Larry Bucshon

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U.S. Representative

Larry Bucshon (R)

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IN-08
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Leadership: No leadership position
Committees:
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Next election: Nov. 6, 2012

Primary challenge: No

Incumbent running: Yes

2012 candidates for IN-08

Confirmed: Dave Crooks, Larry Bucshon
Possible: None so far
Out: None so far
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On the Web
Official website

Larry Bucshon is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the eighth district of the State of Indiana, since 2011. Bucshon is a heart surgeon, and prior to his election to Congress he was president of a cardiology and cardiovascular surgery practice in the Ohio Valley.

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

As a candidate, Bucshon questioned the efficacy of the 2009 stimulus bill, saying the unemployment rate had risen since the legislation was passed. He called the legislation an "abject failure" that has 'thrown away a bunch of money." He acknowledged that there were many individuals who had benefited from the stimulus, but proposed a freeze on any stimulus funds that have not yet been paid out.[1]

Bucshon's campaign released an economic plan that called for a permanent extension of the Bush tax credits, a permanent repeal of the estate tax, and immediate reductions in tax rates for small business and individuals. The plan also called for an end to government bailouts, balanced federal budgets, cuts to discretionary spending and a reduction of the national debt. [2] In addition, he stated during a campaign debate that military spending cuts should be considered, as long as those cuts did not put Americans at risk.[3]

Climate, energy & environment

Bucshon stated he wants to "work towards energy independence, for both economic and national security purposes." Several times during the 2010 campaign, Bucshon spoke out against cap-and-trade energy legislation. During a debate in the GOP primary, Bucshon agreed with his fellow candidates in opposing cap-and-trade proposals in the House, which would establish emissions for coal-powered plants such as those found in the Midwest.[4] On his website, he stated such a bill would be "devastating" to his district. He said jobs and industry would be lost, and he claimed the underlying data behind cap-and-trade legislation does not support the concept of global warming being the result of human activity.[5] Also during the campaign, Bucshon claimed that environmental policies contributed to a situation where jobs are "bring sent overseas." He made the remark while discussing the shuttering of a Whirlpool plant in Evansville, which resulted in the loss of 1,100 jobs.[6]

Bucshon said he supports "new exploration for sources of oil, clean coal technology, the expanded use of nuclear energy, and solar and wind energy technology."[7]

Health

As a heart surgeon, Bucshon made health care one of his signature campaign issues. Early in the campaign he said the Affordable Care Act would “decimate the health care system in America.” He thinks that many doctors will retire and many young people will not be willing to become doctors anymore.[8]

While acknowledging that a repeal of the Affordable Care Act would likely fail, and be vetoed by President Barack Obama even if it passed, Bucshon supports some changes to healthcare delivery in the U.S. His plan would include "tax incentives for people not offered group plans at work" and would remove restrictions on the purchase of health insurance across state lines.[9]

However, later in the campaign, Bucshon said he would support an effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Those remarks came during a debate with his opponent, Democrat Trent Van Haaften. He cited the high cost of the legislation, though conceded that all Americans should have health coverage.[10]

On his campaign website, Bucshon stated that underlying costs in the healthcare system need to be addressed. He proposed a series of policy ideas to reduce those costs[11]:

  1. Pursue meaningful Tort Reform
  2. Expand Healthcare Savings Account eligibility
  3. Employee pooling to create larger, more competitive buying groups
  4. Remove denial of insurance based on preexisting conditions
  5. Protect Seniors from Medicare cuts

Additional reforms proposed by Bucshon include giving small businesses the ability to pool together for insurance purposes; auto-enrollment of employees who have access to insurance through their employers, and for individuals eligible for state and federal aid; and shifting responsibility for high-risk pools to the states.[12]

Following his election, Bucshon told the Evansville Courier & Press that his No. 1 priority would be legislation to fix a gap in reimbursement rates for physicians paid through Medicare. The current formula, called the sustainable growth rate, is indexed to inflation, which has not kept pace with healthcare spending. Closing the gap could cost an estimated "$15 billion for one year and as much as $300 billion through the next decade."[13]

Immigration

According to his campaign Web site, Bucshon favors stronger enforcement of immigration laws, particularly those regarding employment of undocumented immigrants. In addition, he called for increased security along the nation's borders, while arguing against any type of amnesty for undocumented immigrants.[14]

Social Security

Bucshon's opponent questioned comments made during an interview, where Bucshon said Americans should be allowed to invest Social Security funds in private accounts. He later clarified the remark to insist he didn't support privatization of the program. Rather, he questioned the long-term viability of Social Security, saying cuts may be necessary within 20 years if changes aren't made. He said he would not support any change unless "it guarantees the retirement security of our current retirees and the ones in the future."[15]

