Luis Gutierrez

Luís Vicente Gutiérrez is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing the 4th District of Illinois since 1993.

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

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

Gutierrez has been a strong supporter of increased environmental protection throughout his career, consistently supporting legislation strengthening environmental protections. |7 His support of the environment has earned him the endorsement of the Sierra Club in recent elections, and high approval ratings from pro-environment interest groups such as the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund and the League of Conservation Voters. |8

Abortion
Gutierrez has consistently taken a liberal stance on abortion issues, voting in favor of the right of women to have abortions since he took office in 1993. |1 Gutierrez has continually received 100% approval ratings from pro-choice interest groups such as Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America. Likewise, he has always received 0% approval ratings from anti-abortion groups such as the National Right to Life Committee. |2

Civil liberties
Gutierrez has been a proponent of expanded civil liberties throughout his career. One notable instance where Gutierrez voted to support civil liberties was his vote against the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. |3 Reflecting this support of civil liberties has been Gutierrez's consistent high approval ratings by the American Civil Liberties Union, an organization that supports the protection of civil liberties. |4

Education
Gutierrez has been a strong supporter of public education. He has consistently voted to expand federal support of education, especially by improving federal loans for college and making education more accessible for those with financial need. He supported the No Child Left Behind Act. Furthermore, he ahs opposed the expansion of federal education financing for for-profit educational institutions. |5 Representative Gutierrez's support of public education has been confirmed by his consistently high approval ratings by pro-public education organizations such as the National Parent Teacher Association and the National Education Association. |6

Immigration
Regarding immigration, Gutierrez has supported expanding rights for immigrants and has opposed legislation to tighten immigration regulations. |9 Not surprisingly, Gutierrez's reluctance to restrict and tighten immigration has earned him 0% approval ratings from the U.S. Border Control and high approval ratings from the liberal American Immigration Lawyers Association. |1

STRIVE immigration bill
On March 22, 2007, Gutierrez and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) introduced a comprehensive bill similar to the McCain-Kennedy proposal passed in the Senate in 2006, called the Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy (STRIVE) Act of 2007 (H.R.1645). The bill called for a more expansive “guest-worker” program, something heavily advocated by President George W. Bush.

Controversies
Gutierrez has been a steady opponent of the Iraq War. He voted against authorizing the Iraq War at its inception; he felt then and stil believes that the war is misguided and that a pre-emptive strike was unnecessary. Recently, he has opposed the increased troop levels espoused by President Bush. |11]

Bio
Gutiérrez was born December 10, 1953 in Chicago. He was educated at Northeastern Illinois University, and was a teacher (1975-77), social worker (1979-1983) with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and a member of the Chicago Board of Aldermen (1986-1992) before entering the House. He also served as an Advisor for Chicago Mayor, Harold Washington (1983-86).

Congressional career
Of Puerto Rican descent, Gutiérrez is a supporter of Puerto Rican independence, the Vieques movement, and other progressive causes. He is a member of the US Congressional Progressive Caucus.

The fourth Congressional District is one of the most strangely drawn in the county. It includes two majority Hispanic parts of Chicago on opposite sides of the city, and is only connected by a piece of Interstate 294, which is in the district while the surronding areas are not.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Ann Melichar to face Gutierrez in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Gutierrez retained his seat.

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

 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommitee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommitee on Oversight and Investigations
 * Subcommitee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology, Chair
 * House Committee on the Judiciary
 * Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims

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

 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy Trade and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations - Ranking Minority Member
 * House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * He is on the board of advisors of the Children's Scholarship Fund

Affiliations

 * Public Advisory Committee, Population Institute

Articles and Resources

 * Official website
 * BuzzFlash Interviews Congressman Luis Gutierrez
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Proviso Probe
 * Philosophe Forum
 * Prairie State Blue - Statewide Illinois Progressive Politics Blog