DCCC2012BrianBilbrayCA52-ResearchBook

Transcription

Confidential
Brian Bilbray
Republican Member of Congress in
California’s
nd
52 Congressional District
Research Book - 2012
Last Updated February 2012
Prepared by the
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Research Department
Key Moments on Video
Throughout this book, several citations will refer to footage of Bilbray from tracking
town halls. The following clips are a sample that covers the most important moments
on video at the time of writing.
Threatened Voter Intimidation
If I can suggest one thing, one of the things we’ve got to focus on is the integrity of the
list, the voters’ list. And so I think one project that we could work on between now and
election is calling down the list of those who are registered, and do something you did in
Los Angeles, just ask them, ‘Where were you born?’ and if they were born out of the
country, ‘When did you become a citizen.’ And I think you will be absolutely shocked
how many people will openly and freely say, ‘Well I haven’t become a citizen.’ Because
you don’t understand, that you got people paid to collect signatures and they sit there and
say, ‘Go ahead and sign, go ahead and sign,’ and the declaration of the top says, ‘I’m
qualified to be a voter.’ And they sign it. [San Diego Tea Party, 11/24/11, via youtube.com]
Defended Herman Cain
When I left in 2000, and I got left because I voted and got kicked out of office because
somebody else cheated on his wife and lied about it in front of a grand jury. And the fact
is we’ve got people attacking Mr. [Herman] Cain for doing something that the Senate of
the United States has already said does not disqualify you as president. [San Diego Tea Party,
11/24/11, via youtube.com]
Bilbray: You Don’t Have to Be Born in US to Become President
It’s just like people thinking that you’ve got to be born in the United States to be
President, you don’t have to be. That’s a legend. We’ve got to clarify that. [Ed Show,
8/03/11, via youtube.com]
Bilbray: You Can Spot Illegal Immigrants by Clothing
They will look at the kind of dress you wear. There is different type of attire. There
different type of . . . right down to the shoes, right down to the clothes. But mostly by
behavior. [Hardball with Chris Matthews, 4/21/10, via youtube.com]
2
DCCC Bilbray Research Book Last Updated 2/29/12
Biographical Information
This section provides background information on Brian Bilbray’s personal life,
including education, personal finances, property holdings, and other areas. Searches
were conducted at various local media outlets in San Diego County, including the
San Diego Union-Tribune, and the North County Times, as well as a number of other
online resources, including Lexis-Nexis.
Birth Date
Bilbray was born January 28, 1951 at North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado, California. [San Diego
Union-Tribune, 11/05/00]
Residence
According to his declaration of candidacy from 2006, Bilbray resided at 2466 Unicornio St., Carlsbad,
California. He also registered to vote at the same address on June 21, 2005. [Bilbray PFD, filed 2/28/06; Bilbray
Voter Registration, filed 6/21/05]
Education
Bilbray attended Mar Vista High School. After graduating, he attended Southwestern College briefly but
later dropped out without graduating to tour the country on a motorcycle. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/18/87;
11/05/00]
Family
Wife: Karen Palmer Bilbray [Congressional Directory, 6/15/99]
Children: Scott Palmer, Kristen Palmer, Shannon Palmer, Brian Patrick Bilbray, and Briana Bilbray.
Karen Bilbray had three children from a previous marriage. [Congressional Directory, 6/15/99; San Diego UnionTribune, 4/08/84]
Brian and Karen Bilbray had a son named Brian Phillip Bilbray II in 1984. He passed away a few months
later from sudden infant death syndrome. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/05/00]
Brian Patrick Bilbray Elected to Imperial Beach City Council in 2010
In November 2010, Bilbray’s son Brian Patrick Bilbray was elected to serve a two year term on the
Imperial Beach City Council. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/03/10]
Briana Bilbray: Cancer Survivor, Medicinal Marijuana Advocate
In November 2010, Bilbray’s daughter Briana Bilbray, a skin cancer survivor, joined a series of lawsuits
against the federal government’s efforts to close medicinal marijuana dispensaries in the state of
California. “I am convinced completely that it works,” she said. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/08/11]
3
Bilbray’s Statement
Asked about his daughter’s involvement in the lawsuits, Bilbray issued the following statement:
Karen and I raised our children to be strong individuals who think for
themselves. I respect my daughter’s right to fight for what she believes in
based on her personal experiences. We may not agree with our children on
every issue, but Karen and I are very proud parents. [San Diego UnionTribune, 11/08/11]
Religion
According to National Journal, Bilbray is Roman Catholic. [National Journal Almanac, accessed 12/05/11]
Career
Before running for Imperial Beach City Council in 1975 at the age of 24, Bilbray worked as a lifeguard.
[San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/05/00]
Military Service
On January 28, 1969, Bilbray registered with the Selective Service System, according to records from the
National Archives. He received an I-A classification indicating he was eligible for military service. After
receiving a classification of I-S(H), an exemption due to still being in high school, in September 1969, he
was listed as I-A in both 1970 and 1972. [Selective Service System Classification Record, received 12/05/11]
Bilbray registered for the draft after graduating from high school in 1970. His number, 346, was high
enough that he was never called. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 8/28/88]
Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Bilbray has been issued the following hunting licenses:
State
Virginia
License Date
9/30/05
Virginia
11/15/06
Virginia
11/17/06
Virginia
2/09/07
Virginia
10/10/07
Virginia
11/12/08
Address Listed
8913 Linton Ln
Alexandria, VA
2466 Unicornio St
Carlsbad, CA
8913 Linton Ln
Alexandria, VA
2466 Unicornio St
Carlsbad, CA
8913 Linton Ln
Alexandria, VA
2466 Unicornio St
Carlsbad, CA
4
Virginia
10/02/09
Wisconsin
N/A
2466 Unicornio St
Carlsbad, CA
8913 Linton Ln
Alexandria, VA
[Nexis Hunting & Fishing License Search, 10/21/11]
Property Ownership
8913 Linton Lane, Alexandria, Virginia
In September 2000, Bilbray purchased property at 8913 Linton Lane, Alexandria, Virginia, from Richard
Strohl for $385,000. Strohl had purchased the property ten years earlier for $329,500. [Fairfax County
Property Search, accessed 10/11/11]
In January 2001, Bilbray filed his termination financial disclosure. He listed as his address 8913 Linton
Lane, Alexandria, Virginia. He listed a single family residency rental in California as an asset, worth
$100,001 to $250,000 with rental income of $2,501 to $5,000. He also listed a mortgage for a home at
1307 9th St, Imperial Beach, California, valued at $15,001 to $50,000, and an equity loan on the same
property valued at $50,001 to $100,000. It is likely that Bilbray at this point had already moved his
residency to Virginia and was renting out his former home in Imperial Beach for income. [Bilbray PFD, filed
1/29/01]
As of October 2011, Bilbray and his wife still owned the property at 8913 Linton Lane, Alexandria,
Virginia. [Fairfax County Property Search, accessed 10/11/11]
Note that although the address lists Alexandria, it is actually in Fairfax County.
For tax year 2011, the property was valued at a total of $550,220. It did not qualify for a tax exemption.
[Fairfax County Property Search, accessed 10/11/11]
1307 9th Street, Imperial Beach, California
On August 17, 1984, Bilbray’s wife, Karen, transferred ownership of a property located at 1307 9th Street
in Imperial Beach, California, from herself, individually, to Bilbray and herself. On February 24, 1994,
the couple updated the Grant Deed with a vesting correction to clarify that they were husband and wife as
joint tenants. On September 3, 2002, Bilbray and his wife transferred this property to the Brian and Karen
Bilbray Trust in an Intra-Family Transaction. [Individual Quitclaim Deed, San Diego County Recorder, Doc. No. 84315628, filed 8/17/84; Grant Deed, San Diego County Recorder, Doc. No. 94-0123710, filed 2/24/94]
Since the joint ownership of the property, Bilbray has obtained at least four mortgages on the home, none
of which are still active. Below is a table detailing Bilbray’s mortgage history for his personal home:
Mortgage Date
10/25/85
1/17/90
2/03/94
8/17/00
Mortgage Amount
$90,000
$78,600
$80,000
Mortgage Release
2/07/90
3/02/94
1/09/07
2/08/07
5
[Deed of Trust, San Diego County Recorder, Doc. No. 90-026653, filed 1/17/90; Substitution of Trustee and Full
Reconveyance, San Diego County Recorder, Doc. No. 90-220930; Grant Deed, San Diego County Recorder, Doc. No. 940123710; Deed of Trust, San Diego County Recorder, Doc. No. 94-0123711, Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance,
San Diego County Recorder, Doc. No. 94-0189664; Deed of Trust with Assignment of Rents, San Diego County Recorder,
Doc. No. 00-0445356; Quitclaim Deed, San Diego County Recorder, 02-0748429; Substitution of Trustee and Full
Reconveyance, San Diego Recorder, Doc. No. 07-0017360; Full Reconveyance, San Diego Recorder, Doc. No. 07-0112097]
NOTE: Bilbray does not list this property on his personal financial disclosure, but all records indicate he
still owns the property. He is not required to list the property on his personal financial discourse if he is
not receiving rental income.
Below is a photo of 1307 9th St:
[1307 9th St Imperial Beach, CA 91932, Photo Take on Collection, 11/08/11]
Was Property From Previous Marriage
On August 17, 1984, Walter A. Palmer transferred ownership of the property at 1307 9th Street to
Karen Palmer, now known as Karen Palmer Bilbray. She then filed ownership to herself and Brian
Bilbray. [Individual Quitclaim Deeds, San Diego County Recorder, Doc. No. 84-315625, Doc. No. 84-315626, filed
8/17/84]
Taxes Paid
According to the San Diego County Recorder office, both the first and second installments of
property taxes have been paid for the property for fiscal year 2009 to 2010, the most recent year
publicly available. Both installments were $844.74. [San Diego County Recorder, Secured Assessment Roll
for Fiscal Year 2009-10]
Clute Administrative Trust
In 2011, Bilbray listed himself as a one-fifth beneficiary of the Clute Administrative Trust, which he
inherited from his mother Mavis Bilbray-Clute who passed away in May 2010, on his personal financial
disclosure. Bilbray filed an affidavit/death of trustee form in August 26, 2010, to establish his role as
6
trustee of the Clute Administrative Trust governing the properties. The trust included eight properties.
[Affidavit/Death of Trustee, San Diego County Recorder, Doc. No. 10-0446796, filed 8/26/2010]
Property
50 percent Interest in
Condo
3473 Cactus Valley Lane
Laughlin, NV
House
2466 Unicornio St
Carlsbad, CA
6 Unit Apt Bldg
230 Ebony Ave
Imperial Beach, CA
Single Family Residence
449 8th St
Imperial Beach, CA
Single Family Residence
257 Ebony Ave
Imperial Beach, CA
5 Unit Complex
192-194 Ebony Ave
Imperial Beach, CA
10 Unit Apt Bldg
266 Daisy Ave
Imperial Beach, CA
Duplex
829-831 10th St
Imperial Beach, CA
TOTAL
Assessed
Value
1/5
Ownership
Income (Rental)
$44,000
$8,800
---
$850,000
$170,000
---
$690,000
$138,000
$33,936
$260,000
$52,000
$7,200
$260,000
$58,000
$9,800
$625,000
$125,000
$20.042
$1,195,000
$239,000
$20,042
$310,000
$62,000
$12,950
$4,264,000
$852,800
$144,710
[Bilbray PFD, filed 6/15/11; North County Times, 5/13/10]
Claimed Role in Trust in August 2010
Bilbray filed an affidavit/death of trustee form in August 26, 2010, to establish his role as trustee
of the Clute Administrative Trust governing the properties. [Affidavit/Death of Trustee, San Diego County
Recorder, Doc. No. 10-0446796, filed 8/26/2010]
Trust Included Bilbray’s Home
Included in the Clute Administrative Trust is 2466 Unicornio St., Carlsbad, California. This is the
home that Bilbray listed as his residency when he declared his candidacy for the California 50th
special election in 2006. During the election Bilbray explained he had moved to Carlsbad to take
care of his mother. [Bilbray PFD, filed 2/28/06; KGTV News, 5/17/06]
Property Tax Penalty on Nevada Property
7
According to Clark County records, the property at 3473 Cactus Valley Lane, Laughlin, Nevada,
included a property tax penalty of $38.58 for tax year 2012. The Clute Family Trust owned one
half of the property and Barry P. Bilbray owned the other half. [Clark County real property search,
accessed 10/17/11]
Lien Filed on Clute Property
Mavis Clute, Bilbray’s mother, had a small claims judgment filed against her by Loana Baker.
Small claims judgments are destroyed after ten years in San Diego, so both the original filing and
any release filing are no longer available. A filing release date of 9/02/98 is listed for an amount of
$130 to Loana Baker in public records databases available. The County of San Diego listed the
properties in the Clute Family Residuary Trust on their list of public liens on June 20, 2011, but it
is not clear if this is the same lien. [Nexis Bankruptcy, Judgments & Liens search, accessed 11/14/11; San Diego
Public Liens Register for Period Ending 6/17/11]
Taxes Paid on San Diego Properties
According to the San Diego County Recorder office, both the first and second installments of
property taxes have been paid for the California properties in the Clute Administrative Trust for
fiscal year 2009 to 2010, the most recent year publicly available.
Property
449 8th St
Imperial Beach, CA
829-831 10th St
Imperial Beach, CA
230 Ebony Ave
Imperial Beach, CA
192 Ebony Ave
Imperial Beach, CA
192 Ebony Ave
Imperial Beach, CA
266 Daisy Ave
Imperial Beach, CA
First
Installment
Second
Installment
$367.37
$367.37
$750.43
$750.43
$1,427.41
$1,427.41
$732.26
$732.26
$691.01
$691.01
$2,347.65
$2,347.65
[San Diego Secured Assessment Roll in the County of San Diego, accessed 11/09/11]
Note: Not all records on the roll were legible due to printing errors.
Below are photos of the California properties in the Clute Trust:
2466 Unicornio St., Carlsbad, CA 92011
8
[2466 Unicornio St., Carlsbad, CA 92011, Photo Take on Collection, 11/08/11]
449 8th Street, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
[449 8th Street, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, Photo Take on Collection, 11/08/11]
829-831 10th Street, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
9
[829-831 10th Street, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, Photo Take on Collection, 11/08/11]
230 Ebony Avenue, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
[230 Ebony Avenue, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, Photo Take on Collection, 11/08/11]
257 Ebony Avenue, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
10
[257 Ebony Avenue, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, Photo Take on Collection, 11/08/11]
192 – 194 Ebony Avenue, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
[192 – 194 Ebony Avenue, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, Photo Take on Collection, 11/08/11]
266 Daisy Avenue, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
11
[266 Daisy Avenue, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, Photo Take on Collection, 11/08/11]
720 Caesar Road, Picayune, Mississippi
Property in Mississippi at 720 Caesar Road, Picayune, was first listed as an asset of Karen Bilbray on
Bilbray’s financial disclosure filed on May 15, 2008, with a value of $100,001 to $250,000 and rental
income of $5,001 to $15,000. These values have remained constant over time. [Bilbray PFD, filed 5/15/08;
Bilbray PFD, filed 5/15/09; Bilbray PFD, filed 5/13/10; Bilbray PFD, filed 6/15/11]
According to the Pearl River County Tax Assessor, Karen Bilbray owned four parcels of land in the
county.
Parcel #
Size
Appraised
Value
Market Value
Building
Value
6162040000001200
0.10 acres
$1,080
$1,075
---
6162030000003200
9 acres
$2,110
$18,000
---
6162030000003300
4 acres
$14,300
$19,750
---
6162030000003800
6.50 acres
$14,830
$24,750
$81,500
19.60 acres
$32,320
$63,575
$81,500
TOTAL
[Pearl River County Tax Assessor, accessed 10/07/11]
2010 Taxes Paid
According to the Pearl River County Tax Assessor, Karen Bilbray fully paid 2010 taxes totaling
$1,922.83 on January 28, 2011. [Pearl River County Tax Assessor, accessed 10/07/11]
12
Errors in Filing
There are two errors in Bilbray’s financial disclosures regarding the Mississippi property.
o May 15, 2008: “760 Caesar Rd, Picayune, MS”
o May 15, 2009: “720 Cesar Rd, Picayune, MS”
[2008 Bilbray PFD, filed 5/15/08; 2009 Bilbray PFD, filed 5/15/09]
Other Property
571 11th Street, Imperial Beach, California (2011)
According to an affidavit of death of trustee document filed July 22, 2011, Karen Bilbray was a cotrustee
of the John A. Wallin Separate Property Trust with Danita Aguon. The trust includes a home at 571 11th
Street, Imperial Beach, California. This property was never listed on Bilbray’s financial disclosure forms.
[Affidavit of Death of Trustee, San Diego County Recorder, Doc. No. 11-0373567, filed 7/22/11]
19 South Raleigh Street, Helena, Montana (2005-2009)
On July 6, 2005, Bilbray and his wife purchased property located at 19 South Raleigh Street in Helena,
Montana from Robert and Roberta Henry. [Lewis and Clark County iCRIS Record Search Web Site, accessed
10/21/11; ]
In February 2006, Bilbray filed his House of Representatives financial disclosure as a candidate. It listed
as one of his assets a rental unit at 19 Raleigh St., Helena, Montana, worth between $100,001 and
$250,000. Bilbray also listed a mortgage from Washington Mutual in the value of between $50,001 and
$100,000 on the property. The rental income from the unit was listed as between $2,501 and $5,000 for
the previous year. [Bilbray PFD, filed 2/28/06]
Rental income from the property increased to between $5,001 and $15,000 in 2006, but the value of the
asset declined to between $50,001 and $100,000. [Bilbray PFD, filed 6/06/07]
Rental income dropped back to between $2,501 and $5,000 and value increased to between $100,001 and
$250,000 in 2007. [Bilbray PFD, filed 5/15/08]
Rental income from the property increased between $5,001 and $15,000 in 2008, but the value of the
asset stayed within the range of 100,001 and $250,000. [Bilbray PFD, filed 6/06/07]
The property was sold for an amount between $100,001 and $250,000 in May, 2009 to Scott Blum.
[Bilbray PFD, filed 6/13/10; Lewis and Clark County iCRIS Record Search Web Site, accessed 10/21/11]
Tax History
The following is a history of the property taxes paid on the property from 2005 to 2009.
Year
Amount Due
Amount Paid
13
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
$1,284.89
$1,304.20
$1,332.97
$1,382.68
$1,249.98
$1,284.89
$1,304.20
$1,332.97
$1,382.68
$1,249.98
[Lewis and Clark County Property Tax Inquiry, accessed 10/21/11]
1830 Winne Street, Helena, Montana (2007)
On February 27, 2007, Bilbray and his wife, along with Michael and Kristen McDaniel, purchased
property located at 1830 Winne Street in Helena, Montana from Tony and Heidi Sawyer. They sold it to
the McDaniels on October 30, 2007. This property was never listed on Bilbray’s financial disclosure
forms. Kristen Palmer McDaniel is Bilbray’s step-daughter. [Lewis and Clark County iCRIS Record Search Web
Site, accessed 10/21/11; Congressional Directory, 6/15/99]
312 South Carolina Avenue SE, Washington, DC (1997-2001)
On April 22, 1997, Bilbray and his wife, Karen, purchased property at 312 South Carolina Avenue SE In
Washington, DC, from Gerard and Cathleen McSorley for $183,000. [Deed, District of Columbia Recorder, Doc.
No. 9700029733, Filed 4/22/97]
On August 23, 2001, Bilbray and his wife sold this property to Cal and Lisa Matsumoto for $325,000.
This property was never listed on Bilbray’s financial disclosure forms. [Deed, District of Columbia Recorder,
Doc. No. 2001078682, Filed 8/23/01]
Watercraft
According to available electronic resources, a 2010 San Diego County tax assessment names Bilbray as
the owner of personal property at 1631 Strand Way in Coronado, California. The property, which is the
Coronado Yacht Club, is a watercraft and its value was assed at $31,180. [Nexis Real Property search, accessed
11/16/2011]
According to the United States Coast Guard, a watercraft named Odysseus was registered to Brian Bilbray
with documentation number 1045618 on August 20, 2011. It had previously been registered to Bilbray
and another individual Monte Berget. [Coast Guard Vessel Documentation Search, accessed 11/16/11]
Below is a photo of the boat Odysseus docked at the Coronado Yacht Club:
14
[Odysseus, docked at 1631 Strand Way, Coronado, CA 92118 , Photo Take on Collection, 11/08/11]
Criminal Record
Neighbor Claimed to Testify Before Grand Jury
In October 2006, a neighbor of Bilbray’s, William Rider, said he was questioned by a grand jury
regarding Bilbray’s residency and possible fraud involving his residency in California or
Virginia. Bilbray’s campaign disputed the charges. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/30/06]
Police Investigated Noise Complaint at Virginia Home
On December 23, 2006, police from the Fairfax County Police Department were dispatched to Bilbray’s
home following a complaint from a neighbor who called about a party of 10 to 15 people drinking
alcohol. The report filed says the police spoke with Mr. Bilbray, who informed the office that everyone in
the house was 21 or older. Police received consent to go in the house and found everyone appearing to be
of age, but no drinking of alcohol was reported. The police left and the case was closed. [Fairfax County
Police Department Field Investigation Report, Case # 06357002498]
DC Police Received Single Call for Former Residency
The Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., was contacted to request public records related
to police and arrest reports for Brian P. Bilbray and his property, 312 South Carolina Ave., SW. No
reports regarding Bilbray were located. There was only one call made requesting service to the property.
On July 25, 2001, a call was placed at 9:06 for “open door” according to the record. [Metropolitan Police
Department of the District of Columbia, Calls for Service Data, 7/25/01]
Named in Seventeen Federal Suits and Six Federal Appellate Cases; Named as Defendant Serving
in Official Capacity in Seventeen Cases (1990-2011)
Bilbray has been involved in at least fourteen federal lawsuits and four federal appeals. Bilbray appears as
a defendant acting in an official capacity seventeen times. The cases are detailed in the table below:
15
Case Name
Number
Date Filed
Location
Subject’s
Role
Defendant in
Capacity as
Member of
Congress
Defendant in
Capacity as
Member of
Congress
Nature and
Cause of Suit
Petition for Writ
of Habeas Corpus
Perales v.
Obama et al
3:11-cv-00182JWS
9/13/2011
U.S. District
Court of
Alaska
Perales et al
v. United
States
Internal
Revenue
Service et al
United States
of America v.
Arizona, State
of, et al
Jacqueline
Gray, et al v.
City of Valley
Park, MO
Jewish War
Veterans of
the USA,
Inc., et al v.
Gates
1:11-cv-02172LTB
8/19/2011
U.S. District
Court of
Colorado
2:10-cv-01413SRB
7/06/2011
U.S. District
Court of
Arizona
Amicus
Constitutionality
of State Statue
08-1681
3/27/2008
Eighth Circuit
Court of
Appeals
Amicus on
Behalf of
Appellee
3443
Accommodation
07-5337
10/10/2007
Interested
Party
Motion to Compel
Jewish War
Veterans of
the USA,
Inc., et al v.
Gates
Trunk, et al v.
City of San
Diego, et al
1:2007mc00220
5/23/2007
Interested
Party
Motion to Compel
3:06cv1597
8/09/2006
Intervenor
Other Civil Rights
Murphy v.
County of
San Diego
00-56549
9/21/2000
United States
Court of
Appeals for
District of
Columbia
Circuit
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
U.S. Court of
Appeals for
the Ninth
Circuit
Civil Rights Act
Holgate v.
Golding, et al
99-56389
8/26/1999
Defendant
(Appellee) in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant
(Appellee) in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
U.S. Court of
Appeals for
the Ninth
Circuit
16
Petition for Writ
of Habeas Corpus
Homeless Access
to Closed Military
Base
Holgate v.
Golding, et al
98-CV-2230
12/09/1998
Simpson v.
Roache, et al
3:1994cv00412
9/07/1995
Simpson v.
Roache, et al
3:94cvc412
3/16/1994
Bianco, et al
v. Hannigan,
et al
3:93cv359
3/04/1993
Bankruptcy
RMI, Inc, a
Delaware
Corporation
92-90920-JH
12/02/1992
Advanced
Outdoor Inc
v. County of
San Diego, et
al
Murphy v.
Bilbray
91-CV-160
2/04/1992
92-55093
1/30/1992
Hunter, at al
v. Board of
Supervisors,
et al
3:91:cv1577
11/01/1991
DeBaca, et al
v. County of
San Diego, et
al
91-cv-1282
9/16/1991
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
U.S.
Bankruptcy
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
U.S. Court of
Appeals for the
Ninth Circuit
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Homeless Access
to Closed Military
Base
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Prisoner Civil
Rights
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Prisoner Civil
Rights
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Civil Rights Act
Creditor
Adversary
Proceeding
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Constitutionality
of State Statue
Defendant
(Appellant)
in Capacity
as County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Civil Rights Act
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Civil Rights Act
17
Petition for
Removal,
Injunctive/Declara
tory Relief
USA v.
County of
San Diego, et
al
3:91cv764
6/05/1991
Murphy v.
Bilbray
91-55316
3/15/1991
Advanced
Outdoor Inc
v. County of
San Diego, et
all
Alpine
Homes Ltd v.
County of
San Diego et
al
Murphy v.
Bilbray
3:1991cv00160
2/04/1991
3:1990cv00237
2/23/1990
3:1990cv00134
1/30/1990
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
U.S. Court of
Appeals for the
Ninth Circuit
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
U.S. District
Court for the
Southern
District of
California
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Other Civil Rights
Defendant
(Appellant)
in Capacity
as County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Civil Rights Act
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Civil Rights Act
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Civil Rights Act
Constitutionality
of State Statues
[Pacer, accessed 10/25/11]
Named as Party in Forty State and Local Suites (1976-2011)
Bilbray has been involved in at least forty state and local lawsuits. He appears as a defendant in official
capacity thirty-four times. The cases are detailed in the table below:
Case Name
Number
Date Filed
Jacobson
GIC870044
Barbara Gail,
Et al v. Brian P
Bilbray, et. al
Martinez et all CV05-2064
v University of
California, et al
7/31/2006
Walstrum v
Palmer
10/31/1995
694012
12/14/2005
Location
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Yolo
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Subject’s
Role
Defendant
Nature and
Cause of Suit
Other Civil
Petition
Plaintiff
Civil Rights
Defendant
Personal Injury
(auto)
18
County of San
Diego v
Redevelopment
Agency of the
City of San
Diego
County of San
Diego, et al v.
Hayes Thomas,
et al
Mid-City
Corporation v
County of San
Diego
Christward
Ministry v
County of San
Diego
672257
12/30/1993
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Plaintiff in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Other Civil
Complain
666561
7/14/1993
11/19/1992
N54648
2/19/1992
Plaintiff in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Declaratory Relief
658494
Washington v
San Diego
County Board
of Supervisors
D. Martin, et al
v. San Diego
County Board
of Supervisors,
et al
Christward
Ministry v
County of San
Diego
Hunter vs San
Diego County
Board of
Supervisors
Van Petten v
San Diego
County Board
of Supervisors
647805
1/27/1992
12/24/1991
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Declaratory Relief
646396
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego (North
County)
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
644699
11/07/1991
10/23/1991
N52598
8/20/1991
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Writs of
Mandamus,
Prohib.
644099
Sercon, Inc. v
County of San
Diego
N52004
7/08/1991
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego (North
County)
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego (North
County)
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Writs of
Mandamus,
Prohib.
19
Writs of
Mandamus,
Prohib.
Writs of
Mandamus,
Prohib.
Declaratory Relief
Declaratory Relief
Fraud
Bakonyi v San
Diego County
Board of
Supervisors
G. v Bilbray
634931
3/11/1991
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Injunction
626554
7/20/1990
Taylor v
County of San
Diego
621808
3/09/1990
Mascorro v
San Diego
County Board
of Supervisors
Century
National
Insurance
Company v
Sandoval
Presenting
Jamul v San
Diego County
Board of
Supervisors
Christward
Ministry v
County of San
Diego
City of Santee
v County of
San Diego
617395
10/19/1988
605932
11/15/1988
605773
11/09/1988
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Writs of
Mandamus,
Prohib.
604172
9/28/1988
8/22/1988
602566
8/12/1988
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Writs of
Mandamus,
Prohib
602890
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Park Hill
Congregation
of Jehovah’s
Witnesses v
County of San
Diego
Trotter v
County of San
Diego
N39843
3/21/1988
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego (North
County)
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Personal Injury
(Auto)
20
Declaratory Relief
Writs of
Mandamus,
Prohib.
Declaratory Relief
Declaratory relief
Writs of
Mandamus,
Prohib.
Writs of
Mandamus
City of Santee
v County of
San Diego
596836
3/17/1988
County of San
Diego v
O’Connor
596055
2/23/1988
Chicano
Federation v
Cox
595832
2/17/1988
Bell v San
Diego County
Board of
Supervisors
Sandoval v
Lindley
593846
12/22/1987
589680
8/27/1987
Armstrong v
San Diego
County Board
of Supervisors
Christward
Ministry v
County of San
Diego
County of San
Diego v Cory
588349
7/31/1987
587152
7/01/1987
578681
12/17/1986
Reyes v San
Diego County
Board of
Supervisors
La Vaut v
County of San
Diego
561992
4/10/1986
554204
12/04/1985
Stamper v
County of San
Diego
552671
11/06/1985
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Plaintiff in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
21
Writs of
Mandamus
Writs of
Mandamus
Injunction
Declaratory Relief
Other Civil
Complaint
Declaratory Relief
Writs of
Mandamus
Injunction
Writs of
Mandamus
Injunction
Other Civil
Petition
Nelson v San
Diego County
Board of
Supervisors
San Diego
County Deputy
Sheriffs
552669
11/06/1985
548242
8/30/1985
Trippell v City
of Imperial
Beach
494116
10/26/1982
Burke v City of 448555
Imperial Beach
2/22/1980
Hughes v City
of Imperial
Beach
393988
2/10/1977
Robert
Schucker, et.
Al v City of
Imperial
Beach, et. Al
382264
5/20/1976
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Superior Court
of California,
County of San
Diego
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Defendant in
Capacity as
County
Supervisor
Writs of
Mandamus
Declaratory Relief
Declaratory Relief
Injunction
Declaratory Relief
Quiet Title
[California Superior Court, County of San Diego; Nexis State Court Search, 12/06/11]
Sued California Universities for Favoring Illegal Immigrants Over Out-of-State Students (2006)
On December 14, 2005, Bilbray, his daughter, Briana (19), and his son, Patrick (20), filed a class action
lawsuit in Yolo County Superior Court against the University of California, the California State
University system and the California Community Colleges, alleging that students who were forced to pay
out-of-state tuition rates were unfairly discriminated against because undocumented immigrants who met
residency requirements were eligible for in-state tuition rates. [Los Angeles Times, 12/15/05]
Bilbray’s Children Graduated in Virginia
Despite attending San Diego City College in California, Bilbray’s children had graduated from
high school in Virginia. [Los Angeles Times, 12/15/05]
Claimed His Kids Were Forced To “Get In Line Behind” Illegals
“As a parent, I’m outraged that I can spend my whole life paying taxes here … and the first time
that I asked the state of California to help educate my children, they’re told they have to get in line
behind somebody who’s illegally present,” said Bilbray. [Sacramento Bee, 12/15/05]
22
Challenged California’s Tuition Law in 2005
In 2001, California passed a state law allowing illegal immigrants who were in the process of
obtaining legal residency status to pay in-state tuition if they had attended high school in
California for three years. Bilbray’s suit in 2005 sought to challenge the legality of that law. [Los
Angeles Times, 12/15/05]
Compared Out-of-State Tuition Suit to Civil Rights Movement; Likened Self to a Patriot
In a January 22, 2006, opinion-editorial published in the Sacramento Bee, Bilbray claimed that his
suit was not politically motivated and compared his motivations to those of the civil rights
movement:
The lawsuit brought forward is about principles, not politics. Federal law
on this issue is clear. We do not get to arbitrarily decide which laws we
want to follow and which ones we want to ignore. AB 540 specifically
stops legal non-resident aliens from receiving in-state tuition while
rewarding those who deliberately break our immigration laws.
Some call this a political stunt. That’s what was said about the people who
participated in the civil rights movement. That’s what was said about the
citizens who fought discrimination. In the end, they were all considered
patriots. [Sacramento Bee, Bilbray opinion, 1/22/06]
Fresno Bee: Bilbray Lawsuit “Is Shortsighted” (2006)
In a June 2006 editorial, the Fresno Bee called Bilbray’s lawsuit against the California tuition law
“shortsighted” and “mean-spirited.” After noting that Bilbray’s lawsuit was originated because his
own children had attended high school in Virginia and were being forced to pay out-of-state
tuition in California, the editorial said:
Bilbray’s lawsuit is as shortsighted as it is mean-spirited.
It is shortsighted because California has many students raised and
schooled in California who will remain in the state throughout their lives.
Their attachments and loyalties are in California. With in-state tuition at a
California public university, they can become productive, prosperous
members of California society. The state is better off if they’re educated
than if they’re not.
The lawsuit is mean-spirited because even if California’s law were
overturned, Bilbray’s children would still have to pay out-of-state tuition
until they established residency in California. [Fresno Bee, Editorial, 6/14/06]
Defendant in Capacity as Supervisor in Lawsuit Brought by San Diego County Deputy Sheriff’s
Association (1985)
23
In 1985, the San Diego County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and several of its members filed a Complaint
for Wages against the County of San Diego, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, and the San
Diego Board of Supervisors, including Bilbray. [Complaint for Wages, Wages Due and Owing, for Declaratory Relief
and for Accounting, San Diego County Superior Court, Case No. 548242, filed 8/30/85]
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs claimed their contract stated they were to work five shifts per
week of eight hours each, for a total of forty hours per week. According to the plaintiffs, they were
allowed a thirty minute break per day for lunch, but the restrictions and limitations placed on them were
restrictive to the point of constituting work, making their work weeks forty-two and one-half hours per
week. [Complaint for Wages, Wages Due and Owing, for Declaratory Relief and for Accounting, San Diego County Superior
Court, Case No. 548242, filed 8/30/85]
The plaintiffs asked that a judgment of $12 million, plus other costs, be awarded to them for damages,
breach of contract, and wages due and owing. [Complaint for Wages, Wages Due and Owing, for Declaratory Relief
and for Accounting, San Diego County Superior Court, Case No. 548242, filed 8/30/85]
$1,156,432 Settlement Reached
A tentative settlement was reached in 1990, and approved by the Court in 1991, through contract
negations between the San Diego County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and the County of San
Diego. The settlement agreement stated:
The plaintiffs agreed to settle this litigation in exchange for a one percent
base salary increase effective May 3, 1991 for all Sheriff’s department
sworn employees represented by DSA and employed on that date, plus a
lump sum of $348,000 to be utilized to pay attorney’s fees and costs and
to compensate those employees who allegedly were entitles to Code 7
compensation, but who have left County service or will not be employed
within the affected bargaining units as of the May 3, 1991 date on which
the prospective one percent salary increase is implemented. [Settlement
Agreement and Order, San Diego County Superior Court, Case No. 548242, filed
8/30/85]
The total cost of the settlement was estimated to be $1,156,432. [Settlement Agreement and Order, San
Diego County Superior Court, Case No. 548242, filed 8/30/85]
Defendant in Capacity as City Council Member in Lawsuit Brought by Landowner (1976)
In 1976, Robert and Mildred Schucker filed a Complaint to Quiet Title and to Enjoin Trespass on Real
Property against the City of Imperial Beach, including the City Council, Mayor, City Manager, and
Planning Director in their official capacity. [Complaint to Quiet Title and to Enjoin Trespass on Real Property, San
Diego County Superior Court, Case No. 382264, filed on 5/20/76]
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs claimed the city had destroyed and rendered unusable portions
of the roadways that had previously adjoined the plaintiffs’ lots during a highway realignment. The
plaintiffs also claimed the city had trespassed and damaged the property during the course of the
24
construction. The complaint claims that changes to the roadway would render using the property for any
purposes. [Complaint to Quiet Title and to Enjoin Trespass on Real Property, San Diego County Superior Court, Case No.
382264, filed on 5/20/76]
The plaintiffs asked that a judgment compelling the city to remove the trucks and machinery from the
property and declare the plaintiffs as the owners of the property in question, potentially expanding the size
of the lots by deeding to the plaintiffs land previous part of the Imperial Beach roadway. [Complaint to Quiet
Title and to Enjoin Trespass on Real Property, San Diego County Superior Court, Case No. 382264, filed on 5/20/76]
Settlement Reached Almost Two Years Later
A settlement was reached in 1978, through negotiations between the plaintiffs and the city of
Imperial Beach. The agreement clarified the easements held by the city for sidewalk, parkway, and
landscaping purposes in the plaintiffs’ property. The agreement also certified that the city would
assist the plaintiffs to contract with the city’s contractors for the work of future side-walk paving
or asphalting. [Stipulation for Judgment & Order, San Diego County Superior Court, Case No. 382264, filed on
4/24/78]
America’s Cup Sued Over Unpaid Debts
In 1991, the Twenty-Seventh America’s Cup was sued by Emery Air Freight Corporation for unpaid
debts. Bilbray served as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization at the time. In an October 1991
ruling, the judge ruled against the defendants due to them failing to appear and answer said complaint
within the time allowed by law. A total of $39,465.04 was ordered to be paid to Emery Air Freight
Corporation. There is no record of the debt being paid and several filings indicating the plaintiff continued
to try to force representatives of the Twenty-Seventh America’s Cup to appear before court to enforce the
judgment. [Judgment by Default by Clerk, San Diego County Superior Court, Case No. 639981, filed 11/24/91]
Sail San Diego in Small Claims Judgment
Bilbray, Sail San Diego, and Jeff Stafford were debtors in a small claim judgment brought by AV Partners
Inc. in 1993. The filing was for $717. Small claims judgments are destroyed after ten years in San Diego,
so both the original filing and any release filing are no longer available. [Small Claims Judgment, Case No. 598540,
Nexis Bankruptcy, Judgments & Liens search, accessed 11/14/11]
Driving Record
Auto-Accident Case Dismissed
In 1995, Karen and Brian Bilbray were sued by Manual Walstrum for causing an accident that severely
injured the plaintiff. The complaint for damages sought $25,000 from the Bilbrays. The case was later
dismissed. [San Diego Superior Court, Case No. 694012, filed on 11/07/95]
Expired Registration in Virginia
In public records searches only one guilty traffic infraction involving Bilbray has been found. In 2006, a
complaint filed against Brian Bilbray related to an expired registration was found guilty by the Fairfax
County General District Court. [Fairfax County General District Court, Case No. 059GT0619893800, filed 9/05/06]
25
Judgments, Liens, Bankruptcy
Sail San Diego in Small Claims Judgment
Bilbray, Sail San Diego, and Jeff Stafford were debtors in a small claim judgment brought by AV Partners
Inc. in 1993. The filing was for $717. Small claims judgments are destroyed after ten years in San Diego,
so both the original filing and any release filing are no longer available. [Small Claims Judgment, Case No. 598540,
Nexis Bankruptcy, Judgments & Liens search, accessed 11/14/11]
Voting History
Bilbray registered to vote at 2466 Unicornio St., Carlsbad, California, on June 21, 2005. He had
previously been registered to vote at 1307 9th St., Imperial Beach, California. Since 1990, Bilbray has
missed four elections: the March 5th, 2002 Gubernatorial Primary election and Special Elections on
March 3, 1999, March 4, 1997, and February 27, 1996. [Bilbray Voter Registration, filed 6/21/05; Bilbray Voter
History, received 12/07/11]
Campaign Contributions
According to available electronic databases, Reelect Brian Bilbray for Congress made 5 contributions to
California Republican campaigns, totaling $10,500, since 2001.
Campaign
John McCann
Governor
Schwarzenegger’s
California Recovery
Team
Shirley Horton
Shirley Horton
Greg Stein
Office
California State
Assembly
Ballot Referendum
Date
California State
Assembly
California State
Assembly
California State
Assembly
Amount
10/29/08
$1,000
12/06/05
$500
5/24/02
$3,000
2/14/02
$3,000
9/30/01
$3,000
[Follow the Money, accessed 1/30/12]
26
Personal Finance
A review of Bilbray’s Personal Financial Disclosure forms, court records and other
information was conducted in order to examine Bilbray’s personal finances,
investments and any potential financial problems that may have taken place in his
past.
The Clerk of the House maintains personal financial disclosure statements for
Members of Congress and relevant staff dating back to 1999. The Center for
Responsive Politics maintains these reports from 1994 to the present.
$28,000 in Retirement Income
In 2010, Bilbray earned income of $15,000 from a County of San Diego Public Employee Pension and
$13,000 from CALPERS, the California Public Employee Retirement System. [Bilbray PFD, filed 6/15/11]
Collected $26,000 in 2009
Bilbray began listing his retirement income on his personal financial disclosure in 2009 at the age
of 58. He received $14,000 from a County of San Diego Public Employee Pension and $12,000
from CALPERS, the California Public Employee Retirement System. [Bilbray PFD, filed 5/13/10]
One of Seventeen Californian Representatives Collecting Public Pensions
In 2012, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that seventeen members of Congress from
California, including Bilbray, were collecting taxpayer funded pensions while receiving salary
from the House of Representatives. The list included four Republicans and thirteen Democrats.
2011: Filled Out His Financial Disclosure Form Wrong Four Times
In 2011, Roll Call reported that Bilbray had corrected his personal financial disclosure four times and was
working on another amendment to correct further errors related to his family tax consulting business. He
reported value ranging from as little as $15,000 to as much as $50 million for the business. Bilbray’s
office said another filing would correctly note the value of the business as $15,001 to $50,000. [Roll Call,
05/10/11]
Bilbray listed several different valuations for Bilbray Tax Services in his financial disclosure forms.
May 15, 2009 filing for 2008 calendar year: $15,001 to $50,000
May 13, 2010 filing for 2009 calendar year: $25,000,001 to $50,000,000
June 18, 2010, 10:21 a.m., filing for 2009 calendar year: $15,001 to $50,000
June 18, 2010, 5:01 p.m., filing for 2009 calendar year: $25,000,001 to $50,000,000
June 29, 2010, filing for 2009 calendar year: $15,001 to $50,000
July 12, 2010, filing for 2009 calendar year: $25,000,001 to $50,000,000
27
April 27 2011, filing for 2009 calendar year: $15,001 to $50,000
[San Diego Union – Tribune, 4/18/11; Bilbray PFD, filed 4/27/11]
San Diego Union-Tribune Headline: “Bilbray financial forms have fluctuated”
[San Diego Union – Tribune, 4/18/11]
Bilbray Blamed Wife, New Forms
“This was a simple typo,” Bilbray spokesman Travis Considine said. “She [Karen Bilbray] was
actually pretty embarrassed about it.” Considine said the errors occurred because the agency that
requires the forms changed the way the documents are to be completed. Karen Bilbray prepared
the documents, but was not paid for the service. [San Diego Union – Tribune, 4/18/11]
Constituent Concerned that Bilbray Filed Multiple Amendments to Bilbray Tax Service
Don Vaughn, a constituent of Bilbray’s, said the multiple amendments to financial disclosure form
relating to Bilbray Tax Service concerned him. “It concerns me because it’s part of his duties as a
congressman,” Vaughn said. “There’s a requirement that he provide this information and he does
not appear to be taking it seriously enough.” [San Diego Union – Tribune, 4/18/11]
History of Correcting Forms
Bilbray has a history of correcting, or amending, his personal financial disclosures.
In 2007, Bilbray had to file an amended disclosure statement to clarify his funds held in his
deferred retirement fund and his wife’s IRA. [Bilbray PFD, filed 8/24/07]
In 2000, Bilbray had to file two amendments to his disclosure forms to clarify stock purchases
and a trip to Australia. [Bilbray PFDs, filed 9/28/00]
In 1997, Bilbray had to file an amendment to his 1996 financial disclosure after the Committee on
Standards found problems with his original disclosure. Bilbray had failed to disclose the amount
of income he received from his financial assets. [Bilbray PFD, filed 6/12/97]
In 1996, the Committee on Standards found errors with his 1994 financial disclosure statement
and required he file an amendment. He had put information on his “unearned income” and the
purchase of stocks on the wrong page of the forms. [Bilbray PFD, filed 5/22/96]
In 1994, when declaring for office, Bilbray had to file two amendments to fix errors on his
statement. He needed to clarify his relationship to Bilbray Tax Services. [Bilbray PFDs, filed 9/01/94;
9/24/94]
At Least One Million Dollars in Assets
According to his personal financial disclosure filed in 2011, Bilbray and his wife held property and other
assets valued between $738,013 and $1,720,000 in 2010. Bilbray’s and his wife’s assets earned between
$75,012 and $181,600 in 2010.
28
Bilbray provided additional information on his assets, including specific values of the Clute
Administrative Trust in which he has a one fifth share in. His share of the over $4 million trust was listed
as $852,800, along with $4,298.89 in the trust’s checking account. He also provided specific values for
his 457 deferred-compensation retirement account as worth $149,929.99 on December 31, 2010. With this
information, Bilbray’s minimum asset value was at least $1,140,740 and the maximum asset value was
$1,462,028.88.
The following table contains Bilbray’s Assets and Unearned Income in 2010 as reported in 2011:
Asset / Source of
Income
720 Caesar Road
Picayune, MS
Bilbray Tax Service
970 Seacoast Dr. #7
Imperial Beach, CA
Clute Administrative
Trust (Inherited)
1/5 beneficiary
Clute Administrative
Trust (Inherited)
Chase/Checking
Acct
Congressional
Federal CU SEP
(Cash)
First National Bank
of Picayune
National Retirement
Solutions
San Diego County
CU Checking
San Diego County
CU SEP (Cash)
US Savings Bonds
USAA Mutual Funds
USAA-IRA
USAA-SEP
TOTAL
Year End
Value of
Asset
$100,001 $250,000
2010 Amount
of Income
Type of Income
Ownership
$5,001 $15,000
Rent
Spouse
$15,001 $50,000
$50,001 $100,000
Other: SelfEmployment
Spouse
$500,001 $1,000,000
$15,001 $50,000
Rent
---
$1,001 $15,000
None
None
---
$1,001 $15,000
$1 - $200
Interest
---
$1 - $200
Interest
Spouse
$5,001 $15,000
Interest/Dividends
---
$1 - $200
Interest
Joint
$1 - $200
Interest
---
$1 - $200
Interest
Joint
$1 - $200
Dividends
Joint
$1 - $200
Dividends
Spouse
$1 - $200
Dividends
Spouse
$1,001 $15,000
$100,001 $250,000
$1,001 $15,000
$15,001 $50,000
$1,001 $15,000
$1,001 $15,000
$1,001 $15,000
$1,001 $15,000
$738,013 $1,720,000
$75,012 –
$181,600
29
[Bilbray PFD, filed 6/15/11]
Entered Congress with Few Assets
On Bilbray’s 1994 financial disclosure statement after he declared his campaign for Congress,
Bilbray listed the following assets.
Year End
Value of
Asset
$1,001 $15,000
$1,001 $15,000
Asset / Source of
Income
USAA Money
Account
North Island Federal
Credit Union
San Diego County
credit Union
Accounts
Wells Fargo Account
Wells Fargo Account
TOTAL
1993 Amount
of Income
Type of Income
Ownership
$201 - $1,000
Dividends
Joint
Less than
$201
Interest
Joint
$1,001 $15,000
Less than
$201
Interest
Joint
$1,001 $15,000
$1,001 $15,000
$5,005 –
$75,000
Less than
$201
Less than
$201
$201 to
$1,800
Interest
Interest
Dependent
Child
Dependent
Child
Net Worth Has Increased at Least 15 Times
For 2010, Bilbray’s worth was estimated at between $1,140,740 and $1,462,028.88, with a
liability valued between $10,001 and $15,000. His net worth would be between $1,125,740 and
$1,452,028.88. In 1994, Bilbray’s net worth was between $5,005 to $75,000 not including his
personal home and any mortgages on the home. This means Bilbray’s net worth has increased
anywhere between 15 to 290 times. [Bilbray PFDs, filed 6/15/11; 4/11/94]
Note: It is important to note that a large portion of the increase in value of Bilbray’s assets is from
the trust he inherited from his mother, Mavis Clute, who passed away on May 13, 2010. [San Diego
Almost $150,000 in 457 Retirement Plan
In 2011, Bilbray reported having a 457 plan, a tax advantaged deferred compensation retirement plan for
certain state and local governments and non-governmental entities, through the County of San Diego. He
listed its value on December 31, 2010 as $149,929.99. According to his disclosure, he owned shares in the
following companies and funds.
Stock/Fund
Hartford Capital Appreciation HLS
Ending Price
(12/31/10)
$42.36
Shares
920.542
30
Ending Balance
(12/31/10)
$38,994.19
IA (HIACX) Fund
Hartford Dividend and Growth HLS
Fund
Janus Twenty T Fund
Oakmark Equity and Income Fund
PIMCO Total Return Admin
(PTRAX) Fund
American Funds EuroPacific Growth
R4
American Funds Growth Fund of
America R4
SSgA S&P 500 Index Fund
TOTAL
$19.50
553.297
$10,789.30
$65.73
$27.74
86.460
421.734
$5,683.05
$11,698.91
$10.85
56.904
$617.41
$40.68
327.459
$13,321.07
$30.19
434.414
$13,114.97
$261.04
62.200
$16,237.27
$149,929.99
[Bilbray PFD, filed 6/15/11; irs.gov, accessed 10/11/11]
At Least $10,001 in Credit Card Debt
In 2010, Bilbray had $10,001 to $15,000 in mortgage liability in a joint Visa account from the San Diego
County Credit Union. [Bilbray PFD, filed 6/15/11]
Advisor to Federation for American Immigration Reform
In 2010, Bilbray served as an advisory board member for the Federation for American Immigration
Reform. [Bilbray PFD, filed 6/15/11]
Bilbray Tax Service
In past PFDs, Bilbray listed Bilbray Tax Service as a source of self-employment income for his wife
Karen on his financial disclosures. He stated the “unearned” income from the company as $50,001 to
$100,000 for 2010, but provides specific amounts of earned income in other years.
Year
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Spouse’s Income
$52,000
$33,000
$11,000
$10,572
$11,000
[Bilbray PFD, filed 5/15/08; Bilbray PFD, filed 5/15/09; Bilbray PFD, filed 5/13/10; Bilbray PFD, filed 6/15/11]
Below is a photo of Bilbray Tax Services:
31
[970 Seacoast Drive Imperial Beach, CA 91932-2402, Photo Take on Collection, 11/08/11]
Paid Wife’s Tax Services Over $49,000 from Campaign
Bilbray’s campaign has paid Bilbray Tax Services $49, 589 for accounting and payroll services
since 2001. Since February 2007, Bilbray’s campaign has made almost regular $1,000 payments
for accounting on a monthly basis. [CQ Moneyline, accessed 10/12/11]
Payor Name
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
Payee Name
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
Amount
$1,000.00
Date
3/02/2011
$1,000.00
2/02/2011
$1,000.00
1/04/2011
$1,000.00
12/28/2010
$1,000.00
11/23/2010
$1,000.00
10/07/2010
$1,000.00
9/01/2010
$1,000.00
8/10/2010
$1,000.00
7/13/2010
$1,000.00
6/22/2010
$1,000.00
5/31/2010
$1,000.00
2/19/2010
$1,000.00
2/04/2010
32
Type
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Purpose
Accounting
Services
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting
Accounting
Services
Accounting Fees
Accounting
Services
Accounting
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$1,000.00
1/12/2010
$1,000.00
12/30/2009
$1,000.00
11/11/2009
$1,000.00
10/23/2009
$1,000.00
9/01/2009
$1,000.00
9/01/2009
$1,000.00
8/03/2009
$1,000.00
8/03/2009
$2,000.00
7/02/2009
$2,000.00
7/02/2009
$1,000.00
5/07/2009
$1,000.00
4/01/2009
$1,000.00
3/02/2009
$1,000.00
2/02/2009
$1,000.00
1/05/2009
$1,000.00
11/27/2008
$1,000.00
11/11/2008
$1,000.00
1/04/2008
$1,000.00
12/05/2007
$1,000.00
11/06/2007
$1,000.00
10/04/2007
$1,000.00
9/01/2007
$1,000.00
8/14/2007
$1,000.00
7/03/2007
33
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Services
Accounting
Services
Accounting
Services
Accounting
Services
Accounting Fees
Bookkeeping
Services
Bookkeeping
Services
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting
Services
Accounting
Services
Accounting Fees
Accounting
Accounting
Services
Accounting
Accounting
Services
Payroll and
Accounting
Service
Payroll and
Accounting
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
RE-ELECT BRIAN
BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
RE-ELECT BRIAN
BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
RE-ELECT BRIAN
BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
RE-ELECT BRIAN
BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
RE-ELECT BRIAN
BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
RE-ELECT BRIAN
BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
Total
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$1,000.00
6/04/2007
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
PROFESSIONAL
FEE
$1,000.00
5/04/2007
$1,000.00
4/03/2007
$1,000.00
4/03/2007
$1,000.00
2/07/2007
$650.00
8/01/2001
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$1,950.00
7/17/2001
Operating
Expenses
PROFESSIONAL
FEE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$650.00
4/09/2001
Operating
Expenses
PROFESSIONAL
FEE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$650.00
3/19/2001
Operating
Expenses
PROFESSIONAL
FEE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$650.00
2/12/2001
Operating
Expenses
PROFESSIONAL
FEE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$650.00
1/05/2001
Operating
Expenses
PROFESSIONAL
FEE
$49,200.00
[CQ Moneyline, accessed 10/12/11]
A Balloon Celebration
On December 21, 1989, Patsy Fitro and Rae Michelle Martin transferred the business “A Balloon
Celebration” to Mary Ann Duncan, Jerome S. Duncan, and Karen Bilbray. [San Diego Daily Transcript, San
Diego County Recorder, Doc. No. 89-705833, filed 9/21/1989]
Reported in 1991 Finances
In his financial disclosure form filed in 1991, Bilbray listed his interest in “A Balloon
Celebration.” Bilbray would continue to report the company on his personal financial disclosure
forms as Supervisor until 1994, when the company is no longer mentioned. [San Diego Union-Tribune,
4/08/91; Bilbray PFD, filed 3/31/92; 3/23/93; 3/31/94]
34
Political Career
This section provides a brief overview of Bilbray’s political career, from 1975 to 2011.
Caucuses
The following outlines the caucuses in which Bilbray is a member:
Name
Immigration Reform Caucus (Chair)
Year Joined
2007
[Bilbray.house.gov, accessed 12/06/11]
Member of Republican Study Committee
In 2011, Bilbray was a member of the Republican Study Committee. [Republican Study
Committee, accessed 12/06/11]
Named Dumbest Member
Bilbray was named one of Congress’ “Dimmest Bulbs” by a magazine called The Progressive. Bilbray
was included among the top 10 “dumbest” members of Congress because he liked to be carried into
fundraisers standing barefoot on a surfboard. [Washington Post, 3/03/98]
Career Politician
After dropping out of college, Bilbray worked as a life guard before running for Imperial Beach City
Council in 1976. In 1979, he was elected mayor of Imperial Beach. In 1984, Bilbray won a seat on the San
Diego County Board of Supervisors and was reelected in 1988 and 1992. [Los Angeles Times, 6/04/98]
Bilbray ran for the House of Representatives for the 49th District in 1994. After being defeated in 2000, he
returned to the House of Representatives after a special election in the 50th District in 2005. The following
lists Bilbray’s House of Representative elections:
1994 General Election
CA 1st Congressional District
Candidate
Votes
Brian Bilbray (R)
90,283
Lynn Schenk (D)
85,597
Chris Hoogenboom (L)
5,288
Renate M. Kline (P&F)
4,948
Percent
48.51%
45.99%
2.84%
2.66%
[California Secretary of State, historical data accessed 12/03/11]
Candidate
Votes
Percent
35
Brian Bilbray (R)
Peter Navarro (D)
Ernie Lippe (L)
Kevin Phillip Hambsch
(P&F)
Peter Sterling (NL)
108,806
86,657
4,218
3,773
52.62%
41.91%
2.04%
1.83%
3,314
1.60%
Candidate
Votes
Brian Bilbray (R)
90,516
Christine Kehoe (D)
86,400
Ernie Lippe (L)
3,327
Julie F. Simon (NL)
2,829
Janice Jordan (P&F)
2,447
Percent
48.79%
46.57%
1.79%
1.53%
1.32%
Candidate
Votes
Susan Davis (D)
113,400
Brian Bilbray (R)
105,515
Doris Ball (L)
6,526
Tahir L. Bhatti (NL)
3,048
Percent
49.63%
46.18%
2.86%
1.33%
2005 Special Election
Candidate
Votes
Brian Bilbray (R)
78,341
Francine Busby (D)
71,146
William Griffith (I)
6,027
Paul King (L)
2,519
Percent
49.57%
45.02%
3.81%
1.59%
Candidate
Votes
Brian Bilbray (R)
118,018
Francine Busby (D)
96,612
Paul King (L)
4,119
Miriam E. Clark (P&F)
3,353
Percent
53.14%
43.50%
1.86%
1.51%
36
Candidate
Votes
Brian Bilbray (R)
157,502
Nick Leibham (D)
141,635
Wayne Dunlap
14,365
Percent
50.24%
45.18%
4.58%
Candidate
Votes
Brian Bilbray (R)
142,247
Francine Busby (D)
97,818
Lars Grossmith (L)
5,546
Miriam E. Clark (P&F)
5,470
Percent
56.65%
38.96%
2.21%
2.18%
2000: Never Admitted Bilbray’s Party Registration
In 2000, facing a difficult reelection fight, Bilbray did not feature his party affiliation on mailers and
television advertisements. One of Bilbray’s campaign aides admitted, “We never mention Brian’s party
registration because it just doesn’t help us.” [Los Angeles Times, 5/02/00]
Made $69,378 from County of San Diego in 1993
According to Bilbray’s financial disclosure form filed in 1994, he made $69,378 in salary as a Supervisor
for the County of San Diego the year before. He also received $5,500 in stipends for serving on various
government boards:
Entity
San Diego Association of Governments
Air Sources Board (County of San Diego)
San Diego Trolley Board
San Diego Special Act District
TOTAL
1993 Stipend
$2,075
$900
$1,725
$800
$5,500
Made $76,230 from County of San Diego in 1994
According to Bilbray’s financial disclosure form filed in 1995, he made $76,230 in salary as a Supervisor
for the County of San Diego the year before. He also received $4,600 in stipends for serving on various
government boards:
Entity
San Diego Association of Governments
Air Sources Board (County of San Diego)
1993 Stipend
$1,775
$700
37
San Diego Trolley Board
San Diego Special Act District
TOTAL
$825
$1,300
$4,600
Past Local Elections
1982: Unsuccessful Candidate for Assembly Seat
In 1982, Bilbray ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination to the 75th State Assembly District in
California. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/14/84]
Declared Republican Affiliation
Bilbray had been a registered independent as mayor of Imperial Beach since 1978, but became a
Republican shortly before his campaign for the assembly seat in 1982. [San Diego Union-Tribune,
2/14/84]
1984: Polls Showed Bilbray Formidable in Three-Way Supervisor Seat
In January 1984, polling from Dresner-Sykes and Associates showed that Bilbray would be formidable in
a three-way race for San Diego Board of Supervisors against the incumbent, Tom Hamilton, and another
potential challenger, Chula Vista Mayor Gregory Cox. Both Hamilton and Cox had 30 percent of the vote
and Bilbray had 22 percent. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/27/84]
1984 Opponent Accused Bilbray of Hiring a Private Investigator
In April 1984, Bilbray’s opponent Tom Hamilton accused him of hiring a private investigator to follow
members of his staff. Bilbray denied the charges. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/01/84]
“Maverick … Controversial … Unorthodox”
A 1984 profile of Bilbray by the San Diego Union-Tribune described him as “maverick ... controversial
... unorthodox.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/08/84]
1984: Criticized Opponent for County Not Hiring Minorities
In May 1984 while at a Chicago Political Forum, Bilbray attacked his opponent Supervisor Tom
Hamilton for San Diego County not moving fast enough to comply with a federal court-ordered decree for
the county to hire more minorities. Bilbray also said he supported bilingual education. [San Diego UnionTribune, 5/20/84]
Bilbray Won Election
38
In June 1984, Bilbray won the election to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors with 57.9 percent
of the vote, or 31,031 total votes. His opponent, incumbent Supervisor Tom Hamilton, received 19,319
votes, or 36 percent. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/06/84]
1988: Unopposed for Reelection
In 1988, Bilbray was unopposed by any major party candidate for reelection for a second four-year term to
the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/12/88]
Backed Dissident Democratic Assemblyman
In 1988, Bilbray backed Democratic Assemblyman Steve Peace for reelection, despite Bilbray’s
Republican affiliation. At the time, Peace was receiving Republican support due to his opposition to
Democratic Speaker Willie Brown. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/08/88]
Later Denied Endorsement
After Peace’s Republican opponent spoke out against Bilbray’s packing of Peace, Bilbray denied
that he had endorsed him. “My responsibility transcends political affiliations or political parties.
My responsibility is to the citizens of San Diego,” said Bilbray. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/10/88]
Won Reelection in 1992
In June 1992, Bilbray won reelection to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors with 45,698 votes, or
75 percent of the ballots cast. Challenger Fred Latham took 15,586 votes, or 25 percent. [San Diego UnionTribune, 6/04/92]
1994 Election
Passed on Run for Congress . . .
In June 1993, Bilbray announced that he would not run for Congress against incumbent Rep. Lynn
Schenk, despite being courted by national Republicans. “I will say that I have no intention of running …
To keep the system honest, there always has to be the possibility that things change and political decisions
change,” said Bilbray. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/17/93]
Changed Mind on Congressional Run
In February 1994, eight months after first ruling out a bid for Congress, Bilbray announced he
would challenge Democratic Representative Lynn Schenk. “Everyone knows Bilbray is not one to
walk away from a fight,” said Bilbray. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/09/94]
Opponent Accused Bilbray of Being “Tax-And-Spend Politician”
In April 1994, Bilbray’s Republican primary opponent, urologist John Steel, accused him of being “just
another tax-and-spend politician.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/12/94]
39
Lost Straw Poll
In May 1994, Bilbray lost a straw poll at the San Diego County Republican convention to his primary
opponent John Steel. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/10/94]
Engaged Opponent in Parking-Lot Shouting Match
In November 1994, Bilbray packed down his opponent, Representative Lynn Schenk, at the Mission
Valley Radisson hotel and engaged her in a parking-lot shouting match. Schenk was there for an abortionrights rally. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/04/94]
See Appendix I for a brief overview of paid television ads for past elections involving Brian Bilbray.
2012 Election
Endorsed Romney, Endorsed by Romney
In December 2011, Bilbray endorsed and was endorsed by former Governor Mitt Romney. Romney had a
home in Bilbray’s district. Bilbray said Romney’s “leadership and experience are what this country needs
right now.” He also said he believes Romney is the “best candidate to secure the border and put a halt to
illegal immigration.” [North County Times, 12/06/11]
Bilbray May Face a Tough Re-Election
In November 2011, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Bilbray may face a tough re-election.
They cited a Public Policy Polling poll showing that only 42 percent of voters would like to re-elect
Bilbray while 51 percent would prefer someone else. Public Policy Polling conducted the survey for
House Majority PAC, an independent committee established to help Democrats, between Oct. 19 and Oct.
23. The poll surveyed 733 registered district voters and had with a margin of error of 3.6 percentage
points. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/06/11]
Faced Several Opponents; Accused of Being RINO and Taking Multiple Public Pensions
In November 2011, Bilbray faced several challengers, including Republican opponents who accused him
of being a “Republican In Name Only” and taking multiple public pensions. In addition to Democratic
challengers Lori Saldaña and Scott Peters, Bilbray faced Republicans Wayne Iverson and John Stahl.
Stahl accused Bilbray of being a R.I.N.O (Republican In Name Only) and noted that he had a less than
stellar record on score cards by conservative organizations such as the Heritage Foundation and National
Taxpayers Union. Stahl pledged to accept no campaign money from political action committees. He also
lambasted his opponents for their lack of military service and for taking public pensions, sometimes more
than one. [Sign on San Diego, 11/25/11]
Received 55 Percent Score From Heritage Action for America Score Card
40
In January 2012, Bilbray had received a 55 percent score from Heritage Action for America
scorecard that encompassed several key votes and co-sponsorship. The scorecard is continuously
updated with new votes and legislation. [Heritage Action for America, accessed 1/19/12]
Bilbray’s District was Up for Grabs
In November 2011, the San Diego City Beat reported that Bilbray’s district was up for grabs:
Thanks to a recent redrawing of political boundaries, Democrats have a real chance of
taking the new 52nd Congressional District from incumbent Republican Brian Bilbray in
2012, and two high-profile Dems—former state Assemblymember Lori Saldaña and
current San Diego Port Commissioner Scott Peters—want to be the one doing the
grabbing. [San Diego City Beat, 11/30/11]
Faced Conservative Primary Challenge in New District with Democratic Advantage
In September 2011, Bilbray faced a conservative primary challenge from the right in a district that had a
2,575 registration advantage for Democrats, which reversed the trend over the past decade of increasing
GOP voters in his district. He was also expected to face state Assemblywoman Lori Saldana and
potentially former San Diego City Councilman and current Port of San Diego Commission Scott Peters.
[North County Times, 9/08/11]
Editorial: Bilbray Draws Short Straw
In August 2011, a North County Times editorial reported that among the three congressmen who
represented northern San Diego County, Bilbray drew the short straw. The North County Times also said
that the 2012 election cycle could be Bilbray’s last because credible Democratic candidate former
Assemblywoman Lori Saldana announced she would run against him. [North County Times, Editorial, 8/20/11]
Bilbray’s Seat Seen as “Attractive Target for a Democratic challenger”
In July 2011, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Bilbray’s difficulties in reelection:
The new maps will make it more difficult for at least one congressional Republican
incumbent — Brian Bilbray — to win re-election and appear to put three prominent
Democrats into one congressional district.” Bilbray entered the 2012 campaign with a
Republican voter registration edge of just three point, down from nine-points in 2010. He
was “an attractive target for a Democratic challenger. One possibility: former
Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña, D-San Diego. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/29/11]
Described as an Incumbent who Should be Concerned
In July 2011, Bilbray was listed as an incumbent in California who should be concerned. The Hill
reported, “Other incumbents who should be concerned include Democrats Linda Sanchez and Jim Costa,
and Republicans Brian Bilbray, Dan Lungren and Mary Bono Mack.” [The Hill, 7/28/11]
Was Expected to Face Strong Challenge from Democratic Party
41
In July 2011, the California Republican party signaled they planned to sue over redistricting, because
under the plan they could lose up to five seats, including Bilbray’s.
Bilbray was expected to face a strong challenge from the Democratic Party in the new district. GOP
consultant John Dadian in San Diego said he expects Bilbray will face a concerted challenge, but will
hang on to his seat. [North County Times, 7/23/11]
Business-Minded Democrat Could Have a Shot at Unseating Bilbray
In July 2011, a Democratic consultant said Bilbray was in a district that could be won by a Democrat.
“Though he remains relatively safe, a business-minded Democrat could have a shot at unseating Bilbray,”
said Chris Crotty, a Democratic political consultant. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/20/11]
Rothenberg: Excluded Bilbray from List of Members Who Could Receive Strong Challenges
In July 2011, the pollster Stuart Rothenberg excluded Bilbray from the districts where he thought
“Republican incumbents could receive strong challenges.” He noted that Bilbray was included in the
group of Republicans that “seem less vulnerable, either because strong challengers have not announced,
district fundamentals argue against the Democrats or redistricting is likely to lessen the Democrats’
chances dramatically.” [Roll Call, Rothenberg editorial, 7/19/11]
Admitted Republicans Were Thrown Out After Bush Years Because They Were Not Fiscally
Responsible
In June 2011, Bilbray was asked on MSNBC with Cen Uygur, whether or not it was convenient for
Republicans not to question spending increases or increases in the debt ceiling during a Republican
presidency, but criticize the same policies under a Democratic presidency.
Bilbray said, “Republicans were thrown out because they didn’t do the fiscal oversight that the House was
supposed to do. So you’ve got to just accept that the voters have the final say here.” [MSNBC,
Newsbusters.org, 6/01/11]
42
Lobbying Career
Bilbray worked as a lobbyist for several organizations following his defeat in
2000, registering as a lobbyist just three months after leaving office. Bilbray
has received over $10,000 in contributions from employees of his lobbying
clients. The following section provides an overview of the organizations and
his work based on filings with the Clerk of the House of Representatives and
the Secretary of the Senate.
Filed Registration Just Three Months After Leaving Office
Bilbray filed his first lobbyist registration forms in May of 2001, but did not note an effective date of
registration. In amendments filed in 2002, Bilbray put the effective date of his registration as April 17,
2001. [Senate Lobbying Reports filed 5/18/01; 2/14/02]
Denied Using Floor Privileges to Assist Lobbying Clients
In June 2005, The Hill reported that “[s]everal sources, including one GOP lawmaker, said ex-Rep. Brian
Bilbray (R-Calif.) uses his floor privilege to lobby in the House chamber.”
In the same article, Bilbray denied the allegation. “I’ve never done that. That’s not right. When there is
something I’m interested in, I’ll go in and listen to the debate or watch it in the gallery.” [The Hill, 6/07/05]
House Later Stripped Floor Privileges for Former Members Registered as Lobbyists
Following lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s January 2006 guilty plea on charges of influence peddling
and bribing members of Congress and their staff, both the Republican and Democratic leadership
announced lobbying reform proposals. Both the Republican and Democratic reform proposals
included stripping former members of Congress of their access to the House floor and the House
gym. [Washington Times, 1/18/06; Washington Times, 1/23/06]
On February 1, 2006, the House voted 397-50 to indefinitely suspend the floor privileges of
Bilbray and other former House members who became registered federal lobbyists. [H.Res 648, Vote
#3, 2/01/06]
Fought to Protect “Consultant” Title on Special Election Ballot
In 2006, Bilbray fought and won a legal battle to be called an “immigration reform consultant”
on the special election ballot. Another campaign had challenged the designation because Bilbray
was also a registered lobbyist. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/09/06]
Made Over $150,000 Lobbying in 2005
In 2006, Bilbray reporting earning $156,250 working for various lobbying clients in 2005. His clients and
earnings are summarized below.
43
Organization
FAIR Congressional Task Force
Federation of American Immigration Reform
Viejas Band of Mission Indians, Alpine, CA
Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, CA
KSL Encinitas Resort, Carlsbad, CA
CONAPA, Solana Beach, CA
Conquer Alzheimer’s & Cancer Now, San Diego CA
TOTAL
Income
$40,000
$40,000
$33,000
$30,000
$5,000
$6,000
$2,250
$156,250
Bilbray also listed sources of compensation in excess of $5,000 paid by one source for two years prior to
declaring his candidacy. In addition to the organizations he lobbied for in 2006, he listed the San Diego
County Regional Airport Authority and the Archery Trade Association. [Bilbray PFD, filed 2/28/06]
Made Over $90,000 Lobbying in 2006
In 2007, Bilbray reported earning $93,000 working for various lobbying clients in 2006. His clients and
earnings are summarized below.
Organization
FAIR Congressional Task Force
Viejas Band of Mission Indians, Alpine, CA
Solution Strategies, Los Angeles, CA
KSL Encinitas Resort, Carlsbad, CA
TOTAL
Income
$32,000
$35,000
$1,000
$25,000
$93,000
Registered as “Consultant” to County of Los Angeles
In 2001, Bilbray filed a lobbying registration form with the Clerk of the House of Representatives listing
himself as a “consultant” for the County of Los Angeles. A registration from 2002 listed him as a
“political advisor on immigration, health issues, welfare reform, law-enforcement” to the county.
[Lobbying Registration, filed 5/18/01; Lobbying Registration, filed 2/14/02]
The following summaries payments to Bilbray as indicated by lobbying reports filed with the Secretary of
the Senate:
Year
January 1-June 30, 2001
July 1-December 31, 2001
Income
$6,667
$20,000
Source
Lobbying Report, filed 8/17/01
Conquer Cancer and Alzheimer’s Now
44
In 2001, Bilbray registered as a “consultant” for Conquer Cancer and Alzheimer’s Now with the Clerk of
the House of Representatives. [Lobbying Registration, filed 5/18/01]
In 2002, Bilbray updated his registration to include his description of activities as “Political advisor on
health research issues” and the client’s business as “Fundraising for medical research.” The registration
had an effective date of April 17, 2001. [Lobbying Registration, filed 2/14/02]
the Senate:
Year
January 1-June, 2004
Income
$10,000
None
$10,000
Less than $10,000
Less than $10,000
Less than $10,000
Less than $10,000
Source
He terminated his work for them effective December 31, 2005 according to reports filed with the Clerk of
the House of Representatives. [Lobbying Report, filed 2/14/06]
For more information on Bilbray’s work for Conquer Cancer and Alzheimer’s Now, please see the
section “Roger Chapin and Brian Bilbray.”
Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians
In 2001, Bilbray registered as a the “Director of Political Affairs” for the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay
Indians with the Clerk of the House of Representatives. The registration had an effective date of July 1,
2001. [Lobbying Registration, filed 5/18/01]
Received $80,000 in 2004
In 2004 and 2005, Bilbray filed lobbying reports of his work for the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay
Indians. For each six-month reporting period he reported earning $40,000, rounded to the nearest
$20,000. He worked on issues related to gaming and the preservation of a local health clinic.
[Lobbying Report, filed 8/12/04; Lobbying Report, filed 2/02/05]
the Senate:
Year
Income
$40,000
$40,000
$40,000
$42,000
Source
45
$20,000
$40,000
$20,000
$20,000
He terminated his work for them effective December 31, 2005 according to reports filed with the Clerk of
the House of Representatives. [Lobbying Report, filed 2/14/06]
Benedetto Advocacy & Communications
his activities for Benedetto Advocacy & Communications as a political consultant. His lobbying issues
were listed as border pollution, environmental quality, and foreign relations. The Bajagua Project was
listed as an affiliated organization, contributing more than $10,000 to the lobbying activities of the
registrant. The registration had an effective date of registration of April 26, 2001. [Lobbying Registration, filed
2/14/02]
Later Reports Show Bilbray Made Thousands
Lobbying reports filed with the Secretary of the Senate in 2001 and 2002 show that Bilbray made
thousands working for Benedetto Advocacy on behalf of the Bajagua Project. In 2001 he made
$35,000 working on issues related to the Tijuana Valley. [Lobbying Report, filed 8/17/01; Lobbying
Report, filed 2/14/02]
Founded by Former Bilbray Staffer
Benedetto Advocacy & Communications was founded by Craig Benedetto, who was a staffer for
Bilbray when Bilbray was on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and who ran Bilbray’s
1994 congressional primary campaign. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/13/05]
Bajagua Sought No-Bid Federal Contract for Sewage Cleanup
Starting in 1999, Bajagua had sought a no-bid, single-source federal contract from the United
States International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) to build a wastewater treatment
plant on the Mexico side of the United States/Mexico border to treat polluted water from the
Tijuana River. The company then planned to purify the wastewater to the point that it could be
resold in Mexico as drinking water or for agricultural purposes. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/13/05]
Bilbray Previously Sponsored Bill Encouraging Bajagua Project
On November 16, 1999, Bilbray and Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) sponsored the Tijuana River
Valley Estuary and Beach Sewage Cleanup Act of 1999 (HR 3378), which expressed the
sense of Congress that the treaty between the United States and Mexico regarding
wastewater treatment along the border be amended to allow for sewage from the Tijuana
River to be treated at a plant located on the Mexican side of the border.
46
The existing treaty called for the wastewater to be treated in the United States. On
September 12, 2000, HR 3378 passed the House on a voice vote, but died in the Senate
Committee on Environment and Public Works. [HR 3378, 106th Congress]
Bilbray then reintroduced his sense of Congress bill as an amendment to HR 2415. On July
21, 1999, Bilbray’s amendment passed 427-0 and HR 2415 passed the House on a voice
vote. However, Bilbray’s amendment was removed in the Senate and not included in the
final version of the bill. [HR 2415, Bilbray Amendment, Vote #327, 7/21/99]
Introduced Provision to Grant No-Bid Contract to Bajagua
In 2000, Bilbray and Filner inserted language into S 835 that authorized $156 million for
the USIBWC to move forward with a wastewater treatment plant on the Mexican side of
the border as soon as the treaty regulating the border was amended to allow the plant.
Bilbray’s provision also required the plant to be built by a public-private partnership and
excluded it from open contract bidding, thereby guaranteeing that the contract would be
awarded to Bajagua. The provision was included in the final version of S 835, which
passed the House on September 12, 2000 on a voice vote and was signed by the President
in November 2000. S 835 was originally a bill to increase protection of estuaries around
Chesapeake Bay. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/26/00]
On September 12, 2000, during a House floor speech, Bilbray read part of a letter from the
mayor of Tijuana supporting HR 3378. The letter explicitly stated that the bill was for the
specific benefit of Bajagua:
Bajagua represents the kind of entrepreneurial solution that will not only
help comprehensively meet both of our constituents’ sewage treatment
needs, it will also provide a much needed source of water for the citizens
and businesses of Tijuana. [Congressional Record, 11/12/00]
Treaty Signed to Allow Wastewater Treatment on Mexican Side of Border
In February 2004, the United States and Mexico signed a treaty that would allow
wastewater from the Tijuana River to be treated on the Mexican side of the border. This
treaty was necessary for the Bajagua project to go forward. Following the signing
announcement, Bilbray praised the treaty and expressed hope that it would allow the
Bajagua project to be built:
There’s been so much maneuvering back and forth. Hopefully, this time
they will try to get something completed. If this project can work, it can
really set a precedent for environmental projects overseas. [San Diego
Federation for American Immigration Reform
47
his activities for the Federation for American Immigration Reform as a political advisor on immigration.
His effective date of registration was May 15, 2002. [Lobbying Registration, filed 6/13/02]
In 2004, Bilbray filed a lobbying report of his work for the Federation for American Immigration
Reform. He had received $40,000, rounded to the nearest $20,000, from the organization in the
year 2004 for the first half of the year. He received an additional $40,000 for the second half of the
year according to later reports. [Lobbying Report, filed 8/12/04; Lobbying Report, filed 2/02/05]
Ended Work in 2005, Made $80,000
In 2005, Bilbray filed a lobbying report terminating his work for the Federation for American
Immigration Reform. For both of the six month periods of the year he had received $40,000,
rounded to the nearest $20,000, for his services. The termination was effective December 31,
2005. [Lobbying Report, filed 2/14/06; Lobbying Report filed 8/03/05]
the Senate:
Year
Income
$40,000
$48,000
$40,000
$40,000
$40,000
$40,000
$40,000
Source
Denied FAIR was a Hate Group
In 2011, it was reported that Bilbray was a of FAIR’s board of advisers since 2001. Bilbray talked
about FAIR and defended the organization. “I think FAIR is leading-edge,” Bilbray said. “I may
not agree with everything, but they really stand up and say the illegal immigration issue is not
sustainable. You cannot continue to have 1 million illegal’s coming in continuously and maintain
rule of law and maintain the quality of life that Americans take for granted.” [Sign On San Diego,
5/04/11]
San Diego Regional Airport Authority
In 2004, Bilbray filed a termination report for his work for the San Diego Regional Airport Authority
effective April 30, 2004. He had received $40,000, rounded to the nearest $20,000, for the first six months
in 2004. He had worked on FAA funding. His effective date of registration had been November 1, 2003
according to a lobbying report filed at the same time. [Lobbying Report, filed 8/12/04; Lobbying Registration, filed
8/12/04]
48
According to the Secretary of the Senate, he had receives less than $10,000 for the period of July 1 to
December 31, 2003. [Lobbying Report, 3/12/04]
San Diego Gas and Electric
Bilbray earned $40,000 working as a “legislative advocate” for San Diego Gas and Electric in 2002. He
registered with the Secretary of the Senate effective August 1, 2002 and was paid $40,000 for work over
the final months of the year through December 31, 2002. [Lobbying Registration 1/31/03]
No History of Lobbying in California
A search of California lobbyist registrations from 2001 to 2007 did not return any registration for Brian
Bilbray. [California Secretary of State website, accessed 11/02/11]
49
Bilbray – Republican Extremist
Significant Findings
 Defended Herman Cain from Allegations of Sexual Harassment
Bilbray is a loyal Republican partisan, going so far as to defend Herman Cain
from allegations of sexual harassment in November 2011.
Bilbray Defended Herman Cain
During a Tea Party meeting in November 2011, Bilbray defended Herman Cain from allegations of sexual
harassment, saying Cain was being attacked “for doing something that the Senate of the United States has
already said does not disqualify you as president.” Bilbray was referencing his vote to impeach President
Clinton during the 1990s. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/25/11]
Speaker Boehner Hosted Fundraiser for Bilbray
In October 2011, Bilbray was scheduled to have a fundraiser with Speaker John Boehner.
The “Congressional Circle Roundtable Reception” and “General Reception” with Boehner, according to
the invite posted on the Sunlight Foundation’s PartyTime website, was set in Coronado and hosted by
“Scott & Susan McMillin and Mark & C’Ann McMillin,” of a local real estate development family. The
host committee included General Atomics owner and Predator builder Linden Blue, weight-loss maven
Jenny Craig, lobbyist Ben Haddad, developer Tom Sudberry, and various other local GOP donors.
Contribution levels ranged from $500 to $2,500 per person. [San Diego Reader, 10/12/11]
Walked out of Vote Holding White House Officials in Contempt
In 2008, Bilbray walked out of a vote finding former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and White
House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with subpoenas issued
by the Judiciary Committee regarding the dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys in December 2006. The
Judiciary Committee also would be authorized to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce
certain subpoenas. [CQ Floor Votes, 2/14/08]
Only 34 Republicans voted on the measure after Minority Leader led a walkout because of partisan
disagreements on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. [CQ Today, 2/14/08]
The bill passed 223-32. [H Res 979 and H Res 980, Vote #60, 2/14/08]
Voted to Allow Bogus Ethics Inquiry into Obey
50
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a motion to table a privileged resolution proposed by Rep. John Boehner,
R-Ohio, that would call for an ethics committee investigation of Rep. David R. Obey, D-Wis., for his
actions related to congressional earmarks.
Rep. Boehner’s resolution alleged that Rep. Obey violated House rules when he sent a letter to
Republicans asking if they favored an earmark ban. In the letter asked members to inform his committee
whether they want to bar the practice or keep providing “responsible earmarks.”
The resolution called for a probe by the Standards of Official Conduct Committee, commonly known as
the ethics panel. [Congressional Quarterly, 3/15/08]
The motion to table would have prevented a vote on the privileged resolution. Voting against the motion
meant allowing the privileged resolution to come to the floor for a vote. The motion to table the resolution
was agreed to by a vote of 219-193. [H Res 1040, Vote #128, 3/12/08]
Supported Partisan Delay of Resolution Honoring Mother’s Day
In May 2008, Bilbray voted against a motion to table reconsideration of the vote on adoption of the
resolution that would celebrate the role of mothers in the United States and support the goals and ideals of
Mother’s Day. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/07/08]
The motion to reconsider came after a unanimous 412-0 vote to approve the resolution. According to
Minority Leader John Boehner, “we just wanted to make sure that everyone was on record in support of
Mother’s Day.” [Washington Post, 5/09/08]
The motion passed 237-178. [H Res 1113, Vote #275, 5/07/08]
Voted to Support Vice President Cheney
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment by Rep. Emanuel (D-IL) to eliminate the vice president’s
executive office budget, a move that Democrats tied to Cheney’s assertion that his office didn’t need to
comply with national security disclosure rules required of other executive branch agencies. [The Star-Ledger,
6/29/07]
The amendment was defeated 207 – 207. [HR 2829, Vote #596, 6/28/07]
Voted to Allow a Vote on Cheney Impeachment
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a motion to refer the Kucinich privileged resolution to the Judiciary
Committee that would bring articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney for “high
crimes and misdemeanors.” [CQ Floor Votes, 11/06/07]
The motion to refer the resolution to the Judiciary Committee, if passed, would effectively kill the
legislation.
51
Many Republicans wanted to allow a vote on impeachment to embarrass the Democrats. [CQ Today,
11/06/07]
This motion passed 218-194. [H RES 799, Vote # 1039, 11/06/07]
Voted Against Tabling Vote on Cheney Impeachment
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a motion to table, or kill, the Kucinich privileged resolution that
would bring articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney for “high crimes and
misdemeanors.” [CQ Floor Votes, 11/06/07]
This motion failed 162-251. [H RES 799, Vote # 1037, 11/06/07]
52
Looking Out for Himself
 Collecting Taxpayer Funded Pension
 Inconsistent on Pay Raises
 Paid Family Out of Campaign Account
 Received Thousands in Gifts as County Supervisor
Bilbray is a career politician, having served in both local and federal government
for over thirty years. He receives a taxpayer funded pension in addition to his
Congressional salary, which has gone up over 30 percent since he entered
Congress. He also received a pay raise as a member of the San Diego County
Board of Supervisors. While Supervisor, Bilbray received thousands in gifts and
fought to protect free sports tickets given to Supervisors.
2010: Collected $28,000 in Taxpayer Funded Pension
In 2010, Bilbray earned income of $15,000 from a County of San Diego Public Employee Pension and
$13,000 from CALPERS, the California Public Employee Retirement System. [Bilbray PFD, filed 6/15/11]
Collected $26,000 in 2009
Bilbray began listing his retirement income on his personal financial disclosure in 2009 at the age
of 58. He received $14,000 from a County of San Diego Public Employee Pension and $12,000
from CALPERS, the California Public Employee Retirement System. [Bilbray PFD, filed 5/13/10]
One of Seventeen Californian Representatives Collecting Public Pensions
In 2012, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that seventeen members of Congress from
California, including Bilbray, were collecting taxpayer funded pensions while receiving salary
from the House of Representatives. The list included four Republicans and thirteen Democrats.
Inconsistent on Pay Raises
53
Bilbray has an inconsistent record on voting for Congressional pay raises, but has seen his pay go up by
over $40,000 since coming to Congress.
Voted to Block the Cost of Living Pay Increase for Members of Congress in 2010
In 2010, Bilbray voted to block the automatic cost of living pay increase for members of Congress
in 2011.
The bill would continue the pay freeze instituted for 2010 as part of the fiscal 2009 omnibus
appropriations law. Absent Congress’ action to block it, most members would have received a
$1,600 raise for the 2011 calendar year. [CQ Weekly, 5/03/10]
The bill passed, 402-15. [HR 5146, Vote #226, 4/27/10]
Note: A “Yes” vote is a vote against this pay raise.
Supported Congressional Pay Raise in 2007
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a measure to kill an amendment that would block an automatic
pay hike for members of Congress. By voting against the effort to consider the amendment,
Bilbray voted against a 2.5 percent salary increase ($4,400) for an annual salary of $169,600.
[Washington Post, 6/28/07]
The motion to kill the amendment passed 244-181. [HR 517, Vote #580, 6/27/07]
NOTE: A “No” vote is a vote against a pay raise.
Voted to Block Vote on Congressional Pay Increase Four Times
 2006: Bilbray voted to kill an amendment that would block an automatic pay hike
for members of Congress. By killing the attempt to block the pay raise, Bilbray
voted to receive a 2 percent increase (worth $3,304) and an annual salary of
$165,200. The effort to block the anti-pay raise amendment passed 249-167. [CQ
Floor Votes, 6/13/06; H RES 865, Vote #261, 6/13/06]
NOTE: This pay raise was later blocked by the Democratic Congress in 2007.
 2000: Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to order the previous question (thus
ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule to provide for
House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate $31.7 billion in fiscal
2001 for the Treasury Department, U.S. Postal Service, various offices of the
Executive Office of the President and certain independent agencies. The motion
passed 250-173. Congressional pay increased $3,800 from 2000 to 2001. [CQ Floor
Votes, 7/20/00; H Res. 560, Vote #419, 7/20/00]
54
House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate funds in fiscal 2000 for
the Treasury Department, U.S. Postal Service, various offices of the Executive
Office of the President and certain independent agencies. If the motion had been
defeated, an amendment to block the Congressional pay raise would have been
allowed. The motion passed 276-147. Congressional pay increased $4,600 from
1999 to 2000. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/15/99H Res. 246, Vote #300, 7/15/99]
House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate funds in fiscal 1998 for
the Treasury Department, U.S. Postal Service, various offices of the Executive
Office of the President and certain independent agencies. If the motion had been
defeated, an amendment to block the Congressional pay raise would have been
allowed. The motion passed 229-199. Congressional pay increased $3,100from
1997 to 1998. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/24/97; HR 2378, Vote #435, 9/24/97]
Has Accepted $40,400 in Pay Raises
When Bilbray first took office in Congress in 1995, he earned $133,600 as a Congressional
salary.
Today, Bilbray earns a Congressional salary of $174,000, an increase of $40,400, or an
increase of over 30 percent. [Congressional Research Service; Washington Post, 6/28/07]
Bilbray Received Pay Raise as County Supervisor
Between 1984 and 1994, Bilbray’s salary as a county supervisor increased by 37 percent. When Bilbray
joined the County Board of Supervisors in 1985, his salary was $53,000. By 1994, Bilbray was making
$72,570. In fiscal 1993-1994, the board of supervisors approved a salary of $72,570, an increase of
$19,570 or 36.9 percent. In January 1994, supervisors approved a 5 percent pay increase and gave their
aides an 8 percent pay raise. At the time, the supervisor’s salary was set to be equal to 80 percent of a
Municipal Court judge’s salary. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/02/85; 5/26/94; 6/22/94]
Note: The salary for supervisors was reduced slightly in fiscal 1988-1989 and again in fiscal 1992-1993.
Bilbray Opposed Pay Increase for Local Government Staff
In February 1993, Bilbray opposed a proposed 4 percent pay raise for local government staff in
San Diego County and a 3.9 percent benefit increase for its top administrator. “My attitude is that
it is just rubbing salt into the wounds of people who have to take pay cuts," Bilbray said. “It’s
inappropriate.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/19/93]
1994: Bilbray Absent for Pay Raise Vote
In February 1993, Bilbray was absent when the San Diego Association of Governments board
unanimously recommended the 4 percent pay raise. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/20/93]
55
San Diego Union-Tribune Criticized Bilbray Nepotism
In June 2007, the San Diego Union-Tribune wrote an editorial criticizing the paying of family members
with campaign funds. Their list of accused local lawmakers included Bilbray, who had paid his daughter,
Briana, nearly $1,800 during the 2006 campaign. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/20/07]
Paid Wife’s Tax Services Over $49,000 from Campaign
Bilbray’s campaign has paid Bilbray Tax Services $49,589 for accounting and payroll services since
2001. Since February 2007, Bilbray’s campaign has made almost regular $1,000 payments for accounting
on a monthly basis. [CQ Moneyline, accessed 10/12/11]
Payor Name
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
Payee Name
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
Amount
$1,000.00
Date
3/02/2011
$1,000.00
2/02/2011
$1,000.00
1/04/2011
$1,000.00
12/28/2010
$1,000.00
11/23/2010
$1,000.00
10/07/2010
$1,000.00
9/01/2010
$1,000.00
8/10/2010
$1,000.00
7/13/2010
$1,000.00
6/22/2010
$1,000.00
5/31/2010
$1,000.00
2/19/2010
$1,000.00
2/04/2010
$1,000.00
1/12/2010
$1,000.00
12/30/2009
$1,000.00
11/11/2009
56
Type
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Purpose
Accounting
Services
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting
Accounting
Services
Accounting Fees
Accounting
Services
Accounting
Services
Accounting
Services
Accounting
Services
Accounting
Services
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$1,000.00
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
$2,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
10/23/2009 Operating
Expenses
9/01/2009 Operating
Expenses
9/01/2009 Operating
Expenses
8/03/2009 Operating
Expenses
8/03/2009 Operating
Expenses
7/02/2009 Operating
Expenses
7/02/2009 Operating
Expenses
5/07/2009 Operating
Expenses
4/01/2009 Operating
Expenses
3/02/2009 Operating
Expenses
2/02/2009 Operating
Expenses
1/05/2009 Operating
Expenses
Expenses
Expenses
1/04/2008 Operating
Expenses
Expenses
Expenses
Expenses
9/01/2007 Operating
Expenses
8/14/2007 Operating
Expenses
7/03/2007 Operating
Expenses
6/04/2007 Operating
Expenses
5/04/2007 Operating
57
Accounting Fees
Bookkeeping
Services
Bookkeeping
Services
Accounting Fees
Accounting Fees
Accounting
Services
Accounting
Services
Accounting Fees
Accounting
Accounting
Services
Accounting
Accounting
Services
Payroll and
Accounting
Service
Payroll and
Accounting
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
RE-ELECT BRIAN
BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
RE-ELECT BRIAN
BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
RE-ELECT BRIAN
BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
RE-ELECT BRIAN
BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
RE-ELECT BRIAN
BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
RE-ELECT BRIAN
BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
Total
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
Accounting &
Payroll
PROFESSIONA
L FEE
$1,000.00
4/03/2007
$1,000.00
4/03/2007
$1,000.00
2/07/2007
$650.00
8/01/2001
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$1,950.00
7/17/2001
Operating PROFESSIONA
Expenses L FEE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$650.00
4/09/2001
Expenses L FEE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$650.00
3/19/2001
Expenses L FEE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$650.00
2/12/2001
Expenses L FEE
BILBRAY TAX
SERVICE
$650.00
1/05/2001
Expenses L FEE
$49,200.00
Received Thousands While Member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors
In 1986, Bilbray topped the other members of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for the value of
gifts he received. He received gifts worth $6,738, including honorary membership in the Southwestern
Yacht Club, valued at $2,477. Bilbray said he had never used the membership and it should not really be
counted in his statements of economic interests. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/17/87]
Topped Gifts in 1987
In 1987, Bilbray received the highest value of gifts among the county supervisors. He received
$7,800 in free trips, meals, tickets, and other gifts. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/01/88]
In 1988, Bilbray reported receiving $8,335 in gifts as a member of the Board of Supervisors. The
gifts included tickets to a Frank Sinatra concert provided by the Home Federal Savings and Loan.
58
Took $3,584 in Gifts in 1989
In 1989, Bilbray received $3,574 in gifts as a member of the San Diego Board of Supervisors. [San
Diego Union-Tribune, 4/14/90]
Thousands in Sports Tickets in 1990
In 1990, Bilbray reported the largest gift total again. He received $3,822 worth of gifts, including
free stadium tickets to attractions ranging from a truck pulling contest to Chargers and Padres
games. These sport passes were valued at $2,461 for Bilbray. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/04/91]
Bilbray Defended Free Stadium Passes
In June 1989, Bilbray defended the free stadium passes he and other politicians received as gifts. “Do you
really think we could be unduly influenced by getting those passes?” Bilbray asked. He also said the cap
on accepting gifts was difficult for his wife, who saw the passes as “one of the few perks that goes along
with all this political stuff she has to put up with.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/07/89]
Fought to Protect Free Sports Tickets
In January 1990, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors sent the county counsel, Lloyd M.
Harmon Jr., to ask the California Fair Political Practices Commission to rewrite proposed
regulations to grant an exemption to county supervisors from publicly reporting their gifts of
complimentary ducats to every event at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. This would allow
County Supervisors to accept tickets to Padres and Chargers games without disclosing them to the
public. “It’s absurd to have two partners in a stadium, and have one partner treated one way and
another treated totally different,” said Bilbray. [Los Angles, 1/10/90]
Wasted Taxpayers’ Money to Argue Case
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the supervisors spent $4,000 of taxpayers’ money to
argue these cases before the Fair Political Practices Commission. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/07/89,
4/14/90]
Authorized Thousands for Redwood Office Partitions
In December 1992, despite a budget crunch that caused San Diego County to try and cut welfare
payments and send its workers home without pay, Bilbray authorized spending $25,000 in county funds
for redwood office partitions. The partitions, which would have separated receptionists in the supervisors’
common office, were scheduled to be installed in the office that Bilbray was vacating at the end of the
year. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/17/92]
Criticized for Spending Money for New Stationary
In 1993, Bilbray was criticized in The Daily California for spending $754 to have the word “Chairman”
added to his official stationery. Bilbray was criticized for this wasteful spending because San Diego
County was having financial difficulties at the time. In addition, Bilbray was criticized for spending the
59
money to change his title because his position was Chairman was only temporary. [The Daily California,
8/29/93]
Fundraising for Sail San Diego Questioned
In 1990, Sail San Diego, a sailing syndicate operated out of Bilbray’s Supervisor’s office, collected nearly
$100,000 from companies that require county approval for various projects. Critics said Bilbray’s role as
a fundraiser for the group raised questions about his role as supervisor. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/07/91]
Tackled Ethical Questions
In 1991, Bilbray urged the Board of Supervisors to address the legal gray area surrounding
supervisors fundraising for non-profit groups. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/07/91]
DA Quested Bilbray’s Involvement
The San Diego County District Attorney viewed Bilbray’s involvement with Sail San Diego as
unethical. The D.A.’s report stated that Waste Management’s methods of lobbying for influence,
including the $50,000 donation to Sail San Diego “suggest an unseemly effort . . . to manipulate
local government for its own business ends.” At the time, Waste Management, Inc. was seeking
to develop a landfill in Gregory Canyon, which is located in San Diego County. [Los Angeles
Times, 4/02/92]
$16,395.34 in Privately-Funded Travel
Bilbray has a history of accepting privately-funded travel. Based on available records, he has received
$16,395.34 in paid trips during the course of his congressional career. Because the Legislative Resource
Center does not maintain records after six years, the records for Bilbray’s first six years in office may be
incomplete.
Date
Destination(s)
July/August-99
Australia
March-00
Phoenix, AZ
Sponsor
Australia/US Business
Leaders Forum
Health Industry
Manufacturers
Association
Expenses
$14, 642.34
$1,753.00
$16,395.34
[Staff Privately-Funded Travel Disclosure Forms; Legistorm, accessed 10/12/11]
Trip to Australia
In 1999, Bilbray filed a financial disclosure amendment detailing his trip to Australia from July
31, 1999 to August 22, 1999 paid for by the Australia-US Business Leaders Forum. The trip from
San Diego to Sydney and back included lodging, food and also paid for a family member. Bilbray
spent 16 days not at the sponsor’s expense and spending his own money, leaving the other six
60
days as days the sponsors paid for lodging and food. The cost for the trip, paid for by the sponsors,
was $14, 642.34. [Bilbray PFD, filed 9/28/00; Bilbray Employee Travel Disclosure Form, filed 9/28/00]
Bilbray missed the following votes during his trip.
Date, Bill Number, Vote Number
Issue, Vote
8/02/99, HR 2488, Vote #356
Motion to instruct the House conferees on the taxreconciliation bill to limit tax reductions to no more
than 25 percent of the currently projected nonSocial Security budget surplus in order to preserve
the surplus to shore up Social Security and
Medicare. The motion was rejected, 205-213
Passage of a bill to allow the state of Arizona to
reinvest interest and dividends generated from state
trust funds rather than using all of the revenue for
public schools, universities and other institutions.
The bill passed 416-0.
Passage of a bill to increase protection for
subcontractors on federal construction projects by
requiring that the general contractor obtain payment
bonds equal to the total value of the contract. The
bill passed 416-0.
Amendment to the Foreign Operations
Appropriations bill to prohibit the use of any funds
in the bill for new projects by the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation (OPIC). The amendment
was rejected 103-315.
Appropriations bill to prohibit the use of funds in
the bill for international population control or
family planning activities or for abortion
procedures. The amendment was defeated 145-272.
Appropriations bill to prohibit the use of funds in
the bill for new obligations or commitments by the
Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation or the Trade and
Development Agency. The amendment was
defeated 58-360.
Passage of the Foreign Operations Appropriations
bill. The bill passed 385-35.
Engrossment and third reading of a bill to assist
states in restricting alcohol sales over the Internet
and allow state attorneys general to prosecute in
federal court out-of-state companies that ship
alcohol in violation of state law via the Internet,
mail-order catalogs and telephone sales. The bill
passed 325-99.
Passage of a bill to assist states in restricting alcohol
sales over the Internet and allow state attorneys
general to prosecute in federal court out-of-state
companies that ship alcohol in violation of state law
via the Internet, mail-order catalogs and telephone
sales. The bill passed 310-112.
8/02/99, HR 747, Vote #357
8/02/99, HR 1219, Vote #358
8/02/99, HR 2606, Vote #359
8/03/99, HR 2606, Vote #360
8/03/99, HR 2606, Vote #361
8/03/99, HR 2606, Vote #362
8/03/99, HR 2031, Vote #363
8/03/99, HR 2031, Vote #364
61
8/03/99, HJRES 58, Vote #365
8/03/99, HR 987, Vote #366
8/04/99, Procedural Motion, Vote #367
8/04/99, HR 1907, Vote # 368
8/04/99, HR 2670, Vote #369
8/04/99, HR 2670, Vote #370
8/04/99, HR 2670, Vote #371
8/04/99, HR 2670, Vote #372
8/04/99, HR 2670, Vote #373
Joint resolution to disapprove the presidential
waiver that allows U.S. trade credits and guarantees
for companies that do business with Vietnam. The
resolution was defeated, 130-297.
Passage of the bill to prevent the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from
issuing new ergonomics rules until the National
Academy of Sciences has completed a
congressionally mandated study on the issue. The
bill passed 217-209.
Approval of the House Journal of Tuesday, August
3, 1999
Passage of a bill to require that patent applications
be published at the same time and to the same extent
that they are published in foreign countries. The bill
would waive the publication requirement if a patent
application is subject to a secrecy order, or if the
application is no longer pending and the patent has
been granted. The requirements also would be
waived if a similar application has not been filed in
a foreign country. The measure also would
reorganize the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as
an agency within the Commerce Department, but
allow it to retain control over its own budget. The
bill passed 376-43.
Adoption of the rule (HRes273) to provide for
House floor consideration of the fiscal 2000
appropriations bill for the departments of
Commerce, Justice, and State and the federal
judiciary.
Amendment to increase funding for the Legal
Services Corporation by $109 million to $250
million, offset by cuts including reducing funding
for the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture
Fund, FBI salaries, and salaries and expenses of the
Federal Prison System and the federal judiciary
system. The amendment also would increase
funding for the Immigration and Naturalization
Services’ violent crime reduction programs by $44
million, offset by an equal reduction for
Immigration and Naturalization Service detention
facilities. The amendment passed, 242-178.
Motion to rise from the Committee of the Whole,
thus prohibiting the possibility of further
amendments being offered for the day. The motion
was rejected 166-249.
Amendment to increase funding for crime
prevention and treatment programs by $137.3
million, and reduce funding for violent offender
incarceration and truth in sentencing block grants by
an equal amount. The amendment was rejected 164263.
Amendment to strike language in the Commerce,
Justice, State Appropriations bill that would ban the
use of federal funds for abortion services for women
62
8/04/99, HR 2670, Vote #374
8/04/99, HR 2670, Vote #375
8/05/99, Procedural Motion, Vote #376
8/05/99, HR 2488, Vote #377
8/05/99, HR 2488, Vote #378
8/05/99, HR 2488, Vote #379
8/05/99, HR 2670, Vote #380
8/05/99 HR 2670, Vote# 381
in federal prisons except in cases of rape, incest or
danger to the woman’s life. The amendment was
rejected 160-268.
Amendment to reduce funding for the 2000 census
by $2.8 billion dollars to $1.7 billion. The
amendment was rejected 171-257.
Motion to agree to the Senate amendments to a bill
that would establish a $1 billion loan program for
the steel industry, and a $500 million loan program
for the oil and gas industries. The bill would
appropriate $270 million to cover potential loan
defaults. To offset the coverage, the bill would
reduce executive branch travel accounts by the same
amount. The motion was agreed to (thus clearing
the bill for the president), 246-176
Approval of the House Journal of Wednesday,
August 4, 1999
Adoption of the rule (HRes274) to provide for
House floor consideration of the conference report
on the bill to reduce taxes by $792 billion over 10
years. The rule was adopted 224-203.
A motion to recommit the conference report to the
conference committee with instructions to the
House conferees to insist on preserving 100 percent
of the Social Security surpluses for Social Security
and devoting 50 percent of the non-Social Security
surpluses to debt reduction by limiting the net tax
reduction to no more than 25 percent of the
currently projected non-Social Security surpluses
and removing limited tax benefits as defined under
the Line-Item Veto Act. The motion was rejected
205-221.
Adoption of the conference report on the bill to
reduce taxes by $792 billion over 10 years. The
conference report would reduce each of the five
income tax rates by 1 percentage point, phase out
the estate tax, and raise the standard deduction
available to taxpayers filing jointly from $7,200 to
$8,600 gradually over five years. The conference
report would reduce the capital gains tax rate from
10 percent and 20 percent to 8 percent and 18
percent effective Jan. 1, 1999. The conference
report was adopted, 221-206
Amendment to strike language from the bill that
would make the release of $244 million in back
payments to the United Nations contingent on the
enactment of an authorization bill that ties the
payment to U.N. reforms. The amendment was
rejected 206-221.
Amendment to give the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) until March 31, 2000, to
develop and implement a plan to address the manner
in which central office codes, the first three digits of
a seven-digit phone number, are distributed. States
would be allowed to implement phone number
63
8/05/99, HR 2670, Vote #382
8/05/99, HR 2670, Vote #383
8/05/99, HR 2670, Vote #384
8/05/99, HR 2670, Vote #385
8/05/99, HR 2670, Vote #386
8/05/99, HR 2684, Vote #387
8/05/99, HR 2670, Vote #388
8/05/99, HR 1905, Vote #389
conservation plans if the FCC does not take action
in a timely manner. The amendment was rejected
169-256.
Amendment to reduce funding for the InterAmerican Tropical Tuna Commission from $4.7
million to $2.4 million in fiscal 2000. The
amendment was rejected 211-215.
Amendment to prohibit any funds in the bill from
being used to add any natural site or cultural
monument currently recognized as a World Heritage
Site by the United Nations’ World Heritage
Committee to the committee’s list of endangered
world heritage sites. The amendment was adopted
217-209.
Amendment to prevent any funds in the bill from
being used to administer or fund the Uniform
System of Accounts for telecommunications
companies of the Federal Communications
Commission. The amendment was adopted 374-49
Amendment to prohibit any funds in the bill from
being used to file a federal challenge to any state,
local or tribal law on the grounds that the law is
inconsistent with the North American Free Trade
Agreement Implementation Act or policies of the
World Trade Organization. The amendment was
rejected 196-226.
Motion to recommit the bill back to the
Appropriations Committee with instructions to
increase the amount of funding for the Community
Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program by $1
billion to the president’s requested level of $1.3
billion. The motion was rejected 208-219
Passage of the bill to appropriate $35.8 billion for
the departments of Commerce, Justice, and State
and the federal judiciary for fiscal 2000. The bill
would provide $4.5 billion in “emergency” funding
for the 2000 Census. The bill passed 217-210
Motion to order the previous question (thus ending
debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption
of the rule (HRes275) to provide for House floor
consideration of the bill to appropriate $92 billion
for the departments of Veterans Affairs and
Housing and Urban Development. The motion was
agreed to 217-208
Adoption of the conference report on the bill to
appropriate $2.5 billion for legislative branch
operations in fiscal 2000. The bill would provide
$761 million for House operations and $489 million
for the Senate, as well as funding for other
congressional agencies including the Capitol Police,
the Architect of the Capitol, the Congressional
Budget Office and the Library of Congress. The
report was adopted, 367-49.
[Thomas.gov, accessed 2/17/12]
64
Spent Almost $2,000 on Bottled Water in 2011
According to House of Representative Disbursement forms for the first three quarters of the year 2011,
Bilbray had spent $1,378.63 on bottled water for his office. Bilbray was averaging over $200 a month just
on bottled water from two vendors, Deer Park and Arrowhead. Arrowhead is a bottle water supplier in the
West Coast that does not service the DC area. However, Deer Park would service Bilbray’s DC office.
[House Disbursement Forms, accessed 10/12/11; Arrowhead Water website, accessed 10/12/11]
Dates
Vendor
Amount
11/21/10 to 12/20/10
Arrowhead
$93.12
12/15/10 to 12/26/10
Arrowhead
$41.24
1/05/11 to 1/20/11
Arrowhead
$32.91
1/06/11 to 1/26/11
Arrowhead
$234.25
1/27/11 to 2/26/11
Deer Park
$65.90
2/03/11 to 2/20/11
Arrowhead
$90.39
2/21/11 to 3/20/11
Arrowhead
$104.03
2/27/11 to 3/26/11
Deer Park
$175.30
3/21/11 to 4/20/11
Arrowhead
$77.86
3/27/11 to 4/26/11
Deer Park
$198.38
5/04/11 to 5/20/11
Arrowhead
$110.66
5/11/11 to 5/26/11
Deer Park
$154.59
5/27/11 to 6/26/11
Deer Park
$153.59
7/14/11 to 7/26/11
Deer Park
$69.68
7/05/11 to 7/20/11
Arrowhead
$92.91
7/21/11 to 8/20/11
Arrowhead
$119.44
8/12/11 to 8/26/11
Deer Park
$141.59
$1,955.84
TOTAL
[House Disbursement Forms, accessed 11/29/11]
Note: Although some of the dates for the bottled water occur in 2010, they were not paid until the 2011
year with funds from that year.
Study Finds Members Spent $2,000 a Year on Water on Average
A February 2011 study from Corporate Accountability International found that members of
Congress spent on average of $2,000 on bottled water between April 2009 and March 2010.
Corporate Accountability International report, accessed 10/12/11]
Spent Over $2,700 on Food & Beverages in First Half of 2011
According to House of Representative Disbursement forms for the first half of the year 2011, Bilbray has
spent $2,712.53 on food and beverages for his office. [House Disbursement Forms, accessed 10/12/11]
Note: The majority of this spending is a $1,882.60 expenditure on March 7, 2011 for an event at the
Commissioned Officer’s Club.
65
Spent Over $1.8 Million on Franked Mail, Mass Mailings
According to House of Representative Disbursement forms, Bilbray has spent $1,892,759.54 on franked
mail and mass mailings for his office from 1995 to 2010. The following table outlines his expenditures by
year.
Year Franked Mail Spending Mass Mail Spending
1995
$76,466.69
*
1996
$75,545.61
*
1997
$85,939.78
$68,235.02
1998
$99,402.05
$91,494.04
1999
$89,659.99
$88,360.09
2000
$116,841.10
$83,181.20
2006
$49,420.17
$46,759.31
2007
$24,026.67
$66,007.94
2008
$98,406.32
$150,661.73
2009
$115,441.15
$186,167.90
2010
$93,959.59
$186,783.19
$925,109.12
$967,650.42
Total
[House Disbursement Forms, accessed 2/29/12]
Note: House Disbursements did not list member mass mailing information prior to 1997.
Spent Over $35,000 on Franked Mail in First Three Quarters of 2011
According to House of Representative Disbursement forms for the first three quarters of the year 2011,
Bilbray has spent $35,866.18 on franked mail for his office. [House Disbursement Forms, accessed 2/29/12]
Paid Campaigning Chief of Staff $42,000 Over Three Months
In 2011, Bilbray paid his chief of staff Steve Danon $42,102.75 between July, 1 2011 and September 30,
2011. [2011 3nd Quarter Statements of Disbursement, accessed 11/29/11]
Steve Danon Ran for Supervisor While Serving as Bilbray’s Chief of Staff – Had Been
Running for Last 2 ½ Years
In 2011, it was reported that District 3 Supervisor Pam Slater-Price said she would retire in 2012 –
and Republican Steve Danon had been campaigning for the seat for the last 2½ years. While
serving as the chief of staff to Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-San Diego, Danon raised more than $100,000
and secured dozens of key endorsements. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/28/11]
Attended Rotary Meeting in July and Talked About Supervisor Race
In July 19 2011, Steve Danon, who is running for Slater-Price’s District 3 office attended
Tuesday’s Rotary meeting, held at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. At the meeting
he mentioned Slater-Price. [North County Times, 7/20/11]
66
Accused of Conflict of Interest on Imperial City Council
In May 1984, Bilbray was accused by a former Imperial Beach mayor of holding a conflict of interest by
voting on property matters involving parcels owned by a trust held by his mother and stepfather, Mavis
and George Clute. Bilbray denied the charges and noted that other members of the council held property
in areas where the council voted on property rezoning. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/26/84]
Intervened in Hotel Case to Back Campaign Contributor
In June 2007, Woodfin Suites Hotels was ordered to pay at least $125,000 in back pay to its housekeepers
and pay a fine to the city of Emeryville for failure to comply with a living wage law. Bilbray had urged
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to investigate the immigration status of workers at the hotel
after Woodfin management claimed they tried to fire workers who they said failed to correct Social
Security numbers that did not match lists provided by the Social Security Administration. Woodfin CEO
Samuel Hardage was a campaign contributor to Bilbray. [Inside Bay Area, 6/14/07]
Defended Surfer Accused of Two Murders
In 1999, Bilbray wrote a letter to the San Diego Superior Court defending surfer Roy Lacsina, who was
later acquitted on charges of shooting two alleged white supremacists. Bilbray said he had known Lacsina
for 20 years and called him “one of Imperial Beach’s unique and finest citizens.” Lacsina was accused of
shooting two men who threatened him and guests at his house. [Associated Press, 5/26/99]
67
… Wasting Taxpayer Dollars
 Supported Tax Dollars for Subsidizing Sailboat
 Supported Failed Recycling Plant Boondoggle
Bilbray was a strong advocate of bringing America’s Cup to San Diego and
supported the granting of $25,000 in tourist tax funds to subsidize sailboats related
to the event. Bilbray defended sailing as important for the local economy. He also
backed an expensive but failed trash-to-energy recycling plant in San Marcos that
cost the county millions.
Bilbray: Yachting Distributes Wealth
In August 1988, Bilbray discussed the importance of sailing for the local San Diego economy.
“Karl Marx would be proud of yachting,” said Bilbray. “It distributes the wealth so quickly.” [San
Recycling Plant a “Financial Disaster”
In June 1996, the San Diego Union-Tribune said the failed trash-to-energy plant in San Marcos
supported by Bilbray may be “the worst financial disaster in the county history, a fiscal sinkhole
that threatens to suck down money needed for law enforcement and social services.” The plant,
which cost $139 million, was shut down after only 18 months of use. [San Diego Union-Tribune,
6/09/96]
Bilbray Had No Regrets
Bilbray had no regrets for his support of the recycling plant. “Nobody is too good to take
care of their waste-stream products,” said Bilbray. “But the people in North County
clearly thought that their neighborhood was too nice, and was too good to take care of
their trash problems.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/09/96]
Wall Street Journal: Plant a “Disaster”
In 1993, the Wall Street Journal called San Diego’s under-utilized recycling plant the
“first disaster” in the national drive to recycle. By the time the plant was completed,
operational costs had increased and many cities in the county were considering pulling
out of the project altogether. The now defunct recycling plant decreased San Diego
68
County’s credit rating and county taxpayers were left with financing the $134 million
plant. [Wall Street Journal, 4/26/94]
Supported Tax Dollars to Subsidize Sailboat
In May 1985, Bilbray requested the granting of $25,000 in tourist tax funds to assist sailboat skipper
Dennis Conner compete in the America’s Cup in 1987. Bilbray said if Donner wins San Diego could host
the 1990 America’s Cup, which would generate local tourist dollars in the economy. [San Diego Union-Tribune,
5/08/85]
69
… Protecting the Culture of Corruption
 Ties to former Lobbyist Jack Abramoff
 Founded Congressional Cigar Association, Linked to Lobbyists
 Advocated for Business with Questionable Business Associates
 Scheduled to Have Fundraiser with Husband of Woman Accused of
Stealing Almost $4,000 from Charity
Bilbray, himself a former lobbyist, has ties to disgraced former lobbyist Jack
Abramoff. When he returned to Congress, Bilbray helped establish the
Congressional Cigar Association, which has been widely criticized as little more
than a front for lobbyist networking. In his previous period in Congress, Bilbray
advocated for a business with questionable business associates that had
contributed to his campaign.
Ties to Former Lobbyist Jack Abramoff
Participated in Trip to Mariana Islands Organized by Abramoff
In December 1996, Bilbray and his wife participated in a trip to the Mariana Islands organized by
Abramoff and sponsored by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. At the time, Abramoff
was a lobbyist with Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds LLP, which was registered to lobby on behalf
of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Abramoff was the lead lobbyist working on
behalf of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. [Washington Post, 2/22/97, Associated Press,
4/26/05]
While available documents do not provide exact dates for Bilbray’s December 1996 trip, it is possible his
time in the Northern Marianas overlapped with a trip Abramoff took to the islands from December 4
through December 12, 1996. Abramoff was known to have been accompanied on the trip by two aides to
Representative Tom DeLay. According to news reports, most trips by elected officials to the Northern
Marianas included tours of garment manufacturing plants and rounds of golf. [Washington Post, 5/04/05; New
York Times, 1/20/98]
Mariana Island Trip Not Reported, Paid by Government Entity
70
Bilbray’s trip to the Mariana Islands was not reported on his Financial Disclosure Statement for
either 1996 or 1997 because the trip was paid for by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, a government entity. [New York Times, 1/20/98]
Bilbray Hosted Luncheon for Mariana Island Governor
In October 1997, Bilbray and Representatives Dana Rohrabacher (R-California), Ed Royce (RCalifornia) and John J. Duncan Jr. (R-Tennessee) hosted a luncheon for Mariana Islands Governor
Froilan C. Tenorio in Washington D.C. Tenorio was in Washington D.C. lobbying against a bill
that sought to extend federal minimum wage laws and immigration policies to the Northern
Mariana Islands and to restrict the Marianas use of “Made in the USA” labels on consumer
products until the islands were in compliance with federal labor and immigration laws. [Washington
Post, 10/14/97]
Voted Against Motion to Apply Federal Minimum Wage Laws to Mariana Islands (2000)
On March 9, 2000, Bilbray voted against a motion to recommit H.R. 3846 with instructions to add
language requiring that employers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands pay
workers at least the federal minimum wage. The motion would have immediately raised the
minimum hourly wage on the Northern Mariana Islands to $3.55, and required that it be increased
by $0.50 every six months until it matched the federal minimum wage. The motion to recommit
was rejected 181-243. [H.R. 3846, Vote #44, 3/09/00]
Claimed He Did Not Know Abramoff Personally
In January 2006, Bilbray responded to questions regarding any connection between himself and
Abramoff. Bilbray claimed not to recognize Abramoff, but admitted that the two likely met during their
overlapping time as lobbyists. “I assume I’ve run into him during the process. He was all over the Hill.
But when I see him on TV, it’s not someone I recognize.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/02/06]
Sponsored Congressional Cigar Association
In 2009, Bilbray gave the necessary sponsorship to form the Congressional Cigar Association, which
hosted “smoke-filled parties attended by lobbyists, legislators and staffers.” [San Diego Union-Tribune,
7/23/10]
Headline: “Bilbray-backed House group filled with lobbyists; Congressman says he had no
knowledge” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/23/10]
Potential Rules Violation with Lobbyists
Bilbray was criticized for the association having three lobbyists on its board, a possible violation
of House ethics rules. “I would be surprised if there was any ethics problem, and if there is, we
would straighten it out,” said Bilbray. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/23/10]
Constituents Criticize Bilbray’s Links to Group
71
“I find it very difficult to believe that someone who has been a lobbyist as long as Brian Bilbray
has been a lobbyist was unaware that a group that bore his name contained a wealth of lobbyists,”
said Del Mar resident Walter Carlin. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/23/10]
“We moved here from Tampa, which was the center of the cigar industry,” said Mark Scoular of
Encinitas. “This town has nothing to do with that industry. If you look at the people contributing
to this thing, none of them have anything to do with our community.” [San Diego Union-Tribune,
7/23/10]
Editorial: “Bilbray should disavow congressional cigar group”
A San Diego Union-Tribune editorial called on Bilbray to disavow the cigar group:
An association that bends the rules on gifts and lobbyists is the last thing
that the successor to disgraced, imprisoned, bribe-taking Rep. Randy
“Duke” Cunningham should have anything to do with. Bilbray’s
spokesman told us he will push the Congressional Cigar Association to
shape up and follow all rules. That’s not good enough. He should disavow
the group and formally dissociate himself from it. [San Diego Union-Tribune,
7/24/10]
Bilbray Supported Lobbyist-Backed Bills
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Bilbray signed onto several pieces of legislation that
would benefit clients of lobbyists in the cigar club in the months after sponsoring the association.
“[I]n one instance, Bilbray sponsored a bill that would eliminate a tax on medical devices — and
he introduced it five days after the cigar club held an exclusive, rooftop event across the street
from the Capitol in late June. Jeff Choudhry, who lobbies for a large medical device maker and
other interests, was a board member of the club at the time.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/07/10]
Second Editorial: “Bilbray Must Explain His Actions”
A second San Diego Union-Tribune editorial called on Bilbray to embrace transparency and come
clean about his links to the cigar group.
We are not alleging he is corrupt. But the blitheness and arrogance he’s
displayed in the flap over a congressional staff organization he sponsored
is unacceptable. As reported earlier this summer, the Congressional Cigar
Association ostensibly was set up by Bilbray to allow House and Senate
staffers to share their appreciation of cigars and tobacco’s role in the U.S.
economy. In reality, the association has proved to be a tool used by
lobbyists for insurance, banking, energy and pharmaceutical companies to
win access to lawmakers and staffers. At the least, the events staged by
this group violated the intent of ethics rules limiting gifts from lobbyists.
Bilbray didn’t appear to take concerns about the cigar group all that
seriously. Now comes a follow-up report in Tuesday’s Union-Tribune by
72
the Watchdog Institute, an independent investigative reporting center
based at San Diego State University, that shows Bilbray on several
occasions sponsored or lent his name to legislation sought by lobbyists
involved in the Congressional Cigar Association.
Yes, the bills were in keeping with Bilbray’s pro-business philosophy. But
instead of offering this or any explanation, Bilbray refuses to answer
questions about his actions. So does his senior policy adviser, Gary Kline,
who, like Bilbray, is a cigar club officer. Meanwhile, Bilbray’s spokesman
responded to a question about whether Bilbray or Kline had attended a
particularly lavish association party with this pearl: “We certainly don’t
monitor the social lives of staff.”
This doesn’t just demonstrate Bilbray’s contempt for the media. He’s
showing his contempt for the residents of the 50th Congressional District,
who deserve straight answers. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/09/10]
Advocated for Company with Questionable Business Associates
Metabolife Associates Contributed $45,500 to Brian Bilbray
From 1997 to 2000, individuals associated with the company Metabolife contributed $45,500 to Bilbray’s
campaigns. These contributions included $5,000 from Metabolife CEO Michael Ellis, $4,000 from
William R. Bradley, who oversaw finances, and $1,000 Michael Blevins, another owner. [CQ Moneyline,
accessed 12/07/11]
FBI Arrested Company’s Founders in Meth Bust
In October 1998, FBI agents arrested the founders of Metabolife, Michael Ellis, Michael Blevins
and Bryan Maloney, after it was revealed they had rented a house and outfitted it with lab
equipment and chemicals to make 50 pounds of methamphetamine. [Newsweek, 10/04/99; Copley News
Service, 8/20/99; San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/04/99; The Hill, 5/26/99]
Purchased 3,480 Pounds of Freon
According to the original indictment in the case, Blevins and Maloney were arrested after
they bought 3,480 pounds of Freon from Triple Neck Scientific Laboratory Supplies. They
were caught by one of the largest sting operations in San Diego. [San Diego Union-Tribune,
9/04/99]
Ellis Pleaded Guilty to False Statements . . .
In November 2007, Ellis pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FDA in 1999 about
Metabolife 356 and was sentenced to six months in federal prison and a fine of $20,000. [Monterrey
County Herald, 6/11/08]
. . . Indicted on Weapons Charges
73
In February 2005, Ellis was indicted on federal charges of illegally possessing firearms and
ammunition which included three loaded handguns, a .22-caliber rifle, and more than 600
rounds of ammunition. He plead guilty in September 2005. [City News Service, 9/30/05]
Former Police Office, Caught in Meth Ring Before
Ellis was a former police officer who left the force after being charged with conspiracy to
manufacture and distribute methamphetamines in January 1989. Ellis agreed to cooperate
with the investigation in return for reduced charges. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/23/03]
Bradley Pleaded Guilty to Falsifying Taxes
In October 2005 Bradley pleaded guilty to evading income tax and to helping Metabolife evade
taxes. [Associated Press Financial Wire, 10/06/2005]
Blevins Pleaded Guilty to Straw Purchases
In September 2005, Blevins plead guilty to felony possession of a firearm and using a
straw purchaser to buy a rifle, a shotgun, a .357 Magnum and ammunition from an El
Cajon gun store in October 2001. [Associated Press, 9/30/05]
Had Previous Meth Record
Blevins had been barred from possessing firearms after he was indicted in what the DEA
called the biggest single roundup of methamphetamine manufacturers in history in 1989.
[Associated Press, 9/30/05]
Bilbray Fought for Metabolife in Congress
Bilbray fought vigorously against restricting the use of ephedrine in supplements, including by Metabolife
in its signature product Metabolife 356. According to published reports, Bilbray wrote letters to the FDA,
DEA and Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala in support of the diet supplement industry.
[Copley News Service, 6/02/99]
Bilbray was described as one of Metabolife’s strongest supporters. [Washington Post, 5/24/99; The Hill, 5/26/99]
Ephedra Linked to At Least 39 Deaths
According to the Food and Drug Administration’s records, ephedra had been linked to at least 39
deaths and 695 cases of serious illness since 1994. [Washington Post, 12/25/00]
Voted to Protect Metabolife in Class Action Lawsuits
In September 1999, a month after a class action suit was filed against Metabolife, Bilbray voted to
shift class-action lawsuits from state court to federal court making it more difficult for plaintiffs to
prevail. [H.R. 1875, Vote #443, 9/23/00]
74
DCCC Ran Ads Hitting Bilbray for Metabolife Ties
In May 2006, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) ran an ad accusing
Bilbray of being a “shakedown” artist who took money from Metabolife and turned a blind eye
even as their drug Metabolife 356 was killing people. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/02/06]
Bilbray Dismissed Ad as “Over-The-Top”
Bilbray called the ad “over-the-top” and defended working for Metabolife:
With the obesity crisis in this country, I would definitely be giving the benefit of
the doubt to any product that would help in the fight against obesity. It was not
wrong to support them (Metabolife) -- it was number one consumer choice for
fighting weight gain and a federal law passed by Democrats in ‘93 specifically
restricted the FDA’s control of a lot of herbal products. [San Diego Union-Tribune,
5/02/06]
Received Money from Lobbyist at Dow Lohnes Government Strategies LLC
March 31: In 2011, Bilbray voted for a bill to “pass the bill that would amend federal pesticide law and
the Clean Water Act to prohibit the EPA or states from requiring a permit for the use of registered
pesticides in or near navigable waters.” [H R 872, Vote #206, 3/31/11]
April 1: In 2011, Bilbray received $500 from lobbyist Norm Lent III who serves as Counsel at Dow
Lohnes. Lent focused on energy, environment, telecommunications and health care issues. [CQ, accessed
8/26/11; FEC, Brian Bilbray for Congress, 4/01/11]
Scheduled to Have Fundraiser with Husband of Lydia Hemmings Accused of Stealing About $4,000
from Charity
In 2012, Bilbray was scheduled to have a “Birthday Celebration Reception and Dinner” fundraiser with
Hawaii Senator Fred Hemmings, whose wife Lydia Hemmings was sentenced to community service and
fined $4500 after “copping a plea to misdemeanor charges of theft from a nonprofit she ran.”
According to a report by Hawaii News Now, “Deputy Attorney General Lance Goto says Mrs. Hemmings
stole about $4,000 from Blueprint for Change, an organization that fights for the safety and well-being of
at-risk children, while she was its executive director.” The cost for the fundraiser was $250 a person,
$2500 for a table. [San Diego Reader, 1/10/12]
Hosted a Campaign Fundraiser at Prince George’s County Trap and Skeet Center
In 2011, Bilbray staged a day of “skeet, trap, and sporting clays” shooting fundraiser at Prince George’s
County Trap and Skeet Center. Political action committees had to fork over $1500 to attend; individuals
paid $750 to attend. [San Diego Reader, 7/06/11]
Opposed New Standards for Preserving Presidential Records
75
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would set new standards for managing and preserving
presidential records.
Specifically, the bill would direct the archivist of the United States to set new standards for tracking
federal e-mail records and to certify that the White House meet those standards. It would also require the
National Archives and Records Administration to oversee e-mail policies at federal agencies. [CQ Today,
7/09/08]
The Bush administration threatened to veto this bill if passed, saying that the existing practices were
adequate. [CQ Today, 7/09/08]
Government Reform committee chairman Congressman Henry Waxman said the legislation was
ultimately, “about accountability and preventing cover-ups.” [CQ Today, 7/09/08]
The bill passed 286-137. [HR 5811, Vote #477, 7/09/08]
Voted Against Ethics Bill
In 2008, Bilbray voted against legislation to establish an independent panel of the House ethics committee
to consider alleged violations by House members and employees.
The measure created an independent Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), whose primary mandate will
be to carry out probes and refer allegations of unlawful activity made against Members of Congress to the
House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. This new independent organization would be led by
a bipartisan, six-person panel whose membership will be jointly agreed to by both the Speaker of the
House and the House Minority Leader.
With the creation of a new Office of Congressional Ethics and previously approved lobby reform
legislation, Democrats said that the New Direction Congress has demonstrated its commitment to making
the 110th Congress and future Congresses more ethically transparent and morally accountable.
[Congressional Quarterly, Rep. Clyburn Press Release, 3/11/08]
The measure was adopted by a vote of 229-182. [H Res 1031, Vote #122, 3/11/08]
Voted to Block Ethics Bill
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a rule to provide for House floor consideration of the resolution that would
establish an independent panel of the House ethics committee to consider alleged violations by House
members and employees.
The bill created an independent Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), whose primary mandate will be to
carry out probes and refer allegations of unlawful activity made against Members of Congress to the
House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. This new independent organization would be led by
a bipartisan, six-person panel whose membership will be jointly agreed to by both the Speaker of the
House and the House Minority Leader.
76
With the creation of a new Office of Congressional Ethics and previously approved lobby reform
legislation, Democrats said that the New Direction Congress has demonstrated its commitment to making
the 110th Congress and future Congresses more ethically transparent and morally accountable.
[Congressional Quarterly, Rep. Clyburn Press Release, 3/11/08]
The rule was adopted by a vote of 207-206. [H Res 1031, Vote #121, 3/11/08]
Refused to Crack Down on Abuses of U.S. Attorney Appointment Privileges
In 2007, Bilbray voted against legislation to curtail President Bush’s ability to appoint interim U.S.
attorneys who can serve indefinitely without Senate confirmation.
The bill restored the process for temporarily replacing U.S. attorneys to what it was prior to the 2006
reauthorization of the Patriot Act, which included language to allow the president to indefinitely appoint
replacements to vacant U.S. attorney positions without Senate approval.
Under the bill, the attorney general would be empowered to appoint a temporary replacement who could
serve for up to 120 days. If the Senate had not confirmed a permanent replacement by then, the chief
judge of the federal district would be able to appoint a temporary replacement to serve until the Senate
acts. [Congressional Quarterly Today, 5/21/07]
According to Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), the House sponsor of the bill, the measure “will restore
historical checks and balances to the process by which interim U.S. attorneys are appointed.” [Congressional
Quarterly Today, 5/22/07]
The bill passed 306-114. [S. 214, Vote #397, 5/22/07]
Supported Killing Comprehensive Ethics Reform
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of killing a Democratic attempt to bring to the floor a comprehensive
lobbying reform bill that would have banned travel on corporate jets, prohibited lobbyist gifts, and slowed
the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street.
Also, the bill would have shut down the “K Street” project in which jobs in lobbying firms were traded
for legislative favors; shine light on earmarks so that special interest provisions could not be slipped into
bills without public scrutiny; and put an end to some of the procedural abuses that had flourished in the
Republican-controlled House.
The Democratic measure would have covered all special interest earmarks, including the Alaska Bridge to
Nowhere and disclosed whether Members had a financial interest in the earmark. [Leadership Document,
“Democrats Fight To Clean Up Culture Of Corruption; Republicans Fail To Change Washington,” 9/14/06]
The motion to end the debate passed 218-194. [HRS1000, Vote #448, 9/14/06]
Supported Weak Earmark Reform
77
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a change in House rules to reform the earmarking process. Earmarks,
special projects anonymously inserted into bills, often only benefited one entity. The famed “Bridge to
Nowhere” in Alaska was a well-known example of an earmark. The resolution passed by the House
required all House committees to list the earmarks contained in the bills they reported or in the
accompanying committee reports, along with the names of the members requesting those earmarks.
It also required a list of earmarks (and of the members requesting them) that were added in conference
committees and not contained in the original House or Senate bills, and therefore not included in any
previous earmark list. The rules change only applied to the House chamber and was only effective
through the end of the 109th Congress. Democrats argued that the resolution would not actually eliminate
a single earmark and would not reduce the total number of earmarks.
Democrats were also critical that the GOP had seemingly abandoned ethics reform. Congressional
Quarterly described the earmark reform resolution as, “a narrow rule change that will affect only one
chamber for a few months.” [CQ Today, 9/14/06]
The bill passed 245-171. [HRS1000, Vote #449, 9/14/06]
Voted to Condemn Media Leaks of Classified Information
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a resolution that called on the media to refrain from publishing
classified materials, adding that leaks “inflict significant damage” on U.S. efforts to capture terrorists.
The resolution did not specifically mention the New York Times, but it was clear throughout the debate
that a New York Times story detailing the tracking of terrorist finances was the subject of the resolution
for the measure.
Democrats saw the resolution as a political stunt designed to placate a conservative base angry with
certain newspapers, especially the New York Times. [CQ Today, 6/29/06]
The resolution passed 227-183. [HRS895, Vote #357, 6/29/06]
Supported Measure to Prevent Citizens from Filing Ethics Complaints
In 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that changed the rules for filing ethics complaints against
Members of Congress.
Specifically, this bill would have prohibited citizens who were not Members of Congress from filing
ethics complaints against a Member.
“Outsiders” must find a Member of Congress willing to file a complaint, which made it much less likely
that complaints would ever get filed.
Supported Dismissing Complaints after 180 Days
78
In 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment that required the House Committee on Standards
of Official Conduct to dismiss a complaint filed with after 180 days if the committee was
deadlocked and a motion to establish an investigative subcommittee did not prevail.
The amendment was defeated 181-236. [HRS 168, Vote #410, 9/18/97]
Supported Efforts to Protect Gingrich
During the first session of the 104th Congress, Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich was brought before the
House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
Bilbray voted in favor of two Republican efforts to shield Gingrich from a special investigation by an
outside counsel.
Both efforts passed. [H.Res. 277, Vote #815, 11/16/95; H.Res. 288, Vote #833, 11/30/95]
In 1996, Gingrich admitted that he lied to the Ethics Committee and was found to have violated House
ethics rules by using tax-exempt organizations to promote the Republican Party. [Various]
Opposed Proposed Taping of Closed Local Government Meetings
In May 1989, Bilbray spoke out against a proposed law that would have required tape recordings
of local government bodies’ closed door sessions. Bilbray called the bill overkill and said it
would have a “chilling effect” on necessary discussions behind closed door. The bill died for
lack of a motion in the California State Senate Local Government Committee. [San Diego UnionTribune, 5/11/89]
Voted For Justice Department Review of Coconut Road Earmark
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a motion to concur with Senate revisions to the Surface Transportation Law.
The bill contained approximately 6,200 earmarks for special projects around the country. Critics of
excessive spending within both parties as well as government watchdog groups decried the inclusion of so
many ‘pet projects’ in what was purported to be a simple clarifying measure. [Statement by Rep. Flake, H2882,
4/30/08]
One earmark that came under particular scrutiny was a $10 million request to widen I-75 in Florida’s
Collier and Lee counties, but the final version of the measure sent to President Bush for his signature was
changed to redirect that money to the Coconut Road Interchange in Lee County. Watchdog groups
pointed to then House Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young, R-Alaska, as the source of the
change, and said one of the prospective backers of the Coconut Road project had held a fundraiser for
Young in 2005.
Sen. Tom Coburn, (R-OK) demanded an investigation, and the Senate, when it passed the highway
corrections bill on April 17, directed the Justice Department to investigate whether criminal laws were
broken when the project was inserted into the 2005 act after the final vote. [CQ Today, 4/17/08]
79
The motion was agreed to, 358-51. [HR 1195, Vote #229, 4/30/08]
Voted For Throwing Out Votes of Members Not Properly Sworn-In
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a resolution that struck six votes cast by Reps. Michael Fitzpatrick and Pete
Sessions as they were both in another part of the Capitol when the Speaker was administering the oath of
office to House members in the chamber. The two members conducted official – including voting and
making submissions to the Congressional Record – despite having missed the swearing-in ceremony.
In addition to deleting the six votes, the resolution ratified Sessions’ election to a standing committee and
his participation in its proceedings. [CQ Today, 1/07/11]
It was subsequently reported that Fitzpatrick and Sessions were absent because they were attending a
fundraiser on the Capitol grounds, an apparent violation of ethics rules.
The Philadelphia Inquirer editorialized that “by effectively launching his reelection bid even before taking
the oath of office, Fitzpatrick comes off as cynical or clueless…Whatever the case, Fitzpatrick subjected
himself to national embarrassment by missing the House opening last week to attend a reception attended
by more than 500 supporters at the Capitol Visitor Center.” [Philadelphia Inquirer, Editorial, 1/14/11]
Rep. Andrew Weiner suggested that the Republicans had ignored their recently adopted rules package
which included a requirement that all legislation be made public three business days before a vote. Weiner
argued that the resolution demanded more care consideration, insisting “we are dealing with a
constitutional issue and one that is without precedence.” [CQ Today, 1/07/11]
The resolution passed, 257-159. [H Res 27, Vote #11, 1/07/11]
Voted in Favor of Overhaul of Ethics and Lobbying Rules
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to overhaul congressional lobbying and ethics rules for
members and their staffs, as well as requiring the disclosure of “bundled” campaign contributions that
exceed $15,000 in a six-month period or $30,000 in a year.
The bill extended the time period before former senators can become lobbyists to two years while former
House members would have to wait one year.
The bill also required quarterly disclosure reports on lobbying activities and denied congressional
pensions to members convicted of certain felonies committed after the date of enactment.
The measure required senators, candidates for Senate and presidential candidates to pay charter rates for
trips on private planes while barring House candidates from accepting trips on private planes.
Among changes to House and Senate rules, the bill prohibited a member’s staff from having lobbying
contact with the member’s spouse and imposed new earmark disclosure requirements in the Senate. Civil
penalties for failure to comply with lobbying disclosure requirements were raised to $200,000. [CQ Weekly,
8/06/07]
80
Voted to Censure Rep. Charles Rangel
In 2010, Bilbray voted to censure Rep. Charles Rangel and require him to pay restitution for any unpaid
estimated taxes on income from his property in the Dominican Republican.
According to an ethics investigation, Rangel improperly solicited donations for an education center
bearing his name, failed to pay taxes and inaccurately reported his income. The panel found Rangel guilty
of 11 of the 13 charges against him and recommended censure.
Rangel apologized for his actions and implored members to vote with compassion, drawing comparisons
between previous censure-worthy actions and his own “sloppy, or even stupid” actions. [CQ Today,
12/02/10]
Voted Against Substituting Reprimand for Censure
In 2010, Bilbray voted against an amendment substituting a written reprimand instead of censure
for Rep. Charles Rangel.
According to an ethics investigation, Rangel improperly solicited donations for an education
center bearing his name, failed to pay taxes and inaccurately reported his income. The panel found
Rangel guilty of 11 of the 13 charges against him and recommended censure.
Some members, including the amendment’s author, Rep. G.K. Butterfield, felt that censure was
too harsh a penalty. Reprimand carries less stigma than censure and would not have required
Rangel’s presence in the chamber after the vote. Two other members of the New York delegation,
Republican Rep. Peter King and Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler, said that neither the substance of
the charges nor historical precedent warranted severe punishment. [CQ Today, 12/02/10]
The amendment failed, 146-267. [H Res 1737, Vote #606, 12/02/10]
Voted to Allow Ethics Investigation into Rangel
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of an ethics investigation into House Ways and Means Chairman Charles
Rangel. The Boehner privileged resolution would remove Rangel from his chairmanship and establish a
subcommittee in the House Standards and Official Conduct Committee within 10 days of the resolution’s
adoption to investigate whether Rangel violated U.S. tax code in his reporting of rental income for a
property he has owned in the Dominican Republic since 1988. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/18/08]
Rangel was the subject of news reports revealing discrepancies on his financial disclosure forms;
accounting irregularities that resulted in back taxes owed on undeclared income from a vacation property
in the Dominican Republic; storage of a car with expired tags in a House parking garage; and his use of
rent-stabilized apartments in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Speaker Pelosi said there was
no need for Rangel to step down.
81
In July, a measure seeking censure of Rangel failed, with 25 Republicans siding with Democrats in a 254138 vote to table it. The ethics committee’s top Republican, Doc Hastings of Washington, said the
committee should hire a special counsel and form an investigative subcommittee to look into the Rangel
matter. He said that he had been calling for the panel to launch an official investigation since the end of
July. [CQ Today, 9/18/08]
The motion to table the resolution was agreed to by a vote of 226 to 176. [H Res 1460, Vote #609, 9/18/08]
Supported Ethics Investigation into Bill Jefferson
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a privileged resolution that would direct the Committee on Standards of
Official Conduct to investigate alleged illegal conduct and House rules violations by Rep. William J.
Jefferson (D-LA).
Under the measure, the Committee was required to report its findings and recommendations to the House,
including whether he should be expelled from the House. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/05/07]
In June 2007, Jefferson was indicted on bribery, racketeering, money laundering, obstruction of justice,
and related charges. The 16-count indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., charged
Jefferson with solicitation of bribes, honest services wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice,
violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, racketeering, and conspiracy.
The indictment alleged that from in or about August 2000 through in or about August 2005, Jefferson,
while serving as an elected member of the U.S. House of Representatives, used his position and his office
to corruptly seek, solicit and direct that things of value be paid to Jefferson and his family members in
exchange for his performance of official acts to advance the interests of people and businesses who
offered him the bribes. [Capitol Hill Broadcast Network, 6/04/07]
The resolution passed 373-26. [H Res 452, Vote #430, 6/05/07]
Supported Resolution Condemning Murtha
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a motion to table (kill) a resolution sponsored by Republican leader John
Boehner (R-OH) condemning Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) for allegedly bringing “dishonor and
discredit to the House of Representatives by misusing the powers of the chair.”
According to CQ Today, Republicans complained that Murtha “did not show the proper degree of fairness
or respect as Speaker pro tempore toward a colleague,” Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) during a
debate over approval of the Journal of the previous day’s proceedings. [CQ Today, 8/05/07; Congressional
Record, 8/03/07, Page 9695]
The motion to kill the resolution passed 211-178. [HRes 612, Vote #822, 8/03/07]
Voted to Censure Rep. Pete Stark
82
In 2007, Bilbray voted to censure Rep. Pete Stark for his comments during floor debate on October 18,
2007 on the override vote on the president’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. [CQ
Floor Votes, 10/23/07]
Criticizing the President for his refusal to add $35 billion over five years to expand SCHIP to 10 million
kids, Stark said Bush was able to find money for the troops, but not for children’s health.
“You don’t have money to fund the war or children. But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent
people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off
for the president’s amusement,” Stark said. [Associated Press, 10/18/07]
The motion to table the resolution passed 196-173. [H Res 767, Vote #986, 10/23/07]
Note: A vote for censure is a “no” vote to table the resolution.
Voted to Reprimand Murtha
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a Democratic motion to kill a resolution denoting that Congressman John
Murtha (D-PA) has been guilty of a violation of the Code of Official Conduct and merits the reprimand of
the House. The resolution alleged that Murtha had threatened to revoke another lawmaker’s earmarks.
According to The Hill, “The earmark drama began last week when Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) said that
Murtha approached him on the floor and told him ‘in a loud voice’ that there would be consequences for
offering a procedural motion, which would have abolished $23 million for the National Drug Intelligence
Center, which is based in Murtha’s district.”
House rules state that lawmakers cannot make spending projects conditional on how another lawmaker
decides to vote. [The Hill, 5/23/07]
Murtha later apologized to Rogers. [The Hill, 5/24/07]
The motion to kill Rogers’ resolution passed 219-189. [HRS 428, Vote #402, 5/22/07]
83
Abortion and Family Planning Issues
 Called Himself “Pro-Choice,” But Opposed to “Abortion on Demand”
 Flip-Flopped on Funding of Planned Parenthood
 Flip-Flopped on Defending Access to Abortion for Military Personnel
 Inconsistent on Protecting Federal Employee’s Access to Reproductive
Choice
Bilbray has an inconsistent voting record on abortion and family planning issues,
calling himself “pro-choice” but opposed to “abortion on demand.” In one of his
first votes as a member of Congress in 1995, Bilbray voted against an effort to
restrict access to abortion for military personnel on bases. However, he flipflopped on the issue and more recently voted to uphold the restrictions. He also
changed his stance on Planned Parenthood and most recently voted to prohibit any
government funding for Planned Parenthood.
Called Himself Pro-Choice, but “Adamantly Anti-Abortion on Demand”
In May 2006, Bilbray discussed his position on abortion and said that he was pro-choice, but opposed
abortion on demand:
I fall in with those who are pro-choice, but I am still adamantly anti-abortion on demand.
And I do not support the notion of underage girls having abortions without the parents
being notified. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/07/06]
2011: Voted to Prohibit Any Government Funding for Planned Parenthood
In 2011, Bilbray voted for an amendment that would bar all funding for Planned Parenthood Federation of
America or its affiliates.
Conservatives had long targeted Planned Parenthood as a major abortion provider but the amendment
would bar all federal funding. Planned Parenthood received some $75 million received to provide family
planning assistance, contraception, HIV counseling, cancer screenings and other medical services.
84
According to Susan Cohen, director of governmental affairs at the Guttmacher Institute research
organization, for every dollar spent on contraception for low-income women, the government saves four
dollars in medical costs within the next year by averting unwanted pregnancies. [New York Times, 2/17/11]
A New York Times editorial pointed out that Republicans’ assault on women’s health would deny
millions of women access to affordable contraception and life-saving cancer screening, as well as cut
nutritional support for millions of newborn babies. [New York Times, Editorial, 2/25/11]
The amendment passed, 240-185. [HR 1, Pence amendment #11, Vote #93, 2/18/11]
Disseminated Incorrect Information in Response to Constituent on Planned Parenthood
In 2011, a constituent received a factually incorrect letter into his inquiry into Bilbray’s Planned
Parenthood vote. The letter read “Representative Mike Pence’s (R-IN) amendment to H.R.1
eliminates funding for the domestic family planning program known as Title X. Planned
Parenthood receives its funding mostly from the Title X program for family planning services
including abortion and counseling services. I voted in favor of this amendment when it passed in
the house by a vote of 240 to 185 because it should not be the position of the federal government
to fund abortions.” San Diego City Beat reported that the Pence Amendment did not eliminate
Title X funds and Title X funds cannot be used for abortions anyway. Bilbray’s spokesperson said
“The letter is factually incorrect and we are taking steps to correct it.” [San Diego City Beat, 4/12/11]
Flip Flop: Denounced Planned Parenthood, But Previously Supported Continuing Funding
In 2011, the San Diego City Beat reported that Bilbray denounced Planned Parenthood, however,
in 1998 and 2000 he expressed support for Planned Parenthood
In the documents, Bilbray repeatedly expressed his support for the Roe v. Wade
decision, funding for Title X federal programs and Medicaid coverage for
abortions in cases of rape, incest and when the mother’s life is threatened…On
two different questionnaires, he explicitly stated that he supported continued
federal funding for Planned Parenthood. [Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Campaign
Questionnaire, 1/04/00; San Diego City Beat, 4/12/11]
2007: Voted to Eliminate Funding for Planned Parenthood
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 appropriations bill for the
Department of Health and Human Services to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
The amendment would have barred the use of funds in the bill for Planned Parenthood. [CQ Floor
Votes, 7/19/07]
The amendment was defeated 189-231. [HR 3043, Vote #684, 7/19/07]
2011: Voted to Defund Planned Parenthood
85
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a bill which would insert a section in the FY11 Continuing Resolution
which would prohibit Planned Parenthood and its affiliates from receiving federal funding.
The resolution would order the Clerk of the House to change H.R. 1473, the FY11 Continuing
Resolution, to bar the use of the federal funds to go to Planned Parenthood Federation of America,
Inc., or any affiliate. [The Hill, 4/12/11]
The bill passed 241-185. [H Con Res 36, Vote #271, 4/14/11]
1995: Supported Abortion Services to Military Victims of Rape
Women were not allowed to use private funds to obtain abortions at military hospitals until 1973, when it
was decided that the health risk to women who sought these services elsewhere was too great given subpar medical standards at off-base medical facilities and the fact that abortion was illegal in many of the
countries in which military personnel were stationed.
President Ronald Reagan reversed this policy in 1988, but President Clinton overturned the ban as one of
his first actions after taking office in 1993.
Republicans returned the favor by reinstating the ban after taking control of Congress in 1995.
[Congressional Quarterly, 6/21/97]
The military allowed its doctors to perform abortions only in cases of rape, incest or where the mother’s
life was endangered. The government did not pay for the procedures.
In 1995, Bilbray voted against an amendment to prohibit abortions at overseas military facilities unless
the life of the woman was endangered. [Omaha World Herald, 9/10/95]
The amendment passed 226-191. [HR 2126, Vote #642, 9/07/95]
Flipped: Supported Restricting Access to Abortion for Military Personnel
After 1995, Bilbray has regularly opposed efforts to provide access to abortions for military
personnel:
 1999: Bilbray voted against an amendment to allow privately funded abortions in overseas
military hospitals. The amendment was rejected, 203-225 [CQ Floor Votes, 9/09/99; HR 1401,
Vote #184, 6/09/99]

