Brian Higgins

Brian Higgins, a Democrat, has represented the 27th Congressional District of New York in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2005.

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

Bio
Higgins was born October 6, 1959 in Buffalo, New York. He received his undergraduate and graduate education at Buffalo State College, studying political science and history. In 1995, he was awarded the inaugural Western New York Harvard Graduate fellowship, and one year later earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. Prior to being elected to Congress, Higgins served served three two-year terms as the South District Councilman on the Buffalo Common Council from 1988-1994. In 1993, during his final year on the Council, Brian was rated "Buffalo's Best Lawmaker" in a 1993 Buffalo News Survey of Western New York business and community leaders. After that, Brian served on the 145th Assemblyman in the New York Assembly from 1999-2004. 

Congressional career
His biggest accomplishment since being elected to Congress is securing $279 million over 50 years for Erie County's various governments and agencies from New York Power Authority as part of the Niagara Falls Relicensing Agreement.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Michael J. McHale to face Higgins in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Higgins retained his seat.

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

 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
 * Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
 * House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
 * Subcommittee on Domestic Policy
 * Subcommittee on National Security and International Relations

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

 * House Committee on Government Reform
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Resources
 * Subcommittee on National Security Emerging Threats and International Relations
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
 * Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Articles and Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database
 * Gur, "The Phattest Bubble You've Ever Seen?", Room Eight, May 12, 2006.
 * 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.
 * Congress Wire, "How People's Ears Get Marked", Room Eight, August 17, 2006.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Simply Left Behind
 * Buffalo Geek