Michael C. Burgess
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Texas's 26th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2003
Preceded byDick Armey
Personal details
Born
Michael Clifton Burgess

(1950-12-23) December 23, 1950
Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Laura Burgess
​
(m. 1976)​
Children3
EducationUniversity of North Texas (BS, MS)
University of Texas at Houston (MD)
University of Texas at Dallas (MS)
WebsiteHouse website

Michael Clifton Burgess (born December 23, 1950) is an American physician and politician representing Texas's 26th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. The district is anchored in Denton County, a suburban county north of Dallas and Fort Worth. He has held the position since 2003 and is a member of the Republican Party.

Before his election, he practiced as a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology. In 2002, Burgess defeated Scott Armey, the son of House Majority Leader and then-U.S. Representative Dick Armey, in a primary runoff election. As a congressman, he is a member of the congressional Tea Party Caucus. Burgess has been involved in the debates over health care reform and energy policy. He opposes abortion, is unsure of the extent of the contribution of human activity to global warming, supported President Donald Trump's restrictions on travel from Muslim-majority countries and refugee immigration, and supports the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

Burgess has announced that he will not seek a 12th term during the 2024 election cycle.[1]

Early life, education, and medical career

Michael Burgess was born in Rochester, Minnesota, the son of Norma (née Crowhurst) and Harry Meredith Burgess; his paternal family emigrated from Nova Scotia, Canada.[2] He graduated from North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) in 1972 and from the medical school at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 1977.[3] He completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.[4] Burgess is an Anglican.[5]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

Burgess, who had never held any public office and voted in the Democratic primaries in 1990, 1992, and 1994, entered the 2002 Republican primary election to replace House Majority Leader Dick Armey. His opponent was Armey's son, Scott. The district, comprising almost all of Denton County (except a sliver in the southeast), was strongly Republican, and pundits predicted that whoever won the primary would not only win the general election, but be assured of at least a decade in Congress.[6] Using the campaign slogan "My dad is NOT Dick Armey", Burgess touted the support of medical Political Action Committees and organizations like the National Beer Wholesalers Association.[6][7] Burgess took second place in the primary, with 23% of the vote to Armey's 45%. Since neither candidate earned the required majority of votes, a runoff election ensued. Before the runoff, The Dallas Morning News released a series of articles alleging that Armey used his influence as a judge to procure county jobs and contracts for his friends. The report hurt Armey's campaign, and Burgess won the runoff with 55% of the vote. He won the general election with 75% of the vote.[8]

Burgess's vote shares include:

  • 66% in 2004[9]
  • 60% in 2006[10]
  • 60% in 2008[11]
  • 67% in 2010[12]
  • 68% in 2012[13]
  • nearly 84% in 2014 (for the first time, Burgess did not draw a Democratic challenger, and ran against nominal Libertarian opposition)

Burgess won his eighth term in the U.S. House in 2016. With 211,730 votes (66.4%), he defeated Democratic nominee Eric Mauck and Libertarian Mark Boler, who polled 94,507 (29.6%) and 12,843 (4%), respectively.[14]

Burgess in 2013

Burgess won a ninth term in 2018. With 185,268 votes (59.4%), he defeated Democratic nominee Linsey Fagan, who polled 121,584 (39%). Another 5,008 (1.6%) went to Boler, who also ran in 2016.[15]

Burgess was elected to a tenth term in 2020. He received 261,963 votes to Democratic nominee Carol Iannuzzi's 161,009 and Boler's 9,243, winning the election with 60.6% of the vote to 37.3% and 2.1%, respectively.[16]

Tenure

A man in a dark striped suit, standing, is speaking between two other men while gesturing with his hands. On the left, a man in a blue suit looks puzzled. On the right, another man smiles.
Rep. Burgess speaks to Senators John Kerry and John McCain in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol before the 2011 State of the Union Address

A member of the Republican Party and the Tea Party caucus, Burgess is considered a conservative member of the House. Through 2011, he had a lifetime rating of 93.59% from the American Conservative Union.[17] Burgess is a signer of Americans for Tax Reform's Taxpayer Protection Pledge.[18]

Impeachment of Obama

On August 9, 2011, Burgess met with a Tea Party group in Keller, Texas, to discuss his vote to raise the debt ceiling. When a constituent asked whether the House was considering impeaching President Barack Obama, Burgess responded, "It needs to happen, and I agree with you it would tie things up ... No question about that."[19]

Abortion

In 2013, Burgess voted for legislation to ban abortion after the 22nd week of pregnancy.[20][21]

Burgess testified that abortion should be banned after 20 weeks of gestation in part because he believes fetuses can feel pain and pleasure.