1998: Bilbray voted against an amendment ending the prohibition on privately funded
abortions at overseas Defense Department medical facilities. The amendment was
defeated, 190-232 [CQ Floor Votes, 5/20/98; HR 3616, Vote #171, 5/20/98]
 1997: Bilbray voted against an amendment to repeal the law prohibiting overseas U.S.
military hospitals and medical facilities from performing privately funded abortions for
U.S. service members and their dependents. The amendment was defeated, 196-224. [CQ
Floor Votes, 6/19/97; HR 1119, Vote #217, 6/19/97]
86
 1996: Bilbray voted against an amendment repealing the law prohibiting overseas U.S.
military hospitals and medical facilities from performing privately funded abortions for
U.S. service members and their dependents. The amendment was defeated, 192-225. [CQ
Inconsistent on Choice and Family Planning for Federal Employees
Bilbray has an inconsistent voting record for protecting the rights of federal employees to health insurance
plans covering abortion services and contraceptives.
Bilbray has voted four times against allowing federal health insurance plans to provide abortion services
and contraceptives:
 2000: Bilbray voted against an amendment to allow women covered by the federal employee
health benefit program to receive abortion services. The amendment was defeated 184-230. [CQ

1999: Bilbray voted in favor of a spending bill that continued the ban on federal employee health
insurance from covering abortions and allowed for religious health plans to be exempt from
requiring prescription drug coverage to include contraceptives. The measure passed on a vote of
210-209. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/15/99; HR 2490, Vote #305, 7/15/99]

1999: Bilbray voted against an amendment allowing federal employees to join health plans that
provide coverage for abortions. The proposal to lift the ban was defeated 188-230. [CQ Floor Votes,
7/15/99; HR2490, Vote #301, 7/15/99]
 1998: Bilbray voted against an amendment to allow federal employee health plans to cover
abortion services. The amendment was defeated 183-239. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/16/98; HR 4104, Vote #288,
6/16/98]
But Bilbray voted four times for allowing federal health insurance plans to cover abortion services and
contraceptives:

1999: Bilbray voted for an amendment to require federal employees’ health benefits to cover
prescription drug contraceptives and related services. The amendment passed 217-200. [CQ Floor
Votes, 7/15/99; HR 2490, Vote #303, 7/15/99]

1998: Bilbray voted for a motion to recommit the Treasury-Postal appropriations bill to the
conference committee with instructions to report it back with an amendment requiring federal
health plans that cover other prescription drugs to also cover prescription contraceptives. The
amendment was defeated, 202-226. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/07/08; HR 4104, Vote # 493, 10/07/98]
 1998: Bilbray voted against an amendment to prohibit federal employee health plans from
providing insurance coverage for drugs that induce abortion. The amendment was defeated, 198222. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/16/98; HR 4104, Vote #292, 6/16/98]
87
 1998: Bilbray voted for an amendment to prohibit the Office of Personnel Management from
accepting a contract that provided coverage for prescription drugs unless the plan also provided
equivalent coverage for prescription contraception drugs. The amendment passed, 224-198, but
was removed from the bill in conference committee. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/16/98; HR4104, Vote #290,
7/16/98]
Voted to Restrict the District of Columbia from Using Funds to Pay for Abortions
In 2011, Bilbray voted to restrict the District of Columbia from using their funds to pay for abortions.
The bill also contained a policy rider which would have restricted the District of Columbia from using
funds appropriated by the bill or its own tax dollars to pay for abortions with exceptions for the life of the
mother and if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. When the Senate amended the bill it struck
most of the language and made it a simple Continuing Resolution which funded all government agencies
through April 15th, 2011 with some reductions to FY10 funding levels. [CQ Weekly Report, 4/11/11]
The bill underlying bill would have provided funds for the Department of Defense through the end of
Fiscal Year 2011 and all other government agencies through April 15th, 2011, while cutting an additional
$12 billion.
Voted to Prohibit the District of Columbia from Using Funds for Abortions
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a bill containing a policy rider which barred the District of Columbia from
using federal or local fund to fund abortions.
The policy rider barred the District of Columbia from using federal or local funds to fun abortions with
exclusions for the life of the mother, rape and incest. This is possible because the federal government
ultimately controls the DC budget. The underlying bill was the final continuing resolution passed to fund
the federal government for the rest of Fiscal Year 2011. [CQ BillAnalysis, 7/14/11; CQ Floor Votes, 4/14/11]
NOTE: This bill was passed as a compromise between the White House, Senate and House of
Representatives to avoid a government shutdown and provided funding for government agencies for
the remainder of FY11.
Co-Sponsored Bill to Redefine Rape
In 2011, Bilbray co-sponsored the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act, which would redefine a ban
on federal funding for abortions to exempt only “forcible rape” and not “rape” generally. [HR 3 Co-Sponsors,
112th Congress]
According to the Washington Post, the Act would make a version of the Hyde Amendment permanent.
The Hyde Amendment, which had been renewed every year since 1976, prevented some federally-funded
88
health care programs from covering abortions, with exceptions in cases of rape and incest, and when the
life of the woman is threatened.
However, under the language proposed by the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act, rape becomes
“forcible rape.” The Washington Post reported that the bill’s critics believed “the modifier could
distinguish it from other kinds of sexual assault that are typically recognized as rape, including statutory
rape and attacks that occur because of drugs or verbal threats.” [Washington Post, 2/01/11]
Voted to Protect Doctors’ Education on Providing Abortions
In 2011, Bilbray voted against an amendment which cut funding for educating doctors in how to provide
abortions, which are sometimes necessary to protect the life and health of the mother.
The amendment banned the use of funds authorized by the underlying bill to teach medical students how
to provide abortions. The amendment also banned the distribution of funds to educational health facilities
which discriminate against entities that refuse to provide or pay for abortions.
According to the AP: “The proposal was presented as an amendment to the latest of several GOP bills to
restrict funding for the health care act that was enacted last year. This bill gives Congress control over
spending for a program to encourage health centers to provide training to medical residents. The
amendment applies to funding in that grant program.” [Associated Press, 5/25/11; The Hill, 5/24/11]
Supported Stupak Amendment to Bar Federal Funds in Health Care Bill to Pay for any Abortion
Services
In 2009, Bilbray voted for Congressman Bart Stupak’s (D-MI) amendment to the Affordable Health Care
for America Act that banned federal funds authorized in the bill from being used to pay for an abortion or
to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that included abortion coverage. This excluded elective
abortion coverage from the public option and an individual using a subsidy to purchase a private plan
cannot purchase one that covers elective abortion. Insurers would be allowed to cover abortions that result
from rape or incest or when a pregnancy threatens a mother’s life. An individual with a subsidized policy
from the bill would have to purchase coverage for elective abortion separately with their own money.
[CQToday, 11/07/09]
The amendment passed 240-194. [HR3962, Vote #884, 11/07/09]
Voted to Kill Health Care Reform with Abortion Amendments
In 2010, Bilbray voted to kill health care reform by voting for a motion to recommit the bill with
amendments that would bar the use of federal funds to pay for an abortion, unless the pregnancy was the
result of rape, incest or certain other conditions. Individuals receiving subsidized health care policies
would be forced to purchase abortion coverage separately.
The White House and many Democrats contended that the health care bill as written explicitly barred
federal funds from being used to pay for abortions. In addition, President Obama signed an executive
89
order ensuring the same limits on federal funding of abortions remained in place with the new law. [Roll
Call, 3/11/10; US News & World Report, 3/12/10; CNN, 3/24/10]
The motion to recommit failed, 199-232. [HR 4872, Vote # 166, 3/21/10]
Supported Abstinence Education
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to strike a provision in the fiscal year 2008 Foreign
Operations appropriations bill that would eliminate an abstinence education funding mandate of 33
percent. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/21/07]
The amendment’s sponsor, Representative Joseph Pitts (R-PA) argued that existing mandates for
abstinence education funding were working to reduce the HIV / AIDS pandemic. [Congressional Record,
6/21/07, Page H6862]
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) opposed the amendment, noting that a study by the Institute of
Medicine report had noted that the abstinence education mandate “has greatly limited the ability of
country teams to develop and implement comprehensive prevention programs that are well integrated
with each other and with testing, care, and treatment programs.” [Congressional Record, 6/21/07, Page H6862]
Voted to Ban Taxpayer-Funded Support for Abortion Providers
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 foreign operations bill to remove
bill language that would mandate U.S. subsidies to organizations that actively promote abortion in foreign
nations.
The amendment was intended to strip language from the bill that would effectively overturn the pro-life
“Mexico City Policy.”
This pro-life policy was originally adopted by President Reagan and announced at a 1984 population
conference in Mexico City. The policy was reinstated by President Bush in 2001.
Under this policy, in order to be eligible for U.S. “population assistance,” a private organization must sign
a contract promising not to perform abortions (except to save the mother’s life or in cases of rape or
incest), lobby to change the abortion laws of host countries, or otherwise “actively promote abortion as a
method of family planning.”
According to National Right to Life, the amendment was “entirely an abortion policy vote – it has nothing
whatever to do with funding levels for contraceptive programs, anti-HIV/AIDS programs, or any of the
other diversionary issues raised by opponents of the Mexico City Policy.” [National Right to Life letter to
Members of Congress, 6/18/07]
The amendment to preserve the Mexico City language was defeated 205-218. [HR 2764, Vote #534, 6/21/07]
Opposed Amendment to Promote Family Planning, Reduce Abortions
90
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to allow international non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) who do not comply with the Mexico City Policy to receive donated contraceptives for millions of
men and women who need them.
The “Mexico City Policy” originally adopted by President Reagan and announced at a 1984 population
conference in Mexico City. The policy was reinstated by President Bush in 2001. Under this policy, in
order to be eligible for U.S. “population assistance,” a private organization must sign a contract promising
not to perform abortions (except to save the mother’s life or in cases of rape or incest), lobby to change
the abortion laws of host countries, or otherwise “actively promote abortion as a method of family
planning.” [National Right to Life letter to Members of Congress, 6/18/07]
The amendment would allow for “common-sense family planning to prevent abortions, curb unintended
pregnancies, save the lives of mothers, and fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic,” according to its sponsor,
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY). [Rep. Lowey press release, 6/21/07]
Supported Criminalizing Transport of a Minor Across State Lines for an Abortion
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of making it a crime to transport a minor across state lines for an abortion
without parental consent.
The bill allowed for a fine and up to one year in prison.
Also, parents would have been allowed to sue people who helped their daughters across the border. The
bill did allow an exception if the abortion was necessary to save the life of the minor. [CQ Today, 9/26/06]
The bill passed 264-153. [S403, Vote #479, 9/26/06]
Supported Partial Birth Abortion Ban
An annual ritual after Republicans assumed control of the House was voting to ban a type of late-term
abortion described by its critics as “partial birth abortion.” When President Bush was elected, they were
successful in passing that ban.
The ban would be one of the most significant restrictions on abortion since the 1973 Roe v. Wade
Supreme Court decision recognizing abortion rights. It included an exception to preserve the life of the
woman, but no provisions allowing the procedure when medically necessary to preserve a woman’s
health. Physicians who knowingly performed the procedure would be subject to up to two years in prison.
In 2000, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that a similar bill in Nebraska did not pass constitutional muster
because it did not include an exemption allowing the procedure for women whose health would be at risk.
[Associated Press, 6/04/03; CQ Today, 6/04/03]
In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the ban on partial birth abortion was Constitutional. [Washington
Post, 4/19/07]
91
Bilbray regularly supported such measures:
 2000: Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to ban a certain late-term abortion procedure, in which the
physician partially delivers the fetus before completing the abortion. Anyone convicted of
performing such an abortion would be subject to a fine and up to two years in prison. The bill
allowed the father (if he was married to the mother) or maternal grandparents (if the mother was
under 18) to file a civil lawsuit against the doctor for monetary damages. The penalties would not
apply if the abortion were necessary to save the woman’s life. The bill passed, 287-141. [CQ Floor
Votes, 4/05/00; HR 3660, Vote #104, 4/05/00]

1998: Bilbray voted in favor of overturning President Clinton’s veto of the bill to ban certain lateterm abortion procedures. The measure passed 296-132. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/23/98; HR 1122, Vote
#325, 7/23/98]
 1997: Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would ban “partial birth” abortions with an exception
when the procedure was necessary to save the life of the woman. The bill also made it a federal
crime for a doctor to perform a partial-birth abortion and mandate fines of up to two years in jail
for physicians who performed the controversial procedure. The bill passed, 295-136. [CQ Floor
Votes, 3/20/97; HR 1122, Vote #65, 3/20/97]
… Even When the Life of the Mother was Threatened
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to ban so-called late term abortions even in cases where
the life of the mother was threatened. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/01/95]
Rep. Nancy L. Johnson, a pro-choice Republican from Connecticut, complained that the bill did
not include exceptions for doctors who performed the procedure to save the life of the mother.
“Why endanger her for a fetus that can’t eat, has no kidneys, no heart?” she asked. [Washington
Times, 11/02/95
Supported Providing OTC Status for “Morning-After Pill”
Bilbray has been a supporter of providing over the counter status for the “morning after” pill.
He has voted three times to prevent the Food and Drug Administration from approving the drug for use in
the United States.
 2000: Bilbray voted against an amendment that would prohibit the Food and Drug Administration
from using funds to test, develop or approve any drug for the chemical inducement of abortion.
The amendment failed 182-187. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/10/00; HR 4461, Vote #373, 7/10/00]
92
 1999: Bilbray voted against an amendment to prohibit the use of any funding for Food and Drug
Administration to test, develop, or approve any drugs for the chemical inducement of abortion.
The amendment passed, 217-214. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/08/99; HR 1906, Vote #173, 6/08/99]
 1998: Bilbray voted against an amendment to prohibit the Food and Drug Administration from
using funds appropriated in the bill to test, develop or approve any drug for chemically induced
abortions. The amendment passed, 223-202. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/24/98; HR 4101, Vote #260, 6/24/98]
Opposed Allowing Funding for Clinic Protection
In 1995, Bilbray voted against an amendment to allow use of federal block grant funds to protect abortion
clinics. [CQ Floor Votes, 2/14/95]
93
Agriculture Issues
 Flip-Flopped on Subsidies for Wealthy Farmers
 Opposed Food Safety Reform
 Opposed Farm Bill
 Voted for Several Farm Earmarks
Bilbray is not a friend of farmers. He consistently opposed efforts to help farmers,
whether it was extending bankruptcy protections to farmers, conservation
programs, and grants to help fledgling farms. He also voted against efforts to
increase food safety. After years serving in Congress, Bilbray changed his position
from originally opposing farm subsidies for wealthy farmers to defending it today.
1995: Supported Prohibiting Government Farm Subsidies for Wealthy Farmers
In 1995, Bilbray voted for an amendment to prohibit persons with annual adjusted gross incomes of
$100,000 or more from off-farm sources from receiving deficiency payments or land diversion payments.
[CQ Floor Votes, 7/21/95]
2007: Voted to Provide Farm Subsidies to Millionaires
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the 2007 Farm Bill reauthorization to prohibit
millionaires from receiving farm subsidies.
The amendment prohibited individuals from receiving farm conservation payments if their income
exceeds $1 million, unless 75 percent of their income comes from farm income. [CQ Floor Votes,
7/27/07]
Congressman Colin Peterson (D-MN), the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee,
opposed the amendment, claiming that it would undermine the safety net for farmers, and would
weaken farm conservation efforts. [Congressman Colin Peterson, Congressional Record, 7/27/07; Page H8770]
Meanwhile, Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-FL) supported the amendment, saying that it would
provide “real farmers, not millionaires, access to critical conservation programs.” [Congressman Tim
Mahoney, Congressional Record, 7/27/07; Page H8770]
94
2008: Voted to Set Limits on Farm Subsidies
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to instruct House conferees to agree to Senate-passed
provisions that would set a $40,000 per person limit for annual direct payments to farmers.
The motion was introduced by Rep. Flake (R-AZ) who called the Farm Bill “out of control” and
advocated ended the permanent disaster title. Flake also said the farm subsidies were “well beyond what
is required and necessary and right and proper. Yet, we continue to do this simply because it makes for
good politics.” [Statement by Rep. Flake, H#104, 5/01/08]
Democratic proponents of the bill argued that the legislation was designed to protect from “whole farm
loss” not ad hoc lesser disasters. Democrats also maintained that the bill required farmers to have crop
insurance to prevent the use of disaster funds as de facto risk protection. [Statement by Rep. Pomeroy, H#104,
5/01/08]
The motion was rejected, 157-259. [HR 2419, Vote #238, 5/01/08]
Opposed a Solution to Make Food Safer
In 2009, Bilbray voted against the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 which would have modernized
and strengthened the way we protect America’s food supply and ensure fewer outbreaks of food borne
illnesses. The bill required the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to create a system for tracing food
along the food chain so that recalls could be implemented more quickly. It also for the first time allowed
the FDA to impose civil and criminal penalties and to implement mandatory food quarantines, both for
the first time. [CQ Today, 7/30/09]
The measure passed 280-150. [H.R. 2749, #657, 7/29/09]
Opposed Override of Veto of Farm Bill Reauthorization
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an attempt to override President Bush’s veto of the Farm bill.
Among other benefits, the bill authorized a $10 billion increase for nutrition programs, cut direct payment
subsidies overall by $313 million, and authorized $1.3 billion to enroll new acreage in the Wetlands
Reserve Program and reduce the Conservation Reserve Program to 32 million acres.
The legislation made historic new investments in food, farm and conservation programs and was
supported by a broad, bipartisan coalition. The House Agriculture Committee heralded the passage,
saying “while no one got everything they wanted in this Farm Bill, we struck a balance that meets the
pressing needs of working American families struggling with high food prices and that supports
America’s farmers and ranchers as they continue to provide a safe, abundant, homegrown supply of food
and fiber while protecting our natural resources and developing new sources of renewable energy.” [House
Agriculture Committee Release, 5/22/08]
95
In his message to Congress, President Bush defended his decision to veto the bill saying that among his
concerns were that it contained a wide range of objectionable provisions, including a limitation on the
ability of the U.S. to redirect food aid dollars for emergency use. Some provisions in the bill also raised
serious constitutional concerns for the President. [White House Release, 5/21/08]
The bill was passed, the objections of the President notwithstanding. [HR 2419, Vote #346, 5/21/08]
Opposed Farm Bill Reauthorization
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would reauthorize the federal farm and nutrition
programs for five years.
The bill replaced a previously passed version (HR 2419) which only contained 14 of the bill’s 15
titles due to an enrollment error. The original legislation had omitted the section on trade. [CQ
Today, 5/22/08]
The bill authorized a $10 billion increase for nutrition programs, cut direct payment subsidies
overall by $313 million, and authorized $1.3 billion to enroll new acreage in the Wetlands Reserve
Program and reduce the Conservation Reserve Program to 32 million acres.
The bill also required country-of-origin labels for all meat by September, 2008, extended the Milk
Income Loss Contract program through fiscal 2012 and provided a subsidy for the purchase of
excess sugar in the U.S. market to make sugar-based ethanol.
President Bush threatened to veto the legislation to sharply limit government subsidies to farmers
at a time of near-record commodity prices and soaring global demand for grain. Critics of the bill
countered that it lacked needed reform. [New York Times, 5/15/08]
Opposed Original Legislation to Reauthorize of Farm Bill
In 2008, Bilbray voted against the Farm bill conference report. The bill authorized a $10 billion
increase for nutrition programs, cut direct payment subsidies overall by $313 million, and
authorized $1.3 billion to enroll new acreage in the Wetlands Reserve Program and reduce the
Conservation Reserve Program to 32 million acres.
The bill also required country-of-origin labels for all meat by September, 2008, extended the Milk
Income Loss Contract program through fiscal 2012 and provided a subsidy for the purchase of
excess sugar in the U.S. market to make sugar-based ethanol.
President Bush threatened to veto the legislation to sharply limit government subsidies to farmers
at a time of near-record commodity prices and soaring global demand for grain. Critics of the bill
countered that it lacked needed reform. [New York Times, 5/15/08]
The conference report passed, 318-106. [HR 2419, Vote #315, 5/14/08]
96
Voted to Delay Farm Bill
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to instruct House conferees to use the most recent
baseline estimates supplied by the Congressional Budget Office when evaluating the costs of the
bill’s provisions to determine if it complies with House pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules.
Republicans argued that Democrats were bending their own pay-go rules by using a different
standard of budget baseline measurement. Rep. Ryan (R-WI) contended that economic conditions
had changed since 2007 and that it would be inaccurate to use an estimate that was over a year old.
Ryan also expressed concern that by using the 2007 baseline, there was an opportunity to “hide
billions and billions of dollars in new spending.” [Statement by Rep. Ryan, H2993, 5/01/08]
Democrats disputed these claims, noting that the Agriculture Committee had worked on the Farm
bill for 17 months and that an effort to change the baseline after the bicameral conference would
only serve to delay the important legislation further. [Statement by Rep. Pomeroy, H2994, 5/01/08]
Voted for Massive Cuts to the Department of Agriculture
In 2011, Bilbray voted to cut the budget of the Department of Agriculture and programs funded through
the USDA including food safety and nutrition programs.
The bill cut more than $2.7 billion out of the discretionary budget of the Department of Agriculture,
including $832 million from the Women, Infants & Children Nutrition (WIC) Program. The FDA’s food
safety program was cut by $87 million compared to what it was receiving in Fiscal Year 2011 or $205
million less than the President’s request. In addition, another $35 million was cut from the USDA’s food
safety and inspection service.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which is supposed to stabilize commodity prices by
regulating commodity speculation, was also cut by $30 million. [The Hill, 6/16/11; Washington Post, 6/17/11]
Bilbray even voted against a motion to increase funding for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
with that funding going to regulate excessive speculation.
The motion failed 185-233. [HR 2112, Vote #458, 6/16/11]
Supported Funding for Tobacco Earmark
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Agriculture appropriations bill that
would bar the use of funds in the bill for earmark to study alternative uses of a tobacco grant in Maryland.
[Congressional Quarterly]
The amendment would have removed $400,000 in federal funds from being used for alternative uses for
tobacco in Maryland and reduced the cost of the bill by a consistent amount.
97
The certification letter submitted to the Appropriations Committee stated that the funding would go to the
University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Alternative Uses of
Tobacco Research Project.
The Alternative Uses of Tobacco Research Project is focused on finding new, nonsmoking uses for
tobacco, such as pharmaceutical or biotechnology applications.
From 2002 to 2007, the Alternative Uses of Tobacco Research Project received earmarks of between
$320,000 and $400,000. [Statement of Congressman Jeff Flake, 8/02/07]
Supported Earmark for Grape Research
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Agriculture appropriations bill that
would bar the use of funds in the bill for grape genetics research in Geneva, N.Y. [Congressional Quarterly]
The Agriculture Research Service established the Grape Genetics Research Unit in Geneva, New York, at
the center of New York’s grape-growing region in conjunction with Cornell University.
The goals of the program are to reduce losses to crop yield and quality that result from disease, pests and
environmental stress, and to improve grape and grape product quality and utilization.
The genetic research unit’s primary research areas are development of resistance to pests and diseases,
superior adaptation of grapes to growing conditions and tolerances for environmental and weather-related
stress, and improved product quality through enhanced knowledge of genetic factors governing color,
flavor, aroma, sensory characteristics and yield. [Statement of Congressman Jim Walsh, 8/02/07]
Supported Catfish Disease Earmark
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Agriculture appropriations bill
would bar the use of funds in the bill for the Catfish Pathogen Genomic Project in Auburn, Alabama. [CQ
The amendment would have prevented $878,046 in federal funds from being used for catfish genome
research in Auburn, Alabama, and would reduce the cost of the bill by a commensurate amount.
According to the earmark description in the certification letter, the funding would go to Auburn
University “to help continue important research into the genomic behavior of catfish in order to resist and
cope with virulent disease strains.”
“I think that this is definitely one earmark that the taxpayers would love to throw back,” said
Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ), who sponsored the amendment. [Congressional Record, 8/02/07; Page H9631]
98
Opponents of the amendment pointed out that the research was necessary to protect the safety and health
of the food supply, protect and strengthen important American products and an industry. [Floor Statement of
Congressman Mike Rogers, 8/02/07; Congressional Record, 8/02/07; page H9631]
Voted to Cut Grants for Rural Economic Development
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Agriculture appropriations bill
that would reduce funding by $6.3 million for the Rural Community Advancement Program, which
provides rural development direct loans, loan guarantees and grants.
The Rural Community Advancement Program assists small communities with low per capita incomes
develop strategies to spur economic development.
The program provides financial and technical assistance, as well as priority for many federal and state
programs. [Rural Community Advancement Program]
NOTE: State-by-state program success stories which demonstrate the value of this program can be found
at this site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/stories/index.htm#mi
Opposed Tax Credits for Forestry Conservation Bond Program
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to instruct conferees on the Farm bill to reject section 12808
of the Senate-passed bill, which would create a qualified tax credit forestry conservation bond program.
The motion was introduced by Rep. Cantor (R-VA) who objected specifically to a $200 million earmark
included in the Senate-passed bill (Section 12808) creating a tax credit bond program that seemed to
benefit one landowner: Montana timber giant Plum Creek. Cantor called the provision the “bridge to
nowhere” of the farm bill. [Statement by Rep. Cantor, H3178, 5/07/08]
Rep. Pomeroy (D-ND) opposed the motion, saying the section in question provided a new category of tax
credit bonds and established a national program allowing the issuance of $500 million in tax-exempt
timber conservation bonds that would go to numerous holders of qualified forestry conservation bonds.
[Statement by Rep. Pomeroy, H3178, 5/07/08]
Opposed 3.7 Billion in Agriculture Disaster Relief
In 2007, Bilbray voted against giving $3.7 billion in agriculture disaster relief. [CQ House Action Reports, No.
110-3, 3/20/07]
The bill passed 218 - 212 [HR 1591, Vote # 186, 3/23/07]
99
Voted to Protect International Agriculture Companies
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit the 2007 Farm Bill to stop a tax increase on
agricultural companies.
The motion would have sent the bill to the Agriculture Committee with instructions that it be reported
back promptly with language to strike a tax provision that would raise $4 billion over five years by ending
the ability of foreign companies operating in the United States to shift income to a third country. [CQ Floor
Votes, 7/27/07]
President Bush supported the motion. [CQ Today, 7/26/07]
The motion was defeated 198-223. [HR 2419, Vote #755, 7/27/07]
Opposed Attempt to Cut Cotton Subsidies
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the 2007 Farm Bill reauthorization that would cut
subsidies to cotton producers.
The amendment would have reduced the direct payment rate for cotton to $0.06 from $0.0667 with the
savings used to increase the land that could be enrolled in the Grasslands Reserve Program by 224,000
acres. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/27/07]
Opposed Emergency Funding for Farmers
In 2007, Bilbray voted against emergency appropriations legislation to provide $4.5 billion for agriculture
disaster assistance, including crop and livestock disaster payments.
The bill provided $1.8 billion in crop disaster assistance and $1.5 billion in livestock assistance, and
appropriated $500 million for wildfire management and suppression with $400 million for the Forest
Service and $100 million for the Bureau of Land Management.
The bill also provided $425 million for the secure rural schools program. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/10/07; CQ House
Action Reports, 5/10/07]
Opposed Country-of-Origin Labeling
In 2008, Bilbray voted against the Farm bill conference report. The bill authorized a $10 billion increase
for nutrition programs, cut direct payment subsidies overall by $313 million, and authorized $1.3 billion
to enroll new acreage in the Wetlands Reserve Program and reduce the Conservation Reserve Program to
32 million acres.
100
Farm Bill ensures that consumers will be able to know where the foods they feed their families come
from. Specifically, country-of-origin labeling will be provided for fruits, vegetables and peanuts. [Rep.
Salazar Release, 5/14/08]
President Bush threatened to veto the legislation to sharply limit government subsidies to farmers at a
time of near-record commodity prices and soaring global demand for grain. Critics of the bill countered
that it lacked needed reform. [New York Times, 5/15/08]
The conference report passed, 318-106. [HR 2419, Vote #315, 5/14/08]
Supported Funding Cut for Agriculture Programs in 1999
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to cut $102 million from crucial agriculture programs,
including elimination of the research education and extension service and slashing funds for the
Agricultural Research Service and the Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/08/99]
Supported Eliminating Peanut Price Supports
In 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to prohibit the use of funds to pay the salaries and
expenses of Department of Agriculture personnel who maintain a quota price for peanuts in excess of
$550 per ton, effectively establishing the maximum market price for peanuts at that level. [CQ Floor Votes,
7/24/97]
The amendment was defeated, 185-242. [HRes 2160, Vote #314, 7/24/97]
Opposed Agricultural Export Assistance Programs
In 1996, Bilbray voted against a bill to reauthorize three export assistance programs through 2001.
The bill would raise the insurance and loan guaranty issuing authority of the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation, authorize $40 million in spending for fiscal 1997 for the Trade Development Agency and
authorize $240 million for fiscal 1997 for the International Trade Administration. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/11/96]
The bill was defeated 157-260. [HR3759, Vote #412, 9/11/96]
Supported Cutting $12 Billion from Agriculture Programs
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of a budget bill that reduced projected spending by $894 billion and taxes
by $245 billion over seven years to provide for a balanced budget by fiscal 2002.
Over seven years, the bill reduced projected spending on agriculture programs by $12 billion, Medicare
by $270 billion, Medicaid by $163 billion, welfare programs by $82 billion, the earned-income tax credit
by $32 billion, and federal employee retirement programs by $10 billion.
101
The bill also included a $500 per-child tax credit for families with incomes up to $110,000, reduced taxes
on capital gains income, and expanded eligibility for Individual Retirement Accounts.
The bill allowed oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska; imposed royalties for hardrock mining on federal lands; capped the federal direct student loan program and increased the federal
debt limit from $4.9 trillion to $5.5 trillion. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/17/95]
Supported Earlier Version of the Bill
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of the initial version of the 1995 budget reconciliation bill, which
cut $13.4 billion from agriculture programs. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/26/95]
Supported Implementation of Meat and Poultry Inspections
In 1995, Bilbray voted against an amendment to provide exemptions from a moratorium for regulations
dealing with meat and poultry inspections, the cryptosporidium parasite in public water supply and
importation of food in lead-soldered cans. [CQ Floor Votes, 2/23/95]
Supported Massive Cut to Agricultural Programs
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of a budget plan that cut agriculture spending by $17 billion over the next
seven years. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/18/95]
The budget passed 238-193. [HConRes 67, Vote #345, 5/18/95]
102
Arts and Quality of Life Issues
 Flip-Flopped on Eliminating NEA

