Fred Upton
Encyclopedia
Frederick Stephen Upton (born April 23, 1953) is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since 1987. He is a member of the Republican Party
and Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce
. The district, based in Kalamazoo, stretches along the Michigan-Indiana
border in the southwestern part of the state.
, Upton earned a B.A.
in Journalism from the University of Michigan
in 1975. He served on the congressional staff of U.S. Congressman David Stockman
(R-MI) from 1976 to 1980. He was in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Ronald Reagan
from 1981 to 1985, while David Stockman was OMB Director.
, he ran in the 1986 Republican primary against Stockman's successor in what was then the 4th district
, Mark D. Siljander
. Upton won the primary and was easily elected in November. He has been reelected 11 times. His district became the 6th district after reapportionment
following the 1990 census caused Michigan to lose two seats.
In 2002, Upton faced conservative state senator Dale Shugars in the Republican primary. Shugars ran well to Upton's right on several issues, especially abortion. However, Upton easily won the primary and defeated Democrat
Gary Giguere in the general election. Two years later Upton faced no primary
opponent and won the general election against Democrat Scott Elliott, an art gallery owner. In 2006, Upton had no opponent in the Republican
primary. In the general election, Upton took 61 percent of the vote, defeating his Democratic challenger Kim Clark
. Upton once again had no opponent in the Republican
primary in 2008, and defeated Democrat Don Cooney
, Libertarian
Greg Merle, and Green
Reverend Edward Pinkney in the general election. In 2010 Upton was challenged in the Republican primary by former state representative Jack Hoogendyk
. Upton won the race with 57% of the vote Hoogendyk's 43%.
Upton's website once stated: "I strongly believe that everything must be on the table as we seek to reduce carbon emissions." In April 2009, he maintained that "[c]limate change is a serious problem that necessitates serious solutions. Everything must be on the table." However, "Upton has gradually retreated from his moderate stance on climate change
and carbon emissions." In late 2010, he co-authored a Wall Street Journal editorial saying he was "not convinced" that "carbon is a problem in need of regulation," and urging Congress
to overturn EPA regulations of greenhouse gases
. He is the co-sponsor, with Ed Whitfield
, of the “Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011”.
Bulbs
Upton promoted the banning of incandescent bulbs in the U.S., in favor of compact fluorescent lamp
s.
Video Game Content Ratings
On September 29, 2006, Upton introduced the Video Game Decency Act
(H.R.6120) to the House.
Healthcare
Fred Upton wishes to repeal the 2010 health insurance reform act
stating it ignored the will of the people and thinks that a bill that important should not have been passed with such strong bipartisan opposition. Upton also believes that with the current level of debt
, the United States cannot afford the health care plan even though the CBO
reported that the reform would yield net reduction in federal deficits.
Abortion
Upton opposes abortion
in most circumstances, voting to prohibit partial-birth abortion and supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee
75 percent in 2009.
Gun control
Upton does not support the restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns in most circumstances, receiving an A- from the Gun owners of America in 2010. Yet Upton also supports some gun safety laws. From 1991-2003, Upton supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 55 percent and in 1993, Upton supported a waiting period for gun purchase to provide background checks for criminal records.
LGBT Rights
Upton believes that marriage should be defined as between one man and one woman. Upton voted to propose an amendment to the constitution regarding the definition of marriage on July 18, 2006. He received a 15% rating from the Human Rights Campaign on LGBT Rights in 2008.
Fiscal Issues
Upton is a leading moderate Republican and a member of the Tuesday Group. He is fairly conservative on fiscal issues. He is a member of several Republican groups such as the Republican Main Street Partnership
and Christine Todd Whitman
's IMP-PAC (Its My Party Too).
Daylight Saving Time
Upton, along with Edward Markey, is responsible for changing daylight saving time
by adding the provision to the Energy Policy Act of 2005
.
, was co-founder of appliance manufacturer and marketer Whirlpool Corporation, which is headquartered in Benton Harbor
. His wife’s name is Amey, and he has two children, Meg and Stephen.
Upton is a known supporter of Michigan Wolverine
athletics as well as an enthusiastic Chicago Cubs
baseball
fan and a member of the Emil Verban
Society.
Upton's niece is Kate Upton
, a model known for her appearance in the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
and also becoming the 'Rookie of the Year'.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving since 1987. He is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce
United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more than 200 years...
. The district, based in Kalamazoo, stretches along the Michigan-Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
border in the southwestern part of the state.
Early life, education, and early political career
Born in St. Joseph, MichiganSt. Joseph, Michigan
St. Joseph is a city in the US state of Michigan. It was incorporated as a village in 1834 and as a city in 1891. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,789. It lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, about east-northeast of Chicago. It is the county...
, Upton earned a B.A.
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Journalism from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 1975. He served on the congressional staff of U.S. Congressman David Stockman
David Stockman
David Alan Stockman is a former U.S. politician and businessman, serving as a Republican U.S. Representative from the state of Michigan and as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget ....
