Jim Himes

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U.S. Representative

Jim Himes (D)

412282.jpeg

CT-04
Positions
Leadership: No leadership position
Committees: House Committee on Financial Services, House Committee on Homeland Security
(subcommittees and past assignments)
Next election: Nov. 6, 2012

Primary challenge: No

Incumbent running: Yes

2012 candidates for CT-04

Confirmed: Steve Obsitnik, Jim Himes
Possible: None so far
Out: None so far
(more info & editing for CT-04)
On the Web
Official website

Jim Himes has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 4th district of the State of Connecticut, since 2009.

Contents

Positions, record and controversies

Congressional scorecards

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Organization 2007 Scorecard
Score - Agree ratio 		2008 Scorecard
Score - Agree ratio
American Civil Liberties Union not avail. not avail.
American Conservative Union not avail. not avail.
AFSCME not avail. not avail.
Americans for Democratic Action not avail. not avail.
Club for Growth not avail. not avail.
Drum Major Institute not avail. not avail.
Family Research Council not avail. not avail.
Information Technology Industry Council not avail. not avail.
League of Conservation Voters not avail. not avail.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People not avail. not avail.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce not avail. not avail.


Economy

According to his 2008 campaign Web site, Himes proposes a plan that "will offer families up to $1,500 to defray the closing costs on a first home; $5,000 to help cover college tuition costs; and $1,000 to match voluntary contributions to a retirement savings account." Himes also "will support legislation ensuring that equal work is compensated by equal pay, regardless of the sex of the worker." He opposes the privatization of Social Security, and he supports offering incentives for middle-class workers who invest in a 401(k), IRA, or similarly qualified retirement plan.[1]

Education

Himes supports additional funding for early education programs such as Head Start, and he wants to make changes to No Left Child Behind. Those changes include reformed testing and accountability requirements and an increased in federal resources. On his campaign Web site, Himes proposes "a generous, refundable Higher Education Tax Credit equal to 50% of the first $10,000 in college costs per student – effectively $5,000 per student for most eligible families."[1]

Energy and Environment

Himes supports raising fuel efficiency standards for automobiles, and he wants to promote "green building practices." He also proposes strengthening the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act."[1]

Iraq War

According to his campaign Web site, Himes believe the United States "should begin bringing our troops home tomorrow, institute a clear timeline for their full redeployment, and complete our withdrawal as fast as logistics, safety, and tactical considerations permit."[1]

Health Care

According to his campaign Web site, Himes "will aggressively pursue health care reform that covers all Americans and reduces costs in the system by creating a basic coverage plan offered to everyone, with subsidies for those who can’t afford it otherwise, and by shifting our emphasis from disease care toward prevention and healthy living, practicing evidence-based medicine, and putting technology and administrative standardization in place to reduce staggering overhead costs." He also supports giving seniors the choice of a prescription plan administered by Medicare.[1]

Immigration

According to his campaign Web site, Himes "believes that law-abiding, hardworking, and tax-paying immigrants should be assessed a meaningful penalty for breaking our immigration laws, and should then be allowed to go to the "back of the line" for citizenship." He also supports pursuing and punishing employers of illegal immigrants, and he believes that illegal immigration can be reduced if the United States works for economic revitalization in Latin American.[1]

Abortion

According to his campaign Web site, Himes "supports a woman’s right to make reproductive choices without interference from politicians or the government ... supports reducing unplanned pregnancies through comprehensive family planning services, availability of contraception, and scientifically accurate sex education."[1]

Environment

Energy

Congressman Jim Himes puts forth his stance on the gulf coast oil spill and energy policy on his campaign web site. He emphasizes the need to determine the root causes that led to the spill and how research into clean energy is needed in order to help prevent such disasters in the future. Like others, he also emphasizes the need for America to shift its dependence on foreign oil towards clean energy sources inside the United States.[2]


Climate

Technology

Representative Jim Himes provided strong backing in favor of the Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2009, a key piece of legislation in support of net neutrality. The SNAP political activist blog reports on his work to bring high speed Internet to areas of the country that would otherwise do without. Additionally, the blog notes his support of the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act.[3]

