Joseph Pitts

Joseph R. "Joe" Pitts has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania, representing the state's 16th Congressional district, since 1997.

Iraq War
Pitts 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

Background
Pitts was born October 10, 1939 in Lexington, Kentucky and graduated from Asbury College. Pitts served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He worked as a teacher for a short time. Pitts was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1972.

Congressional career
Pitts was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996. Pitts hasn't had serious electoral competition and he announced that he's abandoning his pledge to serve only five terms in the House of Representatives.

Positions and Views
Pitts has a conservative voting record, receiving 100% ratings from the American Conservative Union in 2005 and the Christian Coalition in 2004. 

Pitts visited Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban and Pakistan in 2002. Pitts was angered after a federal judge ordered the removal of the Ten Commandments from the Chester County courthouse, releasing a press statement that said, "I think that religion and the Ten Commandments in particular should have a role in our public life" and supported The Ten Commandments Defense Act (H.R. 2045).

2006 elections
In 2006, Democrats nominated Lois K. Herr to face Pitts in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)  Pitts retained his seat.

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

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Commerce Trade and Consumer Protection
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Health

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

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Commerce Trade and Consumer Protection
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Health

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * House Republican Policy Committee, 1981-present
 * Select Committee, Investigate SEPTA, 1979-1980
 * Air Force Caucus
 * Alzheimer's Caucus
 * Chair, Central Asia Caucus
 * Congressional Caucus on the Western Sahara
 * Chair, Electronic Warfare Working Group
 * Chair, Fatherhood Promotion Task Force
 * Helsinki Commission
 * Human Rights Caucus
 * Member, International Committee
 * Pro-Life Caucus
 * Chair, Religious Prisoners Congressional Task Force
 * Republican Study Committee
 * Co-Chair, Silk Road Caucus
 * Steel Caucus
 * Values Action Team
 * Chair, Wilberforce Group

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Member, Economic Development Advisory Council, Eastern College, 1996
 * Board Member, State Employees' Retirement System, 1993-1995
 * President, Society for Political Enquiries, 1991-1995
 * Member, Brandywine Valley Association
 * Board of Advisors, Bridges of Peace International
 * Board of Trustees, Congressional Youth Leadership Council
 * Board of Trustees, Crosslinks
 * Board of Trustees, County Corrections Gospel Mission
 * Member, Friend of Agriculture
 * Member, Graystone Society
 * Member, HOPE International
 * Member, International Health Services Board
 * Board of Reference, The Mobility Project
 * Member, National Rifle Association
 * Founding Member/Board of Advisors, Western Sahara Foundation
 * U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea - Board of directors
 * Multi-Faith Advisory Board, Council on Faith and International Affairs

Articles and Resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * The All-Spin Zone