When he first came to Congress Bilbray supported efforts to eliminate the
National Endowment for the Arts. In 2007 and 2001, Bilbray voted against
amendments attempting to cut funding for the NEA.
1997: Supported Eliminating NEA
In 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts.
The amendment replaced NEA with an $80 million in block grant funding to states for arts funding. The
amendment directed 37 percent of the funding to state arts commissions, 60 percent to local school boards
to fund school-based art activities and 3 percent for administrative costs.
The amendment also prohibited the use of funds to support obscene or pornographic art. [CQ Floor Votes,
7/11/97]
The amendment was defeated 155-271. [HR2107, Vote #266, 7/11/97]
… But Opposed Eliminating NEH
In 1997, Bilbray voted against an amendment to eliminate all funding for the National Endowment
for the Humanities. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/15/97]
The amendment was defeated 96-328. [HR2107, Vote #270, 7/15/97]
2007: Voted to Protect Funds for the National Endowment for the Arts
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Interior appropriations bill to
bar the use of funds in the bill for the National Endowment for the Arts. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/27/07]
The amendment failed 97 – 335. [HR 2643, Vote #575, 6/27/07]
Voted to Cut NEA Grants
In 2011, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to HR 1 that would reduce funding for grants and
administration at the National Endowment for the Arts by $20.6 million. The amendment passed, 217 –
209. [HR 1, Walberg Amendment, Vote #68, 2/17/11]
103
Budget Issues
 Advocated Deal on Debt Ceiling, Blamed Tea Party
 Flip-Flopped on Raising Debt Limit
 Voted for Ryan Budget that Benefited Wealthy
As a career politician, Bilbray has been in Congress long enough to have voted
both for and against increases of the debt limit. He advocated for a deal on the
debt ceiling in 2011 and blamed fellow Republicans, specifically Tea Party backed
members, for political gamesmanship.
Released Statement on Possible Government Shutdown
In April 2011, Bilbray released the following statement on the possibility of a federal government
shutdown:
I do not want the government to shut-down, but the bottom line is Washington needs to
get its finances in order. Out of every dollar the United States government spends, 40
cents is borrowed. This is unsustainable.
It has been 48 days since the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1 which cut wasteful
government spending by $61 billion and the Senate has failed to offer a single proposal
of its own. In the past two years the government has increased spending by 80 percent.
With one in ten San Diegans out of work, I doubt my constituents have increased their
budgets anywhere near that amount. I was sent to Washington to make a difference and
stop business as usual so that the next generation of Americans inherits a country with
more freedom and a higher standard of living. [State News Service, 4/08/11]
Voted Against a Clean Debt Ceiling Raise
In 2011, Bilbray voted against raising the statutory debt limit, sometimes referred to the debt ceiling, to
$16.7 trillion dollars.
The bill was brought under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote, to ensure its failure. The
debt limit had to be raised prior to August 2nd, 2011, when the United States would default according to
Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner. According to the Republican House Ways and Means Chairman,
Dave Camp, said the vote was to prove that “the American people” want Congress to tackle the debt crisis
before they raise the debt limit. Additional debt ceiling increases were proposed, and eventually passed
104
later, but as part of a larger bill including budget cuts instead of just a bill which deals solely with the debt
ceiling. [Boston Globe, 5/31/11; USA Today, 6/01/11; Washington Post, 6/01/11]
The bill failed 97-318. [HR 1954, Vote #379, 5/31/11]
Blamed Tea Party Backed Members for Exacerbating Debt Ceiling Problem
In 2011, Bilbray advocated for a deal on the debt ceiling, saying Washington was a “crazy town” and that
he “prays to God it gets done.” According to the North County Times, Bilbray said tea party-backed
members and political gamesmanship were exacerbating the problem. “This whole thing has become very
complicated because of the huge increases in our debt, and it doesn’t help when you have people on both
sides of the issue screaming,” Bilbray said. “No one trusts Washington to do the right thing, but hopefully
we will be able to surprise some people,” he said. [North County Times, 7/28/11]
Supported Debt Deal Because It Would Create Jobs
In 2011, Bilbray said he voted for the debt-ceiling bill because in the long run it would create an
environment to create jobs. “This legislation is a critical step in helping Americans who are in
desperate need of work because it focuses on creating a more confident atmosphere for small
businesses to hire and prevents further burdening families with job-destroying tax increases,”
Bilbray said. [North County Times, 8/01/11]
Earlier, Raising Debt Limit without Cuts would “Destroy Jobs”
In 2011, Bilbray said that raising the debt ceiling without budget cuts attached to the bill would
eliminate jobs and make the nation’s debt problem even worse:
The United States will make good on its debt obligations, but reaching our debt
limit is only a symptom of the real problem. Forty-cents out of every dollar our
government spends is borrowed. We are not just borrowing from China to the
tune of $1.16 trillion, we are stealing from our grandchildren. In order to restore
certainty in our economy to bolster job growth and keep America competitive we
need to stop spending money we don’t have. Raising the debt limit without a
credible plan to end Washington’s wasteful spending will destroy jobs and make
our debt problems even worse. [KPBS, 7/28/11]
Didn’t Expect US to Go into Default in Midst of Debt Ceiling
Negotiations
Bilbray said that he thought the “United States will make good on its debt obligations,”
during debt ceiling negations. Bilbray said raising the debt limit without making changes
to the spending habits in Washington will only exacerbate the problem. [San Diego UnionTribune, 7/21/11]
Inconsistent Voting Record on Raising the Debt Limit
105
National Debt Has Grown $10 Trillion Under Bilbray’s Watch. Since Bilbray assumed office in
January 4, 1995, the national debt has grown over $10 trillion from $4,801,793,426,032.89 to
$15,236,280,735,687.76. [Treasury Direct, accessed 1/23/12]
During his first period in Congress, Bilbray voted to increase the debt limit four times:
1997: Voted to Increase the Debt Limit by $450 Billion
In 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of agreeing to the conference report to the Balanced Budget Act of
1997 which included a provision to increase the debt limit by $450 billion to $5.95 trillion. This
bill eventually became Public Law 105-33. [HR 2015, Vote #345, 7/30/97; CRS Report, 4/05/11]
In 1996, Bilbray voted in favor of HR 3136, the Contract with America Advancement Act of
1996, which raised the national debt limit from $4.9 trillion to $5.5 trillion and was passed in the
House by an overwhelming margin of 328-91. This bill was eventually became Public Law 104121. [HR 3136, Vote #102, 3/28/96; Houston Chronicle, 3/29/96]
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor agreeing to the Conference Report on the Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1995 that increased the federal debt limit from $4.9 trillion to $5.5 trillion. This bill was
eventually vetoed by the President. [HR 2491, Vote #812, 11/17/95; CQ Floor Votes, 11/17/95]
1995: Voted to Increase Debt Limit
In 1995, Bilbray voted for the Budget Reconciliation Act of 1995 that increased the federal debt
limit from $4.9 trillion to $5.5 trillion in. This bill was eventually vetoed by the President. [HR
2491, Vote #743, 10/26/95; CQ Floor Votes, 10/26/95]
During his second period in Congress, Bilbray has now voted against increasing the debt limit seven
times:
2011: Voted Against Increase to Debt Limit
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a bill that would increase the statutory debt limit by $2.406 trillion
to $16.7 trillion in a bill aimed at increasing the statutory limit on the public debt. The voted failed
under suspended rules, 97-318. [HR 1954, Vote #379, 5/31/11; CQ Floor Votes, 5/31/11]
2010: Voted Against Increasing the Debt Limit by $1.9 Trillion
In February 2010 , Bilbray voted against increasing the debt ceiling by $1.9 trillion to $14.294
trillion in the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act. Eventually this bill became Public Law 111-139. [HJ
Res 45, Vote #48, 2/04/10; CRS Report, 4/05/11]
2009: Voted Against Increase to the Debt Limit by $290 Billion
106
In December 2009, Bilbray voted against increasing the debt ceiling by $290 billion to $12.394
trillion in a bill aimed to permit continued financing of Government operations. This bill
eventually became Public Law 111-123. [HR 4314, Vote #988, 12/16/09; CRS Report, 4/05/11]
2009: Voted Against Increasing the Debt Limit by $789 Billion
In February 2009, Bilbray against adopting the conference report of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009, which increased the debt ceiling by $789 billion to $12.104 trillion.
This bill eventually became Public Law 111-5. [HR 1, Vote #70, 2/13/09; CRS Report, 4/05/11]
In October 2008, Bilbray voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which
increased the debt ceiling by $700 billion to $11.315 trillion. This bill eventually became Public
Law 110-343. [HR 1424, Vote #681, 10/03/08; CRS Report, 4/05/11]
In 2008, Bilbray voted against resolving the differences between the House and Senate versions
and pass HR 3221, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The bill increased the
federal debt limit by $800 billion to $10.615 trillion. This bill eventually became Public Law 110289. [HR 3221, Vote # 519, 7/23/08; CRS Report, 4/05/11]
2007: Voted Against Increasing Debt Limit by $850 Billion
In 2007, Bilbray voted against adopting a conference report on a budget resolution that triggered a
rule that deemed HJ Res 43 in the 110th Congress to have passed. This legislation raised the debt
limit to accommodate the spending and revenue levels approved in the adopted budget resolution.
Specifically, the limit would be raised by $850 billion to $9.815 trillion. This bill eventually
became Public Law 110-184. [S Con Res 21, Vote #377, 5/17/07; HJ Res 43 (110th Cong.) Enrolled; CRS
Report, 4/05/11]
Voted for the 2012 Republican Ryan Budget That Benefited Wealthy
In April 2011, Bilbray voted for the 2012 Republican Ryan budget. In 2011, the Columbian reported that
the 2012 House Republican budget’s proposals to lower the highest tax bracket in the federal tax code
from 35 percent to 25 percent a “change that would produce a huge tax windfall for the nation’s
wealthiest individuals and corporations.” [Columbian, 4/16/11; H.Con.Res. 34, Vote #277, 4/15/11]
Voted to Circumvent the Constitution to Dramatically Cut Federal Funding
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a bill which deemed HR 1 (2011), the Republican FY2011 Continuing
Resolution, as law and would have prevented lawmakers and the president from receiving pay if the
government was shut down for more than 24 hours.
107
The legislation would have enacted HR 1 into law if the Senate had not passed a bill to fund the
government through the rest of Fiscal Year 2011 by April 6th, 2011.
According to the Los Angeles Times, “Another section tried to revive a House spending plan that was
killed by the Senate last month. Under the resolution passed Friday, the dead bill would come back to life
and become law, without the president’s signature, if the Senate does not pass a bill funding the
government for the rest of the 2011. The Senate would need to act by Wednesday.” [Los Angeles Times,
4/01/11]
According to Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert from Texas during a floor speech on this bill,
“[…] for a bill to say provisions that pass the House are hereby enacted into law violates my conscience
and the Constitution.” [Congressional Record, p. H2245, 4/01/11]
Voted for Budget Reductions in the FY11 Continuing Resolution
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2011. This bill was passed as a
compromise between the White House, Senate and House of Representatives to avoid a government
shutdown and provided funding for government agencies for the remainder of FY11.
Bilbray voted for a compromise bill which funded the federal government through the end of FY11
(September 30th, 2011). This bill is based on FY10 funding levels with a number of program reductions,
eliminations and reclamation of already appropriated funds. The bill sets discretionary spending levels for
FY11 at $1.055 trillion. [CQ BillAnalysis, 7/14/11; CQ Floor Votes, 4/14/11]
According to Politico: “As it is, six months into the fiscal year, the 451-page bill puts Cabinet
departments and agencies on permanent footing, but at a spending level nearly $38 billion below what it
was when the new Congress began in January. Nondefense spending is hardest hit, with a reduction closer
to $42 billion, and the new appropriations target — just shy of $1.0498 trillion — is $78.5 billion less
than President Barack Obama’s initial 2011 budget requests from a year ago.” [Politico, 4/14/11]
Voted Against Extreme Tea Party Budget
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a bill which would have enacted the Fiscal Year 2012 Republican Study
Committee Budget.
The budget would have called for the repeal of the 2010 health care bill, increased the retirement age for
Social Security eligibility and Medicare eligibility, would have fundamentally changed both the Medicare
and Medicaid programs and would have cut mandatory spending by $1.9 trillion over 10 years.
According to the New York Times, “This plan goes even further than Mr. Ryan’s approach, proposing
$1.7 trillion of tax cuts over the next five years and reducing agency budgets by about 30 percent — more
than the 15 percent offered by Mr. Ryan’s plan. Additionally, the federal workforce, under the
108
committee’s vision, would be greatly reduced and the Medicaid and Medicare programs would be
overhauled.” [New York Times, 4/15/11]
The bill failed 119-136. [H Con Res 34, Vote #275, 4/15/11]
NOTE: 172 Democrats voted present to force Republican supporters to vote against the bill.
Voted for an Increase in Defense Spending
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a bill increasing defense spending by $17 billion dollars.
The legislation funded the Department of Defense at $17 billion dollars more than Fiscal Year 2010
levels, the only department that “will see a double-digit increase in its budget beginning Oct. 1.” [Fox
News, 7/08/11]
Voted for Cut, Cap and Balance Plan to Hold Debt Limit Hostage
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a bill which only raised the debt limit if there were cuts to the federal budget,
caps on federal spending and Congress passed a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
The bill would have cut $111 billion from the federal budget, except for Medicare, Social Security and
defense programs, in Fiscal Year 2012. The bill would have also capped federal spending at “21.7 percent
of GDP for 2013, 20.8 for 2014, 20.2 for 2015, 20.1 for 2016, 19.9 for 2017, 19.7 for 2018, and 19.9
percent for 2019 through 2021.” Lastly the bill would have required the passage of a balanced budget
amendment before the debt limit would be raised. [Washington Post, 7/19/11; New York Times, 7/19/11; The Hill,
7/15/11]
Asked Appropriators to Avoid Deep Cuts to the Budget of the National Institutes of Health
In May 2011, Bilbray asked appropriators to avoid making deep cuts to the budget of the National
Institutes of Health. “It is very tough,” said Bilbray, one of the 12 Republicans that pressed for NIH
funding to be kept up.
Given the 40 percent cuts that were proposed to discretionary domestic spending programs, Bilbray said a
call to keep NIH funding stable or to even increase it meant other programs had to take bigger hits.
Bilbray was faced with a choice between supporting NIH and public broadcasting and Bilbray said, “I’m
sorry Big Bird. I’m going with NIH.”
Bilbray, along with 11 other Republicans, wrote a letter to Rep. Dave Reichert, the chairman of the
subcommittee that handled NIH’s budget, that said, “[w]e urge you to consider the wide-ranging, positive
effects of investment in research on health and economy. We appreciate your consideration of our
request.” [The Hill, 5/27/11]
109
Voted for $61 Billion in Draconian Cuts for Rest of 2011 Fiscal Year
In 2011, Bilbray voted for $61 billion in draconian cuts for a continuing resolution to finish fiscal year
2011.
The cuts slashed the maximum Pell Grant by $845; would drop 218,000 children from the Head Start
program; would cut 55,000 teachers and teacher assistants from schools; could result in 5,500 fewer
researchers compared to FY 2010 funding and 20,000 fewer researchers compared to the FY 2011
request; cut $1.6 billion from the National Institutes of Health; cut $250 million border security
technology funding; and would result in a total loss of 700,000 jobs. [Democratic Leader press release]
An analysis by the investment bank Goldman Sachs predicted that the Republican spending cuts would
cause great damage to the economy, slowing growth by as much as two percentage points in the second
and third quarters of 2011. [Washington Post, 3/13/11]
Voted Against Additional $22 Billion in Cuts
In 2011, Bilbray voted against an additional $22 billion in cuts, pushed by conservative freshmen
and the Republican Study Committee. The amendment would have reduced funding for the
legislative branch by 11 percent and all other continuing resolution funding by 5.5 percent, with
exemptions for the Department of Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs and for aid to Israel.
Out of 87 freshmen Republicans, 58 – or about two-thirds – voted in favor of the amendment.
The cuts were so extreme that Republican Study Committee member Jo Bonner said he worried
that the amendment “would take a more indiscriminate, hatchet approach” to the budget. Dan
Lungren, a former RSC chairman, said, “Across-the-board cuts are lazy members’ way to achieve
something.” Lungren also warned colleagues that the amendment would “paralyze” the U.S.
Capitol Police [CQ Today, 2/18/11; Washington Post, 2/18/11]
The amendment was rejected, 147-281. [HR 1, Blackburn amendment #104, Vote #103, 2/18/11]
Voted to Set Spending Caps Without Disclosing Dollars Amounts
In 2011, Bilbray voted to adopt a resolution setting a spending cap reducing non-security discretionary
spending to fiscal 2008 levels.
The resolution did not provide specifics, such as a dollar amount or definition of non-security spending.
Democrats criticized the resolution as a “public relations exercise” timed by Republicans in advance of
that evening’s State of the Union address by President Obama. [CQ Today, 1/25/11]
“You have no idea what you are voting on,” Minority Whip Steny Hoyer said of the resolution without
numbers. Rep. Jim McGovern challenged each Republican speaker, “What’s the number, what’s the cut?”
[Politico, 1/25/11]
110
Opposed FY2010 Budget That Provided Framework for Middle Class Taxes
In 2009, Bilbray opposed a budget that provided a framework for extending middle-income tax cuts. The
measure provided for $1.086 trillion in fiscal 2010 discretionary spending, not counting emergency funds
for Iraq and Afghanistan operations. The bill provided the framework to permanently extend the middleincome tax cuts, the 10 percent individual income bracket, marriage penalty relief, and the $1,000 child
tax credit. In total, the resolution supported the extension of $1.75 trillion in tax relief. [CQ Bill Analysis]
The bill passed 233-193. [S CON RES 13, Vote #216, 4/29/09]
Opposed Fiscally Responsible FY 2009 Budget That Would Create Budget Surplus in 2012
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a budget resolution that would establish the congressional budget for FY
2009. The resolution would call for expenditures of $3.1 trillion and would allow up to $1 trillion in
discretionary spending, plus $70 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and $5.8 billion for
hurricane recovery.
The bill would call for the federal budget to reach a surplus in fiscal year 2012. The bill would also
include instructions for the Ways and Means Committee to reduce mandatory spending by $750 million
over six years. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/13/08; CQ Bill Analysis, 3/07/08]
Opposed Congressional Progressive Caucus FY 2009 Budget Substitute
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a substitute budget amendment sponsored by the Congressional
Progressive Caucus.
The substitute calls for $551.7 billion in billion in domestic, non-defense discretionary spending in FY
2009, $131.9 billion more than the president’s request. It also calls for $468.3 billion for national defense
spending, $68.7 billion less than the president’s request and the reported resolution.
The substitute establishes spending and revenue figures for 10 fiscal years, covering the period of FY
2009 through FY 2018, rather than the five-year period through FY 2013 covered by the underlying
budget resolution. The substitute also projects a budget surplus in FY 2012, and then again in FY 2018.
[CQ House Action Reports, 3/12/08]
The budget assumes a redeployment of U.S. military personnel and contractors from Iraq by Sept. 30,
2009 and an extension of tax credits for investment in renewable and alternative energy.
It also assumes a repeal of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for the top 1 percent of U.S. households and the
elimination of certain corporate tax provisions. It would call for increased funding for transportation,
global warming efforts, education, housing, health care and job training. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/13/08]
The amendment failed 98-322. [H Con Res 312, Vote #138, 3/13/08]
Opposed Congressional Black Caucus FY 2009 Budget Substitute
111
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a substitute budget amendment sponsored by the Congressional Black
Caucus.
The substitute would achieve a budget surplus of $183 billion in fiscal 2012. It would assume increased
federal revenue by a repeal of the 2001- and 2003-enacted tax cuts for household income that exceeds
$200,000. It also would assume the repeal of certain corporate tax provisions, as well as increased funding
for health care, education and job training programs, and veteran benefits and services.
The CBC substitute calls for the same level of defense spending as the underlying budget resolution and
the president’s request, and it also assumes $70 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in FY 2009.
However, it also expresses the sense of Congress that the war in Iraq should end as safely and quickly as
possible and our troops should be brought home, and declares that the performance of U.S. military
personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan should be commended. It states that the purpose of funds made
available by the measure should be “to transition the mission of the armed forces in Iraq and undertake
their redeployment and not to extend or prolong the war and occupation.”
The CBC substitute calls for higher levels of non-defense spending than the underlying budget resolution.
It assumes increased funding for health care, which would be $84.6 billion more over five years than
under the reported resolution, and would allow all eligible uninsured children to be covered under the
State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). [CQ House Action Reports, 3/12/08]
The amendment failed 126-292. [H Con. Res. 312, Vote #137, 3/13/08]
Opposed Fiscally Responsible Budget in 2007
In 2007, Bilbray against the fiscal year 2008 budget conference report that began to reverse six years of
Republican fiscal mismanagement, provided for middle-class tax relief and would return the budget to
balance – reaching a surplus of $41 billion in 2012 – without raising taxes. [House Budget Committee,
Overview of FY2008 Budget Conference Agreement, 5/16/07]
According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, the budget represented “a major step toward
restoring fiscal responsibility in the Congress…” [Center for Responsive Politics, 5/29/07]
The budget passed 214-209. [SCR 21, Vote #377, 5/17/07]
Opposed Earmark Reform
In 2007, Bilbray voted against new House rules to reform the process of creating “earmarks” in
legislation.
The rule required legislation and conference reports to be accompanied by a list of earmarks and limited
tax or trade benefits, and their sponsors.
Members would have to provide information about the recipient and purpose of an earmark.
112
It also created new budget points of order, including pay-as-you-go rules which would require offsets to
any new entitlement spending or tax cuts. [CQ Floor Votes, 1/05/07]
The earmark and Pay-as-you-Go reforms passed 280-152. [H Res 6, Vote #9, 1/05/07]
Opposed “PayGo” Rules
In 2007, Bilbray voted against legislation to re-enact so-called Pay-As-You-Go (PayGo) rules.
The rules were originally established under the 1990 Budget Enforcement Act and extended in 1997, but
had been allowed to lapse during the Bush administration. [CQ House Action Reports, Legislative Day: 6/24/04;
CQ Vote Report #317, 6/25/04]
The rules required that both increases in mandatory spending and tax cuts be offset, either by cuts in
mandatory spending or increases in taxes.
The motion would have imposed “budgetary rules that would force any increase in entitlement spending
or cut in taxes to be funded by equal spending cuts or revenue raisers.” [Washington Post, 11/19/04; CQ Today,
11/18/04]
The earmark and Pay-as-you-Go reforms passed 280-152. [HRS 6, Vote #9, 1/05/07]
Supported Giving President Bush Line Item Veto Authority
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of granting President Bush line item veto authority, meaning that the
President could single out specific spending or tax measures in larger bills passed by Congress and ask
lawmakers to delete them. Bush and some Republican members of Congress have argued that the
authority was a necessary tool for imposing fiscal discipline and controlling pork barrel spending.
The bill gave the president 45 days to propose rescissions of line items in bills he signed into law,
prohibited duplicative requests and limited the number of rescission packages per bill to five, or 10 in the
case of omnibus spending packages.
The bill allowed the president to delay spending for no more than 90 days unless Congress endorsed a
rescission. According to the bill’s sponsors, this bill was different from an earlier line-item veto struck
down by the Supreme Court in 1998, because Congress had the final say on the president’s rescissions.
The measure required Congress to give expedited consideration to these presidential proposals, without
amending them. [CQ Today, 6/20/06]
The bill passed 247-172. [HR4890, Vote #317, 6/22/06]
Opposed Fiscally Responsible Line Item Veto Bill
In 2006, Bilbray voted against a motion to recommit legislation to implement a line item veto bill
with instructions to replace it with the Democrats’ substitute, offered by Rep. John Spratt (D-SC).
113
The Spratt substitute: 1) re-imposed the Pay-As-You-Go rules that turned deficits into surpluses in
the 1990s; 2) protected mandatory programs, including Social Security, Medicare and veterans’
benefits, from cuts under the line-item veto; 3) cracked down on earmarks; 4) prevented
reconciliation from being used to make the deficit worse.
The alternative also cut down the time that the President had to submit rescissions to Congress
from 45 days to 10 days. [Leadership Document “Support Spratt Substitute Amendment that Protects Social
Security, Medicare, and Veterans’ Benefits,” 6/22/06]
The motion was defeated 170-249. [HR4890, Vote #316, 6/22/06]
Supported for $94.5 Billion Emergency Supplemental Spending Bill
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a $94.5 billion emergency supplemental spending bill for hurricane
relief and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The bill provided: $65.8 billion for defense-related expenditures, primarily for operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan; $19.8 billion for Katrina-related aid; $500 million for agriculture aid for Gulf Coast states;
$4 billion for foreign assistance; $2.3 billion for avian flu preparedness; and $1.9 billion for border
security.
Components of the bill included $480 million for safer, armored Humvees; $2 billion to develop IED
countermeasures; $3.7 billion for levee improvements; and $5.2 billion for Community Development
Block Grants to Gulf Coast states. [Leadership Document, “Fact Sheet: Conference Report on HR 4939, FY 2006
Iraq/Katrina Supplemental,” 6/12/06]
Supported Republican Budget Plan
In 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of a Republican budget plan that called for cutting taxes by $150 billion
over five years and created a ‘reserve fund’ of $25 billion that could also be used for tax cuts. [CQ Floor
Votes, 4/13/00]
The budget passed 220-208. [HCR 290, Vote #125, 4/13/00]
2000: Opposed Budget Protecting Social Security and Medicare, Debt Reduction
In 2000, Bilbray voted against an alternative budget plan that called for extending the solvency of
the Social Security and Medicare programs, repaying the public debt and providing targeted tax
cuts.
The plan called for $20 billion more in non-defense discretionary spending than the budget
resolution and $306 billion overall in defense discretionary spending.
The plan also allowed for $3 billion in net tax cuts. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/23/00]
114
The budget plan was defeated 184-233. [HCR 290, Vote #74, 3/23/00]
2000: Opposed Blocking Tax Cuts until Passage of Prescription Drug Bill
In 2000, Bilbray voted against a motion to block tax cuts until Congress had enacted legislation to
establish a Medicare prescription drug program. [CQ Floor Votes, 4/10/00]
The motion was defeated 198-201. [HCR 290, Vote #114, 4/10/00]
San Diego Union-Tribune Endorsed Bilbray for Supporting Making the Bush Tax Cuts Permanent
In a March 2006 editorial, the San Diego Union-Tribune endorsed Bilbray in the Republican primary
because of his support for making the Bush tax cuts permanent:
In addition, Bilbray is a fiscal conservative who decries the spending binge lawmakers
have engaged in during the last five years. He believes President Bush’s tax cuts should
be made permanent to strengthen the economy and that cuts in outlays are essential to reestablishing fiscal responsibility in Washington. He also makes far more sense than any
of his rivals on the inflammatory issue of illegal immigration, stressing the need for
forgery proof worker documents and severe employer sanctions for companies that hire
illegal workers. [San Diego Union-Tribune, Editorial, 3/15/06]
Supported Balanced Budget Amendment
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of a proposed constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget by
2002 or two years after ratification by three-fourths of the states, whichever came later.
Under the proposal, three-fifths of the entire House and Senate would be required to approve deficit
spending or an increase in the public debt limit. A simple majority could waive the requirement in times
of war or in the face of a serious military threat. [CQ Floor Votes, 1/26/95]
The measure passed the House 300-132 but died in the Senate. [HJR 1, Vote #51, 1/26/95]
Supported Anti-Mandate Amendment
In January 1994, Bilbray spoke sympathetically about a proposed charter-amendment protest against state
and federal mandates. The amendment would make it illegal for county officials to spend money on
mandated programs that do not come with state or federal funds to cover payments. “Every revolution has
to start with some high statement of purpose,” said Bilbray. “The Declaration of Independence wasn’t
enforceable until the people rose up and made it enforceable.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/19/94]
115
Campaign Finance and Election Law Issues
 Opposed Protecting Military Voters from Disenfranchisement
 Voted Against Public Disclosure of Foreign Entities Donating to
Presidential Campaigns
 Voted Against Protecting Voting Rights Act
In 2005, Bilbray voted against an effort to prevent voter disenfranchisement of
military voters. Bilbray voted against public disclosure of foreign entities donating
to presidential campaigns. During his years in Congress, Bilbray accumulated a
flawed record of failing to protect and uphold the Voting Rights Act.
Opposed Effort to Prevent Voter Disenfranchisement of Military, Elderly, and Minorities
In 2005, Bilbray voted against a motion that would modify the GOP’s bill requiring photo ID and proof of
citizenship in order to vote. The motion to recommit would have sent the bill back to committee with
instructions to exempt military voters and their families, elderly voters, voters with disabilities, and
certain Katrina victims from the GOP bill’s requirements.
The motion also required four key conditions that must be met before the ID law was applied:
1) That the law shall be inapplicable unless it was proven, by an independent commission, that the bill
would not unfairly disenfranchise the elderly, people with disabilities, minorities, and Native Americans.
2) The bill shall not take effect unless 95 percent of the voting age population had acquired a photo ID
that meets the requirements of the act. 3) The law shall not take effect until the governor, chief election
official, and attorney general of a state certify that illegal voting was a problem that could not be solved
by laws already on the books. 4) The law shall not take effect unless the state has been given sufficient
funds by the federal government to implement it. [Leadership Document, “Vote Yes On Democratic Motion to
Recommit the GOP Voter Id Bill,” 9/20/06]
The motion failed 196-225. [HR4844, Vote #458, 9/20/06]
Voted Against Requiring Disclosure of Foreign Countries, Companies Donating to Presidential
Campaigns
In 2011, Bilbray voted against requiring the disclosure of certain foreign entities donating to presidential
campaigns, as well as donors spending over $100,000 on those contests.
116
The motion to recommit would have required, more specifically, the disclosure of foreign countries,
companies or individuals donating to presidential campaigns. [CQ Weekly, 1/31/11]
The motion failed, 173-229. [H. Res. 359, Vote #24, 1/26/11]
Supported Eliminating Voter Assistance for Non-English Speakers
In 2006, Bilbray voted for an amendment to the Voting Rights Act reauthorization that would have
eliminated Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act.
Section 203, the provision of the VRA, guaranteed that US citizens with limited English proficiency
receive the help they need while voting.
Section 203 did not apply to non-US citizens—only provided language assistance to U.S. citizens who
may not speak English fluently enough to comprehend some of the complex ballot initiatives that are
often a part of the voting environment.
More than 70 percent of the citizens who used the language assistance provisions of the VRA were born
in the United States and included not only Latino citizens, but Alaskan natives, Native Americans, and
Asian Americans. The rest were naturalized U.S. citizens. [HR 9, Vote #372, 7/13/06; Leadership Document,
“Democrats Support HR 9, The Bi-Partisan Voting Rights Extension Act, and Strongly Oppose All Amendments, 7/13/06]
The amendment was defeated 185-238. [HR 9, Vote# 372, 7/13/06]
Supported Weakening Voting Rights Act
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment that would have prohibited funds from being
used to enforce Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act.
Section 203 ensured that American citizens with limited English proficiency get the help they need
at the polls.
By eliminating funding for Section 203 enforcement, states and localities would be free to
discriminate against taxpaying American citizens and impede their right to vote.
Three-quarters of those who are covered by the language assistance provision are native-born
United States citizens. The rest are naturalized U.S. citizens. [HR 5672, Vote #340, 6/28/06; CQ Weekly,
7/10/06]
The amendment failed 167-254. [HR5672, Vote #340, 6/28/06]
Voted to Block Enforcement of McCain-Feingold
Departments of Commerce and Justice to block enforcement of electioneering provisions of the McCainFeingold law.
117
The amendment barred the use of funds in the bill to enforce the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign
finance law provisions dealing organizations that make electioneering communications. [Congressional
Quarterly; Congressman Mike Pence Press Release, 7/26/07]
The electioneering communications section of McCain-Feingold prohibits the use of corporate or labor
union funds to finance broadcast advertisements that include the name or a depiction of a federal
candidate within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general election.
Opponents of the provision that the amendment sought to block claim that it restricts the First
Amendment right of Americans to lobby their representatives in Washington by use of the airwaves.
[Congressman Mike Pence Press Release, 7/26/07]
Sided With Special Interests Over Transparency in Campaign Finance Reform
In 2010, Bilbray voted against campaign finance reforms that required transparency and disclosure in
campaign spending.
The bill would tighten disclosure rules on campaign advertising by corporations, unions and other
independent groups and would prohibit corporations that are foreign-controlled or have received
government assistance from making expenditures in political campaigns.
Democrats argued that the bill would dull the effect of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v.
Federal Election Commission, which determined that corporations have the same free-speech rights as
individuals and can spend corporate funds to sway elections.
“This legislation restores transparency and accountability and ensures that Americans know when Wall
Street and health insurers are the ones behind political advertising,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The legislation would free organizations with 500,000 or more members, have existed for at least 10
years, and meet other criteria from having to identify their top donors. Those groups would still be
required to abide by most of the bill’s new regulations, but not the disclaimer requirement that requires a
“stand by your ad” provision. [CQ Today, 6/24/10]
Voted to Terminate Public Funding of Presidential Campaigns, “Pander” to Corporate Money
In 2011, Bilbray voted to terminate the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, which provided public
funding during presidential elections. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the move would
reduce mandatory spending by $617 million over 10 years.
The fund was established in the wake of the Watergate scandal and provided matching funds for
presidential primary candidates and grants for general election candidates who comply with spending and
contribution limits. The fund was financed through check-offs on income tax returns. An amendment,
118
offered by Rep. Gary Peters, added language specifying that funds returned to the Treasury could only be
used for reducing the benefits. [CQ Today, 1/26/11]
In an editorial in the New York Times, the paper noted that House Republicans were “pandering to the
new corporate money trough legitimized by the Supreme Court” by cutting off the funding.
“The public subsidy remains popular in the public polls. Opponents may invoke budget savings – an
estimated $52 million a year – but there is no mistaking their aim is to destroy what has been a bulwark
against the buying and selling of the presidency.” [New York Times, Editorial, 2/26/11]
Opposed Funding for States to Use Paper Ballots
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would authorize reimbursement for states and counties that
convert to paper-ballot voting machines before the November 2008 elections or need help paying for
manual audits afterward.
The bill would authorize a one-time-only funding to set up a paper-ballot-counting system or to retrofit
printers onto electronic voting machines. It would also authorize federal reimbursements for hand counts
and manual audits of the 2008 election results. [CQ Today, 4/15/08]
The bill was rejected 239-178 after failing to get the necessary 2/3 majority under suspension of the rules.
[HR 5036, Vote # 188, 4/15/08]
Opposed Gutting Voting Discrimination Laws
In 2006, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the Voting Rights Act reauthorization bill that would
have gutted Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
Section 5 determined which jurisdictions were required to seek federal pre-clearance for voting changes.
The amendment would have changed the formula for which states were subject to Section 5. Under the
amendment’s new formula Section 5 would be gutted, making it applicable to only Hawaii.
There had been over 1,000 objections issued by the Justice Department regarding voting discrimination
problems under Section 5 since the previous VRA reauthorization in 1982. [HR 9, Vote #370, 7/13/06;
Leadership Document, “Democrats Support HR 9, The Bi-Partisan Voting Rights Extension Act, and Strongly Oppose All
Amendments, 7/13/06]
The amendment failed 96-318. [HR 9, Vote #370, 7/13/06]
119
Consumer Issues
 Voted Against Mortgage Aid Programs for Homeowners
 Opposed Reforming Mortgage Lending Practices
 Voted Against Creation of FBI Mortgage Fraud Task Force
 Opposed New Regulations of Tobacco Products

Bilbray voted against several programs assisting homeowners struggling in these
difficult economic times. His votes include opposing the creation of an FBI
mortgage fraud task force to protect homeowners from unscrupulous financial
institutions. Bilbray opposed efforts to protect senior homeowners during the
foreclosure process. He also voted against increased consumer protection for
tobacco products to reduce the number of new smokers.
Opposed Mortgage Reforms
In 2008, Bilbray voted against legislation that combined several major pieces of housing-related
legislation into one package that was aimed at slowing the pace of foreclosures and stimulating the real
estate market.
The package provided an overhaul of mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, loan
programs aimed at helping borrowers get out from under mortgages they can’t afford. It also would
overhaul the Federal Housing Administration and expand its loan guarantee program.
It also would provide legal protections for mortgage servicers who made certain loan modifications,
permit federal savings associations to make investments designed primarily to promote the public
welfare through the provision of housing, services and jobs, and expand access to reverse mortgages.
The motion to concur with the Senate amendment passed 266-154. [HR 3221, Vote #301, 5/08/08]
Voted to Stall Consideration of Bill to Provide Mortgage Relief
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a motion to consider a bill aimed at slowing the pace of foreclosures
and stimulating the real estate market.
120
The bill would provide tax breaks for homebuilders and those buying foreclosed homes, expand
Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance programs, and included other provisions to
alleviate the housing crisis. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/07/08; CQ Today, 5/08/08]
The motion was agreed to by a vote of 226-198. [HR 3221, Vote #281, 5/07/08]
Voted to Stall Bill to Provide Mortgage Relief
In 2008, Bilbray voted for partisan delay to a bill aimed at slowing the pace of foreclosures and
stimulating the real estate market.
The vote was against killing a motion to reconsider the rule which allowed for floor consideration
of a bill that would provide tax breaks for homebuilders and those buying foreclosed homes,
expand Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance programs, and include other
provisions to alleviate the housing crisis. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/07/08; CQ Today, 5/08/08]
The motion to kill the delay passed 225-192. [HR 3221, Vote #282, 5/07/08]
Voted to Stall Consideration of Bill to Provide Mortgage Relief
In 2008, Bilbray voted against the rule to consider amendments to a bill aimed at slowing the pace
of foreclosures and stimulating the real estate market.
The bill would provide tax breaks for homebuilders and those buying foreclosed homes, expand
Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance programs, and include other provisions to
alleviate the housing crisis.
The rule would provide for a motion to concur with the Senate amendments, with three
amendments that would incorporate provisions from several housing-related bills and clarify that
no provision could be construed to pre-empt state laws dealing with residential foreclosures. [CQ
Floor Votes, 5/07/08; CQ Today, 5/08/08]
The rule was adopted 224-198. [HR 3221, Vote #283, 5/07/08]
Voted to Stall Bill to Provide Mortgage Relief
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a partisan delay to considering Senate amendments to a bill aimed at
slowing the pace of foreclosures and stimulating the real estate market.
The vote was against killing a motion to reconsider the rule which allowed for floor consideration
of Senate amendments to a bill that would provide tax breaks for homebuilders and those buying
foreclosed homes, expand Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance programs, and
include other provisions to alleviate the housing crisis.
The rule would provide for a motion to concur with the Senate amendments, with three
amendments that would incorporate provisions from several housing-related bills and clarify that
121
no provision could be construed to pre-empt state laws dealing with residential foreclosures. [CQ
Floor Votes, 5/07/08; CQ Today, 5/08/08]
The motion to kill the delay passed 227-196. [HR 3221, Vote #284, 5/07/08]
Opposed Grants and Loans for Foreclosed Properties, Housing Assistance for Working Families
In May 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would establish a loan and grant program, administered by
the Department of Housing and Urban Development, for states and localities to buy and rehabilitate
foreclosed properties. The bill would authorize $7.5 billion for zero-interest loans and $7.5 billion for
grants.
The bill would direct states to allocate funds to the 100 largest cities with high foreclosure rates and 50
most populous counties. Properties purchased for rental with the funds could serve only families having
incomes at or below the area’s median income. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/08/08]
Opposed Capping Purchase Price of Foreclosed Properties at Current Value
In May 2008, Bilbray voted against an amendment to a bill providing grants and loans to
rehabilitate foreclosed properties. The amendment would allow allocations of the bill’s grants and
loans to qualified cities and counties and would cap the purchase price of the foreclosed property
at its current appraised value. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/07/08]
The underlying legislation would authorize a loan and grant program for the purchase and
rehabilitation of owner-vacated, foreclosed homes. Of the funds, $7.5 billion would be for loans,
and $7.5 billion would be for grants. [CQ Bill Analysis, HR 5818]
Voted to Stall Consideration of Bill to Provide Grants to Rehabilitate Foreclosed Properties
In May 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to rise from the Committee of the Whole. The
motion would have stalled consideration of a bill to provide grants and loans to rehabilitate
foreclosed properties. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/07/08]
The legislation would authorize a loan and grant program for the purchase and rehabilitation of
owner-vacated, foreclosed homes. Of the funds, $7.5 billion would be for loans, and $7.5 billion
would be for grants. [CQ Bill Analysis, HR 5818]
In May 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to adjourn, stalling consideration of a bill to
provide grants and loans to rehabilitate foreclosed properties.
122
would be for grants. [CQ Bill Analysis, HR 1174]
Voted to Stall Bill to Provide Grants to Rehabilitate Foreclosed Properties
In May 2008, Bilbray voted against killing a motion to reconsider adoption of the rule (H Res
1174) that would provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would establish a loan and
grant program, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, for states
and localities to buy and rehabilitate foreclosed properties. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/07/08]
would be for grants. [CQ Bill Analysis, H Res 1174]
In May 2008, Bilbray voted against adoption of the rule (H Res 1174) to provide for House floor
consideration of the bill that would establish a loan and grant program, administered by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, for states and localities to buy and rehabilitate
The rule was adopted 223-192. [H Res 1174, Vote #289, 5/07/08]
Voted to Stall Bill to Provide Grants to Rehabilitate Foreclosed Properties
In May 2008, Bilbray voted against reconsidering a vote on ordering the previous question (thus
ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule (H Res 1174) that would
provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would establish a loan and grant program,
administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, for states and localities to
buy and rehabilitate foreclosed properties. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/07/08]
123
In May 2008, Bilbray voted against ordering the previous question (thus ending debate and
possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule (H Res 1174) that would provide for House
floor consideration of the bill that would establish a loan and grant program, administered by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, for states and localities to buy and rehabilitate
Voted to Shut Down Mortgage Aid Program
In 2011, Bilbray voted to shut down a federal program established to help homeowners who owe more
than their homes are worth refinance their loans. A borrower current on his mortgage would qualify for a
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) refinanced loan given that the lender wrote off at least percent of
the unpaid mortgage principal.
The bill rescinded all unobligated funds allocated for the program under the 2008 financial industry
bailout. The House adopted an amendment to direct those funds to be used to pay down the national debt.
Republicans argued that since only $50 million of the $8 billion obligated had been used, the program
was ineffective. Others protested that the program was poorly advertised and had not had a chance to
reach needy homeowners. [Las Vegas Sun, 3/09/11]
Voted Against Protecting Senior Homeowners from Being Served Foreclosure Notices
In March 2011, before considering the mortgage aid program, Bilbray voted against a measure
that would have required the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to determine the
amount necessary – and appropriate that amount – to provide assistance under the FHA Refinance
Program to senior homeowners.
The motion failed, 185-243. [HR 830, Vote #170, 3/10/11]
Voted to Terminate Program Helping Home Owners
In 2011, Bilbray voted to terminate the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). HAMP
provided funds to mortgage services to help reduce mortgage holders’ monthly payments.
The bill terminated the Treasury Department’s authority to provide new assistance under the Home
Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). HAMP provided financial incentives to mortgage servicers
that are intended to reduce borrowers’ monthly payments to no more than 31 percent of monthly income.
124
The Treasury Department allocated $30 billion in Troubled Asset Relief Program funds for HAMP. [CQ
House Action Reports, 3/28/11]
Bilbray even voted against a motion which would have allowed the HAMP to continue for active duty
servicemen, their spouses or parents, or Gold Star eligible families. The motion failed 185-238. [HR 839,
Vote #197, 3/29/11]
Voted to Undermine the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
In 2011, Bilbray voted to limit the effectiveness of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
The legislation would limit the effectiveness of the CFPB, a bureau created by the Dodd-Frank financial
regulatory bill, which “has the authority to regulate financial markets in ways meant to improve consumer
protection”. The CFPB, which had a single director, would instead have a five-member board. This
legislation would also change the two-thirds majority vote by the Financial Stability Oversight Council to
override a CFPB decision to just a simple majority. [The Hill, 7/21/11]
Opposed Mortgage Fraud Task Force
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would establish an FBI national mortgage fraud task force, with
branches in 10 states the bureau determines have the highest concentration of that type of fraud. It would
require the task force to coordinate law enforcement agencies to combat mortgage fraud and allow the
task force to establish mortgage fraud reporting measures.
The bill would require the task force to establish branch offices in the 10 states that the FBI director
determines to have the highest concentration of mortgage fraud. “This is an important bill that addresses
an important issue facing our communities and our families,” said Rep. Sutton. The task force that would
be established under Meek’s measure would coordinate the anti-fraud efforts at the federal, state and local
levels. The task force would also train law enforcement officials in relevant laws. [CQ Today Online News,
9/22/08]
The motion was agreed to by a vote of 350 to 23. [HR 6853, Vote #618, 9/22/08]
Opposed Sweeping Mortgage Relief Bill
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to HR 3221 with House
amendment #1.
The House amendment would provide government backing to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by allowing
government purchase of the entities’ stock, and create independent agency to regulate the two mortgage
entities and the Federal Home Loan Bank System.
125
The House amendment would also overhaul the Federal Housing Administration and provide $300 billion
in new loan guarantee authority for the FHA to help refinance borrowers in danger of losing their homes,
create a $7,500 tax credit to some first-time homebuyers, raise loan limits for FHA-backed loans, and
provide a standard tax deduction of $500 for single filers and $1,000 for joint filers on property taxes.
The House amendment would also authorize $3.92 billion in Community Development Block Grants to
purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed properties, and increase the federal debt limit to $10.6 trillion. [CQ
Today Online News, 7/24/08]
The motion passed 272-152. [HR 3221, Vote # 519, 7/23/08]
Voted Against Overhaul of Mortgage System
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill that would create a nationwide mortgage licensing system and
registry. The bill would also establish minimum standards for home loans and expand certain limits on
high-cost mortgages. It would also prohibit brokers from steering consumers to mortgages they are
unlikely to be able to repay. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/15/07]
Opponents of the bill included the mortgage banking industry and the White House, who were concerned
that tightening mortgage regulations could make it harder for potential homebuyers to get loans. [CQ
Weekly, 11/18/07]
The bill passed 291-127. [HR 3915, Vote # 1118, 11/15/07]
Voted Against Revising Mortgage Lending Practices
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill that would overhaul the Federal Housing Administration’s mortgage
lending practices and designate certain agency surpluses for an affordable-housing fund. The measure
would raise loan limits in high-cost areas for FHA-backed loans, allow the agency to support zero-down
loans and vary the premiums it charges borrowers based on their credit risk. It also would permit lower
monthly payments for borrowers who make on-time payments for the first five years of a loan. [CQ Floor
Votes, 9/18/07]
The portion of the bill which would allow certain holders of subprime loans to refinance through the FHA
was written in reaction to the subprime mortgage problem in the country. [CQ Today, 9/18/07]
Voted Against Providing Foreclosure Aid Relief for Rural Homeowners
In March 2011, Bilbray voted against a measure that would have required states give priority emphasis
and consideration to rural areas when distributing Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds that were
allocated by HUD and appropriated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection
Act.
126
Voted to Keep Vital Consumer Product Information from Consumers
In 2011, Bilbray voted for an amendment that would bar funds related to launching the consumer product
safety information database established under the Consumer Product Safety Act and signed into law by
President George Bush.
According to the Wichita Eagle, the amendment offered by Rep. Mike Pompeo, would delay the site to
make changes that Pompeo and the business community would prefer. One of Pompeo’s changes would
be to make it harder for consumer groups and lawyers to submit product complaints. [Wichita Eagle, 3/07/11]
The amendment was adopted, 234-187. [HR 1, Pompeo amendment #545, Vote #137, 2/19/11]
Opposed Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009
In 2009, Bilbray voted against the Helping Families Save their Homes Act. The bill allowed bankruptcy
judges to modify mortgages, made permanent an increase in the insurance limit for the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation. The bill made several changes to the Hope for Homeowners Program, which
guarantees mortgages to help refinance at-risk borrowers into viable mortgages. It also provided a “safe
harbor” to mortgage servicers that participate in mortgage modification programs. The provisions that
related to mortgage modifications only applied to mortgages issued before the bill’s enactment. [CQBill
Analysis HR1106]
Voted Against Banning Airlines from Gouging their Customers
In 2011, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the FAA Reauthorization bill which would require
airlines to provide better information relating to baggage fees and to refund baggage fees if the luggage
was lost, damaged or delayed.
The amendment, offered by Rep. Capuano, would have required airlines to refund any luggage fees
charged for bags checked within 60 days of the flight and if the baggage was lost, delayed, or damaged. It
would also require airlines and ticket vendors to disclose the cost associated with checking luggage when
the price of the ticket was first quoted. [Congressional Record, 3/31/11]
Voted Against Bill to Reform Credit Card Billing Practices
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would prohibit credit card companies from retroactively
increasing interest rates and finance charges.
The bill sought to outlaw several credit card practices deemed “unfair and deceptive” by federal
regulators. [CQ Today, 9/23/08]
127
“We see this as truly a historic vote,” Consumer Federation of America Legislative Director Travis
Plunkett said. “The credit card industry has been able to stop proposals to rein them in for over a decade.”
[CQ Today, 9/23/08]
Opposed Bill to Regulate the Manufacturing, Sale and Promotion of Tobacco Products
In 2009, Bilbray opposed a bill to give the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate the
production and marketing of tobacco products. The agency could require tobacco companies to change
their products to reduce their harmful health effects, including reducing levels of nicotine or menthol. The
FDA would not be able to require companies to eliminate nicotine completely or ban tobacco products.
The bill imposed strict marketing restrictions on tobacco companies, within a year they would no longer
be able to advertise on outdoor billboards or signs near schools and playgrounds. They would also not be
able to give away non-tobacco products or sell cigarettes in vending machines outside of adult-only
locations. [CQ Weekly, 4/06/09]
Opposed Bill to Reduce Number of New Smokers
In 2009, Bilbray voted against a bipartisan effort to give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new
authority to regulate the advertising, marketing, and manufacturing of tobacco products. [CQ Bill Analysis,
HR 1256]
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tobacco accounts for approximately
443,000 deaths annually. [Annual Deaths Attributable to Cigarette Smoking—United States, 2000–2004]
The bill passed 307-97. [H.R. 1256, #335, 6/21/09]
Supported Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights
In 2009, Bilbray voted for the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights. The bill expanded a number of
disclosure requirements, prohibited certain practices related to interest rate charges and restricted the
ability of credit card companies to change the terms of accounts after they were established. [CQ Today
Online, 5/20/09]
The bill prevented credit card companies from raising interest rates arbitrarily and charging certain fees.
Companies were prohibited from raising interest rates on existing balances unless the borrower pays at
least 60 days late. If the cardholder paid on time for the following six months, the company had to restore
the original rate. [Washington Post, 5/23/09]
The bill required consumers to be able to elect to avoid over-the-spending limit fees by prohibiting the
card company from completing a transaction that would push an account over its spending limit. [CQ House
Action Reports Legislative Week, 5/19/09]
128
Supported Bill to Help Combat Financial Fraud
In 2009, Bilbray supported a bill to improve enforcement of mortgage fraud, securities fraud, financial
institution fraud and other frauds related to federal assistance and relief programs, for the recovery of
funds lost to these frauds and for other purposes.
The bill expanded federal fraud laws to apply to mortgage lenders not directly regulated or insured by the
federal government, as well as cover the funds paid out under the Troubled Asset Relief Program and the
economic stimulus. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/18/09]
The bill passed 338-52. [S 386, Vote #268, 5/18/09]
Supported Bill to Impose Restrictions and Set Standards for Mortgage Lenders
In 2009, Bilbray supported a bill that imposed restrictions and set standards for mortgage lenders. The bill
prohibited a mortgage originator from steering consumers to residential mortgage loans that the
homebuyer could clearly not repay and required lenders to retain a least 5 percent of any mortgage sold
off to a third party. The bill did include a provision to exempt from the state mortgage loan standards all
fully underwritten, fixed-rate mortgages, as well as conforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans and
those backed by the Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Affairs Department and Rural Housing
Service. [CQ Today, 5/07/09]
Supported Tax Breaks for First-Time Homebuyers
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to a housing package that would establish a refundable
tax credit of up to $7,500 for first-time homebuyers that would serve as an interest-free loan.
It provided an additional standard deduction in 2008 of up to $350 for individuals and $700 for married
couples for state and local property taxes.
It also would authorize an additional $10 billion in tax-exempt bonds that would be used to refinance
subprime loans, finance the construction of low-income rental housing, and support loans to first-time
homebuyers.
Finally, it increased the number of low-income housing tax credits. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/08/08; CQ Today,
5/08/08]
The motion passed 322-94. [HR 3221, Vote #302, 5/08/08]
Supported Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act
In 2007, Bilbray voted for the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007. The legislation was
designed to lessen the tax burden on struggling homeowners, fixing an unfair anomaly in the tax code.
129
The bill also extended the deduction for private mortgage insurance and slightly broadened the definition
of housing cooperatives to allow more people to deduct payments they made to cooperatives as mortgage
interest. [CQ Today, 10/04/07]
130
Crime and Public Safety Issues
 Voted Against Funding for Firefighters, First Responders
 Voted Against Funding for COPS Program
 Voted Against Funding for AMBER Alerts at NPR
Bilbray’s voting record on crime and public safety issues includes votes against
funding for firefighters, police officers, and other first responders. He has a long
record of voting against the COPS program to put more police officers on the
street.
Voted Against Funding Firefighter, First Responder Assistance
In 2011, Bilbray voted against increased funding for FEMA firefighter assistance grants by $510 million.
The amendment specified that $390 million be available for firefighter assistance grants and $420 million
be available for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants.
The amendment passed, 318-113. [HR 1, Pascrell amendment #223, Vote #60, 2/16/11]
A Record of Voting Against More Police on the Street
Since 1994, the Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) program has placed over 100,000 new
police officers on the street while also providing administrative and technological resources for state and
local law enforcement entities.
The COPS program, which has been the cornerstone of community crime prevention efforts, has helped
reduce violent crime since 1994, bringing the nation’s crime rate to a 25-year low.
Bilbray has been a frequent opponent of the COPS program.
Voted to Cut COPS Funding by $600 Million
In 2011, Bilbray voted against restoring funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services
(COPS) program at the Justice Department by $298 million. The funds came from decreasing the
same amount from cross-agency support at NASA.
Cuts under the Republicans’ original continuing resolution plan totaled some $600 million.
131
Amendment sponsor Rep. Anthony Weiner acknowledged he was “taking from one place to give
to another. But I do believe it’s in the interest of all of us to try to set these priorities straight.”
[Politico, 2/16/11]
The amendment passed, 228-203. [HR 1, Weiner amendment #125 as modified, Vote #53, 2/16/11]
Opposed Law Enforcement Funding, Including COPS Funding
In 2009, Bilbray voted against an appropriations bill that contained $802 million for the
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). This included $298 million for COPS Hiring
Grants. The bill also contained $510 million for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
program. [CQ Bill Analysis, HR 2847; CQ House Action Reports, 6/12/09]
The Bill Passed 259-157. [HR 2847, #408, 6/18/09]
Opposed Increasing COPS Program Funding by $476 Million
In 2006, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the FY 07 SSJC appropriations bill that would
have provided an additional $476 million to the COPS program.
The extra money would come out of NASA’s budget. The COPS program, first implemented in
the 1994 landmark crime bill, was a federal program that provided financial assistance to state and
local police to make capital improvements and hire more officers. [CQ Today, 6/28/06]
Voted to Eliminate COPS Program
In 1995, Bilbray voted against an amendment to retain the COPS program. The amendment was
defeated, 196-235. [CQ Floor Votes, 2/14/95; HR 728, Vote #124, 2/14/95]
Voted Against Funding for AMBER Alerts in Public Broadcasting
In March 2011, Bilbray voted against a measure to ensure that National Public Radio would still be able
to receive federal funding to broadcast or disseminate emergency AMBER Alerts regarding abducted
children.
According to the DOJ’s AMBER Alert website, there have been 532 successful recoveries with 120 total
Amber Alert plans nationwide. In calendar year 2009, 207 AMBER Alerts were issued in the U.S., Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands involving 263 children. Of those 207 cases, 166 resulted in a recovery,
45 of which were successfully recovered as a direct result of those respective AMBER Alerts being
issued. [Department of Justice, AMBER Alert statistics; 2009 AMBER Alert report]
Rep. Button Sutton, who introduced the motion, said in her floor remarks that National Public Radio,
which the Republicans sought to defund, was a disseminator of the alerts via an arrangement with the
Department of Justice. [Rep. Sutton Floor Remarks, 3/17/11]
132
Bilbray then voted for prohibiting federal money from being used to fund or purchase content from
National Public Radio. [HR 1076, Vote #192, 3/17/11]
Inconsistent on Funding Fighting Drugs in Latin America
Supported Anti-Drug Efforts in Central and South American on Other Occasions
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to authorize $2.3 billion through fiscal 2001 for a variety
of programs to strengthen narcotics interdiction and eradication programs in Central and South
America. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/16/98]
Supported Funds to Help Mexico Crackdown on Drug Trafficking
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a motion that would suspend the rules and pass a bill that would
authorize $1.1 billion over three years to help train and equip Mexican forces to control drug
trafficking.
The bill would authorize funding that would train and equip security forces, strengthen judicial
systems and boost a U.S. program to prevent guns from traveling illegally into Mexico. [CQ Today,
6/10/08]
Supported Aid for Drug Enforcement in Colombia
In 2000, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2000 Supplemental Appropriations
bill that would strike $1.7 billion for Colombian anti-drug efforts. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/29/00]
The $1.7 billion earmarked for Colombia would be spent over two years for helicopters and other
counter-narcotics technology, as well as military advisors to help the Colombian military and
police forces battle drug traffickers.
The amendment was rejected, 158-262. [HR 3908, Vote #86, 3/29/00]
Supported Making Drug Interdiction a Top Priority of the Defense Department
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to express the sense of Congress that the
administrative priorities for assets of the Defense Department should be revised so that the
counter-drug mission of the department was second only to its war-fighting mission. [CQ Floor
Votes, 9/16/98]
133
But Opposed Funding for U.S. Custom Service Drug Interdiction
In 1998, Bilbray voted against a bill to authorize $2 billion in fiscal 1999 and $2.2 billion in fiscal
2000 for drug interdiction activities of the U.S. Customs Service. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/19/98]
Voted to Allow Suspension of Driving Privileges for Repeat Drunk Drivers
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to concur with Senate revisions to the Surface Transportation
Law. Among other provisions, the legislation allowed a state to impose a 45-day suspension of driving
privileges on repeat intoxicated drivers, followed by a period during which the offender could drive only
to work, school or alcohol treatment programs. [Congressional Quarterly, 5/01/08]
The repeat intoxicated driver law was amended to allow for use of ignition interlock devices, strongly
supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. This legislation gave States more flexibility to either
continue with the 1-year license suspension or permit a 45-day license suspension with limited driving
privileges. [Statement by Rep. Oberstar, H2881, 4/30/08]
Opposed More Restrictive Standard for Drunk Driving
In 2000, Bilbray voted against adopting the FY01 Transportation Appropriations Conference report that
required states to reduce the blood alcohol content standard for drunk driving to 0.08. [CQ Floor Votes,
10/06/01]
Voted For Making Dog Fighting a Federal Felony
In 2007, Bilbray voted for legislation which upgraded the federal penalties for illegal dog fighting and
cockfighting activities to a felony.
The legislation made it a felony punishable by a fine and up to 3 years in prison to sponsor or exhibit
animals transported across state lines in fights, or to buy and sell materials, such as gaff blades worn by
roosters, that can be used during a fight. [Chicago Tribune, 3/29/07]
The legislation passed 368 – 39. [HR 137, Vote #188, 3/26/07]
Supported Ban on Sexually Explicit Materials Being Sold to Minors
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the juvenile justice bill that would have outlawed
selling or renting children films, recordings, videogames, books and other media depicting extreme
violence and sex.
134
The amendment also encouraged retailers to make lyrics available to a customer before purchase and
required NIH to study the effects of violence on children.
Opponents, including Representative Bob Barr (R-Georgia), claimed the amendment would be
ineffective. “Nothing we do will solve the problems,” said Barr. “It’s up to parents.”
Representative John Conyers (D-Michigan) agreed, adding that the amendment was an “overreaction” and
an “unparalleled assault on the First Amendment.” [Copley News Service, 6/16/99]
Supported Cracking Down on Deadbeat Parents
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to increase penalties on parents who willfully fail to pay courtordered child support for a child living in another state. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/12/98]
Supported Juvenile Crime Block Grants Bill
In 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to consolidate juvenile crime prevention funding, including
boot camps, gang prevention and mentoring programs, into block grants to the states.
The bill also reauthorized programs to serve runaway and homeless youth and the National Missing
Children Center. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/15/97]
Supported Helping Communities Fight Drugs
In 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to authorize $144 billion through 2002 to establish a program to
support and encourage local communities that first demonstrate a comprehensive, long-term commitment
to reduce substance abuse among youth.
The bill would redirect funds from existing federal drug-control programs to communities that have such
plans in place. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/22/97]
The bill passed 420-1 and was signed into law. [HR 956, Vote #153, 5/22/97; Public Law No: 105-20]
Supported FBI Database of Released Sex Offenders
In 1996, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to direct the Federal Bureau of Investigation to establish a
national database of released sex offenders.
The bill also allowed for community notification when a convicted sex offender moves into a
neighborhood. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/26/96]
135
Supported Higher Penalties for Crimes against Seniors, Children
In 1996, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to increase penalties for violent crimes committed against
children, the elderly, and other vulnerable individuals. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/07/96]
Supported Life Sentences for Repeat Sex Offenders
In 1996, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to require life sentences without parole upon the second
conviction of a rape or serious sexual assault if the rapist crossed state lines in connection with
committing the crime. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/07/96]
Supported “Zero-Tolerance” Policies for Underage Drivers
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to require states to enact and enforce “zero tolerance”
laws that would make it illegal for drivers under 21 to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.02 percent
or higher.
Under the amendment, states would have three years to enact such laws. Failure to do so would result in a
withholding of five percent of their federal highway funds in fiscal 1999 and ten percent in each
succeeding year. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/20/95]
Discovered Bag of “Dope”
In October 1995, Bilbray said he found “a sack of dope” outside of his Imperial Beach house. He
found an undercover office he knew who took the “hot pot,” according to the San Diego UnionTribune. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/14/95]
Criticized Civil Libertarians over Fingerprint System
In April 1987, Bilbray outlined what he expected to be opposition to new proposals to expand the
fingerprint system in San Diego County. “I’m sure the civil libertarians are going to come out of the
woodwork, screaming that this is another technological thing against society,” said Bilbray. [San Diego
Elementary School Concerned over Expansion of Jail
In July 1987, officials at the Santee Elementary School expressed concern about the expansion of a local
jail. “The issue is the safety of our children,” said Jan Clark, president of the Santee school board. The
136
Las Colinas jail was being expanded to house an additional 800 inmates. Supervisor Bilbray proposed the
expansion of the jail. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/28/87]
City Sued, Bilbray Said They Could Have “A Whole Lot Worse”
In August 1987, the city of Santee filed a suit to block the expansion of the jail. “Cities can have
a whole lot worse thing than that facility,” said Bilbray. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 8/22/87]
137
Earmark Issues
 Supported Earmark for Campaign Contributor
 Voted to Maintain Funding for the “Bridge to Nowhere”
 Opposed Earmark Reform
 Inconsistent Record on Earmarks
Bilbray has been inconsistent on earmarks, at times voting against them but at other
times voting to defend them. He voted against earmark reform to bring
transparency to the system. Among the earmarks he has voted to protect is the
“bridge to nowhere” in Alaska. In 2009, Bilbray requested an earmark for a
campaign contributor but defended it as being requested by the military.
Supported Earmark for Campaign Contributor
In March 2009, Bilbray requested an earmark for $26 million to buy two Predator unmanned drones
produced by General Atomics, a San Diego-based firm. Bilbray had received $50,000 from General
Atomics through its PAC since 1997 and both the Chairman James Blue and his wife Anne had
contributed $7,400 since 2006. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/22/09]
Claimed Military Supported Request
Bilbray claimed that General McKiernan, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, had verbally
requested the Predator drones. “Give me more eyes in the sky,” Bilbray recalled the general
saying. “‘I need as many as I can get.’ It was a very clear message.” [San Diego Union-Tribune,
3/22/09]
General Atomics Paid Over $7,000 to Send Staffer to Russia
In 2000, General Atomics spent $7,198 to send David Schroeder, a staffer for Bilbray, on a nineday trip to Russia that included visits to Moscow, Sarov, and St. Petersburg. The trip's purpose
was for Schroeder to examine “nuclear nonproliferation programs.” [San Diego Union Tribune, 5/06/06]
Voted to Maintain Funding for the “Bridge to Nowhere”
138
In March 2011, Bilbray voted against a measure that would have prevented funding for the notorious
Alaskan “Bridge to Nowhere.” The motion to recommit would have rescinded $183 million in funding for
planning, design and construction of the Gravina Island and Knik Arm bridges in Alaska.
The motion specifically rescinded all unobligated balances provided for the planning or construction of
the both bridges. Rep. Jared Polis, who introduced the measure, noted that a CBO study estimated that the
motion would reduce the deficit by $160 million. [CQ Today, 3/02/11]
Opposed Earmark Reform
In 2007, Bilbray voted against new House rules to reform the process of creating “earmarks” in
legislation.
The rule required legislation and conference reports to be accompanied by a list of earmarks and limited
tax or trade benefits, and their sponsors.
Members would have to provide information about the recipient and purpose of an earmark.
It also created new budget points of order, including pay-as-you-go rules which would require offsets to
any new entitlement spending or tax cuts. [CQ Floor Votes, 1/05/97]
The earmark and Pay-As-You-Go reforms passed 280-152. [HRS 6, Vote #9, 1/05/07]
Supported Weak Earmark Reform
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a change in House rules to reform the earmarking process.
Earmarks, special projects anonymously inserted into bills, often only benefited one entity.
The famed “Bridge to Nowhere” in Alaska was a well-known example of an earmark.
The resolution passed by the House required all House committees to list the earmarks contained
in the bills they reported or in the accompanying committee reports, along with the names of the
members requesting those earmarks.
It also required a list of earmarks (and of the members requesting them) that were added in
conference committees and not contained in the original House or Senate bills, and therefore not
included in any previous earmark list. The rules change only applied to the House chamber and
was only effective through the end of the 109th Congress. Democrats argued that the resolution
would not actually eliminate a single earmark and would not reduce the total number of earmarks.
Democrats were also critical that the GOP had seemingly abandoned ethics reform.
Congressional Quarterly described the earmark reform resolution as, “a narrow rule change that
will affect only one chamber for a few months.” [CQ Today, 9/14/06]
139
The bill passed 245-171. [HRS1000, Vote #449, 9/14/06]
Voted Against Eliminating Wasteful Earmarks
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an amendment to eliminate 103 earmarks from the military construction
appropriations bill.
Rep. Flake (R-AZ) proposed the amendment, noting that there was more than $600 million in earmarks
included in the Military Construction bill and he appealed to Members on both sides of the aisle to follow
their own rhetoric on wasteful spending and vote to strip all the special projects out of the bill. [Statement
by Rep. Flake, H7768, 7/31/08]
Rep. Obey, the chairman of the Appropriations Chairman, spoke in opposition to the amendment, noting
that of the 518 total earmarks in the bill, “408 earmarks, 79 percent of them, were included at the request
of the administration.” [Statement by Rep. Obey, H7769, 7/31/08]
Rep. Edwards (D-TX) strongly opposed the amendment, saying it would “do harm to America’s service
men and women and our military families during a time of war.” He pointed out that among the projects
that would lose funding without the earmarks in the legislation were nine quality of life facilities such as
chapels and community centers in our military bases, fifteen guard and reserve training facilities, seven
active duty training facilities, new barracks and many others. [Statement by Rep. Edwards (TX), H7769, 7/31/08]
Voted to Protect Earmarks in Beach Protection Bill
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would bar the use of funds in the bill for congressional
earmarks.
The purpose of the amendment, introduced by Rep. Flake, was to ensure that none of the monies
authorized in the underlying legislation would go toward earmarks to help protect vulnerable Members of
Congress. [Statement by Rep. Flake, H2203, 4/10/08]
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson called the amendment “a proposed solution in search of a problem,” and said
the measure had no bearing on the authorities under the BEACH Act or EPA’s beach program. [Statement
by Rep. Johnson, H2204, 4/10/08]
The amendment passed, 263-117. [HR 2537, Vote #182, 4/10/08]
Voted Against Some Earmarks . . .
Supported Amendment to Block Funds for National Mule and Packers Museum
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an amendment to the fiscal year 2009 appropriations bill for the
Department of Housing and Urban Development that would block an earmark to construct the
National Mule and Packers Museum.
140
The $50,000 earmark for the National Forest Recreation Association was targeted at boosting
tourism dollars in Bishop, CA by helping to build a local heritage museum to memorialize and
help to preserve the role of mule teams and mule packers in opening and developing the West.
[Congressional Record, 7/24/07; Page H8335]
Supported Eliminating All Earmarks in Massive Appropriations Bill
Departments of Education, Health and Human Services and Labor to eliminate all earmarks in the
bill. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/18/07]
Voted to Remove Earmarks from Intelligence Authorization Bill
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to instruct House conferees to eliminate any House or
Senate provisions providing for earmarks and insist on provisions authorizing the maximum level
of funding permissible for human intelligence collection activities. [CQ Floor Votes, 12/04/07]
The motion was agreed to 249-160. [HR 2082, Vote #1125, 12/04/07]
Opposed Earmark for Prisons Museum in Kansas
Departments of Education, Labor and Health and Human Services to block an earmark in the bill
for the Kansas Regional Prisons Museum in Lansing, Kansas. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/18/07]
Opposed Funding for Aquarium in South Carolina
Departments of Education, Labor and Health and Human Services to bar the use of funds in the
bill for the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, South Carolina. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/18/07]
Opposed Earmark for Ballet in New York City
Departments of Education, Labor and Health and Human Services to bar the use of funds in the
bill for the American Ballet Theatre in New York City for educational activities. [CQ Floor Votes,
7/18/07]
141
Opposed Earmark for Exploratorium in San Francisco
Departments of Education, Labor and Health and Human Services to bar the use of funds for the
Exploratorium in San Francisco, Calif., for its Bay Area Science Teacher Recruitment, Retention
and Improvement Initiative. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/18/07]
Opposed Funds for Lobster Institute
In 2009, Bilbray voted for an amendment to the Fiscal 2010 Commerce Justice Science
Appropriations to block an earmark for the Maine Department of Marine Resources in Augusta for
the Maine Lobster Research and the Inshore Trawling Survey. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/18/09]
The amendment was rejected in committee of the whole by a vote of 115-311. [HR 2847, Vote #374,
6/18/09]
Opposed Funds for Institute for Seafood Studies
In 2009, Bilbray voted for an amendment to the Fiscal 2010 Commerce Justice Science
Appropriations to block the use of funds appropriated in the bill for the Institute of Seafood
studies at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. It also reduced funding in the bill for
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s operations, research and facilities by
$325,000. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/18/09]
The amendment was rejected in committee of the whole by a vote of 124-303. [HR 2847, Vote #382,
6/18/09]
But Protected Other Earmarks . . .
Supported Earmark for Forest in Virginia
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would bar the use of funds in the bill for the
Corporation for Jefferson’s Popular Forest in Forest, Virginia for expansion of exhibits and
outreach. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/18/07]
Supported Funding for Grape Research
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Agriculture appropriations
bill that would bar the use of funds in the bill for grape genetics research in Geneva, N.Y.
142
The Agriculture Research Service established the Grape Genetics Research Unit in Geneva, New
York, at the center of New York’s grape-growing region in conjunction with Cornell University.
The goals of the program are to reduce losses to crop yield and quality that result from disease,
pests and environmental stress, and to improve grape and grape product quality and utilization.
The genetic research unit’s primary research areas are development of resistance to pests and
diseases, superior adaptation of grapes to growing conditions and tolerances for environmental and
weather-related stress, and improved product quality through enhanced knowledge of genetic
factors governing color, flavor, aroma, sensory characteristics and yield. [Statement of Congressman
Jim Walsh, 8/02/07]
Supported Catfish Disease Earmark
bill would bar the use of funds in the bill for the Catfish Pathogen Genomic Project in Auburn,
Alabama.
The amendment would have prevented $878,046 in federal funds from being used for catfish
genome research in Auburn, Alabama, and would reduce the cost of the bill by a commensurate
amount.
According to the earmark description in the certification letter, the funding would go to Auburn
University “to help continue important research into the genomic behavior of catfish in order to
resist and cope with virulent disease strains.”
“I think that this is definitely one earmark that the taxpayers would love to throw back,” said
Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ), who sponsored the amendment. [Congressional Record, 8/02/07; Page
H9631]
Opponents of the amendment pointed out that the research was necessary to protect the safety and
health of the food supply, protect and strengthen important American products and an industry.
[Floor Statement of Congressman Mike Rogers, 8/02/07; Congressional Record, 8/02/07; page H9631]
Supported Funding for Tobacco Earmark
bill that would bar the use of funds in the bill for earmark to study alternative uses of a tobacco
grant in Maryland. [Congressional Quarterly]
The amendment would have removed $400,000 in federal funds from being used for alternative
uses for tobacco in Maryland and reduced the cost of the bill by a consistent amount.
143
The certification letter submitted to the Appropriations Committee stated that the funding would
go to the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Alternative
Uses of Tobacco Research Project.
The Alternative Uses of Tobacco Research Project is focused on finding new, nonsmoking uses
for tobacco, such as pharmaceutical or biotechnology applications.
From 2002 to 2007, the Alternative Uses of Tobacco Research Project received earmarks of
between $320,000 and $400,000. [Statement of Congressman Jeff Flake, 8/02/07]
Voted to Protect Funds for Water Slide, Ice Rink in Pennsylvania
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2009 appropriations bill for the
Department of Housing and Urban Development that would block an earmark for the Belmont
Complex in Kittanning, Pennsylvania.
The Belmont Complex is a recreational facility owned by Armstrong County which offers an
Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool with a 150-foot waterslide and an indoor ice skating rink
and arena. [Armstrong County]
Voted to Allow Defense Department to Spend Millions on NASCAR Sponsorships
In 2011, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would bar the Department of Defense to sponsor
NASCAR race cars.
The Army spent approximately $7 million on NASCAR endorsements, down from $11.6 million in 2009,
and another $5 million on drag racing. The Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard had all dropped their
sponsorships of NASCAR in 2006. [National Journal, 2/15/11]
The amendment was rejected, 148-281. [HR 1, McCollum amendment #50, Vote #90, 2/18/11]
Voted Against Saving $35 Billion and Cutting Alternate Engine for Strike Fighter
In 2011, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would cancel funding for an alternate engine for the F35 Joint Strike Fighter, cutting an additional $450 million and saving up to $3 billion over several years.
The Joint Strike Fighter was the nation’s most expensive weapons program.
The Bush and Obama administrations had tried to kill the alternate engineer for over five years and many
Tea Party-affiliated Republicans broke ranks with Speaker John Boehner who supported the program.
Work on the engine provided more than 1,000 jobs near his district. [New York Times, 2/16/11]
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said the F136 cost about $28 million a month to continued and had
urged its termination. [CQ Today, 2/16/11]
144
Cobham Sensor Systems, a San Diego based company, is a designer and manufacturer of components for
the jet’s radar and pilot protection mechanisms. About 200 people work on the project for Cobham. [San
The amendment was adopted, 233-198. [HR 1, Rooney amendment #2, Vote #46, 2/16/11]
Voted to Allow the Reopening of the Second Engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
In 2011, Bilbray voted to ban funds for the improvement of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter engines unless the
Department of Defense makes money available for purchasing the F-35 alternative engine.
The FY2012 Defense Authorization bill contained a number of policy riders including one which states
that no government money would go to the alternative engine but that the group could continue to work
on the engine at their own cost. Also, the rider “would require the Pentagon to create competition for the
F-35 engine contract should certain enhancements be made to the main engine.” [The Hill, 5/25/11; Marine
Corps Times, 5/23/11; CQ BillAnalysis HR 1540, 7/04/11]
Voted For Justice Department Review of Coconut Road Earmark
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a motion to concur with Senate revisions to the Surface Transportation Law.
The bill contained approximately 6,200 earmarks for special projects around the country. Critics of
excessive spending within both parties as well as government watchdog groups decried the inclusion of so
many ‘pet projects’ in what was purported to be a simple clarifying measure. [Statement by Rep. Flake, H2882,
4/30/08]
One earmark that came under particular scrutiny was a $10 million request to widen I-75 in Florida’s
Collier and Lee counties, but the final version of the measure sent to President Bush for his signature was
changed to redirect that money to the Coconut Road Interchange in Lee County. Watchdog groups
pointed to then House Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young, R-Alaska, as the source of the
change, and said one of the prospective backers of the Coconut Road project had held a fundraiser for
Young in 2005.
Sen. Tom Coburn, (R-OK) demanded an investigation, and the Senate, when it passed the highway
corrections bill on April 17, directed the Justice Department to investigate whether criminal laws were
broken when the project was inserted into the 2005 act after the final vote. [CQ Today, 4/17/08]
145
Economic Stimulus and Financial Bailout
 Opposed Wall Street Reform
 Opposed 2008 TARP Bailout
Bilbray voted against the financial regulatory bill enacted to reform Wall Street
and prevent future bank bailouts. In 2008, he voted against the original TARP
bailouts to prevent an economic meltdown.
Opposed Wall Street Reform
In December 2009, Bilbray released a statement opposing the Wall Street reform bill being considered by
the House of Representatives:
Spending in Washington is out of control, and taxpayers need protection from
congressional leaders who have no problem bailing out Wall Street to the tune of $787
billion, or passing an ill-fated Stimulus plan that cost $700 billion, or watching AIG
bonuses climb into the millions, or the billions that went to Detroit’s automakers. I voted
against bailing out Wall Street before, and I am proud to have voted against H.R. 4173.
Further, this bill hands even more control of our economy over to the federal government
while making it tougher for local businesses to create jobs. When San Diego has 10.5
percent unemployment, our focus should be on job creation in the private sector, not
creating an even bigger government than we already have. [State News Service, 12/11/09]
Voted to Protect Wall Street Agenda
In 2010, Bilbray voted against overhauling the regulation of the financial services industry, to protect
consumers from practices that could threaten the economy.
The bill aimed to strengthen the government’s ability to prevent future bailouts by giving the government
strong new powers to restrain or dissolve large firms who failure could threaten the economy.
The overhaul measure would create new regulatory mechanisms to deal with the risks posed by very large
financial firms, create a new federal agency to oversee consumer financial products, and force banks and
other financial institutions to hold more capital to protect against future financial upheaval.
The bill would bring the $600 trillion derivatives market under federal regulation for the first time and
give company shareholders and regulators greater say on executive pay packages. [CQ Today, 6/30/10]
146
Opposed Final Financial Bailout Bill
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that gave a historic rescue to the financial industry.
The bill specifically allowed the Treasury Department to buy up to $700 billion in troubled assets, the
largest government intervention in the financial market since the Great Depression. The measure was
similar to a previous piece of legislation (HR 3997) but included significant restrictions on the Treasury
program, including parceling out the money in installments, limiting executive compensation at
participating firms and establishing a government insurance plan for asset-backed securities, paid for by
financial institutions. [CQ Today, 10/03/08]
Opposed Responsible Way to Stabilize or Dissolve Failing Institutions
In 2010, Bilbray voted to oppose language in a financial regulatory overhaul bill giving the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation the authority to act as a receiver for failing financial companies. The bill
would also have instructed the House conferees not to vote on a conference agreement unless it was made
electronically available and searchable for 72 hours.
Republicans had argued in debate over the financial regulatory bill that allowing bankruptcy for
corporations was the only way to ensure that taxpayer money would not be used in a future bailout.
House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank called allowing bankruptcy as the only option for
failing institutions “reckless.” Frank argued that the bill would not allow institutions to get too far into
debt and require a bailout. [CQ Today, 6/09/10]
The motion to instruct failed, 198-217. [HR 4173, Vote #343, 6/09/10]
Opposed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
In 2009, Bilbray opposed the conference report of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The bill
was a $787 billion spending package to provide aid to states and cities, funding for transportation and
infrastructure projects and expansion of the Medicaid program to cover more unemployed workers. It
included $301.1 billion in personal and business tax breaks. [CQ Bill Analysis HR1; HR1, Vote #70, 3/31/09]
Opposed $400 “Making Work Pay” Tax Credit
The conference report of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included a
refundable income tax credit for two years, beginning in 2009 and 2010. The credit was to be the
lesser of 6.2 percent on an individual’s earned income or $400, $800 in the case of a joint return.
[CQ Bill Analysis HR1; CQ House Action Reports, 2/13/09]
Opposed $2,500 Tax Credit for College Students
147
The conference report of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 created the
American Opportunity Tax Credit, an expansion of an existing tax break called the Hope
Scholarship Credit.
The new credit allowed for 100 percent of the first $2,000 in tuition and related fees and 25
percent of the second $2,000 (for a total of $2,500). That increased from a maximum of $1,800
previously. [Chicago Tribune, 3/01/09]
Lower Taxes for 95 percent of Taxpayers
Together the conference report of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
individual tax provisions would lower taxes for 95 percent of all taxpayers. [CQ House Action Reports,
2/13/09]
“Largest Tax Cuts in American History.”
According to an editorial which ran in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, “The new stimulus
law contains the largest tax cuts in the nation’s history.” [Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Editorial,
2/26/09]
Opposed Funding for Renewable Energy
The conference report of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included $16.8
billion to the Energy Department for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Of which, $3.2
billion was for energy efficiency and conservation block grants. $5 billion for weatherization
projects, $3.1 billion for the State Energy Program, and $2 billion for grants for the manufacturing
of advanced batteries. [CQ Bill Analysis HR1]
Opposed Funding for Highway Infrastructure Investment
billion for highway infrastructure investment projects and activities administered by the Federal
Highway Administration. [CQ Bill Analysis HR1]
Opposed Funding for Healthcare and Medicaid
billion to help states with Medicaid costs based on increases in the state’s unemployment rate.
Provided a 65 percent subsidy for COBRA continuation premiums for up to nine months for
workers and their families that had been involuntarily terminated. [CQ Bill Analysis HR1]
Opposed Education Funding to Help Avoid Teacher Layoffs
billion for a state fiscal stabilization fund of which, $39.5 billion would be used to enhance local
school budgets. Governors were to channel money to avoid teacher layoffs and modernization of
148
school buildings. Also included $1 billion for Head Start programs. The measure also included
$15.84 billion for student financial assistance and to carry out the Higher Education Act of 1965.
[CQ Bill Analysis HR1, New York Times, 2/14/09]
Opposed Alternative Minimum Tax Patch
The conference report of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included an
Alternative Minimum Tax patch for 2009 to keep the number of individual AMT payers the same
as in 2008 It protected an estimated 26 million middle-class families from being hit by the AMT.
[CQ Bill Analysis HR1]
Note: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included funding for a variety of other
measures beyond these highlights.
Opposed Original American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
In 2009, Bilbray opposed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 a $825 billion spending
package that would provide aid to states and cities, funding for transportation and infrastructure projects
and expansion of the Medicaid program to cover more unemployed workers. It included $275 billion in
personal and business tax breaks. [CQ House Action Reports, 1/26/09]
Opposed Creating Commission to Try and Prevent Another Financial Meltdown
In 2009, Bilbray voted for the creation of a bipartisan commission to try and prevent another financial
meltdown. The independent commission would examine the causes that led to the financial crisis and
provide the resources necessary to help prevent it from happening again. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/18/09]
The bill passed 338-52. [S. 386, #268, 5/18/09]
Opposed Say on Executive Pay Bill
In 2009, Bilbray voted against the Corporate and Financial Institution Compensation Fairness Act that
gave shareholders a say on the pay of corporate executives. It did this by giving them a nonbinding vote
on executive compensation plans and allowing federal regulators to restrict incentive-based compensation
practices deemed to threaten the health of larger financial institutions. The measure also required a
separate non-binding shareholder vote on any “golden parachute” packages for executives who leave a
company in the event of a merger or acquisition. It also required the Securities and Exchange Commission
to issue independence standards for compensating consultants which advise a company’s board of
directors on executive pay. [CQ Today, 7/31/09]
The bill passed 237-185. [HR 3269, #686, 7/31/09]
Opposed the TARP Reform and Accountability Act
149
In 2009, Bilbray voted against placing new strict requirements on banks and other financial institutions
that accept government assistance under the Treasury Department’s $700 billion financial rescue
program. The House measure included requiring recipients of government money to prove they are using
the money to increase lending to consumers and small businesses, limit the ability to use the money to
finance mergers, and bar them from paying bonuses to top executives until the money is repaid.
The measure also would require the President to dedicate at least $40 billion to help distressed
homeowners avoid foreclosure. Homeowners in part would be helped by the creation of a “safe harbor”
that would protect loan servicers that modify troubled mortgages from lawsuits by investors in the
mortgages. The reform also allowed for funds to be used to assist the domestic auto industry. [The
Washington Post, 1/22/09]
The Senate did not have plans to take up the reform bill. The bill passed 260-166. [HR 384, Vote #26, 1/21/09]
Voted Against Bill to Cap Executive Compensation for Bailout Companies
In 2009, Bilbray voted against a bill to bar any recipient of federal money from the $700 billion financial
industry bailout from paying any compensation that is “unreasonable or excessive,” as defined by
standards to be set by federal banking regulators. The restrictions would be lifted once a company had
repaid the government. This was one of the bills that came from the outrage over AIG bonuses. [CQ Today,
4/01/09]
Voted to Allow Gas Companies to Continue to Hide Executive Bonuses
In 2011, Bilbray voted against an amendment which would force oil and gas companies to disclose how
much they spend on executive bonuses when applying for oil and gas leases.
The amendment would require companies seeking off-shore oil and gas leases under the programs listed
in H.R. 1231, the Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act, to disclose the amount of
money their executives received in bonuses in the previous quarter. [The Hill, 5/11/11]
Voted for Taxing Bonuses of Employees at Companies That Received TARP Money at 90 percent
In 2009, Bilbray voted for imposing a 90 percent tax on employee bonuses paid in 2009 by companies
that received more than $5 billion in federal aid. The bill did not affect bonus recipients with household’s
adjusted gross income below $250,000, $125,000 for individuals or married people who file separately.
Executives could avoid the tax by waiving any rights to the bonuses or returning the money by the end of
the year. The bill was in response to the outrage over the reported bonuses to executives at AIG. [CQ
Today, 3/19/09]
150
Education Issues
 Sued to Overturn In State Tuition for Californians Regardless of
Immigration Status
 Supported Head Start Reauthorization
 Supported School Vouchers for DC
Bilbray sued to overturn a California law that provided in state tuition for
California high school graduates regardless of immigration status. Bilbray was
angered that his children, who graduated from high school in Virginia, would still
have to pay out-of-state tuition. He voted for the reauthorization of Head Start in
2007. Bilbray voted multiple times for the school voucher program in DC.
Sued to Overturn In State Tuition for CA High School Graduates Regardless of Immigration Status
In 2011, it was reported that the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition to rule on California’s Assembly
Bill 540 which allowed any individual – regardless of immigration status – who graduated from a
California high school after attending for three years qualified for the in-state tuition in California.
Bilbray sued to overturn AB 540. He complained that his children, who attended Virginia high school,
had to pay out-of-state tuition. The editorial pointed out “The odd thing is that if AB 540 didn’t exist or
were overturned, Bilbray’s children would still have had to pay out-of-state tuition until they established
residency in California. As it turns out, most students who benefit from AB 540 are U.S. citizens or legal
immigrants.”
The Sacramento Bee re-printed their previous stance on Bilbray’s lawsuit which read “On the face of it,
the lawsuit is ridiculous … Brian Bilbray’s children pay out-of-state tuition because they lived and went
to school in Virginia, not California…If AB 540 law didn’t exist, Bilbray’s children would still have to
pay out-of-state tuition. So what is the lawsuit really about? It is about penalizing children who were
raised and schooled in California because of parents’ actions, a repugnant notion…Is it in the interest of
the state for children living in California to pursue an education? Of course.” [Editorial, Sacramento Bee,
6/08/11]
Supported Bipartisan Early-Childhood Education Program
In 2007, Bilbray voted for a conference report to reauthorize the Head Start program through 2012.
151
The Head Start program has provided over 24 million children with education and needed social services,
like health and nutrition, since its inception in 1965. The conference report increased Head Start teacher
salaries, increased the number of eligible participants, tightened program accountability, and authorized
$24 million for the program from 2008-2010. The final version did not include a provision to take faithbased hiring into account for religious providers of Head Start services. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/14/07;
Congressional Quarterly, 11/19/07]
“Head Start is one of America’s most popular investments because it is one of our most effective,” said
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. ”This legislation builds on its success and strengthens Head Start for the
future.” [Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi press release, 12/12/07]
The conference report passed 381-36. [HR 1429, Vote # 1090, 11/14/07]
Violated Republican Spending Rules to Support School Vouchers
In 2011, Bilbray voted to reauthorize and modify the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program which grants
school vouchers to low-income D.C. students without offsetting the cost of the program through spending
cuts.
The legislation would authorize, from Fiscal Year 2012 through 2016, $20 million annually to reinstitute
a school voucher program in the District and would also authorize an additional $40 million annually to
assist District public and charter schools from fiscal 2012 to 2016. This funding was not offset by cutting
spending elsewhere in the budget and would have violated the CutGo rule put in place by Republicans;
they waved the rule for this bill. [CQ Today Online News, 3/30/11; Associated Press, 3/31/1]
Voted to Reauthorize the District of Columbia School Voucher Program
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a bill containing a policy rider which reauthorized the District of Columbia
School Voucher program.
The policy rider reauthorized the District of Columbia School Voucher program and provided $16 million
for the scholarships. This is possible because the federal government ultimately controls the DC budget.
The underlying bill was the final continuing resolution passed to fund the federal government for the rest
of Fiscal Year 2011. [CQ BillAnalysis, 7/14/11; CQ Floor Votes, 4/14/11]
Supported D.C. Vouchers in Previous Years
Bilbray has frequently voted in favor of implementing a voucher program in the District of
Columbia.
152
 1998: Bilbray voted in favor of a plan to provide school vouchers to an estimated 2,000
poor D.C. public school students. The amendment passed 214-208. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/06/98;
HR 4380, Vote #411, 8/06/98]
 1995: Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to provide vouchers to low-income
students, require that the District of Columbia superintendent of schools develop a longterm school reform plan and establish independent public charter schools in D.C. The
amendment passed 241-177. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/02/95; HR 2546, Vote #763, 11/02/95]
Opposed Private School Vouchers in 1999
In 1999, Bilbray voted against an amendment to authorize a total of $500 million over five years for a
program to offer students in grades one through five scholarships of $3,500 for tuition and fees at public
or private schools if their governor has declared their school an “academic emergency.” [CQ Floor Votes,
10/21/99]
The amendment was defeated, 166-257. [HR 2, Vote #521, 10/21/99]
Supported Tax-Free Education Savings Accounts in 1998
In 1998, Bilbray voted for a bill to permit individuals to set aside up to $2,000 a year in a tax-sheltered
savings account that could be used to pay for educational expenses. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/18/98]
Earlier in the year, Bilbray voted in favor of the original form of the bill. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/17/98]
It passed 228-191. [HR 2646, Vote #236, 6/17/98]
Supported Voucher Plan in 1997
In 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of a Republican school vouchers bill.
Instead of providing much-needed relief to the nation’s public schools, this plan would use taxpayer
dollars to pay private and parochial school tuition for only a handful of students. [HR 2746, Vote #569,
11/04/97; U.S. Department of Education, 9/23/97]
The bill was defeated 191-228. [HR 2746, Vote #569, 11/04/97]
Supported Education Tax Cut Bill in 1997
In 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of the original legislation to allow families to put money into an
“education savings account” to pay for private elementary and secondary school education. [CQ Floor Votes,
10/23/97]
153
President Clinton, most Democrats in the House delegation, and organizations like the National Education
Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)
strongly opposed this bill because it benefited only the most affluent families who can afford to
accumulate savings.
In addition, wealthy families, the families that were most likely to send their children to private schools,
would receive the greatest tax advantage because their marginal tax rates were higher.
The proposal’s opponents argued the bill would effectively take more than a billion dollars of limited
federal education resources and divert it to the wealthy families and the private schools. The Department
of Treasury estimated those families making more than $93,000 would enjoy more than 70 percent of the
benefits of the bill.
Opposed Measure to Strengthen Head Start
In 2007, Bilbray voted against legislation to reauthorize the Head Start program from 2008 to 2012.
The bill authorized $7.4 billion in fiscal 2008 and such sums as necessary from fiscal 2009 through 2012.
The bill would require at least 50 percent of Head Start teachers to have a bachelor’s degree by 2013, and
would provide for a new system to review applications to identify which programs provide high quality
comprehensive early childhood programs.
The bill would allow Head Start programs to increase income eligibility to 130 percent of poverty, if the
programs demonstrate a community need. [[CQ Floor Votes, 5/02/07]]
Those funds would provide up to 10,000 more children access to the program, prioritizing expansion of
the Early Head Start program and expanding services to additional Migrant and Seasonal Head Start and
Indian Head Start programs. [House Education and Workforce Committee]
Supported Student Loan Forgiveness Program for Head Start Teachers
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an amendment to the Head Start reauthorization bill that would authorize the
Education Department to implement a program to forgive student loans for Head Start and Early Head
Start teachers.
The program would apply to teachers who receive a bachelor’s degree in a field related to early childhood
education and agree to teach in the Head Start program for at least three years. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/02/07]
Voted to Allow Religious Discrimination in Head Start Hiring
154
In 2007, Bilbray voted for a motion to recommit the Head Start reauthorization bill to the Education and
Labor Committee with instructions that it be immediately reported back with language that would permit
faith-based Head Start providers to take religion into account when hiring employees for their Head Start
program.
The motion also clarified that faith-based organizations would not have to remove “religious art, icons,
scripture or other symbols” in order to be eligible for Head Start programs. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/02/07]
The motion’s sponsor, Congressman Buck McKeon (R-CA) argued that the measure was necessary
“because of a flaw in the Federal Head Start law, faith-based institutions have been forced to relinquish
their civil liberties if they choose to participate in the Federal early childhood program we are poised to
reauthorize today.
Supported Religious Discrimination in Head Start Hiring in 2005
In 2005, Bilbray voted in favor of allowing - for the first time in Head Start’s 40-year history - a
faith based sponsored Head Start Program to use federal taxpayer dollars to discriminate against
highly qualified teachers and other employees solely because of their religion or personal religious
views.
Head Start Agencies should hire the most qualified teachers, irrespective of the teacher’s religion
or religious beliefs. [Rep Miller Dear Colleague, “Vote NO on the Boustany Head Start religious discrimination
amendment to H.R. 2123.” 9/22/05]
Supported Minimum Funding for Head Start and Pell Grants
In 2000, Bilbray voted for a motion to the 2001 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill to include minimum
funding levels for certain Education Department programs, such as Head Start and Pell Grants, and for the
National Institutes of Health. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/19/00]
Opposed Block Granting of Education Programs
In 1999, Bilbray voted against a bill that would establish a new block grant combining three existing
education programs – a teacher performance program, the Goals 2000 program and a program to reduce
class size by hiring 100,000 teachers.
The new grant was authorized at $2 billion per year for five years, and states were given greater flexibility
in deciding how to spend the funds. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/20/99]
155
Supported Reauthorizing Head Start in 1998
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to reauthorize several programs, including Head Start, the
Community Development Block Grant and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. [CQ Floor
Votes, 9/14/98]
Supported School Breakfast, After-School Nutrition Program
In 1998, Bilbray twice voted in favor of a bill (HR 3874) that would expand and test an elementary school
breakfast program.
The bill also allowed students through age 18 to receive a snack during an after-school program. Many
educators stated that they believed such programs help to prevent unsupervised teen-agers from
committing crimes, using drugs and alcohol or having sex.
Previously, the nutrition program’s cutoff age was 13, making it financially difficult for many schools to
offer after-school services for older students that must include some kind of light food.
The measure also lifted a restriction that prevented schools from participating in the after-school nutrition
program unless it had already been in place in 1989. [Associated Press, 7/20/98]
The bill passed 383-1, passed again in its final form 422-1, and was signed into law. [HR 3874, Vote #297,
7/20/98; Vote #510, 10/09/98; Signed by President, 10/31/98]
Voted to Cut Medicaid Assistance and Education Funding to States
In 2010, Bilbray voted against extending increased Medicaid assistance and education funding to states.
The bill extended the increased federal matching payments of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage
program provided for under the economic stimulus law for an additional six months. It also provided $10
billion in supplemental appropriations for education to assist in hiring and retaining teachers and other
public school employees.
The $26.1 billion cost of the bill was offset in part by terminating increased food stamp benefits, provided
by the stimulus law, and by closing use of the foreign tax credit by multinational corporations. Closing
those loopholes would raise approximately $10 billion in revenue. [CQ Bill Analysis, 8/11/10]
The bill passed, 247-161, and the President signed the bill into law on August 10, 2010. [HR 1586, Vote
#518, 8/10/10]
Opposed Energy Efficient School Construction
156
In 2009, Bilbray opposed a bill to promote energy-efficient school building. The bill authorized billions of
dollars for “green” school renovation and modernization projects. The bill authorized$6.4 billion in fiscal
2010 for school construction projects and such funds as necessary through fiscal 2015. The bill required
that all funding for fiscal 2015 be used for projects that meet environmental friendliness standards. The
measure also authorized $600 million from fiscal 2010 to fiscal 2015 specifically for schools in the Gulf
Coast region, where many schools were destroyed or severely damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
[CQ Weekly Report Education, 5/18/09]
Voted Against School Modernization, Repair Funds
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a $60.8 billion economic stimulus package designed to fund infrastructure
projects, unemployment insurance and Medicaid.
The bill included $3 billion to modernize, renovate and repair schools as well as make them more energy
efficient. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/26/08]
The bill also included $36.9 billion in funding for transportation, with $12.8 billion for highway
infrastructure, $3.6 billion for public transit and $500 million for Amtrak. [CQ Today, 9/26/08]
Voted Against Modernizing and Repairing Public Schools
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would authorize $6.4 billion to build environmentally friendly
public schools.
The bill would also authorize an additional $500 million over five years to help reconstruct public schools
damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. [CQ Today, 6/04/08]
Democrats argued that by funding school repairs, the bill would improve learning.
“In far too many instances, our nation’s school buildings are literally crumbling … They’re in desperate
need of modernization,” House Education and Labor Committee chairman Rep. George Miller said. [CQ
Today, 6/04/08]
Republicans countered that the government should focus its spending on disability education and Title I
funding rather than school repairs. “If we have $6.4 billion to invest in education next year, let’s put
it…in existing programs,” Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon said. [CQ Today, 6/04/08]
Opposed Offering Funds for Charter School Construction and Modernization
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an amendment to contribute to the modernization, renovation, and
repair of public school facilities.
157
The amendment provided schools access to the funding needed to help ensure that learning
environments are safe, healthy, energy-efficient, and technologically advanced. [Rep. Kildee Press
Release, 6/05/08]
Section 309 of the amendment dictated that no funds provided under the legislation could be used
in the employ of illegal immigrants and mandated that all local educational agencies must have a
background check policy for all employees in order to be eligible for funds. [Congressional Record,
H4948, 6/04/08]
The amendment passed, 260-151. [HR 3021, Vote # 374, 6/04/08]
Opposed Fiscally Responsible FY 2009 Budget with $85.3 Billion for Education
hurricane recovery. [Congressional Quarterly
The bill would also include $85.3 billion for education, training, employment and social services, an
amount that was $7.1 billion more than President Bush had requested. [Congressional Quarterly; “Summary of
the 2009 Democratic Budget,” House Committee on the Budget, 3/11/08]
Opposed FY08 Budget that Invested in Education, Innovation Agenda
In 2007, Bilbray voted against the fiscal year 2008 budget conference report that began to reverse six
years of Republican fiscal mismanagement, provided for middle-class tax relief and would return
the budget to balance – reaching a surplus of $41 billion in 2012 – without raising taxes. [House
Budget Committee, Overview of FY2008 Budget Conference Agreement, 5/16/07]
The budget provided $9.5 billion more for education, training, and social services than President Bush
requested, including funding for No Child Left Behind programs, special education, and aid to help
students afford college.
The budget also increased funding for Head Start and child care while funding the House Democratic
innovation agenda, putting us on a path to double funding for the National Science Foundation and
providing significant increases in K-12 math and science education. [House Budget Committee, Conference
Agreement on the FY 2008 Budget Resolution: Building on the “Six for ‘06, 5/24/07]
Supported Extraneous Motion on Teacher, School Employee Background Checks
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit the fiscal year 2009 appropriations bill for the
Department of Education to allow schools to conduct background checks on their employees.
158
The motion would have recommitted the bill to the Appropriations Committee with instructions that it be
reported back promptly with language that would allow funding provided to elementary and secondary
schools, child welfare agencies and other agencies to be used to conduct background checks on teachers
and other employees. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/19/07]
Opponents of the motion, including Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI), pointed
out that “under the bill money in the Safe and Drug Free Schools account can already be used for exactly
the same purpose.”
Obey also pointed out that the Safe and Drug Free Schools program was cut by President Bush to $100
million, “and the House has restored $146 million above the President’s figure to take care of problems
just such as this.” [Statement of Congressman David Obey, Congressional Record, 7/17/07; Page H8170]
Opposed Amendment Eliminate Funding for PBS
Departments of Education, Labor and Health and Human Services to eliminate funding for the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/18/07]
A Long Record of Opposing Funds for School Construction
Bilbray has frequently opposed efforts to increase funds for helping communities to rebuild and
modernize local schools.

