Ted Deutch
Encyclopedia
Theodore E. "Ted" Deutch (born May 7, 1966) is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since April 15, 2010. He is a member of the Democratic Party
. He previously served in the Florida Senate
.
, the son of Jean Deutch and the late Bernard Deutch, who earned a Purple Heart
during World War II. He graduated from the University of Michigan
, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of Consider magazine, and the University of Michigan Law School
. He received the Harry S. Truman Scholarship in 1986 while attending the University of Michigan
.
Before running for Congress, Deutch worked as a commercial development attorney with the Florida law firm of Broad and Cassel.
. Deutch received national recognition and testified before Congress for his successful efforts passing the "Protecting Florida’s Investments Act," which mandated that the retirement funds of Florida workers could not be used to support Iran
’s illicit quest for nuclear weapons or aid genocide in Darfur
. As a result of Deutch’s efforts, the bill passed the legislature unanimously, and Florida became the first state in America to recognize the potential power of Iran divestment. He has continued to be a leader on this important issue by helping other state and local governments exercise their economic power to fight Iran’s quest for nuclear weapons.
In 2009, Deutch authored the "Protecting Florida’s Health Act," a public health initiative with the goal of reducing youth smoking
through an increased surcharge on tobacco products. The legislation funded up to $1 billion health care programs in Florida, including $50 million per year in dedicated cancer research funding. The legislation earned him national recognition as winner of the National Distinguished Advocacy Award given by the American Cancer Society
.
In the Senate, Deutch has also passed legislation which attempted to improve health care for seniors, promote public education, and protect children and the environment. In addition, he helped to secure a new senior center in Palm Beach County and provided new services for Holocaust survivors.
As a member of the National Young Leadership Cabinet of United Jewish Communities, Deutch organized over 2,500 people to march on Capitol Hill in Washington, with the intent of pressuring Congress on a slate of issues affecting children and the elderly. At the end of his tenure in the Senate, Deutch was serving as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and the Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means.
In late 2009, Deutch declared himself a candidate in a special election to fill the 19th congressional district
seat formerly held by Robert Wexler
, who left Congress to lead the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation. He won the Democratic primary with 85% of the vote, and on April 13, 2010, won the special election
, defeating Republican Edward J. Lynch
.
Deutch's district is located on the east coast of Florida
. It includes parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties, and the city of Coral Springs
. The district trends Democratic, giving 65% of its votes to President Barack Obama
in 2008.
General
Deutch was challenged by Republican nominee Joe Budd and write-in candidate Stan Smilan. He won the election.
In 2011, Deutch was one of several politicians who introduced the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act
(SOPA), a bill that would permit copyright holders to effectively shut down websites that they believed to be directly or indirectly contributing to copyright infringement. To achieve this, the copyright holder would need to request and obtain a court order from the U.S. Department of Justice by making a statement of good-faith belief that the copyright was being violated.
On November 19, 2011, Rep. Deutsch introduced a resolution proposing "an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to expressly exclude for-profit corporations from the rights given to natual persons by the Constitution of the United States, prohibit corporate spending in all elections, and affirm the authority of Congress and the States to regulate corporations and to regulate and set limits on all election contributions and expenditures."
"Article--
"Section 1. The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons and do not extend to for-profit corporations, limited liability companies, or other private entities established for business purposes or to promote business interests under the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state.
"Section 2. Such corporate and other private entities established under law are subject to regulation by the people through the legislative process so long as such regulations are consistent with the powers of Congress and the States and do not limit freedom of the press.
"Section 3. Such corporate and other private entities shall be prohibited from making contributions or expenditures in any election of any candidate for public office or the vote upon any ballot measure submitted to the people.
"Section 4. Congress and the States shall have the power to regulate and set limits on all election contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own spending, and to authorize the establishment of political committees to receive, spend, and publicly disclose the sources of those contributions and expenditures."
