Security and Medicare

On May 20, 2005, Roskam missed a vote in the Illinois Senate on a resolution to protect Social Security. [21][22] Roskam has said in a WBBM post debate press conference, "I am against privatizing Social Security, I am against raising taxes for Social Security benefits, and I'm against benefit reductions for Social Security. [23]

On September 21, 2006, the newspaper The Hill reported on Roskam's position on Social Security:

A direct mail piece sent by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) says that, "In Congress, Peter Roskam will protect Social Security for Illinois retirees. He opposes any plans that touch even a dime of benefits for seniors and those nearing retirement." Roskam told The Hill that he opposes any measures that would add private savings accounts or slice up the current program to create a private account[24].

On January 12, 2007, Roskam voted against the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, which would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower covered Part D drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. [25]

Stem-cell research

Roskam supports adult and umbilical cord stem cell research.[26] Roskam has argued against embryonic stem cell research in the Illinois Senate, even if privately funded,[27] and voted against the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in Congress.[28] Describing the issue in 2004, Roskam said, "You're being asked to take one human life and cast it aside for the benefit of another."

Taxes

Roskam advocates renewing the national 2003 tax cuts, and has sponsored or co-sponsored fourteen pieces of legislation for lower taxes, including child tax credits and reducing the income tax, and has stated support for a research and development tax credit. As an Illinois General Assembly legislator, Roskam authored and supported several pieces of tax reduction legislation.[29]

Other positions

Peter Roskam opposes abortion except when the life of the mother is at risk, making no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. [30] [31]. Roskam also supports the death penalty, opposes same-sex marriage and civil unions, [32] and supports allowing the use of earmarks in federal budgeting.[33]

Roskam supports tort reform. The Chicago Tribune noted that Roskam earned over $615,000 in 2005 as a personal injury trial lawyer. Terrence Lavin, the former president of the Illinois Bar Association, said that Al Salvi and Roskam promised, "We will never, ever vote for tort reform", when they asked Lavin for a $25,000 donation to a political action committee. [34]

Roskam supports CAFTA. [35] In 2005, Roskam received a 67% rating from the Illinois Environmental Council. In 2004 he scored 100%, while in 2003 he scored 40%.[36] In November 2006, Roskam expressed opposition to raising the national minimum wage from $5.15 per hour, referring to possible effect on small businesses, [37] and voted against a bill to increase the national minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour over two years in Congress.[38]

1998 Congressional campaign

Roskam ran for Congress in 1998 in Illinois' 13th Congressional District (Map) to replace retiring Congressman Harris W. Fawell, but lost in the Republican primary to Judy Biggert. Roskam received 40% of the vote to Biggert's 45%. [39]

In 1999, at Biggert's request, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) investigated a mailing sent out by a Political Action Committee (PAC), the Campaign for Working Families (CWF), in support of Peter Roskam. The FEC did not find the Roskam campaign at fault, but CWF was found to have violated election law. The PAC was led by conservative Gary Bauer. [40]

2006 Congressional campaign

File:Roskam-Cheney.jpg
Roskam and Vice President Dick Cheney at a 2006 fundraiser

In the House of Representatives, Roskam was elected to fill Henry Hyde's open seat in the 6th District of Illinois. He ran unopposed in the Republican congressional primary.[1] His opponent in the November general election was Iraq War veteran, Democrat Tammy Duckworth. Hyde endorsed Roskam. The competitive race was called "the nation's most-watched congressional contest" by Eric Krol of the Chicago Daily Herald. [41]

On November 7 2006, Roskam defeated Duckworth by a margin of 51% to 49%. There is no official word on whether Roskam will run for re-election, or whether Duckworth will run against him. However, some observers feel that a rematch in 2008 is likely. [42]

Events leading up to the 2006 election

Early campaign events

In 2005, Roskam held a media event with and received support from Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.[43]

In August 2006, the Roskam campaign used Republican Party stances for an American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) survey. The answers related to Medicare, Social Security, insurance plans and retirement. Democratic opponents characterized it as plagiarism. [44]

Fall 2006

On September 10 2006, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that "Roskam is trying to use immigration as an issue against his Democratic rival, Tammy Duckworth, in their race for the House seat being vacated by Republican Henry Hyde."[45]

Controversy erupted on September 21 2006 when Roskam used the term "cut-and-run" in reference to Duckworth's Iraq strategy. Duckworth lost both her legs and the use of one arm when her helicopter was shot down over Iraq in 2004. Roskam said: "The 6th Congressional District is not a cut-and-run district." [46]

A fundraiser for Roskam and David McSweeney was held on October 12 2006 at the Chicago Hilton. President George W. Bush and Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert headlined the event. [47]

On October 24, actor and Parkinson's disease sufferer Michael J. Fox appeared at a fundraiser for Roskam's opponent, Tammy Duckworth at Arrowhead Golf Course in Wheaton, supporting Duckworth's stance on embryonic stem cell research.[48]Roskam held a simultaneous press conference featuring a cancer survivor who was treated with his own cells.[49]

