Just Say No to Fred Upton

Congressman Upton wants to Chair the House Energy & Commerce Committee. While I am a big fan of Congressman Barton, and he wants a waiver, I am not in favor of any waivers for House Committees and think the House GOP needs to choose someone other than Upton.

Congressman Shimkus would be great. Joe Pitts (!!!!) would be awesome. And there are others.

But of Upton, let's review who we are dealing with.

Here is his voting record:

BAILOUTS

Voted YES for TARP
Voted YES on the auto bailout
Voted YES on Cash for Clunkers

SPENDING

Voted NO on 7 of the last 9 RSC Budgets
Voted YES on the Farm Bill
Voted YES on the 2005 Highway Bill
Voted NO to cap farm subsidies
Voted YES four times to extend unemployment benefits
Voted NO to end milk subsidies
Voted NO to cut sugar subsidies
Voted NO to cut NEA spending
Voted NO to cut AMTRAK spending
Voted YES to increase funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Got a 53% on the Club's 2009 RePORK Card
Got a 42% on the Club's 2007 RePORK Card

TAXES

Voted YES on Patriot Tax – a surtax on high income earners

REGULATIONS

Voted YES for Sarbanes-Oxley
Voted YES to increase the minimum wage
Voted YES on energy bill with new CAFÉ standards and tax hikes
Voted NO to waive Davis-Bacon
Voted YES to criminalize "price-gouging"

POLITICAL FREE SPEECH

Voted YES to force 527s to disclose their donors
Voted YES on McCain-Feingold
Voted YES on the 527 Reform Act

ENTITLEMENTS

Voted YES for SCHIP

GOVERNMENT REFORM

Voted NO to privatize postal service for 20 communities
Voted 7 of 9 times to increase congressional pay

SCHOOL CHOICE

Voted YES on No Child Left Behind