Ed Royce (politician)
Ed Royce | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 39th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Linda Sánchez |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 40th district | |
| In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Jerry Lewis |
| Succeeded by | Lucille Roybal-Allard |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 39th district | |
| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | William E. Dannemeyer |
| Succeeded by | Linda Sánchez |
| Member of the California State Senate from the 32nd district | |
| In office 1982–1993 | |
| Preceded by | John G. Schmitz |
| Succeeded by | Rob Hurtt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edward Randall Royce October 12, 1951 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Marie Therese Porter Royce |
| Residence(s) | Fullerton, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | California State University, Fullerton |
| Occupation | Tax consultant |
Edward Randall "Ed" Royce (born October 12, 1951) is the U.S. Representative for California's 39th congressional district, and previously the 40th, serving in Congress since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party and the Tea Party Caucus. The district lies in the counties of Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino, and includes Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, Hacienda Heights, La Habra, La Habra Heights, Placentia, Pomona, Rowland Heights, Walnut, and Yorba Linda
Early life, education, and pre-congressional career
Born in Los Angeles, California, and graduating from Katella High School in Anaheim, Royce went on to earn his B.A. in Accounting and Finance in 1977 from the California State University, Fullerton. It took Royce seven years to graduate from college, during which time he took at least one student deferment to avoid going to the Vietnam War. He was a corporate tax manager for a Portland cement company before becoming a California State Senator in 1983, serving in that post until his election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Royce is married to the former Marie Porter.
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
After redistricting following the 1990 United States Census, incumbent Republican U.S. Representative William Dannemeyer decided to retire and run for the 1992 U.S. Senate election. Ed Royce, a State Senator, won the Republican primary for California's 39th congressional district and defeated Democrat Molly McClanahan in the general election with 57% of the vote.[1] He won re-election to the 39th district four more times with at least 63% of the vote. After redistricting after the 2000 United States Census, his district was renumbered the 40th, and won re-election five more times, with at least 63% of the vote.[2]
- 2012
Republican Ed Royce defeated Democrat Jay Chen in the new 39th Congressional District with 58% of the vote.[3][3]
Tenure
GovTrack rates Royce as a "rank-and-file Republican,"[4] based an analysis of the bills he has sponsored. 58 percent of his campaign contributions come from individuals and 34 percent are from PACs. Of the PAC contributions, 96 percent were from business groups, none from labor, and 4 percent from single-issue groups.[5] The Sunlight Foundation gave Royce's web site a 24 percent rating for transparency,[6] with 40 percent being considered a passing score. Royce's website highlights support from conservativeThe web site of United Seniors Association describes the organization as a "conservative advocacy group".[7] The web site of 60 Plus states that '60 Plus has been described as an "anti-tax advocacy group" and an "increasingly influential lobbying group for the elderly...often viewed as the conservative alternative to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)."',[8] and business organizations such as the National Taxpayers Union, Citizens Against Government Waste, and 60 Plus. On the Issues defines Royce as a hard-core conservative and his American Conservative Union lifetime score is 98 percent.
In 2011, Royce voted against the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 as part of a controversial provision that allows the government and the military to indefinitely detain American citizens and others without trial.[9]
Foreign Policy
For the 113th Congress, Royce was selected by his colleagues to Chair the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee.[4] He outmaneuvered more senior members for the post.[5]
Prior to taking the full committee gavel, Royce served as the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade. Royce held hearings on terrorist threats and weapons of mass destruction. Royce led efforts in the House to bolster efforts to either secure or destroy shoulder-fired missiles around the world that otherwise may be susceptible to terrorists. Royce's legislation, H.R. 5333 was incorporated into H.R. 6060, which became law in January 2007.[6]
Royce has been a leading critic of Pakistan’s security establishment and its failure to shut down the radical Deobandi schools that graduate militants. Royce spearheaded Congressional oversight efforts to ensure that international arms dealer Viktor Bout was extradited to the U.S. to face terrorism charges.[7] Royce often notes his travel to Israel during the 2006 war with Hezbollah when he witnessed a rocket attack on civilians in Haifa, Israel.[8]
In the summer of 2006, Royce held much publicized Congressional hearings in San Diego, California, and Laredo, Texas, focusing on border vulnerabilities and international terrorism.[9]
Royce also served as a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia. Royce has established himself as one of the House's leading voices on North Korea. During his career, Royce has worked to bring attention to the lack of transparency in North Korea, whether it's with respect to its human rights record or its efforts to counterfeit U.S. currency. In an oped for the Wall Street Journal Royce wrote, "Can we really expect a regime that counterfeits our currency to abide by a nuclear weapons agreement?"[10] The House has passed legislation authored by Royce focusing on the plight of North Korean refugees. H.Con.Res. 234 calls on China to halt the practice of repatriating North Korean refugees.[11] Royce authored and passed legislation to enhance security ties with South Korea.
