Fred Upton (R-Mich.)

U.S. Representative (since January 1987)

(Congress Bio Directory)

Why He Matters

A moderate who aligns with Democrats on a variety of issues, Upton was among the House Republicans that President Obama had hoped would be most supportive of his agenda. Upton, however, has been helpful only sporadically during Obama's first years in office. In something of a surprise move, the GOP leadership picked him instead of ranking Republican Joe Barton (R-Texas) to head the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee in the 112th Congress.

In the 111th Congress, Upton was the top-ranking Republican on Energy and Commerce Energy and Environment subcomittee, and he favors an array of different energy sources including nuclear power and wind. But he strongly opposed energy and climate change legislation that passed the House in June 2009, saying it would hurt the economy. Upton instead expressed his preference for energy legislation making its way through the Senate because he said it was truly bipartisan.

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: Office of Management and Budget (1981-1985); Project coordinator, U.S. Rep. David Stockman (1975-1980)
Birthday: April 23, 1953
Hometown: St. Joseph, Mich.
Alma Mater: University of Michigan, B.A. (journalism), 1975
Spouse: Amey
Religion: Protestant
Committees: Chairman, House Energy and Commerce Committee (since January 2011)

DC Office: 2183 Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC 20515; (202) 225-3761
State/District Office: 157 South Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007; (369) 385-0069
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Path to Power

Upton's grandfather was among the founders of appliance manufacturer Whirlpool Corp., which is based in Upton's southwest Michigan district. He is the wealthiest member of his state's congressional delegation, with an estimated net worth of nearly $17 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

After graduating from the University of Michigan, he worked on the 1976 congressional campaign of David Stockman. He spent nearly a decade on Stockman's congressional staff, then moved with him to the White House when Stockman became director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Reagan.

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The Issues

Upton is well-known for his moderate stances. During the 110th Congress (2007-2008), he supported President George W. Bush less than half the time and broke from his party more often on floor votes than a majority of House Republicans.

Despite his strong support of McCain's 2008 presidential bid, Upton expressed hope that he could work closely with Obama. He noted that he regularly met with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel when Emanuel served in the House and that he was assured that the two men would continue to talk. "He also said something to the effect of, 'You're the guy we're going to be looking to' " to build coalitions with Republicans, Upton told the Kalamazoo Gazette.

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Health-Care Reform

Upton was an enthusiastic supporter of a Democratic bill that Obama signed into law to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which covers children from low-income families that do not qualify for Medicaid.

Upton also worked with California Democrat Anna G. Eshoo on legislation to expand arthritis research. He sponsored another bill to set up a network similar to the AMBER Alert system to find missing senior citizens.

But Upton has been extremely critical of Democratic efforts to overhaul health care. He warned a House-passed bill in November 2009 would erode the quality of care and inflict harm on an already depressed economy.

"At a time of double-digit unemployment and record deficits, it is careless to rush through a massive new government program that does real and lasting damage to our current system and all those covered under it, while piling an avalanche of debt on our children and grandchildren," he said.

Energy and Climate Change

Upton has a reputation as a strong supporter of nuclear power, which he touts as able to cut the greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming and create more jobs. He has been a leading backer of the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage dump in Nevada, but said in 2008 that the nation also should look at recycling radioactive materials.

In May 2008, he was one of 35 Republicans to support a Democratic bill that included an extension of tax credits to support research into alternative energy. But he has criticized Democratic climate-change legislation imposing a "cap-and- trade" system that he fears could overburden manufacturers and other businesses. "More often than not, the cost of energy is the difference between operating in the United States and shutting the doors to move overseas," he said.

He sought to amend the Democratic bill to require the Energy Department to regularly report the number of jobs lost or created by the cap-and-trade bill. But he was rebuffed by Democrats who prohibited him from offering his amendment on the House floor.

Communications and the Internet

Upton has pushed for higher fines against TV broadcasters for indecent programming. He also chastised the recording industry for not doing enough on labels to warn parents of music that contains sex, violence or strong language. And he has backed deregulation of the broadcast industry.

Upton also has worked to ensure that police, firefighters and other emergency-response workers can communicate more effectively with each other in responding to disasters. That issue was among the recommendations of the bipartisan commission that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks.

Daylight Savings Time

Upton and Massachusetts Democrat Edward J. Markey teamed to push into law a proposal to advance the start of Daylight Savings Time on the theory it would save oil. The measure was included in a 2005 energy law.

The Network

Upton is among the members of the Republican Main Street Partnership, a group of moderate GOP lawmakers in the House and Senate who seek to build "a pragmatic, thoughtful, fiscally conservative, and inclusive 'governing majority.'''

The group's members include McCain as well as Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia J. Snowe and Reps. Michael N. Castle of Delaware, Steven C. LaTourette of Ohio and Upton's fellow Michigan colleagues Vern Ehlers, Thaddeus McCotter, Candice Miller and Dave Camp.

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