Jerry Weller



Gerald C. "Jerry" Weller was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995-2008, representing the 11th District of Illinois (map).

Iraq War
Weller 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

Marriage to a Guatemalan legislator
On November 20, 2004, Weller married Zury Ríos Montt in Guatemala. They were married in the home of ex-dictator and president Efrain Rios Montt, the father of Zury. Causing confusion about her name are previous married names: Jeovanny Chávez, Garci'a Bravatti and Lopez Villatoro; (or mother's name Rios Sosa) but on her official website as a Congressman of Guatemala she advertises herself under her father's name, Rios Montt. An FRG party leader, she has said that she works on behalf of woman's health issues. She is also a supporter of CAFTA. She served as Chair of the Latin American Interparlimentary Group which some have claimed to be a conflict of interest for her. Jerry Weller sits on the House International Relations Committee, Western Hemispere, which many say is a conflict of interest for him as well. Jerry Weller has long been known for his advocacy of free trade.

Possible failure to report land ownership
In November 2006, the Chicago Reader reported that Weller owned several properties in Guatemala that he had not listed on financial disclosure forms. He had listed three other properties in the country, but local Guatemalan records show that Gerald Craig Weber - the name on the forms for the land Weller admits to owning - also owns or owned three more parcels in the area. As there is nothing illegal in him owning the land in itself, it is unclear why Weller would declare some of his Guatemalan holdings but not others.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Weller will announce his retirement from Congress on September 21, 2007, following on the heels of a Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington report that "labeled Weller one of the 22 most corrupt members of Congress, accusing him of improperly disclosing land deals in Nicaragua."

Reparations for Japanese Latin Americans
Weller cosponsored The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act in the 110th Congress which would establish a commission that would determine the facts and circumstances involving the relocation, internment and deportation of Japanese Latin Americans.

Retirement
On September 21, 2007, it was expected that Jerry Weller would announce his intention to retire at the end of the term.

Retirement confirmation
After receiving negative publicity for his Nicaraguan land deals, Jerry Weller of officially confirmed his retirement on September 21, 2007. Weller claimed that this decision was made in the summer with his wife and that his family is his first priority. He said, "I have been privileged to serve you, and I am still your congressman for the next 14 months. I look forward to continuing to work with you, but most of all, I am looking forward to being a full-time father and a full-time husband."

Background
Weller was born July 7, 1957, in Streator, Illinois, was educated at the University of Illinois, and was a staff member for Representative Tom Corcoran, assistant to the director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, an aide to Secretary of Agriculture John R. Block and a member of the Illinois House of Representatives before entering the House.

Congressional Career
Congressman Weller won against Democrat Tari Renner in 2004. Weller's vote total was 172,975 or 59% while Renner's vote total was 121,819 or 41%.

He serves as Deputy Majority Whip under Whip Roy Blunt.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated John Justin Pavich to face Weller in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Weller retained his seat.

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

 * House Committee on Ways and Means
 * Subcommittee on Trade
 * Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, Ranking Member

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

 * House Committee on International Relations
 * Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation
 * Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
 * House Committee on Ways and Means
 * Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures
 * Subcommittee on Trade

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Congressional Sportmen's Caucus
 * Gaming Caucus
 * National Republican Congressional Committee
 * Co-Chair, Republican Housing Opportunity Task Force
 * Republican Israel Caucus
 * Trails Caucus

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Ducks Unlimited
 * Rotary
 * Wilmington Youth Center Board

Contact
DC Office: 108 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-3635 Fax: 202-225-3521 Web Email Website

District Office - Joliet: 2701 Black Road, Suite 201 Joliet, IL 60435 Phone: 815-740-2028 Fax: 815-740-2037

Campaign Office: 1250 Andrea Court Morris, IL 60450

Resources

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

Articles

 * Frank Smyth, "The Congressman and the Dictator's Daughter," Chicago Reader, August 25, 2006.
 * Frank Smyth, "Is Jerry Weller's Beach an Ethics Breach?" Chicago Reader, October 25, 2006.
 * Dave Newbart and Abdon M. Pallasch, "Is dictator's daughter a conflict? Opponent wants Weller to step down over wife," Chicago Sun-Times, October 31, 2006.
 * "CREW releases 'Beyond DeLay: The 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and two to watch)'," Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, September 18, 2007.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Philosophe Forum
 * LiberIL View