2000: Bilbray voted in favor of the FY 2001 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill, which would
prohibit OSHA from using funds to issue or propose any standards on ergonomic
protection. The bill also ignored President Clinton’s plan to hire teachers and rebuild
schools and cuts his proposals for childcare and job training for teenagers. The bill passed,
217-214. [HR 4577, Vote #273, 6/14/00; New York Times, 6/15/00]
 1999: Bilbray voted against a motion to recommit legislation to committee with instructions to
report the bill back with an amendment to reduce school class sizes, ensure that teachers are highly
qualified, and repair crumbling schools. The amendment was defeated 201-217. [CQ Floor Votes,
10/21/99; HR 2300, Vote #531, 10/21/99]

1997: Bilbray voted against legislation to increase the cap on the amount of funding that public
schools may use to issue interest-free bonds for facility improvement or construction projects,
purchase of educational equipment, curriculum development and teacher training from $400
million to $4 billion in fiscal 1998 and 1999. The amendment was defeated, 199-224. [CQ Floor
Votes, 10/23/97; HR 2646, Vote #523, 10/27/97]
Supported Extreme Cuts to Education
159
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of a Republican Budget plan that called for drastic cuts to education
programs.
Among the programs highlighted for cuts and even elimination were the initiative to fund 100,000 new
teachers, after-school programs and teacher quality and recruitment programs. Based on the Labor/Health
and Human Services and Education bill passed by the House Appropriations Committee on September 23,
1999, here is a partial list at some the programs that would have been impacted:
 Eliminated the 100,000 new teachers program. This included eliminating the funding for the
30,000 teachers that were hired in 98, the 8,000 new teachers that would be hired in 1999 and any
future teachers.
 Eliminated funding for programs that help states and localities to turn around failing schools.
 Cut funding for after-school and summer school programs, denying at least 300,000 students
access to the programs.
 Cut funding for teacher quality and recruitment programs.
 Cut funds for the GEAR UP program, denying more than 130,000 disadvantaged young people the
help they need to get into college.
The budget passed 221-208. [H Con Res 68, Vote #77, 3/25/99]
Opposed Teacher Training Funds
In 1999, Bilbray voted against an amendment to authorize $200 million in fiscal year 2000 for a grant
program to states for a sabbatical program for public school teachers who take leave to pursue
professional development.
The grant program would pay for one-half the salary of an eligible teacher who takes a course, with the
state or local government picking up the other half.
Under the program, teachers could not take more than one academic year to pursue professional
development. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/20/99]
Inconsistent Votes on Safe and Drug-Free Schools
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of the Republican Rescissions bill, which eliminated $17.3 billion in funds
that had already been appropriated for crime prevention and other programs. Included in this package was
a $472 million cut in already appropriated funds for the Safe and Drug Free School Program.
This Republican proposal would have effectively ended this federal program to help communities keep
their kids away from drugs. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/16/95]
160
Also in 1995, Bilbray voted against an appropriations bill that cut the Safe and Drug-Free Schools
program by 60 percent, depriving more than 39 million students of anti-drug programs and counseling
services. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/04/95]
Voted Against Protecting Pell Grants from $39 Million Cut
In February 2011, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would have increased funds for Federal Pell
Grants by $39 million, offset by a reduction in funds available for Department of Education Program
Administration.
The amendment was not adopted 186-238. [HR 1, Vote #146, 2/19/11]
Opposed Reforming Student Loan Programs
In 2010, Bilbray voted against substantial student loan program reforms, forcing commercial banks out of
the federal student loan market. The reforms were included in the final health care reconciliation bill.
Previously, commercial banks received guaranteed federal subsidies to lend money to students, with the
government assuming risk. Democrats long denounced the program, criticizing it for letting banks profit
at the expense of students and taxpayers.
The Congressional Budget Office said that the direct-lending approach to student loans would save
taxpayers about $61 billion over 10 years, roughly $40 billion of which would be redirected to higher
education. The bill also increased the maximum Pell grant award and tied the increases to inflation. [New
York Times, 3/25/10]
Voted Against Extending Tax Cuts for Tuition, Education Expenses
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would extend expiring tax provisions through 2009.
Specifically, the bill would extend the tax credit for expenses for teachers and deductions for tuition
expenses. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/26/08]
Voted for Increased Funds for Pell Grants
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a bill that would authorize increased funding for Pell Grants as part of an
omnibus spending bill. The funds were meant to keep pace with education cost increases so no one would
lose grants.
161
Specifically, the bill would provide a $2.5 billion increase to Pell Grant funding above fiscal year 2008.
Opposed Largest Increase in Student Aid Since the GI Bill
In 2007, Bilbray voted against legislation that provided the largest increase in student aid since the G.I.
Bill. [Reno Gazette Journal, 9/10/07]
The conference report of the bill cut government subsidies to student loan firms by about $20 billion and
redirected most of the money to aid for students and college graduates.
It also included $750 million in federal budget deficit reduction. The maximum Pell grant award would be
increased by $490 in 2008 and by $1,090 over five years.
It also provided debt forgiveness to certain public-sector workers after 10 years of service, and capped
student loan repayments at 15 percent of discretionary income. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/07/07]
Opposed Extension of Tuition Deduction
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would revive or extend about $55.5 billion in tax breaks for
individuals and businesses for one year.
Specifically, the bill would allot $2.6 billion to extend the deduction for tuition and related expenses
through 2008. [CQ Weekly, 5/26/08]
Supported Measure to Increase Annual Loan Limits on College Loans
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to concur on a Senate amendment that would increase annual
loan limits on federal college loans and give the Education Department a bigger role in ensuring loan
availability. [House Education and Labor Committee Release, 5/01/08]
Despite originally opposing the legislation, President Bush came to support it, saying the federal
government “had an obligation to encourage and support people pursuing higher education.”
By granting the Department of Education greater authority to purchase Federal student loans, the measure
would “ease the anxiety many students may feel about their ability to finance their education this fall,”
Bush said. [White House Release, 5/01/08]
162
Supported Earlier Version of Bill to Increase in Limits for College Loans
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would increase annual loan limits on federal college
loans and give the Education Department a bigger role in ensuring loan availability.
The bill would increase the annual loan limits on both direct loans from the federal government
and government-guaranteed loans by $2,000 for all students. The bill would also increase the total
amount of federal loans students could borrow to $31,000 for dependent undergraduates and
$57,000 for independent undergraduates. [CQ Floor Votes, 4/17/08]
Supported Bill to Reauthorize Higher Education Act
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a bill that would reauthorize the Higher Education Act through fiscal year
2012.
The bill would be the first comprehensive, long-term overhaul of the Higher Education Act in a decade. It
would increase the maximum authorized Pell Grant for low-income students from $5,800 to $8,000 by the
2014-15 academic year. [CQ Today, 7/31/08]
It would also create a $10,000 student loan forgiveness program for graduates to take jobs in high-need
fields such as nursing, early childhood education, teaching and other public service. [CQ Today, 7/31/08]
Supported Reauthorization of Higher Education Act
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would reauthorize the Higher Education Act through fiscal
2012, including a wide range of postsecondary programs, including student loans and teacher training.
The measure would raise the maximum Pell grant award from $5,800 to $9,000 and allow the grants to be
used year-round.
A major provision included increasing the amount of information that schools and lenders must provide
students and barring lenders from giving schools any perks to get on a “preferred lender” list. It would
also create a “higher education price index” to compare tuition increases.
The bill also would allow the federal government to penalize states that substantially decrease their
contributions to public colleges and universities.
Another provision in the bill “encourages” the Education Department to reduce the number of questions
requiring answers on the federal student aid application by 50 percent within five years. Several other
provisions also attempt to simplify the student aid application process. [CQ Floor Votes, 2/07/08; Congressional
Quarterly Weekly, 2/09/08]
163
Supported the Extension of the Higher Education Act of 2008
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to temporarily extend the Higher Education Act of 1965 through
April 30, 2008. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/12/08]
The Act would strengthen educational resources to colleges and universities and provide financial
assistance for students in postsecondary and higher education.
The motion was passed 411-4. [S 2733, Vote #134, 3/12/08]
Opposed Study on Reducing Cost of Student Loans
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would require the Education-Treasury Study Group to
examine the possibility of a market-based solution for the Federal Family Education Loan Program.
The amendment also stipulated that any savings from a market-based solution should be used for
increased aid to students. [CQ Floor Votes, 2/07/08]
Proponents said that a study could provide alternatives that would save money. Opponents said that, as
written, the study area was too broad. [Bangor Daily News, 2/09/08]
Opposed Extending Auditing Provisions to Additional Loan Programs
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the College Opportunity and Affordability Act that
would extend new audit and reporting provisions applied only to the Direct Loan program to the Federal
Family Education Loan Program.
The sponsor, Thomas Petri (R-WI) contended that the Direct Loan Program has had no significant
instances of unethical behavior, but has had imposed on it several new and burdensome reporting
requirements.
The amendment would extend those new reporting provisions on guaranty agencies in the FFEL program
as well. [National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators]
Opposed Assistance with Student Loans for Bankruptcy Filers
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would make it easier for borrowers to discharge private
student loans through bankruptcy. [CQ Floor Votes, 2/07/08]
Under changes made in a 2005 bankruptcy overhaul, borrowers can discharge the loans only if they can
prove that continuing to pay them imposes an “undue hardship.”
164
The Davis amendment would have allowed students, after five years of repayment, to discharge loans in
the same way as other debt. [CQ Weekly, 2/09/08]
Supported Funding Increase for Pell Grants by Cutting Grants to Improve Higher Education
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit with instructions to effectively eliminate the
Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, which makes grants to colleges and universities to
improve the quality of higher education, unless Pell grants and special education programs were fully
funded in that fiscal year. [CQ Floor Votes, 2/07/08]
The motion would have redirected the money for the Fund to the Pell grant program. [CQ Weekly, 2/11/08]
Voted Against Providing Wireless, Digital Technology to Minority Institutions
In 2007, Bilbray voted against legislation to establish a Commerce Department grant program to assist
minority-serving institutions in acquiring and augmenting digital and wireless networking technologies
for educational purposes.
The bill authorized $250 million in fiscal 2008 and such sums as necessary between fiscal 2009 through
2012. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/04/07]
Supported Grants for Aspiring Teachers
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to reauthorize programs at the National Science Foundation
(NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for three years.
Under the bill, the NSF was authorized at $22 billion and NIST was authorized at $2.65 billion from
fiscal 2008 through 2010.
The bill also authorized nearly $17 billion for programs within the Energy Department’s Office of
Science, including $6 billion for basic energy research in fiscal 2010, and at least $300 million for a new
Advanced Research Projects Agency to coordinate research into new energy technologies.
Finally, the bill created a new grant program for undergraduate degree programs for aspiring teachers in
math, science, engineering, or a “critical” foreign language.
The bill authorized $151 million in fiscal 2008 for the program. [CQ Today, 8/06/07]
165
Voted to Require Student Aid Forms to be in English
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education to require student aid forms to be in
English-only.
The amendment would have barred the use of funds in the bill by the Education Department to provide or
process the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form in any language other than English. [CQ Today,
7/19/07]
The amendment was defeated 191-233. [HR 3043, Voted #676, 7/19/07]
Opposed Cut to Student Aid
Departments of Health, Human Services and Education to cut student financial assistance by $65 million.
Voted to Cut Funds from Special Counsel, Increase Funds for Tuition Subsidies for DC Residents
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the 2008 Financial Services appropriations bill that
would reduce funding by $1 million from the U.S. Office of the Special Counsel.
The amendment offered by Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) would take the $1 million from the U.S. Office of
Special Counsel and would add it to a program that subsidizes tuition for District of Columbia residents to
attend public out-of-state colleges and universities. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/28/07]
Opposed Bill to Make Law School More Affordable
In 2007, Bilbray voted against legislation to authorize $150 million between fiscal 2008 and 2013 for a
new Justice Department program to help new prosecutors and public defenders pay back student loans.
Under the bill, law school graduates who agree to serve as either public defenders or public prosecutors
for at least three years would be eligible to receive law school loan repayments of up to $10,000 each
year, for a maximum of $60,000. [CQ Today, 5/15/07]
Opposed College Student Relief Act
166
In 2007, Bilbray voted against cutting the interest rate on subsidized student loans for undergraduates in
half over the following five years – cutting the interest rate from 6.8 percent today to 3.4 percent by 2011
– helping 5.5 million students.
Once fully phased in, this bill would save the typical borrower, with $13,800 in subsidized federal student
loan debt, approximately $4,400 over the life of their loans. [CQ House Action Reports, Legislative Week,
1/15/07]
Opposed Student Loan Interest Rates for Middle Class Families
In 2007, Bilbray voted to gut the College Student Relief Act in order to exclude the benefits from middle
class families.
The measure provided lower college loan interest rates for college graduates whose annual adjusted gross
income is less than $65,000 or who are serving on active or National Guard duty during a war, other
military operation or national emergency.
This motion would have prevented families with incomes over $65,000 from receiving student loan
interest rates of 3.4 percent and would force them to pay the current 6.8 percent rate. [CQ Floor Votes, House
Roll Call Vote 31, 1/17/07]
Supported Eliminating the Direct Student Loan Program
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of a budget deal that eliminated the Direct Student Loan program.
The Direct Student Loan program allows students to borrow directly from the federal government and
have a single contact—the Direct Loan Servicing Center—for everything related to the repayment of
loans. [http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DirectLoan/faq.html]
The measure passed 227-203. [HR 2491, Vote #743, 10/26/95]
Opposed National and Community Service Programs
In 2008, Bilbray voted against the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, a bill to
reauthorize $51 million to fund the Corporation for National and Community Service for five years. [CQ
The Corporation for National and Community Service served as an umbrella organization for a number of
programs, such as AmeriCorps and the Volunteers in Service to America programs. [About the Corporation,
nationalservice.gov]
The motion was rejected 277-140 after failing to get the necessary 2/3 majority under suspension of the
rules by one vote. [HR 5563, Vote #131, 3/12/08]
167
Voted to Kill AmeriCorps Bill
In March 2008, Bilbray voted against a motion to table (kill) an appeal of the ruling of the chair, who had
ruled that a motion to recommit the AmeriCorps expansion bill to committee was not germane.
The motion would recommit the bill to the Education and Labor Committee with instructions that it be
reported back immediately with an amendment substituting the text of a Senate-passed bill (HR 3773)
which would amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/06/08; CQ Today, 3/06/08]
Voted To Honor AmeriCorps Members, Encouraging Participation in AmeriCorps
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a resolution that would recognize the accomplishments of
AmeriCorps members and alumni and encourage citizens to participate in the AmeriCorps
program. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/14/08]
Supported Creation of Energy Conservation Corps
In March 2008, Bilbray voted for an amendment that would create an Energy Conservation Corps, which
would seek to address the nation’s energy, infrastructure and transportation improvement, and emergency
operations needs while providing work and service opportunities.
The underlying bill would reauthorize the Corporation for National and Community Service for five years
and authorize an expansion of AmeriCorps by one-third, to 100,000 workers. [CQ Today, 3/12/08]
Voted to Eliminate “Summer of Service” Grant Program
In March 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment that would strike the “summer of service” grant
program from a bill that would reauthorize the Corporation for National and Community Service for five
years and authorize an expansion of AmeriCorps by one-third, to 100,000 workers.
The amendment also reduced the bill’s authorization for the program to $45 million from $65 million for
fiscal 2008. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/06/08]
Voted to Block Reauthorization of AmeriCorps
In March 2008, Bilbray voted against the rule for floor consideration of the bill that would reauthorize the
Corporation for National and Community Service for five years and authorize an expansion of
AmeriCorps by one-third, to 100,000 workers. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/06/08]
168
The resolution passed 222-190. [HR 2857, Vote #104, 3/06/08]
Mixed Record on Continued Funds for AmeriCorps
Bilbray has a mixed record of support for AmeriCorps.
 2007: Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to cut $256 million from the amount provided for
the AmeriCorps program. The amendment was defeated 96-334. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/18/07; HR 3043,
Vote #661, 7/18/07]
 1996: Bilbray voted in favor of the VA/HUD appropriations bill, which eliminated all funding for
the AmeriCorps program. The bill passed 227-190. [HR 2099, Vote #844, 12/07/95; Associated Press,
12/08/95; CQ BillWatch, HR 2099]
 1996: Bilbray voted against an amendment to restore funding for the AmeriCorps National
Service program. The amendment was defeated, 205-212. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/27/96; HR 3666, Vote #281,
6/26/96]
 1996: Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to eliminate funding for the AmeriCorps National
Service program, thereby terminating the program. The amendment was defeated, 183-240. [CQ
Floor Votes, 6/26/96; HR3666, Vote #276, 6/26/96]
 1996: Bilbray voted in favor of a budget resolution that called for the elimination of more than
130 programs, including the AmeriCorps national service program. The budget passed, 226-195.
[CQ Floor Votes, 5/16/96; HCR 178, Vote #179, 3/16/96]
 1995: Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to cut $206.1 million from the National and
Community Service (AmeriCorps) program. The funds cut from AmeriCorps were used to restore
$206 million in funding for VA medical care. Republicans had attached an amendment eliminating
the funding to a bill restoring $206 million that they had cut from veterans’ health programs. The
amendment passed, 382-23. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/15/95; HR 1158, Vote #239, 3/15/95]
169
Energy Issues
 Has Taken Over $189,000 from Oil and Gas
 Voted to Cut Education, Defend Oil and Gas Subsidies
 Criticized Solyndra, But Sought Federal Subsidies for Energy
 Voted to Cut Energy Department Budget
During his career, Bilbray has received significant campaign contributions from
the oil and gas industry. He voted against cutting subsidies for major oil and gas
companies instead of cutting education spending to help balance the budget.
Bilbray is a passionate critic of the Obama Administration for their federal loan
guarantee of Solyndra, but has previously sought federal subsidies for other
energy projects.
Bilbray has taken over $189,000 from the Oil and Gas Industry
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Bilbray has accepted $189,000 from the oil and gas
industry. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 2/17/12]
2008: Democratic Challenger Highlighted Contributions from Big Oil
In August 2008, Democratic challenger Nick Leibham treated the first 50 drivers at three different
gas stations to 10 gallons of gasoline at the price of $1.27 a gallon, the price in 1996 when Bilbray,
according to the Leibham campaign, first received a campaign contribution from “Big Oil.” [San
Voted Against Cutting Oil and Gas Subsidies Instead of Education to Balance the Budget
In 2011, Bilbray voted against prioritizing subsidies for major oil and gas companies and corporate jets as
spending cuts before cutting education spending to help balance the budget.
The motion would have amended the underlying bill “to make sure it raised taxes on corporate jets and oil
companies before cutting funding for education.” [Buffalo News, 7/30/11; CQ Floor Votes, 7/29/11]
The motion failed 183-244. [S. 627, Vote #676, 7/29/11]
170
Criticized Administration for Loan to Solyndra, Expected to Use as Campaign Issue
In 2011, Bilbray criticized the executive director of the Department of Energy’s loan program over a loan
the Solyndra. John Steward joked that Bilbray was campaigning on the issue. “You know how whenever
there’s a scandal, Congress holds a hearing to investigate the matter, but they usually just prove
themselves to be clueless grandstanders?” Stewart asked during an episode of “The Daily Show” last
week. “Watch Congressman Brian Bilbray lay some serious solar smackdown on the executive director of
the Department of Energy’s loan program.”
After showing a clip of Bilbray, a former member of a top California environmental board, pressing
DOE’s Jonathan Silver on the technological specifics of China’s work on solar panels, Stewart opined: “I
have no idea what the f—- that congressman is talking about. But here’s the thing, he does. Bilbray
2012!” [Politico, 9/19/11]
Investigating Solyndra and Afraid that Political Pressures Were Brought to Bear in Loan
In 2011, Bilbray said he was concerned that influence was brought to bear on government aid to Solyndra.
Bilbray was on the House committee investigating Solyndra and the loan program. He said “I really worry
about what kind of influence and pressure was put on the department and what kind of preconceived
prejudice about a certain type of technology was infused into the decision- making process, where
proposed loan applicants did not have to prove the technology that they were proposing, the viability of it,
because those of us who know solar know there’s different type of solar technologies, and some of it is
very good, but some of it is really, really problematic.” [Fox Business News Interview, 9/30/11]
Criticized Solyndra Loan Guarantee, Previously Sought Federal Subsidies for Energy
In 2011, Rep. Waxman criticized Bilbray for being on the Energy and Commerce oversight
committee demanding an investigation of Solyndra federal loan guarantee, while previously
seeking federal subsidies for energy. [Politico.com, 9/23/11]
Hypocritical on Solyndra – Helped Electric Car Become Eligible for Loan Program
In 2009, Bilbray helped the electric car company Aptera Motors become eligible for a loan
guarantee by sponsoring legislation aimed at helping them. In 2011 the company announced it was
shutting its doors. Bilbray was an opponent of Solyndra. Bilbray was a member of the Energy and
Commerce subcommittee that made the Department of Energy’s loan program front-page news
with its investigation of the Solyndra solar energy company. The electric car company that shut its
doors was in his district. He sponsored legislation that made Aptera’s three-wheeled electric
vehicles eligible for ATVM loan guarantees. Prior to 2009, Aptera’s cars were defined as
motorcycles and were ineligible. Bilbray’s legislation was cited in an Aptera release when it
reapplied for a loan guarantee because of the law change. [Greenwire, 12/05/11]
Bilbray’s Website featured Aptera Press Release Touting DOE Loan Program Eligibility
In 2011, Bilbray’s website still featured a press release from 2009 from Aptera touting their ability
to eligibility for a Department of Energy loan program. Greenwire reported “His website features
171
an article from greencarreports.com on the legislation’s benefit to Aptera. It includes a press
release from Aptera saying that it had reapplied for the loan guarantee because of the change in
law.” [Greenwire, 12/05/11; Rep. Bilbray, press release, 11/02/09]
Spokesman Claimed Bilbray was Consistent in Support for DOE Loan Program
In 2011, Bilbray’s office issued a statement on Aptera’s bankruptcy claiming he was consistent in
his support for the DOE loan program. “The federal government has historically played a role in
incentivizing domestic energy production and innovative technology. This is consistent with
Congressman Bilbray’s support for the DOE loan program,” Considine said. “But it is important
to note that Aptera received no federal funding. What concerns Rep. Bilbray about the Solyndra
scandal is the politicization of the green industry over a technology that was high-risk and left
taxpayers with the bill.” [Greenwire, 12/05/11]
Bilbray Received Campaign Contribution from Aptera Consultant in 2009
From
To
Gibson, Duane R
Mt.
Washington, DC
20006
Aptera /
Consultant
Rep. Bilbray, Brian P.
$500,
(R-Calif.) (Incumbent,
6/22/2009
50th District)
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
Gibson, Duane R
Mt.
Chevy Chase,
MD 20815
Rep. Bilbray, Brian P.
$500,
(R-Calif.) (Incumbent,
6/08/2010
50th District)
BRIAN BILBRAY FOR
CONGRESS
The Livingston
Group /
Consultant
Details
Bilbray Was Credited with Helping Aptera Qualify for a Five-Year, $184 Million
Government Loan
Aptera Motors Inc. CEO Paul Wilbur, credited Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach, for helping
Aptera qualify for a five-year, $184 million loan through the Advanced Technology Vehicles
Manufacturing Loan Program through the Department of Energy. [North County Times, 4/15/10]
Bilbray Attached Measure to Help Aptera Gain Access to a Federal Loan Program
172
In 2011, the BNet Automotive website, reported that Bilbray attached a measure to help Aptera
gain access to a federal loan program through a measure attached to an energy and water
appropriation bill. “Aptera got its three-wheel provision through the useful expediency of a
supportive hometown Congressman, Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA), who attached the measure to an
energy and water appropriation. Aptera had applied for $75 million in low-interest loan funds last
year, but was rejected December 31 because its three-wheelers did not meet the federal definition
of a ‘passenger vehicle.’” [BNet, 11/02/09]
Bilbray “Went to Bat” for Federal Aid for Energy Company
In 2012, it was reported that Bilbray, who claimed he worried about political pressure on the
Department of Energy in approving $535 million in loan guarantees to solar-panel manufacturer
Solyndra, had himself requested U.S. aid for energy-efficient vehicle companies in San Diego.
“You’ve just got to understand the federal government’s record on this is miserable when it comes
to cost-effectiveness,” Bilbray said in a Sept. 30 interview on Fox Business Network. “And this is
why we really should be suspect any time somebody tells you that these huge federal programs
done fast, done quick, with large amounts of money are going to be cost-effective.” [Union Tribune,
2/04/12]
Claimed Aptera and Next Were Different Than Solyndra
In 2012, it was reported that Bilbray criticized energy aid, but advocated for it for companies in
his district that had their own financial troubles. Bilbray sought to help two start-ups with letters
and legislation, V-Vehicle Company (now Next Autoworks) and Aptera Motors. In December,
Aptera announced that it was liquidating after failing to secure matching funds for a $150 million
Department of Energy loan, and Next Autoworks said it would close its headquarters and slash its
workforce after withdrawing its application for a $320 million loan. Bilbray said his advocacy for
the companies was different than Solyndra, which he criticized the Obama administration for.
[Union Tribune, 2/04/12]
Received $1,000 from Aptera Lobbyist While Advocating for Loan for Company
In 2012, it was reported that Bilbray criticized energy aid, but advocated for it for companies in
his district that had their own financial troubles and profited off his work. He received $1,000 in
contributions from an Aptera lobbyist, while advocating for a loan for the company.
Kathay Feng, executive director for California Common Cause, a nonprofit organization dedicated
to open government, said it was hypocritical to criticize the administration for picking winners and
losers when the congressman also sought government loan guarantees, albeit with a different
outcome. “We are in an election season where there are a lot of fierce words by one party’s
politicians leveled at another party’s politicians and we see a lot of hypocritical statements made
about unethical or bad behavior when everybody is engaged in playing the same game,” Feng said.
[Union Tribune, 2/04/12]
Voted for Cuts to the Department of Energy Budget
173
In 2011, Bilbray voted to cut funding for the Department of Energy in Fiscal Year 2012, including to high
speed rail and renewable energy programs and to repeal regulations on light-bulbs.
The bill, which provides funding for the Department of Energy in Fiscal Year 2012 cut $1 billion from
similar Fiscal Year 2011 funding. This funding goes to the Department of Energy and the Army Corps of
Engineers programs. The bill moved $1 billion from high speed rail funding to flood relief along the
Mississippi and Missouri rivers. It also cut $491 million from the renewable energy programs from FY11
leaving it at $1.3 billion for FY12. The bill blocks the administration from closing the Yucca Mountain
nuclear waste project and, because of an amendment, repeals the 2007 bipartisan regulation on light bulbs
which would make them more energy efficient. [Associated Press, 7/15/11]
Claimed Changes in Energy Had to Be Made on a Capitalist Scale, not Government Mandated
In March 2007, Bilbray served as a panelist at the Council on Foreign Relations Half-Day Symposium on
the U.S. Energy Policy and argued that changes in fuel efficiency, as well as alternative fuel sources, had
to be made on a capitalist scale, not with government mandates. Bilbray said:
I think we learned the major problems in California. Because we are outcome-based, we
said this is not only not the best way, it is counter to our agenda. It is not to subsidize the
ethanol or methanol industry.
The great agendas that move in our society are capitalistic agendas, guided by
government, but not directed by government and there’s a distinct difference there -- or
mandated. And so I think that it’s critical that these partners go in there. But we’ve got to
understand that the real momentum like public housing, like production of food, like
production of everything else that’s energy is the private sector is going to be the one
who actually is doing the heavy lifting and those of us in politics will be sitting around
talking about how great we’ve done while somebody else is pulling the load. [Council on
Foreign Relations Symposium, transcript, 3/13/07]
Voted Against Repealing Increased Efficiency Standards for Light Bulbs
In 2011, Bilbray voted against repealing of bipartisan regulations that increased energy efficiency
standards for light bulbs.
The bipartisan regulations passed in 2007 increased energy efficiency standards for light bulbs. The
regulation requires bulbs to be 25-30 percent more efficient by 2014 and 60 percent more efficient by
2020. The bill would have also removed $30 million in funding for education and research that was to go
along with the new energy standards. [New York Times, 7/13/11; CQ Floor Votes, 7/12/11]
The bill failed (it was considered under suspension of the rules which requires a two-thirds
majority to pass) 233-193. [HR 2417, Vote #563, 7/12/11]
Called Ethanol Snake Oil, Proposed Off-Road Vehicle Park
174
In 2011, Bilbray said he position on energy was anti-ethanol. “The massive amounts of subsidy, of checks
we write to an environmental snake oil called ethanol, is absolutely outrageous. The slogan in my office is
‘Yellow is not green, algae is.’”
He proposed a federal green-technology reserve on federal land and an off-road vehicle park. “The federal
government will pre-permit this land for the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clean
Air Act, so when you come in we will allow you to homestead this federal property to go into production.
Let’s see who really wants to stand up for green technology.” [San Diego Union – Tribune, 4/21/11]
Voted Against Increasing Home Heating Assistance by $50 Million
In 2011, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would increase funding for Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Programs (LIHEAP) by $50 million. The amendment would reduce funding for substance
abuse and mental health services at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration by
$98 million.
The amendment was rejected, 104-322. [HR 1, Bass amendment #565, Vote #71, 2/17/11]
Voted to Cut Defense Department Research on Alternative Energies
In 2011, Bilbray voted for an amendment that would reduce funding for Defense Department
procurement, research and innovation programs by $115.5 million. The aim of reduced funding was for
alternative energy research.
The amendment failed, 109-320. [HR 1, Pompeo amendment #86, Vote #44, 2/15/11]
Voted Against Research and Development Tax Credits, Incentives for Biodiesel Production
In 2010, Bilbray voted against a package of tax breaks, including popular research and development tax
credits, incentives for biodiesel production and education deductions. The bill was partially paid for by
closing tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas.
The measure provided $1 billion for a summer jobs program as well as funding for states that would lose
money due to changes in the transportation funding formula. The bill increased the Oil Spill Liability
Trust Fund financing rate to 34 cents per barrel from 8 cents per barrel.
The bill also included a summer jobs initiative and Build America Bonds aid for state and local
governments. [CQ Weekly, 5/31/10]
Supported $6 Billion Rebate Program for Energy-Efficient Renovations
In 2010, Bilbray voted for passing a $6.6 billion rebate program for energy-efficient home improvements.
175
“The result of this will be that we will see a reduction in energy bills,” said Democrat Edward J. Markey.
In addition, the White House backed the measure, saying it would “create ‘green’ jobs in construction and
manufacturing, help consumers lower their energy bills, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The bill also authorized $600 million over two years for a separate program providing grants to states for
assisting low-income households in replacing manufactured homes built prior to 1976. [CQ Today, 5/06/10]
According to the Home Star Coalition, most of the jobs created by the program would go to small
businesses for work that could not be outsourced. By further scaling back America’s dependence on fossil
fuels, the bill reduced vulnerability to an energy marketplace with extreme price swings and volatility.
[McKinsey’s 2009 Report, Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy]
Opposed Clean Energy and Security Act
In 2009, Bilbray voted against the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The measure set
comprehensive goals to reduce climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions limits, alternativeenergy requirements, better energy efficiency and regular analyses from federal agencies. It reduces
carbon emissions from major U.S. sources by 17 percent by 2020 and over 80 percent by 2050. The bill
required that 20 percent of energy produced come from combined renewables and savings by 2020. The
bill included funding for job training and assistance. [CQ Today Online, 6/26/09; CQ Weekly 6/29/09]
Included Cap and Trade System
Required EPA to set annual greenhouse gas emissions limits or “caps” beginning in 2012, the
limits were to be based on metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The bill allowed companies to
buy and sell pollution allowances and get credit for funding special projects to reduce emissions
on farms and in forests. [CQ Today Online, 6/26/09; CQ Weekly 6/29/09]
Voted Against Tax Incentives for Renewable Energy
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would extend expiring tax provisions through 2009.
Specifically, the bill would provide tax incentives for carbon capture and sequestration demonstration
projects, and investment in renewable energy. These tax incentives would be offset by prohibiting
individuals from understating foreign oil and gas extraction income in the calculation of foreign tax
credits, freezing the deduction amount for oil and gas companies and prohibiting individuals who work
for certain offshore corporations to defer tax on compensations. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/26/08]
Voted Against Offshore Drilling, Renewable Energy
176
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill to give states the option to allow oil and gas offshore drilling
between 50 and 100 miles off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, except for waters in the Gulf of Mexico off
the Florida coast. The federal government could permit drilling from 100 to 200 miles offshore. It
stipulates that the federal government would collect all royalties from new oil and gas leases permitted
under the bill. It would require utilities to obtain 15 percent of their power from renewable sources by
2020. It also includes roughly $19 billion in new tax incentives for renewable energy, new coal
technologies and alternative-fuel vehicles.
Despite the objections of Republicans who said it would do little to boost offshore oil and gas production.
President Bush threatened a veto. A Republican attempt to stall the measure was defeated.
Democrats touted the bill as a compromise that would expand domestic production and invest in
alternative energy sources. It would allow drilling beyond 100 miles off U.S. shores and give states the
option of allowing production beyond 50 miles from the shores. It proposes major incentives for
renewable energy, building efficiency and advanced technologies for coal-fired power plants. [CQ Weekly,
9/16/08]
The bill passed by a vote of 236 to 189. [HR 6899, Vote #599, 9/16/08]
Voted for Cracking Down on Oil Speculation
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a bill that would curb speculation in energy futures in the commodity markets.
The bill was aimed at preventing excessive speculation in oil and other futures trading. Specifically, the
bill would direct foreign exchanges that trade U.S. commodities to impose limits on the number of futures
contracts an investor can own. [Washington Post, 7/30/08; CQ Floor Votes, 7/30/08]
Democrats said that the bill would have given regulators more power to assure fair trading of oil at
domestic and foreign exchanges. [Washington Post, 7/30/08]
Republicans opposed the bill arguing that the House should have been voting on drilling for oil. “[It’s]
just another excuse to avoid voting on more American production, and I’, not going to vote for this
sham,” House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said. [CQ Today, 7/30/08]
Voted for Bill to Crack Down on Oil Speculation
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a bill that would direct foreign exchanges trading U.S. commodities to
impose limits on the number of futures contracts an investor can own. Investors trading on such
overseas exchanges would have to reduce positions, if they exceed the limits or their activity
threatens to distort prices. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission would be authorized to
set position limits on over-the-counter trading.
During floor debate, Democrats seized on the week’s turmoil on Wall Street to support their
argument for stricter oversight of financial markets. Critics blamed speculation in energy futures
for contributing to the run-up of oil prices this year. The bill would bolster transparency in energy
futures trading and require tougher regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
177
(CFTC), in an attempt to pre-empt excessive speculation and ensure that futures prices reflect
supply and demand. The measure also would authorize increased staffing at the agency. [CQ
Weekly, 9/22/08]
Several minor changes were made to ensure that the scope of the bill fell entirely within the
Agriculture Committee’s jurisdiction. That blocked Republicans from offering a procedural
motion for a vote on their energy bill which would fall within other committees’ jurisdiction. The
changes included removing mandates to create an independent inspector general at the CFTC and
to require a Government Accountability Office investigation. The House rejected a Republican
motion to delay implementation of the limits on contracts until after certifying that no pension
plan would be adversely affected. Democrats said the provision would effectively kill the bill. [CQ
Today, 9/22/08]
The bill was passed by a vote of 283 to 133. [HR 6604, Vote #608, 9/18/08]
Voted to Release 70 Million Barrels of Crude Oil
In July 2008, Bilbray voted for a motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill that would require the Energy
Department to release 70 million barrels of lighter grade crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
in exchange for the same amount of heavier grade crude oil.
The measure would replace the high-grade petroleum with heavy, sour oil that is tougher to refine. [CQ
Today, 7/24/08]
The motion failed 268-157, falling short of the 2/3 majority required under suspension of the rules. [HR
6578, Vote #527, 7/24/08]
Opposed Requiring Holders of Oil Leases to Drill or Release Land
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would strip oil companies of their leases to federal land not
being used for drilling.
Democrats referred to the bill as the “use it or lose it” measure, saying that oil companies already lease 68
million acres of government land and waters that they are not exploiting, and before opening new areas,
the companies should be forced to use the leases they hold. [CQ Today, 6/26/08]
Many Republicans opposed the bill, saying that it was easier to blame others for the rise in oil prices.
“…blame it on oil companies, blame it on OPEC,” Republican Minority Leader John Boehner said.
“There’s only one group, only one group in this chamber we ought to blame, and that is all the liberals in
this House who have voted for ‘no energy’ each and every time over the last 18 years that I’ve been here.”
[CQ Today, 6/26/08]
Opposed Fees for Oil Company Drilling in Gulf of Mexico
178
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would help states recoup property taxes lost due to having large
tracts of federal land.
The bill would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program, which helps offset the loss of tax revenue
from federal lands. The bill would also allow counties to opt to receive 25 percent of the revenues from
economic activities on National Forest lands and 50 percent on Bureau of Land Management lands in lieu
of traditional direct payments.
The bill would offset the cost of this program by imposing a fee on oil and gas producers in the Gulf of
Mexico that erroneously received permanent royalty-free leases in 1998 and 1999. [CQ Today, 6/05/08]
Opposed Budget that Invested in Renewable Energy
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a conference report that would establish the congressional budget for fiscal
year 2009. The report would call for $3.1 trillion in spending in fiscal year 2009 and federal revenue
totaling $2.7 trillion. The spending allowed for up to $1 trillion in discretionary spending for the fiscal
year, plus $70 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. [Congressional Quarterly]
The bill would project a $22 billion budget surplus by fiscal year 2012. Democrats argued that it would
also allow the budget to remain in balance in 2013 using estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.
[CQ Today, 6/05/08; “Summary of the 2009 Budget Conference Agreement,” House Committee on the Budget, 6/04/08]
Republicans argued that the conference report for the budget was the largest tax increase in history,
saying that the budget would increase taxes by at least $638 billion over the next five years. [“The Largest
Tax Increase in History, However They Slice It,” Republican Caucus, The Committee on the Budget, 6/04/08]
Specifically, the bill would provide $7.7 billion in funding for renewable energy, energy efficiency and
other energy programs. This figure was $2.8 billion, or 55.4 percent, more than the 2008 level. It would
also reject the President’s budget cuts to energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. [“Summary of
the 2009 Budget Conference Agreement,” House Committee on the Budget, 6/04/08]
The conference report passed 214-210. [S Con Res 70, Vote #382, 6/05/08]
Voted to Protect Tax Breaks for Oil Companies
In 2008, Bilbray voted against considering the rule to allow the House to vote on the Renewable Energy
and Energy Conservation Tax Act and allow for the House to vote on the legislation.
The bill comprehensively invested resources into wind, solar, and geothermal energy systems.
Furthermore, it extended tax credits to producers of cleaner burning bio-diesel and cellulosic alcohol
based fuels. [Release, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, 2/27/08]
The legislation also eliminated a manufacturing tax deduction for larger oil and gas companies.
The motion passed, 224-186. [HR 5351, Vote #78, 2/27/08]
179
Opposed Extension of Tax Credits for Renewable Energy
Specifically, the bill would allot $1.7 billion to allow individuals to deduct state sales taxes instead of
income taxes from their 2008 tax filing, and $2.6 billion to extend the deduction for tuition and related
expenses through 2008. [CQ Weekly, 5/26/08]
The bill also extended tax credits for solar energy, wind energy, biomass, geothermal energy and certain
coal projects. The bill would also create a new category of tax credit bonds to help state and local
governments with projects designed to reduce greenhouse gases. [CQ Weekly, 5/26/08]
Supported a Measure to Prioritize Federal Grants Towards Energy Efficient Technologies
In 2008, Bilbray voted for an amendment to the Small Business Act that would award grants to small
businesses taking steps to improve their energy efficiency and cut their CO2 emissions.
Supporters said the amendment would reward small businesses for innovative and cost-cutting energy
strategies at a time of sharply rising energy prices. [U.S. House of Representatives, 4/23/08]
The amendment was adopted 355-48. [HR 5819, Vote #213, 4/23/08]
Voted to Suspend Strategic Petroleum Reserve Acquisitions
In May 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would require the Interior and Energy departments to
halt acquisition of oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) until the end of 2008. The departments
could resume shipments if the president determined that the average price of oil in the United States for
the most recent 90-day period was $75 a barrel or less.
While even the bill’s supporters noted that its effect on prices at the gas pump would be minimal,
“bipartisan support for freezing SPR purchases was a breakthrough of sorts in a longstanding partisan
impasse on contentious oil issues.” [CQ Weekly, 5/19/08]
Voted for Bill to Crack Down on Foreign Oil Price Manipulation
In 2008, Bilbray voted for bill that would make it illegal for foreign countries to collectively manipulate
energy prices or supplies and allow the federal government to sue foreign countries for any such actions
that affect the United States.
180
The measure would create a Justice Department task force to investigate price gouging and manipulation
in oil markets and require a study of the effect of oil industry mergers on fuel prices.
Notably, the legislation would allow the Justice Department to pursue legal action against the
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries for conspiring to restrict supplies or drive up prices.
[CQ Floor Votes, 5/20/08; Los Angeles Times, 5/21/08]
Voted Against Energy Bill That Would Reduce Dependence on Fossil Fuels
In 2007, Bilbray voted against comprehensive energy legislation that would raise automobile fuelefficiency standards for the first time in 32 years and require increased use of renewable energy sources to
generate electricity.
Democrats characterized the legislation as “a new direction” in U.S. energy policy away from dependence
on fossil fuels.
 The bill would boost corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards by 40 percent, to an industry
average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, the first such action since 1975, when Congress first enacted
the federal auto fuel economy requirements.
 The bill would expand the use of ethanol sevenfold to 36 billion gallons a year by 2022 with 21 billion
gallons coming from cellulosic feedstock such as wood chips and prairie grass.
 The bill would require electric utilities to produce at least 15 percent of their electricity from renewable
energy sources by 2020 and direct the Energy Department to set new energy efficiency standards for
appliances and building construction.

It also would eliminate or reduce $13 billion in subsidies and tax breaks for the five major oil and gas
companies to be used for tax incentives for development of renewable energy sources like ethanol
from grasses and wood chips and biodiesel and for energy efficiency programs and conservation. [CQ
Floor Votes, 12/06/07; Associated Press, 12/06/07]
Voted to Protect Oil Companies, Against Energy Efficiency
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill to authorize $16.1 billion in energy-related tax provisions, including
new tax credit bonds to encourage energy efficiency in residential property and more production of
“clean” energy.
The bill authorized $3.6 billion in bonds for state and local governments to fund energy conservation
efforts.
The costs of the bill were offset primarily by reducing current tax benefits for oil and gas companies.
181
The bill also raised taxes on the oil and gas industry and used the proceeds to extend and expand tax
breaks for renewable energy, hybrid cars and energy-efficient buildings and appliances.
In addition, the bill created a $6 billion “green bond fund” that would help local and state governments
build energy-efficient projects. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/04/07]
Opposed Plan to Increase Energy Independence, Promote Renewables
In 2007, Bilbray voted against legislation to move the United States toward greater energy independence
and security, develop innovative new technologies, reduce carbon emissions, create green jobs, protect
consumers, increase clean renewable energy production, and modernize our energy infrastructure.
[www.speaker.gov]
The bill set new efficiency standards for appliances, lighting and buildings, and create new programs to
research infrastructure and delivery of alternative fuels.
The bill also required oil and natural gas producers who did not pay royalties on leased federal land under
existing law to either agree to renegotiate their leases or pay a new fee.
In addition, the bill expanded an existing federal program to promote the capture and storage of carbon
dioxide and set a goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by federal agencies by 2050.
The bill also required utilities, starting in 2010, to produce at least 2.75 percent of electricity from
renewable sources, with percentages rising each year to 15 percent by 2020. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/04/07]
Voted to Increase Use of Renewable Energy
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to increase the use of renewable energies.
The amendment required retail electricity suppliers, starting in 2010, to produce at least 2.75 percent of
electricity from renewable energy sources, with percentages rising each year to 15 percent by 2020. [CQ
Voted to Cut Subsidies to Oil Companies
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an amendment that would cut subsidies to energy companies for fossil fuels
research and development by $142 million.
According to the amendment’s sponsor, Representative John Kline (R-MN), the amendment was an
attempt to make oil companies pay for fossil fuel research and development as opposed to taxpayers,
182
particularly in light of the record profits being made by oil, gas and coal companies.” [Congressional Record,
6/19/07, Page: 6706]
Voted to Cut Funding for Renewable Energy Programs
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Energy and Water appropriations
bill that would reduce funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs by $102 million. [CQ
Opposed Repealing Tax Breaks for Big Oil
In 2007, Bilbray voted against shifting certain revenue from royalties and tax incentives from oil and gas
companies into a reserve fund for alternative and renewable energies.
The bill would require current offshore fuel producers who are not paying federal royalties to agree to pay
royalties when fuel prices reach certain thresholds or pay fees based on how much fuel they produce. [New
York Times, 1/19/07; Speaker Pelosi Press Release, 1/18/07; CQ Floor Votes, 1/18/07]
An Inconsistent Record on Cracking Down on Gas Price Gouging
Bilbray has a varied record on votes to tackle gas price gouging.
Supported Bill to Crack Down on Gas Price Gouging
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a bill that would authorize the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to
investigate and punish motor fuel price gougers.
The bill would provide the FTC with a clear, enforceable definition of price gouging and would
allow them to impose penalties of up to $150 million for corporations and up to $2 million and 10
years in jail for individuals. [Rep. Stupak Press Release, 6/25/08]
Democrats argued that cracking down on price gouging was necessary with the rising cost of gas.
“Enacting a federal price gouging law, curbing excessive speculation and compelling the oil
companies to use their existing drilling permits are all steps Congress can take today to provide
real relief for consumers,” bill sponsor Rep. Bart Stupak said. [Rep. Stupak Press Release, 6/25/08]
Republicans argued that the price-gouging bill was designed to stop debate on proposals to expand
drilling. “This bill has no purpose except to provide political cover to Democrats who continue to
defy the will of the American people by blocking legislation to increase the supply of American
energy,” Republican Minority Leader John Boehner said. [CQ Today, 6/24/08]
183
Opposed Bill to Crack Down on Gas Price Gouging
In 2007, Bilbray voted against legislation to crack down on gas price gouging.
The bill prohibited price gouging for fuels in areas experiencing an “energy emergency,” set civil
and criminal penalties for price gouging and permitted states to bring lawsuits against retailers for
price gouging. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/23/07]
Refused to Stand up to Foreign Gas Price Fixing
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bipartisan bill to empower the Department of Justice to bring
antitrust lawsuits against the OPEC alliance in U.S. courts. [The Hill, 5/24/07]
The bill subjected the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other oil
cartels to federal antitrust laws by eliminating the sovereign immunity they receive under current
law. [Rep. Steve Chabot press release, 5/17/07]
The measure was intended to crack down on OPEC members that set production quotas to manage
global oil prices. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/22/07]
According to even the conservative Heritage Foundation, “OPEC would send a strong and longoverdue signal to OPEC oil barons that they must stop limiting production and investment access.”
[Heritage Foundation, “Time for Congress to Lift OPEC’s Immunity,” 5/21/07]
Voted Against Increased Penalties for Gas Price Gouging
On June 29, 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of killing an attempt to bring up a bill offered by Rep.
Stupak (D-MI) that would give the FTC and the Justice Department authority to investigate and
prosecute oil companies engaged in price gouging involving gasoline, home heating oil, or natural
gas and applies to the entire fuel supply chain. Under the bill, the Justice Department could
impose criminal penalties of up to $100 million on corporations, and fines of up to $1 million and
jail sentences of up to 10 years for individuals.
This would apply during a national emergency and would crack down on companies charging
unconscionable and excessive prices. The Republican rule for debating the offshore drilling bill
did not allow Democrats to offer the Stupak bill, and Republicans voted to kill the Democratic
attempt to bring the bill to the floor. [Leadership Document, “Democrats Fight to Stop Price Gouging to Help
Consumers at the Pump,” 6/29/06]
The motion to kill the Democratic attempt passed 224-193. [HRes 897, Vote #352, 6/29/06]
184
Environmental Issues
 Supported Concept of Carbon Fees
 Large Anti-Environmental Shift in Voting Record Since 2000
 Defended Animal Research
In 2000, Bilbray received a 73 percent rating from the League of Conservation
Voters for his votes to protect the environment. Now in Congress for the second
time, his environmental record is radically different. In 2001, he received a score of
17 percent from the League of Conservation Voters. Bilbray still tries to position
himself as environmentally-friendly, telling local climate activists that he would
consider the idea of carbon fees to encourage green energy.
Supported Concept of Carbon Fees
In February 2011, Bilbray said he supported the idea of carbon fees to encourage green energy
development through his spokesperson Travis Considine. A Citizens Climate Lobby in San Diego County
had announced support for a revenue-neutral carbon tax. “The congressman thinks they’re heading in the
right direction, and if a bill was introduced that will do what they are proposing, we’ll go from there,”
Considine said. [North County Times, 2/01/11]
Mixed Marks from Environmental Organizations
Bilbray has consistently earned low marks from environmental organizations for his commitment to
protecting natural resources, conservation and other key environmental issues.
The following table illustrates Bilbray’s scores from key environmental groups:
Year
2011
2009-2010
2007-2008
2005-2006
1999-2000
Organization
League of Conservation Voters
[League of Conservation Voters Scorecard, accessed 2/17/12]
Defended Animal Research
185
Score
17%
25%
30%
0%
73%
In April 1991, Bilbray defended animal research from opponents. “Animal research is going to save many
babies, many parents and many people from the agony of SIDS and many other diseases,” Bilbray said.
Bilbray’s 3-month-old son died of SIDS in August, 1984. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/23/91]
Voted Against Ensuring Greenhouse Gas Deregulation Wouldn’t Threaten National Security
In 2011, Bilbray voted against allowing the EPA and the Secretary of Defense to certify if a lack of
greenhouse gas regulation would threaten national security before repealing those regulations.
The amendment prevented the provisions of this legislation from going into effect until the EPA
Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, certified that the consequences of not
regulating greenhouse gas emissions. The certification would include the consequences of the subsequent
impact on climate change, including the potential to create sustained natural and humanitarian disasters
and the ability to likely foster political instability where societal demands exceed the capacity of
governments to cope. It would also require certification that the repeal of those regulations did not
jeopardize American security interests at home or abroad. [Congressional Record, p. H2380, 4/06/11]
The overarching bill changed the definition of air pollutant to exclude greenhouse gas as it pertained to
climate change (though greenhouse gases could be regulated for reasons other than climate change). It
also repealed previous EPA regulations on stationary sources of greenhouse gases and barred the EPA
from issuing any new regulations on stationary sources of greenhouse gases. Automobile emission
standards were exempt from this bill. [CQ House Action Report, 4/04/11]
The amendment failed, 165-260. [H.R. 910 H. Amdt. 485, Vote #239, 4/06/11]
Voted to Bar the EPA from Regulating Greenhouse Gas
In 2011, Bilbray voted to prohibit the EPA from addressing climate change by regulating greenhouse
gases, to change the definition of air pollutant in the Clean Air Act and to keep states from addressing
climate change through the regulation of greenhouse gases.
The bill changed the definition of air pollutant to exclude greenhouse gas as it pertained to climate change
(though greenhouse gases could be regulated for reasons other than climate change). It also repealed
previous EPA regulations on stationary sources of greenhouse gases and barred the EPA from issuing any
new regulations on stationary sources of greenhouse gases. Automobile emission standards were exempt
from this bill. [CQ House Action Report, 4/04/11]
“This really is a shocking attack on states’ rights and on public health,” said Stanley Young, a spokesman
for the California Air Resources Board, which is working on emissions standards for cars that would take
effect in 2017. He estimated that the bill could roll back scheduled cuts in pollution and petroleum
consumption by 25 percent nationwide. [San Francisco Chronicle, 3/14/11]
Bilbray even voted against a motion which would have specified that the authority of the EPA
administrator under the Clean Air Act wouldn’t be abridged by the bill when it came to protecting the
186
health of children and seniors from air pollution produced by large sources of carbon dioxide. The motion
failed 191-236. [HR 910, Vote #248, 4/07/11]
Voted to Undermine the Clean Water Act
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a bill which undermined the Clean Water Act by removing the EPA’s ability to
enforce it.
The bill banned the EPA from issuing new or revising water-quality standards if a state standard had
already been approved by the agency without the state’s consent. The EPA would also be banned from
removing its approval of a state program or limiting federal funds to that program if it disagreed with the
way the regulation was implemented, or if the EPA disagreed with the state’s water quality standard.
This effectively removed the EPA’s authority to supervise and regulate the states. [New York Times Editorial,
7/15/11; CQ Floor Votes, 7/13/11]
Blamed Ethanol for Higher Gas Prices
In May 2011, Bilbray released the following statement blaming ethanol policies for higher gas prices:
Yesterday a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Rep. Brian Bilbray (CA-50) and Sen.
James Inhofe (R-OK) introduced legislation that would allow states to opt out of
complying with federal mandates for corn ethanol use and expand the definition of
advanced biofuels. Requiring large volumes of ethanol blended into the gasoline pool and
the rising cost of corn have contributed to an increase in gas prices amidst growing
concerns over the negative impacts ethanol has on certain types of engines. Engines
operating in boats, airplanes, lawnmowers, chainsaws, snowmobiles, and other machines
were manufactured to utilize pure gasoline and have encountered dangerous technical
problems when using E10 fuel (10 percent ethanol).
The Fuel Feedstock Freedom Act (H.R. 2009) would allow states to opt out of the
crushing federal mandate and allows our country’s most promising clean fuel
technologies of today and tomorrow to participate in the Renewable Fuel standard. [State
News Service, 5/27/11]
Introduced Bill to Establish Low-Level Radioactive Waste Dump
In 1995, Bilbray authored a bill that would transfer 1,000 federal acres of the Mojave Desert to
California for a controversial Ward Valley low-level radioactive waste dump. The National
Academy of Sciences included that the site was safe, but that more testing was needed to make
sure the waste at the site could not be dissolved by water and travel into the Colorado River. [San
Voted Against Regulating Pollutants in Drinking-Water Sources
187
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a motion which continued the EPA’s authority to regulate pollutants in
drinking-water sources.
The motion stated that the legislation would not affect the EPA’s authority when it comes to regulating
pollutants, including arsenic or perchlorate, into public drinking-water sources.
Said Jobs Were Leaving California Due to Regulatory Environment
In 2011, Bilbray wrote that other states courted California companies to relocate and Chief Executive
Magazine ranked California as the worst business climate in the nation. He wrote “A look at some of the
most basic statistics of California’s state and local tax burdens reveal that we pay almost $5,000 a year per
capita for state and local taxes and countless more in hidden job-crushing regulations – that’s the sixth
highest tax burden in the nation.” He said Carl Karcher Enterprises was contemplating leaving the state
and Aptera Motors Inc. already left. [Op-ed, Congressman Brian Bilbray, Ruben Barrales, Orange County Register,
6/09/11]
Opposed Limiting Greenhouse-Gas Emissions to Address Climate Change
In 2011, Bilbray backed legislation to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from limiting
greenhouse-gas emissions in order to address climate change. “This not about climate change,” Bilbray
said “This is about proposed regulation from a bureaucracy in a field of law that was never meant to
address this issue at all.” [Wall Street Journal, 4/07/11]
Supported Water Quality Investment Act of 2009
In 2009, Bilbray voted for a bill reauthorizing $13.8 billion over five years in wastewater treatment grants
and loans as part of a broader $19.4 billion package of water quality measurers. The bill included five
water quality bills that separately passed the House during the previous Congress.
The bill included a provision extending the Davis-Bacon wage standards to state and local projects
receiving grants or loans through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The measure also included a
“Buy American” provision that required most steel, iron and manufactured goods used in projects
financed by the revolving fund to be produced in the United States. Included in the bill was $150 million
a year to address sediment contamination in the Great Lakes watershed. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/12/09]
Said No to Funds to Protect Great Lakes
In 2009, Bilbray voted against the Interior Appropriations bill. The measure included $475 million for
cleaning up waterways, fighting invasive species and helping wildlife in the Great Lakes. [CQ Bill Analysis;
Detroit News, 6/27/09]
The money included:
$147 million to clean up highly toxic rivers and harbors that feed into the lakes.
188
$60 million to prevent and remove invasive species.
$98 million to refurbish areas near shores and to prevent “non-point” pollution, such as fertilizer
and oil run-off.
$105 million to restore and protect habitat and wildlife.
$65 million to monitor progress of cleanup.
Opposed Bill that Designated More than 2 Million New Acres of Protected Wilderness Areas
In 2009, Bilbray voted against a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to a bill that designated more
than 2 million new acres of protected wilderness areas nationwide, in addition to wild and scenic rivers,
historic sites and expansions of national parks. The bill included a measure to authorize the Interior
Department to approve a road through an Alaskan wetland to provide airport access to an isolated town, in
exchange for land elsewhere. The measure also authorized water rights settlements in Western states and
established new programs in the Interior Department on water reclamation and the effects of climate
change on water availability. Some of the major new wilderness areas were created in Idaho, Utah,
Colorado and Oregon. [CQ Today, 3/25/09]
Supported Funding for Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In 2008, Bilbray supported funding of $454 million through 2014 for the Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration programs. This funding included $289 million over seven years for a national ocean
exploration program and $164.5 million over seven years for a national undersea research program. [CQ
Supported National Landscape Conservation System
In 2008, Bilbray voted for legislation that codified the National Landscape Conservation System,
comprising approximately 27 million acres of areas considered to have significant historical, cultural,
ecological, scientific or scenic value. The measure also included within the system any area that Congress
had already designated for preservation.
Wilderness and historic preservation advocates said the bill would ensure the conservation system is
permanent and make it easier for these lands to receive federal funding. They say it also allows the
Bureau of Land Management to oversee the lands as comprehensive ecosystems and not just individual
“units.”
Republicans critics of the legislation believed the bill encouraged lawsuits and could lead to confusion
about decisions on land use. [Congressional Quarterly Today, 4/08/08]
189
Voted to Stall National Landscape Conservation System
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Natural
Resources with instructions that it be reported back promptly with language that nothing in the bill
should affect the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment within the National Landscape
Conservation System (NCLS).
The motion from Rep. Cannon (R-Utah), would have instructed the committee to rework the bill’s
language to ensure that the act did not impede gun owners’ Second Amendment rights within
NLCS lands.
Denise Ryan, legislative representative for public lands at the National Wildlife Federation, called
Cannon’s motion an effort to kill the bill and not a question about Second Amendment rights.
[Public Lands Foundation Release, 4/09/08]
The amendment was rejected by a vote of 208-212. [HR 2016, Vote #173, 4/09/08]
Supported Sham Amendment to Protect Grazing Rights
In 2008, Bilbray voted in support of a Republican amendment to a bill that would authorize the
National Landscape Conservation System at the Bureau of Land Management.
The amendment, introduced by Rep. Pearce (R-NM) was described as a simple clarification of
language to protect the ranching economies of the western States. The measure was endorsed by
the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, by the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, New
Mexico Wool Growers and the New Mexico Federal Lands Council.
Opponents of the amendment feared it could operate to force grazing into sensitive conservation
areas where it was prohibited, and that Pearce’s intent was to use a simple authorization bill to
undermine provisions of existing grazing laws that had been on the books for years. [Statements by
Reps. Pearce and Grijalva, H2111, 4/09/08]
Voted Against Reauthorizing Public Lands Programs
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a conference bill that designated new park, wilderness and scenic areas and
would authorize programs and activities in the Forest Service, the departments of Interior and Energy, the
Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Land Management. It would add
106,000 acres in Washington State to the National Wilderness Preservation System, which would be
known as the “Wild Sky Wilderness.”
The legislation provided a stable immigration policy for the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas
(CNMI) and also provided them with a non-voting Delegate to Congress. [Congressional Quarterly, 4/29/08;
Rep. Christenson Release, 4/30/08]
190
The bill passed, 291-117. [S 2739, Vote #226, 4/29/08]
Supported Funding for Grassland and Wetland Reserve Programs
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a motion to instruct House conferees to insist on language to maintain the
House-passed funding allotment for three conservation programs: the Grassland Reserve Program, the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program. The motion also would
instruct conferees to agree to a Senate-passed provision that would eliminate federal payments for crops
planted on land with no previous cropping history.
The motion was offered by Rep. Kind (D-WI) with the purpose of instructing conferees to ensure that the
full funding originally written into the House version of the bill be restored in conference. Kind asked that
conferees “get back to what the House passed last year under conservation, give the farmers throughout
the country the tools they need to be good stewards of the land, and do it in a nonmarket, nontradedistorting fashion.” [Statement by Rep. Kind, H2995, 5/06/08]
Critics of the motion said that the conference process was arduous and that conferees did not wish to
compound the difficulties by ‘tying their hands’ and stalling the Farm bill yet again. [Statement by Rep.
Lucas, H2996, 5/06/08]
Voted to Allow Clean Air Laws to be Weakened
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Interior appropriations bill to prevent
clean air laws from being rolled back to protect polluters.
The amendment prohibited the use of funds in the bill for the EPA to develop or implement a proposed
rule that would ease hazardous air pollution emissions standards for major source polluters as defined
under the Clean Air Act. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/26/07]
Supported Increased Industrial Waste Dispersed in Lake Michigan
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that it disapproves of
Indiana issuing a permit to allow British Petroleum (BP) to increase levels of industrial waste expelled
into Lake Michigan. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/25/07]
The resolution passed 387-26. [HCR 187, Vote #719, 7/25/07]
Opposed Roads in Tongass National Forest
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Interior appropriations bill to prohibit the
use of funds in the bill to plan, design, study or construct forest development roads in the Tongass
National Forest in Alaska for harvesting timber by private entities or individuals. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/26/07]
191
Supported Road Construction in Tongass in 1998
In 1998, Bilbray voted against an amendment to prohibit the use of funds in the bill for new road
construction in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/23/98]
Voted to Create Water Reuse Authority in California
In 2007, Bilbray voted for a bill that would create a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of
Reclamation and North Bay Water Reuse Authority in Sonoma County, Calif., and other regional partners
for water reclamation and reuse projects.
It would authorize funds for up to 25 percent of the total cost of the projects, or $25 million, whichever is
less.
A two-thirds majority of those present and voting, 276 in this case, was required for passage under
suspension of the rules. [CQ Floor Votes, 12/05/07]
Voted to Allow the Importation of Polar Bears Killed in Canada
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Interior appropriations bill to
prohibit allowing American hunters to import the heads and hides of polar bears killed in Canada.
The amendment prohibited the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from granting any more permits for
importing polar bear parts.
Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA), who offered the amendment, argued that polar bears are already endangered and
the U.S. shouldn’t condone hunting them at the same time the Fish and Wildlife Services has proposed
designating them as a threatened species. [The Oklahoman, 6/28/07]
Voted to Cut Funds for Mexican Wolf Recovery Program
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Interior appropriations bill to
prohibit the use of funds to operate the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/26/07]
The amendment was defeated 172 - 258. [HR 2643, Vote #558, 6/26/07]
Voted to Cut Funding for Mississippi River Army Corps Work
192
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to cut funding for the Army Corps of Engineers
Mississippi River and tributaries project by $18 million. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/19/07]
Voted to Cut Funding for Environmental Cleanup
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment that would have cut funding for environmental clean-up
programs.
The amendment would have increased funding for the Park Service’s operations account by $100 million.
In order to achieve that increase, however, the amendment cut funding for the EPA’s environmental
programs and management by $62 million and for Superfund cleanup activities by $160 million.
The amendment also reduced funds for the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions by $1 million. [CQ
Opposed Funds to Help Fight Wildfires
In 2009, Bilbray voted against the Interior Appropriations bill. The measure included $3.6 billion for
efforts to prevent and fight wildfires by the U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department. Total amount
included $1.9 billion for wildland fire suppression, a $526 million increase above the 2009 nonemergency level. The total amount also included $357 million in contingent fire suppression reserve
funds. [CQ Bill Analysis]
Opposed Protections for Environmentally Sensitive Land
In 2000, Bilbray voted against a bill that would annually set aside $2.8 billion in royalties gained from oil
and gas drilling on federal lands for the purchase of environmentally sensitive land and other conservation
programs. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/11/00]
Supported Arsenic Clean-up in 2000
In 2000, Bilbray voted for an amendment to allow the Environmental Protection Agency to use funds to
clean up contaminated lake and river sediments and to enforce arsenic drinking water standards and issue
radon water standards. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/21/00]
Supported Exempting Businesses from Superfund Liability
193
In 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would exempt small businesses from liability under the
superfund hazardous waste cleanup program if the business dumped only a small amount of waste or just
ordinary garbage.
The bill also would have established an expedited settlement procedure. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/26/00]
The bill, which required a 2/3 vote to pass, was defeated 253-161. [HR 5175, Vote #494, 9/26/00]
Opposed Plan to Block Stronger Clean Air Laws
In 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment that would prohibit the Environmental Protection
Agency from using funds to designate ozone non-attainment areas under the more strict national ambient
air quality standards issued by the EPA in 1997. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/21/00]
Supported Cutting Forest Service Budget
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to cut the U.S. Forest Service research budget by $16.9
million. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/14/99]
The amendment was defeated 135 to 291. [HR 2466, Vote #292, 7/14/99]
Supported EPA Funding Cuts
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of a spending bill for the departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing
and Urban Development and certain independent agencies.
The bill provided $10.5 billion less than the fiscal 1995 level of $89.9 billion and $10.5 billion less than
the administration request of $89.9 billion, including a 32 percent cut to the Environmental Protection
Agency. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/31/95]
Supported Republican Plan to Gut Federal Regulatory Rules
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of a Republican omnibus bill that included four Republican bills aimed at
undermining the federal regulatory process: HR830 (paperwork reduction), HR925 (private property
rights), HR926 (regulatory overhaul) and HR1022 (risk assessment). [CQ Floor Votes, 3/03/95]
Opposed Increased Funding for Superfund
In 1995, Bilbray voted against an amendment to increase funding for the hazardous substance superfund
by $440 million to $1.4 billion and offset the costs by cutting $186.5 million from the $320 million
194
provided by the bill for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief programs. [CQ Floor
Votes, 7/31/95]
Opposed Regulations that Protect Food and Water
In 1995, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would have maintained the Environmental Protection
Agency’s ability to enforce environmental laws, including sections of the Clean Water Act and the Clean
Air Act and the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regarding pesticides on
food. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/28/95]
A few days later, he voted in favor of a similar amendment that also would have maintained the
Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to enforce environmental laws, including sections of the Clean
Water Act, the Clean Air Act and the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
regarding pesticides on food. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/31/95]
Supported Republican Effort to Gut Clean Water Laws
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of the Republican “Clean Water” Act, which would have relaxed pollution
standards, making it much easier for municipal and corporate polluters to dump health-threatening toxins
into the nation’s waterways.
The bill contained the following major provisions:
 Eased or waived numerous federal water pollution control regulations and subject them to cost-benefit
analysis;
 Allowed states to continue to rely on voluntary measures to deal with unmet water pollution problems;
 Restricted the ability of federal agencies to declare wetlands off-limits to development;

