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John Kline

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John Kline
Image of John Kline
Prior offices
U.S. House Minnesota District 2
Successor: Jason Lewis

Compensation

Net worth

(2012) $390,002.50

Education

Bachelor's

Rice University

Graduate

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Marine Corps

Years of service

1969 - 1994

Personal
Religion
Christian: Methodist
Profession
U.S. Marine, Politician

John Paul Kline (b. September 6, 1947, in Allentown, PA) is a former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District from 2003 to 2017.

Biography

Kline was born in 1947 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He earned his B.A. from Rice University and his M.P.A. from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in 1969 and 1988, respectively. Prior to his political career, Kline served as a helicopter pilot in the United States Marine Corps from 1969-1994.[1]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Kline's academic, professional, and political career:[1]

  • 2003-2017: U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District
  • 1969-1994: United States Marine Corps
    • During the presidencies of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, Kline carried the "nuclear football," a leather briefcase stocked with the country's classified nuclear plan.[2]

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2015-2016

Kline served on the following committees:[3]

2013-2014

Kline served on the following committees:[4]

2011-2012

Kline served on the following committees:[5]

Key votes

114th Congress

CongressLogo.png

The first session of the 114th Congress enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session. In the second session, the 114th Congress enacted 133 out of 3,159 introduced bills (4.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 7.0 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[6][7] For more information pertaining to Kline's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections.[8]

Economic and fiscal

Trade Act of 2015
See also: The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015

Trade adjustment assistance
Yea3.png On June 12, 2015, the House rejected the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015—by a vote of 126-302. Trade adjustment assistance (TAA) is a federal program providing American workers displaced by foreign trade agreements with job training and services. The measure was packaged with trade promotion authority (TPA), also known as fast-track authority. TPA is a legislative procedure that allows Congress to define "U.S. negotiating objectives and spells out a detailed oversight and consultation process for during trade negotiations. Under TPA, Congress retains the authority to review and decide whether any proposed U.S. trade agreement will be implemented," according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Kline was one of 86 Republicans to vote in favor of TAA.[9][10]
Trade promotion authority
Yea3.png On June 12, 2015, the House passed the trade promotion authority (TPA) measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015 —by a vote of 219-211. TPA gives the president fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements sent to Congress without the opportunity for amendment or filibuster. Although the House approved TPA, it was a largely symbolic vote given the measure was part of a package trade bill including trade adjustment assistance (TAA), which was rejected earlier the same day. Kline was one of 191 Republicans to support the measure.[11][12]
Trade promotion authority second vote
Yea3.png After the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) and trade promotion authority (TPA) did not pass the House together on June 12, 2015, representatives voted to authorize TPA alone as an amendment to HR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—on June 18, 2015. The amendment passed by a vote of 218-208, with all voting members of the House maintaining their original positions on TPA except for Ted Yoho (R-Fla.). Kline was one of 190 Republicans to vote in favor of the amendment.[13][14]
Trade adjustment assistance second vote
Yea3.png The House passed HR 1295—the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015—on June 25, 2015, by a vote of 286-138. The Senate packaged trade adjustment assistance (TAA) in this bill after the House rejected the TAA measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015. Along with trade promotion authority (TPA), which Congress passed as part of HR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—TAA became law on June 29, 2015. Kline was one of 111 Republicans to vote in favor of HR 1295.[15][16]

Defense spending authorization

Yea3.png On May 15, 2015, the House passed HR 1735—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 269-151. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Kline voted with 227 other Republicans and 41 Democrats to approve the bill.[17] The Senate passed the bill on June 18, 2015, by a vote of 71-25. President Barack Obama vetoed the bill on October 22, 2015.[18]

Yea3.png On November 5, 2015, the House passed S 1356—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 370-58. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included $5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.[19][20] Kline voted with 234 other Republicans and 135 Democrats to approve the bill.[21] On November 10, 2015, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 91-3, and President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015.[22]

2016 Budget proposal

Yea3.png On April 30, 2015, the House voted to approve SConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 226-197. The non-binding resolution was designed to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. All 183 Democrats who voted, voted against the resolution. Kline voted with 225 other Republicans to approve the bill.[23][24][25]

2015 budget

Yea3.png On October 28, 2015, the House passed HR 1314—the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015—by a vote of 266-167. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017.[26] Kline voted with 78 Republicans and 187 Democrats in favor of the bill.[27] It passed the Senate on October 30, 2015.[28] President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015.

