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Biography:
Born in the City of Richmond, Va., October 17, 1946; attended Franklin County High School, Rocky Mountain, Va.; B.A., University of Richmond, Richmond, Va., 1969; J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Va., 1973; Virginia National Guard, 1969-1975; lawyer, private practice; member of the Virginia state senate, 1973-1997; unsuccessful candidate for nomination as United States Senator in 1982; unsuccessful candidate for nomination as United States Senator in 1994; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Fifth Congress and to the succeeding Congress, changed from a Democrat to an Independent on January 27, 2000; elected as an Independent to the One Hundred Seventh Congress and changed party affiliation to Republican on August 1, 2002, reelected to the succeeding Congress (January 3, 1997-present).

House Prosperity Project 110th Congress Second Session Voting Record
Description	Preferred Position	This official's vote compared with the preferred position
Vote on final passage of the Supplemental Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act, H.R. 2768 (Roll Call No. 10). The bill would shorten deadlines for mine operators to conform to new safety requirements, provide the Mine Safety and Health Administration with subpoena power and increase penalties for multiple safety violations. Mine operators would have to install new communications equipment sooner than previously mandated. The bill passed 214 to 199 on January 16, 2008. Preferred Position: No	N
Motion to recommit the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008, H.R. 5351, including amendments to exclude certain revenue raising provisions, as well as a manufacturing tax deduction for large oil and gas companies (Roll Call No. 83). The motion failed 197 to 222 on February 27, 2008. Preferred Position: Yes	Y
Vote on final passage of the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008, H.R. 5351 (Roll Call No. 84). The bill included language that would have imposed billions of dollars of taxes on the domestic oil and gas industry and would discourage new oil and gas investments in the United States. It was approved 236 to 182 on February 27, 2008 (Roll No. 84). Preferred Position: No	N
Vote on H.Res. 1092, a resolution declaring that H.R. 5724, legislation implementing the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement into U.S. law, will not be subject to expedited "fast track" floor consideration as required under U.S. trade law (Roll Call No. 181). Removing the 90-day timetable for action on the agreement, will not only prevent timely and fair consideration of the U.S.-Colombia agreement, but could undermine the ability of the U.S. to enter or complete trade agreements with other countries. The resolution was approved 224 to 195 on April 10, 2008 (Roll No. 181). Preferred Position: No	N
Vote on an amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008, H.R. 2642 (Roll Call No. 330). The amendment would have paid for expanded veterans’ education benefits by levying additional taxes on individuals with incomes over $500,000, including many S-Corporations, which contribute to job growth in the U.S. economy. It was approved 256 to 166 on May 15, 2008. Preferred Position: No	N
Vote on the Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act, H.R. 6275 (Roll Call No. 455). The bill contained revenue raisers that would levy taxes on foreign-owned companies in the U.S. and make major oil and gas companies ineligible for the Section 199 deduction for domestic manufacturing activity. It was approved 233 to 189 on June 25, 2008. Preferred Position: No	N
Vote on the Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act, H.R. 6251 (Roll Call No. 469). This bill would have reduced domestic production and threatened the economic viability and energy security of the oil and gas industry. Motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill failed 223 to 195 on June 26, 2008. Preferred Position: No	N
Motion to suspend the rules and pass the Drill Responsibly in Leased Lands Act of 2008, H.R. 6515 (Roll Call No. 511). The bill would require the Interior Department to offer oil and gas lease sales on an annual basis and would also require current holders of oil or natural gas exploration leases to develop or relinquish their existing leases before they could receive new ones. The motion failed 244 to 173 on July 17, 2008. Preferred Position: No	N
Vote on a bill (H.R. 3997) that included provisions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (Roll Call No. 674). The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act would provide much-needed liquidity in the financial markets, restore stability and renewed confidence in our nation’s financial system and promote growth and job creation. The vote failed 205 to 228 on September 29, 2008. Preferred Position: Yes	Y
Vote on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (H.R. 1424), as adopted by the Senate. Approved 263-171 on October 3, 2008 (Roll Call No. 681). The bill will provide much-needed liquidity in the financial markets, restore stability and renewed confidence in our nation’s financial system and promote growth and job creation. Preferred Position: Yes	Y
This official's percentage on this voting record:		60%

House Prosperity Project 110th Congress First Session Voting Record
Description	Preferred Position	This official's vote compared with the preferred position
