Thomas Latham

Thomas Latham is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was initially elected to represent Iowa's 5th district in 1994. However, after significant redistricting in 2000, he now represents the 4th district.

Iraq War
Latham 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

National security and foreign policy
On March 9, 2007, Rep. Latham introduced the National Guard and Reserve Retirement Modernization Act (H.R.1428), which "would amend title 10, United States Code, to reduce the eligibility age for receipt of non-regular military service retired pay for members of the Ready Reserve in active federal status or on active duty for significant periods."

Bio
Latham was born July 14, 1948 in Hampton, Iowa. He was educated at Iowa State University. He is co-owner with his brothers of Latham Seeds.

Congressional career
Latham was elected in 1994 as part of the wave of Republicans taking over the House for the first time since 1955. The 5th, based in western Iowa, is the most Republican district in the state.

The 2000 round of redistricting significantly altered Iowa's congressional map. Latham was placed in the new 4th District in the north-central part of the state, retaining only a small portion of his old district, with a thin extension taking in the northern tier of counties, to the Mississippi River.

While more competitive than the old 5th district, the current 4th district is difficult for challengers, in that it is at the periphery of three television markets (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo), with none at its center.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Dr. Selden Spencer, an Ames neurologist, to face Latham in his November 2006 bid for reelection. Latham retained his seat. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

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

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science
 * Subcommittee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security

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

Twitter
 Tom Latham posts on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TomLatham/

Latest posts: http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/10102032.rss|title=none| max=3| short See all the members of Congress who Twitter

External resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Bleeding Heartland
 * Diary of a political madman
 * Political Forecast
 * Blog for Iowa
 * Century of the Common Iowan