Required the federal government to reimburse landowners if wetlands regulations cause a 20 percent
decrease in land value. [Congressional Quarterly, 5/20/95, p. 1413]
Opposed EPA Efforts to Protect Against Carcinogens
In 1995, Bilbray voted against an amendment to maintain the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability
to protect people from exposure to arsenic, benzene, dioxin, lead or any known carcinogen. [CQ Floor Votes,
7/31/95]
195
Explored Sewage Treatment Plant in 1983
As early as 1983, Bilbray was part of efforts exploring a sewage treatment plant for waste from Tijuana.
Ocean beaches as far north as Coronado were dealing with waste from Mexican. At the time Bilbray
served as mayor of the city of Imperial Beach. Estimates of the total cost of a sewage treatment plant were
roughly $729 million. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/16/83]
Demanded Wise Local Planning for New Growth
In January 1987, Bilbray outlined the need for planned growth for the county, especially with the ongoing
development of Otay Mesa. “Without good planning, development on the mesa will result in massive
traffic jams, sewage-disposal problems and other infrastructure disasters such as those that have beset the
North City during the past year,” said Bilbray. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/28/87]
Proposed Repealing Recycling Law
In December 1993, Bilbray proposed to repeal San Diego County’s mandatory recycling
ordinance. He said there was no need for a “punitive approach of always mandating and forcing
things on the cities.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/08/93]
Defended Public Trash System from Private Waste Companies
In October 1993, Bilbray discussed the importance of the county maintaining its public regional
trash system, despite financial difficulties. “If the system breaks down, if it is destroyed, there is
money to be made on this issue,” said Bilbray. He compared private waste companies to
“vultures ready to pounce.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/12/93]
196
Environment – Other Drilling Issues
 Opposed Offshore Drilling in California
 Backed Bill That Potentially Opened California Coast to Drilling
Bilbray is opposed to offshore drilling in California, but has voted to allow it
elsewhere. He missed a key vote earlier in 2011 in protecting the southern
Californian coast, but has been having health problems. In 2006, Bilbray backed a
bill that opponents argued would open the California coast to drilling by repealing
a permanent moratorium and allowing California to continually update its
opposition to drilling in order to extend the moratorium.
Opposed Offshore Drilling
Department of Interior to allow new offshore drilling.
The amendment would have stricken a provision in the bill prohibiting the Interior Department from using
funds for new offshore oil and natural gas leases off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington, in
the north Atlantic off the East Coast and in certain parts of the Gulf of Mexico. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/26/07]
Voted to Block Offshore Gas Drilling
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Interior appropriations bill that
would expand offshore drilling.
The amendment would have allowed the Interior Department to issue new leases for offshore natural gas
development in areas at least 25 miles from the U.S. coast. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/26/07]
Failed to Vote on Key Vote to Allow Offshore Drilling on the East Coast and Off of Southern
California
In 2011, Bilbray failed to vote on a bill which expanded the available land for offshore drilling to include
areas in the Pacific near southern California and off the east coast in the Atlantic Ocean.
197
The legislation would have expanded the land available for offshore drill leasing to include parts off the
shore of southern California and the eastern seaboard during the 2012-2017 five-year oil and gas leasing
period. [The Hill, 5/11/11; The Hill, 3/29/11; Bloomberg News, 5/11/11]
May Have Been Absent Due to Health
In 2011, the website San Diego City Beat.com reported that Bilbray has missed roughly 9.4
percent, or 109 out of 1,157 floor votes over the past 6 quarters, as a result of his mother’s death,
his own skin cancer and his daughter’s chemotherapy. According to SDCitybeat.com:
Rep. Brian Bilbray is San Diego’s most absent member of Congress since
January 2010. Bilbray’s spokesman said “It has been a difficult year for
the Bilbray family… They’ve been dealing with a lot of personal family
issues. Congressman Bilbray had a form of skin cancer surgically removed
from his lip earlier in the year. His daughter, Briana Bilbray, has been
diagnosed with stage three Melanoma and is currently undergoing
chemotherapy. The Bilbray’s deal with challenges like many American
families, when his family needs him the Congressman is there for them.”
[Last Blog on Earth, San Diego City Beat.com, 7/15/11]
Backed Measured that Opened California Coast to Oil Drilling
In August 2006, Bilbray was criticized for backing a bill that opponents said would open
California’s coastal waters to oil and gas exploration. California Governor Schwarzenegger
opposed the bill, calling it “unacceptable.” The House bill repealed a permanent moratorium and
would allow California to express its opposition at periodic intervals to continue the ban. [San
Would Consider an LNG Facility Off Mexican or California Coast
In May 2006, the San Diego Union-Tribune provided candidate analyses on Bilbray and said he was open
to considering an LNG (liquefied natural gas) facility off the Mexican or California coast. “Natural gas is
the cleanest fossil fuel we can burn. We’ve got to stop finding excuses not to get it to the consumer,” said
Bilbray. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/27/06]
Voted Against Determining the Benefit of Lowering Environmental Standards for Off-shore
Drilling
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a motion which required the EPA administrator to determine if a
Republican bill would actually result in lower gas prices at the pump.
The motion would have required the EPA administrator to study whether relaxing the off-shore oil and
gas permitting process, as laid out in the Republicans’ underlying bill, would actually reduce the cost of
gas per gallon at gas stations. Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee suggested that
this bill would lower gas prices. [House Energy and Commerce Press Release, 6/22/11; Congressional Record, 6/22/11]
198
Voted Against Requiring Companies to Have a Disaster Plan for Oil Spills
In 2011, Bilbray voted against an amendment that required oil and gas companies to have contingency
plans for worst-case scenarios, including plans for oil containment and cleanup, when applying for 5-year
oil and gas off-shore permits.
The amendment would require companies seeking off-shore oil and gas leases under the 5-year oil and
gas leasing programs listed in H.R. 1231, the Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act, to
submit plans for a worst-case scenario oil spill including oil containment and cleanup. Due to a lack of
planning for oil containment and cleanup the Deepwater Horizon oil spill leaked about 185 million
gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. [The Hill, 5/11/11; Congressional Record, 5/11/11; New York Times,
10/17/11]
Voted Against a Motion to Recommit to Sell American Gas and Oil Here in America
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a motion to recommit which would have required that oil and gas
developed from leases made in the underlying bill would have to be sold in the United States.
The motion required that all the oil and natural gas generated from the new leases be sold in the United
States. The motion would have also required that the number of non-producing leases be cutting in half by
2017. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/12/11]
Voted to Speed Up Oil and Gas Lease Approvals in the Gulf of Mexico
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a bill which required the Department of the Interior to rule on exploratory
drilling permits for lessees in the Gulf of Mexico in 60 days or less or the permit would be considered
approved.
The legislation required the Department of the Interior to deem applications for oil and gas drilling
permits approved 30 days, or as many as 60 days (after two possible 15 day extensions), after receiving
the application. If the application is denied then the Department of the Interior must provide written
reasons for the denial.
Democrats opposed the bill because they felt that it would hinder the ability of the Department of the
Interior to approve the leases in a responsible way. [The Hill, 05/05/11; The Hill, 5/11/11; USA Today, 5/12/11; CQ
Bill Analysis, 5/20/11; Fox Business, 5/11/11]
199
Bilbray even voted against a motion which stopped the sale of new leases to companies which still owed
fines and penalties for economic and environmental damages in the Gulf of Mexico.
Voted Against Protecting Workers Reporting Safety Violations on Offshore Rigs
In 2010, Bilbray voted to pass whistleblower protections that prohibit employers from discriminating
against offshore energy development workers who report suspected safety violations to state or federal
authorities. The bill also protected against workers testified before Congress or refused to perform their
job because of safety violations or because of a “good faith belief” that doing so could result in injury.
The vote came just months after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion killed 11 workers and resulted
in months of oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico.
House Education and Labor Chairman George Miller explained that the measure closed a loophole that
provided protections to those who worked in onshore energy development, but not those who worked
offshore.
“In passing these bills today,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, “we will uphold our commitment to
America’s families and businesses to rebuild the Gulf Coast and make families whole and to ensure the
size of this spill and the scope of it never happens again.” [CQ Today, 7/30/10]
Opposed Lifting Liability Cap on Offshore Spills, Revamping Oversight
In 2010, Bilbray voted against a bill that would lift the $75 million cap on liability for offshore oil spills
and revamp federal oversight of the industry by eliminating the Minerals Management Service. The
responsibilities of the MMS would be split among three new agencies in the Interior Department.
The measure was supported as a means to prevent another potential catastrophe like the Deepwater
Horizon rig explosion, which killed 11 workers and spewed millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of
Mexico.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the measure would reduce the deficit by $1.7 billion
through fiscal 2020. It imposed stiffer penalties for oil rig safety violations, required independent
certifications of key drilling equipment and banned the practice of granting environmental waivers for
drilling plans. [CQ Today, 7/30/10; CNN, 7/30/10]
The measure passed, 209-193. [HR 3534, Vote #513, 7/30/10]
Supported Drilling in Alaskan Wildlife Refuge
Bilbray has been a consistent supporter of Republican and Big Oil’s plans to drill for oil in the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
200
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a Republican plan to increase oil drilling and overhaul energy policies.
The measure included allowing offshore drilling, exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and
provisions related to energy efficiency, “smart grid” technologies, loan guarantees, alternative fuels and
coal gasification. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/04/07]
The measure was defeated 169-244. [HR 3221, Vote #831, 8/04/07]
In addition, Bilbray had consistently voted for such efforts:
 1995: Bilbray voted in favor of allowing oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in
Alaska and imposing royalties for hard-rock mining on federal lands. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/20/95;
HR 2491, Vote #820, 11/20/95]
 1995: Bilbray voted in favor of a budget bill that allowed oil drilling in the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The bill passed 227-203. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/26/95; HR 2491, Vote
#743, 10/26/95]
Voted Against Blocking Commercial Leasing for Oil Shale Resources
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Interior appropriations bill to block
the Bureau of Land Management from moving ahead with a commercial leasing program for oil shale
resources. [Congressional Quarterly Today, 6/27/07]
The amendment passed 219 – 215. [HR 2643, Vote #574, 6/27/07]
Voted Against Blocking Commercial Leasing for Oil Shale Resources
In 2007, Bilbray voted against revote of an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Interior
appropriations bill to block the Bureau of Land Management from moving ahead with a
commercial leasing program for oil shale resources. [Congressional Quarterly Today, 6/27/07]
NOTE: This vote was a revote of Vote #574 demanded by Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT)
Voted to Allow States to Decide on Oil Shale Development
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment by Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT) to the fiscal year
2008 Interior appropriations bill to allow states that want to develop oil shale to be allowed to do
it. [Deseret Morning News, 6/28/07]
Said No to Funds to Protect Great Lakes
201
In 2009, Bilbray voted against the Interior Appropriations bill. The measure included $475 million for
cleaning up waterways, fighting invasive species and helping wildlife in the Great Lakes. [CQ Bill Analysis;
Detroit News, 6/27/09]
The money included:
$147 million to clean up highly toxic rivers and harbors that feed into the lakes.
$60 million to prevent and remove invasive species.
$98 million to refurbish areas near shores and to prevent “non-point” pollution, such as fertilizer
and oil run-off.
$105 million to restore and protect habitat and wildlife.
$65 million to monitor progress of cleanup.
202
FEMA and Disaster Relief Issues
 Inconsistent Votes on National Flood Insurance Program
Bilbray has cast inconsistent votes on the National Flood Insurance, voting to
protect it from elimination but also opposing reauthorization of the program.
Voted to Protect the National Flood Insurance Program
In 2011, Bilbray voted against an amendment to eliminate the National Flood Insurance Program.
The amendment to eliminate the National Flood Insurance Program would not impact current coverage
but would prevent the NFIP from issuing new policies or renewing old ones. The amendment would allow
states to form interstate compacts to provide flood insurance. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/12/11; Associated Press, 7/12/11]
Voted to Reform the National Flood Insurance Program, But Against Grants for Victims
In 2011, Bilbray voted for extending and making bipartisan reforms to the National Flood Insurance
Program.
The bill would extend the National Flood Insurance program for five years and make bipartisan reforms to
help extend the life of the program, in which some 20,000 communities nationwide participated. Some of
these reforms included increasing the allowed premium percentage increase, increasing the minimum
deductible for properties, and allowing communities that are required to buy flood insurance to seek a
suspension while they worked to improve their flood protection systems. [Associated Press, 7/12/11]
However, Bilbray voted against a motion to authorize FEMA to provide flood victims in major
emergency or disaster zones, as declared by the president in 2011, grants to help with their rebuilding
costs. The motion would have also allowed those people to be exempted from flood insurance premium
increases for three years.
Voted Against Authorizing Insurance Program for Flood Victims
In 2010, Bilbray voted against reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program through fiscal 2015.
203
The program provides 95 percent of flood insurance policies in the country and was intended to alleviate
the financial burden to taxpayers after a natural disaster. The bill increased the coverage limits for the
program and allowed flood insurance premiums to increase by up to 20 percent year.
The measure authorized $250 million over five years for outreach and education efforts by FEMA, who
administers the flood insurance program, and created an Office of Flood Insurance Advocate within the
agency. [CQ Today, 7/15/10]
Opposed Funds to Rebuild New Orleans Levees
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would provide domestic disaster assistance,
particularly for the Gulf Coast. The amendment appropriated $21.2 billion for domestic programs,
military construction and foreign aid programs.
It would provide $4.6 billion for military construction and $5.8 billion for levee building in Louisiana.
The amendment would provide a permanent expansion of education benefits for post-Sept. 11 veterans,
offset with a 0.47 percent surtax on modified adjusted gross income above $500,000 per year for
individuals and $1 million for couples.
It also would temporarily extend unemployment insurance benefits and place a moratorium through
March 2009 on seven Medicaid regulations proposed by the administration. It would appropriate $9.9
billion for the State Department, USAID and international food assistance. [Congressional Quarterly,
Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 5/16/08]
Opposed Funding Dam Rehabilitation
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill that would authorize $201 million over five years for a Federal
Emergency Management Agency grant program to provide assistance to states for the rehabilitation of
publicly-owned deficient dams. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/29/07]
Opposed “Multiperil” Insurance Coverage for those Affected by Both Flood and Wind Damage
In 2007, Bilbray voted against reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program through fiscal year
2013. The bill increased the current limits on coverage that could be purchased by both homeowners and
businesses. A key addition to the legislation was to allow the program to provide optional “multiperil”
coverage to cover both wind and floor risk in one policy. It also authorized $400 million in each fiscal
year through 2013 for FEMA to modernize all floor maps and to map the 500-year floodplain.
204
The expansion was proposed by Mississippi Democrat Gene Taylor, whose Gulf Coast home was
destroyed in Hurricane Katrina and who later sued his insurance company for denying his wind-damage
claim. The expansion of coverage required that wind coverage could only be obtained by homeowners
with flood coverage.
Critics of the new provision argued that the program had $17.5 billion in debt from the 2005 Gulf Coast
storms like Katrina and that wind coverage would crowd private insurers out of the market. [Congressional
Quarterly Weekly, 9/29/07]
Supported Funds for Minneapolis Bridge Repair and Construction
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to provide assistance in the wake of the collapse of a bridge
on I-35 in Minneapolis.
The bill authorized the Transportation Department to carry out a project to repair and reconstruct the I35W bridge in Minneapolis.
It authorized $250 million from the general fund of the Treasury for the project, and set the federal share
for the project at 100 percent. The bill permitted the Transportation Department to reimburse the
Minnesota Transportation Department for the costs of additional public transportation needs arising from
the collapse. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/03/07]
… But Voted to Block Minneapolis Bridge Funds In the First Place
In 2007, Bilbray voted to block consideration of legislation to provide assistance in the wake of
the collapse of a bridge on I-35 in Minneapolis.
The vote was on the adoption of the resolution to allow for House floor consideration of three
bills. A vote against the resolution was a vote to block consideration of the three bills, one of
which authorized the repair and reconstruction of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. [CQ Floor Votes,
8/03/07]
Opposed Bill to Strengthen Small Business Disaster Loan Programs
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill to overhaul the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan
program and create a disaster planning position within the agency.
Under the bill, the SBA would be required to develop and implement a disaster response plan and
maintain a 1,000 person “disaster reserve corps.”
205
Individual disaster loan limits would be doubled to $3 million. The agency would be required to create a
centralized application tracking system and revise repayment and disbursement timetables to treat
borrowers more favorably. [CQ Floor Votes, 4/18/07]
President Bush opposed the bill. [Statement of Administration Policy, 4/17/07]
Supported Giving Federal Loans to Convicted Felons
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a motion to prevent convicted felons from receiving small business loans.
Under the motion, a bill to strengthen small business loan programs to the Small Business Committee
with instructions that the bill be immediately reported back promptly with language that would prohibit
Small Business Administration assistance to anyone who pleads no contest or is convicted of a felony.
Opposed Emergency Funding for Hurricane Recovery
In 2007, Bilbray voted against legislation that would provide $42.8 billion in fiscal 2007 emergency
spending for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition, the bill provided $6.8 billion for hurricane recovery and relief, $3.3 billion for military
healthcare costs and $2.25 billion for homeland security anti-terrorism programs. It also would raise the
minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years and provide $4.8 billion in small-business tax incentives.
The bill also required another congressional vote in late July to release the remaining $52.8 billion for the
Pentagon, and would withhold funds until the president reports by July 13 on progress the Iraqi
government has made toward meeting specified benchmarks and goals set by the bill and Congress has
adopted a joint resolution releasing the “fenced off” funds. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/10/07]
Voted for Emergency Funding for Hurricane Relief
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an emergency appropriations bill that included $2.9 billion for hurricane relief.
The $2.9 billion in funding for Gulf Coast Recovery included $1.3 billion to repair and complete flood
and storm damage reduction projects in Louisiana and Mississippi, $30 million for colleges and
universities and $30 million for schools in the Gulf Coast most severely impacted by the hurricanes to
help them recover to normal operations.
The measure also included $1 billion for the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund, including $860 million to pay
for waiving the requirement that local communities struggling to recover pay 10 percent of federal
206
rebuilding costs – a waiver that has been provided 32 times since 1985 for other major disasters, but
which the Bush Administration resisted.
The measure appropriated $22.2 billion in fiscal 2007 emergency spending, including $7.7 billion for
military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, $3.1 billion for military base closure expenses, $1.8 billion
for veterans’ medical care, $650 million for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, $1.1 billion
for anti-terrorism homeland security activities, and $3 billion for agriculture disaster relief.
The measure also included a provision to raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years. To
help small businesses with the costs of raising the minimum wage, the measure provided $4.8 billion in
small-business tax incentives. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/24/07]
Supported Emergency Disaster Funds
In 2007, Bilbray voted for legislation to appropriate $97.8 billion in fiscal 2007 emergency spending.
The measure included $87 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and $3.4 billion for the
Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund.
In addition, the bill would establish 18 “benchmarks” for the Iraqi government and require the president
to report on progress towards meeting the benchmarks. It would permit, but not require, the president to
withhold reconstruction funds if the benchmarks were not met. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/24/07]
207
Foreign Policy Issues – Libya
 Voted Against Removing US Forces from Libya
 Voted Against Authorizing US Efforts in Libya
Bilbray voted both against removing US forces from Libya and against the
authorization of US efforts in Libya.
Voted Against the Removing US Forces from Libya
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a resolution which would direct the President to remove all US Forces
from Libya within 15 days of the passage of the resolution.
According to The Hill, “[Rep. Dennis] Kucinich said he thought he won over Republicans by focusing
more on the need for Congress to assert its Constitutional prerogative to declare war than on the wisdom
of the mission itself.” [The Hill, 6/04/11]
The resolution failed 148-265. [H Con Res 51, Vote #412, 6/03/11]
Voted Against Authorizing US Efforts in Libya
In 2011, Bilbray voted against authorizing the limited use of force in support of NATO.
The one-year authorization of limited use of force in support of NATO’s mission in Libya would have
also required the president to consult with and brief Congress on a regular basis. [The Hill, 6/23/11; Politico,
6/24/11; CBS News, 6/22/11]
The bill failed 123-295. [H J Res 68, Vote #493, 6/23/11]
Voted to Limit Spending Funds on the NATO Mission in Libya
In 2011, Bilbray voted to limit spending funds on the NATO mission in Libya to help remove Col.
Muammar Qaddafi.
The bill limited the spending of defense funds appropriated only to “non-hostile American support of the
NATO-led mission.” [Politico, 6/24/11]
The resolution “would require a withdrawal from engagements there - excepting ‘forces engaged in nonhostile actions such as search and rescue, aerial re-fueling, operational planning,
208
intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance, and non-combat missions,’ according to Boehner.” [CBS News,
6/22/11]
209
Foreign Policy Issues – Iran
 Supported Expanded Sanctions on Iran
 Voted Against Blocking Business with Iran-Linked Mining Company
Bilbray voted to expand sanctions on Iran and other bills that would further isolate
the Iranian regime. Bilbray voted against a motion that would block a federal public
land swap from allowing business with an Iran-linked mining company.
Supported Expanded Sanctions on Iran
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to expand sanctions on Iran.
The bill expanded the definition of those subject to sanctions for making investments that increase Iran’s
ability to develop its petroleum resources.
Under the bill, the new definition would add financial institutions, insurers, underwriters, guarantors and
any other business organizations, including any foreign subsidiaries, to the list of entities already barred
from investing in Iran. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/31/07]
Voted For New Sanctions For Banks Doing Business with Iran Central Bank
In 2011, Bilbray voted for implementing new sanctions against financial institutions that do business with
Iran’s central bank, contained in the fiscal year 2012 defense authorization bill.
Voted Against Blocking Business with Iran-Linked Mining Company
In 2011, Bilbray voted against blocking an American company from partnering with a British mining
company with ties to Iran for the largest copper mine in North America.
The motion would have kept Resolution Copper from partnering with entities that have shared interest
with the Iran Foreign Investment Company.
According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on
Thursday mounted a vigorous offense against the bill, saying that Resolution Copper was owned by
210
London-based Rio Tinto, and that that company is partnered with the Iran Foreign Investment Company
in mining uranium in Namibia.” [Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 10/26/11]
The motion failed. [HR 1904, Vote #808, 10/26/11]
Voted Against Restricting Companies with Ties to Iran from Participating in “Crowdfunding”
In 2011, Bilbray voted against restricting companies with ties to Iran from participating in
“crowdfunding.”
The motion would have banned crowdfunding securities sales from being affiliated, in any way, with
corporations doing business with Iran. Crowdfunding is funding from a crowd of people — that is, many
people provide small amounts of money for financing. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/03/11; Forbes, 1/13/12]
Voted to Crack Down on Investors in Iran
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to authorize state and local governments to direct divestiture
from, and prevent investment in, entities with investments of $20 million or more in Iran’s energy sector.
The bill also allowed state and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in,
companies that sell arms to the government of Iran, and financial institutions that extend $20 million or
more in credit to the Iran government for 45 days or more. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/31/07]
Voted to Allow Bush to Plan for Attack on Iran
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the 2007 Defense Authorization bill that would prohibit
funds in the bill for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan from being used to plan a contingency
operation in Iran. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/16/07]
President Bush opposed the amendment.
Voted to Block Debt Relief for Countries with Business Ties to Iran
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit a bill that would allow as many as two dozen
poor countries to qualify for new debt relief.
The motion to recommit sought to bar countries with business ties to Iran from being eligible for debt
relief. However, the wording of the motion led to the elimination of a requirement that savings from debt
relief be applied to poverty reduction. The motion to recommit also erased a ban on conditions that critics
said limited countries’ abilities to boost spending on education or health care. [CQ Today, 4/16/08]
211
Voted to Prevent Speaker to Visit Dangerous Regimes
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an amendment that would bar the use of funds in the bill for travel by the
Speaker of the House to Cuba, North Korea, Sudan, Iran and Syria.
The amendment’s sponsor, Representative Steven King (R-IA) charged that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
had committed the “most blatant violation of the Logan Act by a top elected official in the history of our
country” with her April 2007 trip to Syria. King alleged that Pelosi infringed on the president’s
constitutional duties by attempting to negotiate with a state sponsor of terrorism.
The Logan Act prohibits U.S. citizens without authority from interfering with relations between the
United States and other countries.
A Pelosi spokeswoman dismissed King’s amendment as a “cheap political stunt.” [Des Moines Register,
6/24/07]
Opposed Restrictions on Potential Military Action in Iran
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the 2007 Defense Authorization bill that would clarify
that no previously enacted law authorizes military action against Iran.
The amendment prohibited the use of funds authorized in the bill or in any other act to take military action
against Iran without specific congressional authorization unless there is a national emergency created by
an attack by Iran upon the United States, its territories or possessions or its armed forces. [CQ Floor Votes,
5/16/07]
President Bush opposed the amendment. [CQ Today, 5/17/07]
Voted Against Effort To Prevent Military Operations In Iran Without Congressional
Approval
In 2006, Bilbray voted against an amendment to bar the use of funds to initiate military operations
against Iran without authorization from Congress. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/20/06]
212
Foreign Policy Issues – Iraq
 Voted Against Rest for Troops in Iraq
 Voted Against Iraq Accountability Legislation
 Voted to Allow Troops to Remain Indefinitely
Bilbray, who has supported and voted for funding of operations in Iraq, voted
against mandatory minimum periods of rest and recuperation for members of the
U.S. military serving in Iraq. In 2007, he stood by President Bush and opposed
legislation to require accountability in Iraq. Bilbray also voted in 2007 to allow
troops to remain in Iraq indefinitely.
Voted Against Required Rest and Recuperation for Troops in Iraq
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill to mandate minimum periods of rest and recuperation for members of
the regular and reserve components of the U.S. military serving in Iraq.
The bill established the time between deployments to combat zones to be at least equal to the length of the
most recent deployment.
For National Guard and reserve members, the bill called for time between deployments to be at least three
times longer than the length of the most recent deployment, and exempted special operations forces units
and allowed the president and military service chiefs to waive these requirements in response to
unforeseen circumstances. [CQ Today, 8/02/07]
Opposed Veto Override of Iraq Accountability Legislation
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a measure to overturn President Bush’s veto of legislation to require
accountability in Iraq.
The original bill, which was vetoed by Bush on May 1, 2007, would provide $124.2 billion in fiscal 2007
emergency funding, as well as set as a goal of redeploying most U.S. combat troops in Iraq by the end of
March 2008, if the president can certify the Iraq government is meeting benchmarks, and by the end of
2007 if he cannot.
213
The measure also provided $95.5 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, $6.8 billion for
hurricane recovery and relief, $3.5 billion in crop and livestock disaster assistance and $2.25 billion for
homeland security anti-terrorism programs. Also included in the bill was a provision to raise the
A two-thirds majority of those present and voting (284 in this case) of both chambers are necessary to
override a veto. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/02/07]
The veto override attempt was defeated 222-203. [HR 1591, Vote #276, 5/02/07]
Voted to Allow Troops to Remain in Iraq Indefinitely
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor a motion to recommit a bill requiring the withdrawal of troops from Iraq
to the Armed Services Committee with instructions that it be immediately reported back with language
stating that a determination to withdraw or redeploy troops should be based on a number of factors
including protection of members of the U.S. armed forces, the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S.
embassy. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/10/07]
Democrats largely opposed the measure because it could be used to justify allowing troops to stay in Iraq
indefinitely. [Congressman David Obey, Congressional Record, 5/10/07; Page H4805]
Opposed Troop Withdrawal from Iraq
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill to require the withdrawal U.S. troops and contractors in Iraq with
funds provided by the Defense Department within 90 days of the bill’s enactment.
Under the bill, withdrawal would have had to be completed within 180 days. The bill prohibited any funds
made available to the Defense Department from being used to increase the number of U.S. troops serving
in Iraq in excess of the number serving there as of Jan. 1, 2007, unless the increase has been specifically
authorized in advance by Congress.
President Bush opposed the bill. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/10/07]
The bill was defeated 171-255. [HR 2237, Vote #330, 5/10/07]
Opposed Accountability in Iraq
The bill required another congressional vote in late July to release the remaining $52.8 billion for the
adopted a joint resolution releasing the “fenced off” funds.
214
President Bush opposed the bill. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/10/07]
Voted to Block Accountability in Iraq
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit an emergency appropriations bill on Iraq
funding to the Armed Services Committee with instructions to remove language that would have
required the Bush administration to report to Congress on benchmarks for success in Iraq.
The motion would have struck language in the bill that would strike a section of the bill requiring
the president to submit to Congress by July 13 reports on the progress the Iraqi government has
made in meeting political and military benchmarks. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/10/07]
Opposed Accountability in Iraq, Redeployment of Troops
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill to require the Defense secretary to begin redeploying U.S. troops and
contractors out of Iraq within 120 days of the bill’s enactment.
The redeployment, except for a “limited presence,” would have to be completed by April 1, 2008. It
would require the president, no later than Jan. 1, 2008, to transmit to Congress a comprehensive U.S.
strategy for Iraq that includes a justification of the minimum force levels required to protect U.S. national
security interests in Iraq after April 1, 2008, a description of the specific missions of U.S. forces to be
undertaken, the cost of maintaining such a force and the expected duration of the missions. [CQ Floor Votes,
7/12/07]
Opposed Accountability of Spending in Iraq
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2009 Defense Authorization bill.
The amendment would require the president to submit a report on the long-term costs of the wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan within 90 days of the bill’s passage. This report would include the costs of operations,
reconstruction and health care benefits through at least fiscal year 2068. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/22/08]
215
Opposed Measure to Bring our Troops Home by August 2008
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill that would set in motion a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by
August 2008 and establish waiveable requirements for unit readiness and deployment lengths.
The bill included $2.8 billion to enhance medical services for active duty forces, mobilized personnel and
their family members and $1.7 billion for veterans’ health care priorities including maintenance at VA
health care facilities like Walter Reed. [CQ House Action Reports, No. 110-3, 3/20/07]
Opposed Permanent Base in Iraq
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to prohibit any funding for the creation of a permanent military
base in Iraq.
The bill prohibited any funds made available by any act of Congress to be obligated or expended to
establish any military installation or base for the permanent stationing of U.S. armed forces in Iraq, or to
exercise U.S. economic control of the oil resources of Iraq. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/25/07]
Opposed Allowing US to Establish Permanent Bases in Iraq in 2006
In 2006, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would strip out language included in the FY 07
Defense Appropriations bill prohibiting the US from negotiating for permanent bases with the
government of Iraq.
The language was originally inserted into the bill by Democratic Rep. John Murtha (D-PA). [United
Press International, 6/21/06]
The bill failed 50-376. [HR5631, Vote #296, 6/20/06]
Opposed Resolution Condemning Bush Escalation Plan
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a resolution that would express support for U.S. military personnel serving
in Iraq while disapproving of President Bush’s decision to deploy more than 20,000 additional U.S.
combat troops to that country. [CQ Floor Votes, 2/16/07]
The resolution passed 246 to 182. [HCR 63, Vote #99, 2/16/07]
Opposed Supporting Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill that provided $95.5 billion for the Department of Defense.
This provided support for the 140,000 troops deployed in Iraq and 20,000 in Afghanistan.
216
It also fully funded the original surge force of 21,000 soldiers plus an additional 4,729 personnel in Iraq
and 7,200 in Afghanistan. It included $3.3 billion for Defense Health and $1.8 billion for Veterans Health,
while the President requested nothing for Veterans Health in the supplemental.
The bill included a timeline to begin withdrawal, but removed the date certain for when all troops need to
be out of Iraq. [CQ House Action Reports, No. 110-1, 4/24/07]
Voted to Honor Local Servicemembers Who Lose Their Lives
In 2007, Bilbray was voted in favor of a bill to allow the governor of a state or territory, or the mayor of
the District of Columbia, to fly the U.S. flag at half staff after the death of a local active-duty member of
the military. [Congressional Quarterly]
The bill would require all federal government agencies in a state to comply with a governor’s
proclamation to fly the national flag at half-staff in honor of those who lose their lives serving their
country.
Congressman Bart Stupak introduced the bill when fallen service members were honored with lowered
flags in their hometowns and at the sites of their memorial services, but not in surrounding communities.
While federal facilities in the hometown and at the site of the memorial services lowered their flags, some
federal institutions in neighboring communities did not, creating an uneven display of
respect. [Congressman Bart Stupak press release, 6/14/07]
Supported Iraq Benchmarks without Deadline for Troop Withdrawal
In 2007, Bilbray voted for legislation to appropriate $97.8 billion in fiscal 2007 emergency spending.
The measure included $87 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and $3.4 billion for the
Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund.
In addition, the bill would establish 18 “benchmarks” for the Iraqi government and require the president
to report on progress towards meeting the benchmarks. It would permit, but not require, the president to
withhold reconstruction funds if the benchmarks were not met. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/24/07]
Many Democrats opposed the measure because it did not contain language calling for a deadline for U.S.
combat troops to withdraw from Iraq. [CQ Weekly, 5/28/07]
Voted to Re-Establish Iraq Study Group
217
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an amendment that would add $1 million for the United States Institute of
Peace to re-establish the Iraq Study Group, offset by a reduction of the same amount for the State
Department’s diplomatic and consular affairs.
According to the amendment’s sponsor, Representative Chris Shays (R-CT), the purpose of reconstituting
the Study Group was to give Congress an additional assessment of the situation in Iraq and provide new
observations and recommendations in light of changing conditions one year later.
“Last fall, the Iraq Study Group provided Congress a thoughtful assessment on one of the most important
issues of our time,” Shays said. “As we approach another crossroad in this conflict, having that thoughtful
insight again will be invaluable.” [Rep. Chris Shays press release, 6/21/07]
Supported Reporting Requirements on the Redeployment of Forces in Iraq
In 2007, Bilbray voted for a motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill requiring the Secretary of Defense
to report on the status of planning for the redeployment of Armed Forces from Iraq.
The Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff would be required to meet with
and brief Congress on those reports within sixty days after the enactment of the Act and every ninety days
thereafter.
The bill also recognized that it is necessary for the security of U.S. Armed Forces, civilians, contractors
and Iraqi nationals who have aided the mission in Iraq for the Department of Defense to have
comprehensive contingency planning.
The bill was called “a rarity in the 110th Congress – a war question on which most members of both
parties could agree.” [Congressional Quarterly, 10/03/07]
Supported Oversight of Government Contractors in War Zones
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to bring all government contractors working in war zones
within the reach of the federal criminal code.
Under the legislation, contractors who worked for the State Department and other agencies would be
brought under the jurisdiction of the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, which already applied to
Pentagon employees and contractors supporting Defense Department missions.
The bill restricted contracting after 2007 in Iraq and Afghanistan until the State and Defense departments
and the Agency for International Development completed a memorandum of understanding that would
define their responsibilities there, including responsibility for deciding which contractors got weapons and
the rules for using them. [CQ Today, 10/04/07]
218
Voted to Exclude Intelligence Activities from Increased Oversight of Contractors
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit which clarified a bill designed to bring
government contractors working in war zones within the reach of the federal criminal code.
The motion was aimed at ensuring that intelligence activities in war zones would be able to
continue. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/04/07]
The motion to recommit passed 342-75. [HR 2740, Vote #939, 10/04/07]
Supported Government Silence on Iraqi Corruption
In 2007, Bilbray opposed a resolution rebuking the Bush administration for withholding information on
the corruption and criminality that has plagued the Iraqi government.
After the State Department instructed its staff not to address corruption in the Iraqi government, the
department retroactively classified two reports by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that concluded the
government “is not capable of even rudimentary enforcement of anticorruption laws.” [Congressional
Quarterly, 10/16/07]
The resolution stated that “it is an abuse of the classification process to withhold from Congress and the
people of the United States broad assessments of the extent of corruption in the Iraqi government.”
[Congressional Quarterly, 10/22/07]
Voted in Favor of Staying the Course in Iraq
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit HR 4156, the Iraq supplemental funding bill, to
the Appropriations Committee with instructions that it be reported back immediately with language that
would remove a provision requiring troop withdrawal.
The motion also would strike troop readiness and application of the Army field manual provision.
Additionally, it would strike language that would express the sense of Congress that all funds are for
redeployment and that the amounts are sufficient to meet the needs of the armed forces. [CQ Floor Votes,
11/14/07]
Voted Against Funding our Troops, Against Accountability in Iraq
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill that appropriated $50 billion in emergency supplemental funds for
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan until Feb. 1, 2008.
The bill would require troops to begin withdrawing from Iraq within 30 days of enactment, with a goal of
withdrawing most troops by Dec. 15, 2008.
219
The measure would restrict U.S. armed forces to missions of force protection, counterterrorism and
training of Iraqi security forces. It also would prohibit the deployment of troops who are not fully trained
and equipped, and require all U.S. personnel, including CIA, to follow the Army field manual’s rules
against torture. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/14/07]
“We all view this as a significant statement, a turning point,” Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) said. “This
is the beginning of the end of the war in Iraq.” [The Hill, 11/14/07]
Voted for Republican Motion Calling for Continued Funding in Iraq
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to instruct House conferees to agree to the provisions in the
Senate amendment opposing any legislation that would undermine the military’s ability to prevent a failed
state in Iraq.
The motion also would urge conferees to continue funding for military operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The motion was intended to undercut Democratic efforts to withhold or tie strings to Iraq
war appropriations. [CQ Floor Votes, 12/05/07]
“The Republican motion to instruct puts the House on record acknowledging the consequences of a
precipitous withdrawal from Iraq and not fully funding our troops and their missions,” said motion
sponsor Duncan Hunter (R-CA). [CQ Today, 12/05/07]
Voted Present on Funding for War in Iraq
In 2008, Bilbray voted present on an amendment to add the war money to an appropriations bill that
would provide $162.5 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with $96.6 billion for fiscal 2008 and
$65.9 billion for fiscal 2009. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/15/08]
132 Republicans voted “present” in a strategy concocted by Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana and members
of a conservative faction, the Republican Study Committee (RSC), who pressed for a dramatic
demonstration to Democrats of how dependent they are on Republican votes to keep money for the
troops flowing. [CQ Weekly, 5/16/08]
The motion was rejected 141-149. [HR 2642, Vote #328, 5/15/08]
Opposed Measure to Require Administration to Begin Withdrawal of Troops from Iraq
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would require a troop withdrawal from Iraq within 30
days of the bill’s enactment, with a goal of completing the withdrawal of combat troops by December
2009.
220
It would also limit agreements between the U.S. and Iraqi governments and impose other restrictions on
Iraq War policy by requiring Congress to authorize any agreement between the U.S. and the Iraqi
government committing U.S. forces.
The amendment would require the Iraqi government to match reconstruction aid and to sell fuel to the
U.S. military at the same price it is sold to Iraqi consumers.
The amendment would prohibit any combat unit not assessed as fully mission capable from deploying to
Iraq and limit deployment time, but allow for presidential waivers.
It would also prohibit interrogation techniques not authorized in the Army Field Manual on the subject
and prohibit establishing a permanent base in Iraq. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/15/08]
The amendment was adopted, 227-196. [HR 2642, Vote #329, 5/15/08]
Opposed Measure to Require Congressional Approval Before Committing U.S. to Defend Iraq
The amendment would require congressional authorization for any agreement obligating the U.S. military
to defend Iraq. [CQ Today, 5/22/08]
Opposed Measure to Prohibit Contractors from Performing Interrogations
The amendment would bar the use of contractors as interrogators. The White House had promised to veto
the bill if this amendment was included. [CQ Today, 5/22/08]
Opposed Measure to Require Taping of Detainee Interrogations
The amendment would require the videotaping of interrogations of detainees such as suspected terrorists
and insurgents. [CQ Today, 5/22/08]
The amendment passed 218-192. [HR 5658, Vote # 362, 5/22/08]
Voted to Fund War in Iraq
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of the fiscal year 2009 Defense Authorization bill.
221
The bill would authorize $601.4 billion in defense programs at the Pentagon and Energy Department for
fiscal year 2009, including the authorization of $70 billion for several months of combat in Iraq and
Afghanistan and a 3.9 percent pay raise for U.S. military personnel. [CQ Today, 5/22/08]
Supported Funding for Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to concur to the Senate amendment to the House amendment
no. 1 that would appropriate $165.4 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including $99.5 billion
for military operations for fiscal 2008 and $65.9 billion for fiscal 2009.
In its consideration of the supplemental spending bill, the Senate stripped out the House provision
regarding conditions on the war. Many Democratic leaders voted against amendment No. 1 because it
removed “reasonable conditions in defining what [the] national policy [was] in Iraq.” [Statement by Rep.
Obey, H5667, 6/19/08]
In a floor statement about the legislation, Speaker Pelosi declared her intention to vote against
Amendment No. 1 “because of the huge amount of money that is in this bill to fund the war in Iraq
without any conditions, without any limitation on time spent there…We owe our troops more than
sending them into war on a false premise, without the equipment and training they need, without a plan
for success, without a strategy to leave. This war has not made the region more stable, it has not made our
country safer. It has undermined our capability to protect the American people. It should come to an end
safely, honorably, responsibly, and soon.” [Statement by Speaker Pelosi, H5671, 6/19/08]
Supported Funds for War in Iraq
In 2008, Bilbray voted for the final version of the fiscal year 2009 defense authorization bill.
The bill would authorize national security programs in the Defense and Energy departments totaling $611
billion. The bill would include approximately $68 billion for expenses related to the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The bill also included a 3.9 percent pay raise for military personnel. [CQ Today, 9/24/08]
Chose To Play Politics with Money for Troops and to Fight H1N1 Flu Pandemic
In 2009, Bilbray voted against the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009. The measure included
funding for American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Money to fight the H1N1 flu pandemic was
included as well. The $106 billion measure also included $5 billion to support increased U.S. lending to
the International Monetary Fund. [CQ Today, 6/16/09; CQ House Action Reports, 6/15/09]
222
Foreign Policy Issues – Israel
 Inconsistent on Financial Assistance for Israel
 Supported Missile Defense Funds for Israel
Bilbray has voted inconsistently on the Foreign Operations appropriations that fund
the financial assistance for Israel. He also cast votes to provide for missile defense
funds for Israel’s defense.
Inconsistent on Financial Assistance for Israel
The bulk of U.S. support for Israel comes each year in the appropriations bill for Foreign Operations and
export financing.
In 2007, Bilbray voted against the appropriations bill for foreign operations and export financing, which
included $2.4 billion in military assistance for Israel. The bill passed 241-178. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/22/07; HR
2764, Vote #542, 6/22/07]
Votes on Aid for Israel in Previous Years
Bilbray has varied in his past support for the Foreign Operations appropriations measures.
 2000: Bilbray voted in favor of the conference version of the appropriations bill for
foreign operations and export financing. The bill passed 307-101. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/25/00;
HR 4811, Vote #546, 10/25/00]
 2000: Bilbray voted in favor of the appropriations bill for foreign operations and export
financing. It passed 239-185. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/13/00; HR 4811, Vote #400, 7/13/00]
 1999: Bilbray voted against the appropriations bill for foreign operations and export
financing. The bill passed 316-100. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/05/99; HR 3196, Vote #572, 11/05/99]
 1999: Bilbray voted in favor of an omnibus appropriations bill that contained the
appropriations bill for foreign operations and export financing. The bill passed 333-95. [HR
4238, Vote #538, 10/20/99]
 1999: Bilbray voted in favor of a foreign operations appropriations bill. President Clinton
vetoed it over language the House had inserted into the bill regarding international family
planning. The bill passed 214-211. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/05/99; HR 2606, Vote #480, 10/18/99]
223
Supported Missile Defense for Israel
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of the fiscal year 2008 defense authorization bill, which authorized $645.5
billion for fiscal 2008 defense-related spending, including $141.8 billion in fiscal 2008 emergency
supplemental funding for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including a 3.5 percent
increase in pay for military personnel.
The bill authorized $205 million to expand integration of the U.S. missile defense system with Israel.
It also called for speeding up the co-production of Arrow missiles, the David’s Sling short-range missile
defense system, and beginning the procurement the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system for the
Middle East. [Congressional Quarterly Bill Summary, HR 1585]
Supported Missile Defense Funds for Israel
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit the fiscal year 2008 defense authorization bill
with instructions that it be immediately reported back with language that would expand the ballistic
missile defense system with Israel.
The bill instructed the Defense secretary, within 180 days of enactment, to report to Congress about the
system and would authorize $205 million for the system, offset by a reduction in the bill’s amounts for
procurement and research, development, testing and evaluation areas, other than missile defense. [CQ Floor
Votes, 5/17/07]
Supported Ban on Funds for Palestinian Authority, Terrorists
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the Foreign Operations appropriations bill would
prohibit direct aid to the Palestinian Authority.
According to the amendment’s sponsor, Representative Mike Pence (R-IN), the measure was aimed at
reinforcing existing law to prevent U.S. taxpayer funds from being sent to terrorist groups.
“Given the recent events in the Palestinian territories and the strong commitment of this body to prevent
taxpayer funding from reaching the hands of terrorists, I offer an amendment that reinforces previous
prohibitions on funding Palestinian terrorist organizations,” Pence said. [The Republic, 6/22/07]
Opposed Unilaterally-Declared Palestinian State
In September 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill stating that it is U.S. policy to oppose the unilateral
declaration of a Palestinian state, to withhold diplomatic recognition of any such state that was
224
unilaterally declared, and to encourage other countries and international organizations to also withhold
diplomatic recognition.
The bill also provided that in the event a Palestinian state was unilaterally declared, the U.S. would cut off
any assistance to the Palestinian Authority with the exception of humanitarian assistance, would withhold
U.S. contributions to any international organization, such as the U.N., that recognized the state, and would
oppose any World Bank/IMF loans to the state. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/27/00; CQ Bill Analysis, HR 5272]
The motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill was agreed to on a 385-27 vote. [HR 5272, Vote #497,
9/27/00]
Supported Sale of Naval Vessels to Various Foreign Countries
In July 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would authorize the Navy to sell various naval vessels to
Brazil, Chile, Egypt, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan and Thailand.
The bill also allowed the sale of not more than one “Stalwart” or “Victorious” class surveillance ship to
the Philippines, if one became available, and required the ships to be repaired or refurbished at U.S.
shipyards as a condition of the sale. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/15/97]
Supported Moving U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem
In October 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,
and require that the U.S. Embassy move to Jerusalem by the end of May, 1999.
The bill allowed the President to suspend the move for six months if he determined that the move would
endanger national security. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/24/95]
225
Gay and Lesbian Issues
 Said Gay People “Choose a Lifestyle”
 Said Marriage “Is Not a Right”
 Compared Homosexuals to Prostitutes, Drug Users
 Opposed Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Bilbray made several insensitive remarks concerning gays and lesbians while
serving as a supervisor. He said that “gay people choose a lifestyle” during a
debate on the creation of a commission to protect homosexuals from
discrimination. He believes that marriage is a privilege, not a right. In 1987, when
opposing proposed anti-discrimination laws in San Diego County, Bilbray
compared homosexuals to prostitutes and drug users. Despite encouraging Bush to
meet with the Log Cabin Republicans in 2000, he has a record of opposing the
repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Bilbray: Gay People “Choose A Lifestyle”
In February 1985, Bilbray voiced opposition to the establishment of a county commission that would
include protecting homosexuals from discrimination. “Gay people choose a lifestyle just as motorcycle
gang members decide to wear greasy jackets or punk rockers choose to dye their hair purple,” said
Bilbray. “Does the county have the responsibility to stop discrimination or harassment against motorcycle
gangs or punk rockers?” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/12/85]
Tasteless Remarks about Women and Minorities
In June 1996, Bilbray attended a gathering where approximately 30 people were present. At the event,
Bilbray made discriminating remarks about women and minorities and even alluded to the need for
discrimination protections for white males. He said he opposed same-sex marriage and equated such
unions with polygamy and incest. He also said women should be allowed to have two husbands because
women were “high maintenance.” He later claimed the statement was made in jest. [San Diego Union-Tribune,
7/21/96]
Bilbray: Marriage is Not a Right
Bilbray said, “Marriage is not a right; it’s a privilege that the government has regulated for
thousands of years.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/21/96]
226
Attacked Female Critics
Following protests against his remarks by women, Bilbray lashed back at them, saying, “I’m not
their politically correct, bleeding-heart liberal that panders to every extremist group that demands
that I jump through hoops.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/21/96]
Lumped Homosexuals In With Prostitutes & Drug Users to Oppose Anti-Discrimination Bill
In July 1987, Bilbray voiced concerned about a proposed anti-discrimination law before the Board of
Supervisors that would have made it illegal to discriminate against people with AIDS or those perceived
to be at risk of contracting AIDS. Bilbray said he feared the ordinance would be unfairly used by gays and
others in high-risk groups and identified the high-risk groups as “[p]rostitutes, intravenous drug users and
homosexuals.”
Said Bilbray:
I can imagine a situation where a landlord wants to throw out a drug user or a prostitute
but he can’t because the person says, `Hey, I’m protected because I’m in a high-risk
group.’ We don’t want to create any vehicle that can be used to manipulate the process.
Eventually Voted for Ordinance
In January 1988, Bilbray voted for the ordinance. The law applied to housing,
employment, private schools and business, including medical care and restaurants. [San
Supported Closure of Gay Bathhouses
In December 1987, Bilbray supported an ordinance to close businesses where anonymous, casual
sexual activity takes place. The ordinance targeted gay bathhouses in San Diego out of a concern
for the spread of AIDS. He disagreed with opponents who said the bathhouses should be used to
promote education about AIDS. “To use these facilities to teach people about AIDS is as logical
as bringing back opium dens to teach drug users to use bleach with needles,” said Bilbray. [San
Encouraged Bush to Meet with Log Cabin Republicans
In March 2000, following then-candidate Bush’s announcement that he would not meet with
representatives from the Log Cabin Republicans, a group of homosexual Republicans, Bilbray encouraged
Bush to meet with Rich Tafel, the group’s executive director.
Following Bush’s April 2000 announcement that he would meet with another group of gay Republican
supporters (but not with the Log Cabin Republicans), Bilbray praised the decision and said that
Republicans were wrong to think that they could not approach the homosexual community “without
227
pandering and without amending their perceptions of political right and wrong.” [Philadelphia Enquirer,
3/29/00; Associated Press, 4/12/00]
Voted in Support of the Defense of Marriage Act
In 2011, Bilbray voted to support the Defense of Marriage Act.
The amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill banned the use of any funds to be used in violation of
the Defense of Marriage Act. This vote was largely symbolic and was intended to show support for the
Defense of Marriage Act according to the author of the amendment. [Los Angeles Times, 7/09/11; The Hill,
7/07/11]
Voted to Delay the Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
In 2011, Bilbray voted to delay the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
The FY2012 Defense Authorization bill contained a number of policy riders including one which changed
the process for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell which bans homosexuals from serving openly in the
military. Under the rider, which was included in the bill, the repeal would be delayed until the Army, Air
Force, Navy, and Marine chiefs could certify that the repeal wouldn’t harm their units’ “readiness,
effectiveness, cohesion, and morale.” [Wall Street Journal Blog-Washington Wire, 5/12/11; CQ BillAnalysis HR 1540,
7/04/11]
Voted Against Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Policy
In 2010, Bilbray voted against repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, prohibiting military
service by openly gay men and women. The measure would require a submission signed by the president,
secretary of Defense, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that repeal is consistent with military
readiness and effectiveness.
The vote was the first time the House backed repealing the ban as a stand-alone measure; previously it
passed as part of the fiscal 2011 defense authorization bill. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm.
Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that repeal would not hurt military readiness and
had urged lawmakers to repeal. They cited a Pentagon survey taken in 2010 that found 70 percent of
military personnel surveyed believed a change in the law would have either a positive, mixed or no effect.
[CQ Today, 12/15/10]
The New York Times opined that “repealing the policy would not harm military readiness. Indeed, there
is a wealth of evidence that the policy is actually harming military readiness by forcing out of the service
people who have critical skills in interpretation, battlefield medicine, counterterrorism and other vital
subjects.” [New York Times, Editorial, 11/18/10]
228
Supported Delaying Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
In March 2010, Bilbray said that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” should be changed, but not now. “Military
careers should not be lost due to sexuality, but while our military is managing conflicts in Iraq and
Afghanistan, I do not believe this needs to be a priority at the present moment. I can see the policy
changing at a later time,” said Bilbray. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/30/10]
Opposed Repealing “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” Policy
In 2010, Bilbray voted against repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, as part of a nearly
$760 billion defense authorization bill.
The repeal was planned to happen after certain conditions were met, including the completion of a
Pentagon review on the implications of a repeal. The review was set to complete in December 2010. The
Obama administration would also have to certify that a repeal would not adversely affect military
readiness and effectiveness, unit cohesion or recruiting.
The bill authorized almost $760 billion for defense programs and for funding the “surge” of additional
forces in Afghanistan. Additional funds were allocated for equipment depleted by the war in Iraq,
including combat vehicles; new battle gear for the Army National Guard and reserves; military pay raises;
Special Operations forces; and quality of life improvements for troops and their families. [CQ Today,
5/28/10]
Opposed Expanding Federal Hate Crime Law
In 2009, Bilbray voted against expand federal hate crime law to cover offenses based on a victim’s sexual
orientation or gender identity. In addition the bill would also cover crimes based on a victim’s physical or
mental disability. At the time of the bill passage, the law only covered the use of threat or force based on
race, color, religion or national origin. [CQ Weekly, 5/04/09]
Opposed Bill to Crack Down on Hate Crimes
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill to crack down on hate crimes.
The bill would make certain violent crimes against an individual because of race, religion, national origin,
gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, stand-alone hate crime offenses.
It also authorized federal grants of $5 million in fiscal 2008 and 2009 to assist state and local law
enforcement agencies in prosecuting violent hate crimes.
229
Under the bill, crimes of violence using fire, gun or a bomb would be punishable by a fine, up to 10 years
in prison or both. Crimes such as kidnapping or that result in a death would be punishable by a fine, up to
a life sentence or both.
President Bush opposed the bill, and the arch-conservative Public Advocate claimed that the bill would
“grant special rights to homosexuals.” [CQ Weekly, 5/07/07; publicadvocateusa.org, 5/27/07]
Voted for Redundant Measure to Protect Seniors, Military from Hate Crimes
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit hate crimes legislation to the Judiciary
Committee with instructions that it be reported back promptly with language that includes the elderly and
military personnel among those protected by federal hate-crime law. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/03/07]
Democrats largely opposed the motion it was viewed as a cynical attempt to kill the hate crimes bill and
because individuals included in the amendment, seniors and members of the armed services, are already
entitled to protection under the law. For example, it is already a Federal crime to kill or attempt to kill any
member of the armed services under 18 U.S.C. 1114.
Likewise, programs already exist to provide assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement in the
enforcement of crimes against elders.
According to Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-MI), the underlying bill was aimed at protecting
classes of individuals “who have been and are the group-wide victims of systemic violence: hanging a
man because of his race, dragging someone to death because they are disabled.” [Congressional Record,
5/03/07; Page H 4449]
Supported Constitutional Amendment on Gay Marriage
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a proposed amendment to the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
The amendment, which required a two-thirds majority to pass, was defeated 236-187. [HJR 88, Vote #378,
7/18/06]
Opposed Adding Gays and Lesbians to “Hate Crime” Law
In 2000, Bilbray voted against a motion requiring that conferees not agree to provisions in an amendment
to the fiscal year 2001 Defense Authorization bill adding attacks against gays as offenses that could be
subject to hate crimes prosecutions. [HR 4205, Vote #470, 9/13/00]
230
Bilbray voted in favor of a separate motion requiring that conferees agree to the same provisions in the
same bill. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/13/00]
That motion passed, 232-192. [HR 4205, Vote #471, 9/13/00]
Opposed Federal Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages
In 1996, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to ban federal recognition of gay marriages and authorize states to
refuse to recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other states.
The bill effectively prohibited the federal government from giving legal standing to homosexual
marriages for any aspect of federal law, such as spousal benefits under aid programs of the federal tax
code, or Social Security spousal benefits. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/12/96]
Voted to Allow San Francisco Domestic Partners Plan
In 1998, Bilbray voted against an amendment to ban funds from being used to implement a San Francisco
plan requiring companies and organizations doing business with the city provide health care benefits to
unmarried domestic partners of their workers. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/29/98]
231
Gun Issues
 Supported Clinton Gun Control Rally
 Flip-Flopped on Trigger Locks for Safety
In 2000, facing a difficult reelection, Bilbray attended a gun control rally held by
President Clinton. But now in office again, Bilbray has repudiated much of his
earlier support for gun control laws. He voted to repeal DC’s local ban on firearm
possessions and in a flip-flop from an earlier vote he voted in 2006 to overturn a
law requiring safety trigger locks on all handguns. In 1999, Bilbray had voted for
trigger locks.
Attended Clinton Gun Control Rally
On March 15, 2000, Bilbray was one of three Republicans who attended a gun control rally held by
President Clinton. Bilbray defended the event and claimed that it was “a bipartisan rally for reasonable
controls. It is really not anti-gun; it’s anti-gun violence.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/16/00]
Voted to Repeal DC Gun Ban
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would repeal District of Columbia laws prohibiting firearm
possession, including the possession of semiautomatic firearms. It would repeal the District’s
requirements for firearm registration and the requirement that firearms be disassembled or secured with a
trigger lock in the home. It would remove criminal penalties for possessing firearms in the home and
allow the District’s residents to purchase firearms in Maryland and Virginia. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/17/08]
In a victory for gun-rights advocates, the House passed legislation that would broadly roll back District of
Columbia gun laws. Lawmakers voted to amend narrower legislation by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton
with a substitute amendment by Travis W. Childers drawn from his broader measure (HR 6691). Eightytwo Democrats backed Childers in a vote that was a victory for the National Rifle Association (NRA),
while nine Republicans voted against his amendment. [CQ Today, 9/18/08]
The bill passed by a vote of 266 to 152. [HR 6842, Vote #601, 9/17/08]
Supported Overturning Law Requiring Child Safety Locks on Handguns
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to overturn a recently enacted law requiring safety
trigger locks on all handguns sold in the United States.
232
In 2005, President Bush signed legislation giving gun makers broad protections from civil lawsuits, but
that law contained the mandatory trigger lock provision. The amendment reversed the trigger lock
provision. [Reuters, 6/29/06]
Supported Trigger Locks in 1999
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to prohibit gun manufacturers from selling guns
without a secure gun storage or safety device. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/18/99]
The amendment granted limited immunity from civil liability for lawful gun owners who used
such a device and whose gun was used by others without permission. [CQ House Action Reports,
10/17/05]
Voted to Protect State and Local Gun Laws
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit on a bill that would delegate a new historic trail
along the East Coast.
The motion to recommit required that the bill be sent back to the Natural Resources Committee with
instructions to add language requiring the land within the trail be governed by state and local gun laws.
[CQ Today, 7/10/08]
Voted to Protect Rights of Gun Owners
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on Natural Resources
with instructions that it be reported back promptly with language that nothing in the bill should affect the
right to bear arms under the Second Amendment within the National Landscape Conservation System
(NCLS).
The motion from Rep. Cannon (R-Utah), would have instructed the committee to rework the bill’s
language to ensure that the act did not impede gun owners’ Second Amendment rights within NLCS
lands.
Denise Ryan, legislative representative for public lands at the National Wildlife Federation, called
Cannon’s motion an effort to kill the bill and not a question about Second Amendment rights. [Public Lands
Foundation Release, 4/09/08]
The amendment was rejected by a vote of 208-212. [HR 2016, Vote #173, 4/09/08]
Supported Hunting and Fishing on Federal Lands
233
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to a bill that would authorize the National Landscape
Conservation System at the Bureau of Land Management.
The amendment protected the right of sportsmen to hunt and fish on nearly 27 million acres of public land
and sought to ensure that the underlying bill did not limit access for hunting, fishing, trapping or
recreational shooting on land enrolled in the National Landscape Conservation System. [Rep. Jason Altmire
Release, 4/09/08]
Supported Efforts to Close Gun Show Loophole
The Columbine High School shooting was the deadliest school shooting in United States history. Two 17year-old boys in Littleton, Colorado, procured two shotguns, an assault rifle and a TEC-9 assault pistol
and shot 26 students, killing 13 of them before turning the guns on themselves. Subsequent investigation
by the ATF found that all four of the weapons had passed through the hands of unlicensed dealers at gun
shows. [http://www.handguncontrol.org/gunshws.htm]
In the post-September 11th world, it can potentially be argued that the gun show loophole poses a threat to
homeland security by giving potential access to firearms without a background check.
In 1999, Bilbray voted against a bill that undermined existing laws to prevent criminals from purchasing
handguns by adding a background check standard for gun shows that actually reduced the time law
enforcement officials had to conduct background checks in traditional gun purchases from three business
days to twenty-four hours. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/18/99; HR 2122, Vote #244, 6/18/99]
Previous Bilbray votes included:
 Bilbray voted against an amendment that weakened existing standards that provide law
enforcement personnel with three business days to complete background checks. The amendment
supported gave law enforcement only 24 hours for instant background checks at purchases made at
gun shows. The amendment passed, 218-211. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/18/99; HR 2122, Vote #234, 6/17/99]

Bilbray voted for an amendment that required all gun show purchasers to undergo background
checks in compliance with current federal law. The amendment would have required the extension
of Brady background checks (3 business days) to all firearms sold at gun shows -- no exceptions.
A gun show was described as any event where 50 or more firearms were offered or exhibited for
sale, transfer, or exchange; or at which two or more persons were offering or exhibiting one or
more firearms for sale or transfer. The amendment was defeated, 193-235. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/18/99;
HR 2122, Vote #235, 6/18/99]

