Judy Biggert

Judith Borg Biggert has been a Republican member of the House of Representatives since 1999, representing the 13th District of Illinois.

Iraq War
Biggert has voted against the Iraq War Policy resolution; this passed anyway and expressed congress’s disapproval of Bush deploying 20,000 more troops to Iraq.  She also voted against Redeployment from Iraq Act; this passed and requires the the reduction of troops in Iraq by 5/1/2008. 

Biggert voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
Energy Storage Technology Advancement Act of 2007 October 16, 2007, Biggert worked with Republican representative Bob Inglis to sponsor research on hydrogen as an energy source under the Energy Storage Technology Advancement Act of 2007. It passed in the House Committee on Science and Technology through a voice vote. Judy was quoted saying, “Hydrogen has so much potential to not only transform how we produce and use energy, but also how we store energy.”

Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007
Biggert voted against this Act, which was passed and installed to try to make companies more environmentally conscious. 

Renewable Energy Standards
She voted against this bill that would force electric companies to use 15% renewable resources to create energy by 2020. 

Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007
Biggert also voted against this bill, which would encourage renewable energy production and research through tax incentives  For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Bio
She was born August 15, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois. She was educated at Stanford University and Northwestern University School of Law, and was a lawyer and member of the Illinois House of Representatives before entering the House. She has been a member in the U.S. House of Representatives since 11/3/1998. 

Congressional career
Biggert is the most Liberal of Illinois' U.S. Congressional Republicans. She is a member of The Wish List, The Republican Majority For Choice, Republicans For Choice, The Republican Main Street Partnership, and Republicans For Environmental Protection.

Abortion
Biggert is pro-choice on abortion. In 2007, She was given high ratings by Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-choice America, but received low ratings from the National Right to Life Committee. 

Gun control
Biggert voted for the Trigger Lock Amendment that allows guns to be sold without trigger locks.  The National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America, gave her a high rating. 

Healthcare
She voted against Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (CHIP)  However, a local paper, The Aurora Beacon News, commended her for her action on poverty. [The Aurora Beacon News, 11/1/07: Homelessness: A defining issue http://judybiggert.house.gov/NewsRoom.aspx?FormMode=Detail&ID=767]

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Joseph Shannon to face Biggert in her November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Biggert retained her seat.

Money in politics
cid=N00004762&cycle=2008

The top industry supporting Biggert is Insurance ($75,646), which is one of the largest industries in her district. 

The top industry supporting Judy Biggert is Insurance ($75,646), one of the main industries in her district. [ http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/indus.asp?CID=N00004762&cycle=2006]

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Education and Labor
 * Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
 * Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness
 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommitee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommitee on Housing and Community Opportunity, Ranking Member
 * House Committee on Science and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Energy
 * Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation

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

 * House Committee on Education and the Workforce
 * Subcommittee on Education Reform
 * Subcommittee on Workforce Protections
 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises
 * Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy Trade and Technology
 * House Committee on Science
 * Subcommittee on Energy - Chair
 * Subcommittee on Environment Technology and Standards
 * House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct

Articles and Resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Philosophe Forum
 * Prairie State Blue - Statewide Illinois Progressive Politics Blog