Buck McKeon

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Buck McKeon
Image of Buck McKeon
Prior offices
William S. Hart Union High School District school board At-large

Santa Clarita City Council At-large

U.S. House California District 25
Successor: Stephen Knight

Compensation

Net worth

(2012) $111,502

Education

Bachelor's

Brigham Young University

Personal
Religion
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)
Profession
Small Businessman, Banker

Howard Philip "Buck" McKeon (b. September 9, 1938, in Los Angeles, CA) is a former Republican member of the U.S. House. He represented California's 25th Congressional District from 1993 to 2015. McKeon did not seek re-election in 2014.[1] McKeon cited partisan gridlock as a factor in his decision to retire. He said, "What you have is a real problem in trying to get things together, in trying to get things to happen." However, the primary reason for his retirement was that House term limits would have prevented him from staying on as Chairman of the Armed Services Committee. He stated, "I don’t want to be around here second guessing a chairman. I just don’t want to do that. And I don’t want people making comparisons."[2]

Biography

McKeon was born in Los Angeles, California. He earned his B.S. from Brigham Young University in 1985.[3]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of McKeon's academic, professional, and political career:[3]

McKeon also worked as a business owner and as a bank executive.

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2013-2014

McKeon served on the following committees:[4]

2011-2012

McKeon served on the following committees:[5]

Key votes

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[6] For more information pertaining to McKeon's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[7]

National security

NDAA

Yea3.png McKeon voted for HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[8]

DHS Appropriations

Yea3.png McKeon voted for HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 that was largely along party lines.[9]

CISPA (2013)

Yea3.png McKeon voted for HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill permitted federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities. The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.[10]

Economy

Farm bill

Yea3.png On January 29, 2014, the U.S. House approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, also known as the Farm Bill.[11] The bill passed by a vote of 251-166. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that would kick in when prices drop.[12][13] It also cut the food stamp program an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[13] McKeon voted with 161 other Republican representatives in favor of the bill.

2014 Budget

Yea3.png On January 15, 2014, the Republican-run House approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[14][15] The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582-page bill, with 64 Republicans and three Democrats voting against the bill.[15] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[16] It increased the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel by 1 percent, increased Head Start funding for early childhood education by $1 billion, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, and protected the Affordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. McKeon voted with the majority of the Republican Party in favor of the bill.[14]

Government shutdown

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

Yea3.png On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[17] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[18] McKeon voted for the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[19]

Yea3.png The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[20] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. McKeon voted for HR 2775.[21]

Federal Pay Adjustment Act

Yea3.png McKeon voted for HR 273 - Eliminates the 2013 Statutory Pay Adjustment for Federal Employees. The bill passed the House on February 15, 2013, with a vote of 261 - 154. The bill called for stopping a 0.5 percent pay increase for all federal workers from taking effect. The raises were projected to cost $11 billion over 10 years.[22]

Immigration

Morton Memos Prohibition

Yea3.png McKeon voted for House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain individuals residing in the United States without legal status.[23] The vote largely followed party lines.[24]

Healthcare

Healthcare Reform Rules

Yea3.png McKeon voted for House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires that all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[25]

Social issues

Abortion

Yea3.png McKeon voted for HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196 that largely followed party lines. The purpose of the bill was to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[26]

Government affairs

HR 676

See also: Boehner's lawsuit against the Obama administration

Yea3.png On July 30, 2014, the U.S. House approved a resolution 225 to 201 to sue President Barack Obama for exceeding his constitutional authority. Five RepublicansThomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Broun of Georgia, Scott Garrett of New Jersey, Walter Jones of North Carolina and Steve Stockman of Texas—voted with Democrats against the lawsuit.[27] McKeon joined the other 224 Republicans in favor of the lawsuit. All Democrats voted against the resolution.[28][29]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Yea3.png McKeon voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was 1 of 85 Republicans that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[30]

Issues

Presidential preference

2012

See also: Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election

Buck McKeon endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[31]

