Mike Pence

Michael Pence has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Indiana's 6th District since 2001. The 6th District comprises much of eastern Indiana and includes all or portions of 19 counties. In the 111th Congress, his colleagues elected Pence to serve as the Republican Conference chair.

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

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

Illegal immigration
Pence's support for the President in the Republican version of amnesty has caused an enormous backlash in his district. Where has has previously been a "perfect conservative" Republican luminaries such has Phyllis Schlafly, Richard Viguerie and Pat Buchanan have attacked him: In the words of the online New York Times on August 29, 2005: Mr. Pence — named last year’s Man of the Year by the conservative weekly Human Events — has looked to some conservatives like this year’s Benedict Arnold. His challenger, Democrat Barry Welsh has also essentially joined Pence's right-wing critics against Pence's amnesty plan.

Notwithstanding the Republican umbrage at Pence, the district is still regarded as safe by the Times.

Earmarks
Pence has long been an advocate of earmark reform. He voted against the $139.7 billion Transportation-Treasury spending bill in June 2006, and in favor of a series of amendments proposed that same month by Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) to strip other members’ earmarks from the federal budget. Pence, however, has secured several of his own earmark projects. He earmarked $500,000 for the “Transit Acquisition and Intermodal Facility Project” in his state, as well as $250,000 for construction of a park in Portland, Indiana. Pence also secured earmarks for inclusion in a fy2007 Labor-Health and Human Services bill. This included $200,000 for both Ball State University’s Center for School Innovation in Muncie, Ind. and to the Madison County Community Health Center in Anderson Ind. In addition, he also secured $100,000 for Ivy Tech Community College in Columbus, Ind. When confronted, Pence’s spokesman confirmed the projects, stating, “Mr. Pence stands by his earmark requests,” he said. 

Background
Pence was born June 7, 1959 in Columbus, Indiana. He was educated at Hanover College and Indiana University. He was a lawyer and radio talk show host before entering the House.

Pence is the head of the conservative Republican Study Group which recently pushed, successfully, for cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and student loans.

2006 elections
Pence defeated Democrat Barry Walsh in the 2006 elections to retain his seat.

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

 * House Committee on Foreign Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Middle East and Central Asia -Ranking
 * House Committee on the Judiciary
 * Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties
 * Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property

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

 * House Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
 * Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture
 * House Committee on International Relations
 * Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
 * House Committee on the Judiciary
 * Subcommittee on Task Force on Antirust - 18
 * Subcommittee on Courts the Internet and Intellectual Property
 * Subcommittee on Crime Terrorism and Homeland Security

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Congressional Internet Caucus
 * Chair, Communications Taskforce, House Repubican Study Committee

More Background Data

 * 2006 Indiana CD 6 Candidate List from VIS

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Maureen Groppe, "Pence won't seek DeLay's post," IndyStar, January 10, 2006.

Articles

 * Stephen F. Hayes, "Who'll Let the Docs Out? Bush wants to release the Saddam files but his intelligence chief stalls," The Weekly Standard, March 20, 2006.
 * Peter Cohn, "Earmark foe collects a few for his district," Congress Daily, June 19, 2006.
 * Chris Floyd, "Behind Bush's Nuclear Gift to Terrorism," Empire Burlesque, November 4, 2006. re Nuclear weapons