Deborah Halvorson

Debbie Halvorson was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 11th district of the State of Illinois from 2009 to 2011.

Healthcare
Halvorson believes that small businesses should be able to bargain collectively for lower premiums on their employee health benefits. She supports strengthening Medicare by allowing the government to negotiate with drug companies for lower prescription drug prices, and ensuring that insurance companies hold up their end of the deal.

Iraq and National Security
Halvorson said on her website that the U.S should bring the troops home safely and securely. She believes that U.S national security will be enhanced by better securing the borders and ports and ensuring that nuclear weapons are accounted for and secure and restoring by America’s relationships with other nations. She also believes that veterans and active soliders should be provided with the health care, job opportunities, and other support.

Education
On her campaign website, Halvorson said that additional performance measures, smaller classes, more highly qualified teachers, and fully funded special education programs are needed before reauthorizing No Child Left Behind. She also vows to make college more affordable for all families. Halvorson said she would create higher standards for high school graduation requirements, better testing for elementary and middle school children, and additional funding for early childhood education.

Labor, Economy and Business
Halvorson said that U.S budget priorities must include "affordable health care, quality child care, investments in early childhood education, making college more affordable, and providing for a secure retirement." fckLRfckLR===Energy and the Environment===fckLRHalvorson says she supports higher environmental standards and utilizing clean and renewable sources of energy.&amp;amp;amp;lt;ref name="issues"/&amp;amp;amp;gt;fckLRfckLR===Taxes===fckLRHalvorson has proposed the Middle Class Tax Relief Package which includes allowing homeowners who do not itemize their tax returns to deduct their property taxes from their federal income taxes, doubling the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (DCTC) for middle class families that make up to $100,000, making the marriage penalty relief that equalizes the standard deduction for married couples and singles and extends the 15% bracket for married couples permanent, making the per-child tax credit level at $1,000 permanent and fixing the Alternative Minimum Tax. fckLRfckLR===Second Amendment===fckLRHalvorson believes that Second Amendment protects the individual right to keep and bear arms. She has also gotten three A+ ratings from the National Rifle Association. &amp;amp;amp;lt;ref name="issues"/&amp;amp;amp;gt;fckLRfckLR===Social Security===fckLRHalvorson says on her campaign website that she will support and protect our Social Security system. She opposes privatization and will not support any proposal that weakens benefits guaranteed by Social Security, means testing for Social Security or that raises the retirement age. &amp;amp;amp;lt;ref name="issues/&amp;amp;amp;gt;fckLRfckLR==Bio==fckLR===2008 elections===fckLROn February 5, 2008, Halvorson won the Democratic nomination to challenge for Rep. Jerry Weller's (R-Ill.) vacant seat by running unopposed in the Democratic primary.&amp;amp;amp;lt;ref&amp;amp;amp;gt;Chicago Sun-Times Election results

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Environment
"Lock closures to combat carp not an option (Rep. Debbie Halvorson)" Huffington Post. May 12, 2010.

In this blog written by Halvorson, she details her reasoning against lock closures to stop invasive carp species from invading the Great Lakes. Halvorson states that the CARP Act to close Great Lake locks in order to stop the invasive Asian Carp species is an unproven strategy. She explains that the act would only harm the regional economy while providing a false sense of security.

Energy
"IVCC: Halvorson meets with energy experts" MyWebTimes. March 1, 2010.

This article discusses a meeting Halvorson had with a variety of energy experts concerning the viability of certain forms of alternative energy. She discussed electrical efficiency development and power transmission issues at Illinois Valley Community College. The article details Halvorson’s interest in protecting the consumer while still embracing alternative energy sources.

"Halvorson Builds Record as a Nuclear Issues Leader in Congress"ProjectVoteSmart. July 1, 2010.

This article details Halvorson's record in the House supporting nuclear power. She advocates a long term investment for nuclear energy and recognizes its role in transitioning the United States from dependece on oil. Halvorson support low carbon energy, but also maintains her commitment to increasing jobs. The article also discusses various bills Halvorson has pushed for concerning nuclear power and stakeholders she has supported.

Climate
"Halvorson: You have to be careful with carbon emissions legislation" Pantagraph.com. May 30, 2009.

Halvorson supports the concept of a cap and trade program - however she strongly disagreed with the "one-size-fits-all" forms of the program that was put into the American Clean Energy and Security Act passed by the house during the summer of 2009. She emphasized the need to regulate the trading of carbon credits if a cap and trade sytem is created. Creating green jobs, and national security also remain large priorities for Halvorson.

Health
"Two Ill. Reps. Say Yes" NBC Chicago. March 20, 2010

Deborah Halvorson voted in support of the Affordable Health Care for America Act. She explained her decision: "After reading the legislation and listening to my constituents, I've decided to stand with my constituents to be on the side of health insurance reform." Halvorson also supported the legislation because it would reduce costs.

STEM education
Science policy tracking by Arifeen Rahman, SEA National Security Intern

Research and development (R&amp;D)

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Bio
Halvorson was born on March 1, 1958, in Illinois, and she grew up in Steeger, Ill., where she attended Bloom High School. She is married to Jim Bush, and they have four children and four grandchildren. Halvorson worked as a sales rep for the cosmetic company Mary Kay for 14 years before being elected Crete (Ill.) Township Clerk. She served in that position for three years until Illinois Senate President Emil Jones urged her to run for the State Senate. She was elected to the State Senate in 1996 and served through 2008. In 2005, she was appointed Majority Leader, the first time a woman had held that position in Illinois. During her time in the State Senate, she earned bachelor's and master's degrees in communications from Governor's State University. In 2008, she entered the race for the 11th District, a seat opened by the retirement of GOP Rep. Jerry Weller after seven terms in Congress. She defeated Republican nominee Marty Ozinga in the November general election.

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

 * House Committee on Agriculture

Related SourceWatch articles

 * 2008 U.S. congressional elections
 * 2008 U.S. congressional election dates
 * Portal:Illinois and the U.S. Congress

External resources

 * 2008 Race Tracker page on Illinois's 11th Congressional District
 * Official Debbie Halvorson campaign website

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Prairie State Blue - Statewide Illinois Progressive Politics Blog