Healthcare

Congressman Himes was announced as part of a group of congressmen who requested that Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Thomas Sullivan investigate significant rate increases by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Anthem had originally requested a 39% increase, although an increase of only 20% ended up being approved. This was enough, however, to spur concern and move congressman to request the commissioner to conduct and independent audit to ensure Anthem’s rate increase requests remains fair to consumers and that consumers rights are protected.[4]

Prior to the passing of the health care reform bill, Jim Himes was quoted on health care reform on a political activist’s blog. In his statement, Himes makes note of the need for reform, citing an example of Anthem’s request for an increase in rates. He makes clear that he supports regulation of health care insurance companies for the purpose of keeping them accountable.[5]

Innovation

Congressman Himes’ House website announced his discussions with Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer on developing a ‘green’ transportation system for Southwest Connecticut. The proposed system could help reduce oil dependence, improve efficient transportation and help the environment. Also announced was the Housing and Urban Development’s Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant, worth $100 million and awarded to help communities build jobs, become more energy efficient, and support innovation.[6]


Bio

Himes was born July 5, 1966, in Lima, Peru, where his father worked for the Ford Foundation. Himes moved to New Jersey after his parents divorced. He and his wife, Mary, have two children. Himes graduated from Harvard College and was named a Rhodes scholar. After college, he worked for Goldman Sachs and later became vice president of a community affordable housing organization.[7] [8]

2008 elections

Himes won the Democratic nomination and defeated Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) in the 2008 congressional elections. Himes is the first Democrat to represent the district since 1969. [9]

Money in politics

This section contains links to – and feeds from – money in politics databases. For specific controversies, see this article's record and controversies section.

Top Contributors to during the 2008 Election Cycle
DonorAmount (US Dollars)
Citigroup Inc$ 63,450
General Electric$ 47,500
Goldman Sachs$ 35,300
Credit Suisse Group$ 27,800
Morgan Stanley$ 20,500
Global Infrastructure Partners$ 20,000
JPMorgan Chase & Co$ 19,000
Deloitte LLP$ 17,550
Silver, Golub & Teitell$ 17,000
Yale University$ 15,500
Source: The Center for Responsive Politics' www.OpenSecrets.org site.
Note: Contributions are not from the organizations themselves, but are rather from
the organization's PAC, employees or owners. Totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.
Links to more campaign contribution information for Jim Himes
from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org site.
Fundraising profile: 2008 election cycle Career totals
Top contributors by organization/corporation: 2008 election cycle Career totals
Top contributors by industry: 2008 election cycle Career totals

Committees and affiliations

Committees

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

Affiliations

More background data

Contact

DC office
  • 119 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515
    Ph: 202-225-5541 Fax: 202-225-9629
    Webform email
District offices
  • 888 Washington Blvd, 10th Floor, Stamford, CT 06901
    Ph: 203-210-7711 Fax: (none entered)
On the Web
Campaign office

Articles and resources

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Official Jim Himes Democrat for Congress website
  2. ↑ "Cleaning Up the Gulf and Our Energy Policy Too," Himes campaign website.
  3. ↑ "SNAP Endorses Representative Jim Himes (D-CT-4)," March 26, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Himes, Conn Delegation Call for Investigation into Anthem's Exorbitant Insurance Rate Hikes," June 29, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Jim Himes: Health Care Reform," March 8, 2010
  6. ↑ "Himes Welcomed Oregon Rep. Blumenauer for Discussion on Pro-Growth Transportation Strategy for Southwest Conn,” June 28, 2010.
  7. ↑ Former Banker To Face Shays In Fall
  8. ↑ David M. Halbfinger, "‘Bullheaded’ and a Rhodes Scholar, and Now Headed to Capitol Hill," The New York Times, November 9, 2009.
  9. ↑ Connecticut 2008 General Election,"The Green Papers, August 13, 2008

External resources

External articles

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Semantic data (Edit data)

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