Bilbray voted in against an amendment to provide an exemption for pawnshop gun redemptions
that had existed from the passage of the 1994 Violent Crime Control Act of 1994 until December
1, 1998. During that time period, anyone that pawned a gun at a pawnshop for cash and then
returned to reclaim the weapon did not have to undergo a background check. The amendment
passed, 247-181. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/18/99; HR 2122, Vote #239, 6/18/99]
234
Opposed Repeal of Assault Weapons Ban
In 1996, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to repeal the ban on certain semiautomatic assault-style
weapons and eliminate the prohibition on selling or manufacturing such guns.
The bill also repealed the ban on large capacity ammunition feeding devices and any combination of parts
that could be assembled into a large capacity ammunition-feeding device. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/22/96]
Supported Banning Felons, Fugitives and Stalkers from Obtaining Guns
In 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to instruct conferees to insist the conference report include
measures that would aid in effective gun safety law enforcement as well as common-sense gun safety
measures that would prevent felons, fugitives and stalkers from obtaining guns and children from getting
access to guns. [CQ Floor Votes, 4/11/00]
Supported Funding for States with Mandatory Sentences for Gun Crimes
In 2000, Bilbray voted for a bill that would provide $100 million to states that impose mandatory prison
terms on gun-toting criminals.
The bill would funnel the money over five years to states imposing mandatory minimum five-year
sentences on anyone who uses or carries a firearm in a violent crime or serious drug trafficking offense or
for a violent convict who was caught with a gun.
Opponents attacked the Republican-sponsored legislation as a “fraud” that would do little to reduce gun
violence unless coupled with stronger gun laws, such as background checks of all buyers at gun shows.
The bill was backed by the National Rifle Association. [Los Angeles Times, 4/12/00]
Supported Increased Penalties for Juveniles with Guns
In 1999, Bilbray voted for an amendment that would increase penalties for juveniles convicted of
possession of a firearm and for those who provided a firearm to a juvenile and would allow the prosecutor
rather than the courts to decide whether to charge certain juveniles as adults. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/16/99]
Voted for Amendment to Prohibit Violent Juvenile Offenders from Owning Guns
235
In 1999, Bilbray voted for an amendment to prohibit individuals who commit violent acts of juvenile
delinquency from owning a gun after they turn 18. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/18/99]
Supported Bill to Prohibit Minors from Possessing Semi-Automatic Weapons
In 1999, Bilbray voted for an amendment to prohibit minors from possessing a semi-automatic assault
weapon. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/18/99]
Supported Mandatory Minimums for Possessing a Gun While Committing a Violent Crime
In 1998, Bilbray voted for a bill to impose mandatory minimum sentences for possession of a gun while
committing a violent crime or drug trafficking offense. [CQ Floor Votes, 2/24/98]
236
Health Care Issues
 Opposed Health Care Reform, Voted to Repeal
 Received $248,004 from Insurance Industry
 Daughter Supported Medical Marijuana, Bilbray Opposed
 Voted Against SCHIP Expansion to Protect Raising Tobacco Tax
Bilbray is opposed to the historic health care reform bill passed in 2010 and has
voted to repeal the bill, despite the significant negative impact it would have on the
citizens of the San Diego metropolitan area. During his career, Bilbray has
received $248,004 in campaign contributions from the insurance industry. His
daughter was diagnosed with cancer and supports medicinal marijuana, although
Bilbray does not. Bilbray voted against the expansion of the SCHIP program and
cited his opposition to increasing the tobacco tax as a primary reason for voting
against the bill.
Voted Against Historic Health Care Insurance Reform
In 2010, Bilbray voted against historic health care insurance reform that would require most individuals to
buy health insurance, create a system of national private insurance plans, give tax credits to some small
businesses for providing coverage, and ban the practice of denying coverage based on pre-existing
medical conditions.
The New York Times wrote that the “uninsured are clearly the biggest beneficiaries of the legislation,
which would extend the health care safety net for the lowest-income Americans.” The legislation was
meant to provide coverage for as many as 32 million, either deemed too sick to participate in the market
or who could not afford insurance premiums.
In addition to prohibiting many plans from placing lifetime limits on medical coverage, plans could not
cancel the policies of people who fall ill or denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions.
Dependent children up to age 26 would be eligible for coverage under their parents’ plan. [New York Times,
3/21/10]
The conference report passed the House, 219-212. [HR 3590, Vote #165, 3/21/10]
Issued Statement in Opposition
237
In November 2009, Bilbray released a statement opposing health care reform being considered by
the House of Representatives:
This bill will cost taxpayers more than $1 trillion. This is the wrong
prescription when unemployment is at 10.2 percent in San Diego and
Congress has already spent trillions of dollars on the Wall Street Bailout,
the AIG bailouts, the auto bailout and the stimulus bill. The last thing we
should be doing is burdening our small businesses with additional taxes
and forcing every American taxpayer to fund free health care for illegal
immigrants. In addition, this bill cuts Medicare Advantage for seniors.
That is something I cannot support. [State News Service, 11/06/09]
Voted to Kill Health Care Reform with Abortion Amendments
In 2010, Bilbray voted to kill health care reform by voting for a motion to recommit the bill with
amendments that would bar the use of federal funds to pay for an abortion, unless the pregnancy
was the result of rape, incest or certain other conditions. Individuals receiving subsidized health
care policies would be forced to purchase abortion coverage separately.
The White House and many Democrats contended that the health care bill as written explicitly
barred federal funds from being used to pay for abortions. In addition, President Obama signed an
executive order ensuring the same limits on federal funding of abortions remained in place with
the new law. [Roll Call, 3/11/10; US News & World Report, 3/12/10; CNN, 3/24/10]
The motion to recommit failed, 199-232. [HR 4872, Vote # 166, 3/21/10]
Voted Against Reconciliation Bill to Pass Health Care Reform
In 2010, Bilbray voted against the reconciliation bill that made changes to the health care overhaul
measure as originally passed.
The bill increased federal subsidies to help low- and moderate-income families purchase coverage
through health insurance exchanges, phased out the Medicare prescription coverage gap, and
adjusted federal matching funds for Medicaid. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/21/10]
Voted Against Final Reconciliation Passage of Health Care Bill
In 2010, Bilbray voted not to concur with Senate amendments to the health care reconciliation bill.
The reconciliation bill included changes to the health care bill to increase the levels of subsidies
that would help low- and moderate-income Americans afford private insurance, as well as changes
to close the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap, often known as the doughnut hole. [New York
Times, 3/25/10]
238
Voted to Repeal Health Care, Put Insurance Industry in Charge of Americans’ Health
In 2011, Bilbray voted to repeal the historic health care reform bill passed the previous year.
“If we repeal health reform there will be no prohibition on discrimination against over 100 million
Americans with pre-existing conditions, no prohibition on insurance companies canceling your coverage
when you get sick, no prohibition on lifetime caps and annual limits, no required coverage for young
adults on their parents’ policy,” said Rep. Henry Waxman. [CQ Today, 1/19/11]
The American Medical Association and the AARP both opposed repealing the health care law. Out of
several industry groups, only the U.S. Chamber of Commerce supported the repeal bill. [The Hill, 1/19/11]
Bilbray Member Received $248,004 from Insurance Industry
Representative Bilbray has received $248,004 in campaign contributions from the insurance
industry, including health insurance companies. [opensecrets.org, accessed 2/17/12]
… Despite the Effect Repeal Would Have on the San Diego Area
According to 2011 analysis by the minority staff of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the
Affordable Care Act provided significant benefits to the San Diego area:
Allowing insurance companies to deny coverage to 590,000 to 1.6 million individuals,
including 48,000 to 210,000 children, with pre-existing conditions.
Rescinding consumer protections for 2.1 million individuals who have health insurance
through their employer or the market for private insurance.
Eliminating health care tax credits for up to 76,400 small businesses and 695,000 families.
Increasing prescription drug costs for 45,600 seniors who hit the Part D drug “donut hole”
and denying new preventive care benefits to 432,000 seniors.
Increasing the costs of early retiree coverage for up to 40,500 early retirees.
Eliminating new health care coverage options for 20,600 uninsured young adults.
Increasing the number of people without health insurance by 382,000 individuals.
Increasing the costs to hospitals of providing uncompensated care by $192 million
annually.
[“New District by District and Metro Area Analyses of the Impact of Repealing Health Reform”,
Minority Staff of Energy and Commerce Committee, 1/18/11]
… Though Repeal Jeopardizes Children, Pregnant Women, and Cancer Survivors
If Bilbray gets his way, insurance companies could deny coverage to children with pre-existing
conditions, pregnant women and breast cancer survivors.
239
Repealing Health Care Reform Would Re-Legalize Allowing Insurance Companies to
Drop Coverage for People with Pre-Existing Conditions
In March 2010, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that six months after the Health Care
Legislation is signed, health plans would be prohibited from excluding children who have
preexisting conditions. In 2014, this prohibition would be extended to adults. That year,
insurers would no longer be allowed to set annual limits, rescind coverage, or impose
excessive waiting periods before coverage starts. [Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/22/10]
… Including Children
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, six months after health care legislation was
signed, health plans would be prohibited from excluding children who have
preexisting conditions. [Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/22/10]
… Including Pregnant Women
According to PolitiFact.com, pregnancy was considered a pre-existing condition.
“But for now, Rohack is correct that pregnancy is considered a pre-existing
condition and prevents many women from getting coverage if they seek insurance
on the individual market,” the website explained. [politifact.com, 8/18/09]
… Including Breast Cancer Survivors
According to PolitiFact.com, cancer was considered a pre-existing condition.
[politifact.com, 8/18/09]
And according to U.S. News, breast cancer was specifically considered a preexisting condition.
“Starting in 2014, insurers won’t be able to deny applicants based on, say, an
earlier diagnosis of breast cancer,” the story reported. [usnews.com, 1/14/11]
… Though Repeal Would Make Millions of Seniors Pay More for Prescription Drugs
If Bilbray gets his way, millions of seniors would pay more for prescription drugs.
Repealing Legislation Would Re-Enact the Donut Hole for Seniors
In March 2010, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Medicare seniors with Medicare
prescription coverage prior to the signing of the Health Care Legislation must pay out of
their pocket for drug spending that falls between $2,830 and $6,440 because of the
“doughnut hole” in the Medicare law.
Seniors who hit this “idiosyncratic feature” this in 2010 would get a $250 rebate. In 2011,
the gap would be reduced through a discount on brand-name drugs. By 2020, it should be
240
eliminated, although seniors would still have to pay 25 percent of their prescription-drug
costs. [Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/22/10]
… Which Involved About 4 Million Seniors
As of June 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services estimated that
approximately 4 million seniors would get the 2010 rebates for falling into the
doughnut hole. [cnn.com, 6/07/10]
… Though Repeal Would Lose Tax Breaks for Small Businesses
If Bilbray gets his way, small businesses would lose tax breaks that help make health insurance
more affordable.
Repealing Legislation Would Eliminate Tax Breaks for Small Businesses
Businesses with fewer than 25 Employees and average wages of less than $50,000 could
qualify for a tax credit of up to 35 percent of the cost of the premiums. [MSNBC, 3/22/10]
… Though Repeal Would Prevent Young People From Staying on Parents’ Plans
If Bilbray gets his way, young people would not be able to stay on their parents’ plans until age
26.
Repealing Healthcare Reform Would Prevent Dependent Children from Staying of
Parents’ Plans Until Age 26
According to 2010 analysis by Kaiser Health News, under healthcare reform, dependent children
could remain on their parents’ health insurance plans until age 26. [msnbc.com, 3/22/10]
… Though Repealing Health Care Could Eliminate Up to 400,000 Jobs
According to the Center for American Progress, the repeal of health insurance reform could
eliminate 250,000 to 400,000 jobs annually over the next ten years. [Center for American Progress,
1/07/11]
… Though Repeal Would Add $230 Billion to the Deficit
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the repeal of health care reform would
increase the deficit by $230 billion by 2021. The CBO’s previous score of the Affordable Health
Care Act had it decreasing the deficit by $143 billion over 10 years. [Politico, 1/06/11]
Allowed Repealing Health Care While Keeping Benefits for Members of Congress
In January 2011, Bilbray voted against a motion that would not allow Congress to repeal the health reform
bill without a majority of members of the House and Senate agreeing to forgo federal benefits themselves.
241
The motion to recommit instructed the repeal bill to be sent back to three committees and altered to
require a majority of House and Senate members to give up federal health care benefits before repeal
could take place.
“Congress should live by the same rule it imposes on everyone else,” said Rep. Robert Andrews. “There
are serious consequences of this bill and we believe that repealing it is unfair and just plain wrong. It
would even be more wrong for those who support the repeal to live by a different standard.” [The Hill,
1/19/11]
The bill failed, 185-245. [H.R. 2, Vote #13, 1/19/11]
Voted to Keep Federal Health Care Benefits a Secret
In January 2011, Bilbray voted against requiring the disclosure of whether Members were enrolling
in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.
The bill failed, 238-191. [H Res 5, Vote #5, 1/05/11]
Daughter Suffered from Cancer and Spoke Out in Favor of Medical Marijuana
In 2011, Bilbray’s daughter, who suffered from cancer, spoke out in favor of medical marijuana even
though Bilbray did not support dispensaries operating in local communities and opposed congressional
efforts to reclassify marijuana for medical use.
Bilbray was interested in the drug’s medicinal value but was not convinced. “If this is really the benefit
that Briana believes, we should be able to scientifically prove it and make it available not just in
California, but the rest of the country as well. But it should be based on science not on political pressure
or slogans,” Brian Bilbray said. [Signs on San Diego, 11/12/11]
Headline: Health issues have made Bilbray San Diego’s most Absent Representative
In 2011, the website San Diego City Beat.com reported that Bilbray has missed roughly 9.4 percent, or
109 out of 1,157 floor votes over the past 6 quarters, as a result of his mother’s death, his own skin cancer
and his daughter’s chemotherapy. According to SDCitybeat.com:
Rep. Brian Bilbray is San Diego’s most absent member of Congress since January 2010.
Bilbray’s spokesman said “It has been a difficult year for the Bilbray family… They’ve
been dealing with a lot of personal family issues. Congressman Bilbray had a form of
skin cancer surgically removed from his lip earlier in the year. His daughter, Briana
Bilbray, has been diagnosed with stage three Melanoma and is currently undergoing
chemotherapy. The Bilbray’s deal with challenges like many American families, when
his family needs him the Congressman is there for them.” [Last Blog on Earth, San Diego City
Beat.com, 7/15/11]
Opposed Expansion of Children’s Health Care
242
On January 14, 2009, Bilbray voted against the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act
of 2009. The bill expands the successful federal-state program to cover millions more American Children.
The bill provides for a $35 billion expansion of the program through FY 2013, increasing total spending
of the program to roughly $60 billion. The expansion is offset primarily by raising cigarette taxes by 61
cents per pack. [CQ House Action Report, Legislative Week of January 12, 2009]
Opposed SCHIP due to Tobacco Tax Increase
In January 2009, Bilbray released the following statement explaining his vote against an
expansion of the State Childrens Health Insurance Program (SCHIP):
While I strongly supported the original version of SCHIP, and even helped
negotiate the original legislation that brought it about, this latest version
gave me serious heartburn. In order to pay for it, this new bill requires a
massive increase in tobacco tax revenues. In fact, that increase amounts to
the need for more than 22 million new smokers so this version of SCHIP
can be funded. And, who will be these new smokers? Children, the exact
same people SCHIP is supposed to help. In addition to that, this bill gives
health care benefits to 12-20 million illegal immigrants, complements of
the American taxpayer. It is my sense that people shouldn’t play politics
with children’s health care and that’s unfortunately exactly what this bill
did. [State News Service, 1/16/09]
Opposed Veto Override for SCHIP
In 2008, Bilbray opposed overriding President Bush’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance
Program (SCHIP). The vote fell 26 short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass. SCHIP would provide.
The bill reauthorized SCHIP at nearly $60 billion over five years, expanding the program by $35
BILLION. To offset the costs it raised the tax on cigarettes by 61 cents, to $1 per pack and raised taxes on
other tobacco products.
The bill limited program eligibility to families earning three times the federal poverty level or less. It also
required the Social Security Administration to verify the citizenship of all applicants and required states to
phase out coverage of childless adults by the end of 2008. [CongressNow, 1/23/08]
The override failed 260-152. [HR3963, Vote #22, 1/23/08]
Voted to Block SCHIP Veto Override Attempt
In 2008, Bilbray opposed a motion made by Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) to end debate and consider
a veto override of the bill to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program at nearly
$60 billion over five years, expanding the program by $35 billion. [CQ Floor Votes, 1/23/08]
243
Voted with Bush in Opposition to Reauthorizing and Expanding Children’s Health Insurance
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an attempt to override President Bush’s veto of the bill that would
reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program at nearly $60 billion over five years,
expanding the program by $35 billion.
To offset the cost of the expansion, the bill would increase the tax on cigarettes by 61 cents to $1 per pack
and raise taxes on other tobacco products.
The bill would provide coverage to pregnant women and dental coverage to children enrolled in the
program.
States would have to meet new requirements before being allowed to expand eligibility beyond 300
percent of poverty. It also would authorize $100 million to fund state outreach and enrollment efforts and
establish a contingency fund for states with funding shortfalls due to increased enrollment. [CQ Floor Votes,
10/18/07]
The bill failed 273-156. A two-thirds majority was required to override the veto. [HR 976, Vote #982,
10/18/07]
Voted Against Expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would reauthorize the State Children’s Health
Insurance Program at nearly $60 billion over five years, expanding the program by $35 billion.
To offset the cost of the expansion, it would increase the tax on cigarettes by 61 cents to $1 per pack and
raise taxes on other tobacco products.
The amendment would provide coverage to pregnant women and dental coverage to children enrolled in
the program. States would have to meet new requirements before being allowed to expand eligibility
beyond 300 percent of poverty. It also would authorize $100 million to fund state outreach and enrollment
efforts and establish a contingency fund for states with funding shortfalls due to increased enrollment. [CQ
The motion was agreed by a vote of 265-159. [HR 976, Vote #906, 9/25/07]
Opposed Expansion of Children’s Health Care
In 2007, Bilbray voted against the Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007, legislation to
expand the current State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by $47.8 billion.
The bill expanded the current State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by $47.8 billion in
order to bring 5 million children into the government health insurance program in addition to the 6.6
million children already enrolled.
The measure also expanded the federal subsidy program for low-income Medicare beneficiaries,
eliminates the current penalty for those enrolling late in the new Medicare prescription drug program,
244
requires that the poorest Medicare beneficiaries be put in prescription drug plans that cover 95 percent of
the 100 most used drugs, and makes permanent the program that helps low-income people pay their
Medicare premiums. The White House threatened to veto the bill as an ill-advised expansion of
government-run insurance.” [Congressional Quarterly House Action Reports, No. 110-21/July 31, 2007]
According to the Washington Post, the bill included two “noteworthy innovations. It would focus
additional federal health-care spending on ensuring that poor children eligible for coverage actually
receive it. And it would end expensive and unnecessary subsidies for managed-care programs for seniors
while making new efforts to help the poorest seniors.” [Washington Post, 7/30/07]
Voted to Eliminate the Disease Prevention and Public Health Fund
In 2011, Bilbray voted to repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund which was created by the
Affordable Care Act and would have received almost $18 billion dollars in the years to come. [Roll Call,
4/13/11]
The goal of the Prevention and Public Health Fund was to provide funds to communities and states to
prevent chronic diseases. [CQ House Action Report, 4/11/11]
According to Dr. Jeff Susman, the Editor-in-Chief at the Journal of Family Practice, “[… T]his fund
supports: training and development of primary care providers to use evidence-based interventions to
address tobacco control, obesity prevention, and HIV-related health disparities; integration of primary
care and behavioral health care; promotion of healthy lifestyles and activities aimed at reducing obesityrelated conditions and costs, including the First Lady’s “Let’s Move!” initiative; implementation of antitobacco media campaigns, telephone-based smoking cessation service, and outreach programs targeting
vulnerable populations […] [Journal of Family Practice, Editorial, 5/01/11 ]
Bilbray even voted against a motion which would have changed the funding for the Prevention and Public
Health Fund from mandatory to discretionary spending and specified that the fund would be used for
prevention, wellness and public health activities for people 65 and older. The motion failed 189-234. [HR
1217, Vote #263, 4/13/11]
Voted to Cut Off Funding to Implement Health Care Reform Law
In 2011, Bilbray voted to bar the use of funds to carry out the provisions of the 2010 health care reform
bill and its reconciliation measures, or any amendment made by those laws.
The amendment was adopted, 241-187. [HR 1, King amendment #267, Vote #98, 2/18/11]
Bilbray also voted to prohibit the use of funds to pay the salary of any officer or employee of the federal
government to implement the provisions of the health care reform bill. That amendment was adopted,
237-191. [HR 1, King amendment #268, Vote #99, 2/18/11]
245
Opposed Historic Bipartisan Health Insurance Reform
In 2009, Bilbray voted against the historic bipartisan Affordable Health Care for America Act. The bill
was to reduce health care costs for the middle class, protect families’ health care choices, end
discriminatory practices by insurance companies, and provide more security for seniors. [CQ Floor Votes,
11/07/09]
Crackdown on Insurance Industry
The bill included a crackdown on the insurance industry, bans on lifetime limits, premium
disparity based on health status and sex, and coverage denials based on preexisting conditions. It
also ended a federal antitrust exemption that had protected firms from federal investigations.
Help for the Middle Class
The bill included subsidies to help households earning up to $88,000 annually for a family of four
to purchase coverage. Young people allowed to stay on their parents plans until age 27. A historic
Medicaid expansion that provided free health care to all Americans with incomes below 150
percent of the federal poverty level. [Washington Post, 11/08/09]
Security for Seniors
The bill included a provision to close the so called “doughnut hole” in Medicaid by 2019. [Chicago
Tribune, 11/11/09]
Flip: Voted Against Providing Health Care for 9/11 First-Responders
In September 2010, Bilbray twice voted against providing compensation funding for victims of the Sept.
11 terrorist attacks, establishing a medical program and reopening funding for individuals exposed to
harmful debris. The bill, formally titled the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, was
named after a New York Police Department detective who participated in the ground zero effort and died
on symptoms common to first responders.
Under the measure, the Department of Health and Human Services would run a 10-year program to treat
and monitor those with medical problems from the debris exposure. The program would also research
conditions that may be related to the exposure, as well as diagnostic methods and treatment. Enrollment
would be capped at 25,000 patients at any time.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the health care and compensation programs would
increase spending by $7.4 billion and that New York would be required to cover 10 percent of the cost.
Most Republicans opposed the bill over paying for it with revenue generated from placing limits on a tax
rule that allows foreign-based companies to use tax treaties to shift income outside the United States and
246
avoid higher tax rates. Texas Rep. Joe Barton referred to the program as a “brand new entitlement
program.” [CQ Today, 9/29/10]
The bill first failed to receive a two-thirds majority to pass, 255-159. [HR 847, Vote #491, 7/29/10]
The bill passed later, 268-160. [HR 847, Vote #550, 9/29/10]
Flop: Voted For 9/11 First Responders Health Funding
In 2010, Bilbray voted for a bill to provide health care and compensation to people exposed to
toxic material after Sept. 11, 2001. The compromise bill provided less money over a shorter term
to compensate victims than earlier versions of the bill.
The bill provided $1.5 billion over five years to treat and monitor individuals with medical
conditions from exposure to the attacks. New York City would contribute 10 percent of the cost
and the Victim Compensation Fund would reopen for five years for claims. Attorneys’ fees would
be capped at 10 percent of the total award.
The bill imposed a two percent fee on government procurement from foreign companies located in
certain countries and a one year extension of fees outsourcing companies would have to pay for
certain visas.
“This should not be seen as a Democratic or Republican issue,” former New York City Mayor
Rudy Giuliani said before the vote. “It shouldn’t even been seen as a fiscal issue. It’s a matter of
morality, of obligation.” [CQ Today, 12/22/10]
Voted to Cut Medicaid Assistance and Education Funding to States
In 2010, Bilbray voted against extending increased Medicaid assistance and education funding to states.
#518, 8/10/10]
Chose To Play Politics with Money for Troops and to Fight H1N1 Flu Pandemic
247
In 2009, Bilbray voted against the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009. The measure included
funding for American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Money to fight the H1N1 flu pandemic was
included as well. The $106 billion measure also included $5 billion to support increased U.S. lending to
the International Monetary Fund. [CQ Today, 6/16/09; CQ House Action Reports, 6/15/09]
Opposed Budget to Expand Children’s Health Insurance Coverage
Specifically, the bill would accommodate up to a $50 billion increase to expand children’s health
insurance to cover millions of uninsured children. This increase would be in accordance with the paygo
rule. [“Summary of the 2009 Budget Conference Agreement,” House Committee on the Budget, 6/04/08]
Opposed Funding for Global HIV/AIDS Program
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would reauthorize funding for the President’s Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
The bill would reauthorize PEPFAR for $48 billion from fiscal year 2009 through fiscal year 2013,
including $2 billion in fiscal year 2009 for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The
bill would also set aside $5 billion for malaria and $4 billion for tuberculosis. [CQ Today, 7/24/08]
Additionally, the bill would repeal a ban on HIV-positive visitors to the United States and overturn an
existing law requiring that one-third of the money for HIV prevention be spent on abstinence education.
The bill would also include new linkages between AIDS and nutrition programs. [CQ Today, 7/24/08]
Supported Mental Health Parity Bill
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a bill that would require insurers to cover mental health conditions in the same
manner as physical health conditions.
248
The bill would require insurers to cover treatment for mental ailments in the same manner as physical
conditions. Co-pays, treatment limits and coverage in and out of insurers’ provider networks would be the
same for mental ailments and physical conditions. [CQ Today, 9/23/08]
Opposed Mental Health Parity Bill
In March 2008, Bilbray voted against the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity
Act.
The bill would require health insurers to offer mental health benefits equal in cost and scope to
medical health benefits and to cover a wide variety of mental health conditions.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), would also bar insurers from requiring larger
co-payments or imposing lower reimbursement ceilings for mental health conditions.
Earlier, the White House issued a policy statement saying the administration opposed any bill that
expanded mental health parity benefits beyond those laid out in the Senate legislation, which
passed Sept. 18, 2007. [Congressional Quarterly Today, 3/05/08]
The bill passed 268-148. [H Res 1014, Vote #101, 3/05/08]
Voted to Weaken Mental Health Parity Bill
In March 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit the Paul Wellstone Mental Health
and Addiction Equity Act with instructions that it be reported back immediately with language
substituting the text of the Senate-passed bill (S 558), which would not specify what conditions
insurers must cover. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/05/08]
The House bill would require health insurers to offer mental health benefits equal in cost and
scope to medical health benefits and to cover a wide variety of mental health conditions. [CQ Today,
3/05/08]
Supported Partisan Delay of Mental Health Parity Bill
In March 2008, Bilbray voted against motion to table (kill) an appeal of the ruling of the chair that
a motion to recommit the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act was not
germane.
The motion that was declared not germane would recommit the bill with instructions that it be
reported back immediately with an amendment substituting the text of the Senate-passed bill (HR
3773), which would amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/05/08]
249
Voted to Block Mental Health Parity Bill
In March 2008, Bilbray voted against adopting rules for debate for HR 1424, the Paul Wellstone
Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act.
The bill would require health insurers to offer mental health benefits equal in cost and scope to
medical health benefits and to cover a wide variety of mental health conditions. [CQ Floor Votes,
3/05/08]
Voted to Block Mental Health Parity Bill
In March 2008, Bilbray voted against a resolution to allow a vote on HR 1424, the Paul Wellstone
Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act.
The resolution provided for floor consideration of the bill, which would require health insurers to
offer mental health benefits equal in cost and scope to medical health benefits and to cover a wide
variety of mental health conditions. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/05/08]
The measure passed 215-192, allowing the bill to proceed to a vote. [HR 1424, Vote #94, 3/05/08]
Opposed SCHIP with Senate Amendment
In 2009, Bilbray voted against the State Children’s Health Insurance Program over four and a half years
and increase funding by $32.8 billion.
The final version of the bill provided $32.8 billion extra over the next four and a half years for the State
Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The bill included the removal of a five-year waiting
period for legal immigrants to enroll in SCHIP or Medicaid. The expansion under the bill was largely
funded by an increase in federal tobacco taxes including a 62-cent rise in the cigarette tax. The original
house version called for a 61 cent increase. [CQ Today, 2/03/09]
The motion passed 290-135 and the President signed the bill. [HR 2, Vote #50, 2/04/09]
Opposed Funding for AIDS Relief in Africa
In 2008, Bilbray voted against more than tripling the money available for a program fighting AIDS,
malaria and tuberculosis in Africa and other stricken areas of the world.
The bill authorized $10 billion a year, or $50 billion through 2013. Of that, $41 billion was for AIDS
prevention and treatment, significantly expanding a program credited with saving more than 1 million
lives in Africa alone in the largest U.S. investment ever against a single disease. $4 billion was marked for
tuberculosis and $5 billion for malaria.
250
The $41 billion includes up to $2 billion a year for the international Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria. The bill limits U.S. contributions to the Global Fund to one-third of total
contributions.
The bill expands the AIDS program, originally focused on 15 mainly sub-Saharan African countries, to
include Caribbean nations as well as Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho in Africa. The bill increases
coordination with drinking water and nutrition programs and efforts to educate girls and women.
Voted to Block AIDS Funding for Africa
In 2008, Bilbray voted against considering a bill that would triple the money available for a
program fighting AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in Africa and other stricken areas of the world.
The bill authorized $10 billion a year, or $50 billion through 2013.
Of that, $41 billion was for AIDS prevention and treatment, significantly expanding a program
credited with saving more than 1 million lives in Africa alone in the largest U.S. investment ever
against a single disease. $4 billion was marked for tuberculosis and $5 billion for malaria.
The rule was adopted 221-192. [HR 5501, Vote #155, 4/02/08]
Voted to Cut Funding for AIDS Relief
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of reducing the amount of spending authorized for a program
fighting AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in Africa and other stricken areas of the world.
The vote came on a motion to recommit the bill to the Foreign Affairs Committee was offered by
lawmakers unhappy with the $50 billion price tag. The motion would send the bill back to
committee with instructions that it be reported back with language that would reduce the bill’s
authorization levels from $50 billion to $30 billion. [Associated Press, 4/03/08; CQ Floor Votes, 4/02/08;
Opposed Allowing Doctors, Not Insurers, to Make Medical Decisions
In 1998, Bilbray voted against a motion to recommit the Republican managed care bill with instructions
to report it back with an amendment that would have allowed only doctors and not health insurance plans
to decide what was considered medically necessary. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/24/98]
251
Supported Grants for Children’s Emergency Medical Services
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would reauthorize the federal Emergency Medical Services
for Children (EMSC) program, also known as the Wakefield Act.
The bill would extend the length of time for which grants may be awarded for projects that improve
children’s emergency medical services from three years to four years and was supported by many medical
and emergency medicine associations. [CQ Floor Votes, 4/08/08; States News Service, 4/08/08]
Supported Grants for Brain Injury Research and Rehabilitation
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would reauthorize research and rehabilitation grants to states
for traumatic brain injury treatment.
Specifically, the bill would renew a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program that funds state
programs for the tracking and reporting of brain injuries. It would also reauthorize a Health Resources and
Services Administration grant program that funds state brain injury rehabilitation programs. [CQ Today,
4/08/08]
The bill passed 392-1. [S 793, Vote # 163, 4/08/08]
Voted Against Cuts to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services by $98 Million
In 2011, Bilbray voted for an amendment that would increase funding for Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Programs (LIHEAP) by $50 million. The amendment would reduce funding for substance
abuse and mental health services at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration by
$98 million.
The amendment was rejected, 104-322. [HR 1, Bass amendment #565, Vote #71, 2/17/11]
Supported Bill to Reduce Number of New Smokers
In 2009, Bilbray voted for a bipartisan effort to give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new
authority to regulate the advertising, marketing, and manufacturing of tobacco products. [CQ Floor Votes,
6/12/09]
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco accounts for approximately
443,000 deaths annually. [Annual Deaths Attributable to Cigarette Smoking—United States, 2000–2004]
Supported Consistency in Mental Health Coverage
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would extend a mental health benefits law through 2008
while lawmakers prepare a broader parity measure.
252
The bill would extend current provisions of a 1996 law that barred group health plans that offer mental
health coverage from setting different lifetime or annual dollar limits for such treatment than those
imposed for treating other illnesses. [Congressional Quarterly; Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 2/09/08]
The bill passed 384-23. [HB 4848, Vote #35, 2/07/08]
Supported Patients’ Bill of Rights in 1999
In 1999, Bilbray voted for the bipartisan Patients’ Bill of Rights, which would give patients much-needed
protection against the managed care and HMO abuses.
The bill required health plans to cover emergency care when a “prudent layperson” could reasonably
believe such care was required. Health plans would have to allow direct access to gynecological and
pediatric care. The bill also established an internal and external appeals process to review denial of care.
Patients or their estates would have the right to sue their health plan in state courts when they make
negligent decisions that result in injury or death of patients. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/07/99]
Supported Patients’ Bill of Rights in 1998
In 1998, Bilbray voted for the Dingell / Ganske Patients’ Bill of Rights.
The Patients’ Bill of Rights would cover 150 million Americans and:
 Guaranteed access to specialists
 Guaranteed minimum hospital stays for mastectomy patients
 Guaranteed patients a choice of doctors
 Guaranteed direct access to OB-GYNs as primary care doctor
 Guaranteed access to needed prescriptions
Opposed HMO Bill That “Clearly Favors Insurance Companies”
In 1998, Bilbray voted against a watered-down Republican health insurance reform plan in lieu of
the bipartisan Patients’ Bill of Rights.
The American Medical Association said that the Republican bill “clearly favors insurance
companies at the expense of patients… HR 4250 allows health plans to continue to decide what is
medically necessary. And perhaps most importantly, the house-approved bill does not hold health
253
insurance plans accountable if they insist on making medical decisions.” [AMA Press Release,
7/24/98]
Supported CHIP Program
In 1997, Bilbray voted for a budget deal that included a $24 billion block grant program to help states
improve health coverage for uninsured children.
The children’s health care program is paid for in part by a federal tobacco tax increase of 15 cents per
pack over five years. In addition, the budget restored Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid
benefits to certain legal immigrants.
The budget cut projected entitlement spending by about $140 billion, including a $115 billion reduction in
Medicare, in order to provide for a balanced budget by fiscal 2002. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/30/97]
The budget passed 346-85. [HR 2015, Vote #345, 7/30/97]
Supported Emergency Funding for Children’s Health Care
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an emergency appropriations bill that included $650 million for the State
Children’s Health Insurance Program.
This funding will be used to eliminate a shortfall in the SCHIP program projected by the nonpartisan
Congressional Budget Office in Alaska, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota,
Mississippi, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
This funding was requested by the governors of these 11 states – both Republicans and Democrats.
This urgently-needed funding will prevent potentially hundreds of thousands of children in these 11 states
from losing their health insurance or having their health coverage scaled back in the next few months.
[Leadership Document, 5/31/07]
for veterans’ medical care, $3 billion for agriculture disaster relief, $2.9 billion for hurricane relief and
$1.1 billion for anti-terrorism homeland security activities.
Supported Allowing Insurers to Cancel Coverage Based on an Employee’s Health
254
In 1996, Bilbray voted against an amendment to assure insurance portability and prohibit insurers from
canceling or refusing coverage based on an employee’s health.
The amendment increased to 80 percent the share of health insurance costs that self-employed taxpayers
may deduct. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/28/96]
Supported Portability Measure Including Medical Savings Accounts
In 1996, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that guaranteed insurance portability and prohibited
insurers from canceling or refusing coverage based on an employee’s health.
The bill also included provisions to establish medical savings accounts and limit damage awards
in medical malpractice lawsuits for pain and suffering damages to $250,000 and punitive damages
to $250,000. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/28/96]
255
Health Care Issues – Stem Cell Research
 Supported Ban on Human Cloning
 Supported Stem Cell Research
Bilbray voted for a ban on human cloning. He is a supporter of stem cell research
and voted to override President Bush’s veto of legislation to expand the research.
Supported Ban on Human Cloning
In 2007, Bilbray voted for a bill to prohibit reproductive human cloning and transporting human somatic
cell nuclear transfer technology intended for human cloning.
Under the bill, violators would be subject to fines of up to $10 million and up to 10 years in prison.
The bill’s sponsor, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) argued that there is no federal law preventing
irresponsible individuals from conducting research in an attempt to achieve human reproductive cloning.
“The most effective way to prevent human reproductive cloning in the United States is to pass a federal
prohibition on this practice and impose severe penalties for doing so,” DeGette said of the bill. “Our bill
would make it illegal to use cloning technology to initiate a pregnancy and thereby create a cloned human
being.” [Congresswoman Diana DeGette press release, 6/06/07]
President Bush opposed the bill.
A two-thirds majority of those present and voting (278 in this case) was required for passage under
suspension of the rules. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/06/07]
Conservative Groups Trashed Ban
However, conservative groups took an opposing view.
National Right to Life described the bill as a “stealth attempt by Democratic leadership to pass
‘clone-and-kill’ bill.”
“But, of course, the ‘ban’ did nothing of the sort,” Right to Life argued. “In excruciatingly careful
language, the thoroughly hidden objective was to pave the way for large-scale cloning of human
256
embryos--cloned human embryo farms… H.R. 2560 would allow -- indeed, it is carefully
constructed to encourage -- the creation of any number of cloned human embryos. H.R. 2560
would allow development of these cloned human embryos (individual members, male or female,
of the species Homo sapiens) in the laboratory, perhaps even for weeks, so that they can be killed
in order to harvest their stem cells or used in other research that will kill them -- a practice
opposed by about 75 percent of the public.” [National Right to Life, 6/07/07]
Recruited Bipartisan Support for Stem Cell Research Funding Bill
In 2011, Bilbray recruited ten co-sponsors to his Regenerative Medicine Promotion Act of 2011.
The bill would allow federal grants for, academic, private and regulatory stem cell research. Seven of the
co-sponsors were Democrats, and three were Republicans. [Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, 7/20/11]
Voted to Protect Stem Cell Research Bill
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to commit legislation to allow for the use of federal funds in
research on embryonic stem cell lines to the Energy and Commerce Committee.
The motion would have committed the bill to Committee with instructions that it be reported back with
language that would remove the section of the bill allowing federal funding for embryonic stem cells, but
would allow funding for research on “embryonic-like” cells. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/07/07]
According to stem cell research-supporter Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, the motion would have gutted
the bill.
“What it does, it strips out the embryonic stem cell research portion of the bill, which of course is the
bill,” DeLauro said in opposition to the motion. “Instead, it simply leaves the section that also encourages
alternative forms of research. So any Member of this House who supports embryonic stem cell research
and who has voted for it in the past must oppose this motion to commit. Let me say it again: What this
motion to commit does, it strips the embryonic stem cell research out of the bill.” [Congressional Record,
6/07/07; Page: 6141]
The motion was defeated 180-242. [S 5, Vote #442, 6/07/07]
Voted for Stem Cell Research
In 2007, Bilbray voted for bipartisan legislation to allow for the use of federal funds in research on
embryonic stem cell lines derived from surplus embryos at in vitro fertilization clinics, but only if donors
give their consent and are not paid for the embryos. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/07/07]
Voted for Stem Cell Research
In 2007, Bilbray voted for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which increased the number of
“lines” of stem cells that would be eligible to be used in federally funded research.
257
It required that any stem cells used in research must be from embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics
that would otherwise be discarded. The measure was identical to the bill vetoed by President Bush in
2005.
The bill was supported by those who believe that the availability of more stem cells for research purposes
will accelerate progress toward finding cures and treatments for a wide variety of diseases. It was opposed
by those who contend that widened embryonic stem cell research will result in the destruction of human
life, and is unnecessary because there are more promising research alternatives than using human
embryos. [Chicago Tribune, 1/12/07; Los Angeles Times, 1/12/07]
Voted to Override Veto of Bill to Expand Federal Funding of Stem Cell Research
In 2006, Bilbray voted for an attempt to override President Bush’s veto of a bill that would expand federal
funding of embryonic stem cell research.
The bill would authorize federal funds to be used for research on embryonic stem cell lines derived from
surplus embryos at in vitro fertilization clinics that would otherwise be discarded.
Current policy allows federal funds to be used for research only on those stem cell lines that existed when
President Bush issued an executive order on August 9, 2001. This bill attempted to lift that restriction.
According to a USA Today editorial, “The bill Congress sent to Bush wouldn’t create embryos solely to
destroy them. Rather, it simply would allow federal research on embryos from fertility clinics that would
otherwise be discarded. The families that donated the embryos have given their consent to use them for
research…The price of Bush’s threatened veto might well be paid in the suffering of millions of people.
It’s hard to believe that he, and those in Congress who support his stance, consider this to be the ‘pro-life’
position.”
The attempt to override the veto, which required a two-thirds majority to pass, was defeated 235-193. [HR
810, vote #388, 7/19/06; Leadership Document, “Congress Should Override the President’s Veto of the Stem Cell Research
Enhancement Act,” 7/19/06]
Voted for the Early Ban on Federal Funding for Stem Cell Research
In 1995, Bilbray voted for a 1995 appropriations bill which banned federal money from being used for
biomedical research involving human embryos outside the womb. [CQ Weekly, 9/02/95; HR 2127, Vote #626,
8/04/95]
Bilbray Voted Against Removing the Ban from the Bill
In 1995, Bilbray voted against an amendment to strike legislative language that prohibited funding
for research on human embryos. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/02/95; HR 2127, Vote #611, 8/02/95]
NOTE: The amendment also included language on other issues.
258
Immigration and Border Issues
 Claimed “Unqualified Voters” Committed Voter Fraud
 Campaign Focus in 2006 Opposed Immigration Reform
 Opposed Birthright Citizenship
 Voted to Cut Emergency Medical Care for Illegal Immigrants
Bilbray is strongly opposed to illegal immigration and frequently warns of the
threat of voter fraud by “unqualified voters.” A former lobbyist for an antiimmigration reform organization, Bilbray’s 2006 special election run focused
heavily on opposing proposed comprehensive immigration reform. Bilbray would
end birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants. As a County
Supervisor, Bilbray voted to cut funding of emergency medical care for illegal
immigrants.
Mocked Letters During Immigration Debate
In 1996, Bilbray was criticized for displaying letters in his Washington, D.C., office from Latinos
concerned about immigration reform. The letters that were put on public display were ridiculed for their
misspellings and typos. [La Jolla Light, 8/22/96]
Claimed “Unqualified Voters” Committed Voter Fraud
During a Tea Party meeting, Bilbray attacked the threat of voter fraud. “The challenge of our generation is
qualified voters having their vote canceled out by unqualified voters,” said Bilbray. [San Diego UnionTribune, 11/25/11]
If I can suggest one thing, one of the things we’ve got to focus on is the integrity of the
list, the voters’ list. And so I think one project that we could work on between now and
election is calling down the list of those who are registered, and do something you did in
Los Angeles, just ask them, ‘Where were you born?’ and if they were born out of the
country, ‘When did you become a citizen.’ And I think you will be absolutely shocked
how many people will openly and freely say, ‘Well I haven’t become a citizen.’ Because
you don’t understand, that you got people paid to collect signatures and they sit there and
say, ‘Go ahead and sign, go ahead and sign,’ and the declaration of the top says, ‘I’m
qualified to be a voter.’ And they sign it. [Bilbray at San Diego Tea Party, via youtube.com,
accessed 11/29/11]
259
San Diego Union-Tribune Endorsed Bilbray’s “Sensible Stance” on Immigration
In a May 2006 editorial, the San Diego Union-Tribune endorsed Bilbray’s candidacy for his stance on
immigration:
We certainly do not support all of Bilbray’s immigration proposals. But he embraces a
much more sensible stance than Busby. On this vital issue alone, we believe Bilbray is
the better candidate to serve the 50th Congressional District. [San Diego Union-Tribune, Editorial,
5/17/06]
Wanted to Eliminate Birthright Citizenship for Children of Illegal Immigrants
In 2011, a constitutional law professor wrote that Bilbray wanted to eliminate birthright citizenship for the
children of undocumented immigrants. The declaration of “All persons born or naturalized in the United
States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein
they reside,” of the 14th Amendment offended Bilbray. [Op-ed, Michal R. Belknap, California Western School of
Law, Sign on San Diego, 7/08/11]
Voted to Stop Paying for Emergency Medical Care Bills for Illegal Immigrants
In November 1993, Bilbray voted for San Diego County to stop paying emergency medical care bills for
illegal immigrants, saying that the responsibility should shift to the federal government. “The biggest
deadbeat dad in the country is the federal government,” said Bilbray. “They’ve just walked away from the
illegal immigration problem. We’re tired of supporting the federal kid.” [Los Angeles Times, 11/10/93]
Criticized Bank of America Plan to Offer Credit Cards to Immigrants Without Social Security
Numbers
In February 2007, Bilbray responded to a plan by Bank of America to offer credit cards to immigrants
without Social Security numbers and said: “It’s illegal for a landlord to do it, it’s illegal for an employer
to do it, and it should be illegal for financial institutions to do it.” [Los Angeles Times, 2/26/07]
Criticized GOP on Elian Gonzalez
In January 2000, Bilbray criticized his own party’s leadership for their willingness to support
Congressional intervention in the case of Elian Gonzalez. “I hate communism, but I love the relationship
between a father and a son more,” said Bilbray. “Personally, (Elian) would be better off here, but I don’t
think Congress should have a choice in the matter. It’s a classic example of government sticking its nose
in a family’s business.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/27/00]
Said Legacy of 9/11 Attacks Should Be Immigration Reform
In 2011, at a 9/11 commemoration ceremony Bilbray said that the legacy of the 9/11 terrorists attacks
should be immigration reform. He supported stiff immigration reform and said public entities issued
government identification to those without proper immigration status “under the guise of this is what
America is about.” [North County Times, 9/11/11]
260
Supported E-Verify Bill, Argued Would Not Harm Farming
In 2011, Bilbray supported E-Verify in the House, despite critics who argued it would harm the
agriculture industry.
Bilbray said, “The profit in the agriculture industry does not trump American rule of law.” He continued,
“Just because employers have broken the laws over the past 10 years doesn’t give them the right (to
continue).” Bilbray also favored a guest worker program to aid the agriculture industry. [North County Times,
7/16/11]
Criticized by Immigration Reform Group for Supporting E-Verify
In 2011, Immigration reform advocate Frank Sherry wrote that Bilbray favored E-Verify because he saw
it as a method toward the mass deportation of California’s undocumented workforce. Bilbray has staked
out a clear and consistent position against sensible immigration reform and in favor of draconian,
enforcement-only policies.
Bilbray tried to sell E-Verify as a jobs bill, theorizing that once the undocumented immigrants are
removed from the fields, unemployed Americans would swoop in to take on the farm jobs. [Op-ed, Frank
Sherry, Founder and Executive Director of America’s Voice, California Progress Report, 7/15/11]
Said the President Needed to Make E-Verify Mandatory to Discourage Illegal Aliens in the Country
and Work Force
In May 2011, Bilbray participated in an Immigration Reform Debate with John King and Rep. Gutierrez.
During the debate, Bilbray was asked, “[i]f the president starts to use his executive authority to help
people who are being sent home with family members here, do you have a problem with that?” Bilbray
said, “No, we have a problem with anybody that wants to announce that we’re going to reward people for
being illegally in this country. And we want to get off of this amnesty kick and get over to where we
really got common ground, and that’s issues like the president has expanding E-verify.”
Bilbray said the President “should make it mandatory for businesses to E-verify if they want a business
deduction. That’s common ground we can all agree on, is that we should eliminate the tax deduction for
employers who hire illegals.” Washington needed to gain the American people’s trust before it asked the
people to trust them with other issues, especially when talked “about creating special status and protection
for those who are illegally in the country,” Bilbray said. [Real Clear Politics, 5/09/11]
Said Real Source of Illegal Immigrations Was to Focus on Illegal Employers Instead of the Borders
In May 2011, Bilbray participated in an Immigration Reform Debate with John King and Rep. Gutierrez.
When King asked if Obama improved border security he said no. “The president has got to understand the
border is a symptom of the problem. Not until he requires every employer to E-verify, to make sure no
American is encouraging illegal immigration by hiring illegals.”
261
He went on to say that illegal’s employers were the real source of the problem. “If we all, Democrats and
Republicans, focused on the source, the illegal employers, that’s the one place we should be able to all
agree on that we shouldn’t allow anybody to make a buck and be able to exploit the illegals by hiring
them. And once we eliminate that, we won’t have to be sending our resources to the border, because there
won’t be people wanting to come here illegally because there will be no jobs for ‘em here when we get
here.” [Real Clear Politics, 5/09/11]
Opposed Starting Process for Puerto Rican Statehood
In 2010, Bilbray voted against starting the process for possible Puerto Rican statehood.
The bill authorized the island’s government to conduct a plebiscite asking Puerto Ricans to choose
between retaining its status as a U.S. commonwealth or seeking a new political designation. If a majority
supported a new status, a second vote would give residents four options: statehood, full independence, or
independence with a special political association with the United States. [CQ Today, 4/29/10]
Voted Against Preventing Illegal Immigrants from Being Employed on School Worksites
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would make charter schools eligible for funding, bar
states from counting the grants against schools when calculating state aid eligibility. [CQ Floor Votes,
6/04/08]
Section 309 of the amendment dictated that no funds provided under the legislation could be used in the
employ of illegal immigrants and mandated that all local educational agencies must have a background
check policy for all employees in order to be eligible for funds. [Congressional Record, H4948, 6/04/08]
The amendment passed, 260-151. [HR 3021, Vote # 374, 6/04/08]
Voted to Deny Financial Assistance for Illegal Immigrants
In May 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to a bill providing grants and loans to rehabilitate
foreclosed properties. The amendment clarified that illegal immigrants would be ineligible for financial
assistance under the bill. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/08/08]
The underlying legislation would authorize a loan and grant program for the purchase and rehabilitation
of owner-vacated, foreclosed homes. Of the funds, $7.5 billion would be for loans, and $7.5 billion would
be for grants. [CQ Bill Analysis, HR 5818]
Voted to Ban Illegal Immigrants from Public Housing
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would require all housing units built as of January 1, 2005 to
be replaced at a one-for-one rate if demolished.
262
The bill would also clarify that those illegally in the United States would not be eligible for public
housing funded by HOPE VI grant money. [CQ Floor Votes, 1/17/08]
Voted to Ban Illegal Immigrants from Receiving Small Business Grants
In 2008, Bilbray voted in support of an amendment to the Small Business Act that prohibited Small
Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
program awards from going to businesses that have repeatedly hired or recruited illegal immigrants. [CQ
The amendment was adopted 406-0. [HR 5819, Vote #215, 4/23/08]
Voted to Deny Tax Credits to Illegal Immigrants
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit on a bill that would make revisions to certain
record-keeping requirements in the tax filing process.
The motion would have added language to the bill aimed at preventing so-called “sanctuary cities,” or
cities which do not report illegal immigrants to the federal government, from issuing tax-exempt debt.
The motion would have also increased IRS efforts to prevent illegal immigrants from claiming the earnedincome tax credit. [CQ Today, 4/15/08]
The motion was rejected 210-210. [HR 5719, Vote # 189, 4/15/08]
Voted To Bar Lawsuits against Employers Requiring Employees to Speak English
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion that would instruct House conferees to accept a section of the
Senate-passed bill that would bar the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from suing employers
for requiring employees to speak English. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/08/07]
The motion was agreed to by a vote of 218-186. [HR 3093, Vote#1076, 11/08/07]
Voted to Prohibit Housing Assistance for Illegal Immigrants
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion that would instruct House conferees to insist on including in
the conference report provisions prohibiting the use of funds in the bill to hire or provide housing
assistance to illegal immigrants. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/08/07]
Voted to Require ID Verification for Mortgage Applicants
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion that would require that the bill require a creditor to verify the
identity of an individual seeking a residential mortgage. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/15/07]
263
Voted to Require Government ID to Qualify for Affordable Housing
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit on the Federal Housing Administration Lending
Revisions bill that would request language that would require any individual or household receiving
money from the affordable-housing fund to present verification of legal residency by a government-issued
identification document. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/18/07]
This motion failed 209-216. [HR 1852, Vote # 875, 9/18/07]
Voted to Block Funds for Illegal Immigrants
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit to fiscal year 2008 Agriculture appropriations bill
with instructions that it be reported back promptly with language that would prohibit the use of funds in
the bill to employ illegal immigrants or to provide rental housing assistance to an illegal immigrant not
qualified to receive such assistance. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/02/07]
According to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), who opposed the motion, the measure was little
more than an attempt to stall the bill because there were no funds in the bill that would apply to motion.
“There are no funds in this bill which would authorize any actions for illegal aliens; not for rural housing,
not for employment, not for any of the activities funded under this bill,” DeLauro said on the floor of the
House. [Congressional Record, 8/02/07; Page 8649]
Voted to Prevent Illegal Immigrants from Gaining Access to SCHIP
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to authorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program
for one year and block illegal immigrants from gaining access to the program.
The motion included language to continue the enforcement of the five-year waiting period for illegal
immigrants to get into the program and required citizenship documentation for eligibility purposes.
The underlying bill that the motion sought to amend already included language preventing illegal
immigrants from using SCHIP. [CQ Weekly, 8/06/07]
The language also eliminated proposed cuts to Medicare providers and Medicare Advantage plan
payments. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/01/07]
Those cuts were targeted at private health plans. Under the Medicare Advantage, the plan pays about 12
percent more per beneficiary than traditional Medicare costs, according to CBO and the Medicare
Payment Advisory Commission, which has recommended reducing the imbalance. [CQ Weekly, 8/06/07]
264
Voted to Cut Funding for Law Enforcement to Increase Criminal Alien Assistance Funds
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit the fiscal year 2008 appropriations bill for the
Departments of Commerce and Justice to increase funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance
Program.
The motion would have recommitted the bill to the Appropriations Committee with instructions that it be
reported back promptly with language to provide additional funding for the Department of Justice
immigration law enforcement capabilities and the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. [CQ Floor
Votes, 7/26/07]
The motion provided no specific means for how to increase the funding, or what would be used to offset
the increased funds.
However, because the motion called for increased funding for the program, it would have resulted in cuts
to other law enforcement funding in the bill
“Indeed, if this motion to recommit were passed and were acted upon, we would have to go back and cut
State and local law enforcement, FBI, DEA, and meth programs,” said Congressman Alan Mollohan (DWV). “We would have to cut law enforcement funding that puts police on the streets, that hires additional
FBI agents, additional DEA agents, and funds meth programs.” [Congressional Record, 7/26/07, Page H8673]
Supported Increased Funds for Keeping Criminal Aliens Behind Bars
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Commerce-Justice-Science
Appropriations bill to increase funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program by $55 million.
The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program provides federal payments to states and localities that incur
correctional officer salary costs for incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens with at least one felony or
two misdemeanor convictions for violations of state or local law, and incarcerated for at least 4
consecutive days during the reporting period. [State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, usdoj.gov]
The increased funding was offset by a reduction of $25 million for the Commerce Department’s salaries
and expenses account, $25 million for the Justice Department’s general administration account and $5
million for the FBI construction account. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/25/07]
Supported Increased Funding for Southwest Border Prosecutors
Appropriations bill to increase funding for the State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Fund’s
Southwest Border Prosecutor Initiative.
265
The amendment increased funding for the program by $10 million, offset by a reduction of the same
amount for the Census Bureau’s Periodic Censuses and Programs. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/25/07]
According to the amendment’s sponsor, Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), “The Southwest
Border Prosecutor Initiative helps relieve border communities of the steep costs of Federal drug
prosecutions.” [Statement of Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito, Congressional Record, 7/25/07, Page H8435]
Democrats in Congress had originally proposed $30 million for the program, while President Bush had
requested no funding. [Statement of Congressman Alan Mollohan, Congressional Record, 7/25/07, Page H8435]
Voted to Block Lawsuit Against Companies that Require Employees to Speak English
Departments of Commerce and Justice to bar the use of funds in the bill by the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission to commence litigation against employers on the grounds that they require
employees to speak English. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/26/07]
Opposed U.S.-Mexican Freeway
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Transportation appropriations bill
that would bar the use of funds in the bill for participation in working groups on a proposed U.S.-Mexican
freeway. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/24/07]
Voted to Require Student Aid Forms to be in English
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education to require student aid forms to be in
English-only.
The amendment would have barred the use of funds in the bill by the Education Department to provide or
process the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form in any language other than English. [CQ Floor
Votes, 7/19/07]
The amendment was defeated 191-233. [HR 3043, Voted #676, 7/19/07]
Voted to Prevent Illegal Immigrants from Receiving Social Security
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education to prevent implementation of a
totalization agreement between the United States’ and Mexico’s Social Security systems.
266
The amendment barred the use of funds in the bill by the Social Security Administration to compensate
employees who administer Social Security benefit payments under any agreement between the United
States and Mexico that establishes arrangements between the two nations’ social security benefits
systems. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/19/07]
The amendment was aimed at blocking illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security benefits through
a loophole in the Social Security totalization agreement between the United States and Mexico.
According to the amendment’s sponsor, Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA), “Our totalization agreement
with Mexico threatens the Social Security Trust Fund by allowing Mexican workers in the U.S. to claim
Social Security benefits and vice versa.”
Gingrey claimed his amendment would prohibit funding for the current totalization agreement, which was
signed in 2004. [Congressman Phil Gingrey press release, 7/19/07; Arizona Republic, 6/26/04]
Opponents of the amendment said that there is no way under existing law that anyone who does not have
authorization to work in this country, including undocumented immigrants, qualify for receipt of Social
Security benefits. [Statement of Congressman Xavier Becerra, Congressional Record, 7/18/07; Page H8108]
Voted to Require Valid Social Security Number for Mortgages
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to prohibit Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal
Home Loan Banks from obtaining primary residential mortgages that were granted to any individuals who
do not have a valid Social Security number.
According to Congressional Quarterly Today, the amendment was aimed at preventing illegal immigrants
from benefiting under the legislation. [Congressional Quarterly Today, 5/22/07]
Voted to Require Proof of Citizenship to Obtain Housing Funds
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to require all owners or renters of housing built with
money from the proposed affordable-housing trust fund to prove legal residency.
According to Congressional Quarterly Today, the amendment was aimed at preventing illegal immigrants
from benefiting under the legislation. [Congressional Quarterly Today, 5/22/07]
Supported Automated Risk Assessment System at the Border
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit the fiscal year 2008 Department of Homeland
Security authorization bill that would recommit the bill to the Homeland Security Committee with
267
instructions that it be immediately reported back with language that would allow the Homeland Security
Department secretary to authorize the Automated Targeting System to be deployed at the border. [CQ Floor
Votes, 5/09/07]
The Automated Targeting System is an automated system helps that coordinates information from
available sources and allows Customs officials to perform risk assessments of people entering the United
States.
The system would collect information to perform risk assessments of people entering the United States.
According to the motion’s sponsor, Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA), the 9/11 Commission
recommended such a system in order to target particular, identifiable suspects or indicators of risk and
give border officials the resources to establish that people are who they say they are, intercept identifiable
suspects, and disrupt terrorist operations. [Congressman Charlie Dent press release, 5/09/07]
Opponents of the measure, however, noted that the funding to implement the program would divert
funding from the soon-to-be implemented US-VISIT system, which will biometrically check aliens who
are entering the United States. [Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Congressional Record, 5/09/07; Page H4714]
Voted to Increase Funds for Border Personnel by Cutting Undersecretary of Management
In 2007, Bilbray for against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Homeland Security appropriations bill
to increase funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement salaries and expenses account by $9
million.
The funding increase was offset by reducing funding for the Office of the Undersecretary for
Management by $10 million. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Voted to Increase Funding for Border Fence by Cutting Undersecretary of Management
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Homeland Security appropriations bill to
increase funding the Customs and Border Protection fencing, infrastructure and technology account by
$89 million.
The funding was offset by a reduction for the Office of the Undersecretary for Management by the same
amount. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Voted to Cut TSA Funding to Increase Border Patrol
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Homeland Security appropriations bill
that would add $125 million for Customs and Border Protection salary and expenses.
268
The increased funds were offset by a reduction for the Transportation Security Administration’s aviation
security direction and enforcement by the same amount. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Voted to Speed Up Border Fence
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Department of Homeland Security
appropriations bill to stop potential delays of the construction of border security fencing.
The amendment would have eliminated language barring the use of funds for fencing on certain federal
lands unless the decision to locate the fencing has been coordinated with the relevant federal agency and
the department makes every effort to minimize the impact on wildlife and natural resources.
It would have also eliminated language barring the use of funds unless there has been formal consultation
with affected state and local communities to solicit their advice and support. [CQ House Action Reports,
6/15/07]
Voted to Fund Aerial Vehicles for Border Patrol over Other Priorities
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Department of Homeland
Security appropriations bill to allow funding for the procurement of additional unmanned aerial vehicles.
The amendment struck a provision in the bill blocking the funds until the Customs and Border Protection
certified to the House and Senate Appropriations committees that they are a higher priority and more cost
effective than other items in the Air and Marine Recapitalization and Modernization Plan. [CQ Floor Votes,
6/15/07]
Voted to Delay Visa Requirements
Security appropriations bill that that would bar the use of funds in the bill to implement the travel
document requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative until June 1, 2009. [CQ Floor Votes,
6/15/07]
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all U.S. citizens, Canadians, citizens of the British
Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and citizens of Mexico to have a passport or other accepted secure
document to enter or re-enter the U.S. by January 1, 2008. [Department of State Press Release, 4/05/05]
Voted to Bar Foreign Citizens into the United States without a Visa
269
that would bar the use of funds to carry out the visa waiver program, through which travelers from certain
countries can enter the United States for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Voted for Border Fence
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Homeland Security
appropriations bill to require funds in the bill for Customs and Border Protection fencing, infrastructure or
technology to be used for a minimum of two layers of reinforced fencing and roads for a border fence
along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The amendment prevented the use of those funds for infrastructure and technology that could be used
instead of a border fence. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Voted to Cut Funding for Border Infrastructure, Technology
appropriations bill to require funds in the bill for Customs and Border Protection fencing, infrastructure or
technology to be used for a minimum of two layers of reinforced fencing and roads for a border fence
along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The amendment prevented the use of those funds for infrastructure and technology that could be used
instead of a border fence. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Opposed 9/11 Commission Recommendations on Border Security and Immigration Enforcement
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of killing a Democratic attempt to provide an alternative to the GOP
border fence bill.
The Democratic alternative would have reflected the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission on border
security and immigration enforcement.
Specifically, the Democratic alternative would have: established operational control of all borders and
ports, ended the “catch and release” policy for illegal immigrants, and would have provided:
 3,000 additional Border Patrol agents each year (for a total of 12,000)
 2,000 additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents each year (for a total of
8,000)
 25,000 additional detention beds each year (for a total of 100,000)
 2,500 additional Coast Guard enforcement personnel (for a total of 10,000)
270




1,000 additional port-of-entry inspectors (for a total of 4,000)
1,000 additional investigators of fraudulent documents (for a total of 4,000)
250 additional ICE detention officers (for a total of 1,000)
250 additional U.S. Marshals (for a total of 1,000).
[Leadership Document, “Democrats Are Fighting For A Strong, Comprehensive Border Security Bill,” 9/14/06]
The motion to kill the democratic alternative passed 224-190. [HR6061, Vote #444, 9/14/06]
Opposed Increased Border Security and Thousands of Additional Border Patrol Agents
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit the GOP’s border fence bill to committee to alter
the bill to include a comprehensive, technologically superior, round-the-clock, fully interoperable
surveillance system to monitor every mile of the border.
The motion to recommit also included:
 3,000 additional Border Patrol agents every year through FY 2010 (a total of 12,000 new agents)
 2,000 additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents every year through FY 2010 (a
total of 8,000 new agents)
 25,000 additional detention beds every year through FY 2010 (a total of 100,000 new beds).
Furthermore, the motion included physical infrastructure enhancements, including additional checkpoints,
all weather access roads, and vehicle barriers, while maintaining the speed of commerce through such
points of entry. [Leadership Document, “Democrats Are Fighting For Specific, Strong Steps To Enhance Security Along
America’s Borders,” 9/14/06]
Supported Requiring a Passport to Enter US
In 2006 Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the FY 07 SSJC appropriations bill that would have
prohibited individuals from using any document other than a passport to denote citizenship and identity
when traveling into the United States from a foreign country.
Visitors from neighboring nations, such as Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean countries, currently can
enter the United States with other documents, such as photo identification and a birth certificate.
Opponents of Poe’s proposal said requiring a passport from every foreign visitor would have a stinging
effect on trade, jobs and tourism. [HR 5672, Vote #347, 6/28/06; CQ Today, 6/29/06]
Supported Fence along Southern Border
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to build both a physical and virtual fence along the US-Mexico
border. The bill, which was essentially patched together from provisions of the GOP’s 2005 immigration
bill, would authorize construction of a 700 mile double-layered fence on the Southwestern border as well
271
as a “virtual fence” made up of unmanned aerial vehicles, ground sensors, cameras and other surveillance
technology.
Democrats questioned the motives of the Republicans bringing the bill to the floor, particularly since the
authorization bill carried no funding with it. [CQ Today, 9/13/06]
Supported Extending Amount of Time DOH Can Detain Illegal Immigrants
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of the Community Protection Act, which would allow the Department of
Homeland Security to hold illegal immigrants detained for crimes or as threats to national security beyond
the current limit of six months and set up expedited procedures for deporting these people.
The bill also made it easier to detain and deport illegal immigrants found to be part of criminal street
gangs. [Associated Press, 9/21/06]
The motion passed 328-95. [HR6094, Vote #465, 9/21/06]
Supported Local Law Enforcement’s Authority on Illegal Immigration
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of the Immigration Law Enforcement Act, which would reaffirm the
authority of state and local law enforcement to arrest, detain and transfer to federal custody illegal
immigrants.
It asked the Justice Department to increase the number of attorneys prosecuting immigrant smuggling
cases.
It also closed loopholes that have led to “catch and release” policies in which illegal immigrants, mainly
non-Mexicans, were released because they could not be immediately deported. [Associated Press, 9/21/06]
Opposed Attempt to Crack Down on Illegal Alien Smuggling
In 2006, Bilbray voted against a motion to the Immigration Law Enforcement Act to give law
enforcement the tools they need to crack down on illegal alien smuggling.
Democrats introduced a motion to recommit the bill to committee with instructions to authorize funding
in the bill to increase:





The number of immigration agents by 2,000
The number of detention officers by 250
The number of U.S. Marshals to assist the courts in immigration matters by 250
The number of detention beds by 25,000
The number of investigators of fraudulent schemes and documents by 1,000
272
Over the previous two years, the nation has been 5,000 detention beds and nearly 500 immigration agents
short of the authorized amount in the 9/11 Act of 2004, to the detriment of efforts to combat alien
smuggling.
Since 2001, the Congress had not enacted legislation to address the 9/11 Commission recommendations to
combat alien smuggling. [Leadership Document, “Democrats Fight For Real Resources to Improve Border Security,”
9/21/06]
Supported Requiring Government Issued ID to Vote, Disenfranchising Millions of Americans
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill requiring that voters show government issued ID in order to vote
by 2008 and requiring proof of US citizenship in order to vote by 2010.
The latter provision was of particular concern as most Americans currently do not possess government
issued ID that denotes their citizenship status. In 48 states, a driver’s license does not reflect one’s
citizenship status, so by 2010, a driver’s license would not be sufficient.
This bill would disenfranchise millions of Americans - particularly the elderly, people with disabilities,
and minorities. Democrats charged that the bill was one in a series of attempts by Republicans to suppress
the vote to keep Republicans in power. Federal law already prohibits non-citizens from voting in national
elections and from providing false information about citizenship when registering. Both provisions carry
prison time and stiff financial penalties.
Democrats charged that the bill would institute a 21st Century poll tax, as documents denoting citizenship
can be expensive. Only 25 percent of Americans own a passport, which costs $97 and reissued
Naturalization papers cost $210. Democrats argued that the bill would particularly disenfranchise the
elderly who often do not have drivers’ licenses or have lost their birth certificates. [Leadership Document,
“Vote No On GOP Voter Id Bill - A Partisan Attempt to Disenfranchise Millions of Voters,” 9/20/06]
Supported Cracking Down on Illegal Border Tunnels
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of the Border Tunnel Prevention Act.
The bill imposed prison terms of up to 20 years for those who knowingly construct or finance an
unauthorized tunnel under a U.S. border.
People who permit the construction of such a tunnel could face 10 years in prison. [Associated Press, 9/21/06]
Supported Funds for High Intensity Drug Program in 2000
273
In 2000, Bilbray voted for an amendment to add $25 million to the High Intensity Drug
Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program and reduce funding for the IRS Processing Assistance and
Management account by $25 million. The amendment passed 284-134. [HR 4871, Vote #421, 7/20/00]
That same day, Bilbray voted FOR the bill that contained those funds after the amendment. [HR
4871, Vote #428, 7/20/00]
Supported Troops on the Border

2000: Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment that would allow the Defense Department
to assign military patrols to the Immigration and Naturalization Service and Customs
Service for the purpose of monitoring U.S. borders. The attorney general could request the
assistance to prevent terrorists, drug traffickers and illegal aliens from entering the U.S.
The Treasury secretary could request assistance for inspecting cargo, vehicles and aircraft.
The amendment passed 243-183. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/18/00; HR 4205, Vote #197, 5/18/00]
 1999: Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to allow the Department of Defense to
assign military personnel to assist the border patrol and U.S. Customs Service in drug
interdiction and counter-terrorism activities along U.S. borders. The amendment passed
242-181. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/10/99; HR 1401, Vote #186, 6/10/99]

1998: Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to direct the U.S. armed forces to assist in
the efforts to keep illegal drugs out of the United States. Under the amendment, that
assistance could include patrolling U.S. borders. The amendment passed 291-133. [CQ Floor
Votes, 9/16/98; HR 4300, Vote #440, 9/16/98]

1998: Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to authorize the Defense Department to
assign members of the armed forces to assist the Immigration and Naturalization Service
and the Customs Service in monitoring and patrolling U.S. borders. The amendment
passed 288-132. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/21/98; HR 3616, Vote #180, 5/21/98]