On October 30, Roskam attended a fundraiser with Senator John McCain. McCain had co-sponsored the immigration bill that Roskam attacked as "amnesty".[50]

Roskam placed television ads that accused Duckworth of wanting to raise Social Security payroll taxes. According to the Daily Herald, the AARP mailed out thousands of letters to the Sixth district denouncing the ad as misleading.[51]

Endorsements

In May 2006, the Teamsters labor union endorsement of Roskam was announced by John Coli, President of Joint Council 25. [52] The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 also endorsed Roskam for the congressional seat. The largest union in the state, the Illinois AFL-CIO, gave Roskam a rating of 23% in 2005 and 15% in 2004, and endorsed Duckworth.[53] In October, several Illinois newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Herald, and the Pioneer Press, endorsed Roskam's opponent, Tammy Duckworth. [54] [55] [56] [57]

The VFW endorsed Roskam over his war veteran opponent. The VFW relied on former Republican state Senator Ray Soden of Wood Dale to choose which candidate to endorse. [58][59] On November 3, according to the Washington Post, the Veterans of Foreign Wars angered some Illinois veterans by endorsing Roskam over his Iraq War veteran opponent.[60]

Debates

The candidates debated on WTTW/Channel 11 (October 23), WBEZ radio (October 19), WBBM radio (September 24), and at the College of DuPage (12 October). [61]

Campaign contributions

Roskam trailed Duckworth in fundraising. Roskam raised $3.44 million vs. Duckworth's $4.52 million, but started the fall campaign with more cash on-hand, due in part to not having a primary challenger. Roskam has been more dependent on contributions from PACs: 56% of Roskam's donations came from individuals, while 82% of Duckworth's donations were from individuals. [62]

According to FEC filings, Roskam received donations from various political action committees. [63] [64] As of June 30 2006, Roskam received more contributions from political committees formed by sitting legislators than any other non-incumbent Congressional candidate in the nation. A Roskam campaign spokesman credited House Speaker Dennis Hastert for those contributions: "That's related to how important [Hastert] is for us in this race." [65]

Roskam has strongly argued against the Senate version of the immigration reform bill, calling it "Ted Kennedy's anmesty bill." The Roskam campaign has called on Roskam's opponent to return the campaign contributions which she received from the AFL-CIO, which Roskam claims is "pro-amnesty".[66] However, Roskam has not returned the $2,500 contribution from Senator John McCain, a co-author of the Senate bill.[67]

