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Born in Middletown, Ohio, April 6, 1941; B.A., Alderson-Broaddus College, Philippi, W.Va., 1964; M.A., American University, Washington, D.C., 1975; United States Navy, 1964-1988; stock broker; member of the Virginia state senate, 1995-2001; elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Seventh and to the succeeding Congress (January 3, 2001-present).

Official NAM 108th Congress House Voting Record
Description Preferred Position This official's vote compared with the preferred position
1) Medical Liability Reform. Vote on H.R. 5, legislation to help make health coverage more affordable for millions of Americans by addressing all forms of medical liability (malpractice, plan coverage decisions, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, etc.). Approved 229-196 on March 13, 2003 (Roll No. 64). The NAM has long championed medical liability reform because of the downstream consequences for higher health care costs from unlimited damage awards, liability insurance, and defensive medicine. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
2) Budget Resolution Allowing for Tax Cuts. Vote on H.Con. Res. 95, the House FY 2004 budget resolution. Approved 215-212 on March 21, 2003 (Roll No. 82). The NAM supported the resolution, especially provisions allowing for enactment of a $726 billion, 10-year economic growth package, which would help jump start the current economic recovery and provide a sound foundation for continued economic growth. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
3) Opposing Arbitrary Fuel-Efficiency Standards. Vote on a Boehlert (R-NY)/Markey (D-MA) amendment that would have arbitrarily raised corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for all cars and light trucks, requiring all vehicles to consume 5 percent less oil in 2010 than if CAFE standards were to remain at 2004 levels. Rejected 268-162 on April 10, 2003 (Roll No. 132). The NAM opposed the amendment, as tougher standards could force automakers to develop smaller, lighter SUVs and trucks that would be less safe and more expensive than existing, popular models. NAM POSITION: No. N Voted WITH the preferred position
4) Prohibiting Oil/Gas Development in ANWR. Vote on a Markey (D-MA)/Johnson (R-CT) amendment to energy bill H.R. 6 that would have retained the current prohibition on oil/gas exploration in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Rejected 228-197 on April 10, 2003 (Roll No. 135). The NAM opposed the amendment and believes environmentally sound oil/gas exploration in ANWR is an important part of addressing our nation's energy supply needs. NAM POSITION: No. N Voted WITH the preferred position
5) Economic Growth, Tax Cuts. Vote on H.R. 2, a $550 billion package providing tax relief to investors, businesses and individuals. Key provisions expedited personal rate cuts, lowered the rates on dividend and capital-gains income, temporarily enhanced expensing provisions for small businesses, improved net operating loss carry-back policy, etc. Approved 222-203 on May 9, 2003 (Roll No. 182). The NAM supported the core components of the package. Signed into law (P.L. 108-27) on May 28, 2003. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y -
6) Class Action Reform. Vote on H.R. 1115, legislation aimed at curbing the explosion of frivolous class-action lawsuits. Approved 253-170 on June 12, 2003 (Roll No. 272). The NAM supported the bill, which would curb trial lawyer "forum shopping" by shifting most major class actions to federal courts, without altering plaintiffs' right to sue. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
7) Permanently Repealing the Death Tax. Vote on H.R. 8 (Dunn--R-WA), legislation to make repeal of the estate (death) tax permanent. Unless the death tax repeal is made permanent, the current estate tax system and estate tax rates faced by small business owners will resurface in 2011, resulting in more complexity and confusion for small businesses and increased planning costs. Approved 264-163 on June 18, 2003 (Roll No. 288). The NAM supported the bill, as large estate tax bills force the sale of many small manufacturing companies upon the owner’s death. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
8) Prohibiting Improvements To Overtime Regulations. Vote on an Obey (D-WI) amendment to the FY 2004 Labor/HHS appropriations bill. The amendment sought to prohibit funding needed to update Labor Department regulations originally crafted in 1949 related to the definition of "exempt" and "non-exempt" workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Rejected 213-210 on July 10, 2003 (Roll No. 351). The NAM opposed the amendment, believing there is a need for clarifying and revising these outdated regulations to reflect the changes in the workplace over the last half century. NAM POSITION: No. N Voted WITH the preferred position
9) U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Vote on H.R. 2739, legislation implementing the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Approved 272-155 on July 24, 2003 (Roll No. 432). NAM members supported the accord, which sets a valuable precedent for future FTAs with the developing countries of Southeast Asia, where U.S. manufactured exports face average bound tariff rates of 30 percent. Signed into law (P.L. 108-78) on Sept. 3, 2003. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