"Rep. Deutch’s amendment is a blend of" ideas from "Move to Amend, Free Speech for People, Public Citizen, People For the American Way, Common Cause, and the Center for Media and Democracy."
on April 15, 2010. He retained several top staffers from Robert Wexler, including the former Congressman's deputy chief of staff.
with his wife of 19 years, Jill, and their three children.
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 April 15, 2010. He is a member of the Democratic Party
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...
. He previously served in the Florida Senate
Florida Senate
The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Senate is composed of 40 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 470,032....
.
Early life, education, and law career
Deutch was born in Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaBethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem is a city in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie,...
, the son of Jean Deutch and the late Bernard Deutch, who earned a Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
during World War II. He graduated 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...
, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of Consider magazine, and the University of Michigan Law School
University of Michigan Law School
The University of Michigan Law School is the law school of the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Founded in 1859, the school has an enrollment of about 1,200 students, most of whom are seeking Juris Doctor or Master of Laws degrees, although the school also offers a Doctor of Juridical...
. He received the Harry S. Truman Scholarship in 1986 while attending 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...
.
Before running for Congress, Deutch worked as a commercial development attorney with the Florida law firm of Broad and Cassel.
Florida Senate
While in his first term in office and as a member of the minority, Deutch passed two landmark legislative initiatives in the Florida LegislatureFlorida Legislature
The Florida State Legislature is the term often used to refer to the two houses that act as the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Florida Constitution states that "The legislative power of the state shall be vested in a legislature of the State of Florida," composed of a Senate...
. Deutch received national recognition and testified before Congress for his successful efforts passing the "Protecting Florida’s Investments Act," which mandated that the retirement funds of Florida workers could not be used to support Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
’s illicit quest for nuclear weapons or aid genocide in Darfur
Darfur
Darfur is a region in western Sudan. An independent sultanate for several hundred years, it was incorporated into Sudan by Anglo-Egyptian forces in 1916. The region is divided into three federal states: West Darfur, South Darfur, and North Darfur...
. As a result of Deutch’s efforts, the bill passed the legislature unanimously, and Florida became the first state in America to recognize the potential power of Iran divestment. He has continued to be a leader on this important issue by helping other state and local governments exercise their economic power to fight Iran’s quest for nuclear weapons.
In 2009, Deutch authored the "Protecting Florida’s Health Act," a public health initiative with the goal of reducing youth smoking
Youth Smoking
Youth smoking is an issue that affects countries worldwide. While not every culture views youth smoking as an issue that needs to be addressed, the U.S. has taken drastic measure in an attempt to reduce and eventually eliminate use of tobacco products among teens...
through an increased surcharge on tobacco products. The legislation funded up to $1 billion health care programs in Florida, including $50 million per year in dedicated cancer research funding. The legislation earned him national recognition as winner of the National Distinguished Advocacy Award given by the American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
.
In the Senate, Deutch has also passed legislation which attempted to improve health care for seniors, promote public education, and protect children and the environment. In addition, he helped to secure a new senior center in Palm Beach County and provided new services for Holocaust survivors.
As a member of the National Young Leadership Cabinet of United Jewish Communities, Deutch organized over 2,500 people to march on Capitol Hill in Washington, with the intent of pressuring Congress on a slate of issues affecting children and the elderly. At the end of his tenure in the Senate, Deutch was serving as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and the Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means.
2010 elections
SpecialIn late 2009, Deutch declared himself a candidate in a special election to fill the 19th congressional district
Florida's 19th congressional district
Florida's 19th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Florida. Based in South Florida, the district includes parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties including the cities of Coral Springs, Margate, and Greenacres....
seat formerly held by Robert Wexler
Robert Wexler
Robert Wexler is the president of the Washington-based S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace.Wexler was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing , from 1997 until his resignation on January 3, 2010.-Early life:Wexler was born in Queens, New York to Sonny and...
, who left Congress to lead the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation. He won the Democratic primary with 85% of the vote, and on April 13, 2010, won the special election
Florida's 19th congressional district special election, 2010
The 2010 special election for Florida's 19th congressional district took place on April 13, 2010, to fill the vacancy caused by Representative Robert Wexler's resignation, effective the evening of January 3, 2010, from the United States House of Representatives...
