Larry Bucshon
 | This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (November 2020) |
Larry Bucshon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 8th district | |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Brad Ellsworth |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Larry Dean Bucshon May 31, 1962 Taylorville, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Kathryn Bucshon |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (BS) University of Illinois at Chicago (MD) |
| Profession | Heart surgeon |
| Website | House website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1989–1998 |
| Unit |  United States Navy Reserve |
Larry Dean Bucshon (/buːˈʃɔːn/ boo-SHAWN; born May 31, 1962) is an American politician and physician who has been the U.S. Representative for Indiana's 8th congressional district since 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Early life, education, and early career[]
Bucshon was born in Taylorville, Illinois on May 31, 1962[1] and raised in Kincaid, Illinois. His father, Ronald, was a coal miner, Navy serviceman, and lifelong Democrat while his mother, Barbara, was a nurse.[2]
Bucshon graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and got his medical degree from the University of Illinois Medical School at Chicago. Following medical school, Bucshon completed a residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he served as chief resident in surgery and remained there to complete a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery. He also received training at the Milwaukee Veterans Affairs Hospital.[2] During this time, he enlisted with the United States Navy Reserve, where he served for almost a decade.
Medical career[]
Bucshon specialized in cardiothoracic surgery and has performed hundreds of heart surgeries. From 1995 to 1998, he was in private medical practice in Wichita, Kansas.[2] Bucshon joined Ohio Valley HeartCare in 1998, where he served as the group's president. He was named St. Mary's Medical Staff Physician of the Year in 2007. He also served as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Medical Director of the open heart recovery intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital.[3]
U.S. House of Representatives[]
Elections[]
2010[]
Bucshon faced Democratic nominee State Representative Trent Van Haaften in the race to fill the seat vacated by Congressman Brad Ellsworth, who was running for Senate.[3]
Bucshon received support from the National Republican Congressional Committee and was named a GOP Young Gun.[4] During the campaign, Bucshon was endorsed by several conservative interest groups and elected officials, including the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Congressional Action Committee, United States Chamber of Commerce, National Right to Life Committee, Indiana Right to Life, Indiana Manufacturers Association, Campaign for Working Families, House Minority Leader John Boehner, U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, and Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.[5] Bucshon received significant campaign contributions from medical groups.[6]
Bucshon defeated van Haaften by a margin of 21 points, winning all 18 counties in the district.[7]
2012[]
Bucshon again faced Kristi Risk in the 2012 Republican primary.[8] Bucshon edged out Risk in the 2010 GOP primary, with 16,262 votes to Risk's 14,273.[9]
In the general election, Bucshon defeated former state Rep. Dave Crooks.[10]
2014[]
The conservative Club for Growth announced that it would target Bucshon for defeat in the 2014 Republican primary,[11] but he was re-elected nonetheless.[citation needed]
Bucshon is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership.[12]
Tenure and political positions[]
Taxes and spending[]
Bucshon voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[13] After voting, he stated that there would be "dramatic" economic growth that will "fully cover the amount of revenue decreases" regarding tax cuts. Buschon claimed that people would complete their tax filing on a postcard, however the same tax filing structure remains in place.[14]
Bucshon supports lower corporate and individual taxes. He has called for freezing spending at 2008 levels, extending the Bush tax cuts for all income brackets, and reviewing all government programs for places to reduce spending.[2] He has stated that Republicans need to "first admit we were partially to blame for the increased government spending over the past decade."[2][15] Bucshon supports simplifying the personal and corporate tax codes.[16]
Bucshon voted for the Budget Control Act of 2011, which created a Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. Bucshon also supported a balanced budget amendment that would require the federal government to spend no more than it collects in revenue each year. During his 2010 campaign, Bucshon said one of his campaign goals was to lower taxes for all Americans.[16]
In 2010 Bucshon signed a pledge sponsored by Americans for Prosperity promising to vote against any Global Warming legislation that would raise taxes.[17]
Health care[]
Bucshon supports the repeal of the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Bucshon supports reforms that expand and reform high-risk pools and federal reinsurance programs and lower costs.[2] Bucshon wants to increase transparency in medical care costs.[15] Bucshon has called for cuts in health care programs.[18][19]
Gun laws[]
Bucshon, who describes himself as "an ardent supporter of protecting the Second Amendment", has supported several bills that loosen restrictions on gun ownership. Bucshon co-sponsored the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011, which requires all states to honor concealed carry permits from other states within their borders, irrespective of their own gun laws. The National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners of America have both given Bucshon an "A" rating.[19]
Abortion[]
Bucshon opposes abortion. During his time in Congress, he has supported bills that seek to establish a legal framework for challenging the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. He has said he believes that abortion should be legal in cases where the mother's life may be in danger. Bucshon co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act, which declares that life begins at the moment of conception and is entitled to legal protection from that point forward.[19]
In October 2015, Bucshon was named to serve on the Select Investigative Panel on Planned Parenthood.[20]
Social Security[]
Bucshon supports a comprehensive strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of Social Security for current and future beneficiaries.[2]
Energy[]
Bucshon describes himself as a "long term friend of coal". His biggest contributors include Koch brothers, Murray energy.[21] He supports the Keystone XL pipeline project.[22]
Transportation[]
On November 2, 2011, the Evansville Courier & Press reported that Bucshon planned to introduce an amendment to the transportation funding bill that would allow governors to re-allocate federal transportation funding from designated programs to projects they designate as emergencies.[23]
Federal grants[]