(R-MI) from 1976 to 1980. He was in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
from 1981 to 1985, while David Stockman was OMB Director.
Elections
A protege of OMB director and former congressman Dave StockmanDavid Stockman
David Alan Stockman is a former U.S. politician and businessman, serving as a Republican U.S. Representative from the state of Michigan and as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget ....
, he ran in the 1986 Republican primary against Stockman's successor in what was then the 4th district
Michigan's 4th congressional district
Michigan's 4th congressional district is a United States Congressional district that currently includes portions of Northern and Central Michigan, consisting of all of...
, Mark D. Siljander
Mark D. Siljander
Mark Deli Siljander is a former Republican U.S. Representative and deputy United Nations ambassador from the state of Michigan who was convicted of obstruction of justice and acting as an unregistered foreign agent related to his work for an Islamic charity with ties to international terrorism...
. Upton won the primary and was easily elected in November. He has been reelected 11 times. His district became the 6th district after reapportionment
United States congressional apportionment
United States congressional apportionment is the process by which seats in the United States House of Representatives are redistributed amongst the 50 states following each constitutionally mandated decennial census. Each state is apportioned a number of seats which approximately corresponds to its...
following the 1990 census caused Michigan to lose two seats.
In 2002, Upton faced conservative state senator Dale Shugars in the Republican primary. Shugars ran well to Upton's right on several issues, especially abortion. However, Upton easily won the primary and defeated Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Gary Giguere in the general election. Two years later Upton faced no primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
opponent and won the general election against Democrat Scott Elliott, an art gallery owner. In 2006, Upton had no opponent in the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
primary. In the general election, Upton took 61 percent of the vote, defeating his Democratic challenger Kim Clark
Kim Clark (candidate)
Kim Clark is creative professional active in film, television, and live performance. He is a businessman and community leader in Three Oaks, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois where he has lived for the past 15 years with his partner David Fink...
. Upton once again had no opponent in the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
primary in 2008, and defeated Democrat Don Cooney
Don Cooney
Donald F. "Don" Cooney is a six-term elected Kalamazoo City Commissioner in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. He is also a professor at Western Michigan University's School of Social Work and 2008 Democratic nominee for United States Representative of Michigan's 6th congressional district...
, Libertarian
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
Greg Merle, and Green
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
Reverend Edward Pinkney in the general election. In 2010 Upton was challenged in the Republican primary by former state representative Jack Hoogendyk
Jack Hoogendyk
Jacob "Jack" Hoogendyk is a Republican politician, a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives and 2008 Republican candidate for the U.S...
. Upton won the race with 57% of the vote Hoogendyk's 43%.
Tenure
EnvironmentUpton's website once stated: "I strongly believe that everything must be on the table as we seek to reduce carbon emissions." In April 2009, he maintained that "[c]limate change is a serious problem that necessitates serious solutions. Everything must be on the table." However, "Upton has gradually retreated from his moderate stance on climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
and carbon emissions." In late 2010, he co-authored a Wall Street Journal editorial saying he was "not convinced" that "carbon is a problem in need of regulation," and urging Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
to overturn EPA regulations of greenhouse gases
Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency
Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency, 549 U.S. 497 , is a U.S. Supreme Court case decided 5-4 in which twelve states and several cities of the United States brought suit against the United States Environmental Protection Agency to force that federal agency to regulate carbon dioxide...
. He is the co-sponsor, with Ed Whitfield
Ed Whitfield
Wayne Edward "Ed" Whitfield is the U.S. Representative of , serving since 1995. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district covers much of the western part of the state, including Hopkinsville, Paducah, Henderson and Kentucky's share of Fort Campbell.-Early life, education and...
, of the “Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011”.
Bulbs
Upton promoted the banning of incandescent bulbs in the U.S., in favor of compact fluorescent lamp
Compact fluorescent lamp
A compact fluorescent lamp , also called compact fluorescent light, energy-saving light, and compact fluorescent tube, is a fluorescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent lamp; some types fit into light fixtures formerly used for incandescent lamps...
s.
Video Game Content Ratings
On September 29, 2006, Upton introduced the Video Game Decency Act
Video Game Decency Act
The United States Video Game Decency Act of 2007 is a proposed piece of U.S. video game legislation originally introduced into the 109th Congress as by Congressman Fred Upton on 29 September 2006. The bill was reintroduced into the 110th Congress as H.R...
(H.R.6120) to the House.
Healthcare
Fred Upton wishes to repeal the 2010 health insurance reform act
Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 is a law that was enacted by the 111th United States Congress, by means of the reconciliation process, in order to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act...
stating it ignored the will of the people and thinks that a bill that important should not have been passed with such strong bipartisan opposition. Upton also believes that with the current level of debt
United States public debt
The United States public debt is the money borrowed by the federal government of the United States at any one time through the issue of securities by the Treasury and other federal government agencies...
