Ellen Tauscher

Ellen O'Kane Tauscher, a Democrat, has represented the 10th District of California in the United States House of Representatives since 1997.(map) On May 5, 2009, President Barack Obama formally announced he will nominate Tauscher as under secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

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

Nuclear weapons
In a March statement about taking the position of under secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Tauscher said, "Keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists, making sure other countries do not obtain them and, one day, I hope, ridding the world of these terrible weapons, has become my passion and, I hope, my life's work."

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

Gun control
Tauscher cosponsored H.R. 1022 (Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization Act of 2007) on March 15, 2007.

"Don't ask, don't tell" policy
On March 3, 2009, Tauscher proposed repealing the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy banning gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military by introducing the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 1283). According to The New York Times, "It’s not the first time a reversal has been sought; she has long been an advocate of similar legislation."

"I believe that this is one of the last civil rights battles we have in this country," Tauscher said at the Center for American Progress during a news conference to announced the legislation to repeal the policy. Tauscher has called for public hearings and creating an outside commission to study the issue.

Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009
During the initial consideration of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 in the House, Tauscher led a group of moderate Democrats who sought to change a provision in the bill allowing bankruptcy judges to modify the terms of debtors' mortgages on primary residences, a process often referred to as "cramdown." After a week of negotiations, the House passed a version of the bill that included stricter limits on the use of "cramdown" in bankruptcy proceedings. Shortly before the bill passed, Tauscher was quoted in the New York Times saying, "Our intention was to make sure this was available but as a last resort."

Health policy
Tauscher has supported universal health care and, in particular, covering uninsured children through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Biography
Tauscher was born November 15, 1951 in Newark, New Jersey. She was educated at Seton Hall University and was an investment banker and member of the New York Stock Exchange. After moving to California in 1989, she founded the first national research service to help parents verify the background of childcare workers.

Tauscher was active in Democratic circles as a fundraiser before challenging 10th District Congressman Bill Baker in 1996. Tauscher was able to paint Baker as too conservative for the district and won a razor-thin victory. She managed to win solid victories in 1998 and 2000 against vigorous Republican opposition, even though the 10th was widely considered the most Republican of the Bay Area districts. Redistricting after the 2000 census cut out some of the more Republican parts of the district, enabling Tauscher to win reelection in 2002 and 2004 without serious opposition.

On May 5, 2009, President Barack Obama formally announced he will nominate Tauscher as under secretary of Arms Control and International Security at the U.S. State Department. If confirmed, Tauscher will resign her seat in Congress, and a special election will be required to replace her.

Tauscher is a leading moderate Democrat. She is chairwoman of the New Democrats Coalition, vice-chairwoman of the Democratic Leadership Council and is also a member of the Blue Dog Coalition.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Darcy Linn to face Tauscher in her November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Tauscher retained her seat.

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

 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Strategic Forces - Chair
 * Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment & Infrastructure

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

 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * House Defense Review Threat Panel
 * Subcommittee on Projection Force
 * Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
 * Subcommittee on Terrorism Unconventional Threats and Capabilities
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment & Infrastructure

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Chair, House New Democrat Coalition, 2005-present
 * Co-Chair, House Iraqi Women's Caucus, 2004-present
 * Member, Blue Dog Coalition
 * Vice Chair, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
 * Chair, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Business Forum
 * Co Chair, Democratic Caucus Task Force on Campaign Finance Reform
 * National Vice Chair, Democratic Leadership Council
 * Co Chair, Department of Energy Facilities Caucus
 * Vice Chair, Future Security and Defense Capabilities Subcommittee, Defense and Security Committee, North American Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly
 * Co Chair, Intelligent Transportation Systems Caucus
 * Co Chair, New Democrat Coalition Entitlement Reform Task Force
 * Former Finance Chair, New Democrat Network
 * Co-Chair, Troop Capitol Hill: Honorary Girl Scout Caucus
 * Board of Visitors, United States Military Academy, West Point
 * Member, American Delegation, Wehrkunde Conference

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Board Member, Alumnae Resources
 * Board Member, Battered Women's Alternative
 * Board Member, Breast Cancer Fund
 * Board Member, Business Executives for National Security
 * Board Member, California Symphony
 * Honorary Board Member, Diablo Arts Council
 * Majority Council Member, Emily's List
 * Board Member, Seton Hall Board of Regents
 * Honorary Board Member, Summit Bank Foundation

Resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Articles

 * Faiz Shakir, "INTERVIEW: Tauscher Returns From Iraq, Warns Of ‘Green Zone Fog’," Think Progress, August 29, 2007.
 * Faiz Shakir, "Tauscher Warns Of Petraeus’ Conflict Of Interest In Reporting On Escalation," Think Progress, August 30, 2007.
 * Amanda Terkel, "U.S. Troops Given Misleading, Inaccurate Bios Of Democratic Lawmakers Visiting Iraq," Think Progress, August 31, 2007.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Ellen Tauscher Weekly