1997: Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to allow the secretary of Defense to assign
up to 10,000 military personnel to assist the Immigration and Naturalization Service and
the Customs Service in border control activities. The amendment passed 269-119. [CQ Floor
Votes, 6/20/97; HR 1119, Vote #224, 6/20/97]
Voiced Concern Over Immigration Law, Discrimination
In November 1986, Bilbray voiced concern that a proposed immigration law could cause discrimination
about Hispanics. Proposed laws would create new routes for gaining legal residency and establish
penalties for employers hiring workers who are in the United States illegally. Bilbray was concerned over
whether “the implementation of the legislation will result in an increase in discriminatory practices
toward the Hispanic and Latino communities.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/18/86]
274
Labor and Working Family Issues
 Voted to Undermine Fair Union Elections
 Voted Against Middle Class Tax Relief
 Mixed Record on Extending Unemployment Benefits
 Voted Against Raising the Minimum Wage
Bilbray has not stood up for middle and working class families. He has voted to
change union-representation ballot rules for rail and airline employees and voted
against middle class tax relief. Bilbray has a mixed voting record on extending
unemployment benefits, at time voting to extend them but also voting to block
them, such as in 2008. He also opposed an increase in the minimum wage in 2007
and 2006.
Voted to Change Union-Representation Ballot Counting Rules
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a bill which changed the union-representation ballots rules for rail and airline
employees.
The legislation would have reduced the overall funding for the FAA by $4 billion dollars and contained
an anti-union rule which changed the way union-representation ballots are counted for companies
governed by the Railway Labor Act, which includes rail and airlines. [CRS Report, R41666, 3/03/11; CQ
BillAnalysis, 6/07/11]
Voted Against Middle Class Tax Relief
In December 2010, Bilbray voted against extending permanently the 2001 and 2003 tax rate reductions
for middle class taxpayers earning $200,000 or less for individuals and $250,000 for married couples
filing jointly. The measure specifically excluded extending the reductions for the upper-income tax
breaks. Income above those rates were set to increase beginning January 1.
Beyond the tax cuts, the bill would provide a two-year extension of the alternative minimum tax patch,
make permanent the reduced capital gains taxes for the middle class, permanently increase the basic
standard deduction for a married couple filing a joint return, and make permanent an extension of
education tax incentives and small business expensing rules.
275
According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, the House proposal would cost $1.5 trillion over 10 years.
[CQ Today, 12/02/10]
In an interview on CBS’s Face the Nation in September 2010, Republican Leader John Boehner said that,
if approving a bill to extend tax breaks for middle class income Americans were “the only option,” he
would support it. [CBS News, 9/12/10]
The bill passed with only three Republicans supporting the measure, 234-188. [HR 4853, Vote #604, 12/02/10]
Voted for Extending Unemployment Benefits
In 2010, Bilbray voted for extending unemployment benefits, as part of a package to extend the 2001 and
2003 tax cuts for all taxpayers for two years and set the estate tax at 35 percent on estates worth more than
$5 million for two years.
The measure also extended unemployment insurance benefits for 13 months and cut the employee portion
of the Social Security tax by 2 percentage points. The measure was seen as a compromise from both sides
of the aisle as liberals did not want to extend tax cuts for upper income earners nor extend the estate tax,
and conservatives were upset about an extension of benefits which were not offset.
The final package was estimated to cost $857 billion. [CQ Weekly, 1/03/11]
According to CNN, extending the Bush tax cuts in the measure would cost $544.3 billion. The bulk, $463
billion, was for the extension of families making less than $250,000. Approximately $81.5 billion was
attributable to the extension of cuts that applied to the highest income families. [CNN, 12/07/10]
Voted Against Extending Unemployment Benefits
In November 2010, Bilbray voted for against extending federal unemployment insurance benefits through
February 2011 for the long-term unemployed who had exhausted the typical 26 weeks provided by the
states. The bill would also provide 100 percent federal funding to state programs to cover additional
implementation costs.
An estimated 2 million Americans were set to lose their benefits without Congressional action by the end
of that month. [CQ Weekly, 11/22/10]
The bill failed, 258-154, without a two-thirds majority required for bills under suspension rules. [HR 6419,
Vote #579, 11/18/10]
In 2010, Bilbray voted for extending unemployment benefits for workers who had exhausted their
benefits. The extension, passed in July, would apply retroactively to June 2, and would expire at the end
of November.
276
The legislation provided 100 percent federal funding to state unemployment programs to cover additional
implementation costs and would add $33.9 billion to the deficit over 10 years. [CQ Today, 7/22/10]
In 2010, Bilbray voted for extending expired unemployment benefits to approximately 1.7 million people
who had lost benefits between the end of May and July 3.
The bill would extend through November 30, extended eligibility for unemployment insurance for laid-off
workers. The measure would make the extension retroactive to June 2, when the provisions expired,
meaning that eligible workers could receive benefits retroactively. The bill also included an amendment
that would prevent payment of jobless benefits to known or suspected terrorists; individuals convicted of
sex offenses against minors; and illegal immigrants. [CQ Today, 7/01/10]
Supported Extending Unemployment Benefits to 1.7 Million People
In 2010, Bilbray voted for extending federal unemployment benefits that expired in early June through
November 30, 2010. Another 1.7 million people would see their benefits expire if not passed, according
to the House Ways and Means Committee.
House Democrats urged their colleagues to assist the unemployed, asserting that the bill would support
consumer spending and help stimulate the economy. Historically, Congress had extended benefits in
economic emergencies without finding offsets. The $33.9 billion cost over a decade would was not offset.
[CQ Today, 6/29/10]
The bill failed under suspension rules requiring a two-thirds majority, 261-155. [HR 5618, Vote #398, 6/29/10]
Supported Extension of Unemployment Benefits
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a bill that would extend unemployment insurance.
Specifically, the bill would provide seven additional weeks of benefits for those whose unemployment
insurance has run out, and 13 additional weeks for jobless workers in states with an unemployment rate
higher than 6 percent. [CQ Today, 10/03/08]
Opposed Extension of Unemployment Benefits
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a $60.8 billion economic stimulus package designed to fund infrastructure
projects, unemployment insurance and Medicaid.
277
The bill would specifically extend unemployment insurance benefits by seven weeks nationwide and an
additional 13 weeks in states with high unemployment. [CQ Today, 9/26/08]
Voted for Raising the Minimum Wage
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an emergency appropriations bill that included a provision to raise the
minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years.
To help small businesses with the costs of raising the minimum wage, the measure provided $4.8 billion
in small-business tax incentives.
military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It also provided $3.1 billion for military base closure expenses, $1.8 billion for veterans medical care,
$650 million for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, $2.9 billion for hurricane relief, $1.1
billion for anti-terrorism homeland security activities and $3 billion for agriculture disaster relief. [CQ
Voted Against Raising the Minimum Wage
In addition, the bill raised the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years and provided $4.8 billion
in small-business tax incentives.
The bill also included $6.8 billion for hurricane recovery and relief, $3.3 billion for military healthcare
costs and $2.25 billion for homeland security anti-terrorism programs.
Opposed Effort to Pass Minimum Wage Bill without Poison Pills
In 2006, Bilbray voted against an effort to pass a bill to increase the minimum wage without the estate tax
cuts also included in the bill. The Senate has consistently opposed the estate tax cuts and placing them in
278
the minimum wage bill was likely to kill the bill’s prospects of passing the Senate, thus killing the hope of
increasing the minimum wage.
The vote was on a motion that would have recommitted the bill to get a straight vote on the minimum
wage increase and the tax cut extenders, without the poison pill estate tax provisions. [Leadership Document,
“Republicans Playing Politics with A Pay Raise For Millions of Americans,” 7/28/06; Chicago Tribune, 7/29/06]
Opposed Attempts to Increase the Minimum Wage Four Times in 2006
In 2006, Bilbray voted four times to kill Democratic efforts to raise the minimum wage.
Opposed Attempt to Increase Minimum Wage via Pledge Protection Act Debate
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of killing another Democratic attempt to offer an increase the
minimum wage, this time during debate of the Pledge Protection Act.
The rule for debating the bill offered by the GOP leadership prohibited Democrats from offering
the increase. When Democrats protested, Republicans voted to kill the Democratic attempt. [HR
2389, Vote #382, 7/19/06; Leadership Document, “Democrats are Fighting for a New Direction: A Pay Raise for
Millions of Americans,” 7/19/06]
Opposed Attempt to Increase Minimum Wage via Credit Rating Bill Debate
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of killing a Democratic attempt to offer an increase the minimum
wage during debate of the credit rating bill. The rule for debating the bill offered by the GOP
leadership prohibited Democrats from offering the increase.
When Democrats protested, Republicans voted to kill the Democratic attempt. [HR 2990, Vote #364,
7/12/06; Leadership Document, “Democrats are Fighting for a New Direction: A Pay Raise for Millions of
Americans, 7/12/06]
The attempt passed 223-197. [HR2990, Vote#364, 7/12/06]
Opposed Attempt to Increase Minimum Wage via Internet Gaming Bill Debate
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of killing a Democratic attempt to offer an increase to the
minimum wage during debate of the internet gaming bill. The rule for debating the bill was
offered by the GOP leadership and prohibited Democrats from offering the increase. When
Democrats protested, Republicans voted to kill the Democratic attempt. [Leadership Document,
“Democrats are Fighting for a New Direction: A Pay Raise for Millions of Americans, 7/11/06]
Opposed Attempt to Increase the Minimum Wage in SSJC Appropriations Bill
279
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of killing a Democratic attempt to offer an amendment to increase
the minimum wage to the Science, State, Justice, and Commerce (SSJC) appropriations bill. The
amendment would have increased the minimum wage to $7.25 for to give a pay raise to nearly 7
million Americans. Democrats were fighting to gradually increase the minimum wage by $2.10 -from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over two years.
The Republican leadership passed a rule that barred Democrats from offering the amendment.
When Democrats protested, Republicans voted to kill the Democratic attempt to bring up the
amendment. [Leadership Document, “Democrats are Fighting for a New Direction, A Pay Raise for Millions of
Americans,” 6/27/06]
Supported Bill to Provide Paid Parental Leave to Federal Employees
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a bill that would provide that four of the 12 weeks of parental leave given to
federal and congressional employees would be paid leave. Employees also would be allowed to use
accrued annual or sick leave for parental leave. The bill would not require employees to demonstrate a
medical need for using their sick time for parental leave. The bill also would authorize the Office of
Personnel Management to extend the parental leave period for up to eight weeks. [CQ Today, 6/19/08]
Voted for Partisan Delay of Parental Leave for Federal Employees
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit a bill that would provide that four of the
12 weeks of parental leave given to federal and congressional employees would be paid leave time
to the Oversight and Government Committee with instructions that it be reported back with
language that would ban employees who do not comply with court-ordered child support
arrangements from being eligible for the paid leave included in the bill.
The bill included language ensuring that federal employees would be compensated for four of the
12 weeks of leave they are already entitled to under the Family and Medical Leave Act. [CQ Today,
6/19/08]
Opposed Union-Friendly FAA Reauthorization
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill that would change the process of labor negotiations between the
agency and air traffic controllers, making it more union-friendly.
It would bar the imposition of new work rules if labor negotiations between the agency and controllers
reach an impasse and requiring binding arbitration if an agreement is not reached.
280
It would also require airlines and airports to develop contingency plans for stranded passengers, increase
the maximum age for pilots from 60 to 65 and change labor laws applying to certain FedEx employees
and allowing them to unionize more easily. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/20/07]
Opposed Allowing Shareholders to Vote on Executive Compensation
In 2007, Bilbray voted against legislation to allow shareholders of public companies to vote on a
company’s executive compensation plans.
The bill would require publicly traded corporations to allow shareholders to cast non-binding votes
beginning in 2009 on compensation packages for top executives.
It would require companies to disclose executive severance pay plans in the case of any acquisition,
merger, consolidation, proposed sale or other disposition of substantially all of a company’s assets. [CQ
The vote would be advisory in nature, meaning, the board and the CEO of a company can ignore the will
of the shareholders if they so choose. [House Financial Services Committee]
Opposed Legislation to Strengthen Organizing Rights
In 2007, Bilbray voted against the Employee Free Choice Act, a bill to protect the rights of workers to
organize a union.
The bill changed existing law by allowing employees – not employers – to decide whether or not to hold a
union election. The legislation would certify a union if a majority of workers signed cards authorizing it
or allow them to hold an election by secret ballot. [Office of the Committee on Education and Labor Democrats,
02/2007; Los Angeles Times, 3/02/07; Congressional Quarterly, 2/19/07]
It also established steps to push employers and unions toward agreement on an initial contract and created
penalties for intimidation of employees. [Congressional Quarterly, 3/05/07]
Voted to Make it Harder for Unions to Organize
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education to block the Employee Free
Choice Act.
The amendment would have barred the use of funds in the bill by the National Labor Relations
Board to recognize a union as an exclusive employee representative if it has not been chosen in a
secret-ballot election. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/19/07]
281
Supported Collective Bargaining for Doctors
In 2000, Bilbray voted for a bill to allow doctors to bargain collectively with insurance plans.
Under the bill, doctors would be given the same treatment under antitrust laws that are given to labor
organizations under the National Labor Relations Act. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/30/00]
Supported So-Called “Paycheck Protection”
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of the so-called “paycheck protection” legislation, which would prohibit
the involuntary use of funds of employees and shareholders of corporations, and of labor union members,
for political activities. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/30/98]
The legislation was defeated 166-246. [HR 2608, Vote #83, 3/30/98]
Supported Effort to Undermine Labor Organizing Efforts
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to prohibit the labor-organizing tool known as “salting.”
The bill allowed employers to refuse to hire or fire those who seek employment to organize workers to
join a union. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/26/98]
The bill passed 202 to 200. [HR 3246, Vote #78, 3/26/98]
Supported Attempt to Weaken Union Representation
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of the so-called “Team Act,” under which U.S. businesses would be
allowed to establish, without the presence of a labor union, workplace groups consisting of both labor and
management to address such issues as productivity, quality control and safety. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/27/95]
Voted Against Holding Mining Companies Accountable
In 2007, Bilbray against a bill that would hold mining companies accountable by overhauling federal
regulations of hard-rock minerals, which include copper, uranium and gold.
Mining companies would be required to pay royalties for hard rock mines on federal land equal to 8
percent of gross income for new mines and 4 percent on existing mines that are not fully operational.
Two-thirds of the royalties would go towards cleaning abandoned mines, with the remainder used to
provide public facilities and services in areas affected by hard-rock mining.
282
The bill would impose new environmental standards for the industry and expand the types of land on
which mining would be prohibited. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/01/07]
“We’re dealing with a law that has been relatively unchanged, that was enacted when Ulysses S. Grant
was still in the White House,” Natural Resources Committee chairman Nick Rahall (D-WV) said. [CQ
Weekly, 11/01/07]
Voted to Gut Bill Holding Mining Companies Accountable
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit a bill overhauling mining regulations to
the Natural Resources Committee with instructions that it be reported back promptly with
language that would clarify that no royalty would apply to minerals used in the manufacture of
technology to produce solar or nuclear energy.
The bill also would delay the bill’s effective date until the Interior secretary certifies that the bill
would not lead to the loss of American mining-related jobs. [CQ Floor Votes, 11/01/07]
Voted Against Protecting Workers in Popcorn Plants
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill that would require the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) to issue standards regulating worker exposure to diacetyl, used in artificial butter
flavoring and recently cited as a cause of a rare lung disease dubbed “popcorn lung.” [ABC News, 9/06/07]
The final standard, due within two years of the bill’s enactment, would apply to all establishments
involved in flavoring manufacturing and would have to include worker safety requirements. The measure
would also require the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to conduct a study on
flavorings used in microwave popcorn. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/26/07]
The bill was backed by organized labor and the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, which
represents the makers of artificial butter. It was opposed by business groups that warn that not enough
data have been collected to set a permissible exposure limit. [CQ Today, 9/25/07]
Voted to Risk Health of Popcorn Factory Workers by Delaying Regulations
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to weaken protections for workers in popcorn
factories.
The amendment was aimed at weakening a bill to require the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) to issue standards regulating worker exposure to diacetyl, used in
283
artificial butter flavoring and recently cited as a cause of a rare lung disease dubbed “popcorn
lung.” [ABC News, 9/06/07]
The amendment would have required the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
to wait until the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health concludes there is sufficient
data to support a recommended exposure limit and establishes such a limit before OSHA issues a
final standard. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/26/07]
Opposed Increased Federal Contracting with American Businesses
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment aimed at increasing federal contracting with American
small businesses.
The amendment extended small business contracting goals to the federal government’s overseas contracts
By including overseas contracts in federal small business contracting goals, federal agencies will be
discouraged from using foreign companies or outsourcing to large businesses that then may subcontract
with foreign companies. Reports estimate that by extending contracting goals to the government’s
overseas contracts American small businesses could gain contracts worth nearly $15 billion. [Congressman
Heath Shuler press release, 5/10/07]
Voted to Require Department of Homeland Security to Buy American
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Department of Homeland Security
authorization bill that would have blocked efforts to buy American uniforms and other gear for the
Department of Homeland Security.
The amendment, sponsored by Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA) would have stricken a provision in the
bill that would bar the use of funds by the department to procure uniforms, protective gear, badges or
identification cards if the items are manufactured outside of the United States. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/09/07]
Opposed Government Contractors Paying a Prevailing Wage
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment that would bar the use of the funds in the bill for the
enforcement of the Davis-Bacon Act, which requires government contractors to pay employees the
prevailing wage.
Supporters claimed that the Davis-Bacon Act inflated the cost of construction programs by
overcompensating employees and requiring burdensome paperwork. Opponents argued that the
amendment would cut the quality of construction programs and harm the middle class. [Tulsa World, 8/10/08]
284
Voted to Undermine Prevailing Wage Laws
In 2008, Bilbray voted for an amendment introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) to bar the use of
appropriations authorized under HOPE VI to be used to pay Davis-Bacon wages.
The amendment would have barred federally funded or assisted construction projects from using the
Davis-Bacon act to determine that workers be paid prevailing wage rates. [Congress Now, 1/16/08]
Voted to Block Prevailing Wage
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Agriculture appropriations bill
that would waive the Davis-Bacon law.
Davis-Bacon requires prevailing wages to be paid on public works projects, for government contracts to
construct renewable energy systems. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/02/07]
departments of Housing and Urban Development and Transportation to bar the use of funds in the bill to
implement wage requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act.
The Davis-Bacon Act requires contractors for projects that receive federal funds to pay the prevailing
local wages and benefits to employees. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/24/07]
appropriations bill to that have blocked the Davis-Bacon law from being applied to grants or contracts for
projects funded in the bill.
Davis-Bacon requires contractors for projects that receive federal funds to pay the prevailing local wages
and benefits to employees. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Opposed Minimum Wage Increase
285
In 2007, Bilbray voted against increasing the minimum wage from by $2.10 an hour to $7.25 an hour. [CQ
House Action Reports, No. 110-3, 3/20/07]
Opposed Fair Minimum Wage Act
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an increase to the federal minimum wage by $2.10 over two years -- from
the previous level of $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour. [CQ Floor Votes, 1/10/07]
Voted for Sham Minimum Wage Increase with Poison Pill
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would increase the minimum wage $2.10, from $5.15 to
$7.25 an hour over two years, but attached to the increase was a permanent cut for the federal estate tax
for estates worth up to $5 million per person and $10 million per couple.
The bill also extended tax provisions like the R&D tax credit, the education tax deduction to help students
go to college, tax deductions for teacher’s classroom expenses and the deduction of state and local sales
taxes; and reauthorize the Abandoned Mine Land Program for 15 years.
Republicans refused to allow a clean vote on a minimum wage increase and instead offered this bill full of
poison pills. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that the tax provisions of the bill would cost
$309.8 billion over the first 10 years. The Senate has consistently opposed the estate tax provisions in the
bill. [CQ Today, 7/29/06; Associated Press, 7/27/06; Leadership Document, “Republicans Playing Politics With A Pay Raise
For Millions Of Americans,” 7/28/06]
Opposed Ergonomics Standards for Workers
In 2000, Bilbray voted against an amendment to strike a provision from the FY 2001 Labor-HHS
Appropriations bill prohibiting OSHA from using funds to establish a standard on ergonomic protection.
Supported “Paycheck Protection”
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of the so-called “paycheck protection” legislation, which would prohibit
the involuntary use of funds of employees and shareholders of corporations, and of labor union members,
for political activities. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/30/98]
The legislation was defeated, 166-246. [HR 2608, Vote #83, 3/30/98]
Supported Employees Taking Compensatory Time for Overtime Pay…
286
In 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to allow private sector employees the choice of taking one and
one-half hours of compensatory time instead of cash wages for overtime pay. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/19/97]
…But Opposed the Democratic Overtime Pay Package
Bilbray voted against a substitute measure to the compensatory time bill that would have allowed
private sector employees the choice between taking one and one-half hours of compensatory time
and cash wages for overtime pay.
However, the measure applied eligibility restrictions for certain employees, disallowing employers
from conditioning benefits or overtime pay based on an employee’s decision to reject
compensatory time and required employers who offer compensatory time to provide employees 24
hours of unpaid leave yearly to participate in a child’s education activities or medical
appointments. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/19/97]
Supported Cuts to OSHA Funding
In September 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment that would reduce funding levels for the
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) by $11.25 million and transfer the same amount
to vocational and adult education programs. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/08/97]
Supported Weakening Child Labor Laws, Worker Safety Protections
In January 1995, Bilbray voted against en bloc amendments to a bill (HR 5) seeking to block “unfunded
mandates” that would exempt from the provisions of the bill federal mandates involving minimum labor
standards, including prohibiting child labor, establishing a minimum wage, and establishment of
minimum standards for occupational safety. [CQ Floor Votes, 1/23/95]
Supported Separate Amendment Weakening Child Labor Laws
In January 1995, Bilbray voted against a separate amendment to the bill that would exempt federal
mandates that enforce child labor laws. [CQ Floor Votes, 1/30/95]
Supported Underlying Bill
287
Following the failure of these amendments, Bilbray supported the bill, which passed 360-74. The
bill died in the Senate. [HR 5, Vote #83, 2/01/95]
Supported Allowing Corporations to Raid Pensions
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of a budget bill that included a provision to allow companies to raid
employee pensions.
The provision reversed existing law that had ended the practice of corporate raiders and buyout specialists
financing deals using employee pension funds.
According to USA Today, the measure would have exposed $100 billion in 22,400 pension plans
covering 11 million workers and 2 million retirees. [USA Today, 10/03/95]
Voted Against Prioritizing American Inventors
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a motion which moved patents to be developed and produced in America
to the front of the approval line.
The motion would have required the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to prioritize patents which pledge
to develop or manufacture their products in the United States. The motion would also deny this
prioritization to nationals of countries that deny adequate and effective protection for patent rights or fair
and equitable access for persons that rely on patent protection. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/23/11]
Voted to Protect International Agriculture Companies
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit the 2007 Farm Bill to stop a tax increase on
agricultural companies.
The motion would have sent the bill to the Agriculture Committee with instructions that it be reported
back promptly with language to strike a tax provision that would raise $4 billion over five years by ending
the ability of foreign companies operating in the United States to shift income to a third country. [CQ Floor
Votes, 7/27/07]
Supported Federal Contracts to Companies that Avoid Paying Taxes
In 2006, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the FY 07 Treasury, Transportation and Housing
appropriations bill that would have placed a ban on new contracts with corporate expatriates - companies
that have incorporated on paper overseas in the tax haven countries of Bermuda, Barbados, the Cayman
Islands, Antigua, and Panama.
288
The ban would only apply to federal contract relating to the Departments of Treasury, Transportation and
Housing and Urban Development. The Department of Homeland Security was operating under a similar
contracting ban. 66 percent of companies that hold government contracts and are incorporated in an
overseas tax haven pay no federal taxes whatsoever.
Companies who reincorporate overseas in order to reduce the amount of tax they owe to the U.S. Treasury
cost the government an estimated $5 billion per year. [DeLauro Press Release, 6/14/06]
The ban failed 195-231. [HR5576, Vote #275, 6/14/06]
289
Legal Reform Issues
 Voted to Cut Legal Services for Poor
In 2011, Bilbray voted cut legal services funding for the poor. The Legal Services
Corporation provides funding for essential legal services to Americans below and
close to the poverty level.
Voted to Cut Legal Services Funding for Poor
In 2011, Bilbray voted to strike all funding, or an additional $324.4 million, for the Legal Services
Corporation. The program provides funding for essential legal services to almost $60 million Americans
living below 125 percent of the poverty level.
Republicans had earlier proposed an 18 percent cut for the program, or some $75 million in the $420
million annual budget of the LSC. Gene Nichol, professor of law at UNC-Chapel hill, noted that studies
had shown how for decades millions of poor and near poor Americans had been “effectively priced out of
the civil justice system.” [Charlotte News & Observer, Nichol op-ed, 2/28/11]
The amendment failed, 171-259. [HR 1, Duncan amendment #110, Vote #54, 2/16/11]
Voted to Protect Fire Departments from Frivolous Lawsuits
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit on a bill that would authorize $293 million for
the U.S. Fire Administration, an arm of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, through fiscal year
2012.
The motion would have had the bill reported back with an amendment to protect state and local fire
departments from being held liable for child car seat safety advice. [CQ Today, 4/03/08]
Many Democrats opposed the measure, claiming that there was no proof that liability over child car seat
safety advice was a problem for first responders. “We don’t know anything about is there a liability
problem or not. We don’t know whether or not this is going to affect States’ own liability or whether this
is going to preempt it,” Congressman Bart Gordon (D-TN) said. [Congressional Record, 4/03/08]
The motion failed 205-209. [HR 4847, Vote # 159, 4/03/08]
290
Military Personnel Issues
 Voted Against Service Members Receiving Pay during Government Shut
Down
 Bilbray Voted Against Increased Combat Pay for Troops
 Voted to Allow Airlines to Charge Baggage Fees to Military Personnel
Bilbray voted against a motion that would have ensured that service members
would receive pay during a potential government shut down. He also opposed a
proposal that would increase combat pay for troops, although he has supported
previous pay raises for military personnel. In 2001, Bilbray voted against a motion
that would prohibit airlines from charring baggage fees to military personnel who
are on orders.
Voted Against Ensuring Pay to Service Members during a Government Shutdown
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a motion to recommit which would have ensured that service members
would have gotten paid in the event of a government shutdown.
The motion would have added a new section to the bill providing that the salaries of the members of the
armed forces would not be interrupted in the event of a government shutdown.
Voted Against Increasing Combat Pay for Troops
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a motion which would increase combat pay for troops. The motion
increased the maximum amount of bonus pay troops receive while in combat to $325 per month effective
October 1, 2011. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/26/11]
Voted Against Prohibiting Airlines from Charging Baggage Fees to Military Personnel on Orders
In 2011, Bilbray voted against prohibiting airlines from charging baggage fees to military personnel who
are on orders.
291
The motion prohibited airlines from charging baggage fees for four or fewer bags for members of the
military travelling on orders or being deployed or returning from overseas operations.
Voted Against Increased Funding for the Yellow Ribbon Program by $200 Million
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a motion which increased funding for the Yellow Ribbon Program by $200
million.
The motion increased funding for the Yellow Ribbon Program by $200 million dollars. “The Yellow
Ribbon Program is a Department of Defense-wide effort to support National Guard and Reserve service
member families with information on benefits and referrals before, during, and after deployments.”
[Yellow Ribbon Program, Accessed 9/29/11]
Opposed Troop Pay Raises, Quality of Life Improvements
In 2010, Bilbray voted against the nearly $760 billion defense authorization bill, providing pay raises and
quality of life improvements to the troops and their families.
The bill authorized $725.9 billion for defense programs in fiscal 2011 and $33.7 billion in fiscal 2010
funding for the “surge” of additional forces in Afghanistan. It included $159.3 billion in fiscal 2011
contingent funds specifically authorized to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the war on
terrorism.
Additional funds were allocated for equipment depleted by the war in Iraq, including combat vehicles;
new battle gear for the Army National Guard and reserves; military pay raises; Special Operations forces;
and quality of life improvements for troops and their families. [CQ Today, 5/28/10]
Opposed New GI Bill, Supported Final Version
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would create an expanded educational benefit for
veterans, imposing a surtax on the very wealthy to offset the costs of the new veterans’ program and
suspend implementation of seven Bush administration Medicaid regulations.
The amendment appropriated $21.2 billion for domestic programs, military construction and foreign aid
programs.
It would provide $4.6 billion for military construction and $5.8 billion for levee building in Louisiana.
The amendment would provide a permanent expansion of education benefits for post-Sept. 11 veterans,
offset with a 0.47 percent surtax on modified adjusted gross income above $500,000 per year for
individuals and $1 million for couples.
292
It also would temporarily extend unemployment insurance benefits and place a moratorium through
March 2009 on seven Medicaid regulations proposed by the administration. It would appropriate $9.9
billion for the State Department, USAID and international food assistance. [Congressional Quarterly,
Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 5/16/08]
Later Supported Expanding GI Benefits for Veterans Education
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation making appropriations for military construction, the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2008, and for other purposes.
The legislation expanded the education benefits veterans receive under the GI bill to restore the
promise of a full, four-year college education and make the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan part
of an American economic recovery, just like the veterans of World War II were. The bill also
allowed service members to transfer educational benefits to their spouses and dependents. [House
Appropriations Committee Release, 6/19/08]
Voted Against Funding Military Housing, Health Care and Pay Increase
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would authorize $696.4 billion for defense programs in fiscal
2008, including $189.5 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The bill included $142.8 billion for operations and maintenance; $119.7 billion for military personnel;
$23.7 billion for military construction and family housing and $23.1 billion for the Defense Health
Program. The bill would also authorize a 3.5 percent pay increase for military personnel. [CQ Floor Votes,
1/16/08]
Voted for Redundant Measure to Protect Seniors, Military from Hate Crimes
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit hate crimes legislation to the Judiciary
Committee with instructions that it be reported back promptly with language that includes the elderly and
military personnel among those protected by federal hate-crime law. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/03/07]
Democrats largely opposed the motion it was viewed as a cynical attempt to kill the hate crimes bill and
because individuals included in the amendment, seniors and members of the armed services, are already
entitled to protection under the law. For example, it is already a Federal crime to kill or attempt to kill any
member of the armed services under 18 U.S.C. 1114.
Likewise, programs already exist to provide assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement in the
enforcement of crimes against elders.
293
According to Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-MI), the underlying bill was aimed at protecting
classes of individuals “who have been and are the group-wide victims of systemic violence: hanging a
man because of his race, dragging someone to death because they are disabled.” [Congressional Record,
5/03/07; Page H 4449]
Voted Repeatedly for Pay Raises for Our Troops
Bilbray has repeatedly voted to honor our troops’ service to our nation by giving them pay raises that they
need, deserve and earned.
 2008: Bilbray voted in favor of the fiscal year 2009 Defense Authorization bill. The bill
would authorize $601.4 billion in defense programs at the Pentagon and Energy
Department for fiscal year 2009, including the authorization of $70 billion for several
months of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan and a 3.9 percent pay raise for U.S. military
personnel. The bill passed 384-23. [CQ Today, 5/22/08; HR 5658, Vote #365, 5/22/08]
 2007: Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to appropriate $459.6 billion in defense spending,
including a 3.5 percent pay raise. The bill passed 395-13. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/05/07; HR 3222,
Vote #846, 8/05/07]
 2007: In 2007, Bilbray in favor of the fiscal year 2008 defense authorization bill, which
authorized $645.5 billion, including a 3.5 percent increase in pay for military personnel.
The bill passed 397-27. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/17/07; HR 1585, Vote #373, 5/17/07]
 2006: Bilbray voted in favor of the Defense Appropriations bill, which contained a 2.2
percent pay raise for our troops. The bill passed 394-22. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/26/06; HR 5631,
Vote #486, 9/20/06]
 2000: Bilbray voted in favor of a defense appropriations bill that contained a 3.7 percent
pay hike for military personnel. The bill passed 367-58. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/07/00; HR 4576, Vote
#241, 6/07/00]
 1999: Bilbray voted in favor of a defense appropriations bill that contained $5.5 billion in
emergency spending for military pay raise. The bill passed 372-55. [CQ Today, 10/13/99; HR
2561, Vote #494, 10/13/99]
 1999: Bilbray voted in favor of a defense authorization bill that contained a 4.8 percent
military pay raise and increased retirement benefits. The bill passed 365-58. [CQ Floor Votes,
6/10/99; HR 1401, Vote #191, 6/10/99]
 1999: Bilbray voted in favor of a supplemental appropriations bill which included $1.8
billion for a pay raise for the military. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/06/99; HR 1664, Vote #120, 5/06/99]
Supported Equipment, Armor for Military Personnel
294
In 2007, Bilbray voted for the year 2008 defense authorization bill, which authorized $645.5 billion for
fiscal 2008 defense-related spending, including $141.8 billion in fiscal 2008 emergency supplemental
funding for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including a 3.5 percent increase in pay
for military personnel.
According to Congressional Quarterly, the Democratic authors of the bill “prioritized funding for current
troop needs and readiness issues.”
The bill authorized $1 billion for National Guard and Reserve equipment to address their unfunded
requirements list.
The bill also included priority funding for troop support in Iraq, such as the $4.6 billion authorized for
Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, which are intended to reduce casualties in vehicles from IED
attacks.
In addition, the bill authorized $697 million for night vision devices including weapon sights, night vision
goggles and other monocular devices, while authorizing $250 million more than the president requested
for unfunded training requirements. [Congressional Quarterly Bill Summary, HR 1585]
Voted for Funding for Troops in Iraq, Afghanistan
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an emergency appropriations bill that included $7.7 billion for military
operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
military base closure expenses, $1.8 billion for veterans’ medical care, $650 million for the State
Children’s Health Insurance Program, $2.9 billion for hurricane relief, $1.1 billion for anti-terrorism
homeland security activities and $3 billion for agriculture disaster relief.
295
Other Social Issues
 History of Offensive, Inappropriate Remarks
 Supported Drug Testing for County Supervisors
Bilbray has a history of making offensive and inappropriate remarks regarding
women and minorities. He defended himself saying he was not a “politically
correct, bleeding-heart liberal that panders to every extremist group that demands
that I jump through hoops.” As a Supervisor, Bilbray supported the idea of drug
testing for the Supervisors if the county adopted a policy requiring such testing for
county employees. “It would be hypocritical for us not to subject ourselves to the
same tests we demand of employees,” said Bilbray.
Tasteless Remarks about Women and Minorities
In June 1996, Bilbray attended a gathering where approximately 30 people were present. At the event,
Bilbray made discriminating remarks about women and minorities and even alluded to the need for
discrimination protections for white males. He said he opposed same-sex marriage and equated such
unions with polygamy and incest. He also said women should be allowed to have two husbands because
women were “high maintenance.” He later claimed the statement was made in jest. [San Diego Union-Tribune,
7/21/96]
Bilbray: Marriage is Not a Right
Bilbray said, “Marriage is not a right; it’s a privilege that the government has regulated for
thousands of years.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/21/96]
Attacked Female Critics
Following protests against his remarks by women, Bilbray lashed back at them, saying, “I’m not
their politically correct, bleeding-heart liberal that panders to every extremist group that demands
that I jump through hoops.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/21/96]
Apologized for Inappropriate Remarks
In August 1995, Bilbray apologize for telling an off-color story to a female political activist, Donna Frye,
who also owned a local surf shop in San Diego. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune:
296
Bilbray told a story about how his whacky friend Corky Carroll, a one-time world
champion surfer, would sometimes expose himself through a hole in his pants pocket
when someone asked him for spare change. While he wasn’t graphic in his language,
Bilbray reached into his pocket in a mock demonstration of Carroll’s crude antics,
according to Frye. Frye said she expected more eloquent discourse from the
congressman, and she feels that Bilbray was condescending. “He assumed we were such
crude kind of people . . . like that’s the way we (surfers) speak,” she said. [San Diego UnionTribune, 8/04/95]
Some People Choose “Vagabond Lifestyle”
In February 1985 during a debate on the homeless, Bilbray said, “Frankly, I am not sure that giving every
one of these persons a home is an answer because many of them don’t want a home. Some people choose
what used to be called a vagabond lifestyle and we need to recognize that.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/20/85]
Supported Drug Tests for Supervisors if County Tested Employees
In January 1986, Bilbray said he would support drug testing members of the Board of Supervisors if the
county adopted the policy of drug testing all county employees. “It would be hypocritical for us not to
subject ourselves to the same tests we demand of employees,” said Bilbray. [San Diego Union-Tribune,
1/31/86]
Urged Justice, Pentagon to Protect Mt. Soledad Memorial
In January 2011, Bilbray and fellow San Diego Congressman Duncan Hunter sent a letter to the
Departments of Justice and Defense urging them to defend the Mt. Soledad Memorial against a recent
ruling by the Ninth Circuit declaring the memorial unconstitutional because of the display of a cross. [State
News Service, 1/06/11]
Voted to Make Benefits for Seniors and Veterans Harder to Get
In 2011, Bilbray voted for an amendment that would make it harder for low-income veterans and Social
Security recipients to retain counsel in a civil action against the United States, like when fighting for
benefits.
The Lummis amendment imposed a seven-month moratorium on all legal fees paid under the Equal
Access to Justice Act, a Reagan-era law designed to help people afford an attorney while suing the
government.
“We’re in the middle of two wars right now and to make it harder for a veteran — fighting for his benefits
— to have an attorney is a horrible thing. That’s not what this country is about,” Robert Chishold, a
prominent veterans’ law attorney said. [Politico, 2/23/11]
The amendment passed, 232-197. [HR 1, Lummis amendment #195, Vote #85, 2/17/11]
Voted to Cut Community Service Block Grants by $100 Million
297
In 2011, Bilbray voted to cut Community Service Block Grant programs by $100 million.
The amendment was rejected, 115-316. [HR 1, Flake amendment #457, Vote #72, 2/17/11]
Opposed Expanding National and Community Service Programs
In 2009, Bilbray voted against a motion to concur that amended the 1990 National and Community
Service Act to expand the mission of the Corporation for National and Community Service to introduce
new programs to provide incentives for students and senior citizens to participate in community service.
The bill increased the education reward for participants in national volunteer programs from $4,725 to
$5,250. It also created a one year encore fellowship for those age 55 or older and a summer service
program for middle and high school students, and it established a clean-energy corps, an education corps,
a veterans corps, a healthy future corps and an opportunity corps with a goal of boosting financial literacy.
It also created a National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11th. [CQ Weekly, 4/06/09]
The bill authorized funding from fiscal 2010-2014 for AmeriCorps, Volunteers in Service to America
program. Learn and Serve America, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Foster Grandparent Program,
and the Senior Companion Program. [CQ Floor Votes, HR 1388]
Voted to Cut Funds from DC’s Needle Exchange Program
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the 2008 Financial Services appropriations bill that
that would prohibit the use of funds for the District of Columbia for any Needle Exchange Program. [CQ
Voted to Block DC Needle Exchange in 2000
In 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the District of Columbia’s fiscal year 2001
appropriations bill to expand the bill’s restriction on funding needle exchange programs to apply
to both federal and local funds. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/14/00]
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to prohibit the District of Columbia from using
any federal, local or other funds for a needle exchange program. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/29/99]
298
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to prohibit the District of Columbia from using
any federal or local funds for a needle exchange program. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/07/98]
Voted to Block Needle Exchange Programs in 1998
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to prohibit the use of federal funds for needle distribution
programs. [CQ Floor Votes, 4/29/98]
Supported Public Expressions of Religion by Government Officials
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, was aimed at “making
it more difficult and expensive to sue government officials regarding public expressions of religion.”
The bill would prohibit plaintiffs in such lawsuits from recovering monetary damages, costs or lawyers’
fees. Supporters of the bill said it was necessary to prevent a chilling of First Amendment rights to free
speech and exercise of religion.
But critics charged that the measure was potentially unconstitutional and left plaintiffs with no realistic
remedy or means to deter government officials from acting in ways forbidden by the First Amendment.
[CQ Today, 9/25/06]
Opposed Preventing Children from Gambling On-Line
In 2006, Bilbray voted against a motion to regulate on-line gambling that would have helped prevent
children from placing bets on the internet. The bill included protections for children for intrastate betting
but not for interstate betting. The motion would have forced the bill back to committee with instructions
to include language to provide for the prevention of all types of betting by minors.
Specifically, it would have required anyone accepting bets to use a “secure and effective customer identity
verification system to assure compliance with applicable age and residence requirements.” [HR 4411, Vote
#362, 7/11/06; Rep. Conyers floor statement and motion to recommit]
The motion failed 167-243 [HR4411, Vote #362, 7/11/06]
Opposed Legal Challenges to Pledge of Allegiance
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would bar most federal courts, including the Supreme Court,
from hearing constitutional challenges to the Pledge of Allegiance.
299
The bill was aimed at preventing federal judges from ruling that the phrase “under God” in the pledge was
unconstitutional.
Congress inserted the “under God” phrase into the pledge in 1954. In 2002, the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the 9th Circuit ruled that “under God” in the pledge amounted to an unconstitutional establishment of
religion.
The Supreme Court reversed the 9th Circuit in June 2004 on technical, not constitutional, grounds.
Democrats said that the bill was unnecessary and that the House should focus on other issues instead,
such as an increase in the minimum wage, health care, the Middle East crisis and the war in Iraq. [HR 2389,
Vote #385, 7/19/06; CQ Today, 7/19/06]
Supported Ban on Flag Burning in Previous Years
Bilbray has consistently voted in favor of a Constitutional ban on the burning and desecration of
the American flag.
 1999: Bilbray voted in favor of a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to give
Congress the power to prohibit physical desecration of the U.S. flag. The resolution passed
305-124. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/24/99; HJR 33, Vote #252, 6/24/99]
 1997: Bilbray voted in favor of a joint resolution to propose a constitutional amendment to
allow Congress to prohibit physical desecration of the U.S. flag. The resolution passed
Opposed Medical Marijuana
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to protect state laws that allow the use of medical
marijuana.
The amendment was an attempt to bar the use of funds in the fiscal year 2008 Commerce-Justice-Science
Appropriations bill to prevent the implementation of state laws authorizing the use of marijuana for
medical reasons in certain states. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/25/07]
Worried County Was Sending Signals Only Minorities Use PCP
In February 1985, Bilbray voiced concern during a member of the San Diego Board of Supervisors that
new anti-PCP programs from the county would create an impression that only racial minorities used PCP.
He noted that poor people, no matter what their race, are the most likely to use PCP. [San Diego UnionTribune, 2/09/85]
Supported Sale of Lottery Tickets at County Courthouse
300
In November 1985, Bilbray cast the deciding vote on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to
allow the concessions stand in the County Courthouse to sell lottery tickets. “Regardless of how this
board feels about the issue, the fact is it is a legal activity in this state,” said Bilbray. “This is not the place
to make moral decisions on this issue.” [Los Angeles Times, 11/06/85]
Voted Against Clean-Needle Exchange
In July 1992, Bilbray voted against a proposal to legalize clean-needle exchange programs for intravenous
drug users. “It would be a crime for government to send a message that somehow there is a safe way to
use drugs,” said Bilbray. [Los Angeles Times, 7/29/92]
Opposed Grant for Alcohol Awareness
In February 1989, Bilbray opposed the application of the county for a grant to assist in alcohol
awareness and to teach members of the community how to speak out against liquor-license
applications. “This reeks of social engineering right from the beginning,” said Bilbray. [Los
Angeles Times, 2/01/89]
301
Seniors’ Issues – Medicare, Medicaid and Prescription Drugs
 Voted to End Medicare
 History of Cuts to Medicare
 Opposed Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation
 Voted to Prevent Reimportation of Prescription Drugs
Bilbray voted against protecting Medicare from privatization proposals, including
the Ryan budget proposal that would end Medicare and double seniors’ out of
pocket costs. During the 1990s, he voted to clash Medicare funding by billions of
dollars. Bilbray opposed efforts to allow Medicare to negotiate for cheaper
prescription drug prices and also voted to prevent reimportation of prescription
drugs to provide affordable options for seniors.
Voted for Republican Budget Proposal to End Medicare
In April 2011, Bilbray voted for the 2012 Republican Ryan budget. The Republican plan would
essentially end Medicare, which now pays most of the health-care bills for 48 million elderly and disabled
Americans, as a program that directly pays those bills. [H.Con.Res. 34, Vote #277, 4/15/11; Wall Street Journal,
4/04/11]
Supported $115 Billion Medicare Cut
In June 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of a budget plan that cut Medicare funding by $115 billion over five
years and increased seniors’ premiums.
Federal spending would be 12 percent higher in 2002 than in 1998. But that increase would be more than
offset by projected revenue from anticipated economic growth and yet-to-be-legislated spending curbs.
The measure laid the framework for $135 billion in tax cuts consisting mainly of capital gains reductions,
estate tax relief, tax credits for families with children, and credits and deductions for higher education.
The resolution passed 327-97. [HCR 84, Vote #166, 6/05/97]
Supported $270 Billion in Cuts to Medicare
302
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of a Republican budget plan that would have cut Medicare by $270 billion
-- the deepest cuts in history -- to pay for $245 billion in tax cuts primarily targeted to the wealthy.
The GOP budget would have cut Medicare by three times the amount necessary to keep the Medicare
Trust Fund solvent. [Spending estimates from March 1995 CBO Baseline; Veto message on HR 2491, 12/06/95;
The same budget also cut Medicaid by $163 billion over seven years, stripping guaranteed Medicaid
coverage for 36 million Americans.
By 2002 alone, 3.8 million children, 1.3 million people with disabilities and 850,000 seniors would have
lost their coverage.
The budget plan passed 237-189. [HR 2496, Vote #812, 11/17/95]
Voted Against Protecting Social Security and Medicare Benefits from Privatization
In March 2011, Bilbray voted against a measure that would have prohibited continuing appropriations
funds for fiscal year 2011 for being used in developing or implementing a system that cuts Social Security
benefits or that privatizes Social Security.
The amendment also prohibited funds from being used to develop or implement a system that cuts
Medicare benefits, eliminates guaranteed health coverage for seniors or establishes a Medicare voucher
plan that limits payments to beneficiaries in order to purchase health care in the private sector.
The motion failed, 190-239. [HJR 48, Vote #178, 2/15/11]
Opposed Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation
In 2007, Bilbray voted against requiring the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department to negotiate
with drug companies for lower prices.
The bill included discounts, rebates, and other price concessions that may be charged for drugs covered
under the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. [Chicago Tribune, 1/13/07; CQ Weekly, 1/08/07]
Voted to Prevent Reimportation of Prescription Drugs
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the Department of Agriculture appropriations bill to
prevent the reimportation of prescription drugs.
The amendment would have removed language in the bill which barred the use of funds by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent individuals, wholesalers and pharmacists from importing FDAapproved prescription drugs. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/02/07]
303
Opposed Raising Medicare Eligibility Age
In 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to instruct the House conferees to oppose a Senate provision
raising the age for Medicare eligibility from 65 to 67. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/10/97]
Supported Bill to Protect Seniors from Abuse
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a bill that was aimed at protecting seniors from abuse.
Specifically, the bill would direct the attorney general to study state laws on the abuse, neglect and
exploitation of elderly people and report back to Congress. The measure would authorize $3 million
annually from fiscal year 2009 to fiscal year 2015 for the attorney general to develop a strategy for
preventing abuse and exploitation of the elderly. [CQ Today, 9/23/08]
Voted Against Cuts to Medicare Payments to Physicians, Against Increased Funding
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a bill to stop a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare’s physician payment rates,
scheduled to take effect July 1, 2008.
The White House opposed a provision that would partially offset the cost of the bill by cutting some
bonus payments to private Medicare Advantage plans in areas with teaching hospitals. Medicare
Advantage plans are paid at a higher rate than traditional Medicare, and Democrats have long argued that
the private plans’ rates should be cut.
The Bush administration and many Republicans argue that the plans inject private competition into the
market and will eventually lower costs. A Government Accountability Office study released in June 2008
found that in 2005 the private plans often overestimated how much money they spent on patient care,
leading to higher than projected profits. [CQ Today, 6/25/08]
Voted to Block Bonuses for Presidential Appointees in SSA, Medicare
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education to block bonuses for senior level
employees or presidential appointees to the Social Security Administration, Medicare or Medicaid.
The amendment would have barred the use of funds in the bill for a bonus or other performance-based
cash award to any employee of the Social Security Administration or the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services who was appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, or is in a senior
executive service position. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/19/07]
304
Supported Delay to Medicaid Cuts
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a moratorium on the implementation of new Medicaid rules that the Bush
Administration said were aimed at ending federal payment for services they don’t think Medicaid should
cover and curtailing abuses in the system. [Congressional Quarterly, 5/02/08]
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) decried the bill on the Senate floor the week prior to the House vote on
the measure. He argued that HR 5613 would spend $1.7 billion to delay the Medicaid regulations
suggested by President Bush until 2009.
Grassley also cautioned that if the regulations were indefinitely delayed, the cost to taxpayers could be
“almost $20 billion over the next five years and almost $50 billion over the next ten years.” [U.S. Senate,
4/16/08]
The motion passed 349-62. [HR 5613 Vote #209, 4/23/08]
Supported Repeal of Nursing Home Standards
In 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of a radical restructuring of Medicaid in the House-passed Budget
Reconciliation bill.
The bill ended the federal Medicaid program by block granting Medicaid funds to the individual states.
This would allow the states to run their own programs--using federal funds--without any help or input
from the federal government.
Under this plan, Medicaid funding would have been cut by $170 billion over seven years. In addition, this
legislation would have ended federal mandates for nursing home standards and placed the responsibility
on the states to adopt their own standards. This action would have left nursing home residents vulnerable
to the whims of the states and to improper care at poorly equipped facilities. [Congressional Quarterly,
10/14/95, p. 3125; CQ Almanac 1995, p.2-49]
305
Seniors’ Issues – Social Security Issues
 Supported Private Option for Social Security
 Voted Against Protecting Social Security from Privatization
 Flip-Flopped on Protecting Social Security in Lockbox
Bilbray has failed to stand up and defend Social Security from the threat of
privatization. In 2000, Bilbray supported a private option for Social Security in
addition to the traditional program. During the 1990s, Bilbray voted against
proposals to protect the Social Security surplus by putting it into a lockbox. But in
1999, he finally voted for a budget that would include a lockbox.
Open to Private Accounts for Social Security
In 2000, Bilbray said he was open to the idea of private accounts in Social Security:
I support looking seriously into the option of allowing workers to save a portion of their
payroll taxes in a personal retirement account. This should not be a replacement for the
current Social Security program, but a supplement where the current program acts as a
safety net. We are approaching a time when the baby boomers will be reaching retirement
age and the SS Trust Fund is endangered of becoming insolvent. This option and others
need to be explored thoroughly and soon. [SocialSecurity.org, accessed 2/17/12]
Bilbray Again Supported Privatizing Social Security
In April 2006, Bilbray said he “supports Social Security reforms that include investments in the
markets.” He continued, “I do believe that any Social Security Reform will have to include
methods of investment and personal ownership.” [North County Times, 4/02/06]
Leading Privatization Supporter: There’s No Difference Between Privatization and
Personal Accounts
According to the Star Tribune, “The word ‘privatization’ has been part of the Social Security
debate for many years and has been used by many Republicans. The Cato Institute, a libertarian
think tank in Washington and an advocate of the idea, used to call its effort ‘the project on Social
Security privatization.’”
306
From the Star Tribune:
Michael Tanner, director of that project, agrees that the Democrats are using the
word because they think it’s scarier but said he thinks the Republicans are wrong
to reply with “a silly, semantic argument.”
“Republicans like to say they’re a little bit for privatization, then, when the
Democrats attack them, they curl up in a fetal position and talk about how much
they love their grandmother.”
Instead, he suggests, Republicans should defend the position that individual
accounts are the best way to save Social Security.
Cato has a fresh poll that Tanner said shows that when the issue is properly
framed, a majority of Americans favor individual accounts.
Still, he said, word choices are important. So Cato recently changed the name of
the program to “the project on Social Security choice.” [Star Tribune, 8/05/02]
Leading Privatization Opponent: Individual Accounts Means “Privatization”
According to AARP, “‘Privatization’ is often used as shorthand for the idea of taking some
of the money workers currently pay into the Social Security system and diverting it into
individually owned accounts, where each worker would bear some risk for how his or her
investments performed. These accounts would be ‘carved-out’ of Social Security.”
From AARP:
Diverting money away from Social Security and into individual accounts
is risky and involves trading some of today’s inflation protected, lifetime
guaranteed benefit for an account subject to market risk and not
guaranteed to last a lifetime or keep pace with inflation. Inflation, market
turns or loss of employment can mean that your private account may not
have enough money to provide an adequate benefit.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of debate on the semantics rather than the
substance. Essentially it doesn’t matter if you call the concept
‘privatization,’ ‘personalization,’ or anything else—diverting Social
Security revenues into individual accounts shifts risk to the individual and
hurts the financial status of Social Security itself.” [AARP via pbs.org]
Voted Against Protecting Social Security and Medicare Benefits from Privatization
In March 2011, Bilbray voted against a measure that would have prohibited continuing appropriations
funds for fiscal year 2011 for being used in developing or implementing a system that cuts Social Security
benefits or that privatizes Social Security.
307
The amendment also prohibited funds from being used to develop or implement a system that cuts
Medicare benefits, eliminates guaranteed health coverage for seniors or establishes a Medicare voucher
plan that limits payments to beneficiaries in order to purchase health care in the private sector.
Opposed Protecting 100 Percent of Surplus for Social Security
In 1999, Bilbray voted against a Democratic “lock box” plan that would have protected 100 percent of the
Social Security surplus and kept it from being spent on other programs or tax cuts. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/26/99]
The proposal was defeated 205-222. [HR 1259, Vote #163, 5/26/99]
Opposed “Lock Box” Plan in 1998
In 1998, Bilbray voted against a Democratic plan to institute a Social Security “lock box.”
The plan would have held the entire surplus in reserve for Social Security. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/25/98]
Supported Social Security “Lock Box”
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of a so-called “Social Security Lock Box” plan.
The plan would have set-aside the Social Security surplus to guarantee the solvency of both Social
Security and Medicare.
Critics, however, noted that the lock box could be easily overridden, in reality allowing the surplus to be
used for other purposes. [Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, The Lock-Box Proposal & The Economy, 3/19/99]
Opposed Protecting Social Security
In 1997, Bilbray voted against a proposal to protect Social Security by providing that the first $100 billion
of any budget surplus be used to take Social Security off-budget.
In addition, the measure changed the Medicare sequestration formula to limit Medicare Part-B premium
increases and limited the total amount of spending sequestration to the amount total entitlement spending
exceeds the total entitlement-spending cap. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/23/97]
Voted Against Protecting Social Security
Bilbray voted against a substitute to the tax bill that provided that the tax cuts in the underlying
308
bill would not take effect until Congress enacts legislation to ensure the long-term solvency of the
Social Security system. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/26/98]
Said Reduction in Social Security Office Hours was Result of Wasteful Spending
In 2011, Social Security offices cut their daily service hours by 30 minutes because Congress failed to
provide the agency with nearly $1 billion in requested funding. The seven Social Security offices in San
Diego County - including one in Oceanside and one in San Marcos - would be open to the public from 9
a.m. to 3:30 p.m., said Inez Yanora, manager of the San Diego office. Bilbray said the reduction in office
hours available to the public stemmed from “years of wasteful Washington spending and our country’s
precarious budget situation.” He stressed that his district offices have caseworkers available to help
people having problems with the Social Security Administration. [North County Times, 7/26/11]
Voted to Protect Social Security Privatization Supporter
Departments of Education, Labor and Health and Human Services to bar the use of funds in the bill to pay
the salary of the deputy commissioner of Social Security without a Senate vote confirming the
appointment of the deputy commissioner.
The amendment was aimed at blocking salary payments to Andrew Biggs, the deputy commissioner of
Social Security and an advocate of privatizing Social Security. President Bush had installed Biggs with a
recess appointment to avert Senate confirmation hearings that would examine his views on privatization.
Opposed Higher Taxes for Social Security Recipients
In 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would repeal a tax imposed in 1993 that increased the portion
of Social Security benefits subject to taxation from 50 percent to 85 for the one-fifth of Social Security
recipients with the highest incomes.
The 1993 tax increased to 85 percent, the part of Social Security benefits subject to income tax when a
recipient’s income including half the annual Social Security benefit, exceeded $34,000 for a single person
and $44,000 for a married couple.
The revenue generated by the 1993 tax was $8 billion in 2000 alone and was projected to total $117
billion over the following decade. This revenue was earmarked only for Medicare, but the bill provided
that the revenues that would have been collected had the tax not been repealed would be transferred to the
Medicare trust fund from the general fund. [New York Times, 7/28/00]
The bill passed, 265-159. [HR 4865, Vote #450, 7/27/00; New York Times, 7/28/00]
Supported Using Social Security Surplus to Pay for Tax Cuts
309
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to cut taxes by $80.1 billion over five years, including $6.6 billion
in cuts in fiscal 1999, by extending expired provisions such as the research tax credit, reducing taxes for
farmers and married couples and making health insurance premiums 100 percent deductible for the selfemployed.
According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, the tax cut would “divert portions of the surplus
designated by statute for the Social Security system to finance tax cuts.” [Center for Responsive Politics,
9/16/98]
The Washington Post called the bill, “the purest folly,” and said it “makes no sense as either economic or
social policy; it is a checklist of political promises whose only relationship is that each is meant to
generate votes.” [Washington Post, 9/25/98, 9/27/98]
Voted to Prevent Illegal Immigrants from Receiving Social Security
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education to prevent implementation of a
totalization agreement between the United States’ and Mexico’s Social Security systems.
The amendment barred the use of funds in the bill by the Social Security Administration to compensate
employees who administer Social Security benefit payments under any agreement between the United
States and Mexico that establishes arrangements between the two nations’ social security benefits
systems. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/19/07]
The amendment was aimed at blocking illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security benefits through
a loophole in the Social Security totalization agreement between the United States and Mexico.
According to the amendment’s sponsor, Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA), “Our totalization agreement
with Mexico threatens the Social Security Trust Fund by allowing Mexican workers in the U.S. to claim
Social Security benefits and vice versa.”
Gingrey claimed his amendment would prohibit funding for the current totalization agreement, which was
signed in 2004. [Congressman Phil Gingrey press release, 7/19/07; Arizona Republic, 6/26/04]
Opponents of the amendment said that there is no way under existing law that anyone who does not have
authorization to work in this country, including undocumented immigrants, qualify for receipt of Social
Security benefits. [Statement of Congressman Xavier Becerra, Congressional Record, 7/18/07; Page H8108]
310
Small Business Issues
 Opposed Small Business Incentives
 Voted Against Reforms to Increase Small Business Contracting
Bilbray cast multiple votes undermining America’s small businesses. He voted
against efforts to extend credit to small businesses to provide them with the capital
they need to create jobs. Bilbray also voted against reforms that would make it
easier for small businesses to contract with the federal government.
Voted Against Increased Funding for Economic Development Assistance
In 2011, Bilbray voted against increased funding for economic development assistance programs in the
Economic Development Administration of the Commerce Department by $80 million. Equal funding
would be taken from funds for the periodic census at the Census Bureau.
According to Michaud, from 2004 to 2008, the EDA-funded projects directly led to the creation of
approximately 200,000 jobs nationwide. [Michaud press release, 2/16/11]
The amendment was adopted, 305-127. [HR 1, Michaud amendment #153, Vote #50, 2/16/11]
Opposed Extending Credit to Small Businesses
In 2010, Bilbray opposed extending credit to small businesses by establishing a $30 billion lending fund
to invest in financial institutions like community banks. The fund would be administered by the Treasury
Department.
Democrats focused on small business lending as a May 2010 Joint Economic Committee report found that
small business hiring was 20 percent below 2001-2007 averages.
The bill also created a $2 billion state small-business credit initiative, which would assist state and
municipal programs that provide small businesses access to capital, and a $1 billion Small Business
Administration program to make investments in “early stage” small businesses. [CQ Today, 6/17/10]
Opposed Tax Breaks for Small Businesses and Startups
In 2010, Bilbray voted against providing $3.6 billion in tax incentives for small businesses.
311
The bill would temporarily exclude 100 percent of the tax on capital gains from the sale of certain smallbusiness stock and would increase the amount of startup expenses that small businesses could deduct in
their first year of business.
“People frequently cite statistics that say that small businesses create most of the new private-sector jobs,
and they’re right,” said Rep. Robert E. Andrews. “I think after all the words, it’s time that we had some
actions that actually benefit small businesspeople in the country. This bill provides such actions.”
While the bill would cost $3.6 billion over 10 years, it would raise an estimated $7.1 billion over the same
period due to two offsets.
The bill would modify the estate-planning tax code, requiring a minimum 10 year term for grantorretained annuity trusts, and would exclude a papermaking byproduct known as crude tall oil from
eligibility for the cellulosic biofuel tax credit. [CQ Today, 6/15/10]
Voted to Kill Tax Incentives and Hurt Small Businesses
In 2010, Bilbray voted to kill a $16.8 billion tax incentive package by supporting a motion to recommit,
allowing the bill to be amended with provisions that would repeal certain provisions of the health care
reform bill, like the caps on the amount that can be deposited in flexible spending accounts.
The motion to recommit would derail a bill helping small businesses grow and hire more workers by
extending bonds and tax incentives to spur growth and extend financing for construction projects. [CQ
Weekly, 3/29/10]
The motion to recommit was defeated, 184-239. [HR 4849, Vote #181, 3/24/10]
Opposed Increased Federal Contracting with American Businesses
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment aimed at increasing federal contracting with American
small businesses.
The amendment extended small business contracting goals to the federal government’s overseas contracts
By including overseas contracts in federal small business contracting goals, federal agencies will be
discouraged from using foreign companies or outsourcing to large businesses that then may subcontract
with foreign companies. Reports estimate that by extending contracting goals to the government’s
overseas contracts American small businesses could gain contracts worth nearly $15 billion. [Congressman
Heath Shuler press release, 5/10/07]
Opposed Increased Small Business Access to Homeland Security Contracting
312
In 2007, Bilbray voted against the fiscal year 2008 Department of Homeland Security authorization bill.
The bill authorized $39.9 billion for homeland security programs, including $300 million between fiscal
2008 and 2010 for grants to states to prevent terrorists or other individuals from fraudulently obtaining
and using state-issued identification cards, as well as for developing more secure documents for issuance
by the states. [Congressional Quarterly]
The bill reinstated critical funding for first responder programs like the State Homeland Security Grant
program and FIRE Act grants. [Committee on Homeland Security, 5/09/07]
The bill also required the department to conduct a comprehensive homeland security review, and
eliminated the department’s authority to establish a unique personnel management system. [Congressional
Quarterly]
The bill also increased the ability of the Inspector General to investigate disaster response and border
security programs and strengthened the integrity in the agency’s contracting practices and promotes small
business opportunities. [Committee on Homeland Security, 5/09/07]
Opposed Creating Jobs and Helping Small Businesses Through Tax Incentives
In 2010, Bilbray voted against helping small businesses and creating jobs by spurring investment in local
rebuilding projects.
The $16.8 billion package would help small businesses grow and hire more workers by extending Build
America Bonds to ease financing schools, sewers and hospital construction; a 100 percent exclusion of
small business capital gains to spur investment; and an increase in the tax deduction for start-up
expenditures to encourage the formation of new small businesses.
The cost of the bill was in part covered by a provision that would require U.S. subsidiaries of foreignowned companies to pay taxes they could previously avoid by sending the funds to another country. The
provision was expected to raise $7.7 billion over 10 years. [CQ Today, 3/24/10]
Voted Against Small Business Tax Relief
In 2010, Bilbray voted against the Small Business Tax Relief Act, repealing a section of the health care
reform bill that required small businesses to file a 1099 form to the IRS for payments of more than $600
to any vendor during a tax year.
The bill would have paid for the $19.2 billion compliance requirement with offsets placing new limits on
the ability of U.S.-based companies to use certain foreign tax credit loopholes to lower their tax liability.
Democrats argued that the tax laws provided incentives to move jobs overseas. [CQ Today, 7/30/10]
The bill failed, 241-154. [HR 5982, Vote #514, 7/30/10]
313
Supported Reauthorization of Small Business Research and Technology Programs
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of amending the Small Business Act to improve the Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. The
bill would grant awards for research and development projects conducted by small businesses and would
require agencies to spend a larger portion of their research and development budgets on innovative
research and technology transfer project awards.
As amended by the House, the measure would encourage more grant applications from small-business
owners who are service-disabled veterans. It would provide that veterans will be given priority when
applying for SBIR and STTR awards. The measure would also prohibit businesses owned or partly owned
by an illegal immigrant from receiving Small Business Innovation Research grants and would ban any
business that knowingly recruited or hired an illegal immigrant from receiving future grants. [Congressional
Quarterly]
Voted to Stall Legislation to Award Small Business Grants
In 2008, Bilbray voted to kill a bill to give preference in awarding grants to businesses that are
owned by veterans, located in areas with high unemployment or that have taken steps to increase
energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. [CQ Floor Votes, 4/23/08]
During debate on the motion, Congressman Heller (R-NV) defended his motion, suggesting it
would “help research ways to lower the price of fuel for Americans and small businesses.” Rep.
Heller argued that H.R. 5819 should have also included “projects that have potential to lower gas
and diesel costs.” [U.S. House of Representatives, 4/23/08]
Supported Allowing Small Businesses Greater Access to Investors
In 2007, Bilbray voted for a bill that reauthorized and expanded investment programs run by the Small
Business Administration (SBA). In particular the legislation updated the Small Business Investment
Company program and the New Market Venture Capital program, which had a lack of funding in
previous years.
The bill created the Angel Investment Program in the SBA’s investment division that would partner with
licensed investor groups that would be required to invest in small startup businesses. In exchange, the
groups would receive up to $2 million in matching funds. [Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 9/29/07]
This legislation increased the cap on federal funding available to small businesses to $150 million, expand
criteria for companies primarily investing in small manufacturers, and allows companies that have
received conditional approval from the SBA to receive early grant assistance up to $50,000. [Representative
Crenshaw Release, 9/28/07]
314
New language in the bill excluded employees of private investors when determining the size of a small
business, which helped companies that needed to make it under the 500 employee cap that use to include
the employees of a venture capital firm as part of a small businesses’ affiliates.
The bill also revised the New Markets Venture Capital program, which focused on economic
development in low-income communities. It also created more incentives for investment in small
manufacturing companies. [St. Joseph News-Press, 9/29/07]
Opposed Funding for Small Startup Businesses
In 2007, Bilbray supported a motion to recommit made by Tim Walberg (R-MI) to strike provisions from
the Small Business Investment Act that would authorize funds for the Angel Finance program.
The Angel program would be part of the Small Business Administration’s investment division and would
partner with licensed investor groups who would be required to invest in small startup businesses. In
exchange, the groups would receive up to $2 million in matching funds
The program was criticized by Walberg as an entitlement program to help millionaires decide what to
invest in. [Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 9/29/07]
The motion to recommit was defeated 183-213. [HR 3567, Vote #922, 9/27/07]
Voted for Small Business Tax Breaks
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an emergency appropriations bill that included $4.8 billion in small-business
tax incentives.
for hurricane relief and $1.1 billion for anti-terrorism homeland security activities.
Supported Increased Contracting for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses
In 2007, Bilbray voted for a bill to expand federal government contracting with minority and womenowned businesses.
315
The bill would increase the federal government’s small-business procurement goal to 30 percent from 23
percent under current law as well as the goal for procurement for minority and women-owned businesses
to 8 percent from 5 percent.
The measure also limited the ability of federal agencies to bundle small projects into large contracts. The
bill required the Small Business Administration to take steps to reduce erroneous entries in the
government’s contractor registry. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/10/07]
Voted Against Expanding Small Business Contracting
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to increase the government-wide small business
procurement goal to 30 percent from 25 percent. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/10/07]
Supported Increased Loan Opportunities for Small Businesses
In 2007, Bilbray voted for a bill to improve the access to capital programs for small businesses.
The bill authorized the Small Business Administration to create four new 7(a) loan programs, which
provide long-term loans for business startups or business expansions.
The measure also expanded the number of certified development companies eligible to issue SBA
guaranteed loans. It allowed premier lenders to maintain a lower loss reserve that was equal to 1 percent
of the total outstanding loan. Under the bill, if a lender chooses to be a premier lender, it would have to
pay 15 percent of the SBA’s total loss on a defaulted loan. [CQ Floor Votes, 4/25/07]
Opposed Bill to Strengthen Small Business Disaster Loan Programs
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill to overhaul the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan
program and create a disaster planning position within the agency.
Under the bill, the SBA would be required to develop and implement a disaster response plan and
maintain a 1,000 person “disaster reserve corps.”
Individual disaster loan limits would be doubled to $3 million. The agency would be required to create a
centralized application tracking system and revise repayment and disbursement timetables to treat
borrowers more favorably. [CQ Floor Votes, 4/18/07]
316
317
Tax Issues
 Advocated Sales Tax Increases as Local Supervisor
 Backed Unconstitutional Sales Tax Referendum
 Signed Americans for Tax Reform Pledge
 Advocates for Fair Tax, Eliminating Corporate Taxes
As a member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Bilbray supported an
increase to the sales tax and legislation to make it easier for such taxes to be passed
by referendum. He supported a sales tax referendum that was later struck down as
unconstitutional. Bilbray has also signed Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax
Reform pledge, limiting his ability to support ending tax breaks for outsourcers
and oil companies. Bilbray is an advocate of the Fair Tax, a proposal to abolish the
current federal tax system and replace it with a national sales tax.
Supported Sales Tax Increase in San Diego County
On February 25, 1986, Bilbray voted to place a measure on the San Diego County ballot to increase the
county sales tax by half a penny for five years. The anticipated $420 million in additional revenue was
earmarked for construction of a new jail and courthouse. The measure passed the board of supervisors on
a vote of 4-1. At the time of the vote, Bilbray expressed doubts that the measure had enough voter support
to gain the two-thirds majority required by law to pass a tax increase. [Los Angeles Times, 2/26/86]
On November 4, 1986, the sales tax increase received 50.75% of the vote, well short of the necessary twothirds majority. [Los Angeles Times, 11/06/86]
Supported Bill to Allow Sales Tax Increase With Only Simple Majority
Following the failure of the sales tax increase to gain the necessary two-thirds majority in
November 1986, Bilbray and other members of the county board of supervisors supported a state
bill by Assemblyman Larry Stirling (R-San Diego) that sought to create a new taxing authority in
San Diego County in order to allow the board of supervisors to put the sales tax increase back on
the ballot. The bill specifically stipulated that the new taxing authority would only need a simple
majority of votes for the tax increase to be approved. The bill passed and was signed by the
Governor.
318
Bilbray praised Stirling’s bill because it meant it would do away with the current two-thirds
majority requirement that allowed a minority of voters to block a tax increase sought by a majority
of voter:
The ability of the electorate to make a decision like this by a majority vote
is critical to the process. Anytime you’ve got a process where a minority
can obstruct the will of the majority and, in doing that, prevent needed jail
and courthouse space from being built, that’s a problem. [Los Angeles Times,
9/11/87]
Supported $750,000 Special Election for Sales Tax Vote
In January 1988, Bilbray encouraged the board of supervisors to call a special election in April to vote on
the sales tax increase, rather than waiting until the June statewide primary that had already been
scheduled. Supporters of the April election date admitted that calling a special election for the sales tax
vote would cost the county $750,000. [Los Angeles Times, 1/05/98]
Bilbray said that the April election date would “drive home” the importance of the sales tax increase to
voters:
We’ve already got the crisis—I mean, we’re at the point where it doesn’t make sense to
put another police officer out on the street until we have enough jails—but this would
drive home that point. . [Los Angeles Times, 1/05/98]
Voted to Put Another Sales Tax Increase on Ballot
While Bilbray supported the April special election, on January 4, 1998 he urged the board of supervisors
to “move forward as a united front” on issues relating to the sales tax increase, even if that meant not
calling a special election. On the same day, the board of supervisors, including Bilbray, voted
unanimously to place the increase on the ballot for the June statewide primary. [Los Angeles Times, 1/06/88]
Sales Tax Increase Passed With 50.56 Percent of Vote
On June 7, 1988, voters passed the half-cent sales tax increase Proposition A with 50.56 percent of
the vote. Proposition A permitted the county to increase the sales tax by 0.5 cents for 10 years,
double the lifespan of the tax increase rejected in 1986. [Los Angeles Times, 6/09/88]
Taxpayers Group Sued: Claimed Sales Tax Violated Proposition 13
On July 5, 1988, United Taxpayers of San Diego executive vice president Steven Currie and Richard
Rider and Pat Wright of the Libertarian Party filed a suit in superior court claiming that Proposition A had
violated Proposition 13, the statewide proposition passed in 1978 which required all tax increases to be
approved by two-thirds majorities of voters. Despite the ongoing lawsuit, the sales tax increase took effect
on January 1, 1989. [Los Angeles Times, 7/06/88]
Sales Tax Struck Down as Unconstitutional Violation of Proposition 13
319
On March 23, 1989, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Gordon Burkhart ruled that
Proposition A violated the 1978 Proposition 13 because the proposition passed despite not
receiving a two-thirds majority. Judge Burkhart claimed that the county board of supervisors and
other county officials “purposely circumvented” Proposition 13 by creating a new taxation district
to administer the tax increase. [Los Angeles Times, 3/24/89]
In September 1990, the 4th District Court of Appeal reversed the superior court ruling and upheld
the legality of Proposition A. However, on December 19, 1991, the California Supreme Court
reversed the appeals court ruling and upheld the superior court decision invalidating Proposition
A. [Los Angeles Times, 12/21/91]
Voted to Place New Sales Tax Measure on Ballot
On July 15, 1992, Bilbray voted to place another half-cent sales tax increase on the ballot to fund
construction of jails and a courthouse. The county supervisors approved the measure 4-1 and it was placed
on the November 3, 1992 general election ballot. While the 1986 and 1988 sales tax measures had limited
the tax increase to five or 10 years, the sales tax measure on the 1992 ballot did not include a sunset
provision. [Los Angeles Times, 7/16/92; Los Angeles Times 7/29/92]
On November 3, 1992, voters failed to give the new sales tax proposal (also called Proposition A) the
necessary two-thirds majority. [Los Angeles Times, 11/04/92]
Promised to Uphold Grover Norquist’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge
In 2011, Bilbray promised that he would uphold Grover Norquist’s the taxpayer protection pledge. Sign
on San Diego reported Bilbray promised the tea party crowd that he would uphold the taxpayer protection
pledge pushed by Grover Norquist and mentioned his outsider status during a five-year sabbatical from
the House after he was defeated for re-election. [Sign on San Diego, 11/25/11]
Bilbray Supports Extremist Fair Tax That Would Enact a 23 Percent National Sales Tax
In 2009, Bilbray appeared with Neal Cavuto on Fox News and said he supported the Fair Tax, which
would enact a 23 percent national sales tax on all goods and services sold at retail. [via youtube.com, accessed
2/17/12]
Bilbray Listed as a Co-Sponsor of HR 25, the Fair Tax Act
In 2012, Bilbray was listed a co-sponsor of HR 25, the Fair Tax Act. [Thomas Bill Summary, 112th
Congress, HR 25 accessed: 2/17/12]
According to the National Taxpayers Union, which supports the Fair Tax, HR 25 would enact a 23
percent national sales tax, which could be adjusted in future years to account for fiscal changes.
The bill would abolish federal income and payroll taxes entirely. [National Taxpayers Union Summary of
HR 25, accessed: 9/11/08]
… Though Fair Tax Hits Middle Class and Cuts Taxes for Corporations and Millionaires
320
Bilbray supported a plan that would impose a 23 percent national sales tax on all of us, while
eliminating federal income taxes for corporations and reducing them for millionaires.
The Fair Tax Would Eliminate Federal Income Taxes for Corporations
According to Americans for Fair Taxation, the group that is backing the effort to impose a
Fair Tax, the tax would replace the individual income tax, payroll taxes, the corporate
income tax, the self-employment tax, and the estate tax. [Americans for Fair Taxation, “The Fair
Tax Act of 2007 – HR 25: Plain English Summary,” fairtax.org, accessed 7/30/08]
… Though Fair Tax Hits Families Buying Essentials
Under the Fair Tax, families would be hit hard, paying a 23 percent sales tax on nearly everything
they buy, including groceries, prescription drugs, clothing, and gas.
NOTE: The Fair Tax does not apply to the purchase of used goods or education expenses. Hence
the use of “nearly” instead of “all.”
Fair Tax Would Apply to All Goods and Services Sold at Retail
According to Americans for Fair Taxation, the group that is backing the effort to impose a
Fair Tax, the tax would apply to all goods and services sold at retail.
It would NOT apply to the purchase of used goods or to education expenses.
From Americans for Fair Taxation:
Effective January 1, 2009 it replaces the above taxes with a national retail
sales tax on all goods and services sold at retail. The tax rate is set to be
revenue neutral – at the level necessary to replace the revenues generated
by the repealed taxes. … A 23-percent (of the tax-inclusive sales price)
sales tax is imposed on all retail sales for personal consumption of new
goods and services. Exports and the purchase of inputs by businesses (i.e.,
intermediate sales) are not taxed, nor are used goods or any savings,
investment, or education tuition expenses. [Americans for Fair Taxation, “The
Fair Tax Act of 2007 – HR 25: Plain English Summary,” fairtax.org, accessed 7/30/08]
… Including Food
Fairtax.org an organization dedicated to the implementation of the Fair Tax
specifically addresses the question “Why not just exempt food and medicine from
the tax?” in the frequently asked questions section of their website.
According to the group, “Exempting items by category is neither fair nor simple.”
[Fairtax.org FAQ]
321
… Including Medicine
Fairtax.org an organization dedicated to the implementation of the Fair Tax
specifically addresses the question “Why not just exempt food and medicine from
the tax?” in the frequently asked questions section of their website.
According to the group, “Exempting items by category is neither fair nor simple.”
[Fairtax.org FAQ]
… Including Clothing
According to FairTax.org, new clothing would be taxed under the Fair Tax:
The FairTax is a single-rate, federal retail sales tax collected only
once, at the final point of purchase of new goods and services for
personal consumption. Used items are not taxed. Business-tobusiness purchases for the production of goods and services are not
taxed. A rebate makes the effective rate progressive. [Fairtax.org FAQ]
… Including Gas
Factcheck.org, an organization that checks the validity of claims made in political
advertising and other media, confirmed that the Fair Tax would not only apply to
gasoline, but would be placed on top of existing taxes.
According to Factcheck.org, the list would include:
 Purchases of new homes
 Rent
 Interest on credit cards, mortgages and car loans
 Doctor bills
 Utilities
 Gasoline
 Legal fees [Factcheck.org, “Unspinning the Fair Tax,” 5/31/07]
… Though Fair Tax Hits Families Paying Their Mortgage
By supporting the Fair Tax, Bilbray supports eliminating federal tax deductions for mortgage and
property taxes, which would raise taxes for the middle-class.
Fair Tax Would Eliminate the Mortgage Interest Deduction
According to Americans for Fair Taxation, an organization that supports a shift from our
federal and state tax system to a 23 percent national sales tax, the Fair Tax would make
mortgage interest deductions “irrelevant.”
322
In a 2007 report the organization released on the impact of the Fair Tax on home
ownership, Americans for Fair Taxation state that the new tax system would treat home
purchases like any other retail good.
From the Americans for Fair Taxation report:
“Under the FairTax, the purchase of a home, just like the purchase of a
car, food, or any good or service for personal use is seen for what it is: An
item of consumption. Since the FairTax taxes all consumption without
exception (except previously taxed goods and services), the FairTax
imposes a 23 percent (tax-inclusive rate) tax on the purchase price of new
homes.”
The report goes on to say that the FairTax “taxes new homes at 23 percent and repeals the
income tax along with the [mortgage interest deduction].” [American for Fair Taxation,
“Promoting Home Ownership: How the Fair Tax’s Benefits for Homeowners Exceed the Mortgage Interest
Deduction,” 2007, accessed 9/17/08]
… Though Fair Tax Double Taxes Our Seniors
Under the Fair Tax, seniors would be taxed twice.
Seniors Who Saved Would Face Double Tax Under Fair Tax System
According to PolitiFact.com, seniors who had saved their money would face a “double
tax” under the Fair Tax system:
“Then we checked with the SEIU. They acknowledged that the Fair Tax
would be a replacement for the current tax system. But they made an
interesting point -- that for seniors, the explicit target audience for the ad,
there is something that you might call double taxation. For many years,
seniors paid taxes on their income when they earned it. Whatever they
didn’t spend, they saved, and in their retirement years, when they
aren’t earning fresh income that would be tax-free under the Fair
Tax, those accumulated savings would be spent -- and thus taxed at 23
percent. Voila -- double taxation.” [politifact.com, 10/20/10]
Economic Experts Agreed the Fair Tax Would Double Tax Seniors
In 2010, former Reagan and Bush administration official Bruce Bartlett and Urban
Institute-Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center senior fellow Bob Williams both said
that the Fair Tax would double tax seniors:
“Bartlett said the proposal ‘penalizes those who are older who have saved
for their retirement during an era when saving was heavily penalized by
the income tax. But rather than being able to spend their savings tax free,
as they anticipated, they will now have to pay sales taxes on everything
323
they buy, including health care. It will be hard for them to avoid seeing
this as a double tax.
Bob Williams, a senior fellow with the Urban Institute-Brookings
Institution Tax Policy Center, agreed that the Fair Tax double-taxes
savings.” [politifact.com, 10/20/10]
Advocated for Lowering Tax Rate for Corporations
In 2011, Bilbray touted his bill to eliminate a 35-percent federal tax on foreign earnings that American
companies spend in the United States. He called his bill the Job Creation and innovation Investment Act
bill. “Lowering the tax rate will remove the greatest barrier that exists today between the private sector
and job growth,” Bilbray wrote. [Sign on San Diego, 5/05/11]
Touted Job Creation and Innovation Investment Act to Establish Zero Tax Rate for Funds Brought
Back to U.S.
In 2011, Bilbray touted The Job Creation and Innovation Investment Act of 2011 to establish a zero
percent tax rate for funds brought back to the United States invested in R&D, manufacturing and facility
expansion. He wrote “This issue is of particular interest to many Silicon Valley companies that
Californians take pride in…A change must happen and it must happen soon, or it will be too late to stop
California’s companies from leaving and taking the jobs they provide with them.” [Op-ed, Congressman Brian
Bilbray, Ruben Barrales, Orange County Register, 6/09/11]
Pushed to Raise Taxes Before Voter Referendum
In October 1990, Bilbray supported a license tax for businesses in unincorporated areas of San
Diego County. Bilbray urged the Board of Supervisors to impose the tax, a flat rate of $100 on
all businesses, regardless of size, plus a $5 per full-time employee and $2.50 per part-time
employee, before California voters were able to vote on a proposition that would make it more
difficult for localities to raise taxes. [Los Angeles Times, 11/24/90]
Later Slashed Taxes
In November 1990, the Board unanimously voted to reduce the new tax. The new tax was
cut to only $25 per business and $5 per full time employees. [San Diego Union-Tribune,
11/14/90]
Voted to Protect Tax Breaks for Big Oil Companies
In March 2011, Bilbray voted against a measure that would have repealed oil and gas production tax
breaks for major integrated oil companies for the proposed two week period in the House budget
continuing resolution.
Rep. William Keating, who offered the motion to recommit, said, “Our alternative is an alternative of
sensible spending cuts. Let’s stop sending taxpayer money to the most profitable companies in the world.”
[CQ Today, 3/01/11]
324
Voted to Extend Tax Cuts to Billionaires
In 2010, Bilbray voted to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for all taxpayers, including the highest
earners, for two years and set the estate tax at 35 percent on estates worth more than $5 million for two
years.
According to the Washington Post, extending all of the tax cuts would add $3.9 trillion to the deficit over
ten years. [Washington Post, 9/15/10]
Voted for Extending Tax Cuts to All Taxpayers
In 2010, Bilbray voted for extending the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for all taxpayers for two years and set the
estate tax at 35 percent on estates worth more than $5 million for two years.
Voted for Foreign Corporations’ Tax Loopholes Over First Responders’ Health Care
325
In September 2010, Bilbray voted against closing a corporate tax loophole which would have provided
compensation funding for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, establish a medical program and reopen
funding for individuals exposed to harmful debris. The loophole previously allowed foreign-based
companies to use tax treaties to shift income outside the United States and avoid higher tax rates.
The bill, formally titled the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, was named after a New
York Police Department detective who participated in the ground zero effort and died on symptoms
common to first responders.
Under the measure, the Department of Health and Human Services would run a 10-year program to treat
and monitor those with medical problems from the debris exposure. The program would also research
conditions that may be related to the exposure, as well as diagnostic methods and treatment. Enrollment
would be capped at 25,000 patients at any time.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the health care and compensation programs would
increase spending by $7.4 billion and that New York would be required to cover 10 percent of the cost.
[CQ Today, 9/29/10]
Voted to Protect Tax Loopholes for Companies Outsourcing Jobs
In 2010, Bilbray voted against cracking down on companies that take advantages of loopholes in the
foreign income provisions of the tax code which makes it more profitable for them to outsource jobs. The
bill would prevent corporations from using current U.S. foreign tax credit rules to subsidize their foreign
activities.
“It pays for the creation of those jobs [in the bill] by saying that those who outsource those jobs can’t get
off the hook and have to pay their taxes,” said New Jersey Rep. Robert E. Andrews. [CQ Today, 5/28/10]
Voted Against Closing Tax Loopholes for Companies Shipping Jobs Overseas
In 2010, Bilbray voted against the Small Business Tax Relief Act, repealing a section of the health care
reform bill that required small businesses to file a 1099 form to the IRS for payments of more than $600
to any vendor during a tax year.
The bill would have paid for the $19.2 billion compliance requirement with offsets placing new limits on
the ability of U.S.-based companies to use certain foreign tax credit loopholes to lower their tax liability.
Democrats argued that the tax laws provided incentives to move jobs overseas. [CQ Today, 7/30/10]
The bill failed, 241-154. [HR 5982, Vote #514, 7/30/10]
Voted Against Closing Tax Loopholes for Multinational Corporations
326
In 2010, Bilbray voted against closing tax loopholes for multinational corporations and extending
increased Medicaid assistance and education funding to states.
#518, 8/10/10]
Voted to Allow Companies to Send Tax Revenue Abroad
In 2010, Bilbray voted against stopping companies from sending tax revenue to other countries to avoid
paying taxes.
The provision required U.S. subsidiaries of foreign-owned companies to pay taxes they could previously
avoid by sending the funds to another country. The provision was expected to raise $7.7 billion over 10
years.
The provision paid for a $16.8 billion package that would help small businesses grow and hire more
workers by extending Build America Bonds and extend tax incentives for to encourage small business
formation. [CQ Today, 3/24/10]
Opposed $7,500 Tax Credit for Home Buyers, Property Tax Relief
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to HR 3221 with House
amendment #1.
The House amendment would provide government backing to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by allowing
government purchase of the entities’ stock, and create independent agency to regulate the two mortgage
entities and the Federal Home Loan Bank System.
The House amendment would also overhaul the Federal Housing Administration and provide $300 billion
in new loan guarantee authority for the FHA to help refinance borrowers in danger of losing their homes,
create a $7,500 tax credit to some first-time homebuyers, raise loan limits for FHA-backed loans, and
provide a standard tax deduction of $500 for single filers and $1,000 for joint filers on property taxes. [CQ
Today, 7/24/08]
327
The House amendment would also authorize $3.92 billion in Community Development Block Grants to
purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed properties, and increase the federal debt limit to $10.6 trillion. [CQ
Supported Bill to Protect Taxpayers from the Alternative Minimum Tax
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a one-year adjustment for the Alternative Minimum Tax to prevent an
additional 21 million taxpayers from paying it on their 2008 income.
Democrats put revenue-raising offsets into the bill, arguing that the $62 billion in revenue that would be
lost through the patch must be made up. The revenue increases targeted private-equity managers, the oil
and gas industry, certain foreign-owned corporations and merchants who underreport their income.
Republicans contended that offsets were unnecessary because the patch would simply maintain the tax
status quo. They also said a temporary tax reprieve should not require permanent revenue increases and
argued that the budget deficit should be closed by spending cuts, not revenue increases. [CQ Today, 6/25/08]
Opposed Budget to Provide Middle Class Tax Relief
year, plus $70 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/05/08]
Specifically, the bill would accommodate tax relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax for more than 20
million households, as well as middle-income tax cuts and other tax relief, so long as they were in
compliance with the pay-as-you-go rule. [“Summary of the 2009 Budget Conference Agreement,” House Committee
on the Budget, 6/04/08]
Supported Rebates for Taxpayers to Stimulate Spending
328
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of concurring with a Senate amendment to a stimulus package that would
provide advance refund of a tax credit for most taxpayers equal to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for
couples.
Families would receive $300 for each child under 17. It would begin phasing out the benefit for
individuals with adjusted gross incomes above $75,000 and married couples with incomes above
$150,000.
Companies could write off an additional 50 percent of new investment expenditures in 2008 for items
subject to depreciation over 20 years or less. Small businesses would be allowed to write off the entire
cost of new investment expenditures up to $250,000.
It would temporarily raise the size of mortgage loans the Federal Housing Administration could insure
and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could purchase.
It would expand eligibility for rebate checks to include low-income senior citizens, disabled veterans and
widows of veterans. It also would provide that illegal immigrants would not be eligible for rebate checks.
[CQ Floor Votes, 2/07/08; CQ Weekly, 2/09/08]
Supported Tax Cuts, Rebates for Taxpayers to Stimulate Spending
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a bipartisan, $146 billion fiscal stimulus package that would provide
tax rebates and business incentives intended to jolt the economy with new spending.
The bill would provide advance refund of a tax credit for most taxpayers equal to $600 for individuals and
$1,200 for couples, with the payments phased out for individuals earning more than $75,000 and couples
earning more than $150,000.
It would provide a minimum payment of $300 for individuals paying less than that in income taxes who
show earned income of at least $3,000. And it would provide an additional payment of $300 a child for all
families receiving a payment.
On the business side, the House plan would give companies a 50 percent bonus deduction on new
equipment that would normally be depreciated over many years. And it would double the limit on
expenses to $250,000 from $125,000 that small businesses can deduct from annual income, with a total
cap of $800,000.
This version of the stimulus would raise the size limit on ‘‘conforming’’ mortgage loans the Federal
Housing Administration could insure and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could purchase, a step that would
help homeowners in expensive markets refinance their loans. [CQ House Action Reports, 1/28/08; New York
Times, 1/30/08]
The motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill was agreed to 385-35. [HB 5140, Vote #25, 1/29/08]
Opposed Extension of Deduction for State Sales Taxes, Deduction for Tuition
329
Voted to Stall Bill to Extend Tax Breaks
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a motion to order the previous question on a bill that would revive
or extend about $55.5 billion in tax breaks for individuals and businesses for one year. [CQ Today,
5/21/08]
Voted to Cut Taxes without Budget Offsets
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit a bill that would revive or extend about
$55.5 billion in tax breaks for individuals and businesses for one year.
The motion would have had the bill reported back with an amendment that would have added an
Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) patch, lengthened the extension of several tax breaks and
stripped out the bill’s offsets. [CQ Today, 5/21/08]
Supported Tax Breaks for First-Time Homebuyers
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to a housing package that would establish a refundable
tax credit of up to $7,500 for first-time homebuyers that would serve as an interest-free loan.
It provided an additional standard deduction in 2008 of up to $350 for individuals and $700 for married
couples for state and local property taxes.
It also would authorize an additional $10 billion in tax-exempt bonds that would be used to refinance
subprime loans, finance the construction of low-income rental housing, and support loans to first-time
homebuyers.
It also increased the number of low-income housing tax credits. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/08/08]
330
Opposed IRS Reforms
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would make revisions to certain record-keeping requirements in
the tax filing process.
The bill would eliminate an IRS debt-collection program that used private companies to collect delinquent
taxes. It would also require more reporting on how taxpayers use their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
[CQ Weekly, 4/21/08]
Supporters of the bill argued that federal workers would be able to collect delinquent taxes more
efficiently than private companies. Opponents of the bill contended that the existing debt-collection
program allowed the IRS to go after tax delinquents it would not otherwise contact. [CQ Weekly, 4/21/08]
Opposed Consideration of IRS Reform Bill
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a rule that would allow a vote on a bill that would make revisions
to certain record-keeping requirements in the tax filing process.
The bill would eliminate an IRS debt-collection program that used private companies to collect
delinquent taxes. It would also require more reporting on how taxpayers use their Health Savings
Accounts (HSAs). [CQ Weekly, 4/21/08]
Supporters of the bill argued that federal workers would be able to collect delinquent taxes more
efficiently than private companies. Opponents of the bill contended that the existing debtcollection program allowed the IRS to go after tax delinquents it would not otherwise contact. [CQ
Weekly, 4/21/08]
The rule passed 222-195. [HR 5719, Vote # 187, 4/15/08]
Voted for Partisan Attempt to Stall IRS Reforms
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit on a bill that would make revisions to
certain record-keeping requirements in the tax filing process.
The motion would have added language to the bill aimed at preventing so-called “sanctuary
cities,” or cities which do not report illegal immigrants to the federal government, from issuing
tax-exempt debt. The motion would have also increased IRS efforts to prevent illegal immigrants
from claiming the earned-income tax credit. [CQ Today, 4/15/08]
Opposed Budget that Protected Middle Class Taxpayers
331
The budget supported middle class tax relief, including an extension of marriage penalty relief, the child
tax credit, and the 10 percent bracket.
The budget also supported reform of the estate tax to protect small businesses and family farms. [House
Budget Committee, Conference Agreement on the FY 2008 Budget Resolution: Building on the “Six for ‘06,
5/24/07]
Opposed FAA Tax Increases
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill that raised taxes on air travel.
The bill increased the general aviation fuel tax from 21.8 cents per gallon to 35.9 cents per gallon, and the
commercial aviation fuel tax from 19.3 cents per gallon to 24.1 cents per gallon, with the extra revenue
dedicated to air traffic control modernization. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/20/07]
Opposed Increase the Minimum Wage with the Estate Tax Bill
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of killing a Democratic attempt to offer an amendment to increase the
minimum wage to the estate tax bill. The amendment would have increased the minimum wage to $7.25
and give a pay raise to nearly 7 million Americans.
Democrats were fighting to gradually increase the minimum wage by $2.10 -- from $5.15 to $7.25 an
hour over two years. The Republican leadership passed a rule that barred Democrats from offering the
amendment. When Democrats protested, Republicans voted to kill the Democratic attempt to bring up the
amendment. [Leadership Document, “Democrats are Fighting for a New Direction, A Pay Raise for Millions of Americans,”
6/22/06]
Voted Against Child Tax Credit, HOPE Scholarship Credit
In 1997, Bilbray voted against a Democratic substitute amendment to provide a net tax cut of
$84.9 billion over five years, including $133.7 billion in gross tax cuts offset by $49.3 billion in
revenue increases.
The substitute provided a refundable child tax credit that would not be reduced by the Earned
Income Tax Credit, made the HOPE scholarship higher education tax credit available for all four
years of a college education, limited the increase in the exemption from the estate tax to family332
owned businesses and set a lifetime cap of $600,000 for capital gains eligible for favorable tax
treatment. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/26/97]
Supported Tax Cut Funded by Social Security Surplus
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to cut taxes by $80.1 billion over five years, including $6.6 billion
in cuts in fiscal 1999, by extending expired provisions such as the research tax credit, reducing taxes for
farmers and married couples and making health insurance premiums 100 percent deductible for the selfemployed. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/26/98]
According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, the tax cut would “divert portions of the surplus
designated by statute for the Social Security system to finance tax cuts.” [Center for Responsive Politics,
9/16/98]
The Washington Post called the bill, “the purest folly,” and said it “makes no sense as either economic or
social policy; it is a checklist of political promises whose only relationship is that each is meant to
generate votes.” [Washington Post, 9/25/98; 9/27/98]
Voted in Favor of Extending Moratorium on Internet Taxes
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the Internet Tax Freedom Act, as agreed to in the
Senate.
The bill would extend, through November 1, 2014, the ban on state and local taxes on Internet access, as
well as prevent state and local governments from collecting taxes on electronic commerce. The
amendment expanded the definition of Internet access to include Internet services, such as email, provided
independently of access. [Congressional Quarterly, 10/30/07]
The president signed the bill into law. [White House press release, 10/31/07]
Supported Moratorium on Internet Taxes in 2000
In 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to impose a five-year moratorium on state and local taxes
on Internet access until Oct. 21, 2006.
It would also eliminate the grandfather clause that allows certain states to collect taxes on Internet
access. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/10/00]
Supported Tax Credits for Job Creation in Poor Areas
333
In 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill providing tax credits and other economic incentives to promote
investment and job creation in economically depressed urban and rural communities.
The bill authorized President Clinton’s “New Markets Initiative,” and designated nine new
“empowerment zones” and 40 new “renewal communities.” [CQ Floor Votes, 7/25/00]
Supported Constitutional Amendment Requiring 2/3 Vote to Raise Taxes
In 1997, Bilbray voted in favor of a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment requiring a
two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate in order to raise taxes.
Congress would be able to waive this supermajority requirement to pass a tax increase in times of war or
military conflict that threatens national security. [CQ Floor Votes, 4/15/97]
The resolution, which required a two-thirds majority vote to pass, was defeated 233-190. [HJR 62, Vote
#78, 4/15/97]
Supported Tax Cut for Social Security Recipients
In 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would repeal a tax imposed in 1993 that increased the portion
of Social Security benefits subject to taxation from 50 percent to 85 for the one-fifth of Social Security
recipients with the highest incomes.
The 1993 tax increased to 85 percent, from 50 percent, the part of Social Security benefits subject to
income tax when a recipient’s income, including half the annual Social Security benefit, exceeds $34,000
for a single person and $44,000 for a married couple.
The revenue generated by the 1993 tax was $8 billion in 2000 alone, and was projected to total $117
billion over the following decade. This revenue was earmarked only for Medicare, but the bill provided
that the revenues that would have been collected had the tax not been repealed would be transferred to the
Medicare trust fund from the general fund. [New York Times, 7/28/00]
334
Technology Issues
 Opposed R&D Tax Credit
 Voted Against Science & Technology Programs
 Backed Anti-Piracy Efforts
Bilbray voted against the extension of the research and development tax credit that
encourages investment in new technologies. Despite advocating alternative energy
and biomedical research, Bilbray’s voting record would freeze additional funding
for science and technology programs. He also backed efforts to protect intellectual
property from piracy through consolidation of existing federal programs.
Opposed Extension of Tax Credits for Renewable Energy, R&D Tax Credit
The bill also included $8.8 billion to extend a research and development credit which gives companies an
extra incentive to invest in future products through 2008. [CQ Weekly, 5/26/08]
Voted to Kill Funding for Science and Technology Programs
In 2010, Bilbray voted to kill additional funding for science and technology programs by sending the
authorization bill back to committee to freeze funding and eliminate programs to award research
innovation and provide federal loan guarantees for innovative technology.
335
Republicans introduced the motion to recommit with language on pornography to derail passage of the
$85.6 billion bill aimed at boosting U.S. economic competitiveness through education and research
programs. [CQ Today, 5/13/10]
Voted Against Funding Science and Technology Programs
In 2010, Bilbray against passage of the $85.6 billion authorization for science research and education
programs, keeping America competitive in the science and technology fields.
The bill reauthorized a 2007 law known as the America Competes Act, boosting funding for science and
research. Specifically, the bill authorized spending for fiscal years 2011 through 2015 for research
programs at the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the
Energy Department. It would also authorize funding to support education and training in the “stem” fields
of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. [CQ Today, 5/28/10]
Supported Plan to Strengthen Efforts Cracking Down on Piracy of Intellectual Property
In May 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would consolidate federal efforts to counter piracy and
counterfeiting of American-owned intellectual properties.
The measure would create an “intellectual property enforcement representative” responsible for
coordinating efforts among eight agencies and for producing a national strategic plan for fighting piracy
and counterfeiting. The coordinator would have the rank of ambassador and would require Senate
confirmation.
The bill also would establish an Intellectual Property Enforcement Division at the Justice Department and
create a $25 million grant program for local and state law enforcement officials to investigate and pursue
piracy and counterfeiting. [CQ Today, 5/08/08]
Supported Banning Most Forms of Online Gambling
In 2006, Bilbray voted for a bill that would ban not just sports betting but also online wagering for poker
and other games.
The bill would bar banks and credit card companies from processing payments for online bets and would
make it a crime for a gambling business to accept credit cards, wire transfers or any other bank instrument
to process payments for illegal gaming transactions.
The House bill also would amend the 1961 Wire Act, which prohibited businesses from using wire
transmissions to accept bets over state and foreign lines and apply the gambling ban to all forms of new
336
technology. Americans were estimated to spend nearly $6 billion of the $12 billion bet worldwide on
Internet games and sports.
A similar measure came to the House floor in 2000, but was voted down, partly due to intense lobbying
efforts by Jack Abramoff on behalf of some of his clients in the gaming industry. [Congress Daily, 7/12/06;
New York Times, 7/11/06]
337
Terrorism and Homeland Security
 Refused to Recognize Leadership of Obama in Osama bin Laden Killing
 Voted Against Improved Border Security through Cell Phone
Improvements
 Mixed Record on Protecting Homeland Security
Bilbray voted against a motion to recognize that the killing of Osama bin Laden
resulted from the leadership of President Obama. Representing a congressional
district close to the Mexican-American border, Bilbray opposed efforts to improve
border security by increasing cell phone coverage along the border. Although
Bilbray has voted for some budgets for Homeland Security and to protect some
agencies, he has also cast several votes that would have deeply cut the Homeland
Security budget.
Voted Against Acknowledging the Leadership of Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton in the
Killing of Osama bin Laden
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a motion to recognize that the killing of Osama bin Laden resulted from
the leadership and direction of President Obama and to recognize the leadership of Presidents George W.
Bush and Bill Clinton as well as the intelligence community.
The motion would have also directed the intelligence community to prioritize tasks and activities which
would lead to the fall of al-Qaeda and organizations that fall under their influence. [The Hill, 5/13/11]
Voted Against Improving Cell Phone Communication on the Border
In 2011, Bilbray voted against an amendment to improve border security by increasing cell phone
coverage on the border.
The bipartisan amendment used $10 million to improve cell phone communication on the border, an idea
originally belonging to Rep. Gabby Giffords. [The Hill, 6/01/11]
338
Voted for Major Cuts to the Department of Homeland Security
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a bill which contained major cuts to the Department of Homeland Security,
including funding for first responders.
The appropriations bill funded the Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2012. This budget
was $1.1 billion less than the amount appropriated in FY2010 and $3 billion less than the amount
requested by President Obama. The cuts impacted grants for local fire departments, which were originally
cut by $460 million but after a Democratic amendment were only cut $140 million. The bill contained a
$2 billion cut for state and local aid funds from the Fiscal Year 2010 budget. There was also an
amendment adopted which barred the TSA from using collective bargaining. [Politico, 6/01/11, 6/02/11;
Even the Republican Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Rep. Peter King voted
against the bill saying:
“We know also from bin Laden’s own records that he is aiming at maritime, he is aiming at mass transit,
and he is aiming at our major cities. Yet we are cutting each of those programs by 50 percent, a fifty
percent cut. […] And I just cannot see why, at a time when the threat level is the highest it’s been since
September 11, that we are reducing Homeland Security grants by 50 percent. [Congressional Record, 6/01/11]
Bilbray even voted against a motion which increased funding for state and local transportation and
railroad security assistance grants by $75 million. The motion failed 187-234. [HR 2017, Vote #408, 5/26/11]
Voted to Protect Defense Department Research on Alternative Energies
In 2011, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would reduce funding for Defense Department
procurement, research and innovation programs by $115.5 million. The aim of reduced funding was for
alternative energy research.
The amendment failed, 109-320. [HR 1, Pompeo amendment #86, Vote #44, 2/15/11]
Voted to Cut Funding for Homeland Security
appropriations bill that would reduce the bill’s discretionary spending by 5.7 percent, from $36.3 billion
to $34.2 billion. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Voted For Increasing Funding for Customs and Border Security
In 2011, Bilbray voted for an amendment which increased border security and customs funding by $32
million in the Homeland Security Appropriations legislation.
339
The amendment would have increased the funding for customs and border security by $32 million by
transferring $16 million from the Office of the Undersecretary for Management and another $16 million
from the Office of the Undersecretary for Science and Technology. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/01/11]
Voted Against 10 Percent Cut of the Department of Homeland Security’s Funding
In 2011, Bilbray voted against an amendment which would have cut the funding for the Department of
Homeland Security, except US Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, by 10 percent.
According to Politico, “Republicans, including the party leadership, were badly split on the proposed 10
percent reduction which would have come on top of $1.1 billion already cut from current Homeland
funding.” [Politico, 6/02/11; Congressional Record, 6/01/11]
Voted to Prohibit Transferring Detainees Held at Guantanamo Bay Cuba to the United States for
Trials
In 2011, Bilbray voted for a bill containing a policy rider which prohibited the use of funds to transfer or
release Guantanamo detainees in the U.S.
The policy rider prohibited the use of funds for the transfer or release of Guantanamo detainees to the
United States. The underlying bill was the final continuing resolution passed to fund the federal
government for the rest of Fiscal Year 2011. [CQ BillAnalysis, 7/14/11; CQ Floor Votes, 4/14/11]
Voted Against Additional Air Marshals to High Risk Flights
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a motion to recommit which changed the union-representation ballots rules
for rail and airline employees.
The motion would have required the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of
Homeland Security, to deploy federal air marshals on the highest risk passenger flights.
Voted Against $19 Million Cut to Defense Department Operations
340
In 2011, Bilbray voted against cutting funding for Defense Department operations and maintenance by
$18.75 million.
“If we cannot do this on defense...where can we do it?” asked Rep. Jeff Flake, the Arizona Republican
who sponsored the amendment to cut $19 million for commissions. [Wall Street Journal, 2/16/11]
The amendment failed, 207-223. [HR 1, Flake amendment #370, Vote #41, 2/15/11]
Supported Military Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan
In 2010, Bilbray voted for passing a $58.8 billion supplemental appropriations bill with $45.5 billion in
discretionary spending.
The bill provided $37.1 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including funds for the 30,000
troop surge in Afghanistan; $5.1 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency; $2.9 billion for
the response to the Haitian earthquake; and $162 million related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
In addition to the discretionary spending, the bill included $13.4 billion in mandatory funding for the
Veterans Affairs Department to cover health claims by Vietnam War veterans exposed to the defoliant
Agent Orange.
The bill also included:
$178 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to respond to natural disasters;
$100 million in flood relief to help communities devastated by flooding;
$31.5 million for farm loans to family farmers;
$22 million to address a backlog in mine safety enforcement cases; and
Required the Transportation Security Administration to require commercial foreign airlines
to check the no-fly list no later than 30 minutes after it has been updated. [CQ Today, 7/27/10]
Voted to Bar Detainees from Guantanamo Bay onto U.S. Soil
In 2010, Bilbray voted in favor of barring the transfer or release of any military detainees held at
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United States. The motion to recommit on the 2011 defense authorization
bill allowed for no exceptions to the ban.
The motion amended the bill to replace a provision that would have banned the transfer but would have
allowed the prohibition to be lifted if the president provided a detailed plan to Congress on how the
detainees would be handled to avoid security risks. [CQ Today, 5/28/10]
Opposed $760 Billion Defense Bill to Protect Troops
341
In 2010, Bilbray voted against the nearly $760 billion defense authorization bill, funding our troops and
operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The bill authorized $725.9 billion for defense programs in fiscal 2011 and $33.7 billion in fiscal 2010
funding for the “surge” of additional forces in Afghanistan. It included $159.3 billion in fiscal 2011
contingent funds specifically authorized to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the war on
terrorism.
Additional funds were allocated for equipment depleted by the war in Iraq, including combat vehicles;
new battle gear for the Army National Guard and reserves; military pay raises; Special Operations forces;
and quality of life improvements for troops and their families. [CQ Today, 5/28/10]
Supported $44 Billion in Homeland Security Funding
In 2009, Bilbray voted for the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The bill included $44 billion in
fiscal 2010 funding for the Homeland Security Department and related activities. It included $10 billion
for customs and border protection. It included $5.4 billion for immigration and customs enforcement.
Included $7.7 billion for Transportation Security Administration and $10 billion for the Coast Guard, and
included $7.4 billion for Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The measure also required the department to conduct threat assessments of detainees at Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba and put the detainees on the “no-fly” list and deny them immigration benefits. [CQ Bill Analysis, HR
2892; CQ House Action Reports, 6/22/09]
Voted for Homeland Security Funds
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a bill that would authorize $41.2 billion in funding for homeland security as
part of an omnibus spending bill.
Specifically, the fiscal year 2009 Homeland Security portion of the spending bill would receive $40
billion in discretionary spending, a 6 percent increase above fiscal year 2008. The measure would also
provide $4.2 billion for state and local grants from the department. [CQ Today, 9/24/08]
Opposed Fiscally Responsible FY 2009 Budget That Would Increase First Responder Funding
In 2007, Bilbray opposed a budget resolution that would establish the congressional budget for FY 2009.
The resolution would call for expenditures of $3.1 trillion and would allow up to $1 trillion in
hurricane recovery. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/13/08]
342
The bill would also increase first responder funding over the Bush administration’s request, specifically
for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and firefighter assistance grants. [“Summary of the 2009
Democratic Budget,” House Committee on the Budget, 3/11/08]
Opposed Budget that Funded Key Homeland Security Programs
years of Republican fiscal mismanagement, provided for middle-class tax relief and would return the
budget to balance – reaching a surplus of $41 billion in 2012 – without raising taxes. [House Budget
Committee, Overview of FY2008 Budget Conference Agreement, 5/16/07]
The budget provided robust defense funding levels while targeting resources on the most pressing security
concerns, including an increase for homeland security funding that exceeded funding requested by the
Administration.
The budget provided funding that can be used to help address previously underfunded 9/11 Commission
recommendations such as increasing efforts to screen cargo on passenger aircraft, increasing efforts to
scan shipping containers in foreign ports, and providing interoperable communications to first responders.
The budget resolution placed high priority on rejecting the President’s cuts to first responder and local law
enforcement programs, which included: Local Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention grants (cut $112
million), State Homeland Security Grant Program (cut $338 million), Urban Area Security Initiative (cut
$170 million), Firefighter assistance grants (cut $362 million), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response Firefighters (cut $115 million), Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (cut $170 million), Community
Oriented Policing Services (COPS) (cut $510 million) and the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program
(SCAAP) (eliminated).
In addition, the President’s budget included only $210 million for port security grants, $190 million short
of the authorized level of $400 million per year. [House Budget Committee, Conference Agreement on the FY 2008
Budget Resolution: Building on the “Six for ‘06, 5/24/07]
Supported Increased Funding to Keep WMD Away from Terrorists
In 2007, Bilbray voted for the fiscal year 2008 defense authorization bill, which authorized $645.5 billion
for fiscal 2008 defense-related spending, including $141.8 billion in fiscal 2008 emergency supplemental
funding for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including a 3.5 percent increase in pay
for military personnel.
The bill authorized $1.82 billion - $150 million above the president’s request – to strengthen and expand
the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s non-proliferation programs.
The bill included $280.2 million for weapons of mass destruction proliferation detection and nuclear
explosion monitoring, $147.9 million for the Non-proliferation and International Security program,
343
$401.8 million for the International Materials Protection and Cooperation program, $196.6 million for the
Global Threat Reduction Initiative and $399.7 million for staff capacity, capabilities and resources to
implement non-proliferation programs.
It also authorized $398 million to strengthen and expand the Cooperative Threat Reduction program.
[Congressional Quarterly Bill Summary, HR 1585]
Opposed Homeland Security Grants, Stronger Accountability
In 2007, Bilbray voted against the fiscal year 2008 Department of Homeland Security authorization bill.
The bill authorized $39.9 billion for homeland security programs, including $300 million between fiscal
2008 and 2010 for grants to states to prevent terrorists or other individuals from fraudulently obtaining
and using state-issued identification cards, as well as for developing more secure documents for issuance
by the states. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/09/07]
The bill reinstated critical funding for first responder programs like the State Homeland Security Grant
program and FIRE Act grants. [Committee on Homeland Security, 5/09/07]
The bill also required the department to conduct a comprehensive homeland security review, and
eliminated the department’s authority to establish a unique personnel management system. [Congressional
Quarterly]
The bill also increased the ability of the Inspector General to investigate disaster response and border
security programs and strengthened the integrity in the agency’s contracting practices and promotes small
business opportunities. [Committee on Homeland Security, 5/09/07]
Voted to Increase Funding for Human Intelligence by Cutting Drug Intelligence Funds
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a motion to recommit the fiscal year 2008 Intelligence authorization bill to
the Intelligence Committee with instructions that it be immediately reported back with language that
would increase the human intelligence budget in the CIA by $23 million, offset by a cut of the same
amount for the National Drug Intelligence Center. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/11/07]
It motion also would have required the inspectors general of two federal government entities to
investigate the NDIC. [CQ Today, 5/18/07]
Opposed Emergency Funding for Anti-Terrorism and Homeland Security
344
Supported Cap on Intelligence Analysts and Planners
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Intelligence authorization bill to limit the
number of personnel in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to the number serving in the
office on May 1, 2007. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/11/07]
According to Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), who opposed the amendment,
the cap would have a negative impact on counterterrorism activities.
“… This cap would actually eliminate large numbers of analysts and planners, with the harshest impact
falling on the National Counterterrorism Center, which analyzes terrorism information and plans
counterterrorism operations,” Reyes said during debate on the amendment. “It would also have the
unintended consequence that it would eliminate personnel from the National Counterproliferation Center
and the Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties.” [Congressional Record, 5/10/07; Page: 4898]
The amendment was defeated 181-241. [HR 2082, Vote #338, 5/11/07 (in the session that began and the Congressional
Record dated May 10, 2007)]
Opposed Increased Human Intelligence Activities
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill to authorize classified amounts in fiscal 2008 for U.S. intelligence
activities and agencies including the CIA, the National Security Agency, the National GeospatialIntelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency.
The bill authorized increased investment in U.S. human intelligence activities, including training,
infrastructure and global capabilities.
It also required the director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a national intelligence estimate
on the impact of the geopolitical effects of global climate change to U.S. national security. [CQ Floor Votes,
5/11/07]
Voted to Increase Missile Defense Funds by Cutting DOD Research
345
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2009 Defense Authorization bill.
The amendment would have restored the missile defense authorizations and directed the funds towards
medium-range anti-missile systems. The amendment would have left it to the Pentagon to pay for the
programs by shifting the money from other military research programs. [CQ Today, 5/22/08]
Opposed Cut to Missile Defense
The amendment would have cut $966 million from the missile defense programs and moved it to a
variety of other military initiatives.
Democratic leaders from the Armed Services Committee opposed the amendment, saying it went
too far. [CQ Today, 5/22/08]
Voted to Increase Funding for Replacement Warhead Program
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2009 Defense Authorization bill.
The amendment would have increased the funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s
Reliable Replacement Warhead by $10 million. The cost would be offset by a decrease in funds for
energy conservation on military installations. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/22/08]
The amendment was rejected 145-271. [HR 5658, Vote #358, 5/22/08]
Voted to Increase Missile Defense
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 defense appropriations bill to
increase funding for missile defense programs.
The amendment would have increased funding for a ground-based mid-course missile defense system by
$97.2 million, offset by a reduction of the same amount from research, development, test and evaluation.
Supported Increased Funding for Missile Defense
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the 2007 Defense Authorization bill that would
increase the bill’s authorization for Missile Defense Agency activities by $764 million. [CQ Floor Votes,
5/17/07]
346
Opposed Cut to Missile Defense Funding
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the 2007 Defense Authorization bill that would reduce
the bill’s authorization for Missile Defense Agency activities by $1.1 billion. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/17/07]
Voted for Funding for Homeland Security
In 2007, Bilbray voted for an emergency appropriations bill that included $1.1 billion for anti-terrorism
homeland security activities.
The measure included funding for improved in-line technology at airports for screening baggage, better
technology at airport checkpoints for screening passengers and carry-on baggage for explosives, more
border security, improved security on buses, subways, and railroads, improved preparedness at all levels
of government for a nuclear attack or dirty bomb, more security at our ports, and improved preparedness
for FEMA and state and local emergency managers to respond to an attack or a natural disaster, including
mass evacuation.
for hurricane relief, and $3 billion for agriculture disaster relief.
Opposed Increased Funding for Urban Security Grants
appropriations bill to add $50 million for Urban Area Security Initiative grants.
The increased funding was offset by reducing the appropriation for the Office of the Secretary by $15
million and the Office of the Undersecretary for Management by $35 million. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/12/07]
Supported Funding to Restore Cuts to Intelligence Programs
add $10 million to the Analysis and Operations account for intelligence.
347
The funding increase was offset by reducing the Office of the Secretary by $1 million, the Office of the
Undersecretary for Management by $3 million and Customs and Border Protection salaries and expenses
by $6 million. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/12/07]
According to the amendment’s sponsor, Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA), the amendment restored a
cut to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Analysis and Operations Account, which funds most
of the intelligence and analysis functions within the Department of Homeland Security.
Without the amendment, Reichert argued that the proposed Homeland Security appropriations bill cut the
account $8 million dollars below FY07 levels, and was $23 million below the President’s Budget request.
[Congressman Dave Reichert press release, 6/15/07]
Cut Washington Bureaucracy for Funding for Border Personnel
increase funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement salaries and expenses account by $9 million.
The funding increase was offset by reducing funding for the Office of the Undersecretary for
Management by $10 million. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Voted Against Increased Funding for Domestic Nuclear Detection
appropriations bill to increase funding for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office by $40 million.
The increase was offset by a reduction for the Office of Undersecretary for Management by $35 million
and Coast Guard research by $5 million. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Supported Increased Funding for Real ID by Cutting Coast Guard
Security appropriations bill that would add $150 million for grants to assist states to meet requirements
under a 2005 law for secure driver’s licenses and identification cards (REAL-ID).
The increased funding was offset by a reduction for the Coast Guard Deepwater ship and aircraft
modernization program by the same amount. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Opponents of the measure, including Congressmen Harold Rogers (R-KY) and David Price (D-NC) noted
that the Homeland Security appropriations bill already contained $50 million for the REAL-ID program
that the Bush administration had not requested, and that the Coast Water Deepwater program could not
withstand the additional cuts.
348
“… This amendment would cut too much from the Deepwater program for a REAL ID program that is
flush with money already,” Rogers said. [Congressional Record, 6/14/07; Page H6450]
Supported Higher Funding for Border Fence and Technology
increase funding the Customs and Border Protection fencing, infrastructure and technology account by
$89 million.
The funding was offset by a reduction for the Office of the Undersecretary for Management by the same
amount. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Voted to Cut TSA Funding to Increase Border Patrol
that would add $125 million for Customs and Border Protection salary and expenses.
The increased funds were offset by a reduction for the Transportation Security Administration’s aviation
security direction and enforcement by the same amount. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Voted to Speed Up Border Fence
appropriations bill to stop potential delays of the construction of border security fencing.
The amendment would have eliminated language barring the use of funds for fencing on certain federal
lands unless the decision to locate the fencing has been coordinated with the relevant federal agency and
the department makes every effort to minimize the impact on wildlife and natural resources.
It would have also eliminated language barring the use of funds unless there has been formal consultation
with affected state and local communities to solicit their advice and support. [CQ House Action Reports,
6/15/07]
Voted to Block Funding for Aerial Vehicles for Border Patrol
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the fiscal year 2008 Department of Homeland Security
appropriations bill to allow funding for the procurement of additional unmanned aerial vehicles.
349
The amendment struck a provision in the bill blocking the funds until the Customs and Border Protection
certified to the House and Senate Appropriations committees that they are a higher priority and more cost
effective than other items in the Air and Marine Recapitalization and Modernization Plan. [CQ Floor Votes,
6/15/07]
Voted for September 11th Commission Recommendations…
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of the conference report on the bill that would implement
recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission.
The recommendation included requiring homeland security grants based mainly on risk while ensuring
minimum amounts for each state and creating a new grant program to support the development of
interoperable communications.
It also required all cargo bound for the United States to be scanned for radiation and density before being
placed on a ship in a foreign port by July 1, 2012, and authorized new sanctions on foreign individuals or
entities that engage in the improper transport or sales of nuclear weapons materials. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/27/07]
… But Opposed 9-11 Commission Recommendations Earlier in 2007
In 2007, Bilbray voted against implementing the recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission.
The measure included a provision requiring homeland security grants to be provided primarily on
the basis of risk while ensuring minimum amounts for each state. It created a new grant program
to support the development of interoperable communications.
In addition, the bill required all cargo bound for the United States to be scanned for radiation and
density before being placed on a ship in a foreign port. The bill authorized new sanctions on
foreign individuals or entities that engage in the improper transport or sales of nuclear weapons
materials. [CQ Floor Votes, House Roll Call Vote 15, 1/09/07]
6/15/07]
350
Opposed Homeland Security Funds
In 2007, Bilbray voted against the fiscal year 2008 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland
Security.
The bill provided $37.4 billion for homeland security funds, but 7 percent less than the total FY 2007
appropriation, which included emergency and supplemental funds.
The bill provided $2.1 billion (6 percent) more than requested by President Bush. [CQ House Action Reports,
6/18/07]
Opposed 14 Percent Increase in Homeland Security Funds
In 2007, Bilbray voted against the fiscal year 2008 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland
Security.
The bill addressed pressing security needs and included provisions to implement many of the
recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.
The $37.4 billion bill provided a 14 percent increase in homeland security funds over the previous year
(not including emergency funding), including $8.8 billion for customs and border protection, $6.6 billion
for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including fees, $8.4 billion for the Coast Guard,
$1.4 billion for the Secret Service and $7.1 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Under the bill, new emphasis was placed on protecting our ports and our rail and transit systems. The bill
provided support to states and local communities for preventing and responding to terrorist threats and
natural disasters. Critical investments were made into border and immigration security, providing for
record numbers of border patrol agents (17,819 in total), and detention beds (28,450).
The bill also included provisions to: Expand the number of federal airport screeners beyond last year’s
capped total of 45,000; Prohibit the federal government from pre-empting stricter state and local chemical
security laws and regulations; Require TSA to double the amount of cargo that it screens in fiscal 2008.
[House Appropriations Committee]
In addition, the bill included language mandating that projects funded by the bill comply with the DavisBacon Act, which requires that contractors pay the prevailing wage rate to their employees. [Congressional
Quarterly House Action Report]
Opposed Holding Secret Session to Review Entire National Intelligence Estimate
351
In 2006, Bilbray voted against a motion to hold a secret session to discuss the National Intelligence
Estimate.
On September 24, the New York Times reported that the National Intelligence Estimate, a document
reflecting the opinions of all 16 of the government’s intelligence agencies, “concludes that, rather than
contributing to eventual victory in the global counterterrorism struggle, the situation in Iraq has worsened
the U.S. position.”
In short, the war in Iraq was making the US less safe and was, according to the Times, “helped spawn a
new generation of Islamic radicalism and that the overall terrorist threat has grown since the Sept. 11
attacks.”
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi offered a motion to dissolve the House into a secret session so
that members could discuss the ramifications of the report on the war in Iraq and the war on terror.
[Leadership Document, “National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) in April Reportedly Concluded That the Iraqi War Has
Worsened the Terrorist Threat,” 9/26/06]
The motion was defeated 171-217. [HRS0, Vote #478, 9/26/06]
Supported Motion for Additional $4.7 Billion for Mass Transit Security in Port Security Bill
In 2006, Bilbray voted for a motion to instruct conferees negotiating the port security bill with the Senate
to accept the Senate’s provisions that provided improvements to security for America’s rail, subway,
buses and trucking systems.
The House version of the port security bill, which was passed in May 2006, only addressed port and
shipping container security, and Democrats wanted the final version of the bill to be more comprehensive.
Unlike the House, the Senate approved an amendment that would authorize $3.5 billion for mass transit
security grant programs and $1.2 billion for freight and passenger rail security. [House Homeland Security
Committee Minority Staff Talking Points]
Opposed Disclosure for CIA Funding
In 2000, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the FY 2001 Intelligence Authorization that would
require the CIA director to annually submit a report to Congress containing an unclassified statement of
the total appropriations for U.S. intelligence activities the previous fiscal year. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/23/00]
Supported Terrorism Response Training for Firefighters
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would authorize $293 million for the U.S. Fire
Administration, an arm of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, through fiscal year 2012.
352
The bill would update the training program at the National Fire Academy to include national catastrophes
related to terrorism, large-scale fires, hazardous materials, wildfires and advanced emergency medical
services. It would also authorize FEMA to use appropriated money to make the National Fire Incident
Reporting System available online and updated in real time. [CQ Today, 4/03/08]
Supported $34.8 Billion for Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of the FY 07 Homeland Security Appropriations conference report.
The agreement provided $34.8 billion, $2.7 billion (8 percent) more than requested, 5 percent more than
the House bill, 4 percent more than the Senate version and $2.3 billion (7 percent) more than the current
spending level. The total included $21.3 billion for border security and immigration enforcement, $2.1
billion (11 percent) more than the current level.
The bill postponed for 17 months, until June 2009, the requirement that all persons entering the country
from Western Hemisphere countries, such as Canada and Mexico, must have a passport or comparable
document.
It prevented border authorities from stopping individuals bringing prescription drugs from Canada if the
drugs were for personal use only and limited to a 90-day supply.
The measure included language creating new criminal penalties for building tunnels under the U.S. border
and doubling penalties for smuggling illegal immigrants, drugs, weapons of mass destruction and other
illegal items through such tunnels.
The conference agreement kept FEMA in the Homeland Security Department, but increased its autonomy.
It provided $2.5 billion for FEMA, 15 percent less than requested. [CQ House Action Report 109-22, 9/28/06]
Opposed Funding for Public Health Emergencies
In 2000, Bilbray voted against an amendment to reduce all discretionary accounts by 0.617 percent to
provide funding for the public health emergency fund. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/13/00]
353
Terrorism and Homeland Security Issues – Civil Liberties
 Voted Against Requiring PATRIOT Act Provisions Comply with
Constitution
 Voted to Allow Surveillance of Library Records
 Opposed Efforts to End Enhanced Interrogation, Including
Waterboarding
Bilbray voted against requiring PATRIOT Act provisions comply with the United
States Constitution. With other votes, Bilbray has failed to adequately protect
fundamental civil liberties of Americans. He voted to allow surveillance of library
records, including library patron lists, book sales, and customer lists. He opposed a
measure to protect the privacy of American citizens by stopping the use of
wiretapping of American citizens. Bilbray also opposed efforts to end enchanted
interrogation techniques of detainees, including an end to the practice of
waterboarding.
Voted Against Requiring PATRIOT Act Provisions Comply with Constitution
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a measure that would have added language to the USA PATRIOT
Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act
of 2004 that would ensure complete compliance with the U.S. Constitution relating to access to business
records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers and roving wiretaps.
In addition, it would require expedited review of federal civil proceedings for any allegations of violations
of such rights.
The measure failed, 186-234. [HR 514, Vote #35, 2/14/11]
Voted to Allow Library Activity Surveillance
In 2011, Bilbray against prohibiting funds in the Republicans’ continuing resolution to be used under a
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) order requiring the production of library circulation records,
library patron lists, book sales or book customer lists.
The amendment was rejected, 196-231. [HR 1, Nadler amendment #524, Vote #95, 2/18/11]
354
Opposed Measure to Protect Privacy of American Citizens
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to prevent the use of wireless wiretapping of American
citizens.
The bipartisan amendment, introduced by Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Republican
Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ) reiterated that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA)
continues to be the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance for the purpose of
gathering foreign intelligence information may be conducted.
The amendment also made clear that only an explicit change in the law can provide an exception to FISA.
[Congressman Adam Schiff press release, 5/11/07]
The amendment passed 245-178. [HR 2082, Vote #339, 5/11/07 (in the session that began and the Congressional Record
dated May 10, 2007)]
Opposed Banning Harsh Interrogation Methods
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a conference report on the bill that would authorize classified amounts in
the fiscal year 2008 budget for intelligence agencies and programs.
The conference report would block the CIA from using several controversial interrogation techniques. It
would require civilian as well as military interrogators to obey the Army Field Manual’s ban on torture of
prisoners and the United States to adhere to the Geneva Conventions when handling prisoners of war. [CQ
Today, 12/13/07; Washington Post, 12/16/07]
The conference report passed 222-199. [HR 2082, Vote #1160, 12/13/07]
Opposed Override Bush Veto of Intelligence Authorization Bill, Waterboarding
In 2008, Bilbray voted against an attempt to override President Bush’s veto of the fiscal year 2008
intelligence authorization bill.
The bill contained a provision that would restrict intelligence agencies to the 19 interrogation techniques
that were allowed in the Army Field Manual. The manual prohibits harsh interrogation methods, such as
the simulated drowning technique known as waterboarding, and forbids cruel and inhumane treatment of
enemy captives. [CQ Today, 3/11/08]
The provision in the legislation would extend these restrictions, which had already been imposed on the
military, to the CIA and other agencies. [CQ Today, 3/10/08]
The override was rejected 225-188 after failing to get the necessary 2/3 majority under suspension of the
rules. [HR 2082, Vote # 117, 3/11/08]
Opposed Accountability at Guantanamo
355
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the 2007 Defense Authorization bill that would require
the office of the Defense secretary to submit a report that contains a plan for the transfer of all individuals
presently detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The report would identify the number of detainees who, as of Dec. 31, 2007, will have been charged with
a crime, will be subject to release, or have not been charged with a crime but who the Defense
Department wishes to continue to detain.
President Bush opposed the amendment. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/17/07]
Voted for FISA Compromise
In 2008, Bilbray voted for compromise bill that would overhaul the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
(FISA), which governs electronic surveillance of foreign terrorism suspects.
The bill set new electronic surveillance rules that effectively shield telecommunications companies from
lawsuits arising from the government’s terrorism-era warrantless eavesdropping on phone and computer
lines in the country.
The bill would also:
 Require FISA court permission to wiretap Americans who are overseas.
 Prohibit targeting a foreigner to secretly eavesdrop, without court approval, on an Americans’ calls
or e-mails.
 Require the government to protect American information or conversations that are collected when
in communications with targeted foreigners.
 Allow the FISA court 30 days to review existing but expiring surveillance orders before renewing
them.
 Allow eavesdropping in emergencies without court approval, provided the government files
required papers within a week.
 Prohibit the president from superseding surveillance rules in the future.
The bill’s provisions will sunset on Dec. 31, 2012, but warrants will remain in effect until they expire.
[Associated Press, 6/21/08; CQ Floor Votes, 6/20/08]
Opposed Senate Version of FISA Bill without Retroactive Immunity
In 2008, Bilbray voted against the Senate version of the FISA as amended by the House.
356
The House amendment struck the retroactive immunity provisions for telecommunications companies on
pending civil lawsuits and instead provided for immunity for future cooperation with government requests
to assist with surveillance.
It also created a bipartisan commission to report on conducting surveillance on Americans without
obtaining FISA warrants and allowed federal courts to hear classified information in civil suits against
telecommunications companies. [Congressional Quarterly]
Opponents of the amended version said it was “show piece” that both the Senate and Bush Administration
indicated was “dead on arrival” and “unlikely ever to become law.” [Rep. Goeff Davis Press Release, 3/18/08]
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) commented on the lack of retroactive immunity for telecommunications
companies saying, “We cannot ask these companies to help us protect America and then subject them to
billion-dollar lawsuits. If we do, we risk losing their help in the future.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi argued that the immunity provisions were just an attempt to cover up malfeasance
by Bush administration officials. [CongressNow, 3/14/08]
The bill passed 213-197. [H.R. 3773, Vote #145, 3/14/08]
Opposed Temporary Extension of FISA
In 2008, Bilbray opposed extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for 21 more days beyond
its February 16, 2008 expiration date. Without an extension, the House would be pressured to vote on the
act before it expired and would lack time to negotiate a final agreement with the Senate.
It also amended FISA to expand the authority of the attorney general and the director of National
Intelligence to conduct surveillance of suspected foreign terrorists without a court warrant. [CQ Floor Votes,
2/13/08; CongressNow, 2/14/08]
The bill was rejected 191-229. [HR 5349, Vote #54, 2/13/08]
Voted to Block Extension of FISA
In 2008, Bilbray voted to block a 21-day extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that
expired on February 16, 2008. [CQ Floor Votes, 2/13/08]
Opposed Additional Privacy Protections for Warrantless Surveillance Act
In 2007, Bilbray opposed a bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to provide for
the acquisition of electronic surveillance with constitutional protections and court oversight.
The bill would allow the government to continue collecting electronic surveillance on people outside of
the U.S. without a warrant for up to one year but would strengthen the FISA court’s oversight and privacy
357
protections by requiring frequent audits and for a warrant to be obtained when Americans are targeted for
surveillance. The bill did not provide immunity to telecommunications companies who participated in
Bush’s warrantless surveillance program. [Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi press release, 11/15/07]
Voted To Kill Foreign Intelligence Reauthorization
In 2007, Bilbray voted to kill a bill to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act through a
motion to recommit to the Judiciary Committee with instructions.
The procedure, with instructions for the Judiciary Committee to insert redundant language, was an attempt
to kill the bill.
Rep. Jane Harman said at the time of the motion, “I would like to say for two reasons there’s no need to
support this motion to recommit: one, it kills the bill by using the word “promptly”; number two, it is
redundant with excellent language that we added to the bill in the manager’s amendment.” [Congressional
Record, H14060]
Voted to Revise Intelligence Surveillance Laws
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978
(FISA) to expand the authority of the attorney general and the director of National Intelligence to conduct
surveillance of one suspected foreign terrorist to another without a court warrant. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/04/07]
Under the bill, communications companies would be compelled to comply with the government’s conduct
of such surveillance. The administration would be required to provide the FISA court with a description
of the procedures they used to determine whether the intelligence acquisition being conducted without a
warrant is directed at foreign targets overseas within 10 days of initiating the electronic surveillance. The
FISA court would then approve or disapprove of the measures. The bill included a six-month sunset
clause.
The bill was considered a top legislative priority for President Bush, who threatened to keep Congress in
session until it was passed. “By passing a FISA modernization bill that the president can sign before we
go home for recess, the Senate has taken immediate and decisive action to improve the security of our
country,” said Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY). [CQ Today, 8/03/07]
The ACLU strongly opposed the bill, claiming that the bill gave “unconstitutional authority” to the Bush
administration “to conduct warrantless dragnets of American’s international phone calls and emails.”
[ACLU, 8/07/07]
Opposed Housing Guantanamo Detainees in United States
358
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation expressing the sense of the Congress that detainees housed
at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, including senior members of al Qaeda, should not be released into the United
States or transferred to facilities in the United States. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/04/07]
Supported Establishing Military Tribunal Process for Alien Terrorist Suspects
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that lends legislative support for the first time to broad rules for
the detention, interrogation, prosecution and trials of terrorism suspects.
The measure created new military tribunals or commissions to try alien terrorists, allowed prosecutors to
make only certain portions of classified evidence available to defendants, permitted trials to proceed
without the presence of the defendant if the judge finds that the defendant was disruptive, and provided
for an appeals process for those convicted by military commissions.
It barred detainees from filing habeas corpus suits challenging their detentions, thereby preventing
detainees from initiating any judicial proceeding.
The measure did not interpret U.S. treaty obligations under the Geneva Conventions, but stated that the
president has the authority to interpret the meaning of the Conventions through executive order and
specified types of interrogation techniques that were deemed in violation of the Geneva treaties.
The bill also codified the definition of an “unlawful enemy combatant.” According to the Washington
Post, “By writing into law for the first time the definition of an “unlawful enemy combatant,” the bill
empowered the executive branch to detain indefinitely anyone it determines to have “purposefully and
materially” supported anti-U.S. hostilities...At the same time, the bill immunizes U.S. officials from
prosecution for cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment of detainees who the military and the CIA
captured before the end of last year.” [CQ House Action Report, 109-46; Washington Post, 9/29/06]
The bill passed 250-170. [S3930, Vote #508, 9/29/06]
Voted to Kill Effort to Add Critical Amendments to Military Tribunal Bill
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to kill three critical amendments to the military
tribunals bill.
The rule that the Republicans put forward for debating the bill prevented Democrats from offering
much needed amendments to improve the bill. Rep. Tauscher’s (D-CA) amendment would have
stripped out the section of the bill dealing with the Geneva Conventions.
The underlying bill stated that that the President has the authority to “interpret the meaning and
application” of the United States’ obligations under the Geneva Conventions.
Critics argued that the provision allows the President to interpret the Geneva Conventions as he
sees fit and that this would put American Servicemen and women at risk by lowering standards for
359
prisoner treatment. Rep. Meehan’s (D-MA) amendment would have struck from the bill the
provision that denies detainees the ability to file habeas corpus challenges to their detentions.
Critics also noted that the provision made it extremely likely that the Supreme Court will rule that
the legislation in unconstitutional. Rep. Loretta Sanchez’s (D-CA) amendment would make
alterations to the bill’s appeals process.
The bill created a new “Court of Military Commission Review” that would handle appeals of
military commission determinations. Sanchez’s amendment scrapped that provision and instead
directed appeals to already existing the existing U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces,
which has experience in handling similar cases. [Leadership Document, “Democrats Seek Opportunity to
Make Key Improvements In the Military Commissions Bill,” 9/27/06]
The motion to kill the amendments passed 225-191. [HR6166, Vote #488, 9/27/06]
Opposed Oversight of Military Tribunals Bill
In 2006, Bilbray voted against a motion to add two provisions to the military tribunals bill that would
provide increased oversight of the measure.
First, the motion would provide an expedited judicial review of the bill to make sure that it is
constitutional.
Second, the motion would insert a sunset provision that would require the bill to be reauthorized in three
years. [Leadership Document, “Democrats Fight For Expedited Judicial Review And For Requiring A Reauthorization In 3
Years,” 9/27/06]
Opposed Plan to Codify Terrorist Surveillance under Pre-Existing FISA Process
In 2006, Bilbray voted against voted in favor of a motion to recommit that would replace the Bush
administration’s warrantless wiretapping program with a bi-partisan substitute that would update
provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to provide intelligence agencies more
flexibility in emergency situations and less bureaucratic red tape when applying for warrants, while still
requiring court orders for domestic surveillance of Americans.
The substitute would:
 Extend 72 hours to 7 days the amount of time allowed to initiate surveillance in an urgent situation
before going to the FISA court for a warrant
 Reiterate that FISA is the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance for foreign
intelligence purposes may be conducted and that the Use of Force resolution passed after 9/11
does not constitute an exception (the President has argued that he has the authority to conduct the
program under the resolution).
360
The substitute also streamlined and sped the FISA application process while requiring increased
congressional oversight. [Leadership Document, “Democrats Call For NSA Domestic Surveillance to Go Forward But
Under the FISA Process,” 9/28/06]
The proposal failed 202-221. [HR5825, Vote #501, 9/28/06]
Supported Authorizing Bush’s “Terrorist Surveillance Program”
In 2006, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that set ground-rules for Bush’s warrantless wiretapping program,
also known as the “terrorist surveillance program.”
The bill allowed the president to authorize electronic surveillance of communications by suspected
terrorists for specified periods without first obtaining approval from the special, secret court established
by the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Under the bill, such warrantless surveillance could be conducted for up to 90 days if an armed or terrorist
attack against the United States has occurred, or if there is an “imminent threat” that is likely to cause
death or widespread harm in this country.
In all such instances, however, the president must notify the Congressional Intelligence committees and
the FISA court of such surveillance. The original version of the bill would have authorized those
expanded powers only post-attack, but the Bush administration sought, and got, the additional authority
preceding an attack as well.
The bill would have the effect of authorizing the NSA program with some changes, since the bill’s
sponsor, Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM) said the president would have the authority to determine and
certify to Congress when the country is in a time of post-attack - the trigger that would allow warrantless
surveillance.
Wilson said she believed the nation was currently in a time of post-attack. Many Democrats repeatedly
stressed that while spying on terrorists was important, the bill would not protect the rights of innocent
U.S. citizens. [CQ House Action Report, 109-47]
Opposed Banning Warrantless Wiretapping
In 2006, Bilbray voted against a bi-partisan amendment to the FY 07 Defense Appropriations bill that
would have ended the Bush Administration’s warrantless wiretapping program.
The amendment would have required the government to obtain a warrant when surveillance of Americans
or others occurs in the United States.
It would not prevent the Federal Government from fulfilling its duty to pursue al Qaeda and other
terrorists with all available tools, including the use of electronic surveillance.
361
Current law (the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) allowed the Administration to obtain wiretaps in a
timely and confidential manner through a proper court of law, up to 72 hours after the surveillance begins.
[Rep. Schiff Press Release, 6/20/06]
Supported Use of “Secret Evidence”
In 2000, Bilbray voted against an amendment to the FY 2001 Commerce, Justice, and State
Appropriations bill to reduce Federal Prison System Salaries and Expenses funding by $173,480, the
average cost of incarcerating the non-citizens currently detained when the INS denied bond, asylum, or
other relief based on secret evidence. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/22/00]
The amendment passed, 239-173. [HR 4690, Campbell Amendment, Vote #315, 6/22/00]
Supported Anti-Terror Bill in 1996
In 1996, Bilbray voted in favor of anti-terrorism legislation that was introduced following the Oklahoma
City bombing and contained many of the same provisions that eventually ended up in the Patriot Act.
The bill made it easier to deport foreign terrorists, barred foreign terrorists from fundraising in the United
States, made it a crime to knowingly provide support to terrorist groups, increased the regulation of
human biological pathogens that could be used in chemical weapons, increased the penalties for acts of
foreign and domestic terrorism, required plastic explosives to include taggants, and provided $1 billion
over four years for enhanced local and federal anti-terrorism measures.
The bill also includes habeas corpus reform that would limit death row appeals by state and federal
inmates. [CQ Floor Votes, 4/18/96]
Supported Similar Measure
Also in 1996, Bilbray voted in favor of the House version of the anti-terror bill, which
strengthened federal law enforcement officials’ ability to combat terrorism and limiting the
number of habeas corpus appeals by death row prisoners to federal courts. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/14/96]
362
Trade Issues
 Sponsored SAVE Act to Import Philippine Textiles
 Voted to Allow Government Contracts with Companies Shipping Jobs
Overseas
 Mixed Record on Assisting Workers Hurt by Trade
Bilbray has sponsored legislation that would allow for increased imports of textile
fabrics from the Philippines. He has voted against efforts to prevent government
contracts from being awarded to companies that ship American jobs overseas.
Bilbray has a mixed record on assisting workers hurt by trade through the Trade
Adjustment Assistant program, supporting Republican proposals to modify the
program but voting against reauthorization in 2007.
Sponsored SAVE Act to Create Textile Sector Jobs in Philippines
In 2011, Bilbray sponsored the SAVE Act, which according to supporters “would allow Philippine made
apparel using fabrics from the US to enter the US duty free.” [Digital Journal, 7/19/11]
Voted to Allow Government Contracts with Companies Shipping American Jobs Overseas
In January 2011, Bilbray voted against a motion that would bar government spending on contracts with
companies determined to have outsourced American jobs abroad.
The motion to recommit required the Rules Committee to report an amendment that would specify that,
when the House Budget Committee chairman set a discretionary spending limit for the remainder of fiscal
2011, no spending would be allocated for a contract with a company the Labor secretary determined to
have shipped jobs abroad. [CQ Today, 1/25/11]
The motion failed, 184-242. [H Res 38, Vote #19, 1/25/11]
Opposed Helping Workers Hurt by Trade
In 2007, Bilbray voted against the reauthorization of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs
for workers laid off due to the impact of foreign trade. The TAA program provides retraining and wage
and health insurance subsidies to workers who lose their jobs as a result of increased imports or
production shifts by foreign competitor. The bill expanded the program to include service workers and
363
allowed for entire industries to be eligible as opposed to individual companies. [Congressional Quarterly
Weekly, 11/04/07]
The bill increased the health care tax credits for unemployed workers by 20 percent. It raised funding
authority for training programs to $440 million and offset the cost of the program expansion by extending
for three years the current payroll tax that funds unemployment benefits, and delaying for three years a tax
break for companies that pay taxes overseas. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/31/07]
The bill also increased from 60 days to 90 days the notification period required of companies in advance
of plant closings or substantial layoffs. [Washington Post, 11/08/07]
Voted for Help for Workers Hurt by Trade Agreements
In 2007, Bilbray voted for the substitute amendment offered by Jim McCrery (R-LA) to modify the Trade
Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program for workers, firms and farmers for five years. The amendment cut
the benefits outlined for the extension of the program only increasing the federal share of monthly TAA
participant premiums for the Health Coverage Tax Credit by 5 percent.
The substitute also allowed states to apply for waivers of unemployment compensation program rules and
expanded the new markets tax credit to those impacted by trade and globalization job loss. [CQ Floor Votes,
10/31/07]
The amendment also authorized up to $8,000 per worker for retraining, but Democrats pointed out that
represented a cap because some states already provide more. [CQ Today, 10/31/07]
Opposed Measure to Suspend Fast Track, Delay Columbia Trade Bill
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a resolution that suspended “fast-track” requirements for consideration of
HR 5724, which would implement a free trade agreement between the United States and Colombia.
Adoption of the resolution (H Res 1092), indefinitely stalled further legislative action in the House on the
trade pact’s implementing legislation countering President Bush’s effort to force a speedy vote on a
measure opposed by many Democrats.
Minority Leader Boehner, called the vote “an effort to kill the Colombia free-trade agreement.”
Rep. McGovern, a member of the House Rules Committee, said the resolution was “a direct response to
the arrogance of this president,” and Majority Leader Hoyer said passage of the resolution would give
Congress “more time to discuss this with the administration.”
Most Democrats opposed the trade agreement, saying the Colombian government had not taken sufficient
steps to reduce violence against union members. Republicans countered that Colombia had worked hard
to crack down on right-wing paramilitary groups blamed for much of the violence. [CQ Today, 4/10/08]
364
The resolution passed, 224-195. [HR 1092, Vote #181, 4/10/08]
Supported Trade with Peru
In 2007, Bilbray voted for a trade agreement between the United States and Peru. The agreement reduced
most tariffs and duties affecting trade between the two countries, increased protections for intellectual
property and required Peru to take steps to strengthen its labor and environmental enforcement standards.
Under the agreement, 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial goods to Peru would enter
duty-free immediately. [CQ Today, 11/08/07]
Voted to Extend Duty Free Products from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation extending the duty-free treatment of certain products from
Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru until February 2008. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/27/07]
The legislation passed 365 – 59. [HR 1830, Vote #583, 6/27/07]
Frequently Supported Trade with China
Bilbray has consistently voted in favor of trade with China.
 2000: Bilbray voted against a joint resolution disapproving of the President’s decision to
provide normal trade relations for items produced in China from the period July 2000
through July 2001. The resolution was defeated 147-281. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/18/00; HJR 103,
Vote #405, 7/18/00]