Vote on H.R. 6, Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act (Roll Call No. 40). Passage of this bill increases taxes on the U.S. energy industry and forces changes to existing government contracts regarding leases in the Gulf of Mexico. It passed by a vote of 264 to 163 on January 18, 2007. Preferred Position: No	N
Vote on H.R. 800 (Roll Call No. 118). This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act to remove the right of American workers to vote via federally supervised, secret ballot elections when deciding whether to unionize. The measure passed 241 to 185 on March 1, 2007. Preferred Position: No	N
Motion to recommit H.R. 1873 with instructions (Roll Call No. 322). The instructions specified that it be immediately reported back with language that would consider as economically disadvantaged any small businesses that can demonstrate they are adversely affected by expiring tax incentives. The measure failed by a vote of 209 to 216 on May 10, 2007. Preferred Position: Yes	Y
Vote on H.R. 1252, Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act (Roll Call No. 404). The bill makes it unlawful to sell oil or petroleum products at a price that is “unconscionably excessive." It would interfere with normal market forces in addressing supply and demand imbalances. The measure passed 284 to 141 on May 23, 2007. Preferred Position: No	N
Vote on H. Amendment 405, Peterson Amendment to FY2008 Interior-Environment Appropriations Bill (Roll Call No. 552). The amendment would have increased the nation's domestic fuel supply by allowing new leases for offshore natural gas development in areas at least 25 miles from the U.S. Coast. It failed by a vote of 196 to 233 on June 26, 2007. Preferred Position: Yes	Y
Vote on H. Amendment 682, Pence (R-IN) Amendment to the FY2008 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Bill (Roll Call No. 737). Passage of this amendment bars the use of funds in H.R. 3093 to enforce the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance law provisions when dealing with electioneering communications. The measure passed 215 to 205 on July 26, 2007. Preferred Position: Yes	Y
Vote on adoption of the rule, H.Res. 574 (Roll Call No. 746). The rule contained a $7.5 billion tax increase aimed at U.S. subsidiaries of companies based abroad. It would deny tax treaty benefits to deductible payments certain U.S. subsidiaries make to their affiliates. It passed by a vote of 222 to 202 on July 26, 2007. Preferred Position: No	N
Vote on H.R. 283 (Roll Call No. 768). This legislation seeks to reverse the Supreme Court's 2007 "Ledbetter" decision and expand employers' exposure to discrimination claims. The vote was decided 225 to 199 on July 31, 2007. Preferred Position: No	N
Vote on H.R. 3221, New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act (Roll Call No. 832). This measure would lead to higher energy costs and fewer energy supplies. It passed by a vote of 241 to 172 on August 4, 2007. Preferred Position: No	N	-
Vote on H.R. 2776, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (Roll Call No. 835). This measure would impose anti-growth taxes on the U.S. energy industry. It passed by a vote of 221 to 189 on August 4, 2007. Preferred Position: No	N	-
Motion to recommit H.R. 3056 with instructions that it be reported back with language that would repeal the estate tax (Roll Call No. 959). The motion was rejected 196 to 212 on October 10, 2007. Preferred Position: Yes	Y
Vote on H.R. 3688, United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (Roll Call No. 1060). Passage of this bill implements the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement and would eliminate nearly all of Peru's tariffs on U.S. goods, increase protection of American investments, strengthen U.S. intellectual property rights and reduce non-tariff and regulatory barriers in Peru. The vote was decided 285 to 132 on November 8, 2007. Preferred Position: Yes	Y
Vote on H.R. 3996, Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007 (Roll Call No. 1081). The measure would have amended the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring tax provisions. It passed by a vote of 216 to 193 on November 9, 2007. Preferred Position: No	N
Vote on H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act (Roll Call No. 1140). The measure includes a federal renewable electricity mandate and would impose anti-growth taxes on the U.S. energy industry. The vote was decided 235 to 181 on December 6, 2007. Preferred Position: No	N
This official's percentage on this voting record:		83%

House Prosperity Project Voting Records 109th 2nd Session
Description	Preferred Position	This official's vote compared with the preferred position
House Vote 29: Food safety and label laws should be designed to promote health and security, not fads or false science. This vote that would have allowed states to set their own guidelines about labels and parental warnings was rejected 161 to 259 on March 8, 2006.	N
House Vote 32: Uniform food labels and safety laws, not state by state mandates, would better guarantee public health and eliminate undue risks. The vote was 283 to 139 on March 8, 2006.	Y
House Vote 109: This motion to instruct tax conferees would have changed standard accounting methods by which corporations treat income under current statutes. The vote was 190 to 232 on April 27, 2006.	N