Noteworthy events

Wife salary from campaign

McKeon payed his wife, Patricia McKeon, a $78,000/year salary from his campaign committee. As a congressman, he was prohibited from personally profiting from his campaign contributions. However there was no such prohibition against a spouse receiving such payments. Congressman McKeon said, "Patricia gets paid by the campaign as a senior staff member for handling multiple critical elements."[32] The payments made to his wife were the highest among congressional representatives who paid family members.[33]

Countrywide VIP Loan

Mckeon was named in a January 2012 Wall Street Journal article as having potentially received favorable terms on a 1999 home loan from Countrywide because of his position in congress.[34] Under congressional rules this could have been determined to be a gift and therefore illegal. His campaign committee accepted donations from Countrywide PAC, the political action committee of Countrywide, totaling $3,500 and an additional $13,500 from 21st Century PAC, which was controlled by the McKeons.[35][36] [37][38]

In a response to news inquiries about his knowledge of the loan discounts McKeon stated, "If I had known we had got a good deal then I would have gotten all my loans from Countrywide."[34]

Elections

2014

SimmeringRace.jpg
See also: California's 25th Congressional District elections, 2014

McKeon did not seek re-election in 2014. He instead chose to retire.[1]

2012

See also: California's 25th Congressional District elections, 2012

McKeon won re-election in the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing California's 25th District.[39] He and Lee Rogers (D) advanced past the blanket primary on June 5, 2012, defeating Dante Acosta (R) and Cathie Wright (R). McKeon went on to defeat Rogers in the general election on November 6, 2012.[40][41]

U.S. House, California District 25 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngBuck McKeon Incumbent 54.8% 129,593
     Democratic Lee Rogers 45.2% 106,982
Total Votes 236,575
Source: California Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"
U.S. House, California District 25 Open Primary, 2012
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngBuck McKeon (R) Incumbent 50.5% 39,997
Green check mark transparent.pngLee Rogers (D) 29.7% 23,542
Dante Acosta (R) 13.1% 10,387
Cathie Wright (R) 6.6% 5,215
Total Votes 79,141

Full history


Campaign themes

2012

McKeon's campaign website listed the following issues:[52]

  • Bringing jobs to our district
Excerpt: "Getting Americans back to work needs to be a top priority in Washington. California has been one of the hardest hit states during this Great Recession. California’s unemployment rate continues to be well over 11 percent, and nationally unemployment has been at or above 8 percent for 38 consecutive months- the longest such stretch of unemployment since the Great Depression. I am fighting to get the people of California`s 25th District back to work."
  • Restoring a strong American economy
Excerpt: " The American people deserve a fair, simple and competitive tax code, and the American taxpayer deserves transparency and accountability in how their hard-earned tax dollars are spent."
  • Educating our future generation of leaders
Excerpt: " The education of our children is one of the most important investments we can make to ensure a bright future for our country. As the global marketplace becomes more competitive, it is imperative that we lay the foundation for a more skilled and educated workforce. This requires that we ensure our children receive the best education that is available to them."
  • Ensuring a strong national defense
Excerpt: "In Congress I am currently the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, where I lead the charge to protect our country’s national security and provide for our troops. I believe a robust national defense is key to the long term success of our country. I wholeheartedly believe in President Reagan’s philosophy of “Peace through Strength.”"
  • Implementing an all-of-the-above energy investment
Excerpt: "With gas and energy prices continuing to rise, it is imperative we must address our nation’s failing energy policies. Americans need affordable, clean, safe, and abundant energy supplies, and our national security depends on alleviating our dependence on foreign oil. More than ever, we must be focused on increasing our energy independence."

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Buck McKeon campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2012U.S. House (California, District 25)Won $1,980,079 N/A**
Grand total$1,980,079 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Personal Gain Index

Congressional Personal Gain Index graphic.png
See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:

PGI: Change in net worth

See also: Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) and Net worth of United States Senators and Representatives
Net Worth Metric graphic.png

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, McKeon's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $52,005 and $171,000. That averages to $111,502, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican representatives in 2012 of $7,614,097.96. McKeon ranked as the 378th most wealthy representative in 2012.[53] Between 2004 and 2012, McKeon's calculated net worth[54] decreased by an average of 7 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.[55]

Buck McKeon Yearly Net Worth
YearAverage Net Worth
2004$271,667
2012$111,502
Growth from 2004 to 2012:−59%
Average annual growth:−7%[56]
Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.[57]

The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric

See also: The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by the Federal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated by OpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). In the 113th Congress, McKeon is the Chair of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services. McKeon received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by the Defense Aerospace industry.