10) U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement. Vote on H.R. 2738, legislation implementing the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement. Approved 270-156 on July 24, 2003 (Roll No. 436). The NAM supported the accord, which eliminates nearly all tariffs on U.S. manufactured exports upon implementation and provides the framework for a successful Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) accord. Signed into law (P.L. 108-77) on Sept. 3, 2003. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
11) Pharmaceutical Market Access Act. Vote on H.R. 2427, a bill to authorize the importation of prescription drugs from Canada and other industrialized nations. Approved 243-186 on July 25, 2003 (Roll No. 445). The NAM opposed the bill, which would also remove the requirement that the HHS Secretary approve re-importation based on safety and cost-effectiveness, thus exposing consumers to potential harm from counterfeit, adulterated or sham medications. In addition, this legislation would tie U.S. drug prices to those in other countries, in effect importing foreign price controls. NAM POSITION: No. N Voted AGAINST the preferred position
12) Prohibiting an Inventory of U.S. Coastal Energy Sources. Vote on a Capps (D-CA) "motion to instruct conferees" on energy bill H.R. 6. Motion urged the House to reject a Senate provision that called for an oil/gas inventory and analysis of energy resources in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Approved 229-182 on Oct. 15, 2003 (Roll No. 540). The NAM supported the OCS inventory and opposed the motion to instruct, believing that Congress, the Executive Branch, states and the public must have reliable data upon which to make informed decisions, especially given the nation's serious energy supply problems. NAM POSITION: No. N Voted WITH the preferred position
13) Medicare Reform. Vote on the conference report to Medicare reform bill H.R. 1. Approved 220-215 on Nov. 22, 2003 (Roll No. 669). The NAM supported the conference agreement, which provides affordable prescription drug coverage, immediate cost savings and greater choice to Medicare beneficiaries and flexible assistance to employers who currently provide retiree health coverage. Signed into law (P.L. 108-173) on Dec. 8, 2003. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
14) Preventing Frivolous Litigation Against the Food Industry. Vote on H.R. 339, legislation that would bar lawsuits based on claims of obesity except in limited circumstances. Approved 276-139 on March 10, 2004 (Roll No. 54). The NAM supported the bill, noting that such "regulation by litigation" threatens all businesses because it is designed to circumvent the democratic process and to pursue social goals with respect to a specific industry through judicial fiat. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
15) Pension Funding -- Treasury Fix. Vote on the conference report to H.R. 3108, legislation replacing the now defunct 30-year Treasury interest rate used for pension calculations with a composite rate of high-quality, long-term corporate bond indices for two years. Approved 336-69 on April 2, 2004 (Roll No. 117). The NAM supported the legislation, noting that failure to rectify the problem could impede our nation's emerging economic recovery and threaten the retirement security of millions of American workers. Signed into law (P.L. 108-218) on April 10, 2004. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
16) Health Care: Flexible Spending Accounts. Vote on H.R. 4279, legislation that would allow employees to roll over unused flexible spending account (FSA) funds either into a Health Savings Account or back into their FSAs. (These funds currently revert back to the employer if unspent.) Approved 273-152 on May 12, 2004 (Roll No. 163). NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
17) Association Health Plans. Vote on H.R. 4281, legislation that would allow small businesses to band together through bona fide trade associations and obtain quality health care at a lower cost by taking advantage of the same economies of scale, flexibility, bargaining clout, and administrative efficiency that larger companies and unions enjoy under the ERISA law. Approved 252-162 on May 13, 2004 (Roll No. 174). NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
18) OSHA Legal Issues, Review Commission Reform. Vote on H.R. 2730, as amended, legislation providing for an independent review of citations issued by OSHA. Approved 224-204 on May 18, 2004 (Roll No. 185). The NAM supported the bill, which would help companies challenging OSHA citations by ensuring that the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission ("the Court") -- and not OSHA ("the prosecutor") -- would be the party that interprets the law and provides an independent review of OSHA citations. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
19) OSHA Legal Issues, Attorneys' Fees. Vote on H.R. 2731, a bill that would make it easier for small employers to recover attorneys' fees when they successfully defend against an OSHA citation. Approved 233-194 on May 18, 2004 (Roll No. 189). NAM POSITION: Yes Y Voted WITH the preferred position
