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Ed Whitfield

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Ed Whitfield
Image of Ed Whitfield

Republican Party

Prior offices
Kentucky House of Representatives
U.S. House Kentucky District 1
Successor: James Comer Jr.

Compensation

Net worth

(2012) $3,418,026

Education

High school

Madisonville High School, Madisonville, KY

Bachelor's

University of Kentucky

Law

University of Kentucky College of Law

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army Reserve

Years of service

1967 - 1973

Personal
Religion
Christian: Methodist
Profession
Attorney, business owner

Wayne Edward "Ed" Whitfield (b. May 25, 1943, in Hopkinsville, KY) is a former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Whitfield represented Kentucky's 1st Congressional District from 1995 to 2016.

Whitfield resigned on September 6, 2016. A special election was held, coinciding with the regular election on November 8, 2016, to replace Whitfield. Whitfield had previously planned to retire at the end of the 114th Congress. In September 2015, Whitfield announced his plans to retire at the end of the 114th Congress. Whitfield said in his announcement, "Representing the people of the 1st District for 21 years has been an honor. I will cherish forever the countless opportunities to work with them to nurture and strengthen the 35 counties comprising Kentucky’s First District."[1][2]

He previously was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1973 to 1975.[3]

Biography

Whitfield was born on May 25, 1943, in Hopkinsville, KY, and attended high school in Madisonville, KY. He earned both his B.S. and J.D. from the University of Kentucky in 1965 and 1969, respectively. Whitfield had also attended Wesley Theological Seminary and American University.[3]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Whitfield's academic, professional, and political career:[3]

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2015-2016

Whitfield served on the following committees:[4]

2013-2014

Whitfield served on the following committees:[5][6]

2011-2012

Whitfield served on the following House committees:[7]

Key votes

114th Congress

CongressLogo.png

The first session of the 114th Congress enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session. In the second session, the 114th Congress enacted 133 out of 3,159 introduced bills (4.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 7.0 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[8][9] For more information pertaining to Whitfield's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections.[10]

Economic and fiscal

Trade Act of 2015
See also: The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015

Trade adjustment assistance
Yea3.png On June 12, 2015, the House rejected the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015—by a vote of 126-302. Trade adjustment assistance (TAA) is a federal program providing American workers displaced by foreign trade agreements with job training and services. The measure was packaged with trade promotion authority (TPA), also known as fast-track authority. TPA is a legislative procedure that allows Congress to define "U.S. negotiating objectives and spells out a detailed oversight and consultation process for during trade negotiations. Under TPA, Congress retains the authority to review and decide whether any proposed U.S. trade agreement will be implemented," according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Whitfield was one of 86 Republicans to vote in favor of TAA.[11][12]
Trade promotion authority
Yea3.png On June 12, 2015, the House passed the trade promotion authority (TPA) measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015 —by a vote of 219-211. TPA gives the president fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements sent to Congress without the opportunity for amendment or filibuster. Although the House approved TPA, it was a largely symbolic vote given the measure was part of a package trade bill including trade adjustment assistance (TAA), which was rejected earlier the same day. Whitfield was one of 191 Republicans to support the measure.[13][14]
Trade promotion authority second vote
Yea3.png After the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) and trade promotion authority (TPA) did not pass the House together on June 12, 2015, representatives voted to authorize TPA alone as an amendment to HR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—on June 18, 2015. The amendment passed by a vote of 218-208, with all voting members of the House maintaining their original positions on TPA except for Ted Yoho (R-Fla.). Whitfield was one of 190 Republicans to vote in favor of the amendment.[15][16]
Trade adjustment assistance second vote
Yea3.png The House passed HR 1295—the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015—on June 25, 2015, by a vote of 286-138. The Senate packaged trade adjustment assistance (TAA) in this bill after the House rejected the TAA measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015. Along with trade promotion authority (TPA), which Congress passed as part of HR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—TAA became law on June 29, 2015. Whitfield was one of 111 Republicans to vote in favor of HR 1295.[17][18]

Defense spending authorization

Yea3.png On May 15, 2015, the House passed HR 1735—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 269-151. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Whitfield voted with 227 other Republicans and 41 Democrats to approve the bill.[19] The Senate passed the bill on June 18, 2015, by a vote of 71-25. President Barack Obama vetoed the bill on October 22, 2015.[20]

Yea3.png On November 5, 2015, the House passed S 1356—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 370-58. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included $5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.[21][22] Whitfield voted with 234 other Republicans and 135 Democrats to approve the bill.[23] On November 10, 2015, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 91-3, and President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015.[24]

2016 Budget proposal

Yea3.png On April 30, 2015, the House voted to approve SConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 226-197. The non-binding resolution was designed to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. All 183 Democrats who voted, voted against the resolution. Whitfield voted with 225 other Republicans to approve the bill.[25][26][27]

2015 budget

Nay3.png On October 28, 2015, the House passed HR 1314—the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015—by a vote of 266-167. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017.[28] Whitfield voted with 166 Republicans against the bill.[29] It passed the Senate on October 30, 2015.[30] President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015.