Veterans

As a candidate, Bucshon proposed allowing veterans to choose a private healthcare provider, which would then be paid for through VA benefits. [16]

Bio

Bucshon was born and raised in Kincaid, Illinois, and studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign prior to medical school. He enrolled at the University of Illinois at Chicago and conducted his residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he was chief resident in surgery. Following his seven-year residency, Bucshon completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the Medical College. Following the example of his father, who had served in the U.S. Navy, Bucshon joined the U.S. Navy Reserve, eventually completing a 10-year term of service. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander on July 1, 1994[17] Bucshon also completed a training position at the Milwaukee Veterans Affairs Hospital.[18]

Prior to his election, Bucshon was the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center in Evansville. He was also the president of Ohio Valley HeartCare, a cardiology and cardiovascular surgery practice.[19]

2010 elections

Bucshon announced he would seek the open seat of Rep. Brad Ellsworth, who ran for (unsuccessfully) for the U.S. Senate. He said entered the race because he feared the effects of a Barack Obama presidency. Bucshon said "it became clear to me that what he said in the campaign -- big government, more spending, more federal government control -- was what he was really going to do."[20]

Bucshon defeated seven other Republican candidates in a May 4 primary, and went on to defeat Democratic nominee William Trent Van Haaften by a margin of 20-percent in the general election.[21]

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 2010 Election Cycle
DonorAmount (US Dollars)
Alliance Resource Partners$ 14,800
Vectren Corp$ 13,250
Jobs, Economy & Budget Fund$ 12,500
Koch Industries$ 12,500
Weaver Popcorn$ 12,500
Old National Bancorp$ 12,049
American International Group$ 12,000
American Patriot Group$ 11,500
St Mary's Medical Center$ 11,125
Solar Sources$ 11,000
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 Larry Bucshon
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

Affiliations

Contact

DC office
  • 1123 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515
    Ph: 202-225-4636 Fax: 202-225-3284
    Webform email
District offices
  • No district office information entered.
On the Web
Campaign office
  • No campaign website entered.
  • No campaign webform email entered.
  • No campaign office information entered.

Articles and resources

See also

References

  1. ↑ Thomas B. Langhorne, 2010 Vote: 8th Congressional District Profile of Larry Bucshon", Evansville Courier & Press, September 26, 2010
  2. ↑ "Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan", Bucshon for Congress Website, accessed December 20, 3010
  3. ↑ Richard Gootee, "Van Haaften, Bucshon spar over health care bill, jobs at debate", Evansville Courier & Press, October 26, 2010
  4. ↑ "Gloves come off quickly at forum for Bloody 8th", Terre Haute Tribune Star, April 21, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Issues", Bucshon for Congress Website, accessed December 20, 3010
  6. ↑ Thomas B. Langhorne, "Indiana 8th District hopefuls gear up for fall election", Evansville Courier & Press, June 25, 2010
  7. ↑ "Issues", Bucshon for Congress Website, accessed December 20, 3010
  8. ↑ Byron York, "As Dems struggle, GOP candidates line up to run" Washington Examiner, March 19, 2010.
  9. ↑ Thomas B. Langhorne, 2010 Vote: 8th Congressional District Profile of Larry Bucshon", Evansville Courier & Press, September 26, 2010
  10. ↑ Richard Gootee, "Van Haaften, Bucshon spar over health care bill, jobs at debate", Evansville Courier & Press, October 26, 2010
  11. ↑ "Issues", Bucshon for Congress Website, accessed December 20, 3010
  12. ↑ "Issues>Healthcare", Bucshon for Congress Website, accessed December 20, 3010
  13. ↑ Thomas B. Langhorne, "Bucshon is headed to D.C., and he's got health care on his mind", Evansville Courier & Press, November 7, 2010
  14. ↑ "Issues", Bucshon for Congress Website, accessed December 20, 3010
  15. ↑ Thomas B. Langhorne, 2010 Vote: 8th Congressional District Profile of Larry Bucshon", Evansville Courier & Press, September 26, 2010
  16. ↑ "Issues", Bucshon for Congress Website, accessed December 20, 3010
  17. ↑ "About", Bucshon for Congress Website, accessed December 20, 3010
  18. ↑ Thomas B. Langhorne, 2010 Vote: 8th Congressional District Profile of Larry Bucshon", Evansville Courier & Press, September 26, 2010
  19. ↑ "About", Bucshon for Congress Website, accessed December 20, 3010
  20. ↑ Byron York, "As Dems struggle, GOP candidates line up to run", Washington Examiner, March 19, 2010
  21. ↑ Indiana -- 8th District profile, Roll Call, accessed December 30, 2010

External resources

External articles

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