Jim Matheson

James David Matheson, a Democrat, has represented the Second Congressional District of Utah in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2001.

Abortion and Stem Cell Research
Matheson has voted to ban partial birth abortion unless the mothers life is in danger, to stop funding to doctors who don't tell their patients the pain caused to the fetus, and voted to make it a crime to harm a fetus while committing another crime. He has been rated at 30% by the NARAL showing a pro-life record, and 55% by the NRLC showing a mixed record on abortion.

However on stem cell research Matheson has voted to allow stem cell research as well as expand it. However he has also voted to forbid human cloning and reproduction for medical purposes.

Iraq War
Matheson 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

Oil Record
Jim Matheson has voted in favor of big oil companies on 60% of important oil-related bills from 2005-2007, according to Oil Change International. These bills include Iraq war funding, climate change studies, clean energy, and emissions. See below for oil money in politics.

Jobs and Unions
Matheson believes that "the federal government cannot and should not run the economy" however supports helping homeowners under foreclosure, and providing tax rebates. In the long run he wants to lower government spending, lower the national debt, and create new jobs.

As far as his voting record goes he has repeatedly voted to help unions, and is rated at 73% by the AFL-CIO, which indicates a pro-union record. He has also voted to end off-shore tax havens, to increase the minimum wage to $7.25, and voted to give money to support farmers.

Gun Control
Matheson fully supports firearm rights, and has voted repeatedly to protect gun manufacturers. These include banning product misuse lawsuits for manufacturers, makers and sellers. In addition he voted to ban the registration and trigger lock law in DC. Matheson is given a B+ rating by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun record.

DC voting rights bill
In early 2007, when the District of Columbia Fair and Equal Voting Rights Act of 2007 (H.R. 328), a bill to give the District of Columbia a voting seat in the House, was introduced, it included a compromise provision to give Utah an additional congressional seat as well. By incorporating an additional seat for Utah, a reliably Republican state, as well as an additional electoral vote for the state in the 2008 presidential election, the bill was considered to have a much greater chance of attaining bipartisan support. The provision noting that Utah's new seat would be an at-large one was also seen as a compromise. If it had been added as a typical seat, the Utah state legislature would have immediately redrawn the state's district boundaries to accommodate it. Democrats, however, were likely to oppose this because the state could gerrymander the state in a way which made it difficult for Rep. Matheson, the Utah's lone Democratic representative, to keep his seat. With an at-large seat, the state would have no need to redraw its districts.

Bio
Matheson was born March 21, 1960 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended Harvard University (BA) and the University of California, Los Angeles (MBA). As a Democrat, he is a rarity in Utah politics. He is more conservative than most Democrats and was elected from a district where George W. Bush won 77% of the vote in 2004. Matheson faces stiff challenges from Republicans every election cycle.

2006 elections
In 2006, Republicans nominated Lavar Christensen to face Matheson in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Matheson retained his seat.

Money in politics
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Oil and Coal Money in Politics
Jim Matheson has received $99,097 in oil contributions during the 110th congress. $82,500 of those dollars were from industry PACS. In total, Matheson has accepted $194,247 from oil companies between 2000 and 2008. In addition to oil money, Jim Matheson has received $27,500 in coal contributions during the 110th congress. $27,500 of those dollars were from industry PACS. See above for oil and energy voting record.

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * House Committee on Science and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation

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

 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises
 * House Committee on Science
 * Subcommittee on Energy
 * Subcommittee on Environment Technology and Standards
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines

External resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database
 * Follow the Oil Money
 * Vote Tracker
 * Follow the Coal Money
 * Appalachian Voices

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * One Utah
 * The World, According to Me
 * NewWest.net -- A Refreshing, new kind of journalism.