People in the news

Steve Kagen

Former U.S. Representative (January 2007 - January 2011)

(Congress Bio Directory)

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: Practicing allergist (1979-2007), Assistant Clinical Professor at Medical College of Wisconsin (1983-2007), Allergy consultant for CNN (1985-1992), Founder of four allergy clinics
Birthday: Dec. 12, 1949
Hometown: Appleton, Wis.
Alma Mater: B.S. from University of Wisconsin (1972), M.D. from University of Wisconsin (1976)
Spouse: Gayle Kagen
Religion: Jewish

Committees: Agriculture Committee; Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
DC Office: 1232 Longworth HOB: 202-225-5665
District Offices: Green Bay: 920-437-1954; Appleton: 920-380-0061
Email
Web site

Path to Power

Kagen was born in 1949 in Appleton, Wis. into a long line of health-care workers. His paternal grandfather emigrated from Russia in 1905, landing a job at a Chicago pharmacy. Kagen's father, a dermatologist would unsuccessfully run in 1966 for the House seat that Kagen would one day win. The family would often host group chats at their house with Wisconsin's Democratic Sens. William Proxmire and Gaylord Nelson.

Kagen graduated from the University of Wisconsin, where he received his bachelor's and medical degrees.

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In 1981, he founded the Kagen Allergy Clinics with locations in Green Bay and Appleton. He also taught at the Medical College of Wisconsin and was an allergy expert for CNN.

2006 Congressional Race

A political novice, Kagen entered the 2006 race for Wisconsin's 8th House district, which was being vacated by Rep. Mark Green (R-Wis.), who mounted an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign.

Kagen was one of three Democrats running for the seat along with former Brown County Executive Nancy Nusbaum and management consultant Jamie Wall, who had the endorsement of Wisconsin House delegation dean Rep. Dave Obey (D-Wis.).

Despite Wall's high-profile endorsement, Kagen proved to be the Democrat to beat, funding a $1.6 million primary war chest nearly all out of his own pocket. Before the primary race ended, the National Republican Congressional Committee ran a television spot against Kagen, the "doctor millionaire." The commercial claimed he sued "more than 80 of his patients" and asked: "Is this the work of a compassionate doctor?"

Kagen won the nomination and the right to face state Assembly Speaker John Gard (R) in the general election.

Nearly $7 million were spent on behalf of the two campaigns, setting a House race record in Wisconsin. Kagen ran negative ads against Gard, calling him an "extremist," a George W. Bush "rubber stamp" and "one of the most corrupt politicians in Madison." Kagen also had to apologize for commenting "we're on Injun time" after he was late for a meeting on an Indian reservation. Kagen won with 51 percent of the vote.

Kagen continued to be known for making controversial comments. In December 2006, before he was seated in the House, Kagen was caught by the arts tabloid The Scene making comments to anti-Iraq war activists saying he confronted Bush adviser Karl Rove at a White House reception and said, "My name's Dr. Millionaire, and I kicked your ass." During that White House visit, Kagen also called the first lady, Laura Bush, Barbara.

2008 House Race

Gard challenged Kagen again in 2008. Using Kagen's freshman record, Gard attacked the incumbent for supporting measures that would lead to higher taxes and opposing offshore oil and gas drilling.

But the economy soon became the big issue and Kagen voted against the fall 2008 financial rescue plan. The incumbent won, 54 to 46 percent.

Kagen sits on two House committees: Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure.

The Issues

During the 110th Congress, Kagen voted with House Democrats 96.9 percent of the time.

Kagen, who won the endorsement of the National Rifle Association in 2008, has been a supporter of gun rights, like other Wisconsin lawmakers.

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Kagen voted against both versions of the fall 2008, $700-billion financial bailout bill, saying "borrowing billions and billions in additional debt is not the answer."

During his freshman term, a Kagen measure establishing a foreclosure counseling program for military personnel returning from abroad was inserted in an enacted defense bill.

In 2009, Kagen signed a letter to President Obama urging him to call off sending additional troops to Afghanistan. According to the letter: "The 2001 authorization to use military force in Afghanistan allowed military action 'to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States.' Continuing to fight a counterinsurgency war in Afghanistan does not appear to us to be in keeping with these directives and an escalation may actually harm U.S. security." In March 2010, Kagen voted for a resolution calling for the removal of U.S. troops.

Health-Care Reform

Kagen supported the Democrats' health-care reform bill enacted in March 2010, saying it will reduce the national deficit while ensuring affordable coverage and providing tax breaks to small businesses.

A physician who founded numerous allergy clinics, Kagen has long focused on health-care reform. In his 2006 House race, he proposed the "No Patient Left Behind" plan, which called for a single insurance risk pool, uniform pricing and deductibles set at three percent of a household's taxable federal income.

He later announced he would not participate in Congress' health-care plan until health care was made affordable for all U.S. citizens. He has distanced himself from a public option, arguing that insurance companies should not be replaced by a federal entity and declared his preference for a "marketplace" over "government-run health care."

Energy and the Environment

In May 2008, Kagen introduced a bill passed by the House that would have allowed legal action against the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries for price fixing and manipulating supplies, but President Bush threatened a veto and the bill stalled in the Senate.

In June 2009, Kagen voted for a climate-change bill that included cap-and-trade measures for industry. Kagen said two provisions in the bill swayed him: assurances that trade limits may be placed on countries that didn't meet U.S. environmental standards and promises major Wisconsin industries would be exempted from the bill's provisions.

Immigration

Kagen has backed the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement Act, written by Rep. Health Shuler (D-N.C.), that seeks immigration reform by adding more border patrol agents, makes the E-Verify program mandatory by confirming legal status before allowing someone to work and adds federal judges to speed the removal of illegal immigrants.

"Everywhere I go, people are telling me the same thing," Kagen said in November 2007. "From Waupaca to Sturgeon Bay, from Appleton to Green Bay, and from Marinette to Minocqua, people are saying, 'I want my country back.'

The Network

Though Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.) initially backed Kagen's 2006 primary opponent, the two grew close serving in Congress together. Kagen has called Obey "my mentor, colleague and dear friend."

Kagen co-founded the Congressional Business Owners Caucus, which he co-chairs with Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), Joe Baca (D-Calif.) and Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.).

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