Foreign Affairs

Iran nuclear deal
See also: Iran nuclear agreement, 2015

Yea3.png On May 14, 2015, the House approved HR 1191—the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 400-25. The bill required President Barack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review. Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove, or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. Kline voted with 222 other Republican representatives to approve the bill.[29][30]


Approval of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
Nay3.png On September 11, 2015, the House rejected HR 3461—To approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 162-269. The legislation proposed approving the nuclear agreement with Iran. Kline voted with 243 Republicans and 25 Democrats against the bill.[31][32]


Suspension of Iran sanctions relief
Yea3.png On September 11, 2015, the House approved HR 3460—To suspend until January 21, 2017, the authority of the President to waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 247-186. HR 3460 prohibited "the President, prior to January 21, 2017, from: limiting the application of specified sanctions on Iran or refraining from applying any such sanctions; or removing a foreign person (including entities) listed in Attachments 3 or 4 to Annex II of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) from the list of designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury." Kline voted with 244 Republicans and two Democrats for the bill.[33][34]


Presidential non-compliance of section 2
Yea3.png On September 10, 2015, the House passed H Res 411—Finding that the President has not complied with section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 245-186. Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 required the president to submit all materials related to the nuclear agreement for congressional review. House Republicans introduced the resolution because two agreements between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran were not submitted to Congress. Kline voted with 244 Republicans for the resolution.[35][36]

Export-Import Bank

Yea3.png On October 27, 2015, the House passed HR 597—the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015—by a vote of 313-118. The bill proposed reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank and allowing it to resume offering assistance in the form of loans and insurance to foreign companies that wanted to buy U.S. goods.[37] Kline voted with 126 Republicans and 186 Democrats in favor of the bill.[38]

Domestic

USA FREEDOM Act of 2015

Yea3.png On May 13, 2015, the House passed HR 2048—the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015—by a vote of 338-88. The legislation revised HR 3199—the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005—by ending the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, requiring increased reporting from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Kline voted with 195 Republicans and 142 Democrats to approve the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015.[39][40]

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Yea3.png On May 13, 2015, the House passed HR 36—the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act—by a vote of 242-184. The bill proposed prohibiting abortions from being performed after a fetus was determined to be 20 weeks or older. The bill proposed exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. Kline voted with 237 Republicans in favor of the bill.[41][42]

Cyber security

Yea3.png On April 23, 2015, the House passed HR 1731—the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015—by a vote of 355-63. The bill proposed creating an information sharing program that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. It also proposed including liability protections for companies.[43] Kline voted with 219 Republicans and 135 Democrats to approve the bill.[44]

Yea3.png On April 22, 2015, the House passed HR 1560—the Protecting Cyber Networks Act—by a vote of 307-116.[45] The bill proposed procedures that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Kline voted with 201 Republicans and 105 Democrats in favor of the bill.[46]

Immigration

Yea3.png On November 19, 2015, the House passed HR 4038—the American SAFE Act of 2015—by a vote of 289-137.[47] The bill proposed instituting additional screening processes for refugees from Iraq and Syria who applied for admission to the U.S. Kline voted with 241 Republicans and 47 Democrats in favor of the bill.[48]

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.[49] For more information pertaining to Kline's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[50]

National security

NDAA

Yea3.png Kline 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.[51]

DHS Appropriations

Yea3.png Kline voted in support 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.[51]

Keystone Pipeline Amendment

Nay3.png Kline voted in favor of 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.[51]

