David Price

David Eugene Price is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives representing the 4th district of North Carolina. Price was first elected in 1986, was ousted during the 104th Congress but regained his former seat the next election.

Iraq War
Price voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War. Price spoke out against the war from the beginning and has continued to call for the responsible withdrawing of troops. Price sponsored H.R. 645 "To provide for the withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from Iraq, to authorize assistance for Iraq, and for other purposes" to the 110th congress on January 1, 2007.|/bss/d110query.html Price has been very critical of the President for the mismanagement of the War in Iraq and what Price believes to be weak promises to drawdown troops in Iraq, "First, we need to hear that the President has a plan for reducing our presence in Iraq within a reasonable time frame. "As they stand up, we will stand down'' is not a strategy. It is a slogan." Price has introduced several bills supporting the withdrawel of our armed forces from Iraq. Price is passionantly opposed to the occupation of Iraq and has worked extremly hard to bring our armed forces home.

Strengthening the MEJ Act
In the first week of the 110th Congress, Price introduced an initiative to strengthen the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act. 


 * See Congresspedia page on laws covering military contractors in Iraq.

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

Price has a strong record on the environment. Price believes in strengthening both the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. He also wants to enforce stricter emissions standards on all vehicles. Price is opposed to drill for oil in now restricted areas such as "The Alaskan Wildlife Refuge," and the Outer Banks of his state, North Carolina. He has been quoted saying, "The President, Senator McCain and their Republican allies are offering false hopes when they claim that allowing drilling off the Atlantic coast will provide relief at the pump. It’s simply not true.  We cannot drill our way to energy independence or lower gas prices.""Offshore Drilling offers False Hopes of Lower Gas Prices" David Price has received a 100% interest group rating from "Environment America." "Environment America" is a liberal organization in favor of conservation of natural resources and favor further regulation of emissions standards. David Price is liberal on environmental issues and has called for strong steps to conserve resources and lower emissions.

Healthcare Reform
Price supports reforming our current health care system and providing universal health care coverage. "The current state of health care has led many Americans – myself included – to reiterate the need to institute universal coverage in some form. In the meantime, Congress has been working within the existing employer-based structure to extend and expand health coverage to more Americans." Price has represented the "American Public Health Association" interests 100% of the time. This organization supports "federal and state funding for health programs, pollution control, programs and policies related to chronic and infectious diseases, a smoke-free society, and professional education in public health." Price believes that everyone has the right to healthcare and believes that government should take an active role in developing a universal healthcare program.

Background
Price was born 17 August, 1940 in Erwin, Tennessee. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then earned divinity and doctoral degrees from Yale University. He then entered academia as a political science professor.

Congressional Career
Price first entered Congress in 1987 and has served continuously since, except for a single term (the 104th Congress) when he was ousted by  Republican Fred Heineman. Price has written a political science textbook, entitled The Congressional Experience.

Price was elected to his ninth term (fifth consecutive term) in the 2004 Congressional elections, earning 62% of the popular vote and defeating Republican Todd Batchelor.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Steven D. Acuff to face Price in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Price retained his seat.

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

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development

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

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Ranking Democrat, Democracy Assistance Commission
 * Assistant Whip, House Democratic Caucus

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Board Member, Center for the Study of the American South
 * Co-Chair, Democratic Budget Group
 * Founding Member, Democratic Leadership Council
 * Board Member, Duke University, Fuqua School of Business, Health Sector
 * Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity
 * Sunday School Teacher/Chair Board/Member, Binkley Memorial Baptist Church.

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Articles

 * Griff Witte, "New Law Could Subject Civilians to Military Trial, Washington Posst, January 15, 2007.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Swankville