Joe Pitts



Joseph R. "Joe" Pitts has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania, representing the state's 16th Congressional district, since 1997. (map)

Iraq War
Pitts 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

Out of touch and unquestioning pro-Israeli line
On a regular basis both the US Congress and Senate produce letters supporting Israel. Similarly, on a regular basis Congress/Senate vote for supplementary funding over-and-above the regular US-aid for Israel, e.g., the US$680 million allocated for the Israeli research/development of anti-missile systems. Joseph Pitts was a signatory of all such letters/motions, e.g., HR 4133. Earlier, in July 2010, Pitts introduced HR 1553, the "green light bill" giving Israel the green light to attack Iran. In May 2012, a constituent wrote to Pitts questioning this continued support/expense, and he received a letter from Pitts stating:
 * With the global war against terrorism, it is now incumbent on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Yasir Arafat to clamp down on Palestinian extremists that have perpetuated violence and to restart a peace process that has collapsed.

This statement demonstrated that Pitts was out-of-touch, and poorly informed on the situation in the Middle East despite his claims of foreign policy expertise.

Background
Pitts was born October 10, 1939 in Lexington, Kentucky and graduated from Asbury College. Pitts served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He worked as a teacher for a short time. Pitts was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1972.

Congressional career
Pitts was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996. Pitts hasn't had serious electoral competition and he announced that he's abandoning his pledge to serve only five terms in the House of Representatives.

Positions and Views
Pitts has a conservative voting record, receiving 100% ratings from the American Conservative Union in 2005 and the Christian Coalition in 2004.

Pitts visited Afghanistan after the fall of the Talibanand Pakistan in 2002. Pitts was angered after a federal judge ordered the removal of the Ten Commandments from the Chester County courthouse, releasing a press statement that said, "I think that religion and the Ten Commandments in particular should have a role in our public life" and supported The Ten Commandments Defense Act (H.R. 2045).

2006 elections
In 2006, Democrats nominated Lois K. Herr to face Pitts in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)  Pitts retained his seat.

Money in politics
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Committees

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Commerce Trade and Consumer Protection
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Health

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

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Commerce Trade and Consumer Protection
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Health

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * House Republican Policy Committee, 1981-present
 * Select Committee, Investigate SEPTA, 1979-1980
 * Air Force Caucus
 * Alzheimer's Caucus
 * Chair, Central Asia Caucus
 * Congressional Caucus on the Western Sahara
 * Chair, Electronic Warfare Working Group
 * Chair, Fatherhood Promotion Task Force
 * Helsinki Commission
 * Human Rights Caucus
 * Member, International Committee
 * Pro-Life Caucus
 * Chair, Religious Prisoners Congressional Task Force
 * Republican Study Committee
 * Co-Chair, Silk Road Caucus
 * Steel Caucus
 * Values Action Team
 * Chair, Wilberforce Group

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Member, Economic Development Advisory Council, Eastern College, 1996
 * Board Member, State Employees' Retirement System, 1993-1995
 * President, Society for Political Enquiries, 1991-1995
 * Member, Brandywine Valley Association
 * Board of Advisors, Bridges of Peace International
 * Board of Trustees, Congressional Youth Leadership Council
 * Board of Trustees, Crosslinks
 * Board of Trustees, County Corrections Gospel Mission
 * Member, Friend of Agriculture
 * Member, Graystone Society
 * Member, HOPE International
 * Member, International Health Services Board
 * Board of Reference, The Mobility Project
 * Member, National Rifle Association
 * Founding Member/Board of Advisors, Western Sahara Foundation
 * U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea - Board of directors
 * Multi-Faith Advisory Board, Council on Faith and International Affairs

DC Office:

 * 221 Cannon House Office Building
 * Washington, DC 20515
 * Phone: 202-225-2411
 * Fax: 202-225-2013
 * Email Web Email
 * Web: www.house.gov/pitts

District Office - Lancaster:
Lancaster County Courthouse 50 North Duke Street Lancaster, PA 17602 Phone: 717-393-0667 Fax: 717-393-0924

District Office - Unionville:
Post Office Box 837 Unionville, PA 19375 Phone: 610-444-4581 Fax: 610-444-5750

Articles and Resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * The All-Spin Zone