Daniel Lungren

Daniel Edward Lungren, a Republican, has represented the 3rd Congressional District of California in the U.S. House of Representativessince 2005.

State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
In 2007, Congress took up the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides health care for about 6 million children and 670,000 adults from families who earn too much money qualify for Medicare but not enough to afford health insurance. Congressional Democrats and many Republicans tried to use the opportunity to dramatically expand the program but were opposed by President George W. Bush and other Republicans. In 2006, 5.4 million children were eligible but not enrolled in SCHIP or Medicaid and 9.4 million total children were uninsured.

Representative Dan Lungren voted against the first House bill, which passed along party lines. It would have added $47 billion over five years to the $25 billion cost of the program and added about 5 million people to the program, including children, some legal immigrants, pregnant women and adults aged 18 and 19. The bill was financed mainly by an increase in cigarette taxes.

House Democrats, with 45 Republicans, later compromised and passed a bill which expanded the plan by $35 billion and would have insured about 3.5 million more children from families generally making between 250% and 300% of the federal poverty line (about $51,000 to $62,000 for a family of four). Most non-pregnant, childless adults were excluded, as were most legal immigrants and all illegal immigrants. Lungren voted against the bill.

After President Bush vetoed the bill, Democratic leaders attempted to override the veto with the same bill but failed. Lungren voted against the bill.

House Democrats then attempted to override it with another bill, which gave into Republican demands for increased checks for citizenship, the quick phasing-out of adult coverage, a hard limit of 300% of the federal poverty level and funding for families that covered their children through private insurance instead. Republicans, angry that the vote was scheduled during massive fires in California, blocked the veto override. Lungren voted against the bill. For details on the bills and the debate, see the main State Children's Health Insurance Program page.

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

Reparations for Japanese Latin Americans
Lungren cosponsored The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act in the 110th Congress which would establish a commission that would determine the facts and circumstances involving the relocation, internment and deportation of Japanese Latin Americans.

Biography
Lungren was born September 22, 1946 in Long Beach, California. He earned a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1968. After graduating, he returned to California to chair "Youth for Nixon." He began law school at the University of Southern California but transferred to Georgetown University Law Center where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1971.

From 1979-1989, Lungren served in the U.S. House representing California's 34th Congressional District. He left when California Governor George Deukmejian appointed him acting state Treasurer, but was Lungren was never confirmed.. In 1990 he was elected California attorney general and served from 1991-1999. In 1998, Lungren ran as the Republican candidate for Governor of California, but was defeated by Lieutenant Governor Gray Davis.

Lungren said his desire to serve in Congress was rekindled by the September 11, 2001 attacks. Lungren re-entered the House in 2005.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Bill Durston, and the Libertarian Party nominated Douglas Tuma to face Lungren in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Lungren retained his seat.

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

 * House Committee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection
 * House Committee on the Judiciary
 * Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims
 * House Committee on Budget
 * House Committee on House Administration

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

 * House Committee on Budget
 * House Committee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Economic Security Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity - Chair
 * Subcommittee on Intelligence Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment
 * Subcommittee on Investigations
 * Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack
 * House Committee on the Judiciary
 * Subcommittee on Task Force on Antirust
 * Subcommittee on Crime Terrorism and Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Immigration Border Security and Claims

Articles and resources

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

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Dump Doolittle
 * Tiger Beat: Music, Culture, and Politics