Royce has also strongly backed U.S. broadcasting efforts in Asia. His Radio Free Asia Act of 1997 was incorporated into law and significantly bolstered U.S. broadcasting to efforts to China, North Korea, and Vietnam - repressive governments that restrict the free flow of information. U.S.-backed Radio Free Asia follows the model of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. As "surrogate" broadcasters, these services act as the free press these countries lack.
Royce has also focused on Afghanistan, with his legislation to create Radio Free Afghanistan becoming law in March 2002. Radio Free Afghanistan brings accurate news and information to the people of Afghanistan in the local languages of Dari and Pashto, helping to counter extremist messages in the country. Radio Free Afghanistan marked its 5-year anniversary in 2007. In a short amount of time, Radio Free Afghanistan has established itself as the leading broadcaster in Afghanistan, netting 60 percent of the population as an audience.
As Chairman of the Africa Subcommittee, Royce held numerous hearings on the continent at a time when its strategic significance to the United States is increasing.[12] Royce co-led with Colin Powell a delegation to observe Nigeria's historic elections in 1999 and led a delegation into Darfur, Sudan to bring attention to the ongoing genocide in 2005. Traveling with Royce to Darfur was critically acclaimed actor Don Cheadle.[13]
Royce led efforts in the House to bring Charles Taylor, the former President of Liberia, to stand trial before the Special Court for Sierra Leone, being highly critical of the agreement that allowed Taylor a comfortable exile in Nigeria. Royce authored H.Con.Res. 127, which passed the House and called on Nigeria to transfer Taylor to the Court to be tried for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Royce has been a leader in the House in the effort to end the atrocities committed by the Lord’s Resistance Army, a group that has terrorized northern Uganda and the surrounding region for decades. The LRA mutilates, abducts and forces individuals into sexual servitude, forcing as many as 65,000 children to fight as part of the rebel force. Royce was the lead Republican author of the Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, which was signed into law in May 2010. The bill requires the Administration to devise a strategy to end the LRA’s atrocities. The bill calls for the removal of Joseph Kony and his top commanders from the battlefield. Royce invited actress Kristen Bell to attend his annual women’s conference to speak about the work she has done to bring attention to the LRA and its victims.
In foreign policy, Royce's voting record has earned the most pro-military possible rating from SANE.[14] In 2002, he voted in favor of authorizing President George W. Bush to use force in Iraq.[15] In 2003, he voted yes on an emergency appropriation of $78 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.[16] In every year from 2003 to 2006, he has voted in favor of the annual supplemental spending bill to continue funding for the Iraq war.[17][18] In 2005, he voted against Amendment 214 to HR 1815, which called on Bush to develop a plan for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq; in favor of Amendment 488 to HR 2601 to keep troops in Iraq; and in favor of HR 612 opposing a timetable for withdrawal of troops from Iraq.[19] In 2007, Royce voted for H.R. 2929, a bill to prohibit permanent U.S. bases in Iraq.
In 2006, he voted for HR 861, a resolution labeling the war in Iraq as part of a global war against terrorism.[20] In 2011, Royce supported Amendment 344 to HR 1540, which called for an accelerated transition of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan to the Afghan government. Royce had a mixed voting record on the 2011 US involvement in Libya.[21] Royce maintains a blog on his website called “Foreign Intrigue,” where he writes frequently on national security issues.
In foreign policy, Royce's voting record has earned the most pro-military possible rating from SANE.[22] In 2002, he voted in favor of authorizing President George W. Bush to use force in Iraq.[23] In 2003, he voted yes on an emergency appropriation of $78 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.[24] In every year from 2003 to 2006, he has voted in favor of the annual supplemental spending bill to continue funding for the Iraq war.[23][24] In 2005, he voted against Amendment 214 to HR 1815, which called on Bush to develop a plan for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq; in favor of Amendment 488 to HR 2601 to keep troops in Iraq; and in favor of HR 612 opposing a timetable for withdrawal of troops from Iraq.[25] In 2006, he voted for HR 861, a resolution labeling the war in Iraq as part of a global war against terrorism.[26] Royce had a mixed voting record on the 2011 US involvement in Libya.[27]
- Domestic policy
Royce's voting record, his scores on VoteMatch, and ratings by Cato Institute indicate mixed or moderate positions on free trade,[10][11] privatization of social security,[10] campaign finance,[10] and tax reform.[11]
Banking Regulation
Royce's most important focus as a representative has been banking deregulation. The legislation he has sponsored shows a focus on tax policy, small businesses, credit, and deregulation of banking,[12] and many of his biggest campaign contributors have been banks: his five top contributors in 2006 were Credit Union National Assn, Irvine Co., Wells Fargo, Orange County Teachers Fed Credit Union, and GUS plc. He is among the representatives receiving the largest percentage of their campaign contributions from the banking industry.[13]
Royce has authored legislation to allow credit unions make more loans to small businesses. According to the Baltimore Sun:
“That one, simple move would free up an estimated $13 billion in additional capital while potentially creating more than 140,000 new jobs nationwide.[28][14] Royce has advocated for higher capital requirements in the banking sector and has been a critic of the ‘Too Big to Fail’ banks in the US. Following the JP Morgan multibillion dollar trading loss,[29] Royce criticized the bank for fighting higher capital requirements.