Immigration and refugees

Burgess opposed the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.[22] In 2010, he voted against the DREAM Act.[23]

Burgess supported President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order to impose a temporary ban on entry to the U.S. to citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, saying that Trump was "well within his authority" to issue the order and that "Congress should remain involved in the process and provide legislation to strengthen not only border security but vetting those who wish to enter the country through any means."[24]

Burgess sponsored H.R. 6202, the American Tech Workforce Act of 2021, introduced by Representative Jim Banks. The legislation would establish a wage floor for the high-skill H-1B visa program, thereby significantly reducing employer dependence on the program. The bill would also eliminate the Optional Practical Training program that allows foreign graduates to stay and work in the United States.[25]

Health care

Burgess is one of nine medical doctors in Congress, and one of seven in the House of Representatives. In May 2009, Congressional Quarterly wrote that Burgess had "become a prominent voice on health care issues" in the House.[26] Since the 111th United States Congress, he has chaired the Congressional Health Care caucus, of which he is the only official member.[27]

Burgess supports the repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as the ACA or Obamacare. At the 2017 Conservative Political Action Conference, he said he favored covering fewer Americans with health insurance. Burgess said, "If the numbers drop, I would say that's a good thing, because we've restored personal liberty in this country."[28][29]

Energy and the environment

As a member of the United States House Energy Subcommittee on Energy and Power, Burgess has been active in the debate over energy policy. In 2011, he submitted an amendment to the 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations Act to defund part of the act that established higher efficiency standards for household light bulbs.[30] Burgess's claims that the standards represented a "ban" on conventional light bulbs were rated as "Mostly False" by the fact-checking website PolitiFact.com.[31] On April 30, 2015, Burgess again introduced an amendment to the $35.4 billion fiscal 2016 energy and water spending bill that would defund the Department of Energy enforcement of incandescent light bulb efficiency standards, which passed 232–189, largely on party lines.[32]

Burgess denies the scientific consensus on climate change. In a March 8, 2011, hearing before the Subcommittee on Energy and Power of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gases, Burgess said "My opinion, for what it is worth, is that the science behind global temperature changes is not settled."[33]

Lowering the voting age

In March 2019, Burgess was the lone Republican to vote to lower the voting age to 16.[34]

Texas v. Pennsylvania

In December 2020, Burgess was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated[35] Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.[36][37][38]

Iraq

In June 2021, Burgess was one of 49 House Republicans to vote to repeal the AUMF against Iraq.[39][40]

Syria

In 2023, Burgess was among 47 Republicans to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[41][42]

Israel

Burgess voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[43][44]

Legislation

On February 25, 2014, Burgess introduced the Trauma Systems and Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4080; 113th Congress), a bill that would amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize funding for public and private entities that provide trauma and emergency care services and for the administration of the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS).[45][46]

Committee assignments

Burgess's committee assignments include:[47]

