Raymond Green

Raymond Eugene "Gene" Green, a Democrat, has represented the Twenty-Ninth Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1992.

Bio
Congressman Green was born Insert non-formatted text here Insert non-formatted text here October 17, 1947 in Houston, Texas and graduated from the University of Houston. He was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1972. Green rose to the Texas State Senate in 1985 and to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992.

During his terms in the House of Representatives, Congressman Green has been a champion of education, labor, and health issues. He has worked hard to increase the minimum wage, job training services, access to technology, improve health care for veterans, and to reform managed care and provide affordable prescription drug benefits to seniors.

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on the Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
 * Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
 * House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
 * House Committee on Foreign Affairs
 * Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere

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

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Commerce Trade and Consumer Protection
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct

More Background Data
Congressman Green has been involved in a number of issues and projects directly affecting the 29th District. In the 1990's, he was instrumental in the revitalization of the Houston Head Start program, ensuring that this vital program was made available to all children. He has worked to secure federal funds for the expansion of the Port of Houston and Intercontinental Airport, and in 2002, passed legislation to declare the Buffalo Bayou a National Heritage area.

Additionally, the Congressman has organized many annual events in the 29th District that serve to improve lives in the community. His annual "Immunization Day" and "Citizenship Day" are two of his most successful events. In 2007, 350 legal residents were assisted with their citizenship applications and 900 elementary age children received free vaccines.

Congressional career
Green has a moderate voting record in the U.S. House.

Despite the woes that redistricting has given other Texas Democrats, Green won reelection without a Republican opponent in 2004.

2006 elections
In 2006, Democrats nominated Leslie Eric Story to face Green in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Green retained his seat.

Energy
In July 2008, Congressman Green introduced a proposal to address America’s long-term energy needs, including being less dependent on foreign oil by expanding production of domestic resources and developing America’s alternative and renewable energy sources. The “Long-term Energy Assurance and Security Enhancement Act of 2008” or “LEASE Act” includes provisions that would: allow environmentally responsible oil and gas drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico; permit states the option to develop resources closer to their shores; modernize the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve and allow release of oil onto the market; help curb energy speculation that may drive up prices; and establish a fund for alternative energy development, conservation, and public transportation programs.

Oil
Congressman Gene has voted in favor of big oil companies on 73% of important oil related bills from 2005-2007, according to Oil Change International. These bills include Iraq war funding, climate change studies, clean energy, and emissions. See below for oil money in politics.

Iraq War
Green 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

Other issues
Information on his stances about other issues can be found at www.house.gov/green/issues.

Money in politics
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Oil and Coal Money in Politics
Raymond "Gene" Green has received $78,500 in oil contributions during the 110th congress. $77,000 of those dollars were from industry PACS. In total, Green has accepted $253,913 from oil companies between 2000 and 2008, which makes him one of the top recipients of oil money in Congress. In addition to oil, Green has received $28,500 in coal contributions during the 110th congress. $28,500 of those dollars were from industry PACS. See above for oil and energy voting history.

External resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database
 * Follow the Oil Money
 * Vote Tracker
 * Follow the Coal Money
 * Appalachian Voices

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Fort Bend Democrats
 * Burnt Orange Report
 * Easter Lemming Liberal News