CISPA (2013)

Yea3.png Kline voted in support 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.[52] The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.[51]

Economy

Farm Bill

See also: United States Farm Bill 2013

Yea3.png Kline voted to support the Farm Bill on July 11, 2013. The bill passed in a 216-208 vote.[53] The bill passed included farm policy, but did not include food stamps.[54]

Government shutdown

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

Yea3.png On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[55] 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.[56] Kline voted for the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[55]

Yea3.png The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[57] 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. Kline voted for HR 2775.[58]

Immigration

Healthcare

Repealing Obamacare

Yea3.png Kline has supported all attempts to repeal or delay the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[59]

Social issues

Abortion

Yea3.png Kline supported HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196. The purpose of the bill was to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[60]

Government affairs

HR 676

See also: Boehner's lawsuit against the Obama administration

Yea3.png On July 30, 2014, the U.S. House approved a resolution 225 to 201 to sue President Barack Obama for exceeding his constitutional authority. Five RepublicansThomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Broun of Georgia, Scott Garrett of New Jersey, Walter Jones of North Carolina and Steve Stockman of Texas—voted with Democrats against the lawsuit.[61] Kline joined the other 224 Republicans in favor of the lawsuit. All Democrats voted against the resolution.[62][63]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Yea3.png Kline voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was 1 of 85 Republicans that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257-167 vote on January 1, 2013.[64]

Foreign policy

Removal of troops from Afghanistan

Nay3.png Kline opposed a resolution to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan.[65]

American involvement in Libya

Yea3.png Kline supported a ban on using armed forces in Libya without Congressional approval in 2011.[65]

Jobs

Nay3.png Kline voted against raising the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour in 2007.[66]

Yea3.png Kline voted to extend unemployment benefits from 39 weeks to 59 weeks in 2008.[66]

Immigration

Yea3.png Kline supported a bill to build a fence on the U.S./Mexico border in 2006.[67]

Yea3.png Kline voted to end birthright citizenship or "anchor babies" in 2009.[67]

Government reform

Nay3.png Kline opposed granting Washington D.C. an Electoral vote and a vote in Congress in 2007.[68]


Issues

Poll on 2013 immigration plan

Several Republican members of the U.S. House may have faced a tougher path to re-election in 2014 because the Gang of Eight's immigration bill did not pass in the House in 2013, according to a Public Policy Poll released in July 2013.[69]

According to the poll, a majority of voters in seven Republican congressional districts said they were less likely to vote for their representative if he or she failed to support the plan. Public Policy Polling described the bill to respondents, saying that it would "secure our borders, block employers from hiring undocumented immigrants, and make sure that undocumented immigrants already in the U.S. with no criminal record register for legal status. If a long list of requirements is met over more than a decade, it provides eligibility for a path to citizenship."[70]

Kline represented one of those seven districts. Voters also reported in the poll that they were less likely to support Republican candidates in the 2014 general election if the Republican House members blocked this immigration proposal.[69] Voters in all seven districts had at least 61 percent support for the Senate’s immigration plan.[69]

Elections

2016

See also: Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District election, 2016

Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District was a battleground district in 2016. Republican incumbent John Kline, who began serving in Congress in 2002, chose not to run for re-election in 2016, leaving the seat open. Jason Lewis (R) defeated Angie Craig (D) and Paula Overby (I) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Craig faced no primary opponent, while Lewis defeated Matthew Erickson, John Howe, and Darlene Miller in the Republican primary on August 9, 2016.[71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79]

U.S. House, Minnesota District 2 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJason Lewis 47% 173,970
     Democratic Angie Craig 45.2% 167,315
     Independent Paula Overby 7.8% 28,869
     N/A Write-in 0.1% 360
Total Votes 370,514
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State


U.S. House, Minnesota District 2 Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJason Lewis 48.9% 11,641
Darlene Miller 30.7% 7,305
John Howe 13.6% 3,244
Matthew Erickson 6.8% 1,612
Total Votes 23,802
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