2000: Bilbray voted against a motion to instruct the House Ways and Means and
International Relations committees to add to a China trade bill language revoking China’s
permanent normal trade relations status if China invades, blockades or attacks Taiwan. The
motion was rejected 176-258. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/24/00; HR 4444, Vote #227, 5/24/00]

1998: Bilbray voted against a resolution to deny the president’s request to provide ‘normal
trade relations’ (formerly known as ‘most-favored-nation’ or MFN trade status) for items
produced in China for the period July 1998 through July 1999. The resolution was defeated
Supported Free Trade with Africa
In 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to extend certain tariff benefits to nations of the Caribbean,
Central America and sub-Saharan Africa. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/04/00]
365
The bill eliminates tariffs for garments made in struggling nations, making it easier for them to reach
American stores, and threatening jobs in the United States’ garment industry. Labor unions, human rights
groups, small garment companies, traditional Democrats and some Republicans came together to fight the
bill.
Ann Hoffman, president of UNITE, the garment worker’s union, called the bill “a disgrace,” saying that
the bill gives foreign countries “free access to our market, and in return they do nothing.” [Washington Post,
5/05/00]
Hoffman claimed that the bill was “a major threat to the jobs of hundreds of thousands of garment
workers in the United States.”
The bill passed on a vote of 309-110. [HR 434, Vote #145, 5/04/00]
Opposed Steel Tariffs
In 1999, Bilbray voted against legislation to require the President to impose quotas, tariff surcharges, or
negotiated enforceable voluntary export restraint agreements within 60 days to ensure that monthly steel
imports do not exceed the average volume that was imported monthly from July 1994 through June 1997.
The provisions of the bill would last for three years. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/17/99]
366
Transportation Issues
 Supported Transit Funding as Supervisor
 Voted against Amtrak, Transportation
 Voted Against More Airport Screeners
Bilbray supported more state and local funding of transit projects as a County
Supervisor, but as a member of Congress he has cast votes to cut funding for
Amtrak and other transportation projects. As a Supervisor, Bilbray wanted
greater emphasis on transit and smog-reducing projects, not just streets and
highways. In 2007, Bilbray cast a vote against additional funding for airport
screeners.
Supported More State Funding of Local Needs as Supervisor
In January 1985, Bilbray said the only way to address local revenue needs is through active lobbying at
the state level. “Lord knows there are enough lobbyists up there representing everybody else,” said
Bilbray. He said he supported more state finance for maintenance of roads and buildings. [San Diego UnionTribune, 1/02/85]
Backed Plan for More Transit Funding
In January 1993, Bilbray proposed a transportation plan to the San Diego Association of Governments that
would focus on transit and smog-reducing projects. He opposed a competing proposal that focused more
on streets and highways. Bilbray’s plan was rejected by an 18 to 1 vote. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 1/23/93]
Opposed Amtrak Reauthorization
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would authorize $14.4 billion for Amtrak and other rail
investments through fiscal year 2013.
A Record of Voting to Cut Amtrak
Bilbray has voted on a number of occasions to vote funding for Amtrak.
Voted to Cut Amtrak Route from Los Angeles to New Orleans
367
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to a bill that would authorize $14.4 billion for
Amtrak and other rail investments through fiscal year 2013.
The amendment would have prohibited Amtrak from spending money on the Sunset Limited,
which runs between Los Angeles and New Orleans. [CQ Today, 6/11/08]
Voted to Cut Amtrak Funds by $425 Million
Department of Housing and Urban Development that would have cut the amount provided for
Amtrak capital and debt service grants by $425 million. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/24/07]
Voted to Cut Amtrak Funding
Department of Housing and Urban Development that would have cut $475 million from Amtrak
capital.
The amendment would have eliminated $475 million in the bill that for operating subsidy grants
for Amtrak.
It also would have struck language directing Amtrak to adhere to a number of business practices,
including requiring the submission of certain reports and a comprehensive business plan and
prohibiting the use of funds to support routes on which Amtrak offers discounts of more than 50
percent off normal peak fare. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/24/07]
Voted to Block Funding for More Airport Screeners
Security appropriations bill that would bar the use of funds in the bill to recruit or hire more than 45,000
full-time equivalent airport screeners. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
As of March 2007, there were 45,000 fulltime airport screeners. [CBS News, 3/06/07]
Voted Against Investments in Infrastructure and Housing
In 2010, Bilbray voted against passage of the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development
spending bill, providing $126 billion for transportation and housing programs in fiscal 2011.
368
Democrats highlighted the bill’s job creation potential through investments in infrastructure and
applauded the total size of the bill for its restrained spending, approximately $800 million less than the
previous year.
The bill provided a total of $79.4 billion for the Transportation Department operations (both discretionary
and non-discretionary funding), including $45.2 billion for highway programs, $11.3 for transit programs,
$16.5 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration, and $1.4 billion for high-speed rail grants. The
included $200 million to the HOPE VI program, providing grants to rehabilitate distressed public
housing, and a seven percent increase in Section 8 rental vouchers for low-income tenants.
The measure provided $1.4 billion for high-speed passenger rail projects, $11.3 billion for mass transit
and $45.2 billion for highways. [CQ Today, 7/29/10; CQ House Action Reports, 7/30/10]
Supported $53 Billion in Funding for Federal Aviation Administration
In 2010, Bilbray voted for authorizing a $53.5 billion budget through fiscal year 2012 for the Federal
Aviation Administration.
The bill required airlines and airports to develop contingency plans for stranded passengers and would
establish a new labor dispute system for air traffic controllers. The bill would require commercial pilots to
obtain a license requiring 1,500 flight hours. [CQ Bill Analysis]
According to Chairman James L. Oberstar, the bill provided “historic” investment levels including $12.3
billion for the Airport Improvement Program; $10.1 billion for FAA facilities and equipment; $30.3
billion for FAA operations; and $685.4 million for research, engineering, and development. [House
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure release, State News Service, 3/25/10]
Opposed Highway Bridge Safety Bill
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would authorize funding for bridge repairs and inspection. The
bill would authorize $1 billion to improve repair work on the nation’s bridges and to restructure how the
federal government monitors them. [CQ Today, 7/28/08]
The bill was introduced in response to the August 2007 collapse of the I-35 bridge over the Mississippi
River in which 13 people died and more than 100 were injured. [CQ Today, 7/28/08]
Supported Public Transportation Grants
In 2008, Bilbray voted for a bill that would authorize $1.7 billion for grants in fiscal 2008 and 2009 for
transit agencies that reduce fares or expand public transportation services, as well as an additional $750
369
million each year for urbanized area formula grants and $100 million per year for formula grants to rural
areas.
The bill would authorize $1.7 billion in grants over two years to local transit agencies to expand services
and subsidize fares for federal employees. [CQ Today, 6/26/08]
6/15/07]
Supported Increase in Funding for Secure Driver’s Licenses
appropriations bill that would add $150 million for grants to assist states to meet requirements under a
2005 law for secure driver’s licenses and identification cards.
The increased funding was offset by a reduction for the Coast Guard Deepwater ship and aircraft
modernization program by the same amount. [CQ Floor Votes, 6/15/07]
Opposed Blocking Increased Foreign Control over Airlines
appropriations bill that blocks a proposed Administration regulation regarding control of a US airline by
foreign investors.
Currently, at least 75 percent of a U.S. airline must be owned by U.S. citizens, two-thirds of the members
of an airline’s board must be citizens, and the airline must be under the “actual control” of U.S. citizens.
The House amendment blocked a Bush Administration attempt to change the interpretation of “actual
control” to allow foreign investors to have greater authority over the business dealings of a U.S. domestic
airline, such as fares, routes, and the cities served by the airline. [CQ House Action Reports, 6/15/06]
The amendment passed 291-137. [HR5576, Vote #283, 6/14/06]
370
Opposed Millions in Rail Capital Improvements
appropriations bill that would have provided $30 million for the Capital Grants Rail Line Relocation and
Improvement Program.
The Capital Grants Rail Line program is a federal grants program that would invest in rail infrastructure
by addressing congestion, safety, and quality of life issues, including the building of railroad underpasses
and the creation of quiet zones. [Rep. Lipinski Press Release, 6/14/06]
371
Veterans’ Issues
 Voted to Make Benefits for Veterans Harder to Get
 History of Voting Against Increased Funding for Veterans
Bilbray has voted to make benefits for seniors and veterans harder to get, while
also voting against budgets that contained increases in funding for veterans’
programs. His votes include opposing budgets praised by the Veterans of Foreign
Wars and the American Legion for their commitment to caring for wounded
warriors.
Voted Against Millions in Additional Funding for Suicide Prevention and PTSD for Veterans
In 2011, Bilbray voted against a motion which would have provided an additional $20 million for
veterans’ medical service to help with post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide prevention.
According to the Watertown Daily Times, “Rep. Bill Owens offered an amendment to a military
appropriations bill in the House of Representatives that would increase spending on veterans’ mental
health services by $20 million.” The $20 million would be put towards better advertising the suicide
prevention assistance and services offered to veterans. [Watertown Daily Times, 6/14/11; CQ Floor Vote, 6/14/11]
Voted to Make Benefits for Seniors and Veterans Harder to Get
In 2011, Bilbray voted for an amendment that would make it harder for low-income veterans and Social
Security recipients to retain counsel in a civil action against the United States, like when fighting for
benefits.
The Lummis amendment imposed a seven-month moratorium on all legal fees paid under the Equal
Access to Justice Act, a Reagan-era law designed to help people afford an attorney while suing the
government.
“We’re in the middle of two wars right now and to make it harder for a veteran — fighting for his benefits
— to have an attorney is a horrible thing. That’s not what this country is about,” Robert Chishold, a
prominent veterans’ law attorney said. [Politico, 2/23/11]
The amendment passed, 232-197. [HR 1, Lummis amendment #195, Vote #85, 2/17/11]
372
Opposed Budget that Increased Veterans’ Funding by $3.7 Billion
Specifically, the budget would increase veterans’ funding for 2009 by 3.7 billion, or 8.2 percent, above
existing services. Democrats argued that this would be enough to allow the Veterans Administration to
treat 5.8 million patients in 2009, including 333,275 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. [“Summary of the
2009 Budget Conference Agreement,” House Committee on the Budget, 6/04/08]
Opposed Fiscally Responsible FY 2009 Budget with $48.1 Billion for Veterans’ Services
hurricane recovery. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/13/08; CQ Markup and Vote Coverage, 3/11/08]
The bill would also include $48.1 billion in funding for veterans’ benefits and services.
Opposed Budget That Included Record Increase for Veterans
The budget increased funding or veterans’ health care and services by $6.7 billion (18.3 percent) above
the 2007 enacted level, and $3.6 billion above the President’s budget
According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the budget represented a “historic $6.7 billion increase” over
the previous year’s budget. [Veterans of Foreign Wars, Washington Weekly, 5/25/07]
373
Meanwhile, the American Legion wrote, “The American Legion and its 2.8 million members applaud…
the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Resolution.” [American Legion]
According to the Military Officers Association of America, “...the resolution makes a strong statement of
Congress’s commitment to restoring national confidence that our wounded warriors will receive the kind
of first-quality care and services that they have earned...” [Military Officers Association of America]
The budget also saved veterans from paying increased fees totaling $355 million in 2008 and $2.3 billion
over five years. The President’s budget imposed those new enrollment fees and increases co-payments on
Priority 7 and 8 veterans. [House Budget Committee, Conference Agreement on the FY 2008 Budget Resolution:
Building on the “Six for ‘06, 5/24/07]
Opposed Historic Funding Increase for Veterans Programs
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a budget that provided a $6.6 billion increase in funding for
veterans programs.
However, the Veterans of Foreign Wars applauded the budget, and the House and Senate
leadership who were instrumental in the adoption of this historic increase. [VFW Washington Weekly,
4/02/07]
These additional resources would cover increases in the costs of health care, the VA’s increasing
patient load, including veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and help cover the cost of forthcoming
recommendations to improve military and veterans’ health care facilities and treatment. [CQ House
Action Reports, No. 110-4, 3/2707]
The budget passed 216-210. [H. Con. Res. 99, Vote #212, 3/29/07]
Opposed Funding Hike for Veterans’ Travel Expenses Paid for with Cuts in VA Hospital Care
In 2007, Bilbray voted against an amendment that would add $125 million for veterans’ travel expenses
related to medical services, offset by a reduction for the Veterans Affairs Department general operating
expenses by the same amount.
Democrats largely opposed the amendment because it would actually be paid by cuts to staffing at VA
Hospitals.
“The source of this money wouldn’t be cutting out the Washington, D.C., office staff,” Congressman Chet
Edwards (D-TX) told the amendment’s sponsor, Congressman Jerry Moran (R-KS). “It would be cutting
out employees that are serving vital roles in our veterans hospitals in the gentleman’s home State as well
as mine.” [Congressional Record, 6/15/07; Page H6546]
Opposed Increased Funding for Veterans’ Medical Services
374
Department of Veterans Affairs that would increase funding for veterans’ medical services by $22
million.
It also would reduce by $50 million funding for the 1990 military base closure account.
Democrats argued that the underlying appropriations bill already provided a historic increase in funding
for veterans’ medical care by $6.7 billion above 2007 and $3.8 billion over the President’s request.
[Congressional Record, 6/15/07, Page: 6538]
Opposed Veterans Health Care Funds
In 2007, Bilbray voted against legislation that provided critical funding for veterans health care, including
funds to enhance medical services for active duty forces, mobilized personnel and their family members
and $1.7 billion for veterans’ health care priorities including maintenance at VA health care facilities like
Walter Reed.
The measure included:
$550 million to address the maintenance backlog at VA health care facilities to prevent situations
similar to those at Walter Reed;
$250 million for medical administration to ensure sufficient personnel to address the rising
number of veterans and to maintain a high level of service;
$229 million for treating the growing number of veterans;
$100 million to allow the VA to contract with private mental healthcare providers to offer
veterans, including Guard and reserve members, quality and timely care; and,
$62 million to speed claims processing for returning veterans. [CQ House Action Reports, No. 110-3,
3/20/07]
Held Veteran’s Career Fair
In 2011, Bilbray held a Veteran’s Career and Resource Fair on June 17, 2011. Bilbray partnered with
North County Career Centers, Employment Development Department and the Escondido Library, the
event featured over 25 employers. [North County Times, 6/11/11]
Voted to Help Veterans Receive Small Business Grants
375
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to the Small Business Act to provide greater access for
service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to take advantage of the Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. [CQ Floor Votes,
4/23/08]
The amendment was adopted 405-0. [HR 5819 Vote #214, 4/23/08]
Voted to Expand Eligibility for Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to expand eligibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
The bill expanded vocational rehab services to current members of the armed forces who are hospitalized
or are receiving outpatient medical care, have a disability of at least 10 percent incurred or aggravated
while on active duty, and who are likely to be discharged from the service due to that disability. [CQ Floor
Votes, 5/23/07]
Supported New Research for Traumatic Brain Injuries
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide certain
improvements in the treatment of individuals with traumatic brain injuries.
The bill authorized new research centers for traumatic brain injuries and require the establishment of a
comprehensive program to treat traumatic brain injuries at Veterans Affairs Department health centers.
Supported Cost-of-Living Increases for Veterans
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to provide a cost-of-living adjustment in rates of
compensation paid to veterans with service-connected disabilities.
The bill also made various improvements in education, housing, and cemetery programs of the
Department of Veterans Affairs. [CQ Floor Votes, 10/10/98]
The bill passed 423-0 and was signed into law. [HR 4110; Vote #515, 10/10/98; Public Law No: 105-368]
Supported COLA Increase for Disabled Vets
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to provide a cost-of-living adjustment in rates of compensation
paid for service-connected disabilities, to enhance the compensation, memorial affairs, and housing
programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
376
The bill’s COLA increase for veterans’ disability benefits was equal to that given to Social Security
recipients. [CQ Bill Analysis, 2280]
The bill passed 424-0 and was signed into law. [HR 2280, Vote #257, 6/29/99; Became Public Law No: 106-118]
Supported Expanding “Senior Prime” Veterans Health Care Program
In 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to expand and make permanent an existing Defense
Department health care program.
The Senior Prime program would be available to all Medicare-eligible military retirees and their
dependents by Jan. 1, 2006, allowing military retirees over age 65 to obtain health care at military
hospitals and clinics, with Medicare reimbursing the Defense Department for 95 percent of the cost. [CQ
Floor Votes, 5/18/00; CQ Weekly, 5/20/00]
Supported Giving Veterans Preference for Housing Assistance under HOPE VI
In 2008, Bilbray voted in favor of a motion to recommit from Rep Sam Graves (R-MO) for the HOPE VI
bill that instructed the Financial Services Committee to include language to give veterans with at least 90
days of service who were released or discharged honorably an increased in priority for consideration
under the housing assistance program. [Congress Now, 1/17/08]
The motion was approved 372-28. [HR3524, Vote #17, 1/17/08]
Supported Additional Health Care to Purple Heart Recipients
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to provide Purple Heart recipients the same priority as Prisoners
of War (POWs) and expand health care eligibility for other veterans.
The bill established a co-payment for certain services and required the federal government to give the VA
a proportional amount of any funds recovered for the treatment of tobacco- related illnesses and extended
the VA’s authority to provide grants to assist homeless veterans.
In addition, the bill:
 Extended care services for veterans;
 Granted higher priority access to VA medical services for military retirees;
 Authorized a pilot program for health care for dependents of veterans;
 Expanded the VA’s authority to lease unneeded property, authorizes compensation and health care
services to veterans who suffer disability or death due to participation in the work therapy
program;
377

Extended the VA’s authority to provide counseling to sexual trauma victims and Vietnam-era
veterans;
 Required the VA to develop a policy that could potentially lead to full integration of chiropractic
care in the VA health care system. [CQ Today, 9/21/99]
Supported Disabled Veterans Memorial
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill authorizing the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation to
establish a memorial in the District of Columbia to honor veterans who became disabled while serving in
the Armed Forces of the United States. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/03/00]
Supported Tightening Burial Requirements at Arlington
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill that would clarify who is entitled to burial at Arlington National
Cemetery. The bill resulted from allegations the previous year that the Clinton administration approved
burials for large campaign donors.
Under the bill, members of the armed forces who die on active duty and retired service personnel would
be eligible, along with the president and former presidents. [Associated Press, 3/05/98]
The bill passed 412-0 but died in the Senate. [HR 3211, Vote #65, 3/24/98]
Supported Similar Bill in 1999
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of a similar bill providing that burial at Arlington would be limited
to members of the Armed Forces who died on active duty, military retirees, recipients of the
Medal of Honor and other top awards, former prisoners of war and the president and former
presidents.
It would eliminate the need for a waiver for a spouse and immediate family to be buried together
with an eligible veteran. The bill would also end presidential waivers, but would allow Congress
to grant individual waivers on a case-by-case basis. [Associated Press, 3/23/99]
The bill passed 428-2 but died in the Senate. [HR 70, Vote #61, 3/23/99]
Supported Bill to Improve Veterans’ Healthcare
In 1996, Bilbray voted in favor of a bill to authorize the Veterans Administration, within its annual
appropriations limit, to provide all necessary hospital care and medical services to eligible veterans.
378
The bill substituted a new single uniform eligibility standard to ensure that medical judgment, rather than
legal criteria determines when care will be provided and at what level it will be furnished. [CQ Floor Votes,
7/30/96]
The bill passed 416-0 and was signed into law. [HR 3118; Vote #371, 7/30/96; Public Law No: 104-262]
Supported Restoring VA Health Care Cuts
In March 1995, Bilbray voted in favor of a measure to restore $206 million in cuts from veterans’ health
programs.
Republicans had attached an amendment to the restoration of funding that eliminated all funding for
AmeriCorps. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/15/95]
Representative Bob Filner (D-California), who voted for the measure, blasted the GOP’s tactics. “There is
obviously a new game being played in Washington. It is called bait and switch . . . The rules are simple.
Propose massive and irresponsible budget cuts, and then two weeks later . . . claim you are fighting to
restore the very cuts you initiated,” Filner said. “We should not be having choices between our veterans
and opportunities for our young people.”
The amendment restoring VA health care funding passed 382-23. [HR 1158, Young amendment, Vote #239,
3/15/95; Newsday, 3/17/95]
Supported Funding for Veterans Programs
Bilbray has voted for funding for veterans programs in the following votes:

1999: Bilbray voted in favor of the House’s version of the appropriations bill for the Department
of Veterans Affairs. The bill passed 235-187. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/09/99; HR 2684, Vote #403, 9/09/99]

1998: Bilbray voted in favor of an appropriations bill to provide $71.3 billion in discretionary
spending to the Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development departments and 17
independent agencies. The bill passed 259-164. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/29/98; HR 4194, Vote #352, 7/29/98]

1995: Bilbray voted in favor of the appropriations bill for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and
Housing and Urban Development. The bill cut spending from the previous year by $9.3 billion.
The bill passed 227-190. [CQ Floor Votes, 12/07/95; HR 2099, Vote #844, 12/07/95]
Voted to Increase Housing for Homeless Disabled Veterans by Cutting Affordable Housing Funds
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to provide rental assistance for tens of thousands of
disabled homeless American veterans and their families.
The amendment would have directed the Affordable Housing fund to provide housing assistance for
supported rental housing for disabled homeless veterans.
379
The $500 million in annual funds would have replaced the housing fund proposed in the underlying bill,
which Republicans derided as a “slush fund” and “yet another federal housing program to be financed by
a brand new mortgage tax on hard-working families.” [Congressional Quarterly Today, 5/22/07; Rep. Tom Feeney
press release, 5/17/07]
380
Women’s Issues
 Opposed Preventing Workplace Wage Discrimination
 Mixed Record on Workplace, Educational Equity
Bilbray has consistently opposed efforts to prevent wage discrimination and
paycheck equity. He voted against efforts to prevent wage discrimination after the
2007 Supreme Court decision Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.
Bilbray’s voting record is more mixed on other issues important to women. He
voted to reauthorize the Women’s Educational Equity Act, but voted against
efforts to promote vocational training for women.
Opposed Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to Prevent Wage Discrimination
In 2009, Bilbray voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The Senate measure was nearly identical
to some provisions in the House passed version HR 11. The final bill allowed employees to sue employers
for wage discrimination within 180 days of their last paycheck affected by the alleged discrimination. The
measure was designed to overturn a 2007 Supreme Court decision (Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and
Rubber Co.) that ruled a worker could not bring a wage discrimination suit more than 180 days after the
initial discriminatory act.
The Senate version of the bill did not include a provision from HR 12 that would have required employers
seeking to justify unequal pay for male and female workers to prove that such disparities are job-related
and required by a business necessity. [CQ House Action Reports Legislative Week, 1/26/09]
Opposed Paycheck Equity
In 2008, Bilbray voted against a bill that would lift the cap on compensatory and punitive damages that
women may be awarded in wage discrimination cases.
The bill would also require employers who contended that pay discrepancies did not result from
discrimination to give an actual business reason for why female employees were paid less than their male
counterparts. [CQ Today¸7/31/08]
Democrats argued that the bill would close some loopholes for pay discrimination. “The current system is
rife with loopholes that allowed employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay scales,”
Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) said. [CQ Today¸7/31/08]
381
Republicans criticized the legislation, saying that it would be fodder for frivolous lawsuits. “This bill will
make it easier for trial lawyers to cash in, and taxpayers should be outraged that their money is being put
to such use,” Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) said. [CQ Today¸7/31/08]
Opposed Bill to Prevent Wage Discrimination
In 2007, Bilbray voted against a bill to protect the victims of wage discrimination.
The bill amended the 1964 Civil Rights Act to allow employees to file charges of pay discrimination
within 180 days of the last received paycheck affected by the alleged discriminatory decision.
It also clarified that an employee is entitled to up to two years of back-pay if it is determined that
discrimination occurred. [Congressional Quarterly]
The legislation was introduced in response to a May 29, 2007 Supreme Court ruling, Ledbetter v.
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., a 5-4 ruling decried by civil rights activists.
According to the ruling, workers filing suit for wage discrimination must do so within 180 days of the
actual decision to discriminate against them. That blocked efforts to win redress for discrimination that
unfolded in small steps over a period of years. [CQ Today, 7/31/07]
Voted to Limit Affirmative Action
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment the fiscal year 2008 defense appropriations bill to bar
the use of funds in the bill to award a grant or contract based on the race, ethnicity or gender of the grant
applicant or prospective contractor. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/05/07]
Mixed Record on Workplace, Educational Equity for Women
Bilbray has a mixed record on supporting workplace and educational equity for women and girls.
Voted to Reauthorize Women’s Educational Equity Act…
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to reauthorize the Women’s Educational Equity Act.
The bill authorized $5 million for the Women’s Educational Equity Act program. [CQ Floor Votes,
10/20/99]
382
… And Supported Women’s Business Program
In 1999, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to increase the authorization for the Women’s
Business Center Program from $8 million to $11 million. [CQ Floor Votes, 3/16/99]
… But Opposed Amendment Protecting Vocational Education Programs for Women
In July 1997, Bilbray voted against an amendment to a bill extending the authorizing for federal
vocational education funding (HR 1853), that would preserve a provision in existing law requiring
states to spend at least 10.5 percent of their funds on programs for displaced homemakers, single
parents, and single pregnant women, and on programs to promote gender equity and nontraditional training for girls and women.
The amendment would also retain the requirement that each state have a vocational education sex
equity coordinator to help assure that the needs of girls and women are being served in vocational
education programs. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/22/97; CQ Bill Analysis, HR 1853]
Bilbray voted in favor of the bill, which passed 414-12. The following year, the final version of
the bill passed by voice vote and was signed into law. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/22/97; HR 1853, Vote #289,
7/22/97; Signed by President, 10/31/98]
… And Opposed Vocational Training for Women
In 1997, Bilbray voted against a motion calling for a requirement that states and localities to spend
a minimum of 10.5 percent of federal vocational education funds on programs that promote gender
equity and assist displaced homemakers, single parents and single pregnant women. [CQ Weekly,
7/26/97]
Bilbray voted against a similar amendment earlier the same day. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/22/97]
Voted Against Equity in Education for Women
In 1996, Bilbray voted against an amendment to increase funding for the Women’s Educational
Equity Act by $2 million and decrease by an equal amount the $319 million in funding for
educational research. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/11/96]
Mixed Record on Legal Services Corporation
383
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is a private, non-profit corporation established by Congress in
1974 to seek to ensure equal access to justice under the law for all Americans by providing civil legal
assistance to those who otherwise would be unable to afford it. LSC was created with bipartisan
congressional sponsorship and the support of the Nixon administration, and is funded through
congressional appropriation.
In 2005, LSC funded 140 local programs. Together they serve every county and congressional district in
the nation, as well as the U.S. territories. Special service areas also address the distinctive needs of Native
Americans and migrant farm workers. [Legal Services Corporation]
LSC is frequently involved in cases involving domestic abuse.
Bilbray has a mixed record of votes on funding for the Legal Services Corporation.
Missed Vote to Increase Funding for Legal Services in 1999
In 1999, Bilbray missed a vote on an amendment to provide increased funding for the Legal
Service Corporation, which provides legal representation for the poor, to $250 million from $109
million.
The funding increase was offset by cuts including reducing funding for the Department of Justice
Assets Forfeiture Fund, FBI salaries, and salaries and expenses of the Federal Prison System and
the federal judiciary system.
The amendment also increased funding for the Immigration and Naturalization Services’ violent
crime reduction programs by $44 million, offset by an equal reduction for Immigration and
Naturalization Service detention facilities. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/04/09]
Was In Australia During Vote
Bilbray took a trip to Australia in August 1999, the same time period of the missed vote.
Bilbray later failed to properly report how the trip was paid for and was criticized for his
mishandling of transparency during the 2000 campaign. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/03/00]
Supported Increased Funding for Legal Services in 1998
In 1998, Bilbray voted for an amendment to increase funding for Legal Services Corporation from
$141 million to $250 million. [CQ Floor Votes, 8/04/08]
Supported Full Funding for Legal Services in 1997
384
In 1997, Bilbray voted for an amendment to increase funding for the Legal Services Corporation
from $141 million to $250 million. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/25/97]
Supported Increased Contracting for Women and Minority-Owned Businesses
In 2007, Bilbray voted for a bill to expand federal government contracting with minority and womenowned businesses.
The bill would increase the federal government’s small-business procurement goal to 30 percent from 23
percent under current law as well as the goal for procurement for minority and women-owned businesses
to 8 percent from 5 percent.
The measure also limited the ability of federal agencies to bundle small projects into large contracts. The
bill required the Small Business Administration to take steps to reduce erroneous entries in the
government’s contractor registry. [CQ Floor Votes, 5/10/07]
Opposed Assistance for Businesses Owned by Women, Minorities
In 1998, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to end the Transportation Department’s program that
sets a goal of providing at least 10 percent of transportation contracts to small businesses owned by
women and minorities.
The amendment would have replaced the program with a program encouraging affirmative action and
discouraging preferential treatment in relation to government transportation contracts. [CQ Floor Votes,
4/01/98]
Voted to Increase Funds to Prevent Violence against Women
In 2007, Bilbray voted in favor of an amendment to increase funding to protect women from domestic
violence.
The amendment provided an additional $14 million in the fiscal year 2008 Commerce-Justice-Science
Appropriations bill for the Office on Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs.
The funding increase was offset by a reduction of the same amount from the Justice Department general
administration salaries and expenses account. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/25/07]
385
Voted to Increase Funding for Violence Against Women Prevention
Appropriations bill to increase the amount provided for the Office on Violence Against Women
Prevention and Prosecution Programs.
The amendment increased funding for Violence Against Women prevention programs by $10 million,
offset by a reduction of the same amount for the National Science Foundation operations and award
management program. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/25/07]
Supported Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
In 2000, Bilbray voted in favor of legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and
allocates $3.6 billion for programs including shelters, sexual assault prevention and education and training
for judges for fiscal years 2001-2005. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/26/00]
386
Appendix I – Paid Media Summary
The following transcripts provide a brief overview of paid television ads ran for and
against Bilbray in previous election cycles, primarily the 2006 special election that
returned him to the House of Representatives.
2006 Special Election
Bilbray Ads
“Immigrants”
Female Narrator: “Brian Bilbray.”
Male Narrator: “As a mayor he defined federal bureaucrats by jumping on a bulldozer to stop millions of
gallons of raw Tijuana sewage from polluting our beaches.”
Female Narrator: “Brian Bilbray”
Male Narrator: “As a congressman he added 1400 new border patrol agents to beef up border security.
Today he’s leading the fight to stop amnesty for illegal immigrants.”
Bilbray: “I’m Brian Bilbray and I approve this message. I am running for Congress because San Diego
and America cannot wait another day to secure our borders.” [Bilbray Ad “Immigrants,” 4/21/06]
“Clear Choice”
Narrator: “Two candidates for Congress. One clear choice. Brian Bilbray opposes amnesty for illegal
immigrants. Francine Busby supports amnesty. Her plan allows 11 million illegal aliens to stay here and
adds up to 30 million in ten years. Francine Busby says children of illegal aliens get automatic citizenship.
Brian Bilbray wrote the first bill to stop automatic citizenship.
Bilbray: “I’m Brian Bilbray and I approve this message. I’m running for Congress because San Diego and
America cannot wait another day to secure our borders.” [Bilbray Ad “Clear Choice,” 5/16/06]
“Amnesty”
Narrator: “Is making English American’s official language a ridiculous idea? Francine Busby thinks so.”
387
Busby: “I said I’m gonna [sic] protest that vote because that’s a ridiculous thing for a Congress to be
spending their time on.”
Narrator: “And the Union-Tribune says Busby endorsed a bill that quote would legalize many of the
twelve million illegal immigrants now believed to be living in the United States. That’s amnesty. Say no
to amnesty. Don’t vote for Busby. “
Bilbray: “I’m Brian Bilbray and I approve this message. I’m running for Congress because I know we can
do better.” [Bilbray Ad “Amnesty,” no date]
“Home”
Bilbray: “I was born at North Island Naval Air Station and San Diego County has always been my home.
I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t live on any other place on Earth. Our great communities deserve
great representation in Washington, but lately it’s been anything but that. Congress focuses on petty
battles and ignores real issues, like the one at our border every day. I’m Brian Bilbray and I approve this
message. I’m running for Congress because I know we can do better. Let’s start now. I’m Brian Bilbray
and I approve this message. I am running for Congress because San Diego and America cannot wait
another day to secure our borders.” [Bilbray Ad “Home,” no date]
Busby Ads
“Lobbying Plan”
Narrator: “The Washington lobby machine isn’t just a corrupt few, it’s a whole system and it’s gone on
far too long.”
Busby: “Like you, I’m fed up with business as usual in Washington. I’m not a career politician and my
touch ethics plan will clean house; no lobbyist funding trips, no gifts, no secret pork barrel spending, and
no exceptions. Send me to Congress and I won’t just tweak our broken system. I’ll shut it down. I’m
Francine Busby and I approve this message.” [Busby Ad “Lobbying Plan,” 3/05/06]
“Clean Plan”
Busby: “The special interests have used gifts and perks to take over Washington. The result: A
prescription drug law the politicians designed to help the drug companies instead of seniors. A budget that
includes billions in secret pork barrel spending. And no plan to stop illegal immigration. My clean house
ethics plan means no gifts, no perks, no exceptions. My name is Francine Busby and I approve this
message because I’ve had enough of busy as usual.” [Busy Ad “Clean Plan,” 3/10/06]
“McCain”
388
Busby: “It’s not about Republicans versus Democrats. I’m willing to work with anyone to get our country
moving in the right direction. I support John McCain’s comprehensive bill to strengthen our border
security but I spoke out against President Bush’s plans to put Dubai in charge of our ports. We have to
fight corruption in both parties to make Washington work for you and not for the special interest. I’m
Francine Busby and I approve this message.” [Busby Ad “McCain,” 3/24/06]
“Opponents Money”
Busby: “The Washington insiders are so desperate they’re using corrupt money from Duke Cunningham
and Tom Delay to attack me because they know that I’m determined to bring real change to Washington.
I’m Francine Busby and I approve this message. My ethics plan means no gifts, no lobbyist paid trips, no
secret pork barrel spending, no exceptions. It’s time to end politics as usual. With your help, we can.”
[Busby Ad “Opponents Money,” 4/06/06]
“Teacher Removal”
Andy Brown, Republican Cardiff School Board Member: “The television ads attacking Francine Busby
are outrageous and untrue. Here are the facts. When the FBI notified the school board of the teacher in
question Francine took action and he immediately was removed from the classroom. He never taught
again.”
Busby: “I’m Francine Busby and I approve this message because we need to show Washington politicians
that we’re serious about ending politics as usual. With your support, we will.” [Busby Ad “Teacher Removal,”
4/22/06]
“Fight”
Busby: “Growing up working in my family’s Italian sausage business taught me a lot about serving others
and to know bologna when I see it; like the idea that sending a lobbyist to Congress will change things.
I’ll fight for tough immigration reform, lower gas prices, and a balanced budget. I’m Francine Busby and
I approve this message because if you send a lobbyist to Washington, he’ll serve special interests. Send
me and I’ll serve you.” [Busby Ad “Fight,” 5/18/06]
“For Us”
Narrator: “Had enough? Corruption in Congress, High gas prices, No action on illegal immigration, and
negative ads paid for by special interests to elect one of their own, lobbyist Brian Bilbray? If you’ve had
enough, send Francine Busby to Congress. “
389
Busby: “It’s time to fix our broken system so Congress works for us again; no exceptions, no excuses. If
you want real change then send me to Congress. I’m Francine Busby and I approve this message.” [Busby
Ad “For Us,” 6/01/06]
“Big Oil”
Narrator: “With gas prices soaring and record oil profits, whose side is lobbyist Bilbray on? In Congress
Bilbray took nearly a hundred thousand dollars from oil companies and opposed rules to prevent price
gauging. Then Bilbray became a lobbyist for a gas company under investigation for overcharging
consumers. Francine Busby supports cracking down on price gauging and her tough ethics plan sweeps
away the influence of big oil lobbyists.”
Busby: “I’m Francine Busby and I approve this message.” [Busby Ad “Big Oil,” no date]
DCCC Ads
“Trash”
Narrator: “Trash. Rubbish. A sleazy smear campaign. That’s how the Union-Tribune described the
campaign Brian Bilbray supporters are running against Francine Busby. Now Bilbray is attacking her on
immigration. But Busby opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants and supports tougher defense of our
borders. And Brian Bilbray, he missed a vote to put a 1000 new border patrol agents on our borders.
Why? He was on another special interest junket. Isn’t it time for a change? The Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee is responsible for the content of this advertisement.” [DCCC Ad “Trash,” 5/19/06]
“Vote”
Narrator: “If he gets back to Congress who will Brian Bilbray represent? Last time he was in Congress,
Bilbray voted to give himself a pay raise. He voted to let lobbyists give gifts to members of Congress. He
took a special interest paid trip to Australia, skipping 34 votes. And Bilbray lobbied for an energy
company implicated in price gauging while taking over three hundred thousand dollars from energy
interest. Brian Bilbray, such a good friend to lobbyists he became one himself. The Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising.” [DCCC Ad “Trash,”
5/19/06]
“Same”
Narrator: Do we really want more of the same in Congress? Brian Bilbray took over three hundred
thousand dollars from energy interests. Then worked as a lobbyist on their behalf. He missed key votes to
cut taxes and beef up the border patrol so he could take a special interest trip to Australia. And Bilbray
has taken thousands of dollars from Duke Cunningham and his co conspirator in the bribery scandal. Isn’t
390
it time for a change? The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is responsible for the content
of this advertising. [DCCC Ad “Same,” 5/30/06]
“Trip”
Narrator: In 1999 Congressman Bilbray took a special interest paid trip to Australia.
Kangaroo: Good day Mr. Bilbray
Narrator: Bilbray skipped a whole week of work missing 34 votes.
Kangaroo: The surfing’s great this time of year mate.
Narrator: Bilbray even missed a key vote to give California families an average tax cut of $700 a year.
Kangaroo: Pretty spiffy you can miss work to hang out with special interests aye?
Narrator: Brian Bilbray, such a good friend to lobbyists he became one himself. Isn’t it time for a change?
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is responsible for the content in this advertisement.
[DCCC Ad “Trip,” 9/8/06]
“Lobbyist”
Narrator: “The Washington shake-down, staring Brian Bilbray. In Congress, Bilbray strongly supported
the maker of the drug ephedra. He lobbied against increased regulation of ephedra. Yet over 80 deaths
were later associated with the drug. Turns out Bilbray took over fifty thousand dollars from the employees
of the drug company. Then Brian Bilbray became a Washington lobbyist. So while he may not shake
things up in Congress, he knows how to shake them down. The Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee is responsible for the content in this advertising.” [DCCC Ad “Lobbyist,” no date]
“Revolving Door”
Narrator: “The Washington revolving door staring Brian Bilbray. Bilbray goes to Congress. He took over
$300,000 from energy interests, including from a company sued for price gauging in the California energy
crisis. Then Bilbray left Congress and became a lobbyist for that same company’s interests. Now lobbyist
Bilbray wants to go back to Congress with thousands in contributions from the big energy interest. Isn’t it
time to close this revolving door? The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is responsible for
the contents of this advertising.” [DCCC Ad “Lobbyist,” no date]
NRCC Ads
391
“Clear”
Narrator: “For Congress the difference on taxes is clear. Brian Bilbray, a proven tax cutter. He’s against
raising the gas tax and Bilbray is against the marriage penalty tax. And Francine Busby? Busby doesn’t
think married people should pay the same taxes as single people. And in 2004 Busby said she’d raise the
gas tax. That’s wrong. On taxes its clear. Brian Bilbray is on our side. The National Republican
Congressional Committee is responsible for the content for this advertising.” [NRCC Ad “Clear,” no date]
Busby Ads
“Change Courses”
Narrator: “Three years ago George Bush declared victory. With no end in sight our soldiers are caught in
the middle of a complicated civil war. More than 2700 American troops have made the ultimate sacrifice.
And our generals say we cannot stay the course.”
Busby: “I’m Francine Busby. I approve this message because we have a moral duty to change America’s
course.” [Busby ad “Change Courses,” 10/28/06]
“Enough”
Narrator: “Haven’t we had enough? America has been plagued with Congressional corruption and
arrogance. It is tearing our country apart. The list just keeps on going. And now Brian Bilbray is under
Grand Jury investigation. We don’t need another Congressman in jail. This election isn’t about political
parties. It’s about who you can trust.”
Busby: “I’m Francine Busby. I approve this message because enough is enough.” [Busby ad “Enough,”
10/31/06]
Bilbray Ads
“Do Better”
Narrator: “Brian Bilbray has been a leading voice for ending our dependence on foreign oil and creating
clean alternative energy even before it was cool. Bilbray went to Washington to end the culture of secrecy
and corruption. He authored the Budget and Transparency Act, earning recognition from the Sunlight
Foundation and government watch dog groups. Now Bilbray is fighting for taxpayers by demanding all
financial rescue packages protect families and Main Street, not Wall Street CEOs.
392
Bilbray: “I’m Brian Bilbray, and I approve this message. [Bilbray ad “Do Better,” 10/29/08]
Leibham Ads
“Both Do Nothing”
Narrator: “What do Paris Hilton and Brian Bilbray have in common? Well, they both do nothing. Bilbray,
nothing to fix our economy. Nothing to solve our energy crisis. Nothing to end the massive federal deficit
or wasteful Washington spending. The choice for Congress? Nothing or change. Nick Leibham. New
responsible leadership, for a change.”
Leibham: “I’m Nick Leibham and I approve this message, because it’s time to do something and get
America back on track.” [Leibham ad “Both Do Nothing,” 9/03/08]
“Wall Street’s Million Dollar Man”
Leibham: “I’m Nick Leibham and I approve this message, to bring responsible leadership to Washington,
for a change.”
Narrator: “Brian Bilbray denounced by a four-star general for abandoning our veterans.”
Gen. Joe Hoar: “Congressman Bilbray, you should be ashamed.”
Narrator: “But now we discover Bilbray has taken a million dollars from Wall Street banks in return for
voting to deregulate the banking industry. San Diego families can no longer afford Brian Bilbray. Bilbray,
you should be ashamed.” [Leibham ad “Wall Street’s Million Dollar Man,” 10/28/08]
“Heroes”
Gen. Joe Hoar: “I’m General Joe Hoar. I spent thirty-seven years in the Marine Corp. The men and
women of our armed forces have always believed that they would be treated fairly because of their
sacrifices. These American heroes deserve our gratitude. They deserve a G.I. Bill like our grandfather’s
got. I was shocked to learn that my Congressman Brian Bilbray voted against the new G.I. Bill.
Congressman Bilbray you should be ashamed.”
Leibham: “I’m Nick Leibham and I approve this message, to put our veterans first.” [Leibham ad “Heroes,”
10/02/08]
393
Appendix II – Campaign Finance
Items of Interest
 Significant Percent of Contributions from PACs
 Received $728,970 from Leadership PACs
Bilbray’s fundraising has depended heavily on contributions from the Leadership
PACs of other Republican members. Throughout his career, he has received 41
percent of his campaign contributions from PACs.
2012: Started Year with Over $560,000 Cash on Hand
At the end of 2011, Bilbray reported having $561,692 cash on hand. He had raised $661,124 for the entire
cycle and spent $363,367.37. [fec.gov, accessed 2/16/12]
Significant Percent of Contributions from PACs
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, during his entire career Bilbray has received 41 percent
of his campaign contributions from PACs. For the 2012 election, 45 percent of his contributions have
been from PACs. [opensecrets.org, accessed 2/16/12]
Bilbray Career Contributions
Source of Funds
Individual Contributions
PAC Contributions
Candidate self-financing
Other
Amount
$6,031,438
$4,557,974
$11,336
$477,265
Percentage
54%
41%
0%
4%
[opensecrets.org, accessed 2/16/12]
Bilbray 2012 Contributions
Source of Funds
Individual Contributions
PAC Contributions
Candidate self-financing
Other
Amount
$362,510
$298,500
$0
$114
Percentage
55%
45%
0%
0%
93 Percent of Individual Donors Gave Large Amounts in 2012
394
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, 93 percent of Bilbray’s individual donors for the
2012 cycle contributed a large amount of money:
Source of Funds
Small Individual Contributions
Large Individual Contributions
Amount
$24,091
$338,419
Percentage
7%
93%
Industry Analysis
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, retires contributed the most amount to Bilbray for his
entire career, followed by leadership PACs. The table below summarizes the industries which supported
Bilbray:
Industry
Retired
Leadership PACs
Real Estate
Health Professionals
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products
Electric Utilities
Insurance
General Contractors
Republican/Conservative
Candidate Committees
Securities & Investment
Misc Finance
Lawyers/Law Firms
Defense Electronics
Oil & Gas
Accountants
Automotive
Lobbyists
Computers/Internet
Telephone Utilities
Amount
$750,679
$728,970
$688,335
$377,701
$361,161
$266,691
$248,004
$246,100
$223,729
$223,564
$220,702
$210,673
$199,122
$192,500
$189,468
$145,280
$142,400
$129,530
$122,988
$122,152
PAC Analysis
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, health care political action committees were Bilbray’s
largest PAC contributor during the 2012 election cycle. The table below summarizes PAC contributions
to Bilbray for the 2012 cycle:
395
PAC Sector
Health
Communications/Electronics
Energy & Natural Resources
Ideology/Single-Issue
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
Construction
Defense
Misc Business
Lawyers & Lobbyists
Transportation
Other
Amount
$65,750
$45,500
$28,500
$23,500
$16,250
$16,000
$10,500
$9,000
$8,500
$6,500
$5,000
Donor Analysis
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, individuals who worked at General Atomics were the
largest contributor to Bilbray throughout his career. The table below summarizes the employers (and PAC
contributions) of Bilbray’s donors:
Donor
General Atomics
AT&T Inc
SAIC Inc
National Assn of Realtors
American Medical Assn
Metabolife
National Beer Wholesalers Assn
Anesthesia Service Medical Group
Cubic Corp
National Auto Dealers Assn
Corky McMillin Companies
Herzog Contracting
Credit Union National Assn
Freedom Project
Sempra Energy
Associated General Contractors
General Dynamics
National Assn of Home Builders
Associated Builders & Contractors
American Hospital Assn
Amount
$92,650
$74,250
$69,150
$64,450
$58,500
$58,500
$58,500
$56,902
$55,050
$54,500
$52,050
$50,700
$48,655
$45,000
$43,650
$41,500
$41,450
$38,500
$38,000
$36,375
396
Geographic Analysis
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, 90 percent of Bilbray’s contributions for the 2012
election came from within the state of California:
Location
In State
Out of State
Amount
$208,532
$23,900
Percentage
90%
10%
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, over $198,000 of Bilbray’s contributions came from
within the San Diego metro area. The table below summarizes the locations of his donors:
Metro Area
San Diego
Washington, DC
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill
Ventura, CA
Amount
$198,582
$23,150
$2,800
$2,500
$1,600
397
Appendix III – Bill Sponsorships & Amendments
BILL
H.R.734
H.R.1036
BILL TITLE
DATE
112nd CONGRESS
To amend the Internal
2/16/2011
Revenue Code of 1986 to
repeal the medical device tax,
and for other purposes.
Job Creation and Innovation
Investment Act of 2011
To amend the Clean Air Act to
include algae-based biofuel in
the renewable fuel program
and amend the Internal
the cellulosic biofuel producer
credit.
Regenerative Medicine
Promotion Act of 2011
Fuel Feedstock Freedom Act
3/11/2011
10/14/2011
H.R.3270
Novel Device Regulatory
Relief Act of 2011
America’s Cup Act of 2011
H.R.3311
America’s Cup Act of 2011
11/02/2011
H.R.3340
Help Inspire and Retrain our
11/03/2011
Exceptional Veterans Act of
2011
111th CONGRESS
Lake Hodges Surface Water
2/26/2009
Improvement and Reclamation
Act of 2009
Innovative Vehicle Act
3/09/2009
H.R.1149
H.R.1862
H.R.2009
H.R.3203
H.R.1219
H.R.1382
3/17/2011
5/12/2011
5/26/2011
10/27/2011
STATUS
Referred to the Committee on Ways
and Means, and in addition to the
Committee on Appropriations, for a
period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each
case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee
concerned.
Referred to the House Committee
on Ways and Means.
Referred to the Subcommittee on
Energy and Power.
Health.
Energy and Power.
Health.
on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
Economic Opportunity.
Received in the Senate and Read
twice and referred to the Committee
on Energy and Natural Resources.
Energy and Environment.
398
H.R.3460
To amend the Clean Air Act to 7/31/2009
the renewable fuel program
and amend the Internal
the cellulosic biofuel producer
credit.
Energy and Environment.
H.R.5615
repeal the medical device tax,
and for other purposes.
6/28/2010
H.CON.RES.25
Supporting the goals and
ideals of “National Sudden
Cardiac Arrest Awareness
Month.”
1/22/2009
Referred to the Committee on Ways
and Means, and in addition to the
Committee on Appropriations, for a
concerned.
Health.
H.RES.13
Providing for the designation
of certain minority employees.
1/06/2009
On agreeing to the resolution
Agreed to without objection.
H.RES.637
Honoring the life and
accomplishments of Herbert
Klein and expressing
condolences on his passing.
7/13/2009
on Oversight and Government
Reform.
H.RES.1482
Commemorating the 40th
annual meeting of the Society
for Neuroscience.
6/28/2010
Referred to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce, and in
addition to the Committee on
Science and Technology, for a
concerned.
399
H.RES.1660
Expressing support for the
goals and ideals of the
inaugural USA Science &
Engineering Festival in
Washington, D.C., and for
other purposes.
9/28/2010
On motion to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution Agreed to by
voice vote.
Latest Action: 9/28/2010 Motion to
reconsider laid on the table Agreed
to without objection.
110th CONGRESS
Safe Water Improvement and 2/08/2007
Modernization Act of 2007
Appropriations Transparency
3/28/2007
Act of 2007
Water Resources and Environment.
on Rules.
H.R.2362
To reduce the duty on certain
golf club components.
Trade.
H.R.2649
Lake Hodges Surface Water
6/11/2007
Improvement and Reclamation
Act of 2008
Received in the Senate and Read
on Energy and Natural Resources.
H.R.3613
To amend the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of
1965 to make improvements
relating to students with
disabilities.
9/20/2007
on Education and Labor.
H.R.4017
Community Action
Rebuilding Effort Act of 2007
To suspend temporarily the
duty on certain cathode ray
tubes.
provide for a credit for algae
derived fuels, and for other
purposes.
10/31/2007 Referred to the House Committee
on Ways and Means.
on Ways and Means.
H.R.7256
Federal Agency
Environmental Procurement
Act
on Oversight and Government
Reform.
H.RES.446
Honoring the life and
accomplishments of Astronaut
Walter Marty Schirra and
expressing condolences on his
passing
5/24/2007
H.R.909
H.R.1733
H.R.4524
H.R.6943
5/17/2007
9/18/2008
Status: Referred to the House
Committee on Ways and Means.
voice vote.
400
H.RES.1306
Recognizing the dedication
6/26/2008
and honorable service of
members of the National
Guard who are serving or have
served in Operation Jump
Start.
Military Personnel.
H.AMDT.280 to
H.R.2638
Amendment sought to
increase funding for REAL ID
grants by $150 million
6/15/2007
H.AMDT.997
H.R.2537
Amendment added a new
section providing use of
molecular diagnostics for
monitoring and assessing
4/16/2008
On agreeing to the Bilbray
amendment (A031) Failed by
recorded vote: 155 - 268 (Roll no.
479).
House amendment agreed to.
Status: On agreeing to the Bilbray
amendment (A004) Agreed to by
voice vote.
H.R.5715
H.R.5783
H.R.6201
H.R.11
H.R.15
H.R.73
109th CONGRESS
To make amendments to the
6/29/2006
Reclamation Projects
Authorization and Adjustment
Act of 1992
Comprehensive Credit
7/13/2006
Services for Veterans Act of
2006
Budget and Transparency Act 9/27/2006
106th CONGRESS
permit the exclusive
application of California State
regulations regarding
reformulated gas in certain
areas within the State
Otay Mountain Wilderness
1/06/1999
Act of 1999
Citizenship Reform Act of
1/06/1999
1999
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
on Veterans’ Affairs.
Referred to the Committee on the
Budget, and in addition to the
Committees on Rules, and
Government Reform, for a period to
be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full
Committee (Amended) by Voice
Vote.
Became Public Law No: 106-145
Immigration and Claims.
401
H.R.74
Social Security Budget
Transparency Act of 1999
1/06/1999
Social Security.
] H.R.999
Beaches Environmental
Assessment and Coastal
Health Act of 2000
3/04/1999
H.R.1921
Tip Credit Protection Act of
1999
5/25/1999
Workforce Protections.
H.R.1976
Automobile Emissions
Information Act of 1999
5/27/1999
H.R.1980
Workplace Fairness Act of
5/27/1999
1999
To amend section 4723 of the 6/15/1999
Balanced Budget Act of 1997
to assure that the additional
funds provided for State
emergency health services
furnished to undocumented
aliens are used to reimburse
hospitals and their related
providers that treat
undocumented aliens and to
increase the funds so available
for fiscal years 2000 and 2001.
Telecommunications, Trade, and
Consumer Protection.
Employer-Employee Relations.
Health and Environment.
H.R.2205
H.R.2849
Illegal Alien Educational
Impact Aid Act of 1999
H.R.3376
Cleaner Technologies in
Transit Act of 1999
Tijuana River Valley Estuary
and Beach Sewage Cleanup
Act of 2000
H.R.3378
H.R.3420
H.R.3561
Telehealth Improvement Act
of 1999
Japanese Imperial Army
Disclosure Act
9/14/1999
Early Childhood, Youth and
Families.
11/16/1999 Referred to the Subcommittee on
Ground Transportation.
11/16/1999 9/13/2000 Referred to Senate
committee. Status: Received in the
Senate and Read twice and referred
to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works.
Government Management,
Information and Technology.
402
H.R.4282
State Criminal Alien
Assistance Program II and
Local Medical Emergency
Reimbursement Act
4/13/2000
H.R.4393
State Children’s Health
Insurance Program (SCHIP)
Preservation Act of 2000
5/08/2000
H.R.4394
duty on certain ceramic
knives.
Gridlock Mitigation and
Commuter Flexibility Act of
2000
5/08/2000
Trade.
5/19/2000
H.R.5005
Direct Graduate Medical
Education Equity Act of 2000
7/27/2000
H.R.5113
Fairness in Electricity Supply
Act of 2000
H.R.5176
Energy Efficient Buildings
Incentives Act
Nazi and Japanese War
Crimes Disclosure Act of
2000
Health and Environment, for a
determined by the Chairman.
Energy and Power, for a period to
be subsequently determined by the
Chairman.
on Ways and Means.
Government Management,
Information and Technology.
H.R.5457
Distributed Generation
Promotion Act of 2000
Energy and Power.
H.R.5458
Electricity Consumer Relief
Act of 2000
H.R.4501
H.R.5390
H.R.5484
H.CON.RES.429
10/12/2000 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the
Subcommittee on Energy and
Power.
Electricity Windfall Profit Tax 10/18/2000 Referred to the House Committee
Act of 2000
on Ways and Means.
Expressing the sense of
Congress regarding the
Energy and Power.
electricity crisis in San Diego
and Orange Counties in
California.
403
H.RES.201
Recognizing the importance
for families to pledge to each
other to be organ and tissue
donors.
6/08/1999
H.RES.535
Expressing the sense of the
House of Representatives
concerning use of additional
projected surplus funds to
supplement Medicare funding,
previously reduced under the
Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
6/27/2000
the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required):
404 - 8 (Roll no. 363).
Latest Action: 6/29/2000 Motion to
reconsider laid on the table Agreed
to without objection.
H.RES.629
House of Representatives that
on Armed Services.
the basic allowance for
housing for members of the
Armed Forces stationed in San
Diego and Orange Counties,
California, should be
increased to compensate for
increased energy costs there.
H.RES.650
House with respect to the
release of findings and
recommendations by the
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission regarding the
electricity crisis in California.
10/25/2000 10/27/2000 Motion to reconsider
laid on the table Agreed to without
objection.
H.AMDT.352 to
H.R.2587
An amendment no. 3 printed
in H.Rept. 106-263 to ban the
possession of tobacco
products by minors in the
District of Columbia.
An amendment numbered 4
printed in the Congressional
Record to prohibit use of
funds for acquisition of diesel
buses except those with
emission levels lower than
those powered by lowpolluting fuels.
7/29/1999
7/29/1999 By unanimous consent,
the Bilbray amendment was
withdrawn.
5/19/2000
5/19/2000 By unanimous consent,
the Bilbray amendment was
withdrawn.
H.AMDT.737 to
H.R.4475
404
H.AMDT.895 to
H.R.4690
H.AMDT.1045
to H.R.4942
H.R.7
H.R.8
H.R.589
H.R.630
H.R.963
Amendment increases funding 6/26/2000
for the International Boundary
and Water Commission
between the United States and
Mexico by $500,000 and
decreases funding for State
Department Diplomatic and
Consular Programs.
Amendment prohibits the
9/14/2000
possession of any cigarette or
other tobacco product by
individuals under the age of
18 in the District of Columbia.
105th CONGRESS
1/07/1997
1997
Border Smog Reduction Act
1/07/1997
of 1998
Fair Housing Reform and
2/05/1997
Freedom of Speech Act of
1997
voice vote.
application of California State
areas within the State.
3/06/1997
1997
4/22/1998 House
committee/subcommittee actions.
Status: Subcommittee Hearings
Held.
H.R.1713
Commuter Conservation and
Employee Flexibility Act of
1997
5/22/1997
H.R.3206
Fair Housing Amendments
Act of 1998
2/12/1998
H.R.3631
To require the Secretary of the
Navy to conduct a study on
ordinance and munitions
waste in San Diego Bay.
4/01/1998
recorded vote: 265 - 155 (Roll no.
472).
3/17/1997 Referred to House
subcommittee. Status: Referred to
the Subcommittee on Human
Resources.
on Ways and Means.
House committee/subcommittee
actions. Status: Forwarded by
Subcommittee to Full Committee
by the Yeas and Nays: 7 - 5.
Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the
Subcommittee on Military
Installations and Facilities.
405
H.R.3950
Otay Mountain Wilderness
Act of 1998
H.CON.RES.331
Expressing the sense of
Congress concerning the
inadequacy of sewage
infrastructure facilities in
Tijuana, Mexico
Amendment prohibits the
possession of tobacco
products by minors in the
District of Columbia.
H.AMDT.872 to
H.R.4380
H.R.116
H.R.794
5/22/1998
8/06/1998 House
committee/subcommittee actions.
Status: Forwarded by
Subcommittee to Full Committee
(Amended) by Voice Vote.
10/01/1998 On motion to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution Failed by
recorded vote (2/3 required): 250 174 (Roll No. 508).
8/06/1998
104th CONGRESS
California Cruise Industry
1/04/1995
Revitalization Act
recorded vote: 283 - 138 (Roll No.
415).
Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation.
Water Resources and Environment.
To amend the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act to deem
certain municipal treatment
facilities as the equivalent of
secondary treatment.
To rescind the Federal
implementation plan
promulgated by the
Administrator of the
Environmental Protection
Agency for the South Coast,
Ventura, and Sacramento
areas of California.
2/02/1995
2/23/1995
H.R.1363
1995
3/30/1995
H.R.1787
To amend the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act to
repeal the saccharin notice
requirement.
6/08/1995
Joint Hearings Held by the
Subcommittee on Immigration and
Claims and by the Subcommittee
on the Constitution.
H.R.1943
San Diego Coastal Corrections 6/28/1995
Act of 1995
H.R.1025
Received in the Senate and read
on Environment and Public Works.
406
H.R.2334
To convey 1,000 acres of
Federal land in San
Bernardino County,
California, for use as the site
of the Southwestern LowLevel Radioactive Waste
Disposal Compact’s regional
disposal facility.
9/14/1995
H.R.2601
Bottled Water Standards Act
of 1995
To provide for a study of
certain cross-border sources of
air pollution
To amend the Fair Housing
Act regarding local and State
laws and regulations
governing residential care
facilities.
2/01/1996
the Constitution.
Ward Valley Land Transfer
Act
To require the administrative
agency responsible for
adjudicating claims under the
workers’ compensation
provisions of title 5, United
States Code, to follow certain
procedures in seeking medical
opinions.
3/14/1996
Energy and Power.
H.R.3204
To require the administrative
agency responsible for
adjudicating claims under the
workers’ compensation
States Code, to select board
certified physicians to provide
second opinions.
3/29/1996
H.R.3205
To change the appeals process
in the workers’ compensation
States Code.
3/29/1996
] H.R.2637
H.R.2927
H.R.3083
H.R.3203
3/29/1996
Energy and Power.
407
H.R.3518
application of State
areas.
H.R.3784
1996
To provide that customs
officers and immigration
officers have the authority to
deny entry into the United
States of certain foreign motor
vehicles that do not comply
with applicable laws
governing motor vehicle
emissions, and for other
purposes.
duty on certain chemicals used
in the formulation of an HIV
Protease Inhibitor.
Fair Housing Reform and
Freedom of Speech Act of
1996
7/11/1996
the Constitution.
Illegal Alien Educational
Impact Aid Act of 1996
H.R.3961
H.R.3977
H.R.4019
H.R.4062
8/02/1996
8/02/1996
on Ways and Means.
9/04/1996
the Constitution.
9/12/1996
Early Childhood, Youth and
Families.
[thomas.loc.gov, accessed 12/06/11]
408

DCCC2012BrianBilbrayCA52-ResearchBook

Transcription

Similar documents

Raise your voice and vote - Oregon Association of Nurseries

POLCO ELGL Demo

award-Winning Family Fun!

FIRST AMENDMENT - misterfitz

Layout 1 (Page 1) - Rescue Task Force

under god - Restore America

sistema cetys universidad - Imperial Valley Renewable Energy Summit

The Chaparral of California In much of California, botanical activity

March

Women`s Suffrage