Jim Gerlach
James "Jim" Gerlach (b. February 25, 1955, in Ellwood City, Pa.) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Pennsylvania.
Biography
Gerlach was born in Ellwood City, Pa. He earned his B.A. and J.D. from Dickinson College in 1977 and 1980, respectively.[1] Prior to becoming a congressman, Gerlach served in both chambers of the state legislature.
Career
Before entering public service, Gerlach worked as an attorney in private practice. Below is an abbreviated outline of Gerlach's political career:[2]
- 2003-2015: Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District
- 1995-2002: Member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
- 1991-1994: Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2013-2014
Gerlach served on the following committees:[3]
- Ways and Means Committee
- Subcommittee on Health
- Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures
2011-2012
Gerlach served on the following committees:[4]
- Ways and Means Committee
- Subcommittee on Health
- Subcommittee on Oversight
Key votes
113th Congress
The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[5] For more information pertaining to Gerlach's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[6]
National security
DHS Appropriations
Gerlach voted in favor of HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines.[7]
Keystone Pipeline Amendment
Gerlach voted against House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.[7]
CISPA (2013)
Gerlach voted in favor of HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill permitted federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[8] The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.[7]
NDAA
Gerlach voted in support of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[7]
Economy
Farm bill
On January 29, 2014, the U.S. House approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, also known as the Farm Bill.[9] The bill passed by a vote of 251-166. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that would kick in when prices drop.[10][11] It also cut the food stamp program an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[11] Gerlach voted with 161 other Republican representatives in favor of the bill.
2014 Budget
On January 15, 2014, the Republican-run House approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[12][13] The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582-page bill, with 64 Republicans and three Democrats voting against the bill.[13] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[14] It increased the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel by 1 percent, increased Head Start funding for early childhood education by $1 billion, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, and protected the Affordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. Gerlach voted with the majority of the Republican Party in favor of the bill.[12]
Government shutdown
- See also: United States budget debate, 2013
On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[15] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[16] Gerlach voted to approve the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[17]
The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[18] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Gerlach voted for HR 2775.[19]
Immigration
Morton Memos Prohibition
Gerlach voted in favor of House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain individuals residing in the United States without legal status. The vote largely followed party lines.[7]
Healthcare
Healthcare Reform Rules
Gerlach voted in favor of House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[7]
Keep the IRS Off Your Healthcare Act
Gerlach voted in favor of HR 2009 - Keep the IRS Off Your Healthcare Act of 2013. The bill passed through the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 232-185. The bill would prevent the IRS and Treasury Secretary from enforcing the powers provided to them in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The vote largely followed party lines.[7]
Social issues
Amash amendment
Gerlach voted against House Amendment 413 - Prohibits the National Security Agency from Collecting Records Under the Patriot Act. The amendment failed on July 4, 2013, by a vote of 205-217. The amendment would have prohibited the collection of records by the National Security Agency under the Patriot Act. Both parties were split on the vote.[7]
Government affairs
HR 676
On July 30, 2014, the U.S. House approved a resolution 225 to 201 to sue President Barack Obama for exceeding his constitutional authority. Five Republicans—Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Broun of Georgia, Scott Garrett of New Jersey, Walter Jones of North Carolina and Steve Stockman of Texas—voted with Democrats against the lawsuit.[20] Gerlach joined the other 224 Republicans in favor of the lawsuit. All Democrats voted against the resolution.[21][22]
Previous congressional sessions
Fiscal cliff
Gerlach voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003, while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was one of 85 Republicans that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[23]
Issues
Presidential preference
2012
Jim Gerlach endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[24]
Elections
2014
Gerlach did not seek re-election to Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District seat in 2014 because he wanted to spend more time with his family.[25]
2012
Gerlach ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. House to represent Pennsylvania's 6th District. He was unopposed in the April 24 Republican primary and defeated Manan Trivedi (D) in the November 6 general election.[26]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Manan Trivedi | 42.9% | 143,803 | |
| Republican |  Jim Gerlach Incumbent |
57.1% | 191,725 | |
| Total Votes | 335,528 | |||
| Source: Pennsylvania Department of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
Endorsements
Gerlach was endorsed by the following people and organizations:
- Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
- American Hospital Association PAC[27]
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce[28]
Media
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- Gerlach's first ad highlighted his record of supporting American business growth in contrast with his opponent, who supported the stimulus plan that created jobs in China.
