Jim Saxton



Hugh James "Jim" Saxton, a Republican represented the Third Congressional District of New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993-2008 (map).

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

In 2003, Saxton offered an amendment (H.AMDT.146) to the FY2004 Defense Authorization which would suspend the requirement that U.S. military officers serving as diplomats to France in defense-related areas are either brigadier generals or rear admirals---two of the highest military ranks one can achieve. Saxton argued that the motion was an appropriate way to castigate France for opposing the Iraq War. While the amendment was heavily supported, many Democrats argued it would place further strains on the already tense diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and France. The amendment passed in a 302-123 vote.

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

Jack Abramoff's money
Recently Saxton donated to charity thousands of dollars in campaign contributions made by lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

House Armed Services Committee earmarks
A review of funding requests by the House Armed Services Committee revealed millions of dollars worth of earmark trade-offs for members' campaign contributers. Saxton, ranking member of the Air and Land Forces subcommittee, received the most contributions, totaling $91,000, from companies' employees and political action committees (PACs) for whom he requested tens of millions of dollars in appropriations. The information on earmark requets became available for the first time due to new ethics rules passed by the House when the Democratic party took control of the chamber in January 2007.

Background
Saxton, born January 22, 1943 in Nicholson, Pennsylvania, attended East Stroudsburg State College (now East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania) and Temple University, then pursued a career as an elementary school teacher and small business owner.

Saxton served in the New Jersey General Assembly (the lower chamber of the New Jersey Legislature) from 1976 to 1981 and again in the General Assembly from 1982 to 1984, when he was elected to the House to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Congressman Edwin B. Forsythe.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Richard J. Sexton to face Saxton in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Saxton retained his seat.

2008 elections
Saxton announced on November 9, 2007 he was not running for re-election. He said he was not running because of health reasons with a spokesman noting that Saxton was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late spring and was also being treated for chronic sciatica, a painful back and leg condition. "Although I intended to run in 2008 and was planning a strong campaign, recent developments regarding my health have prompted me to make this decision," Saxton said.

Money in politics
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Committee assignments in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities
 * Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces -Ranking
 * House Committee on Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans

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

 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Personnel
 * Subcommittee on Projection Forces
 * Subcommittee on Terrorism Unconventional Threats and Capabilities - Chair
 * House Committee on Resources
 * Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation Wildlife and Oceans
 * Subcommittee on National Parks Recreation and Public Lands
 * Joint Economic Committee

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Airpower Caucus
 * Army Caucus
 * Congressional Boating Caucus
 * Congressional Fire Services Caucus
 * Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus
 * Older Americans Caucus
 * Assistant Whip
 * Co-Chair, Impact Aid Coalition
 * National Guard and Reserve Components Organization
 * National Republican Congressional Committee
 * Co-Chair, Peace Accord Monitoring Group
 * Policy Committee
 * Republican Steering Committee
 * Task Force on Terrorism & Unconventional Warfare, Chair
 * Honorary Board, Republicans for Environmental Protection

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Ocean County Task Force on Elder Abuse and Senior Victimization
 * Coastal Caucus
 * Cost Guard Caucus
 * Travel and Tourism Caucus
 * Notch Coalition
 * Fire Services Caucus
 * Chamber of Commerce
 * Elks
 * Leadership Foundation of New Jersey
 * Burlington County Council, Boy Scouts of America
 * American Cancer Committee
 * Association of the United States Army
 * United States Air Force Association
 * Rotary International
 * Director, Environmental Law Institute

Contact
DC Office: 2217 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-3003 Phone:202-225-4765 Fax:202-225-0778 Web Email Website

District Office- Cherry Hill: One Maine Avenue Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 Phone: 856-428-0520 Fax: 856-428-2384 (call first)

District Office- Mount Holly: 100 High Street Mount Holly, NJ 08060-1401 Phone: 609-261-5800 Fax: 609-261-1275

District Office- Toms River: 247 Main Street Toms River, NJ 08753 Phone: 732-914-2020 Fax: 732-914-8351

External Resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * The All-Spin Zone
 * Blue Jersey