Foreign Affairs

Iran nuclear deal
See also: Iran nuclear agreement, 2015

Yea3.png On May 14, 2015, the House approved HR 1191—the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 400-25. The bill required President Barack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review. Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove, or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. Whitfield voted with 222 other Republican representatives to approve the bill.[31][32]


Approval of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
Nay3.png On September 11, 2015, the House rejected HR 3461—To approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 162-269. The legislation proposed approving the nuclear agreement with Iran. Whitfield voted with 243 Republicans and 25 Democrats against the bill.[33][34]


Suspension of Iran sanctions relief
Yea3.png On September 11, 2015, the House approved HR 3460—To suspend until January 21, 2017, the authority of the President to waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 247-186. HR 3460 prohibited "the President, prior to January 21, 2017, from: limiting the application of specified sanctions on Iran or refraining from applying any such sanctions; or removing a foreign person (including entities) listed in Attachments 3 or 4 to Annex II of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) from the list of designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury." Whitfield voted with 244 Republicans and two Democrats for the bill.[35][36]


Presidential non-compliance of section 2
Yea3.png On September 10, 2015, the House passed H Res 411—Finding that the President has not complied with section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 245-186. Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 required the president to submit all materials related to the nuclear agreement for congressional review. House Republicans introduced the resolution because two agreements between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran were not submitted to Congress. Whitfield voted with 244 Republicans for the resolution.[37][38]

Export-Import Bank

Neutral/Abstain On October 27, 2015, the House passed HR 597 - the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015 by a vote of 313-118. The bill proposes reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank and allowing it to resume offering assistance in the form of loans and insurance to foreign companies that want to buy U.S. goods.[39] Whitfield and one other Republican did not vote.[40]

Domestic

USA FREEDOM Act of 2015

Yea3.png On May 13, 2015, the House passed HR 2048—the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015—by a vote of 338-88. The legislation revised HR 3199—the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005—by ending the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, requiring increased reporting from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Whitfield voted with 195 Republicans and 142 Democrats to approve the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015.[41][42]

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Yea3.png On May 13, 2015, the House passed HR 36—the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act—by a vote of 242-184. The bill proposed prohibiting abortions from being performed after a fetus was determined to be 20 weeks or older. The bill proposed exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. Whitfield voted with 237 Republicans in favor of the bill.[43][44]

Cyber security

Yea3.png On April 23, 2015, the House passed HR 1731—the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015—by a vote of 355-63. The bill proposed creating an information sharing program that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. It also proposed including liability protections for companies.[45] Whitfield voted with 219 Republicans and 135 Democrats to approve the bill.[46]

Yea3.png On April 22, 2015, the House passed HR 1560—the Protecting Cyber Networks Act—by a vote of 307-116.[47] The bill proposed procedures that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Whitfield voted with 201 Republicans and 105 Democrats in favor of the bill.[48]

Immigration

Yea3.png On November 19, 2015, the House passed HR 4038—the American SAFE Act of 2015—by a vote of 289-137.[49] The bill proposed instituting additional screening processes for refugees from Iraq and Syria who applied for admission to the U.S. Whitfield voted with 241 Republicans and 47 Democrats in favor of the bill.[50]

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[51] For more information pertaining to Whitfield's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[52]

National security

DHS Appropriations

Neutral/Abstain Whitfield did not vote on HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines.[53]

Keystone Pipeline Amendment

Nay3.png Whitfield voted against House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.[53]

CISPA (2013)

Yea3.png Whitfield voted in favor of HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill permitted federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[54] The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.[53]

NDAA

Yea3.png Whitfield voted in support of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[53]

Economy

Farm bill

Yea3.png On January 29, 2014, the U.S. House approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, also known as the Farm Bill.[55] The bill passed by a vote of 251-166. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that would kick in when prices drop.[56][57] It also cut the food stamp program an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[57] Whitfield voted with 161 other Republican representatives in favor of the bill.

