Charles Dent

Charles W. Dent has been a Republican member of the U. S. House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional district, since 2005.

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

National security and foreign policy
In early May 2007, Rep. Dent organized a meeting between several moderate Republicans in the House and President Bush to express their concerns over the War in Iraq, warning the President that his pursuit of the war in Iraq was risking the future of the Republican Party, and that he could not count on Republican support for much longer. Despite their concerns, Dent and each of the members promised to oppose the short-term funding measure for the War that was being considered in the House.

Bio
Dent was born May 24, 1960 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He earned a degree in Foreign Service and International Politics from Pennsylvania State University in 1982 and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Lehigh University in Bethlehem in 1993. He worked as a development officer for Lehigh University from 1986 to 1990. Before being elected to the United States Congress in 2004, Dent was a member of the Pennsylvania State House (132nd district) from 1991-1999 and the Pennsylvania State Senate (16th district) from 1999-2004. 

During his 2004 campaign, Dent said he would use his platform in Congress to prevent other states from shipping waste into Pennsylvania and to secure funds to build a new bridge for the American Parkway across the Lehigh River in Allentown. 

Dent, a pro-choice Republican, is also a proponent of alternative energy sources and is one of the four founding members of the House Hydrogen Fuel Cell Caucus.

2006 elections
In 2006, Democrats nominated Charles Dertinger to face Dent in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Dent retained his seat.

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

 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Economic Development Public Buildings &amp; Emergency Management
 * Subcommittee on Highways, Transit &amp; Pipelines
 * House Committee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response
 * Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment

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

 * House Committee on Government Reform
 * Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census
 * Subcommittee on National Security Emerging Threats and International Relations
 * House Committee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness Science and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Intelligence Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Economic Development Public Buildings &amp; Emergency Management

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * The Republican Main Street Partnership
 * Republicans For Environmental Protection,
 * The Republican Majority For Choice
 * Republicans For Choice

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

Environment: “Environment” Dent believes in preserving and enhancing the environment as it is beneficial to the communities in a number of ways. He also tries to protect the river in his district by continuing updates done on the river. http://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=Environment

“Dent Responds to Barton’s Comment on BP” 6/17/2010 Dent states,” I strongly support the creation of a $20 billion escrow fund to pay the costs associated with this environmental disaster that is wreaking havoc on the economy of the Gulf region and the lives of its residents.” http://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&amp;ContentRecord_id=281a16bb-a3ff-463a-8836-a2f9674169c9&amp;ContentType_id=c6ec3657-dc1e-476f-8d55-369892a8b74d&amp;Group_id=7a83093f-b0df-4c08-affb-9f5cf4ef7c2a

Energy: “Energy” Dent wants to tackle the countries energy problem from all angles. He wants to advance our traditional, alternative, and renewable energy resources. Currently he believes that taxes on coal would cost people in Pennsylvania too much money. http://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=Energy

Climate:

Technology: “Competitiveness and Technology” Dent believes that the government should support technological growth rather than burden it. He believes in the free and tax-free idea of the internet. He wants our technology to grow without any speed bumps brought on by the government. http://dent.house.gov/index.cfm?p=CompetitivenessTechnology

Innovation: “Callahan, Dent each has $1 million” 7/14/2010 "John Callahan believes in the failed policies that have brought about higher taxes and massive, unsustainable spending increases leading to more Washington control of our lives and fewer private-sector jobs," Dent said. http://articles.mcall.com/2010-07-14/news/mc-dc-callahan-dent-funding-20100714_1_republican-charlie-dent-lehigh-valley-democrat-john-callahan

Health:

Research and Development (R&amp;D):

Resources

 * Official website
 * Charlie Dent profile, NNDB
 * NRCC profile

Articles

 * Jonathan Weisman and Anushka Asthana, "GOP Lawmakers Edge Away From Optimism on Iraq," Washington Post, July 20, 2006: Dent: "To pretend the war is resolving itself nicely is no longer an option."

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * The All-Spin Zone