James Ramstad



James M. Ramstad was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives who represented the 3rd District of Minnesota from 1991-2008. (map)

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

In early May 2007, Rep. Ramstad attended a meeting, organized by Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), between several moderate Republicans in the House and President Bush to express their concerns over the War in Iraq. The group warned 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, each of the members promised to oppose the short-term funding measure for the War that was being considered in the House.

Energy and environment policy
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Rights, liberties and courts
Ramstad supports legal abortion if a pregnancy occured from rape or incest, or if it endangers the life of a woman. He is in favor of the death penalty for federal crimes. He supports the tighter security of drugs over the boarder and drug treatments and education. Ramstad supports the ban on assault weapons and background checks on gun owners.

Economic policy
Ramstad supported making President Bush's tax cuts permanent.

Gay rights/marriage
Ramstad supported a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. 

Health policy
Ramstad supports stem cell research on existing lines of stem cells. He also supports automatic enrollment of children in federal health care programs such as CHIP and Medicaid.

Education policy
Ramstad supports federal tax incentives to help families save for college.

Social policy
Ramstad supports increased funding for child care programs and housing assistance for welfare recipients. He also supports helping the poor and increasing welfare program funds. 

Labor, immigration and retirement policy
He supports an increase in job-training, workers going on strike without having fear of losing their jobs, and an increase in the minimum wage. He also supports decreasing the number of immigrants let into the United States.

Misc. interest group ratings
In 2003-2004, Ramstad supported the interests of Bread for the World 50% of the time. In 2004, he supported the interests of the National Taxpayers Union 53%. In 2005, he supported the National Education Association 100%. In 2006, he supported Planned Parenthood 64%. 

Background
Ramstad was born May 6, 1946 in Jamestown, North Dakota. He was educated at the University of Minnesota and the George Washington University Law School.

He was a member of the Minnesota State Senate from 1981-1990 before entering the House.

2006 elections
In 2006, Democrats nominated Wendy Wilde to face Jim Ramstad in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)  Ramstad retained his seat.

Retirement
On Septmber 17, 2007 Ramstad announced his decision to retire. He said, "My passion for serving people remains as strong as ever. But after 17 years of commuting every week to Washington — 17 years of being gone all week — it’s time to be home with the people I love and mis."

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

 * House Committee on Ways and Means
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * Subcommittee on Oversight - Ranking Member

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

 * House Committee on Ways and Means
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * Subcommittee on Oversight

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Co-Chair, Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus
 * Army Caucus
 * Co-Chair, Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus
 * Executive Board, Congressional Arts Caucus
 * Congressional Boating Caucus
 * Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues
 * Congressional Fire Services Caucus
 * Co-Chair, Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus
 * Congressional Narcotics Abuse and Control Caucus
 * Congressional Vietnam-Era Veterans Caucus
 * Co-Chair, Medical Technology Caucus
 * Chair, Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Board Member, Lake County Food Bank
 * Board Member, Minnesota D.A.R.E.
 * Member, Minnesota Prayer Breakfast Committee
 * National Guard & Reserve Components Congressional Members Organization
 * Member, North Metro and Wayzata Area Chambers of Commerce
 * Board Member, Violence Against Women Coalition

Contact
DC Office: 103 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-2871 Fax: 202-225-6351 Email: mn03 AT mail.house.gov Web Email Website

District Office- Minnetonka: 1809 Plymouth Road South, Suite 300s Minnetonka, MN 55305-1977 Phone: 952-738-8200 Fax: 952-738-9362

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Minnesota Public Radio site tracking 2006 Campaign
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Inside Minnesota Politics
 * Minnesota Campaign Report
 * The Cucking Stool
 * Centrisity
 * MN Publius.com

Articles

 * Greg Sargent, "More GOP House Members Defect And Back Anti-Escalation Resolution," TPM Cafe, February 14, 2007.
 * Jonathan Weisman, "Bush losing Republicans over plan for Iraq war," Washington Post (The Seattle Times), February 15, 2007.
 * David Espo, "GOP Opposition to Bush Plan Forms," Associated Press (ABC News), February 15, 2007.