"We are going to stand and fight to kill the privatizing approach," said Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., a leading House opponent to privatization. "Once that's done, we have an agreement, maintaining the existing benefit structure. We decide how we fix the long-term solvency structure so that in 2041 we don't run out of money."
Representing a Red State? Sweet merciful God yes. Conservative on many social issues, like abortion? Uh huh. Rated 35% by the dastardly NARAL organization, indicating an anti-choice voting record.
But quotes like that above indicate that above all, we are Democrats, and that as Democrats, we believe that society's greatest mission is helping the needy, caring for the sick, teaching our young and progressing toward a future where all are equal with opportunity at their doorstep.
Earl Pomeroy is a Democrat.
He was born on September 2, 1952 in Valley City, North Dakota, and is currently 52 years old. After graduating high school, he attended Valley City State University. He then transferred to the University of North Dakota, where he earned his bachelors in Political Science in 1974. From there he pulled a "Bill Clinton" and traveled to England to continue his education. He attended the University of Durham from 1975 to 1976.
After returning home to North Dakota, Mr. Pomeroy entered law school at his alma mater, and received his Juris Doctor in 1979. Mr. Pomeroy and I already have a lot in common. I too have degrees in Political Science and Law. But I have never been to North Dakota. Flown over it several times. It looked brown. But I severly digress.
Mr. Pomeroy was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 1980, straight out of law school. Four years later he because the State Insurance Commissioner. It is four years after my graduation from law school, and I am still harboring political dreams. Earl served in that capacity as Insurance Commissioner until 1993, when he resigned to assume his seat in Congress, a seat he won in 1992.
Mr. Pomeroy's service in Congress is reflective of a Moderate, or a conservative Democrat. He is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition. He is a member of the DLC.
However, Pomeroy has concentrated his service on the most important issues: Social Security and Medicare, as well as his state's most important issue: agriculture and energy. Pomeroy eventually assumed a spot on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Indeed, he is now a Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee. He is a leading Democrat in the House in our fight to save Social Security from destruction by the Bush Administration.
At the beginning of the 108th Congress, Pomeroy was elected Co-Chair of the bipartisan Rural Health Care Coalition and used his Ways and Means Committee assignment to establish a more equitable system for Medicare payments to rural hospitals. Pomeroy also serves on the House Agriculture Committee. Pomeroy has been an effective leader advocating for the improvement of the federal crop insurance program and for providing a safety net to protect farmers when prices collapse.
Another of Pomeroy's primary legislative priorities for families is helping more middle-income Americans save for retirement. He has authored legislation giving tax credits to people who set aside money for retirement, legislation to help small businesses set up pension programs for their employees, and tax incentives to families paying for higher education.
Mr. Pomeroy has also become part of the leadership structure of the Democratic Caucus. He is now one of the Democratic Regional Whips. Earl also serves in the National Guard and Reserve Component Organization.
Mr. Pomeroy is divorced, but he has two children from that marriage, Kathryn and Scott. He resides in Bismark, North Dakota when not in Washington.
The Issues
Voting History via Congress Merge
Policy Positions via Project Vote Smart
Campaign Contributions
On the Issues
District Information:
Census and Demographic Data on the State of North Dakota
Contact Information:
Website: http://www.pomeroy.house.gov/
Email Congressman Pomeroy
Washington D.C. Office
The Honorable Earl Pomeroy
United States House of Representatives
1501 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3401
Phone: 202-225-2611
Fax: 202-226-0893
District Offices
Federal Building, Room 328
220 East Rosser Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501
Voice: 701-224-0355
FAX: 701-224-0431
3003 32nd Avenue South, Suite 6
Fargo, ND 58103
Voice: 701-235-9760
FAX: 701-235-9767
Previous Democratic Profiles:
Representative Robert Brady
Representative Tammy Baldwin
Senator Jon Corzine
Governor Ted Kulongski
Representative Sander Levin
Representative Jim McDermott
Governor Brad Henry
Representative Artur Davis
Senator Daniel Akaka
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