Peter Visclosky

Peter Visclosky has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Indiana's First Congressional District since 1984. His district lies in northwest Indiana and includes all of Lake, Newton, Jasper and Benton counties as well as a major portion of Porter County.

PMA Investigation
Similarly to John Murtha, Visclosky is being investigated for his ties to PMA Group. The FBI raided the lobbying firm in November 2008, trying to uncover improper campaign contributions to members of Congress. Visclosky is one of the top three receipients of campaign contributions from the firm and its clients. Also, Visclosky helped secure more than $23 million in earmarks in 2008 for clients of PMA Group. Visclosky returned more than $18,000 in campaign contributions to the firm in March 2009. Despite the fact that Visclosky has not reported any legal fees in 2009, Visclosky's campaign wrote a letter to the Federal Election Commission asking for permission to use campaign funds for legal expenses that may arise from the FBI's investigation.

Iraq War
Visclosky voted against 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
Visclosky was born August 13, 1949, in Gary, Indiana and is serving his ninth term. He was educated at Indiana University Northwest in Gary, the University of Notre Dame and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and was a lawyer and staff member of the House of Representatives before entering the House. This is his first elected office.

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

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

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Defense
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Water -Chair
 * Subcommittee on Financial Services

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

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Defense
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies - Ranking Minority Member

Caucuses and Coalitions

 * Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus
 * Congressional Children's Working Group
 * Congressional Firefighters Caucus
 * Congressional Hellenic Caucus
 * Congressional Human Rights Caucus
 * Congressional Rural Caucus
 * Congressional Rural Health Caucus
 * Vice Chair, Congressional Steel Caucus
 * Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus
 * Congressional Urban Caucus
 * Great Lakes Task Force
 * Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition
 * Public Pension Reform Caucus
 * Smoking Task Force
 * Women's Issues Caucus

Articles and Resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database