Saxby Chambliss



Clarence Saxby Chambliss, a Republican, has represented Georgia in the United States Senate since 2002.

In Georgia's December 2, 2008, run-off election, Chambliss was endorsed by the MAF Freedom PAC, which is associated with the pro-war group Move America Forward.

Iraq War
Chambliss voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Oil Record
Saxby Chambliss has voted in favor of big oil companies on 100% of important oil-related bills, according to Oil Change International. These bills include Iraq War funding, climate change studies, clean energy, and oil import reductions. See below for oil money in politics.

Post 9-11 comments
Chambliss was criticized for remarks he made during a November 19, 2001 meeting with emergency responders in Valdosta, Georgia, where he said that they should "turn the sheriff loose and arrest every Muslim that crosses the state line".

Ambassadorship
In telephone conversation captured by a New York Times Magazine reporter, Chambliss asked Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to help secure an ambassadorship for a big donor (AP, 5/14/03):

Before hanging up, Chambliss asks for Frist's support in appointing a friend and Republican donor to an ambassadorship to an economic development organization.

"I don't even know what the hell it is, but he wants it," Chambliss says.

"He has lots of dollar figures down there?" Frist asks.

"That's exactly right," Chambliss said. "And he did raise a chunk of money for me."

"All right," Frist said. "You're a good man."

General Casey confirmation
Chambliss, as a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, as well as Republican Sens. John McCain and John Ensign, voted against the confirmation of General George Casey as chief of staff of the Army in early February 2007. The overall confirmation vote was 14-3.

Fair Tax Act of 2007
On March 29, 2007, Chambliss introduced the Fair Tax Act of 2007 to the Senate. The bill would abolish the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), repeal the federal income tax, enact a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states, and lastly, repeal the estate tax. After it was introduced it was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.

National security and foreign policy
On February 15, 2007, Sen. Chambliss introduced the National Guard and Reserve Retirement Modernization Act (S.648), which "would amend title 10, United States Code, to reduce the eligibility age for receipt of non-regular military service retired pay for members of the Ready Reserve in active federal status or on active duty for significant periods."

Bio
Saxby Chambliss was born November 10, 1943 in Warrenton, North Carolina and graduated from C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. He graduated from both the University of Georgia and the University of Tennessee College of Law and began his political career as an attorney. He was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives in 1994 as one of the new conservative Republican congressmen whose elections caused the party to gain a majority in both houses of congress. A long-time congressman and fellow Georgian, Newt Gingrich, was the leader of the movement, and Chambliss and the other Republicans elected that year are known as the Class of '94. Chambliss was re-elected to the House in 1996, 1998 and 2000. During his four terms in the House, Chambliss served on the House's Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and served as Chairman of the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security.

Chambliss ran for the Senate in 2002 and won a close race, defeating the Democratic incumbent, Max Cleland. His campaign was based on themes of national defense and security, but drew criticism for television ads featuring images of Cleland and Osama bin Laden and Saddam and for questioning the commitment to homeland security of his opponent, a triple amputee and decorated Vietnam veteran.

2008 Election
Chambliss beat Jim Martin (D) in a runoff for the Senate seat on Dec. 2, 2008.

Money in politics
cid=N00002685&cycle=2006

Oil Money in Politics
Saxby Chambliss has received $103,750 in oil contributions during the 110th congress. $77,000 of those dollars were from industry PACS. In total, Chambliss has accepted $203,642 from oil companies since 2000, which makes him one of the top recipients of oil money in the Senate. In addition to oil, Chambliss has also received $91,000 in coal contributions during the 110th congress. $24,500 of those dollars were from industry PACS. See above for oil and energy voting record.

Committees

 * Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry - Ranking Member
 * Senate Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Airland
 * Subcommittee on Personnel
 * Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
 * Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
 * Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry - Chair
 * Senate Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Airland
 * Subcommittee on Personnel
 * Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
 * Subcommittee on Seapower
 * Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
 * Senate Committee on Rules and Administration

More Background Data

 * See how you compare to Saxby Chambliss

Contact
DC Office: 416 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-1005 Phone: 202-224-3521 Fax: 202-224-0103 Web Email Website

District Office- Atlanta: 100 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1340 Atlanta, GA 30339 Phone: 770-763-9090 Fax: 770-226-8633

District Office- Augusta: 1058 Claussen Road, Suite 105 Augusta, GA 30907 Phone: 706-738-0302 Fax: 706-738-0901

District Office- Macon: 6501 Peake Road, Building 950 Macon, GA 31210 Phone: 478-476-0788 TollFree: 800-234-4208 Fax: 478-476-0735

District Office- Moultrie: 419-A South Main Street Post Office Box 3217 Moultrie, GA 31776 Phone: 229-985-2112 Fax: 229-985-2123

District Office- Savannah: 2 East Bryan Street, Suite 620 Savannah, GA 31401 Phone: 912-232-3657 Fax: 912-233-0115

Resources

 * Official website
 * Military Non-service
 * Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
 * James Moore. 2004.  Bush's War for Reelection: Iraq, The White House, and the People. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.  ISBN 0471483850.  Chapter 15, pp. 288-308.
 * Follow the Oil Money-Senate
 * Vote Tracker
 * Follow the Coal Money- Senate
 * Appalachian Voices

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Freedom's Watch

Articles

 * Chambliss Spends PAC Money on Travel, 5-Star Hotels by Michael Forsythe and Kristin Jensen, Bloomberg, 10/10/05
 * Chambliss, Frist Discuss Ambassadorship for Campaign Donor
 * Chambliss' son Bo is lobbyist for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange; and a better golfer than his dad
 * Chambliss Names Former Monsanto Lobbyist to be Staff Director of Agriculture Staff
 * GOP 2004 Convention: BellSouth, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UST and the Southern Co. are throwing a late-night party on Wednesday for Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia at the Supper Club in midtown Manhattan
 * Homeland Security Ad Attacks War Hero
 * Roxana Tiron, "Three GOP sens. vote against confirmation," The Hill, February 7, 2007.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Georgia Unfiltered
 * A Mad Democrat