James Moran (D-Va.)

U.S. Representative (since January 1991)

(Moran Facebook page)

Why He Matters

Moran sits on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which awards contracts and federal funds throughout the nation. By using his influence on the committee, Moran has secured millions for northern Virginia's 8th district. The congressman also has a leadership position on the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which doles out committee assignments.

Moran is known for his blunt and often politically-incorrect remarks. He has faced criticism for his views on the Iraq war, blaming Jewish interest groups for plunging the U.S. into the conflict.He's also been ensnarled in scandals, including the investigation into the lobbying firm PMA Group that was accused of trading earmarks for campaign funds. The House ethics committee has exonerated Moran.

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: Alexandria, Va. Mayor (1985-1990); Alexandria, Va. Vice Mayor (1982-1984); Alexandria, Va. City Council (1979-1982)
Birthday: May 16, 1945
Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.
Alma Mater: Attended City University of New York (1967-1968); University of Pittsburgh, MPA, 1970
Spouse: Separated (LuAnn)
Religion: Catholic
Committees: House Appropriations Committee

DC Office: 2239 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC, 202/225-4376
State/District Office: Alexandria, 703/971-4700
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Path to Power

Born in 1945 in Buffalo, N.Y., Moran was raised as one of seven children in an Irish family in the Boston suburb of Natick.

Moran attended Holy Cross College on a football scholarship. After a brief career as a stockbroker and a stint at graduate school, Moran moved to Washington, D.C. He held jobs with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and the Library of Congress before landing a staff position on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Moran settled in Alexandria, Va. and became active in local social-services groups. He left his Hill aide position in 1979 when he won a part-time seat on the Alexandria City Council. Two years later, he because the city's vice mayor, awarded to the city council candidate with the most votes.

Electoral History

A popular mayor of Alexandria, Moran defeated long-term incumbent Stan Parris (R-Va.) in1990 to win a seat in the U.S. House. Ever since then, he has rarely faced a serious challenge, and regularly wins reelection by handy margins against opponents. In 2000, Moran won with 63 percent of the vote; in 2002, with 60 percent; in 2004, with 60 percent and in 2006 with 66 percent. His margin of victory in 2008 was 68 percent.

Controversies

Moran has held onto his district despite being involved in multiple controversies.

In 2000, then-Maryland House candidate Terry Lierman (D), a former drug-company lobbyist and now chief of staff to Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), got in hot water for loaning Moran $25,000 on favorable terms. Moran repaid the loan.

In 2002, Moran was criticized for accepting a $50,000 loan from the founder of America Online as well as a favorable mortgage deal from MBNA. The MBNA deal came while Moran pushed for bankruptcy legislation supported by the credit-card company.

Moran was closely connected with the late Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.). In 2006, Moran worked to get Murtha elected House majority leader. After Murtha lost, Moran suggested freshman lawmakers who voiced support for Murtha voted, but voted for eventual winner Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) in a secret ballot might be denied preferred committee assignments.

Moran was also ensnarled in an investigation involving Murtha and the PMA lobbying group. While Moran was among a group of lawmakers accused of giving the lobbyist firm's clients earmarks after PMA donated to their campaigns, he was exonerated of wrongdoing by the House ethics panel in 2010. Moran has said there was no link between fundraising and earmarking as he was unaware "who made donations" to him.

The Issues

During the 111th Congress, Moran voted with House Democrats 97 percent of the time.

Moran is a liberal on social issues, supporting abortion rights and same-sex marriage rights.

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In an interview with Alhurra, a U.S.-government sponsored Arabic news network, Moran attributed Democratic losses in 2010 to President Obama's race. "In this case a lot of people in this country, I believe, don't want to be governed by an African American, particularly one who is inclusive, who is liberal, who wants to spend money on everyone and who wants to reach out to include everyone in our society," Moran said.

Foreign Policy

Moran has faced criticism for remarks about Jewish lobbyist groups. "If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq we would not be doing this," he said at a March 2003 anti-war forum. "The leaders of the Jewish community are influential enough that they could change the direction of where this is going and I think they should."

Moran apologized, but the issue became prominent again after a Tikkun magazine article in which Moran accused the American Israel Public Affairs Committee of pushing the U.S. into war in Iraq.

In April 2006, Moran was one of five House Democrats arrested outside of the Sudanese Embassy arrested while protesting violence in the Darfur region. Moran has called the situation there a "genocide."

Local Issues

Moran is unapologetic about seeking earmarks for his constituents, but acknowledges that people don't like the process. "I think there's distaste because they don't understand what is an earmark," he said in 2010, pointing out that the prominent Wilson Bridge in his district was paid for via earmarks.

An opponent of offshore oil drilling, Moran came out against opening Virginia's shores to energy companies because such operations would interfere with military training and procedures.

Health-Care Reform

Prior to the passage of the 2010 health-care reform bill, Moran supported the creation of a public option that would be available in addition to private coverage. The public option "could do the most to bring down long-term medical costs and to adequately insure every American," said Moran in August 2009.

Moran did vote for the final health-care bill, minus the public option, in March 2010.

The Network

Moran's brother, Virginia Del. Brian Moran (D), lost the 2009 Virgina gubernatorial primary to state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D).

In Congress, Moran has a close personal relationship with Terry Lierman, chief of staff to Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). He was close to the late Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.).

Additional Resources