Earl Pomeroy



Earl Pomeroy, a Democrat, is a former U.S. Representative for the at-large Congressional district of North Dakota, having served 1993 to 2011.

Iraq War
In 2002 Pomeroy voted Yes on the Use of Military Force Against Iraq bill. During the last several years, though, he has adopted a different position, and has increasing opposed the continuation of the war. In 2004 he voted in support of the Condemning Iraq Abuse of Prisoners resolution and also voted for the Redeployment from Iraq Act in July of 2007.

Representative Pomeroy has also voted Mandatory Troop Rest Periods Between Deployments to Iraq, a vote consistent with his support for Troop and Veterans programs.

Project Vote Smart

Environmental record
While Pomeroy has advocated for increased energy production and supports the development of wind, bio-fuel, and clean coal technologies, he also supports the continued oil production in North Dakota. He has received medium ratings by environmental and wildlife groups, although the League of Conservation Votes has increased his ratings in recent years.

Project Vote Smart

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

Controversy
In late August of 2007, Pomeroy was interrupted by two anti-war activists while he was talking on his cell phone. After initially ignore the two, he eventually turned around responded to their pleas that he vote for the impeachment of President Bush. He proceeded to angrily inform the activists that most of his district opposed an impeachment and that, as such, he would not vote for one. During the confrontation he also referred to the President as "this clown."

The incident was video-taped, and the video was released on the internet. This led to a negative response, by both Democrats and Republicans. In interviews after its release, Pomeroy explained that he did not know the incident was being taped and that he regretted his comments.

Bismark Tribune

Background
Pomeroy was born September 2, 1952 in Valley City, North Dakota, and attended Valley City State University. He then transferred to the University of North Dakota, where he earned degrees in Political Science and Law. For five years he proceeded to practice law prior to beginning his political career.

In 1984 he became the North Dakota State Insurance Commissioner, a post which he held through 1992. During this time he served as President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

He is divorced and currently lives in Mandan, North Dakota with his son Scott and his daughter Kathryn.

Congressional career
Pomeroy was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 1980. In 1993 he was elected to the U.S. Congress for the sole North Dakota congressional district.

During the 107th Congress he joined the powerful Ways and Means position, and has retained this post since. Serving on the House Committee on Agricultural, the Environmental Working Group has estimated that he brought almost $1.03 billion to North Dakota in farm subsidies.

Pomeroy is also a member of the Blue Dog Democrats, an organization of moderate to conservative Democrats in Congress.



2006 Elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Matthew Alan Mechtel to face Pomeroy in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Pomeroy retained his seat.

2010 Elections
In 2010, Pomeroy lost his bid for reelection to Republican Rick Berg.

Money in politics
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Committees

 * House Committee on Ways and Means
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * Subcommittee on Social Security


 * House Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
 * Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development and Foreign Agriculture Programs
 * Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry

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

 * House Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
 * Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture
 * House Committee on Ways and Means
 * Subcommittee on Oversight
 * Subcommittee on Social Security

Coalitions and caucuses

 * Blue Dog Coalition
 * Airpower Caucus
 * Congressional Caucus on Unfunded Mandates
 * Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus
 * Co-Chair, Congressional Northern Border Caucus
 * Congressional Rural Caucus
 * Co-Chair, Democratic Budget Group
 * Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
 * Co-Chair, Democratic Task Force on Social Security
 * Democratic Steering Committee
 * House Co-Chair, Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Congressional Caucus
 * Older Americans Caucus
 * Co-Chair, Senate-House Steering Committee on Retirement Security
 * Steering Committee, Rural Health Care Coalition
 * Co-Chair, World Trade Organization Caucus for Farmers and Ranchers

Boards and other affiliations

 * President, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, 1990
 * North Dakota Bar Association, 1979
 * Co-Chair, Friends of Norway
 * Co-Chair, Impact Aid Coalition
 * National Guard and Reserve Component Organization.


 * 2006 North Dakota CD 0 Candidate List from VIS

Articles and resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database