Leonard Boswell

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Leonard Boswell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 3rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 3, 1997
Preceded by	Jim Lightfoot
Born	January 10, 1934 (1934-01-10) (age 74) Harrison County, Missouri
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Dody Boswell
Religion	Community of Christ

Leonard L. Boswell (born January 10, 1934) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing the 3rd District of Iowa (map).

Boswell was born in Missouri, was educated at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. He spent twenty years in the United States Army. He was first drafted in the Army in 1956 as a private. He later graduated from Artillery Officers Candidate School, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his military career he earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, the Soldier's Medal, and numerous other awards and decorations. He served two one-year tours of duty as an assault helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He also served two NATO tours of duty in Europe, first for four years in Germany, and later three years in Portugal.

He was a farmer and a member of the Iowa Senate before entering the House. Boswell was also the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor of Iowa in 1994. Boswell is a member of the Community of Christ.[1] He and his wife Dody have three children.[2]

Boswell had a non-cancerous tumor removed from his stomach in 2005. The surgery and resulting recovery period caused him to be the most-absent member of Congress for the year. Rumors circulated that Democrats were looking to replace him on the ballot for 2006's Congressional race against Iowa GOP Senate leader Jeff Lamberti, but Boswell's return to work and apparent good health have put an end to the speculation.

Boswell announced on December 14, 2007 that he is endorsing Sen. Hillary Clinton for the 2008 Presidential Election.

[edit] Voting record

In the 110th Congress, Leonard Boswell has voted with the Democratic Majority in the House 95.6% of the time. Boswell authored H.R. 327, the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, which was signed into law in 2007 and provides mental health services and support for veterans. Boswell has voted to double Pell Grants and supported the 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act, providing the largest increase in college aid since the GI bill. He voted for the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. Boswell voted to expand funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and voted twice to override the President's veto of SCHIP legislation. Boswell has voted to hold the Iraqi government accountable and begin withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Boswell has voted with Republicans on key issues. In 2000 he voted to phase out the estate tax, a bill that was later vetoed by President Clinton. In 2001 Boswell voted for the USA PATRIOT Act, and for its reauthorization in 2005. In 2002 he voted to allow President Bush to invade Iraq. In 2005 he voted for the bankruptcy bill sponsored by Senator Grassley. In 2008 he supported passing the FISA bill granting telecommunications companies immunity from prosecution for their involvement in warrantless wiretapping of American citizens, including his sending a letter to Speaker Pelosi encouraging her not to fight the bill. He voted for the final House version of the bill once he was convinced it provided adequate protection to the telecom companies.

When he first went to Congress, Boswell voted for a Constitutional amendment to limit Congressmembers to six terms, and promised to serve only four. He is now running for his seventh term.

[edit] Election History

1996: Defeated Mike Mahaffey 49%-48%

1998: Defeated Larry McKibben 57%-41%

2000: Defeated Jay Marcus 63%-34%

2002: Defeated Stan Thompson 53%-45%

2004: Defeated Stan Thompson 55%-45%

2006: Defeated Jeff Lamberti 52%-46%

2008: Defeated challenger Ed Fallon in the Democratic primary, and will face Republican Kim Schmett in the general election.

[edit] Congressional Committees

• U.S. House Committee on Agriculture
  • Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy & Poultry (Chairman)
• U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Aviation
  • Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
• U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
  • Subcommittee on Terrorism/HUMINT, Analysis and Counterintelligence (Vice Chair)

[edit] Agriculture Committee

From 2003 through 2005, $14.7 billion in crop subsidies went to the congressional districts of members on the House Committee on Agriculture, an analysis by the non-partisan Environmental Working Group found. That was 42.4% of the total subsidies. Boswell is reported to have brought $404 million to his District. ^[1]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• U.S. Congressman Leonard Boswell official House site

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia
• Re—Elect Boswell U.S. Congressman official campaign site