Joe Courtney (politician)
Joe Courtney | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 2nd district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2007 | |
Preceded by | Rob Simmons |
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 56th district | |
In office January 1987 – January 1995 | |
Preceded by | Robert Hurd |
Succeeded by | Thomasina Clemons |
Personal details | |
Born | Joseph Darren Courtney April 6, 1953 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Audrey Courtney |
Children | 2 |
Education | Tufts University (BA) University of Connecticut (JD) |
Website | House website |
Joseph David Courtney[1] (born April 6, 1953) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Connecticut's 2nd congressional district since 2007. His district encompasses most of the eastern third of the state, including Norwich and New London. A member of the Democratic Party, Courtney served as the Connecticut state representative for the 56th district from 1987 to 1995 and Vernon town attorney from 2003 until 2006.
Early life and education
Courtney grew up in suburban Hartford. In 1975, he graduated from Tufts University. He earned a J.D. degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1978.
Early career
After graduating from law school, Courtney worked as a public defender for three years. He became a partner in the law firm Flaherty, Meisler and Courtney, and also served as Town Attorney in Vernon, Connecticut, where he lives.
From 1987 to 1994, Courtney served in the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing Connecticut's 56th district. He chaired the Public Health and Human Service Committee and oversaw the Blue Ribbon Commission on Universal Health Insurance. In 1994, Connecticut Magazine honored him for his bipartisan efforts in the state house.
In 1998, after four years out of office, Courtney made an unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor. In 2002, he ran for Congress against incumbent Republican Rob Simmons. Courtney did not announce his candidacy or raise money until September 2001; by that time, Simmons had more than $500,000 in campaign funding. Simmons defeated Courtney in the November election, 54% to 46%.[2]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2006
Courtney
2008
Courtney's 2008 Republican challenger was the former commanding officer of the Naval Submarine Base New London, Sean Sullivan.[5] Courtney won the election by a two-to-one margin.[6][7][8]
On May 21, 2008, Courtney announced his endorsement of then-
2010
Courtney was reelected, defeating Republican Janet Peckinpaugh, Green Party nominee Scott Deshefy, and Libertarian Party write-in Dan Reale.[9]
2014
Courtney defeated Republican
2016
In 2016, Courtney defeated Republican Daria Novak, Green Party candidate Jonathan Pelto and Libertarian Dan Reale.[10] Novak co-hosted a weekly cable television show, "American Political Zone", and a nationally syndicated radio show, "Vernuccio-Novak Report."[11]
2018
In April 2018, Dan Postemski, an
Tenure
In August 2009, Courtney was criticized for holding a teleconference with voters about health care instead of an in-person town hall. Richard Hanley, graduate journalism director at Quinnipiac University, complained that part of Courtney's job "is to wade into the muck of the process as it is, not as we would like it to be."[14]
Courtney has branded himself as bipartisan and has blamed various government crises on failure to "support a real compromise." In 2012, he said that though recent budget cuts to education were a "little heavy" and the Budget Control Act "ham-handed," he voted for them in a spirit of compromise. "It took guys like me to cross the aisle and make sure we didn't fall off the tracks there as a country," Courtney said.[15]
After seeing
In March 2015, after receiving two phone calls at home from scammers impersonating IRS agents demanding payment of owed taxes, Courtney warned his constituents to be wary of such scams.[18]
A golf game Courtney played with President Obama was highlighted on NPR in June 2015.[19]
In response to purported Republican hostility toward Muslims,
Political positions
As of 2022, Courtney had voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight.[22]
Taxes
In a statement responding to the
Gun control
Along with other members of Congress who demanded that the House pass stricter gun-control legislation, Courtney took part in a sit-in on the House floor on June 22, 2016.[24]
Health care
In 2010, Courtney was the leading voice in the House against the so-called "Cadillac tax" on high-dollar health plans, part of the funding proposed for the
Iraq War
In March 2008, Courtney called U.S. policy in Iraq "two-headed." While the Bush administration asked troops "to serve and sacrifice on behalf of Iraq's fledgling government," Iraqi leaders were friendly with Iran. "The White House," he wrote, "needs to work with Congress to construct a reasonable long term security agreement with Iraq that address Iraq's relations with Iran."[26]
Iran nuclear deal
On August 6, 2015, Courtney issued a statement in support of Obama's Iran deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. "I believe that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best option for our nation and the international community to prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear weapons capability," he wrote.[27]
When President Trump decided to withhold certification of the Iran nuclear agreement, Courtney issued a statement in which he claimed that Trump's move "directly contradicts the opinion of our nation's highest military leadership" and "puts us at odds with our closest allies such as the U.K., France and Germany, and undermines our country's ability to credibly execute a multilateral diplomatic resolution of the crisis in the Korean peninsula."[28]
Israel
Courtney voted to provide Israel with support following
Military
Courtney is known for his success at delivering funding for his district's submarine bases, and has acquired the nickname "Two-Sub Joe" for having made possible the construction of two new submarines. In 2016, the Hartford Courant endorsed him primarily because he had "brought home defense jobs."[31][32]
Trump travel ban
In March 2017, Courtney protested
Syria
In 2023, Courtney voted against H.Con.Res. 21 which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[35][36]
Committee assignments
For the 118th Congress:[37]
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Arts Caucus[38]
- Afterschool Caucuses[39]
- Blue Collar Caucus[40]
- Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus[41]
- Veterinary Medicine Caucus[42]
References
- ^ "Who's Who in Defense: Joe Courtney, Chairman, House Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces". Breaking Defense. May 27, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
- ^ Michael Leahy (June 10, 2007). "House Rules". Washington Post.