Full history
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2010 On November 2, 2010, Jim Gerlach won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Manan Trivedi (D) in the general election.[29]
2008 On November 4, 2008, Jim Gerlach won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bob Roggio (D) in the general election.[30]
2006 On November 7, 2006, Jim Gerlach won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Lois Murphy (D) in the general election.[31]
2004 On November 2, 2004, Jim Gerlach won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Lois Murphy (D) in the general election.[32]
2002 On November 5, 2002, Jim Gerlach won election to the United States House. He defeated Dan Wofford (D) and Write-in challengers in the general election.[33]
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Campaign themes
2012
Gerlach's official campaign website highlighted the following issues:
- Jobs and the Economy:
Gerlach's plan to improve the economy included "cutting government red tape so businesses can create jobs... working on bi-partisan effort to shore up American manufacturing," in addition to providing unemployment benefits and fighting national energy taxes.[34]
- Health care:
Excerpt: "Jim has co-sponsored legislation that would not only repeal [the Affordable Care Act], but also replace it with patient-driven, private sector solutions that contain costs and protect the quality of care Americans have come to expect with their health care system... The system is broken because of rapid increases in costs that make health care unaffordable for employers, families and individuals."[34]
- Energy:
Gerlach wanted to make America energy independent by supporting "further safe and clean off-shore drilling particularly in the Outer Continental Shelf, and advancing projects like the Keystone XL pipeline which would have provided tens of thousands of American jobs and a reliable flow of oil from Canada to the United States."[34]
- Veterans:
Gerlach highlighted his congressional record of supporting bills aimed at improving the quality of life for veterans, such as a bill to "increase funding to aid homeless vets and mandates every VA medical center in the country cover post-traumatic stress disorder." He also voted to give veterans a time cushion against home foreclosure, more resources to help veterans transition back into the civilian workforce and provided employers incentives to hire National Guardsmen.[34]
- Taxes and Spending
Excerpt: "Raising taxes during an economic downturn is the last thing that government should be doing. Congress should be cutting spending, putting more money back into the pockets of families, seniors and job creators, and taking a serious approach to reducing and eliminating our $16 trillion national debt."[34]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal Gain Index
- See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)
- See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)
The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a four-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of four different metrics:
- The Net Worth Metric
- The K-Street Metric (coming soon)
- The Donation Concentration Metric (coming soon)
- The Stock Oversight and Trades Metric (coming soon)
PGI: Change in net worth
Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Gerlach's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $63,007 to $245,000. That averages to $154,003.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican House members in 2012 of $7,614,097.96. Gerlach ranked as the 362nd most wealthy representative in 2012.[35] Between 2004 and 2012, Gerlach's calculated net worth[36] increased by an average of 9 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2014, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.[37]
| Jim Gerlach Yearly Net Worth | |
|---|---|
| Year | Average Net Worth |
| 2004 | $88,727 |
| 2012 | $154,003.50 |
| Growth from 2004 to 2012: | 74% |
| Average annual growth: | 9%[38] |
| Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.[39] | |
The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.
PGI: Donation Concentration Metric
Filings required by the Federal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated by OpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). Gerlach received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by the Leadership PACs industry. Comparatively, the top industry employer in Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District was Educational services, and health care and social assistance, according to a 2012 U.S. Census survey.[40]
From 2001-2014, 28.23 percent of Gerlach's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.[41]
| Jim Gerlach Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Total Raised | $14,853,153 |
| Total Spent | $13,799,787 |
| Top industry in the district | Educational services, and health care and social assistance |
| Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee | |
| Leadership PACs | $1,100,437 |
| Lawyers/Law Firms | $920,908 |
| Insurance | $799,830 |
| Health Professionals | $725,360 |
| Pharmaceuticals/Health Products | $646,720 |
| % total in top industry | 7.41% |
| % total in top two industries | 13.61% |
| % total in top five industries | 28.23% |
Analysis
Ideology and leadership
Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Gerlach was a moderate Republican leader as of July 2014.[42] This was the same rating Gerlach received in June 2013.[43]
Like-minded colleagues
The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she voted most and least often. The results include a member from each party.[44]
|
Gerlach most often voted with: |
Gerlach least often voted with: |
Lifetime voting record
According to the website GovTrack, Gerlach missed 302 of 8,648 roll call votes from January 2003 to July 2014. This amounts to 3.5 percent, which was worse than the median of 2.5 percent among the lifetime records of representatives serving as of July 2014.[45]
Congressional staff salaries
The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Gerlach paid his congressional staff a total of $813,145 in 2011. Overall, Pennsylvania ranked 34th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[46]
National Journal vote ratings
- See also: National Journal vote ratings
Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.