2014

See also: Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2014

Kline ran in the 2014 election for re-election to the U.S. House, representing Minnesota's 2nd District. Kline ran uncontested for the Republican nomination in the primary on August 12, 2014.[80] He defeated Mike Obermueller (D) and Paula Overby (Independence Party of America) in the general election on November 4, 2014.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 2 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Kline Incumbent 56% 137,778
     Democratic Mike Obermueller 38.9% 95,565
     Independence Paula Overby 5% 12,319
     N/A Write-in 0.1% 186
Total Votes 245,848
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

He was listed by the House Majority PAC as a target in 2014.[81][82][83]

Bill Maher's "Flip a District" campaign

On September 12, 2014, comedian Bill Maher announced that Kline would be the new target of his "Flip a District" campaign. Throughout the remainder of the 2014 election season, Maher traveled periodically to Minnesota's 2nd District and performed stand-up comedy routines denouncing the current incumbent, in the hopes of tipping the scales in favor of Democratic challenger Mike Obermueller in the November general election.[84] Viewers of Maher's HBO program, “Real Time with Bill Maher,” voted between Kline and three other Republican incumbents: Renee Ellmers (R-NC), Blake Farenthold (R-TX) and Mike Coffman (Colorado) (R-CO). Maher indicated that student debt was the top reason cited in votes to nominate Kline as the target. He added that Kline, "has done more to keep twentysomethings in their parents’ basements than anyone else alive."[85]

2012

See also: Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2012

Kline won re-election in 2012.[86] He defeated David Gerson in the Republican primary.[87] He defeated Democrat Mike Obermueller in the November 6, 2012, general election.

U.S. House, Minnesota District 2 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Kline Incumbent 54% 193,587
     Democratic Mike Obermueller 45.8% 164,338
     NA Write-in 0.1% 521
Total Votes 358,446
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State, "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" (dead link)
U.S. House, Minnesota District 2 Republican Primary, 2012
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Kline Incumbent 85.1% 15,859
David Gerson 14.9% 2,772
Total Votes 18,631

Effect of redistricting

Given the redistricted maps, Democrats in the state said they had better odds of defeating incumbent Kline, who won his last election by a 30 percent margin. Democrats hoped that Kline's south suburban and rural district, which includes a southeastern swath of Minnesota from Dakota County to Wabasha County and over to Scott and Rice counties, could turn in their favor. However, they were unsuccessful in taking the seat.[88]

According to the Washington Post, redistricting transformed the 2nd District from a safe seat into a swing district. While the 2nd formerly went safely for Kline, the newly drawn district became a battleground for Republicans and Democrats fighting for control of the House.[89]

Endorsements

Kline's awards and endorsements from the 2012 election are listed below.[90]

  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • Council for Citizens Against Government Waste “Taxpayer Hero Award”
  • National Tax Limitation Committee “Tax Fighter Award”
  • Taxpayers League Liberty Fund
  • National Federation of Independent Business
  • Spirit of Enterprise Award
  • Champion of Small Business Award
  • Minnesota Farm Bureau
  • National Guard Bureau’s Heritage Award
  • Club for Growth
  • Minnesota Police & Peace Officers Association
  • International Association of Firefighters
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars PAC
  • Combat Veterans for Congress
  • American Conservative Union
  • National Rifle Association
  • International Foodservice Distributors Association
  • National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
  • National Right To Life Committee
  • Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life

Full history


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.


