William Thornberry

William "Mac" Thornberry, a Republican, has represented the Thirteenth Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1994.

Positions and Views
According to his official bio "He is the founder and Co-Chair of the Defense Study Group, a bipartisan group of House Members who meet each month to discuss issues relating to America's national and homeland security."

The National Journal gave Thornberry a composite rating of 91.7 for conservative positions and 8.3 for liberal ones.

Political Courage Test
Representative William M. 'Mac' Thornberry repeatedly refused to provide any responses to citizens on the issues through the 2008 Political Courage Test when asked to do so by national leaders of the political parties, prominent members of the media, Project Vote Smart President Richard Kimball, and Project Vote Smart staff.Project Vote Smart Political Courage Test.

Iraq War
Thornberry voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Economy
Rep. Thornberry voted against a minimum wage hike at the beginning of the 110th Congress.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Background
Mac Thornberry was born July 15, 1958, at Clarendon, Texas. A rancher in the family business at Donley County, TX, from 1989-present, Thornberry was a practicing attorney with the firm of Peterson, Farris, Doores and Jones of Amarillo, TX, from 1989-1994.

He received his BA from Texas Tech University summa cum laude in 1980 and his JD from the University of Texas School of Law in 1983.

Before being elected to Congress, Thornberry served as Legislative Counsel to U.S. Rep. Tom Loeffler (R TX), 1983-85; Chief of Staff to U.S. Rep. Larry Combest (R TX), 1985-88; and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, U.S. Dept. of State, 1988-89.

Congressional Career
Thornberry was first elected to his seat in 1994, and most recently reelected in 2004.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Roger J. Waun to face Thornberry in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)  Thornberry retained his seat.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities -Ranking
 * Subcommittee on Strategic Forces

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
 * Subcommittee on Terrorism Unconventional Threats and Capabilities
 * House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
 * Subcommittee on Oversight - Chair
 * Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence
 * House Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Congressional Coalition on Adoption
 * Congressional Internet Caucus
 * Congressional Rural Caucus
 * Congressional Sportsman's Caucus
 * Rural Health Care Coalition

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Children's Rehabilitation Center
 * Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers

Articles and resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Burnt Orange Report