Peter King

Peter T. King is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing New York's 3rd Congressional district (map) since 1993.

Iraq War
King 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

Support for Irish Republican Army
King, now chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, visited Northen Ireland to learn about the situation first hand, and has now known Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams for more than twenty years. During 1998 negotiations, King carried messages between the Irish Republican Army and the British government, many of them in private meetings. Newsday reporter Jim Mulvaney, who covered the story extensively, states, "I still believe that King's meetings in the mid 1980s were pivotal in the peace process. When King, and others, cajoled President Clinton into action, King was the one who could speak first hand of the suffering of both sides." 

King was criticized for being "soft" on terrorism.

Letters to Constituents
King is known for a very blunt attitude. In 2005 he generated controversy due to his heated replies to some letters from his constituents. He says he only responds harshly when someone writes a harsh letter to him, but many have posted written conversations with his reply letters online, and claim he is condescending at best.

A constituent wrote to ask King to censure George W. Bush and King's office wrote in reply,


 * "I understand that you recently contacted my office requesting that I vote to censure President Bush.


 * I disagree with you in every respect. You are morally, intellectually and politically wrong. President Bush is an outstanding leader of outstanding integrity. Like Ed Koch I thank God every night that he is our President. You should do the same.


 * Very truly yours, Pete T King"

In another letter, he wrote "It is very reassuring to know that I am opposed by the likes of you." 

Valerie Plame comments
In 2005, during the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame, King said the crosshairs ought to be set on the news media, which weren't tough enough on her husband, former Ambassador Joe Wilson, rather than Karl Rove. King also suggested that the media "be shot" for pursuing the story and identifying White House aide Karl Rove as the alledged leaker.

Bio
King was born April 5, 1944 in Queens, New York and graduated from St. Francis College in Brooklyn and attendd the University of Notre Dame Law School. He served in the Army National Guard from 1968 to 1973, was elected to Hempstead Town Council in 1977, and served three terms as  Nassau County comptroller from 1981 to 1993.

King is the author of three novels, "Terrible Beauty," "Deliver Us From Evil" and "Vale of Tears."

Congressional career
King was first elected to the U.S House in 1992 and has been reelected since by large margins despite being a conservative in a district that is increasingly moderate to liberal.

The Irish Echo attempted to describe King's confounding political style: "While politicians are usually lauded for their willingness to shoot from the hip, Pete King has taken his rhetorical firepower to a new level. He shoots from both, usually on full automatic. Sometimes he hits his own foot." For example, King is "a conservative Republican when it comes to most domestic issues, but ranks Bill Clinton as one of his closest political friends" and did not vote to impeach Clinton. He backed John McCain for the 2000 GOP nomination in 2000 "even after ridiculing McCain's stance on campaign finance reform." He once refered to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich as "roadkill on the highway of American politics."

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated David L. Mejias to face King in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) King retained his seat.

2008 elections
King is seeking re-election in the 2008 congressional elections.

Money in politics
cid=N00001193&cycle=2008

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism -Ex Officio
 * Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response -Ex Officio
 * Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology -Ex Officio
 * Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment -Ex Officio
 * Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight -Ex Officio
 * Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection -Ex Officio
 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity

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

 * House Committee on Homeland Security - Chair
 * House Committee on International Relations
 * Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats
 * Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation

Resources

 * Official website
 * Ray O'Hanlon Republican Royalty: Peter King's rocky road to Capitol Hill Irish Echo Profile.
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database
 * Pete King's official 2008 campaign website
 * 2008 Race Tracker page on New York’s 3rd Congressional District

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * King Watch
 * Nasty Letters
 * Simply Left Behind

Articles

 * "King Backs DeLay Over New York," Associated Press, April 21, 2005.
 * J. Jioni Palmer,"King: Leave the guy alone," Newsday, July 16, 2005.
 * Gur, "The Phattest Bubble You've Ever Seen?" Room Eight, May 12, 2006.
 * "GOP Congressman Calls for Criminal Charges Against 'NYT'," Associated Press (Editor & Publisher), June 25, 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.