Paul Kanjorski

Paul E. Kanjorski has been a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional district, since 1985. The district includes Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and most of the Poconos.

Iraq War
Kanjorski voted for 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

Heart bypass surgery
On March 19, 2007, Kanjorski underwent heart bypass surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. His office announced that the surgery was to operate on three blood vessels surrounding his heart, and not caused by a heart attack.

Bio
Kanjorski was born April 7, 1937 in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. He was educated at Temple University and the Dickinson School of Law. He also served in the United States Army. Before his election to Congress, Kanjorski was a trial attorney in Northeastern Pennsylvania. During that time, he served as a worker's compensation administrative law judge and served as solicitor to several communities.

Congressional career
Kanjorski ran four times for Congress in the early 1980s. On the fourth try, in 1984, he was finally elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Kanjorkski has had a mixed voting record - liberal on economics and moderate on social issues. Kanjorski usually plays behind-the-scenes roles in the advocacy or defeat of legislation and steers appropriations money toward improving the infrastructure and economic needs of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

2006 elections
In 2006, Republicans nominated Joseph F. Leonardi to face Kanjorski in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Kanjorski retained his seat.

Money in politics
cid=N00001509&amp;cycle=2008

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises -Chair
 * Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
 * Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement
 * Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives
 * House Committee on Science and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Energy

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

 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy Trade and Technology
 * House Committee on Government Reform
 * Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census
 * Subcommittee on Government Management Finance and Accountability

Campaign Contact Information
Official Kanjorski for Congress Web site

Pennsylvanians For Kanjorski 126 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

Telephone: (570) 825-6070

[mailto:vote@kanjorski.org vote@kanjorski.org]

Articles and Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database
 * "Kanjorski has surgery" Roll Call

Science policy tracking by Nirav Patel, SEA (Climate Policy) Intern

Environment: “Water Resources” Kanjorski has helped get projects on their way in regard to flooding and coal mining areas. He has lead projects to reduce flooding in Wyoming, and has gotten funding for mine area cleaning in Pennsylvania. http://kanjorski.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=35&amp;Itemid=90

“League of Conservation Voters Gives Pennsylvania Democrat 92% for His 2008 Votes” 10/31/08 In 2008, the League of Conservation Voters gave Kanjorski high marks for how he voted on environmental issues in that year. This League is highly known and respected in the country and it was a great honor for him. Also, in that year he voted pro environment ninety-two percent of the time. http://kanjorski.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=1359&amp;Itemid=30

Energy: “Pocono Record Editorial: House correct to pass clean energy bill” 6/30/09 Last year, Kanjorski help the American Clean Energy and Security Act to get passed in congress. It just got enough votes to get activated. This was a huge move because for the first time is considers reducing carbon emission by a certain percentage. Kanjorski said in a statement, "but ... refusing to act was not an option. We need to begin the process of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, creating clean energy jobs in America, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil." http://kanjorski.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=1570&amp;Itemid=1

Climate:

Technology:

Innovation:

Health: “Kanjorski Requests Confirmation from Sebelius and Ario that Health Care Law Will Not Cover Abortions” 7/14/2010 Kanjorski sent letters to the department of Health and Human Services to make sure that Affordable Care Act is confirmed. This is a reform law that doesn’t allow the government to fund abortion. Kanjorski is not a supporter of abortion in his district. http://kanjorski.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=1803&amp;Itemid=1

Research and Development (R&amp;D): “Fiscal Year 2011 Appropriations and Project Requests” (Research and Development) Kanjorski recently asked for funding for a number of research projects. He ask for funding for NASA research, cyber crime research, judicial system research/improvements, and research that will keep the U.S. leading in science and military research. http://kanjorski.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=1720&amp;Itemid=129

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Gort 42
 * The All-Spin Zone