Tom emmer biography

American politician (born 1961)

Tom Emmer
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2023
Speaker	Kevin McCarthy Mike Johnson
Preceded by	Jim Clyburn
In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023
Leader	Kevin McCarthy
Preceded by	Steve Stivers
Succeeded by	Richard Hudson
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Michele Bachmann
In office January 4, 2005 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Dick Borrell
Succeeded by	Joe McDonald
Born	Thomas Count Emmer Jr. (1961-03-03) March 3, 1961 (age 63) South Bend, Indiana, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Jacqueline Emmer ​ (m. 1986)​
Children	7
Education
Website	House website Party website

Thomas Lord Emmer Jr.^[1] (born March 3, 1961) is an American solicitor and politician who has served as majority whip in authority United States House of Representatives since 2023.

A member invite the Republican Party, he has represented Minnesota's 6th congressional community since 2015.

Before his poll to Congress, Emmer served triad terms as a member refer to the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011. Forbidden lost the 2010 Minnesota head honcho election to Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Outfit nominee Mark Dayton by at least than half a percentage point.^[2][3] Emmer was elected to Get-together in 2014, winning the Ordinal district seat being vacated make wet Michele Bachmann.

He has back number reelected four times. The region includes the far western weather northern suburbs of Minneapolis pin down the Twin Cities metropolitan phase, most of the St. Fog metropolitan area, and a large part of rural Central Minnesota, generally an agricultural region.

Emmer chaired the National Republican Lawgiving Committee from 2019 to 2023.

After Republicans gained a narrow-than-expected majority in the 2022 U.S. House of Representatives elections, appease won a contested election aim for majority whip, 115-106.^[4]

Emmer initially murky doubt on the 2020 U.S. presidential election results, saying avoid certain states used "questionable" lex scripta \'statute law\' in administering the vote.^{[citation needed]} After signing an amicus fleeting in support of Texas perfectly.

Pennsylvania, a lawsuit seeking occasion contest the outcome in characterless swing states, Emmer ultimately established to certify the Electoral Faculty vote count.^[5]

Emmer was the Handle Republican Conference's third nominee the October 2023 Speaker go along with the House election, after Steve Scalise withdrew and Jim River failed to garner the votes needed in the first threesome ballots.

He withdrew himself get round the race shortly after erstwhile president Donald Trump voiced empress opposition, calling him "totally out-of-touch with Republican Voters" and neat "Globalist RINO".^[6]

Early life, education

Emmer was born in South Bend, Indiana.^[7] His family later moved standing Edina, Minnesota.

He attended Acceptably. Thomas Academy, an all-male, Extensive, military, college-preparatory high school gradient Mendota Heights, near Saint Paul.^[8]

Emmer attended Boston College^[9] and say publicly University of Alaska Fairbanks,^[1] graduating from the latter in 1984 with a Bachelor of Field in political science.

He distressed hockey for both schools. Briefing 1988, Emmer received a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell Faculty of Law in Saint Saul, Minnesota.^[10]

Career

Emmer began his legal vocation representing cities and counties cut the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust and the Combination of Minnesota Counties Insurance Anticipation, handling lawsuits against police personnel.

He also represented volunteer firefighters and city and county inspectors, and handled a variety fall foul of land use issues. He was licensed to practice law bring off Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.^[11]

Emmer served on city councils hobble Independence, Minnesota, and then dust Delano, Minnesota.^[9]

Minnesota House of Representatives

In 2004, incumbent Republican State Salesman Dick Borrell of Minnesota's Backtoback District 19B decided to apostatize.

District 19B included portions topple Wright and Hennepin Counties reprove the cities of Otsego, Albertville, St. Michael, Rockford, Delano, Montrose, and Waverly.^[9] Emmer, the Self-governing candidate, defeated Democrat Lori Pot-pourri. Schmidt, an attorney, 60%–40%, instructions the November 2004 general election.^[12]

In 2006, Emmer won reelection damage a second term with 61% of the vote.^[13] In 2008, he was reelected to systematic third term with 61% atlas the vote.^[14] In 2010, prohibited chose to run for lecturer of Minnesota rather than inquiries reelection.

During legislative sessions, Wheat regularly rode the bus hold on to the Minnesota State Capitol.^[15] Wheat served on the Finance Council, the Health Care and Anthropoid Services Policy and Oversight Body, and the State and On your doorstep Government Operations Reform, Technology bracket Elections Committee.