According to the Wall Street Journal:
“At a conference last November, J.P. Morgan executives vowed to fight against an international agreement for higher capital requirements for the world's largest banks, referred to as a capital "surcharge." After the bank's trading losses came to light, Rep. Ed Royce (R., Calif.), while not naming J.P. Morgan by name, criticized its stance that the requirements could hurt economic growth. "I hope that recent incidents put that argument at rest," he said.[30][15]
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Royce was one of the most vocal critics of the government sponsored enterprises (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) and raised concerns about the risk taking by Fannie and Freddie prior to the financial crisis and the taxpayer bailout of Fannie and Freddie.
In 2004 Royce offered the first legislation in Congress that brought all of the government sponsored enterprises (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks) under one federal regulator.[31][16]
In 2005, Royce offered an amendment on the House floor to allow federal regulators to rein in the risk taking at the government sponsored enterprises based on systemic risk.
According to the book, The Fateful History of Fannie Mae (Hagerty, 2012):
“Legislators had to make their choice when Representative Ed Royce, a California Republican who was one of the loudest critics of Fannie and Freddie, offered an amendment to let the regulator force Fannie and Freddie to reduce their mortgage holdings if they were found to create “systemic risk” to the financial system. Fannie and Freddie hated the idea. Advocates for the affordable-housing programs hated it too.
“The Royce amendment came up for a vote late in the afternoon of October 26, 2005. Royce lost 346-73. More than two-thirds of the 223 Republicans voting supported the Fannie-Freddie line; so did all but 3 of the 195 Democrats. Congress went on to approve the overall legislation on a 331-90 vote. Fannie and Freddie had proved – decisively – that they could still get their way in Congress.[32][17]
According to the Wall Street Journal editorial “Fannie Mae's House” on October 25, 2005:
“This is, as Representative Royce has made clear, a "floor, not a ceiling" for the level of oversight necessary for any reform to be worthwhile. Mr. Royce's amendment, should it get through the Rules Committee and then be incorporated into the bill, would at least provide a basis for creating an effective regulator in the final bill.[33][18]
Corporate Welfare
According to the Wall Street Journal’s editorial “Fannie Mae Republicans” on November 16, 2010:
“Mr. Royce is more likely than other Republicans to speak up for taxpayers and free markets, not merely for financial businesses that claim to represent markets but are really speaking for their own self-interest…if Republicans want to do better in the 112th Congress than they did the last time they squandered their majority, they need leaders who are genuine reformers, not spokesmen for crony capitalism.[34][19]
Royce's voting record, his scores on VoteMatch, and ratings by Cato Institute indicate mixed or moderate positions on free trade,[359][3610] privatization of social security,[379] campaign finance,[389] and tax reform.[3910]
Royce is a fiscal conservative. He was co-chair of the House "porkbusters" coalition.[20] As part of the porkbusters, he supported a deficit lockbox amendment, and he got a rules change requiring unauthorized spending to be listed separately in appropriations bills.[21] Royce is a signer of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.[22] He has received 14 "Taxpayer Friend Awards" from the National Taxpayers' Union.[23] Royce opposes funding for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).[24] Royce feels that these overseas investments expose taxpayers to a serious potential liability, just like the S&L crisis did.[25]
Royce is a social conservative,[10] having voted against same-sex marriage and gay adoption, and in favor of school prayer and school vouchers.[11] He has a 92 percent rating from the Christian Coalition in terms of his voting record on families and children.[11] He is pro-life,[10] his votes resulting in NARAL's most consistent possible score.[11] He has voted in favor of a constitutional amendment forbidding flag burning, and in favor of making the USA PATRIOT Act permanent.[11] He has an A rating from the NRA.[11]
Royce was criticized for being a keynote speaker an anti-Muslim rally in his home county, in which members of anti-Muslim groups supported by Royce chanted at Muslim-American families attending a charity event that they should "go home." Royce made controversial remarks against multiculturalism at the rally, stating that "They call it multiculturalism, and it has paralyzed too many of our fellow citizens to make the critical judgment we need to make to prosper as a society."[26] Royce later claimed that the anti-Muslim chants were done by a splinter group, not the main group of protesters, and he disavowed the chants, saying "those remarks and conduct were disrespectful and offensive".[27][28]
