Jo Ann Emerson

Jo Ann Emerson has been a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the Eighth Congressional District of Missouri, since 1997.

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

On April 25, 2007, Rep. Emerson voted "present" on the conference bill of the Iraq supplemental spending measure, which included a timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq. She earlier voted "no" against the original House version of the bill.

In early May 2007, Rep. Davis 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.

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

Stem Cell Research
On May 24, 2005, Emerson was one of 50 Republicans to vote in favor of overturning President Bush's ban on federal funding for stem cell research. She cast her Yea vote the day after her mother-in-law passed away from Alzheimer's Disease, one of the illnesses for which scientists believe stem cell research can create better treatments.

Support for anti-hunger programs
Rep. Emerson introduced the Feeding America's Families Act of 2007 (H.R.2129) on May 3, 2007. The Act would significantly increase funding for federal anti-hunger programs.

Food stamp challenge
On May 21, 2007, Rep. Emerson and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) issued and participated in the Congressional Food Stamp Challenge, a program which would have public officials eat on $21 a week, reflecting the average national weekly food stamp benefit.

Bio
Emerson was born September 16, 1950 in Bethesda, Maryland. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and married then-lobbyist and future congressman Bill Emerson in 1975. Bill was elected to Congress in 1980 and died of cancer on June 22, 1996.

Congressional career
Jo Ann decided to run for the House of Representatives after Bill's death, but Missouri state law prohibited her from filing to run in the Republican primary. In November, Emerson ran in two elections on the same day. She ran as an independent against Democrat Emily Firebaugh and Republican Richard Kline in the general election, and as a Republican against Firebaugh in the special election to finish the last two months of her late husband's term. She won both elections, and she has been reelected since without serious difficulty.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Veronica J. Hambacke to face Emerson in her November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Emerson retained her seat.

2008 Missouri gubernatorial election
One week after Missouri governor Matt Blunt declared that he would not seek a second term, Emerson officially announced that she would not join the Republican race for governor.

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

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Water
 * Subcommittee on Interior and Environment

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

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Agriculture Rural Development Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security

External resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Bio at U.S. Congress website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Chatter