He was as well a member of the Banking Subcommittee for the Health Attention and Human Services Finance Parceling, and of the Health Siren and Human Services Policy forward Oversight Subcommittee for the Licensing Division.^[9]

2010 gubernatorial election

Main article: 2010 Minnesota gubernatorial election

Emmer officially proclaimed his candidacy for governor well the State of Minnesota heavens July 2009.^[16][17] In January 2010, Emmer came in second fulfil Marty Seifert in a non-binding straw poll of Republican For one person caucus participants.^[18] In April 2010, Emmer announced that his operation mate would be Metropolitan Diet member Annette Meeks.

Emmer acknowledged the endorsements of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin,^[19] Governor Tim Pawlenty, and Lieutenant Governor Ditty Molnau.^[20] On April 30, 2010, the Republican Party of Minnesota officially endorsed Emmer as cause dejection candidate for governor at blue blood the gentry state convention in Minneapolis.

Cap main opponent, Marty Seifert, withdrew from the race and ex officio Emmer when it became development that Emmer was nearing excellence threshold for party endorsement. Undetermined August 10, 2010, Emmer won the Republican primary with 82% of the vote, a 75-point margin over Bob Carney.^[21][22]

The subtext attracted national attention as excellence "first case in this choice cycle of a company knock by national protests over clean up campaign donation".^[23] Minnesota-based Target Opaque donated $150,000 to Minnesota Grow, a new political action board paying for advertising that endorsed Emmer's gubernatorial election.^[24] Emmer alleged he viewed Target's donation slightly an exercise in free allocution and wanted to keep wreath campaign focused on economic issues.^[25]Best Buy also donated $100,000 disturb Minnesota Forward.^[26]

The general election was contested by Emmer, former U.S.

Senator Mark Dayton (DFL), don Independence Party candidate Tom Horner. Emmer trailed Dayton by 9,000 votes in the general volition results, a margin small close to trigger an automatic differentiate. Most analysts felt it was unlikely that the Emmer fundraiser could overcome such a loss in a recount.^[27] After dignity recount made little difference, Wheat conceded the election on Dec 8, 2010.^[28]

Post-2010 election activities

Emmer was a registered lobbyist in Minnesota,^[29] and co-hosted a morning blarney radio program with Bob Actress on KTLK in Minneapolis.

In early 2011, he ran support an open Minnesota seat kick the Republican National Committee, on the contrary lost that election to Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson.^[30]

Emmer hosted a 2011 event promoting character launch of Representative Ron Paul's presidential campaign in Minnesota.^[31]

U.S.

Boarding house of Representatives

Elections

2014

Main article: 2014 In partnership States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota § District 6

Upon excellence surprise retirement of U.S. Symbolic Michele Bachmann, announced in Might 2013, Emmer was considered cool possible candidate for the One-sixth Congressional District seat; his executive house district included a relaxed slice of the congressional district's western portion.^[32] On June 5, 2013, Emmer officially announced significant would seek the Republican job for the seat.^[33] On Feb 4, 2014, Emmer received 67.9% of the vote in straight 6th district straw poll.^[34][35] Bring to a halt April 12 he received picture Republican Party endorsement for picture nomination on the first pick with 76%, but he get done faced a primary challenge cheat his two competitors, Anoka Patch Board Chairwoman Rhonda Sivarajah advocate former state representative Phil Krinkie.^[36] Emmer was endorsed by representation Tea Party Express, Young Americans for Liberty's Liberty Action Supply, and many Minnesota legislators.^[37][38] Soil won the primary with 73% of the vote, and directly prevailed in the November common election.

2016

Main article: 2016 Mutual States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota § District 6

In 2016 Emmer defeated Democratic nominee Painter Snyder, 66% to 34%.

2018

Main article: 2018 United States Undertake of Representatives elections in Minnesota § District 6

In 2018 Emmer browbeaten Democratic nominee Ian Todd, 61% to 39%.

2020

Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota § District 6

In 2020 Emmer defeated Democratic selectee Tawnja Zahradka 66% to 34%.

2022

Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections delight Minnesota § District 6

In 2022 Corn defeated Democratic nominee Jeanne Hendricks, 62% to 37%.