, defeating Republican Edward J. Lynch
Edward J. Lynch
Edward J. "Ed" Lynch, Sr. is an American politician and two-time Republican Party candidate for the United States House of Representatives from Florida's 19th congressional district....
.
Deutch's district is located on the east coast of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It includes parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties, and the city of Coral Springs
Coral Springs, Florida
Coral Springs, officially chartered July 10, 1963, is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States, approximately northwest of Fort Lauderdale. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a population of 121,096...
. The district trends Democratic, giving 65% of its votes to President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
in 2008.
General
Deutch was challenged by Republican nominee Joe Budd and write-in candidate Stan Smilan. He won the election.
In 2011, Deutch was one of several politicians who introduced the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act
Stop Online Piracy Act
The Stop Online Piracy Act , also known as H.R.3261, is a bill that was introduced to the United States House of Representatives on October 26, 2011, by Representative Lamar Smith and a bipartisan group of 12 initial co-sponsors. The bill expands the ability of U.S...
(SOPA), a bill that would permit copyright holders to effectively shut down websites that they believed to be directly or indirectly contributing to copyright infringement. To achieve this, the copyright holder would need to request and obtain a court order from the U.S. Department of Justice by making a statement of good-faith belief that the copyright was being violated.
On November 19, 2011, Rep. Deutsch introduced a resolution proposing "an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to expressly exclude for-profit corporations from the rights given to natual persons by the Constitution of the United States, prohibit corporate spending in all elections, and affirm the authority of Congress and the States to regulate corporations and to regulate and set limits on all election contributions and expenditures."
"Article--
"Section 1. The rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons and do not extend to for-profit corporations, limited liability companies, or other private entities established for business purposes or to promote business interests under the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state.
"Section 2. Such corporate and other private entities established under law are subject to regulation by the people through the legislative process so long as such regulations are consistent with the powers of Congress and the States and do not limit freedom of the press.
"Section 3. Such corporate and other private entities shall be prohibited from making contributions or expenditures in any election of any candidate for public office or the vote upon any ballot measure submitted to the people.
"Section 4. Congress and the States shall have the power to regulate and set limits on all election contributions and expenditures, including a candidate's own spending, and to authorize the establishment of political committees to receive, spend, and publicly disclose the sources of those contributions and expenditures."
"Rep. Deutch’s amendment is a blend of" ideas from "Move to Amend, Free Speech for People, Public Citizen, People For the American Way, Common Cause, and the Center for Media and Democracy."
Tenure
Deutch was sworn in as a member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited 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...
on April 15, 2010. He retained several top staffers from Robert Wexler, including the former Congressman's deputy chief of staff.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia
- Subcommittee on the Middle East and South AsiaUnited States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South AsiaThe U.S. House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia is a subcommittee within the House Foreign Affairs Committee.-Jurisdiction:The subcommittee is one of five with what the committees calls "regional jurisdiction" over a specific area of the globe...
- Committee on the JudiciaryUnited States House Committee on the JudiciaryThe U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, also called the House Judiciary Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is charged with overseeing the administration of justice within the federal courts, administrative agencies and Federal law enforcement...
- Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the InternetUnited States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the InternetThe House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet is a subcommittee within the House Judiciary Committee. It was established in 2011.-Jurisdiction:...
- Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland SecurityUnited States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland SecurityThe House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security is a subcommittee within the House Judiciary Committee.-Jurisdiction:From the House Rules:...
- Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet
Personal life
He lives in Boca Raton, FloridaBoca Raton, Florida
Boca Raton is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA, incorporated in May 1925. In the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 74,764; the 2006 population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 86,396. However, the majority of the people under the postal address of Boca Raton, about...
with his wife of 19 years, Jill, and their three children.
External links
- U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch official U.S. House site
- Ted Deutch for Congress official campaign site