John Kline campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2014U.S. House (Minnesota, District 2)Won $2,776,557 N/A**
2012U.S. House Minnesota District 2Won $2,352,676 N/A**
2010U.S. House Minnesota District 2Won $1,552,172 N/A**
2008U.S. House Minnesota District 2Won $1,464,906 N/A**
2006U.S. House Minnesota District 2Won $1,495,470 N/A**
2004U.S. House Minnesota District 2Won $1,585,892 N/A**
2002U.S. House Minnesota District 2Won $1,553,130 N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Personal Gain Index

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

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

PGI: Change in net worth

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

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Kline's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $230,005 and $550,000. That averages to $390,002.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican representatives in 2012 of $7,614,097.96. Kline ranked as the 296th most wealthy representative in 2012.[96] Between 2004 and 2012, Kline's calculated net worth[97] decreased by an average of 3 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.[98]

John Kline Yearly Net Worth
YearAverage Net Worth
2004$530,547
2012$390,002
Growth from 2004 to 2012:−26%
Average annual growth:−3%[99]
Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.[100]

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

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric

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

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

From 1997-2014, 20.28 percent of Kline's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.[101]

Donation Concentration Metric graphic.png
John Kline Campaign Contributions
Total Raised $13,986,001
Total Spent $12,276,567
Chair of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce
Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee
Leadership PACs$644,381
Retired$625,988
Education$623,508
Insurance$493,800
Securities & Investment$448,144
% total in top industry4.61%
% total in top two industries9.08%
% total in top five industries20.28%

Analysis

Ideology and leadership

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

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Kline was a far-right Republican as of July 2014.[102] This was the same rating Kline received in June 2013.

Like-minded colleagues

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.[103]

Kline most often voted with:

Kline least often voted with:


Lifetime voting record

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

According to the website GovTrack, Kline missed 54 of 9,324 roll call votes from January 2003 to September 2015. This amounted to 0.6 percent, which was lower than the median of 2.2 percent among representatives as of September 2015.[102]

Congressional Staff Salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Kline paid his congressional staff a total of $930,733 in 2011. He ranked 103rd on the list of the highest paid Republican representative staff salaries and ranked 180th overall of the highest paid representative staff salaries in 2011. Overall, Minnesota ranked 26th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[104]

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

Kline ranked 149th in the conservative rankings in 2013.[105]

2012

Kline ranked 26th in the conservative rankings in 2012.[106]

2011

Kline ranked 60th in the conservative rankings in 2011.[107]

Voting with party

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

2014

Kline voted with the Republican Party 94.8 percent of the time, which ranked 96th among the 234 House Republican members as of July 2014.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

2013

Kline voted with the Republican Party 96.8 percent of the time, which ranked 76th among the 234 House Republican members as of June 2013.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Kline lives in Lakeville, Minnesota, with his wife, Vicky. They have two children.[108]

Kline is a member of Grace United Methodist Church.[109]

Recent news

This section links to a Google news search for the term John + Kline + Minnesota + House


