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Larry Bucshon

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Larry Bucshon
Bucshon smiling, wearing a suit
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Indiana's 8th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byBrad Ellsworth
Personal details
Born
Larry Dean Bucshon

(1962-05-31) May 31, 1962 (age 62)
Taylorville, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseKathryn Bucshon
Children4
EducationUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BS)
University of Illinois, Chicago (MD)
WebsiteHouse website
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
Years of service1989–1998
UnitUnited States Navy Reserve

Larry Dean Bucshon (/buːˈʃɔːn/ boo-SHAWN; born May 31, 1962) is an American politician and physician who has been the U.S. representative for Indiana's 8th congressional district since 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Early life, education, and early career

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Bucshon was born in Taylorville, Illinois on May 31, 1962,[1] and raised in Kincaid, Illinois. His father, Ronald, was a coal miner, Navy serviceman, and lifelong Democrat; his mother, Barbara, was a nurse.[2]

Bucshon graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and got his medical degree from the University of Illinois Medical School at Chicago. After medical school, he completed a residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he served as chief resident in surgery and remained there to complete a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery. He also received training at the Milwaukee Veterans Affairs Hospital.[2] During this time, he enlisted with the United States Navy Reserve, where he served for almost a decade.

Medical career

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Bucshon specialized in cardiothoracic surgery and has performed hundreds of heart surgeries. From 1995 to 1998, he was in private medical practice in Wichita, Kansas.[2] Bucshon joined Ohio Valley HeartCare in 1998, where he served as the group's president. He was named St. Mary's Medical Staff Physician of the Year in 2007. He also served as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Medical Director of the open heart recovery intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital.[3]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2010

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See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana § District 8

Bucshon faced Democratic nominee State Representative Trent Van Haaften in the race to fill the seat vacated by Brad Ellsworth, who was running for Senate.[3]

Bucshon received support from the National Republican Congressional Committee and was named a GOP Young Gun.[4] During the campaign, he was endorsed by several conservative interest groups and elected officials, including the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Congressional Action Committee, United States Chamber of Commerce, National Right to Life Committee, Indiana Right to Life, Indiana Manufacturers Association, Campaign for Working Families, House Minority Leader John Boehner, U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, and Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.[5] Bucshon received significant campaign contributions from medical groups.[6]

Bucshon defeated van Haaften by 21 points, winning all 18 counties in the district.[7]

2012

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Bucshon defeated Kristi Risk again in the Republican primary.[8] Bucshon had defeated Risk in the 2010 primary, 16,262 votes to 14,273.[9]

In the general election, Bucshon defeated former state representative Dave Crooks.[10]

2014

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The conservative Club for Growth announced that it would target Bucshon for defeat in the 2014 Republican primary,[11] but he was reelected.[citation needed]

Bucshon is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership.[12]

Tenure and political positions

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Taxes and spending

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Bucshon voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[13] After voting, he said there would be "dramatic" economic growth that would "fully cover the amount of revenue decreases" from tax cuts. Bucshon claimed that people would file their taxes on a postcard.[14]

Bucshon supports lower corporate and individual taxes. He has called for freezing spending at 2008 levels, extending the Bush tax cuts for all income brackets, and reviewing all government programs for places to reduce spending.[2] He has said that Republicans need to "first admit we were partially to blame for the increased government spending over the past decade."[2][15] Bucshon supports simplifying the personal and corporate tax codes.[16]

Bucshon voted for the Budget Control Act of 2011, which created a Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. He also supported a balanced budget amendment that would require the federal government to spend no more than it collects in revenue each year. During his 2010 campaign, Bucshon said one of his campaign goals was to lower taxes for all Americans.[16]

In 2010, Bucshon signed a pledge sponsored by Americans for Prosperity promising to vote against any global warming legislation that would raise taxes.[17]

Health care

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Bucshon supports the repeal of the Affordable Health Care for America Act. He supports reforms that expand and reform high-risk pools and federal reinsurance programs and lower costs.[2] Bucshon wants to increase transparency in medical care costs.[15] He has called for cuts in health care programs.[18][19]

Gun laws

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Bucshon, who calls himself "an ardent supporter of protecting the Second Amendment", has supported several bills that loosen restrictions on gun ownership. He co-sponsored the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011, which requires all states to honor concealed carry permits from other states within their borders, irrespective of their own gun laws. The National Rifle Association of America and the Gun Owners of America have both given Bucshon an "A" rating.[19]

Abortion

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Bucshon opposes abortion. During his time in Congress, he has supported bills that seek to establish a legal framework for challenging Roe v. Wade. He has said he believes that abortion should be legal in cases where the mother's life may be in danger. Bucshon co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act, which declares that life begins at the moment of conception and is entitled to legal protection from that point forward.[19]

In October 2015, Bucshon was named to serve on the Select Investigative Panel on Planned Parenthood.[20]

Social Security

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Bucshon supports a comprehensive strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of Social Security for current and future beneficiaries.[2]

Energy

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Bucshon calls himself a "long term friend of coal". His biggest contributors include Koch brothers and Murray energy.[21] He supports the Keystone XL pipeline project.[22]

Transportation

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On November 2, 2011, the Evansville Courier & Press reported that Bucshon planned to introduce an amendment to the transportation funding bill that would allow governors to reallocate federal transportation funding from designated programs to projects they designate as emergencies.[23]

