Glenn Thompson

Glenn Thompson has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 5th district of the State of Pennsylvania, since 2009.

Positions, record and controversies
During the 2008 campaign, Rep. Thompson completed the Project Vote Smart "Political Courage Test," where he expressed the following positions on a number of issues:

Abortion
Thompson said that he believes that abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered and that Medicare, Medicaid, and federal subsidies should be prohibited from being used on abortion procedures.

Spending
Thompson indicated that he would slightly increase spending for agriculture, defense, medical research, and scientific research while maintaining spending on the environment, FEMA, homeland security, both federal and state law enforcement, national parks, public health services, space exploration programs, transportation and highway infrastructure, and welfare. He would seek slight decreases in spending for the arts, education, international aid and the United Nations.

Taxes
Thompson would seek to eliminate income taxes on families making less than $12,000 as well as seek substantial decreases for those making under $100,000. He supports a repeal of the federal estate tax and believes the federal budget should be balanced every year.

Education
Thompson said he supports a voucher system to allow families to send their children to any public, private or religious school. He would seek to eliminate federal education standards such as the No Child Left Behind Act.

Employment
Thompson said he supports reduced government regulation in the private sector and the rights of workers to unionize. He would seek to increase funding for national job training programs.

Environment and Energy
Thompson said he supports the increased development of traditional energy resources and would seek oil exploration in areas currently off-limits. He would strengthen fuel efficiency standards and encourage development of alternative fuels including nuclear reactors.

Health
Thompson favored the expansion of eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts and tax credits for individuals and small business to offset the cost of insurance coverage. He would allow the importation of prescription drugs into the United States.

Immigration
Thompson said he supports returning illegal immigrants to their countries of origin before considering them for citizenship. He would support a temporary worker program but would seek harsher punishments for those who knowingly employ illegal immigrants. He supports making English the official national language.

International Policy
Thompson said he supports the United States giving aid to countries during disasters and circumstances that threaten civilian lives as well as to countries where U.S. security interests are concerned. He would eliminate U.S. aid to countries with documented human rights abuses. While Thompson does support free trade agreements, he would be willing to consider sanctions against North Korea, Iran, Venezuela and China if the circumstances warranted such action.

Iraq War
Thompson said he supports maintaining troop levels in Iraq. He supports continued military and financial support in Afghanistan.

National Security
Thompson said he opposed giving greater discretion to law enforcement agencies to monitor domestic communications to prevent future terrorist attacks and the creation of a federal identification card system. He supports holding foreign states accountable for terrorists who operate in their country and pre-emptive military strikes against countries deemed a security threat to the United States. He would support increased federal funding for states and cities for homeland security.

Social Issues
Thompson said he is against allowing same-sex couples to marry and supports a federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman. He also said he is against federal funding for research on existing embryonic stem cell lines or the creation of stem cell lines from new embryos. He also said that the federal government should end affirmative action programs.

Bio
Before entering Congress, Thompson spent 28 years as a healthcare professional in Pennsylvania. Thompson is President of the Juniata Valley Boy Scout Council, former member of the Bald Eagle Area School Board, and a past vice-chair of the Private Industry Council of the Central Corridor. Thompson graduated from Penn State and has a Masters in Education from Temple University. He lives in Howard Township with his wife Penny Ammerman Thompson.

Thompson is also the Centre County Republican Chairman.

2008 elections
In the April 22 primary, Thompson won the Republican nomination to replace Rep. John Peterson (R-Pa.), who was retiring at the end of his term. Thompson went on to defeat Democratic nominee Mark McCracken in the November 2008 general election.

Peterson endorsement
Shortly before the primary, Peterson endorsed Thompson to fill his seat. In a statement, Peterson said:

"I have met with every candidate seeking the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania's 5th Congressional District," said Congressman Peterson. "While there are many fine candidates seeking this office, there is only one candidate that has the experience, leadership qualities and is ready to serve the citizens of the 17 counties that comprise the 5th district. That candidate is Glenn "GT" Thompson. Glenn is a family man who shares the conservative values of Republicans across Pennsylvania. Glenn is a man of honor and integrity who has served his community as a volunteer firefighter/EMT for twenty-five years and as a leader with the Boy Scouts of America for thirty years. This is the type of commitment and dedication Washington D.C. desperately needs."...

"I enthusiastically ask the citizens of the fifth congressional district to join me on Tuesday, April 22 in supporting Glenn "GT" Thompson to become our next Congressman. He is clearly the best choice to continue my work on the issues that matter to us: Rural Health Care, Technical Education, Energy Independence, Keeping tolls off I-80 and bringing  jobs and stability to the region. I thank you in advance for your support of Glenn "GT" Thompson for Congress," concluded Congressman Peterson.

Money in Politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)
Thompson will be assigned committees if and when he is elected to Congress.

External resources

 * Official Thompson for Congress Web site
 * 2008 Race Tracker page on Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District