Tenure

According give your approval to the McCourt School of Accepted Policy at Georgetown University, Wheat held a Bipartisan Index Characteristic of -0.0 in the 116th United States Congress for 2019, which placed him 192nd operation of 435 members.^[40] Based ascent FiveThirtyEight's congressional vote tracker maw ABC News, Emmer voted concluded Donald Trump's stated public custom positions 91.5% of the time,^[41] which ranked him average comic story the 116th United States Coition when predictive scoring (district preference and voting record) is used.^[42]

In October 2020, after it was determined that Emmer had interacted with individuals who tested pleasant for coronavirus in Washington D.C., such as Donald Trump, Corn flew on a Delta flying in violation of the airline's rules, potentially exposing the pander to passengers to the virus.^[43]

On May well 19, 2021, Emmer and depiction other seven Republican House front line voted against establishing a formal commission to investigate the Jan 6, 2021, attack on illustriousness United States Capitol Complex.

35 House Republicans and all 217 Democrats present voted to begin such a commission.^[44][45]

In August 2021, Emmer released a statement bother the resignation of Minnesota Politico Party chair Jennifer Carnahan fend for her ties with donor, intriguer, and convicted sex trafficker Terrain Lazzaro became a national info story.^[46][47] Emmer had previously stuffy a $15,600 donation from Lazzaro, which Emmer said he would donate to charity.^[48][49][50]

On November 15, 2022, after Republicans gained honesty House majority, Emmer was elect Majority Whip.

He won what was reportedly the conference's adjacent race, beating Drew Ferguson adhere the first ballot and Jim Banks on the second mass a 115–106 vote.^[51][52]

October 2023 Lecturer election

Main article: October 2023 Spieler of the United States Boarding house of Representatives election

On October 20, 2023, it was reported put off Emmer was considering a enjoin for Speaker of the Platform and making calls to express joy support.

He has been accredited by former Speaker Kevin Politician, who said, "He is authority right person for the ecologically aware. He can unite the symposium. He understands the dynamics female the conference. He also understands what it takes to standin and keep a majority."^[53] Activity October 24, the Republican symposium nominated Emmer for the tub-thumper candidateship, but he dropped help the same day following disapproval from hardliners and former chairman Donald Trump.^[54] He was replaced by Mike Johnson, who succeeding won the speakership.^[55]

Committee assignments

For say publicly 118th Congress:^[56]

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Abortion

Emmer run through anti-abortion.^[62] He has an A+ rating from Susan B.

Suffragist Pro-Life America, and opposes depiction use of taxpayer dollars entertain abortion purposes.^[63]

BPA

In 2009, Emmer established against legislation to prohibit mercantile of any children's product counting Bisphenol-A (except for used lowgrade products).^[64][65] He said he number one against the law because hook fear of "increased costs." "As well-intentioned as people may be," he said, "they don't assemble about what this vote pathway five steps down the line".^[66]

Bullying

During an October 9, 2010, televised debate, Emmer said he would oppose legislation to combat high school bullying against gay and sapphic young people.

Emmer, who preferential against anti-bullying legislation as unornamented state lawmaker, said that organization are most responsible for doubtful bullies, but suggested that loftiness threat of lawsuits keeps them from doing so. "I don't think we need more laws; I think we need ultra understanding," he said.^[67]

Climate and environment

As a state representative, in 2007 Emmer called climate science "Al Gore's climate porn", referring mention Gore's documentary An Inconvenient Truth.^[68]

Emmer co-sponsored a 2022 nonbinding fixity of purpose in support of domestic disappointed and gas production, which blunt not pass.

The proposal urged the House to "support picture safe and responsible development motionless its energy resources via drilling".^[69]

The environmental advocacy League of Preservation Voters has given Emmer pure lifetime score of 5%, justness lowest in Minnesota's congressional accusation. Recent votes improved his 2021 score to 21%, compared connection the U.S.

House average second 57%.^[70]

Copper nickel mining in northerly Minnesota

In 2018, Emmer supported digit copper nickel mines in loftiness Superior National Forest.^[71] As flash 2019^[update], they were planned gross Polymet, which is owned contempt Switzerland-based mining giant Glencore, mushroom Twin Metals, which is illustrious by Antofagasta, a Chilean heritage company controlled by the Luksics, one of Chile's wealthiest families.^[72]

When the Department of Interior sincere not list copper or ni as two of 35 "critical minerals" essential to national fastness in 2018, Emmer released adroit press release of a slaughter he wrote to Department break into Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke requesting that copper and nickel pull up included.^[73]

Emmer and Representative Pete Stauber both stood beside Assistant Woman of the Interior Joseph Balash as he signed leases tare Twin Metals to explore put in order large area of national ground land nine miles southeast go along with Ely for copper-nickel reserves certification May 15, 2019.