- ^ Jennifer Medina (November 16, 2006). "Democrat Wins House Seat After Recount in Connecticut". New York Times.
- ^ "Joe Courtney (D-Conn.)". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
- ^ Dankosky, John; Blanksteen, Melissa (2008-04-15). "2nd District Challenger Sean Sullivan". Where We Live. Connecticut Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
- The New London Day. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- Norwich Bulletin. Archived from the originalon 2013-01-30. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- The Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ AP Election Results - Courant.com
- ^ Bergman, Julia. "Five-term incumbent Rep. Courtney declares victory in 2nd Congressional District". The Day. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ Radelat, Ana (15 March 2016). "Republican Novak making third try for Courtney's seat". CT Mirror. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ Radelat, Ana (4 April 2018). "Courtney draws 'Quiet Corner' challenger". CT Mirror. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ "Election Center". Connecticut Secretary of the State. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ Christoffersen, John. "Courtney opts out of public forums on health care". Journal Inquirer. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
- ^ Bellmore, Michael (21 October 2012). "U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney talks cooperation". New Haven Register. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ DOWLING, Brian. "Courtney Faults 'Lincoln,' Says Spielberg Goofed On CT Slavery Vote". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
- ^ "Rep. Joe Courtney gets lesson in Oscar politics in debate over 'Lincoln' accuracy". The Washington Post. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ "IRS Scammers Target Home of Congressman Joe Courtney". NBC Connecticut. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ DANKOSKY, John (22 July 2015). "What's It Like to Golf With the President?". WNPR. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ SHABAD, REBECCA (15 December 2015). "Democrats urged to bring Muslim-Americans to State of the Union". CBS. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ Itkowitz, Colby. "Forgiving Muslim doctor whose mosque was shot at is attending State of the Union". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (2021-04-22). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ "COURTNEY STATEMENT ON THE FINAL GOP TAX OVERHAUL". courtney.house.gov. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ "Commentary: From the civil-rights struggle to Black Lives Matter, John Lewis blazes the trail". Reuters. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ Patricia Murphy (January 11, 2010). "'Cadillac' Tax' Puts Obama on Collision Course With House Democrats". Politics Daily.
- ^ Courtney, Joe (10 March 2008). "Two-Headed Iraq Policy Sends Terrible Message (Rep. Joe Courtney)". The Hill. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ Demirjian, Karoun; Phillips, Amber; Cameron, Darla. "Where lawmakers stand on the Iran deal". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ^ "Courtney Statement On Trump's De-Certification Of Iran Nuclear Agreement". courtney.house.gov. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
- ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (2023-10-25). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Joe Courtney (D-Conn.)". The Washington Post. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ Lumsden, Carolyn (26 October 2016). "Courant Endorsement: 'Two-Sub Joe' Courtney Delivered For District". The Hartford Courant. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- ^ "Courtney Statement On President Trump's Revised Travel Ban". courtney.house.gov. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- ^ RADELAT, Ana (6 March 2017). "CT lawmakers reject Trump's new travel ban". The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
- ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".
- ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". Associated Press. March 8, 2023.
- ^ "Joe Courtney". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
- ^ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ "Members". Afterschool Alliance. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- better source needed]
- ^ "Members". Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ "Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus". Veterinary Medicine Caucus. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
External links
- Congressman Joe Courtney official U.S. House website
- Joe Courtney for Congress
- Joe Courtney at Curlie