Robocalling

According to the Elk Grove Times, the National Republican Congressional Committee paid Conquest Communications Group, a Richmond, Virginia contractor, to call Sixth District voters with a recording that says: "Hi. I'm calling with information about Tammy Duckworth..." [68] The Daily Herald reported that the NRCC spent $9,000 on robocalls to help Peter Roskam in a single week which translates into approximately 180,000 calls.[69] According to reports, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, citing federal regulations that require identification at the beginning of such calls sent a Cease and Desist order to the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee.[70]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c "About Peter".
  2. ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7279844/did/9694033
  3. ^ http://www.roskamforcongress.com/issues/bill_highlights.cfm
  4. ^ http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/politics/state/2_1_AU03_GAYRIGHTS_S1.html
  5. ^ http://www.ifrl.org/IFRLDailyNews/041129/1/
  6. ^ Would you, could you twist a fact? By Eric Zorn Friday, October 20, 2006 Chicago Tribune
  7. ^ a b "A National Knife Fight" by Joshua Green, Oct 2006 Esquire, pg. 236
  8. ^ Eric Krol (July 28, 2006). "Defining strengths, hiding weaknesses key in this race". Daily Herald. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=69272
  10. ^ Eric Krol (July 14, 2006). "Is Roskam stepping into line of fire?". Daily Herald. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Peter Roskam's priorities" Chicago Tribune; Oct 26, 2005; pg. 24
  12. ^ a b "Little common ground for Roskam, Duckworth", John Biemer, September 23, 2006, Chicago Tribune
  13. ^ "Immigration hard-liner backs Roskam's bid", Dave Newbart, October 27, 2006 Chicago Sun Times
  14. ^ "Iraq not central in war on terror, Duckworth says" BY PAT CORCORAN ELK GROVE TIMES
  15. ^ http://www.dailyherald.com/politics/story.asp?id=242088 "Final debate focuses on the war"] by Eric Krol Tuesday, October 24, 2006 Daily Herald
  16. ^ http://www.roskamforcongress.com/news/view.cfm?id=1243135985
  17. ^ [ http://www.suburban-ohare.org/detail.asp?OBJECT_ID=342 Suburban O’Hare Commissions]
  18. ^ [http://www.jessejacksonjr.org/query/creadpr.cgi?id=%22005090%22 Jesse Jackson Jr on the O'hare expansion
  19. ^ http://www.chicagolandchamber.org/CLA/article.asp?article_ID=57
  20. ^ http://www.house.gov/list/press/il14_hastert/2003_01_14_ohare.html
  21. ^ http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/94/senate/09400SJ0013_05202005_030000D.pdf
  22. ^ http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/008932.php
  23. ^ WBBM post-debate press conference, 9,22,06
  24. ^ "’82 issues return in ’06" By Jonathan E. Kaplan
  25. ^ http://clerk.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.asp?year=2007&rollnumber=23
  26. ^ http://www.dailyherald.com/politics/ele_story.asp?id=213103#
  27. ^ Biemer, John (August 2, 2006). "Duckworth joins stem cell debate". The Chicago Tribune. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ http://clerk.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.asp?year=2007&rollnumber=20
  29. ^ http://www.roskamforcongress.com/roskamrecord/index.cfm?ID=10
  30. ^ House Candidates Debate at College
  31. ^ Easy to tell who’s who in 6th District By Eric Krol Thursday, September 14, 2006 Daily Herald
  32. ^ "Associated Press election coverage". The Associated Press. September 7, 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ Eric Krol (August 22, 2006). "Roskam defends federal pork support". Daily Herald. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2006/06/candidates_refo.html
  35. ^ http://www.dailyherald.com/search/searchstory.asp?id=188989
  36. ^ http://www.ilenviro.org/publications/files/2005scorecard.pdf
  37. ^ Roskam balks at hiking minimum wage By Marni Pyke Daily Herald Saturday, November 11, 2006
  38. ^ "Minimum pay bill advances" By Richard Simon Published January 11, 2007
  39. ^ http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe1998/ilh.htm
  40. ^ http://eqs.sdrdc.com/eqsdocs/00003C0B.pdf
  41. ^ Krol, Eric (2006-10-12). "Debate on immigrants stokes race" (reprint). Chicago Daily Herald (in English). Paddock Publications, Inc. Retrieved 2006-10-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  42. ^ http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/IL/H/06/index.html
  43. ^ http://www.roskamantitaxteam.com/index.cfm?id=201&fuseaction=browse&pageid=1
  44. ^ http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2006Aug31/0,4670,RepublicansSurvey,00.html
  45. ^ http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/nation/story/461E4E2249FE8EC9862571E60013DAAB?OpenDocument
  46. ^ "Duckworth camp: 'Cut and run' crude: Roskam team: He never said that" By Scott Fornek Chicago Sun-Times Sept 27, 2006
  47. ^ "Hastert scratches New York fundraiser" BY LYNN SWEET October 8, 2006 Chicago Sun-Times
  48. ^ "Actor Michael J. Fox To Appear At Duckworth Rally", Tuesday, 24 October 2006 10:13AM wbbm780.com
  49. ^ Michael J. Fox to appear at rally for Democrat Tammy Duckworth October 23, 2006 ABC7Chicago.com
  50. ^ "McCain, Roskam overlook differences" October 31, 2006 Chicago Sun-Times BY PAIGE WINFIELD
  51. ^ Social "Security is late issue in House races" By Eric Krol Daily Herald November 02, 2006
  52. ^ http://www.teamster.org/06news/hn_060517_5.asp
  53. ^ http://www.ilafl-cio.org/voting_records/votingrec05.pdf
  54. ^ "For the open 6th District House seat: Duckworth" Posted Sunday, October 15, 2006 Daily Herald
  55. ^ "For Congress: Duckworth"October 18, 2006 Chicago Tribune
  56. ^ "Our choices for the U.S. House" October 25, 2006 Chicago Sun-Times
  57. ^ "Duckworth for Congress" October 26, 2006 Evanston Review
  58. ^ "Duckworth's war experience not what VFW looking for in 6th District" by Eric Krol Friday, November 03, 2006 Daily Herald
  59. ^ VFW shakes Duckworth By John Biemer Chicago Tribune November 4, 2006
  60. ^ "VFW Passes Over Veteran in Illinois" By DON BABWIN Friday, November 3, 2006; 3:40 PM Washington Post
  61. ^ http://www.duckworthforcongress.com/calendar.asp
  62. ^ http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?cycle=2006&id=IL06
  63. ^ http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/2005_H6IL06117
  64. ^ http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/H6IL06141
  65. ^ http://www.roskamforcongress.com/news/view_article.cfm?id=622 "Duckworth raises $844,000 in 2nd quarter" Patrick Corcoran July 20, 2006 Pioneer Press
  66. ^ http://www.roskamforcongress.com/news/view_article.cfm?id=651M
  67. ^ http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2006/09/who_needs_advic.html
  68. ^ 'Robocalls' are latest in negative campaigning November 2, 2006 By PATRICK CORCORAN ElkGroveTimes
  69. ^ "They have your number" By Stacy St. Clair Sunday, November 05, 2006 Daily Herald
  70. ^ "Stop Illegal Robocalling!: Democrats Send Cease and Desist Letter to Republicans" by Ellen Davis, ABC News

External links

Campaign sites

Video


Template:Incumbent succession box
Preceded by Illinois State Senator 48th district
2000-2006 		Succeeded by
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