From 1991-2014, 22.04 percent of McKeon's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.[58]

Donation Concentration Metric graphic.png
Buck McKeon Campaign Contributions
Total Raised $10,473,569
Total Spent $9,701,962
Chair of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services
Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee
Defense Aerospace$743,650
Misc Defense$469,950
Real Estate$391,629
Defense Electronics$356,500
Education$346,658
% total in top industry7.1%
% total in top two industries11.59%
% total in top five industries22.04%

Analysis

Ideology and leadership

See also: GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, McKeon was a rank-and-file Republican as of July 2014. This was the same rating McKeon received in June 2013.[59]

Like-minded colleagues

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.[60]

McKeon most often voted with:

McKeon least often voted with:


Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, McKeon missed 365 of 14,503 roll call votes from January 1993 to July 2014. This amounts to 2.5%, which equivalent to the median of 2.5 percent among current congressional representatives as of July 2014.[61]

Congressional staff salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. McKeon paid his congressional staff a total of $986,789 in 2011. He ranked 62nd on the list of the highest paid Republican representative staff salaries and ranked 191st overall of the highest paid representative staff salaries in 2011. Overall, California ranked 5th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[62]

National Journal vote ratings

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.

2013

McKeon ranked 195th in the conservative rankings in 2013.[63]

2012

McKeon ranked 97th in the conservative rankings in 2012.[64]

2011

McKeon ranked 139th in the conservative rankings in 2011.[65]

Voting with party

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.

2014

McKeon voted with the Republican Party 92.1 percent of the time, which ranked 182nd among the 234 House Republican members as of July 2014.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

2013

McKeon voted with the Republican Party 95.7 percent of the time, which ranked 161st among the 233 House Republican members as of June 2013.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
McKeon and his wife, Patricia, have six children.

Recent news

This section links to a Google news search for the term Buck + McKeon + California + House


See also

External links

 


Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 USA Today, "House Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon to retire," January 16, 2014
  2. Politico, "Buck McKeon cites gridlock in retiring," January 16, 2014
  3. 3.0 3.1 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "Howard P. (Buck) McKeon," accessed November 6, 2011
  4. CQ.com - Roll Call, "House Committee Rosters for the 113th Congress," accessed January 18, 2013
  5. U.S. Congressman Buck McKeon, 25th District of California, "Committees," accessed August 1, 2011
  6. Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 112th Congress," accessed September 5, 2013
  7. Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 113th Congress," accessed March 4, 2014
  8. Project Vote Smart, "HR 1960 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 - Voting Record," accessed September 16, 2013
  9. Project Vote Smart, "HR 2217 - DHS Appropriations Act of 2014 - Voting Record," accessed September 16, 2013
  10. Project Vote Smart, "HR 624 - CISPA (2013) - Voting Record," accessed September 16, 2013
  11. Clerk of U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 31: H.R. 2642," accessed February 12, 2014
  12. Politico, "House clears farm bill," accessed February 12, 2014
  13. 13.0 13.1 New York Times, "Senate passes long-stalled farm bill, with clear winners and losers," accessed February 12, 2014
  14. 14.0 14.1 CNN.com, "House passes compromise $1.1 trillion budget for 2014," accessed January 20, 2014
  15. 15.0 15.1 U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 21," accessed January 20, 2014
  16. Roll Call, "House passes $1.1 trillion omnibus," accessed January 15, 2014
  17. Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  18. Buzzfeed, "Government Shutdown: How We Got Here," accessed October 1, 2013
  19. Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  20. The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
  21. U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 550," accessed October 31, 2013
  22. Project Vote Smart, "HR 273 - Eliminates the 2013 Statutory Pay Adjustment for Federal Employees - Voting Record," accessed September 16, 2013
  23. The Library of Congress, "H.AMDT.136," accessed September 16, 2013
  24. Project Vote Smart, "H Amdt 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order - Voting Record," accessed September 16, 2013
  25. Project Vote Smart, "H Amdt 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - Voting Record," accessed September 16, 2013
  26. Project Vote Smart, "HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act - Voting Record," accessed September 16, 2013
  27. U.S. House, "House Resolution 676," accessed July 30, 2014
  28. Associated Press, "Suing Obama: GOP-led House gives the go-ahead," July 31, 2014
  29. Washington Post, "House clears way for lawsuit against Obama," accessed July 30, 2014
  30. U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff," accessed January 4, 2013
  31. The Hill, "2012 GOP Lawmaker Endorsements for President," accessed November 23, 2011
  32. Roll Call, "House Spouses Make Good Money From Campaigns," July 26, 2011
  33. USA Today, "Lawmakers used campaign funds to pay relatives," June 17, 2007
  34. 34.0 34.1 The Wall Street Journal, "Lawmakers Tied to VIP Loan Program," January 14, 2012
  35. Federal Election Commission, "FEC Disclosure Search - Countrywide PAC," January 14, 2012
  36. Federal Election Commission, "FEC Disclosure Search - 21st Century PAC," January 14, 2012
  37. Federal Election Commission, "FEC Disclosure Search - 21st Century PAC," January 14, 2012
  38. 21st Century PAC, "21st Century PAC - Congressman Buck McKeon," January 14, 2012
  39. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named cnnr
  40. California Secretary of State, "Official primary candidate list," accessed March 13, 2014
  41. California Secretary of State, "Unofficial election results," November 6, 2012
  42. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
  43. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
  44. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
  45. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
  46. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
  47. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
  48. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1998," accessed March 28, 2013
  49. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1996," accessed March 28, 2013
  50. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1994," accessed March 28, 2013
  51. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1992," accessed March 28, 2013
  52. Campaign website, "Issues," accessed August 10, 2012
  53. OpenSecrets, "Buck Mckeon (R-Calif), 2012," accessed February 18, 2014
  54. This figure represents the total percentage growth from either 2004 (if the member entered office in 2004 or earlier) or the member's first year in office (as noted in the chart below).
  55. This number was found by dividing each member's total net worth growth percentage by the number of years included in the calculation.
  56. This figure represents the total percentage growth divided by the number of years for which there are net worth figures for each member.
  57. This figure was calculated using median asset data from the Census Bureau. Please see the Congressional Net Worth data for Ballotpedia spreadsheet for more information on this calculation.
  58. OpenSecrets.org, "Rep. Buck McKeon," accessed September 19, 2014
  59. GovTrack, "Buck McKeon," accessed July 21, 2014
  60. OpenCongress, "Buck McKeon," accessed July 18, 2014
  61. GovTrack, "Buck McKeon," accessed July 21, 2014
  62. LegiStorm, "Buck McKeon," accessed August 21, 2012
  63. National Journal, "2013 Congressional Vote Ratings," accessed July 18, 2014
  64. National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," February 21, 2013
  65. National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House," accessed February 23, 2012
Political offices
Preceded by
Edward R. Roybal
U.S. House of Representatives - California
1993-2015
Succeeded by
Stephen Knight
Preceded by
'
Mayor of Santa Clarita, California
1987-1988
Succeeded by
'
Preceded by
'
Chairman and Trustee of William S. Hart Union High School District Board
1978-1987
Succeeded by
'


Senators
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
Ami Bera (D)
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
Adam Gray (D)
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
Ro Khanna (D)
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
Jim Costa (D)
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
Raul Ruiz (D)
District 26
District 27
District 28
Judy Chu (D)
District 29
Luz Rivas (D)
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
Ted Lieu (D)
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
Young Kim (R)
District 41
District 42
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
Dave Min (D)
District 48
District 49
District 50
District 51
District 52
Democratic Party (45)
Republican Party (9)