20) FSC/ETI: American Jobs Creation Act. Vote on H.R. 4520, legislation that would address the FSC/ETI dispute and allow the U.S. to comply with our international obligations. Approved 251-178 on June 17, 2004 (Roll No. 259). The NAM supported the bill, which would reduce the corporate tax rate on domestic manufacturing income; make key international tax reforms; provide relief from the corporate alternative minimum tax; offer a temporary incentive for companies to invest foreign profits in the U.S.; seamlessly extend the R&D credit; expand expensing for small businesses; and more. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
21) United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Vote on H.R. 4579, legislation that would implement the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement into U.S. law. Approved 314-109 on July 14, 2004 (Roll No. 375). The NAM supported the legislation and the FTA, which is likely to result in $1.8 billion per year in increased U.S. manufactured exports and more U.S. jobs. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Curbing Lawsuit Abuse (H.R. 4571) Vote on H.R. 4571, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2004, which would restore disincentives for filing frivolous lawsuits under Rule 11 (the federal court rule governing frivolous lawsuits) by making sanctions mandatory, requiring prevailing parties to be awarded reasonable expenses and attorney’s fees, etc. It would also expand Rule 11 to include discovery and has a provision to limit forum shopping. Approved 229-174 on Sept. 14, 2004 (Roll No. 450). NAM POSITION: Yes. Y -
This official's percentage on this voting record: 95%
Official NAM 107th Congress House Voting Record
Description Preferred Position This official's vote compared with the preferred position
Rejecting OSHA's Ergonomics Regulation (S.J. Res. 6). Vote on S.J. Res. 6, a joint resolution of disapproving OSHA's ergonomics regulation. Approved 223-206 on March 7, 2000 (Roll No. 33), clearing the measure for the President. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Repealing the Death Tax (H.R. 8). Vote on H.R. 8, legislation phasing out estate and gift taxes over a 10-year period. Estate tax rates as high as 55 percent force the sale of many family-owned small manufacturing firms. Approved 274-154 (Roll No. 84) on April 4, 2001. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Budget Resolution (Conference Report to H.Con. Res. 83). Vote on the conference report to H.Con. Res. 83, the non-binding FY 2002 budget resolution, which includes: $1.35 trillion in tax cuts through FY 2011; and discretionary spending limits of $661.3 billion. Approved 221-207 on May 9, 2001 (Roll No. 104). NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
National Testing (Hoekstra Amendment to H.R. 1). Vote on a Hoekstra (R-MI)/Frank (D-MA) amendment that would strip annual testing provisions from education bill H.R. 1. Rejected 236-191 on May 23, 2001 (Roll No. 130). The NAM supported H.R. 1 but opposed the Hoekstra amendment, since testing is a measurable means of holding schools and educators accountable. NAM POSITION: No. N Voted WITH the preferred position
Tax Cuts (Conference Report to H.R. 1836) Vote on the conference report to H.R. 1836, legislation implementing over an 11-year period: across-the-board reductions in individual tax rates at all levels, an immediate economic stimulus plan, and an end to the death tax. Vote was 240-154 on May 26, 2001 (Roll No. 149). NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Disapproving Normal Trade with China (H.J. Res. 50) Vote on a resolution of disapproval seeking to discontinue normal trade relations (NTR) with China, triggering major tariff increases on Chinese imports and inviting retaliation against U.S. exports to China. Rejected 259-169 on July 19, 2001 (Roll No. 255). NAM POSITION: No. N Voted WITH the preferred position
Mandating Fuel Efficiency Standard Increases (Boehlert Amendment to H.R. 4) Vote on a Boehlert (R-NY) amendment to energy bill H.R. 4 that would have required significant increases in Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards for light trucks (from 20.7 to 27.5 mpg by 2007). Rejected 269-160 on August 1, 2001 (Roll No. 311). The NAM opposed the amendment, as tougher standards could force automakers to develop smaller, lighter SUVs and trucks that would be less safe and more expensive than existing, popular models. NAM POSITION: No. N Voted WITH the preferred position
ANWR Drilling Ban (Markey Amendment to H.R. 4) Vote on a Markey (D-MA) amendment to energy bill H.R. 4 that would have retained the current prohibition on oil/gas drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). H.R. 4 would limit drilling to 2,000 acres (out of nearly 20 million acres) in ANWR. Rejected 223-206 on August 1, 2001 (Roll No. 317). The NAM opposed the amendment and supports environmentally safe oil/gas exploration in ANWR. NAM POSITION: No. N Voted WITH the preferred position