House Vote 116: Part of the ongoing energy supply problems has to do with limited refinery capacity. This measure streamlined the process to permit more rapid approval of applications. The vote was 237 to 188 on May 3, 2006.	Y
House Vote 135: Predictability in the tax code helps individuals and employers plan their investments and capital improvements. This vote on the conference report cleared tax cuts for Senate action. The vote was 244 to 185 on May 10, 2006.	Y
House Vote 164: This amendment to Interior appropriations was designed to increase the supply of natural gas by opening areas in the Gulf of Mexico. The measure failed on a vote of 141 to 279 on May 18, 2006.	Y
House Vote 165: This vote would have barred the use of funds to enact an environmental rule on collection of tox substances at chemical plants and refineries. The vote was 231 to 187 on May 18, 2006.	N
House Vote 170: This was another of the votes aimed at opening offshore sites for exploration for natural gas, with the intention of increasing domestic supplies in order to reduce the price. The vote was 217 to 203 on May 18,2006.	N
House Vote 202: Passage of this amendment would have prevented alternative methods to store and transport natural gas. The vote was 164 to 258 on May 24, 2006.	N
House Vote 209: Passage of this bill made way for Senate action on opening limited areas of the Arctic refuge to energy exploration. The vote was 225 to 201 on May 25, 2006.	Y
House Vote 232: Passage of this bill provided expedited processes for the siting and approval of refineries. The vote was 238 to 179 on June 7, 2006.	Y
House Vote 315: Passage of this bill would extend estate tax relief and reduce capital gains on certain asset sales. The vote was 269 to 156 on June 22, 2006.	Y
House Vote 354: This is another in a series of congressional attempts to restrict energy exploration offshore. The vote was 170 to 249 on June 29, 2006.	N
House Vote 356: Passage of this energy measure opened areas along the coasts while granted protections for beaches. The vote was 232 to 187 on June 29, 2006.	Y
House Vote 392: Trade within a legal framework advances the American economy. This was passage of the Oman free trade agreement, which passed 221 to 205 on July 20, 2006.	Y
House Vote 425: This tax package assembled a number of provisions designed to reduce the tax burdens of individual and business payers. The vote was 230 to 180 On July 29, 2006.	Y
This official's percentage on this voting record:		93%

Prosperity Project Voting Records: 109th Congress 1st Session House
Description	Preferred Position	This official's vote compared with the preferred position
House Vote 36: Reform of lawsuit procedures will save millions in unsubstantiated claims. Approval of this substitute provision would have exempted from federal courts those cases arising from more than one state. In effect, this would have gutted the intention of the original bill. The vote to reject was 178 to 247 on February 17, 2005.	N
House Vote 38: Passage of class action reform allowed lawsuits arising in more than one state to be heard in federal court. This effort to restore fairness, predictability and efficiency to the civil justice system was backed by employers. The vote for final passagewas 279 to 149 on February 17, 2005.	Y
House Vote 88: Adoption of the 2006 budget resolution provided needed increases for national defense and allowed $106 billion in tax cuts. The vote was 218 to 214 on March 17, 2005.	Y
House Vote 102: A bipartisan majority voted for permanent repeal of the estate tax that has stifled intergenerational capital accumulation and business ownership. The vote was 272 to 162 on April 13, 2005.	Y
House Vote 108: Consumer credit is essential for economic growth, but providers of goods and services are entitled to payment. A bipartisan coalition supported overhaul of bankruptcy practices on a vote of 302 to 126 on April 14, 2005.	Y
House Vote 121: Sensible energy regulation must encourage conservation without unrealistic regulation of consumer choices. Passage of this amendment would have set government fuel economy standards requiring miles per gallon fleet averages. The bipartisan vote to reject was 177 to 254 on April 20, 2005.	N
House Vote 122: Reliable supplies of domestic energy must permit exploration on land with known reserves. Passage of this amendment would have taken the leases in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge off the table. The vote to reject wass 200 to 231 on April 20, 2005.	N
House Vote 124: Access to domestic supplies of strategic minerals is a security as well as economic issue. Passage of this amendment would have stricken measures to improve mining of uranium. The vote to rject was 204 to 225 on April 21, 2005.	N
House Vote 129: Failure to resolve lawsuits leads to inaction in other policy areas. Passage of this amendment would have exposed makers of a gasoline additive to legal actions. Rejection of this measure helped clear the way for action on the energy bill. The vote to reject was 213 to 219 on April 21, 2005.	N
House Vote 131: An infrastructure to deliver energy supplies must be developed in harmony with environmental laws but without undue roadblocks to construction. Passage of this amendment would have placed hurdles in the siting of natural gas facilities. The vote to reject was 194 to 237 on April 21, 2005.	N