Caucus memberships

Works

  • Burgess, Michael (2011). Doctor in the House: A Physician-Turned-Congressman Offers His Prescription for Scrapping Obamacare – and Saving America's Medical System. Midpoint Trade Books. ISBN 978-1-936488-25-4. Retrieved 2011-11-16.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Fechter, Joshua (2013-11-13). "Longtime U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess will not seek reelection". Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  2. ↑ "burgess". Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  3. ↑ "Congressman Michael C. Burgess M.D." Retrieved 2012-06-15.
  4. ↑ "Rep. Michael Burgess (R–Texas)". Congressional Quarterly. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
  5. ↑ Burgess, Michael (2006-07-26). One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain (Speech). Dallas, Texas. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  6. 1 2 Michalski, Dan (2002-11-01). "The Rise and Fall of Scott Armey". D Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-09-25. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  7. ↑ "Michael Burgess Campaign Finance". Open Secrets. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  8. ↑ "Our Campaigns - TX District 26 Race - Nov 05, 2002". Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  9. ↑ "Our Campaigns - TX - District 26 Race - Nov 02, 2004". Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  10. ↑ "Our Campaigns - TX - District 26 Race - Nov 07, 2006". Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  11. ↑ "Our Campaigns - TX - District 26 Race - Nov 04, 2008". Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  12. ↑ "Our Campaigns - TX - District 26 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  13. ↑ "Election results". Huffington Post.
  14. ↑ "Election Results". Texas Secretary of State. November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Election Returns". Texas Secretary of State. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Texas Election Results: 26th Congressional District". The New York Times. 3 November 2020.
  17. ↑ "2011 Congressional Votes by Delegation". American Conservative Union. 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
  18. ↑ "The Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers 112th Congressional List" (PDF). Americans for Tax Reform. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
  19. ↑ Batheja, Aman (2011-08-09). "Burgess meets with unhappy Tea Party group". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  20. ↑ Peters, Jeremy W. (June 18, 2013). "In Partisan Vote, House Approves Ban on Abortions After 22 Weeks". The New York Times.
  21. ↑ "House Vote 251 - Approves New Abortion Restrictions". ProPublica. June 18, 2013.
  22. ↑ Crisis at the Border, Office of U.S. Representative Michael C. Burgess (last accessed April 7, 2017).
  23. ↑ House Vote 625 - Approves DREAM Act, Pro Publica Represent Project.
  24. ↑ Blake, Aaron (January 31, 2017). "Whip Count: Here's where Republicans stand on Trump's controversial travel ban". Washington Post.
  25. ↑ "Cosponsors - H.R.6206 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): American Tech Workforce Act of 2021 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". U.S. Congress. December 9, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  26. ↑ Armstrong, Drew (2009-05-06). "Luntz Shapes GOP Messages on Health Care". Congressional Quarterly. Archived from the original on 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2009-08-21. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  27. ↑ "Congressional Health Care Caucus – About". 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-04-29. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
  28. ↑ Tracer, Zachary; House, Billy; Edney, Anna (February 24, 2017). "GOP Obamacare plan would cover fewer people". The Boston Globe. Bloomberg News. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  29. ↑ Tracy, Abigail (February 24, 2017). "A Leaked Blueprint for Trumpcare Reveals Millions Could Lose Coverage". Vanity Fair. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  30. ↑ French, Lauren (2011-07-15). "Michael Burgess' Light Bulb Amendment Passes House". Houston Chronicle. Texas on the Potomac. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  31. ↑ Selby, Gardner (2011-06-15). Seaborn, Jody (ed.). "Michael Burgess Says Stores Will be Barred from Selling 100-watt Bulbs in 2012". Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  32. ↑ Marcos, Christina "House adopts proposal to halt incandescent light bulb standards", The Hill, May 01, 2015, Retrieved May 3, 2015
  33. ↑ "Climate Science and EPA's Greenhouse Gas Regulation". United States Government Publishing Office. March 8, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  34. ↑ Budryk, Zack (March 27, 2019). "GOP rep who supports lowering voting age: 'It's on us' if 16-year-olds vote Democratic". The Hill. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  35. ↑ Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  36. ↑ Liptak, Adam (2020-12-11). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  37. ↑ "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. 2020-12-11. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  38. ↑ Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  39. ↑ "House votes to repeal 2002 Iraq War authorization". NBC News. 17 June 2021.
  40. ↑ "Final vote results for roll call 172". clerk.house.gov. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  41. ↑ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".
  42. ↑ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". Associated Press. March 8, 2023.
  43. ↑ Demirjian, Karoun (2023-10-25). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  44. ↑ 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)
  45. ↑ "CBO – H.R. 4080". Congressional Budget Office. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  46. ↑ "H.R. 4080 – All Actions". United States Congress. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  47. ↑ "U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess : 26th District Of Texas". burgess.house.gov. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
  48. ↑ "Members". Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  49. ↑ "Republican Governance Group PAC to PAC/Party". OpenSecrets.
  50. ↑ "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
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