On July 10, 2014, Bucshon introduced the Research and Development Efficiency Act (H.R. 5056), a bill that would instruct the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a working group under the authority of the National Science and Technology Council to review federal regulations affecting research and research universities and make recommendations on how to streamline them and reduce the regulatory burden on such researchers.[24][25] Bucshon said that his goal is "to alleviate some of the burden placed on our research universities so they can get back to their main goal of conducting basic science research."[26]
Climate change[]
During a September 17, 2014 hearing of the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Bucshon was questioning John Holdren, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. When Holdren encouraged Bucshon to read the scientific literature on global warming, Bucshon replied "Of all the climatologists whose careers depend on the climate changing to keep themselves publishing articles -- yes, I could read that, but I don't believe it."[27]
Cannabis[]
Bucshon has a "D" rating from NORML for his voting history regarding cannabis-related causes. Bucshon opposes veterans having access to medical marijuana if recommended by their Veterans Health Administration doctor and if it is legal for medicinal purposes in their state of residence.[28]
Committee assignments[]
- Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Subcommittee on Health
- Subcommittee on Environment and Economy
- Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Caucus memberships[]
- Congressional Constitution Caucus[29]
- Republican Study Committee[30]
- Republican Governance Group[31]
- Republican Main Street Partnership[32]
Personal life[]
Bucshon met his wife Kathryn, who is also a physician and a practicing anesthesiologist in Evansville, during his medical residency.[33] They now live in Newburgh,[34] Warrick County, Indiana with their four children. He is a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Evansville.[35]
Electoral history[]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Larry Bucshon | 117,259 | 58 | ||
| Democratic | Trent Van Haaften | 76,265 | 37 | ||
| Libertarian | John Cunningham | 10,240 | 5 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Larry Bucshon | 151,533 | 56 | ||
| Democratic | David Crooks | 122,325 | 43 | ||
| Libertarian | Bart Gadau | 10,134 | 4 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Larry Bucshon | 103,344 | 60 | ||
| Democratic | Thomas R. Spangler | 61,384 | 36 | ||
| Libertarian | Andrew Horning | 6,587 | 4 | ||
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "Guide to the New Congress" (PDF). CQ Roll Call. November 4, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 8, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Langhorne, Thomas (September 26, 2010). "2010 Vote: 8th District Profile of Larry Bucshon, Voters in the 8th District will choose between state lawmaker and heart surgeon". Evansville Courier Press. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "About". Bucshon for Congress. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
- ^ "Candidates". GOP Young Guns. NRCC. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
- ^ CQ Politics Archived September 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Isenstadt, Alex (October 6, 2010). "Doc groups helping their own". Politico. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Election Results, United States Representative". Indiana Secretary of State. November 22, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
- ^ "RISK SAYS FORMER CARDIOLOGIST, CONGRESSMAN BUCSHON CONTINUALLY DEMONSTRATES A CHANGE OF 'HEART' IN WASHINGTON". Kristi Risk for Congress. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
- ^ Langhorne, Thomas (August 17, 2011). "Bucshon to face GOP opponent Kristi Risk for 8th District seat". Evansville Courier Press. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
- ^ Bradner, Eric (November 6, 2012). "Bucshon wins re-election to 8th District seat in Indiana". Courier Journal. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- ^ Howey, Brian (March 18, 2013). "HOWEY: Clowning around with Chocola and Mourdock". News and Tribune. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- ^ "Members". Republican Mains Street Partnership. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ Almukhtar, Sarah (December 19, 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ Taylor, Dave. "Economists assess income tax overhaul". Terre Haute Tribune Star. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Foulkes, Arthur (September 24, 2010). "8th District candidate meets with biz leaders". Terre Haute Tribune Star. Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Gootee, Richard (April 18, 2011). "Rep. Larry Bucshon addresses spending at town hall meeting". Evansville Courier Press. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Foulkes, Arthur. "Bucshon warns against ‘unsustainable’ health care programs." The Tribune-Star, April 22, 2011.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ Paul Kane (October 23, 2015). "Boehner's next select committee, focusing on Planned Parenthood, to be led by Marsha Blackburn". Washington Post. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ Barniak, Janice (November 24, 2011). "New mine to create 330 new jobs". Princeton Daily Clarion. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
- ^ "Congressman Larry Bucshon Comments on Keystone XL Pipeline Announcement". bucshon.house.gov. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
- ^ Bradner, Eric (November 2, 2011). "Bucshon proposal would allow access to federal dollars in transportation crisis". Evansville Courier Press. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
- ^ "Text of the Research and Development Efficiency Act". govtrack.us. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
- ^ "H.R. 5056 – All Actions". United States Congress. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ^ "Dr. Bucshon Urges Colleagues to Support Bill to Alleviate Burden on Research and Research Universities". House Office of Rep. Bucshon. July 14, 2014. Archived from the original on July 18, 2014. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
- ^ "'The Daily Show' skewers Rep. Larry Bucshon on climate change". Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ "Indiana Scorecard". NORML. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ^ "Members". Congressional Constitution Caucus. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
- ^ "Member List". Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ Kuznicki, Jen (April 25, 2017). "Who are the members of the Tuesday Group?". Jen Kuznicki. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
- ^ "MEMBERS". RMSP. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
- ^ "Larry Bucshon Full Biography". Larry Bucshon Congressman. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- ^ Three Indiana U.S. House races could help determine control, Louisville Courier Journal
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana, 2012
- ^ United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana, 2014
External links[]
- Congressman Larry Bucshon official U.S. House website
- Larry Bucshon for Congress
- Larry Bucshon at Curlie
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
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- 1962 births
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- Living people
- Medical College of Wisconsin alumni
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Indiana
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- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives
- University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign alumni