There is no sustainable economic growth without a sound energy policy. Passage of the energy bill and its production incentives strengthened market-based alternatives. A bipartisan coalition voted 249 to 183 on April 21, 2005.	Y
House Vote 149: Fiscal restraint is fundamental to unleashing the potential of the economy. Passage of the budget resolution's spending targets is the underlying premise for tax relief. The vote in favor was 214 to 211 on April 28, 2005.	Y
House Vote 192: Technology properly applied in deep water exploration can guarantee supplies of domestic energy. Passage of this amendment would have lifted a ban on natural gas production off shore. The vote was 157 to 262 on May 19, 2005.	Y
House Vote 239: Prudent and timely policies that promote free and open trade are fundamental to investment, expansion, opportunity. Passage of this measure would have pulled the U. S. out of the World Trade Organization, thereby imperiling our status as a world trading partner. The vote to rject was 86 to 338 on June 9, 2005.	N
House Vote 371: Workplace standards must protect employees and business owners from arbitrary interpretations of law by fickle courts. The bill requires courts to follow the regulations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The vote to approve was 226 to 197 on July 12, 2005.	Y
House Vote 372: Small business cannot be jeopardized by rampant lawsuit abuses regarding workplace regulations. Passage of this bill portects small business and provides for attorney fees if these employers are successful in challenging OSHA complaints. The vote was 235 to 187 on July 12, 2005.	Y
House Vote 426: Employers can achieve creative private sector solutions to rising health care costs. This bill permits small business owners to pool risk through association health plans without triggering regulations from multiple states. The vote was 263 to 165 on July 26, 2005.	Y
House Vote 443: Global competitiveness rests on expanded markets for American products while reducing costs to American consumers on imports. Jobs and a growing economy are at the root of all trade agreements backed by business interests. The House passed the Central American Free Trade Agreement on July 28, 2005 on a vote of 217-215.	Y
House Vote 449: Spending on medical costs should pay for better health care, not more lawsuits. Reform of liability laws must underscore improvements in health care delivery. Passage of this bill capped the damages courts to reward in medical malpractice cases. The vote was 230 to 194 on July 28, 2005.	Y
American transportation infrastructure is an often underlooked component in the chain of product to consumer. The wise allocation of government funds can improve operational efficiency. The highway bill passed on a vote of 412 to 8 on July 29, 2005.	Y
House Vote 506: Reconsideration of environmental restrictions that inhibit reasonable development forces a review of the endangered species act. There must be recovery plans in areas of special value, while requiring reimbursement for landowners who are unable to develop land because of species status. An overhaul of the endangered species act passed 229 to 193 on September 29, 2005.	Y
House Vote 519: Energy production and delivery capacity are dependent on refinery construction. Passage of this bill streamlined measures to bring new facilities on line within guidelines to protect the environment. The vote was 212 to 210 on October 7, 2005.	Y
House Vote 553: This bill sets criteria for the type of labels and distribution of food products that could generate lawsuits alleging the industry's role in obesity. The industry has argued that consumer choice and lifestyle adds to weight gain, not that a store sells or a manufacturer produces foods that should be used in moderation. The vote was 306 to 120 on October 19, 2005.	Y
Manufacturers and providers of services should not be held liable if purchases engage in criminal activities with otherwise legal commodities. The vote to restrict liability was 283 to 144 on October 20, 2005.	Y
House Vote 553: Efficient operation of our court system requires reform by ending the abusive practices of plaintiff lawyers who bring repetitive cases without merit. Such cases clog the courts often preventing those with rightful claims from getting a hearing while adding to the cost of doing business. The measure was passed 228 to 184 on October 27, 2005	Y
House Vote 621: Specific tax measures were part of this reconciliation package that had extenders in it for small business capital investments. Research and development along with capital gains and dividends were addressed in this bill. The vote was 234 to 197 on December 8, 2005.	Y
House Vote 657: A smooth functioning visa and employee entry system is at the heart of a prudent immigration policy. Such policies must not punish either workers or employers who follow the rules. This measure passed 247 to 170 on December 16, 2005.	Y
House Vote 661: Protection of our borders from incursions by criminals and terrorists should not obscure the need for movement of products and workers. Wrong policies hurt both security and the economy. Business was unable to make its case to a rhetoric-driven congressional majority that this hasty solution was unworkable. The vote on this immigration measure was 239 to 182 on December 16, 2005.	N
This official's percentage on this voting record:		78%

Symbol Key:
	Voted with the preferred position		Voted against the preferred position
Y	Voted YES	N	Voted NO
-	Did Not Vote	A	Absent
T	Paired Vote	Z	Presiding
P	Voted PRESENT