Royce is a member of the Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus[57][29] As a state senator[58] and US representative,[59] Royce sponsored bills and ballot initiatives on stalking and victims' rights.[60][61][62]
Crime/Stalking (**Insert**)
As a State Senator, Royce sponsored the nation's first statewide stalking law in the country designed to protect victims and making it a crime punishable by 4 years in prison.[63] The California Legislature passed his bill after four women were killed in the space of 6 weeks in Orange County. The law making stalking a crime is now copied in all 50 states and allows law enforcement to intervene on the basis of a credible threat in order to protect victims.[65]
When Ed Royce came to Congress, he felt a federal interstate stalking law was needed because victims were losing the protection of state laws when they crossed state lines. Stalkers were crossing state lines to pursue victims who had moved to escape harm. Royce introduced the Interstate Stalking Punishment and Prevention Act which was signed into law. The law makes it a federal felony to stalk someone across state lines or on federal property and it also makes a restraining order issued in one state enforceable in other states.[66]
Royce also has been supportive of victims' rights legislation. When the California State Legislature refused to pass his legislation allowing crime victims to object to trial delays, giving grand juries more power and ending shopping for juries he made it a ballot initiative and it passed by wide margins.[67] He helped lead the effort, establishing rights for crime victims in California's state constitution as author and campaign co-chair of Proposition 115, the Crime Victims/Speedy Trial Initiative. This law gives victims the right to a speedy trial, reduces the number of times crime victims must testify, increases sentences and punishment, and requires reciprocal discovery of evidence.[68]
At the federal level, he has advocated for victims' rights. Royce testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of a constitutional amendment to protect crime victims.[69] He also strongly supported the victims' rights legislation that was signed into law in the 108th Congress (P.L. 108-405) which enumerated rights originally contained in Royce's Victims' Rights Amendment. The law gives crime victims the right to be reasonably protected from the accused; to reasonable, accurate and timely notice of any court proceeding or parole proceeding of the accused; to be heard at any public court proceeding; to full and timely restitution; to proceedings without undue delay; and to be treated with fairness and with respect to victim's dignity and privacy.
Committee assignments
Caucus memberships
- Congressional International Observation Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Human Rights Caucus
- International Conservation Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Sportsmen's Caucus
- Tea Party Caucus
References
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27873
- ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=812
- ^ "Counting slow, but tally firm". Retrieved 2013-01-27.
- ^ GovTrack: Edward (Ed) Royce
- ^ Ed Royce: Campaign Finance/Money - Contributions - Congressman 2008
- ^ Congressional Web Site Investigation Project: Sunlight Foundation[dead link]
- ^ http://www.unitedseniors.org/NewsReleases.cfm[dead link]
- ^ "60 Plus Association". Retrieved 2013-01-27.
- ^ "NDAA Bill: How Did Your Congress Member Vote?". Retrieved 2013-01-27.
- ^ a b c d e Ed Royce on VoteMatch
- ^ a b c d e f g Ed Royce on the Issues
- ^ Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)
- ^ Races to Watch IX: Wall Street’s Favorite Candidates - OpenSecrets Blog | OpenSecrets
- ^ "Let credit unions do their job". Retrieved 2013-01-27.
- ^ "Trading Misstep For Bank Opens Door to New Rules". Retrieved 2013-01-27.
- ^ "Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks". Retrieved 2013-01-27.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|/billsumm/billsumm.php?id=ignored (help) - ^ "The Fateful History of Fannie Mae: New Deal Birth to Mortgage Crisis Fall [Hardcover]". Retrieved 2013-01-27.
- ^ "Fannie Mae's House". Retrieved 2013-01-27.
- ^ "The Fannie Mae Republicans". Retrieved 2013-01-27.
- ^ http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/2008/people/ca/rep_ca40.php
- ^ Marquette University Libraries /All Locations
- ^ Current Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers
- ^ Government Bytes: The Official Blog of National Taxpayers Union
- ^ Corporate Welfare OPIC
- ^ Corporate Welfare Reform - Reason Magazine
- ^ "Hate Comes to Orange County". Retrieved 2011-03-04.
- ^ Adams, Richard (2011-03-03). "The ugly face of Islamophobia in Orange County, California". London: Guardian. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ Bell, Melissa (2011-03-04). "Anti-Muslim videos spark anger; pro-Muslim rally planned for March 6 (#mar6)". Washington Post. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
- ^ "113th Congress Membership". Retrieved 2013-01-27.
External links
- U.S. Representative Ed Royce official U.S. House site
- Ed Royce for Congress official campaign site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Profile at Vote Smart
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