Federal grants

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On July 10, 2014, Bucshon introduced the Research and Development Efficiency Act (H.R. 5056), a bill that would instruct the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a working group under the authority of the National Science and Technology Council to review federal regulations affecting research and research universities and make recommendations on how to streamline them and reduce the regulatory burden on such researchers.[24][25] Bucshon said his goal was "to alleviate some of the burden placed on our research universities so they can get back to their main goal of conducting basic science research."[26]

Climate change

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During a September 17, 2014, hearing of the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Bucshon was questioning John Holdren, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. When Holdren encouraged Bucshon to read the scientific literature on global warming, Bucshon replied, "Of all the climatologists whose careers depend on the climate changing to keep themselves publishing articles -- yes, I could read that, but I don't believe it."[27]

Cannabis

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Bucshon has a "D" rating from NORML for his voting history on cannabis-related causes. He opposes veterans having access to medical marijuana if recommended by their Veterans Health Administration doctor and if it is legal for medicinal purposes in their state of residence.[28]

Israel

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Bucshon voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[29][30]

Committee assignments

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For the 118th Congress:[31]

Caucus memberships

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Personal life

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Bucshon met his wife Kathryn, a practicing anesthesiologist in Evansville, during his medical residency.[36] They now live in Newburgh[37] with their four children. He is a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Evansville.[38]

Electoral history

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Main article: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections
2010 8th Congressional District of Indiana Elections[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Larry Bucshon 117,259 58
Democratic Trent Van Haaften 76,265 37
Libertarian John Cunningham 10,240 5
2012 8th Congressional District of Indiana Elections[39]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Larry Bucshon 151,533 56
Democratic David Crooks 122,325 43
Libertarian Bart Gadau 10,134 4
2014 8th Congressional District of Indiana Elections[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Larry Bucshon 103,344 60
Democratic Thomas R. Spangler 61,384 36
Libertarian Andrew Horning 6,587 4

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Guide to the New Congress" (PDF). CQ Roll Call. November 4, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 8, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Langhorne, Thomas (September 26, 2010). "2010 Vote: 8th District Profile of Larry Bucshon, Voters in the 8th District will choose between state lawmaker and heart surgeon". Evansville Courier Press. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  3. ^ a b "About". Bucshon for Congress. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  4. ^ "Candidates". GOP Young Guns. NRCC. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  5. ^ CQ Politics Archived September 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Isenstadt, Alex (October 6, 2010). "Doc groups helping their own". Politico. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  7. ^ a b "Election Results, United States Representative". Indiana Secretary of State. November 22, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  8. ^ "RISK SAYS FORMER CARDIOLOGIST, CONGRESSMAN BUCSHON CONTINUALLY DEMONSTRATES A CHANGE OF 'HEART' IN WASHINGTON". Kristi Risk for Congress. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  9. ^ Langhorne, Thomas (August 17, 2011). "Bucshon to face GOP opponent Kristi Risk for 8th District seat". Evansville Courier Press. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  10. ^ Bradner, Eric (November 6, 2012). "Bucshon wins re-election to 8th District seat in Indiana". Courier Journal. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  11. ^ Howey, Brian (March 18, 2013). "HOWEY: Clowning around with Chocola and Mourdock". News and Tribune. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  12. ^ "Members". Republican Mains Street Partnership. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  13. ^ Almukhtar, Sarah (December 19, 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  14. ^ Taylor, Dave (December 19, 2017). "Economists assess income tax overhaul". Terre Haute Tribune Star. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  15. ^ a b Foulkes, Arthur (September 24, 2010). "8th District candidate meets with biz leaders". Terre Haute Tribune Star. Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  16. ^ a b Gootee, Richard (April 18, 2011). "Rep. Larry Bucshon addresses spending at town hall meeting". Evansville Courier Press. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  17. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). www.americansforprosperity.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 4, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ^ Arthur Foulkes (April 22, 2011). "Bucshon warns against 'unsustainable' health care programs". Tribune Star. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  19. ^ a b c "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  20. ^ Paul Kane (October 23, 2015). "Boehner's next select committee, focusing on Planned Parenthood, to be led by Marsha Blackburn". Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  21. ^ Barniak, Janice (November 24, 2011). "New mine to create 330 new jobs". Princeton Daily Clarion. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  22. ^ "Congressman Larry Bucshon Comments on Keystone XL Pipeline Announcement". bucshon.house.gov. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  23. ^ Bradner, Eric (November 2, 2011). "Bucshon proposal would allow access to federal dollars in transportation crisis". Evansville Courier Press. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  24. ^ "Text of the Research and Development Efficiency Act". govtrack.us. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  25. ^ "H.R. 5056 – All Actions". United States Congress. July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  26. ^ "Dr. Bucshon Urges Colleagues to Support Bill to Alleviate Burden on Research and Research Universities". House Office of Rep. Bucshon. July 14, 2014. Archived from the original on July 18, 2014. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  27. ^ "'The Daily Show' skewers Rep. Larry Bucshon on climate change". Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  28. ^ "Indiana Scorecard". NORML. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  29. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  30. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "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 October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "Larry Bucshon". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  32. ^ "Members". Congressional Constitution Caucus. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  33. ^ "Member List". Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  34. ^ Kuznicki, Jen (April 25, 2017). "Who are the members of the Tuesday Group?". Jen Kuznicki. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  35. ^ "MEMBERS". RMSP. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  36. ^ "Larry Bucshon Full Biography". Larry Bucshon Congressman. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  37. ^ Three Indiana U.S. House races could help determine control, Louisville Courier Journal
  38. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  39. ^ United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana, 2012
  40. ^ United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana, 2014
[edit]
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Indiana's 8th congressional district
2011–present 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
94th 		Succeeded by
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