2013
Gerlach was one of two members of the House who ranked 186th in the conservative rankings in 2013.[47]
2012
Gerlach ranked 216th in the conservative rankings in 2012.[48]
2011
Gerlach ranked 199th in the conservative rankings in 2011.[49]
Voting with party
2014
Jim Gerlach voted with the Republican Party 90.7 percent of the time, which ranked 200th among the 234 House Republican members as of July 2014.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many
2013
Jim Gerlach voted with the Republican Party 90.5 percent of the time, which ranked 218th among the 234 House Republican members as of June 2013.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many
2011
Jim Gerlach voted with the Republican Party 85.3 percent of the time, which ranked 228 among the 242 House Republican members as of December 2011.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Gerlach is married to his wife, Karen. They have three children.
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Jim + Gerlach + Pennsylvania + House
See also
- Pennsylvania
- United States congressional delegations from Pennsylvania
- United States House of Representatives
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2014
- Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District
External links
- Biographies:
- Political profiles:
- Financial (federal level):
- Financial (state level):
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
- Voting record:
- Media appearances:
- Media coverage:
Footnotes
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "GERLACH, Jim, (1955 - )"
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "GERLACH, Jim, (1955 - )"
- ↑ CQ.com, "House Committee Rosters for the 113th Congress," accessed March 3, 2013
- ↑ Congressman Jim Gerlach, Serving Pennsylvania's Sixth Congressional District, "Biography"
- ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 112th Congress," accessed September 5, 2013
- ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 113th Congress," accessed March 4, 2014
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 Project Vote Smart, "Jim Gerlach Key Votes," accessed October 15, 2013
- ↑ The Library of Congress, "Bill Summary & Status - 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) - H.R.624," accessed August 27, 2013
- ↑ Clerk of U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 31: H.R. 2642," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "House clears farm bill," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 New York Times, "Senate passes long-stalled farm bill, with clear winners and losers," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 CNN.com, "House passes compromise $1.1 trillion budget for 2014," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 21," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑ Roll Call, "House passes $1.1 trillion omnibus," accessed January 15, 2014
- ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ Buzzfeed, "Government Shutdown: How We Got Here," accessed October 1, 2013
- ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
- ↑ U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 550," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ U.S. House, "House Resolution 676," accessed July 30, 2014
- ↑ Associated Press, "Suing Obama: GOP-led House gives the go-ahead," July 31, 2014
- ↑ Washington Post, "House clears way for lawsuit against Obama," accessed July 30, 2014
- ↑ U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff," accessed January 4, 2013
- ↑ The Hill, "2012 GOP Lawmaker Endorsements for President," accessed December 22, 2011
- ↑ Washington Post, "Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) won’t seek re-election," accessed January 6, 2014
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "2012 General Primary Unofficial Returns," April 24, 2012
- ↑ The Center for Public Integrity, "Hospital PAC backs GOP House candidates," October 1, 2012
- ↑ Official Campaign Website, "Home," accessed October 4, 2012
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 Official Campaign Website, "Issues-Jobs," accessed October 4, 2012
- ↑ OpenSecrets, "Gerlach, 2012," accessed January 14, 2014
- ↑ This figure represents the total percentage growth from either 2004 (if the member entered office in 2004 or earlier) or the member's first year in office (as noted in the chart below).
- ↑ This number was found by dividing each member's total net worth growth percentage by the number of years included in the calculation.
- ↑ This figure represents the total percentage growth divided by the number of years for which there are net worth figures for each member.
- ↑ This figure was calculated using median asset data from the Census Bureau. Please see the Congressional Net Worth data for Ballotpedia spreadsheet for more information on this calculation.
- ↑ Census.gov, "My Congressional District," accessed September 24, 2014
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Rep. Jim Gerlach," accessed September 24, 2014
- ↑ Gov Track, "Jim Gerlach," accessed June 19, 2013
- ↑ Gov Track, "Jim Gerlach," accessed July 23, 2014
- ↑ OpenCongress, "Rep. Jim Gerlach," archived February 25, 2016
- ↑ GovTrack, "Jim Gerlach," accessed July 24, 2014
- ↑ LegiStorm, "Jim Gerlach," accessed September 24, 2012
- ↑ National Journal, "TABLE: House Liberal Scores by Issue Area," July 23, 2014
- ↑ National Journal, "TABLE: House Liberal Scores by Issue Area," February 21, 2013
- ↑ National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House," accessed February 23, 2012
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tim Holden |
U.S. House of Representatives - Pennsylvania, District 6 2003–2015 |
Succeeded by Ryan Costello |
| Preceded by ' |
Pennsylvania Senate 1995-2002 |
Succeeded by ' |
| Preceded by ' |
Pennsylvania House of Representatives 1991-1994 |
Succeeded by ' |