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Biographical Guide to Members of Congress, "John Kline," accessed December 3, 2011
  2. USA Today, "Military aides still carry the president's nuclear 'football,'" accessed May 5, 2005
  3. U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk, "Committee Information," accessed February 18, 2015
  4. CQ.com, "House Committee Rosters for the 113th Congress," accessed January 22, 2013
  5. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "House of Representatives Committee Assignments," accessed December 3, 2011
  6. Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 113th Congress," accessed April 29, 2015
  7. Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 114th Congress," accessed January 5, 2017
  8. Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress," April 13, 2015
  9. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 361," June 12, 2015
  10. Roll Call, "Deadline for TAA Do-Over Vote Extended to July 30 (Updated)," June 15, 2015
  11. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 362," June 12, 2015
  12. Roll Call, "Deadline for TAA Do-Over Vote Extended to July 30 (Updated)," June 15, 2015
  13. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 374," June 18, 2015
  14. Politico, "Trade turnaround: House backs new power for Obama," June 18, 2015
  15. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 388," June 24, 2015
  16. The Hill, "Obama signs trade bills," June 29, 2015
  17. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 239," accessed May 27, 2015
  18. Congress.gov, "H.R. 1735," accessed May 27, 2015
  19. The Hill, "Redone defense policy bill sails through House," accessed November 12, 2015
  20. Congress.gov, "S. 1356," accessed November 12, 2015
  21. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 618," accessed November 12, 2015
  22. Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S. 1356)," accessed November 12, 2015
  23. Congress.gov, "S.Con.Res.11," accessed May 5, 2015
  24. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 183," accessed May 5, 2015
  25. The Hill, "Republicans pass a budget, flexing power of majority," accessed May 5, 2015
  26. Congress.gov, "HR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015," accessed November 1, 2015
  27. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 579," accessed November 1, 2015
  28. Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1314)," accessed November 1, 2015
  29. Congress.gov, "H.R.1191 - Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015," accessed May 16, 2015
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  32. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 493," accessed September 11, 2015
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  42. Clerk.House.gov, "HR 36," accessed May 16, 2015
  43. Congress.gov, "HR 1731," accessed November 2, 2015
  44. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 173," accessed November 2, 2015
  45. Congress.gov, "HR 1560 - Protecting Cyber Networks Act," accessed November 1, 2015
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  47. Congress.gov, "HR 4038 - the American SAFE Act of 2015," accessed November 20, 2015
  48. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 643," accessed November 20, 2015
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  50. Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 113th Congress," accessed March 4, 2014
  51. 51.0 51.1 51.2 51.3 Project Vote Smart, "Representative John Kline's Voting Records on National Security," accessed September 26, 2013
  52. The Library of Congress, "Bill Summary & Status - 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) - H.R.624," accessed August 27, 2013
  53. Vote Smart, "Kline on Farm Bill 2013," accessed September 26, 2013
  54. New York Times, "House Republicans Push Through Farm Bill, Without Food Stamps," accessed September 17, 2013
  55. 55.0 55.1 Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  56. Buzzfeed, "Government Shutdown: How We Got Here," accessed October 1, 2013
  57. The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
  58. U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 550," accessed October 31, 2013
  59. Project Vote Smart, "Representative John Kline's Voting Records on Issue: Health and Healthcare," accessed September 26, 2013
  60. Project Vote Smart, "Kline on abortion," accessed September 26, 2013
  61. U.S. House, "House Resolution 676," accessed July 30, 2014
  62. Associated Press, "Suing Obama: GOP-led House gives the go-ahead," July 31, 2014
  63. Washington Post, "House clears way for lawsuit against Obama," accessed July 30, 2014
  64. U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff," accessed January 4, 2013
  65. 65.0 65.1 On the Issue, "John Kline on War and Peace," accessed September 11, 2013
  66. 66.0 66.1 On the Issues, "Kline on Jobs," accessed September 11, 2013
  67. 67.0 67.1 On the Issues, "Kline on Immigration," accessed September 11, 2013
  68. On the Issues, "Kline on Government Reform," accessed September 11, 2013
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  70. Public Policy Polling, "House Republicans Could Face Voter Backlash if Immigration Reform Stalls," July 9, 2013
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  76. Star Tribune, "Darlene Miller announces run for Congress in Second District," January 7, 2016
  77. TwinCities.com, "Another Democrat files for 2nd Congressional District," March 24, 2015
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  83. KWTV, "Democratic Group Airs Shutdown Ads Targeting GOP Lawmakers," accessed October 4, 2013
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  90. John Kline, "Awards/Endorsements," accessed October 9, 2012
  91. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
  92. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
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  95. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
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  97. This figure represents the average annual percentage growth from either 2004 (if the member entered office in 2004 or earlier) or their first year in office (as noted in the chart below) to 2012, divided by the number of years calculated.
  98. This number was found by dividing each member's total net worth growth percentage by the number of years included in the calculation.
  99. This figure represents the total percentage growth divided by the number of years for which there are net worth figures for each member.
  100. 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.
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  108. Official House Site, "Biography," accessed December 3, 2011 (dead link)
  109. Minnesota Public Radio, "2nd District: John Kline," accessed October 14, 2014
Political offices
Preceded by
Mark Kennedy
U.S. House of Representatives - Minnesota, District 2
2003–2017
Succeeded by
Jason Lewis (R)


Senators
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
Tom Emmer (R)
District 7
District 8
Democratic Party (6)
Republican Party (4)