James Walsh



James Thomas Walsh was a Republican who represented the New York's 25th Congressional District (map) in the United States House of Representatives. Walsh's district includes Syracuse, he was first elected to the office in 1988 till his retirement in 2008.

Iraq War
Walsh 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

Background
Walsh was born June 19, 1947 in Syracuse, New York and graduated from St. Bonaventure University.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Dan Maffei to face Walsh in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Walsh retained his seat.

Retirement
In late January 2008, Walsh was preparing to announce his retirement, according to news sources. Walsh had faced a tough reelection bid in 2006, retaining his seat by a one-percent margin against challenger Dan Maffei. Maffei was again seeking the seat in 2008.

Position and Views
Walsh is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership, a group which typically takes conservative positions on fiscal matter and moderate ones on social issues. He does not, however, support embryonic stem cell research and voted against H.R. 810 which would have provided federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. 

Money in politics
cid=N00001261&cycle=2008

Committee assignments in the 110 Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Ranking Member
 * Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development

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

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services Education and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies - Chair

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, 1995-present
 * Chair, Friends of Ireland, 1995-present
 * Army Caucus
 * Congressional Automotive Caucus
 * Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus
 * Congressional Caucus on Unfunded Mandates
 * Congressional Fire Services Caucus
 * Congressional Steel Caucus
 * Minor League Baseball Caucus
 * National Guard & Reserve Components Congressional Members Organization
 * Republican Assistant Whip

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Board, Everson Museum of Art, 1996-present
 * Board, Kidney Foundation, 1995-present
 * Board, Vera House, 1995-present
 * Board, Erie Canal Museum, 1989-present
 * 9 Mile Republican Club
 * Advisory Council, Catholic Schools

Contact
DC Office: 2369 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-3225 Phone: 202-225-3701 Fax: 202-225-4042 Email: [mailto:Rep.james.walsh@mail.house.gov Rep.james.walsh@mail.house.gov] Website

District Office- Palmyra: 1180 Canandaigua Road Palmyra, NY 14522 Phone: 315-597-6138 Fax: 315-597-6631

District Office- Syracuse: 1340 Federal Building, PO Box 7306 Syracuse, NY 13261 Phone: 315-423-5657 Fax: 315-423-5669

Resources

 * Official website
 * Gur, "What Part Of "You Will Pimp My Pay to $168K" Did You Not Understand?", Room Eight, June 30, 2006.
 * Room Eight Congressional Wire, "Megabux: New York's 25th Congressional District", Room Eight, July 17, 2006.
 * Congressional Wire, "Earth to Congress - Come In!", Room Eight, July 11, 2006.
 * Gur, "Why Bother?", Room Eight, July 12, 2006.
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Simply Left Behind
 * RochesterTurning