John McHugh

John Michael McHugh was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing New York's 23rd Congressional district from 1993 to 2009.

Iraq War
McHugh 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

Armed services appropriations
McHugh, chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services personnel subcommittee, helped draft the 2007 Defense Authorization Bill. However, he expressed concern after realizing that he overlooked a provision in its many pages. According to The Hill, the provision overrides a federal court’s decision in a dispute between a group of National Guard members and the government over compensation for correspondence courses. In 2000, National Guard members sued because they wanted compensation for classes that the Pentagon required them to take in order to maintain or advance their rank. Despite a statutory mandate, the government did not pay for the classes. The Federal Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that the Guard members ought to be compensated for the courses. The ruling was again backed by the Federal Claims Court in January, after the government tried to have the case dismissed once again. Following McHugh's realization, he contacted Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to discuss the issue in conference. 

Bio
McHugh was born on September 29, 1948 in Watertown, New York and graduated from Utica College. McHugh was elected to the New York state senate in 1984. He successfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992 to replace Congressman David O'B Martin. McHugh hasn't faced serious competition since his election to the House.

Congressional career
He was a chief proponent of the Armed Forces ban on women serving in combat.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Robert J. Johnson to challenge McHugh in his November 2006 bid for reelection. In addition, W.L. Swarts entered the race as an independent candidate. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) McHugh retained his seat.

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

 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Military Personnel -Ranking
 * Subcommittee on Readiness
 * House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
 * Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia
 * Subcommittee on National Security and International Relations
 * House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

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

 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Personnel - Chair
 * Subcommittee on Readiness
 * House Committee on Government Reform
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Resources
 * Subcommittee on National Security Emerging Threats and International Relations
 * House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
 * Subcommittee on Intelligence Policy
 * Subcommittee on Terrorism/HUMINT Analysis and Counterintelligence
 * Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website


 * Gur, "The Phattest Bubble You've Ever Seen?", Room Eight, May 12, 2006.
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database
 * Gur, "What Part Of "You Will Pimp My Pay to $168K" Did You Not Understand?", Room Eight, June 30, 2006.
 * Congressional Wire, "Earth to Congress - Come In!", Room Eight, July 11, 2006.
 * Gur, "Why Bother?", Room Eight, July 12, 2006.

Articles

 * Roxana Tiron,"Provision irks McHugh — So, I voted for what?!", The Hill, June 22, 2006.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Simply Left Behind