Jim Gerlach

Jim Gerlach has been a Repubilican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional district, since 2003.

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

Included in this article are quotes from Gerlach regarding his voting stances on past energy and environmental issues. Curiously, Gerlach voted in favor of “tax incentives for energy production and conservation” but against “tax incentives for renewable energy”: www.ontheissues.org/PA/Jim_Gerlach_Energy_+_Oil.htm.

Source: "On The Issues." http://www.ontheissues.org/PA/Jim_Gerlach_Energy_+_Oil.htm. Website last updated Jan. 26, 2010.

ARMPAC recipient
Gerlach received $30,000 in contributions from former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's political action committee ARMPAC. Following DeLay's indictment, opponent Lois Murphy and other Democrats have criticized Gerlach for not returning the contributions or donating them to charity. 

F.E.C. penalty for campaign violations
Gerlach’s campaign committee will pay a fine of $120,000 in conjunction with the Federal Election Commission (F.E.C.)'s ruling. Gerlach’s committee over-reported contributions by more than $2 million in some 2004 and 2005 reports. The FEC also said there was reason to believe the committee misreported $9,000 in refunded contributions as unitemized contributions in October 2005 and failed to itemize contributor information in its 2004 end-of-year report after receiving $9,000 from a joint fundraising committee. Gerlach’s 2006 opponent, Lois Murphy (D) filed the complaint.

Energy
Gerlach recently wrote an op-ed in the Chester County Daily Local News expressing his frustration with the cleanup of the BP Oil Spill. Gerlach states "Like most Americans, I am extremely frustrated that so much time has passed with so little evidence that executives at BP or the leaders of federal agencies have a workable plan to cap the gushing well and limit the environmental and economic damage." He includes what he's done in the legislature to help in the cleanup efforts.

Source: "More action and less bureaucracy." www.dailylocal.com/articles/2010/07/06/opinion/srv0000008734338.txt. July 6, 2010.

Healthcare
Gerlach was opposed to the medical device tax section of the healthcare overhaul earlier this year. He's concerned that the tax will affect the Pennsylvania workers in the field of biotechnology. He says "This new medical device tax did not become law without a fight. I joined three of my colleagues in the House in offering an amendment to strip the tax from the final language of the bill." While his attempt was unsuccessful, Gerlach is now "cooperating with fellow House members and have co-sponsored a separate bill, H.R. 5095, to repeal this excise tax on medical devices before it takes full effect in 2013."

Source: "Keeping Our Nation Healthy and Economy Strong". http://newsletter.pennsylvaniabio.org/2010/06/keeping-our-nation-healthy-and-economy-strong July 7, 2010.

Research
Although the following article is mostly about the financial crisis and Gerlach's opinions on financial regulation, he states that "The cost of adding additional layers of bureaucracy and imposing new regulations will leave job creators with less capital to... invest in research and development". Thus, he opposed the financial bailout overhaul.

Source: "Gerlach opposes Wall Street-backed financial regulation Band-Aid." http://gerlach.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=193260. June 30.

Gerlach has earmarked over $2 million for advancing science initiatives in the 6th district of Pennsylvania. The money is going to projects including research and development of new technologies, and construction of facilities to advance STEM curriculum and initiatives at the university level.

Source: "Gerlach Announces Funds Obtained for 6th District Projects". http://gerlach.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=81273. Dec. 21.

Science policy tracking by Molly Patterson, SEA Deepwater Horizon Intern

Bio
Gerlach was born in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania on February 25, 1955. He graduated from Dickinson College. Gerlach was elected to the Pennsylvania state house in 1990, where he served until 1995. He was elected to the Pennsylvania state senate in 1994. While in the State Senate, he helped change the state's welfare laws.

Congressional career
Gerlach was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2002, representing Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District, an unusually-shaped district designed for Gerlach to win. He defeated Dan Wofford, 51%-49%.

In 2004, Gerlach won a close re-election against Democrat Lois Murphy, who is challenging Gerlach again in 2006.

2006 elections
In 2006, Democrats nominated Lois Murphy to face Gerlach in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Gerlach once again retained his seat.

References


 * Eichel, Larry. GOP Redistricting Gamble Looks Safe. Philadelphia Inquirer. October 16, 2002. Accessed December 30, 2005.
 * CNN.com Election 2002 - State Races: Pennsylvania. Accessed December 30, 2005.

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

 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines
 * Subcommittee on Railroads
 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit

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

 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises
 * Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy Trade and Technology
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Economic Development Public Buildings &amp; Emergency Management
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * The Republican Main Street Partnership
 * Republicans For Environmental Protection.

More Background Data

 * 2006 Pennsylvania CD 6 Candidate List from VIS

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Articles

 * Jonathan Weisman and Anushka Asthana, "GOP Lawmakers Edge Away From Optimism on Iraq," Washington Post, July 20, 2006.
 * David R. Mark, "Several Northeast Republicans Distancing Themselves From Bush As Election Draws Near," JABBS Blogspot, August 24, 2006.
 * Michael Abramowitz, "GOP Candidates Claim Degrees Of Separation From President," Washington Post, September 5, 2006.
 * Aaron Blake “Gerlach to pay $120,000 for over-reported contributions” The Hill, April 11, 2007.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * The All-Spin Zone
 * Above Average Jane