Health Care (Norwood Liability Amendment to H.R. 2563) Vote on a Norwood (R-GA) substitute amendment that would place caps on non-economic damages at $1.5 million and punitive damages at $1.5 million. Approved 218-213 on August 2, 2001 (Roll No. 329). The NAM supported the amendment as a means of substantially improving the ill-advised Ganske-Dingell patients' bill of rights proposal. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Terrorism Insurance (H.R. 3210) Vote on H.R. 3210, legislation providing federal loans to cover 90 percent of terrorism-loss claims totaling more than $1 billion. Approved 227-193 on November 29, 2001 (Roll No. 464). The NAM supported the bill, as the inability of U.S. businesses to obtain insurance coverage for losses from acts of terrorism poses a serious threat to the economy. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Trade Promotion Authority (H.R. 3005) Vote on H.R. 3005, legislation renewing trade promotion (formerly fast track) authority. Approved 215-214 on December 6, 2001 (Roll No. 481). The NAM supported the legislation, which is critical in prying open foreign export markets and concluding major trade agreements. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Campaign Finance (Shays-Meehan Substitute to H.R. 2356) Vote on a Shays (R-CT)/Meehan (D-MA) substitute to campaign finance bill H.R. 2356. Substitute would ban "soft money" contributions beginning Nov. 6, 2002; prohibit issue advocacy ads within 60 days of a general election; and more. Approved 240-191 on February 13, 2002 (Roll No. 21). The NAM opposed the substitute, which undermines organizations' First Amendment rights to be involved in the political process. NAM POSITION: No. N Voted WITH the preferred position
Economic Stimulus/Unemployment Benefits (H.R. 622) Vote on House economic-stimulus amendments to a Senate-passed bill extending unemployment benefits for 13 weeks. Approved 225-199 on February 14, 2002 (Roll No. 38). The NAM supported the House amendments, which included NAM-supported incentives to generate investment and economic activity, such as corporate alternative minimum tax reforms, 30 percent bonus depreciation, accelerated individual tax-rate cuts and tax relief for lower-wage workers. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Class Action Reform (H.R. 2341) Vote on H.R. 2341, legislation aimed at curbing the explosion of frivolous class-action suits. Approved 233-190 on March 13, 2002 (Roll No. 62). The NAM supported the bill, which would shift most major class-action suits to federal courts and curb trial lawyer "forum shopping" without altering plaintiffs' rights to sue. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Pension Law Changes (Miller Substitute Amendment to H.R. 3762) Vote on the Miller (D-CA) substitute to pension bill H.R. 3762. Rejected 232-187 on April 11, 2002 (Roll No. 90). The NAM opposed the amendment, offered in the wake of the Enron collapse, which could have driven many employers from the private retirement system by significantly expanding the liability of employers who sponsor employee benefit plans. NAM POSITION: No. N Voted WITH the preferred position
Making Tax Cuts Permanent (H.R. 586) Vote on a Thomas (R-CA) motion to concur with Senate amendments to H.R. 586, permanently extending the tax cuts enacted in the 2001 Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, including death tax repeal, and tax rate cuts for individuals and some small businesses. The tax cuts are due to expire at the end of 2010. Approved 229-198 on April 18, 2002 (Roll No. 103). NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Securing a Safe, Secure Repository for Spent Nuclear Fuel (H.J. Res. 87) Vote on H.J. Res. 87, legislation approving the site at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, for the development of a repository for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Approved 306-117 on May 8, 2002 (Roll No. 133). The NAM supported the legislation, noting that after 20 years of study, the science is clear that Yucca Mountain is a safe, secure and suitable repository. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Permanently Repealing the Death Tax (H.R. 2143) Vote on H.R. 2143, legislation permanently repealing the death tax. Approved 256-171 on June 6, 2002 (Roll No. 219). The NAM supported the amendment, as estate tax rates as high as 55 percent force the sale of many small manufacturing companies upon the owner’s death. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Medicare/Prescription Drugs (H.R. 4954) Vote on H.R. 4954, legislation to expand the availability of affordable prescription drugs for seniors. Approved 221-208 on June 28, 2002 (Roll No. 282). The NAM supported the measure, which relies on some of the same means employers use to manage their drug benefits and would take steps toward making Medicare more closely resemble the private sector. The bill would add a Part D drug benefit for beneficiaries; take steps toward comprehensive Medicare reform by providing for an enhanced and unified Medicare fee for service benefit (Medicare Part E); and make additional programmatic changes to strengthen the Medicare and Medicare +Choice programs. NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Trade Promotion Authority (Conference Report to H.R. 3009) Vote on the conference report to H.R. 3009, which renews Trade Promotion Authority for five years, extends the Andean Trade Preference Act, expands the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, renews Generalized System of Preferences, and more. Approved 215-212 on July 27, 2002 (Roll No. 370). NAM POSITION: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
Medical Liability Reform (H.R. 4600). Vote on H.R. 4600, legislation advocating reforms (caps on damage awards and attorneys' fees, proportional liability, unifrom statute of limitations, etc.) to stabilize the out-of-control medical liability system while ensuring that injured patients are fairly compensated. Approved 217-203 on Sept. 26, 2002 (Roll No. 421). NAM Position: Yes. Y Voted WITH the preferred position
This official's percentage on this voting record: 100%
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