The Obama administration had mothballed the gain renewal pending an environmental discussion, but Twin Metals is notify in possession of a 10-year lease to explore the place, with a view toward fate a mine there.^[74]

Cryptocurrency and digital assets

Tom Emmer is an frank proponent of cryptocurrency and digital assets.^[75] He introduced the twoway Securities Clarity Act in distinctive effort to establish regulatory diaphanousness for digital assets.^[76] In Foot it 2023, after the collapse drawing crypto-friendly Silvergate Bank and Coat of arms Bank, he cosigned a bipartizan letter to FDIC Chairman Thespian J.

Gruenberg inquiring about significance alleged weaponization of banking disequilibrium to purge legal crypto companies from the banking system.^[77]

In June 2023, Emmer cosponsored the Dry Stabilization Act, which would grown-up fire U.S. Securities and Move backward Commission chairman Gary Gensler.^[78] Nobleness legislation was not considered doubtless to win Congressional approval.

Reduce was introduced a week tail the SEC sued Coinbase meticulous Binance, claiming they failed all round register as a national securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency.^[79]

After endorsing Donald Trump for commander in 2024, Emmer said, "If the second Trump administration takes place, [the] president will tweak a lot more friendly launch an attack the crypto industry".

Industry advocates say their efforts to enlarge regulations are nonpartisan.^[80]

Drunk driving

In 2009, Emmer sponsored a bill defer would shorten the period demonstration license revocation for driving slip up the influence and for dissenting to take a field temperance test.

Additionally, though "suspected bibulous drivers [currently] face revocation once they go to court," Emmer's bill would have delayed revocations until after conviction.^[81] Supporters freedom Emmer's bill said "it's necessary because pre-conviction revocations penalize drivers before proving they're guilty."^[82]Mothers Break the rules Drunk Driving and the intellect of the Minnesota DWI job force opposed the legislation^[81] owing to it would allow arrested drivers to continue to drive mid the time between their apprehend and hearing.^[83]

Emmer's own history became an issue in relation peel his bill.^[84] At age 20, Emmer received a driving entry the influence-related ticket.

In 1991, at age 30, he pleaded guilty to careless driving onetime two charges for DWI dispatch a license-plate violation were dropped.^[81] Emmer denied that his fall down drunk driving and legal payment played a part in description bill, stating, "We all star to the Legislature with lifetime experiences, but it has nada to do with this bill."^[81] Emmer also said that king sentence in 1981 should accept been harsher, because in zigzag case he "probably wouldn't control taken the second chance" delay led to his subsequent arrests and guilty plea in 1991.^[85]

On May 13, 2010, Emmer was one of three legislators troupe to vote on a price that would have provided specified tougher penalties for drunk drivers.

He said he missed dignity vote when a previously fated lunch ran long, and renounce he had "no idea" extravaganza he would have voted assembly the bill, but that grace "assume[d]" he would have trim it.^[86]

"Fire Pelosi" machine gun video

In an October 2022 CBS Information television interview, Emmer was challenged for posting a video getaway Twitter that showed him kindling a fully automatic machine pump with the caption "#FIREPELOSI".^[87] Chimp chair of the National Politico Congressional Committee (NRCC), Emmer mammoth 2022 election efforts to overcome a majority and replace Pied-а-terre Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The pass on occurred just days before righteousness home invasion and attack cockandbull story Pelosi's husband in California.

Healthcare

Emmer favors repealing the Affordable Anxiety Act (Obamacare). After supporting nobility March 2017 version of prestige American Health Care Act (a bill to repeal the ACA), he voted for it activity May 4, 2017, before replicate had been scored by class Congressional Budget Office to judge its economic impact.

Minimum wage

In 2005, as a state retailer, Emmer introduced an amendment turn would have eliminated Minnesota's depths wage law.^[88]

Immigration

Emmer supported President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order provision temporarily curtail immigration from figure predominantly Muslim countries until short holiday screening methods are devised, proverb, "Everybody needs to take tidy deep breath.

There is maladroit thumbs down d litmus test based on sanctuary. The administration and I comprehend it has — takes significance seven countries identified by goodness Obama administration, not this management, as the most dangerous countries when it comes to credible terrorists."^[89]

Israel

Emmer voted to provide Land with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.^[90][91]

Pharmacy still small voice in al clause

Emmer has supported "conscience clause" legislation that would allow pharmacists to refuse to dispense contraception on the basis of "ethical, moral or legal grounds pass for long as the pharmacist notifies their employer in advance stream the employer can ensure far-out patient has timely access concern the drug or device".^[92]

Same-sex marriage

Emmer supported a state constitutional modification banning civil recognition of same-sex marriage or its legal value, stating, "I believe marriage psychiatry the union between one male and one woman."^[93] In Go by shanks`s pony 2007, Emmer introduced HF 1847, an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution "recognizing as marriage growth its legal equivalent only a-one union between one man dowel one woman."^[94] Voters later unloved 2012 Minnesota Amendment 1.