, the United States cannot afford the health care plan even though the CBO
Congressional Budget Office
The Congressional Budget Office is a federal agency within the legislative branch of the United States government that provides economic data to Congress....
reported that the reform would yield net reduction in federal deficits.
Abortion
Upton opposes abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
in most circumstances, voting to prohibit partial-birth abortion and supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee
National Right to Life Committee
The National Right to Life Committee is the oldest and largest pro-life organization in the United States with affiliates in all 50 states and over 3,000 local chapters nationwide. The group works through legislation and education to work against abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted...
75 percent in 2009.
Gun control
Upton does not support the restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns in most circumstances, receiving an A- from the Gun owners of America in 2010. Yet Upton also supports some gun safety laws. From 1991-2003, Upton supported the interests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 55 percent and in 1993, Upton supported a waiting period for gun purchase to provide background checks for criminal records.
LGBT Rights
Upton believes that marriage should be defined as between one man and one woman. Upton voted to propose an amendment to the constitution regarding the definition of marriage on July 18, 2006. He received a 15% rating from the Human Rights Campaign on LGBT Rights in 2008.
Fiscal Issues
Upton is a leading moderate Republican and a member of the Tuesday Group. He is fairly conservative on fiscal issues. He is a member of several Republican groups such as the Republican Main Street Partnership
Republican Main Street Partnership
The Republican Main Street Partnership is a group of moderate members of the United States Republican Party. They tend away from the dominant social conservatism of many Republicans and towards a moderate fiscal conservatism and limited government to a degree. The group is the rough equivalent of...
and Christine Todd Whitman
Christine Todd Whitman
Christine Todd "Christie" Whitman is an American Republican politician and author who served as the 50th Governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001, and was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2003. She was New...
's IMP-PAC (Its My Party Too).
Daylight Saving Time
Upton, along with Edward Markey, is responsible for changing daylight saving time
Daylight saving time
Daylight saving time —also summer time in several countries including in British English and European official terminology —is the practice of temporarily advancing clocks during the summertime so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less...
by adding the provision to the Energy Policy Act of 2005
Energy Policy Act of 2005
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is a bill passed by the United States Congress on July 29, 2005, and signed into law by President George W. Bush on August 8, 2005, at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico...
.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Energy and CommerceUnited States House Committee on Energy and CommerceThe Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more than 200 years...
(Chairman)- As Chairman of the full committee, Rep. Upton may serve as an ex officio member of all subcomittees.
- Joint Select Committee on Deficit ReductionUnited States Congress Joint Select Committee on Deficit ReductionThe Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, colloquially referred to as the Supercommittee, is a joint select committee of the United States Congress, created by the Budget Control Act of 2011 on August 2, 2011...
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Automotive Caucus (Co-Vice Chair)
- Congressional Competitiveness Caucus
- Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus
- Diabetes Caucus
- India Caucus
- Indian-Americans Caucus
- International Conservation CaucusUnited States Congressional International Conservation CaucusThe U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization that was founded in September 2003 with the conviction that “the United States of America has the opportunity, the obligation and the interests to advance the conservation of natural resources for...
- Sportsmen's Caucus
Personal life
Upton's grandfather, Frederick UptonFrederick and Louis Upton
Louis Upton , Emory Upton, and venture capitalist Lowell Bassford founded the Upton Machine Company on November 11, 1911 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The firm's first products were wringer washing machines powered by primitive electric motors. Louis Upton's younger brother Frederick Upton then...
, was co-founder of appliance manufacturer and marketer Whirlpool Corporation, which is headquartered in Benton Harbor
Benton Harbor, Michigan
Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan which is located west of Kalamazoo. The population was 10,038 at the 2010 census. It is the lesser populated of the two principal cities included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a...
. His wife’s name is Amey, and he has two children, Meg and Stephen.
Upton is a known supporter of Michigan Wolverine
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
athletics as well as an enthusiastic Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
fan and a member of the Emil Verban
Emil Verban
Emil Matthew Verban was a second baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , Chicago Cubs and Boston Braves . Verban batted and threw right-handed...
Society.
Upton's niece is Kate Upton
Kate Upton
Kate Upton is an American model known for her appearance in the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, for which she was named Rookie of the Year.-Early life:...
, a model known for her appearance in the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is published annually by Sports Illustrated. It features fashion models wearing swimwear in exotic locales. According to some, the magazine is the arbiter of supermodel succession. In addition, the issue is a media nexus that in 2005 carried in advertising....
and also becoming the 'Rookie of the Year'.
External links
- U.S. Congressman Fred Upton official U.S. House site
- Fred Upton official campaign site
- Profile at SourceWatchSourceWatchSourceWatch is an internet wiki site that is a collaborative project of the liberal Center for Media and Democracy...