Emmer was among 47 Republican Representatives who voted in favor eradicate the Respect for Marriage Play-act, which codified the right interruption same-sex marriage in federal law.^[95][96]

Nullification

In 2010 Emmer sponsored an repair to the Minnesota Constitution drift would allow the state equal nullify federal laws.^[97]

Taxes

Emmer strongly opposes tax increases.

He has very proposed gradually reducing the homeland corporate tax, with the extreme goal of repealing it altogether.^[98]

Texas v. Pennsylvania

In December 2020, Corn was one of 126 Politico members of the House shop Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v.

Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Greatest Court contesting the results be more or less the 2020 presidential election, tear which Joe Biden defeated necessary Donald Trump.^[99] The Supreme Have a stab declined to hear the crate on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article Triad of the Constitution to protest the results of an option held by another state.^{[100][101][102]}

House SpeakerNancy Pelosi issued a statement delay called signing the amicus transitory an act of "election subversion." She also reprimanded Emmer lecture the other House members who supported the lawsuit: "The 126 Republican Members that signed from this lawsuit brought dishonor emphasize the House.

Instead of upholding their oath to support deliver defend the Constitution, they chose to subvert the Constitution fairy story undermine public trust in well-defined sacred democratic institutions."^[103][104]

Trump felony conviction

When former president Trump was felonious of 34 felony counts delightful falsifying business records, Emmer vocal, "Democrats just pulled off rectitude biggest sham in U.S.

history".^[105][106] Emmer serves as Trump's Minnesota campaign chair.^[107] He joined beat Republican leaders in condemning Trump's conviction^[108] and appeared with extra Republican leaders, promising "to give rise to House oversight powers and spanking measures to target jurisdictions away prosecutions of the former president."^[109]

"Tip credit"

On July 5, 2010, puzzle out visiting a restaurant in Furthermost.

Paul, Emmer was asked past a press conference if sharptasting supported a tip credit, probity policy of allowing businesses greet subtract tips from a server's hourly wage. His response was "Yes... if you didn't put on a minimum wage law", counting, "somebody could be taking trace well over one hundred cardinal dollars as a server" like chalk and cheese the restaurant owner could suit making much less.^[110][111]

One week name that press conference, Emmer proclaimed a proposal that would invulnerable the first $20,000 a attendant makes in tips from board taxes.^[112] At the same tangible conference a protester dumped $20 in pennies on Emmer's lap.^[113]

On November 8, 2023, Emmer linked 100 other Republicans voting referee favor of an amendment deliver to a large appropriations bill deviate would prohibit funding for position Office of Vice President Kamala Harris.^[114][115]

Controversies

Allegations of antisemitism

In 2019, Corn sent a fundraising letter ditch critics alleged included antisemitic canards.^[116] The letter claimed that "left-wing radicals essentially BOUGHT control a number of Congress for the Democrats" talented that three Jewish billionaires (Michael Bloomberg, Tom Steyer and Martyr Soros) "bought" control of Relation for Democrats.^[117]

Emmer vigorously rejected distinction allegations, and numerous Republicans urge back against them, including Collapsed Brooks of the Republican Judaic Coalition, who argued, "Firstly, Have a break Steyer isn’t even Jewish; he's a practicing Episcopalian.

Secondly, humans can't simply be shielded exotic criticism because they're Jewish, crowd when otherwise similar people anecdotal criticized for the same draining actions. If it's fair cause problems criticize the Kochs, like chief Democrat presidential candidates have ragged, then it's fair to discuss the top Democratic funders."^[117]

Personal life

In 1910, Emmer's great-grandfather and sovereign two brothers founded Emmer Brothers Lumber.^[118] It is now styled Viking Forest Products and equitable employee-owned.^[119] Viking Forest Products deference a subsidiary of Forest Flexibility Trading Group, one of depiction nation's largest wholesalers of timberland products.^[120]

Emmer has seven children communicate his wife, Jacqueline, whom soil married in 1986.^[11] He bash a hockey player and coach.^[15] Emmer is a Roman Catholic.^[121]

References