2014 Budget

Yea3.png On January 15, 2014, the Republican-run House approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[58][59] The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582-page bill, with 64 Republicans and three Democrats voting against the bill.[59] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[60] It increased the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel by 1 percent, increased Head Start funding for early childhood education by $1 billion, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, and protected the Affordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. Whitfield voted with the majority of the Republican Party in favor of the bill.[58]

Government shutdown

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

Yea3.png On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[61] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[62] Whitfield voted to approve the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[63]

Yea3.png The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[64] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Whitfield voted for HR 2775.[65]

Immigration

Morton Memos Prohibition

Neutral/Abstain Whitfield did not vote on House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain individuals residing in the United States without legal status. The vote largely followed party lines.[53]

Healthcare

Healthcare Reform Rules

Yea3.png Whitfield voted in favor of House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[53]

Keep the IRS Off Your Healthcare Act

Yea3.png Whitfield voted in favor of HR 2009 - Keep the IRS Off Your Healthcare Act of 2013. The bill passed through the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 232-185. The bill would prevent the IRS and Treasury Secretary from enforcing the powers provided to them in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The vote largely followed party lines.[53]

Social issues

Amash amendment

Nay3.png Whitfield voted against House Amendment 413 - Prohibits the National Security Agency from Collecting Records Under the Patriot Act. The amendment failed on July 4, 2013, by a vote of 205-217. The amendment would have prohibited the collection of records by the National Security Agency under the Patriot Act. Both parties were split on the vote.[53]

Government affairs

HR 676

See also: Boehner's lawsuit against the Obama administration

Yea3.png On July 30, 2014, the U.S. House approved a resolution 225 to 201 to sue President Barack Obama for exceeding his constitutional authority. Five Republicans—Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Broun of Georgia, Scott Garrett of New Jersey, Walter Jones of North Carolina and Steve Stockman of Texas—voted with Democrats against the lawsuit.[66] Whitfield joined the other 224 Republicans in favor of the lawsuit. All Democrats voted against the resolution.[67][68]

Previous congressional sessions

Federal reserve

  • Whitfield voted to audit the Federal Reserve.[69]

Fiscal Cliff

Nay3.png Whitfield voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was 1 of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[70]

Paul Ryan Budget Proposal

Yea3.png In March 2013, the Republican controlled House passed the budget proposal set out by Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan (R) for the third straight year.[71] Whitfield was one of four Republican Representatives who voted in favor of Ryan's budget proposal after previously being in opposition.[71]

The proposal was killed after being voted down in the U.S. Senate with a 40-59 vote.[72]

The proposal would have cut about $5 trillion over the next decade and aimed to balance the budget by the end of the 10-year period.[71] The 2013 bill had opposition from 10 Republicans — the same number that voted against it in 2012. In 2011, only four Republicans cast a vote in opposition.[71] Democrats have unanimously voted against the bill every year.


Issues

Ethics investigation

Whitfield was the subject of an ongoing ethics investigation at the time of his resignation. The probe began in March 2015 and investigated reports that Whitfield and his wife, a lobbyist, worked together to advance her work for the Humane Society of the United States. The investigation found that Whitfield's wife was advantaged by having access to her husband's congressional staff.[1][2]

Presidential preference

2016 presidential endorsement

✓ Whitfield endorsed Rand Paul for the Republican primary in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[73]

See also: Endorsements for Rand Paul

2012

See also: Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election

Ed Whitfield endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[74]

Elections

2016

See also: Kentucky's 1st Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Kentucky's 1st Congressional District seat was left open following incumbent Ed Whitfield's decision to retire. James Comer (R) defeated Sam Gaskins (D) and Terry McIntosh (Write-in) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Comer defeated Jason Batts, Miles Caughey Jr., and Michael Pape in the Republican primary. On the other side of the aisle, Sam Gaskins ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The primary elections took place on May 17, 2016.[75][76][77]

U.S. House, Kentucky District 1 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJames Comer 72.6% 216,959
     Democratic Sam Gaskins 27.3% 81,710
     N/A Write-in 0.1% 332
Total Votes 299,001
Source: Kentucky Secretary of State


U.S. House, Kentucky District 1 Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJames Comer 60.6% 24,342
Michael Pape 23.3% 9,357
Jason Batts 13.9% 5,578
Miles Caughey 2.2% 896
Total Votes 40,173
Source: Kentucky State Board of Elections

2014

See also: Kentucky's 1st Congressional District elections, 2014

Whitfield ran for re-election to the U.S. House in 2014. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary on May 20, 2014.[78] The general election took place on November 4, 2014.

U.S. House, Kentucky District 1 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngEd Whitfield Incumbent 73.1% 173,022
     Democratic Charles Kendall Hatchett 26.9% 63,596
Total Votes 236,618
Source: Kentucky Secretary of State

2012

See also: Kentucky's 1st Congressional District elections, 2012

Whitfield won re-election in the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing Kentucky's 1st District. Whitfield won the nomination on the Republican ticket. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary and defeated Charles Kendall Hatchett (D) in the general election on November 6, 2012.

Candidates wishing to run were initially required to file by the signature filing deadline of January 31, 2012. However because the legislature was unable to complete new redistricting maps on time, the deadline was pushed back one week.[79] The new deadline was February 7.[80] The primary elections took place on May 22, 2012.[81]

U.S. House, Kentucky District 1 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngEd Whitfield Incumbent 69.6% 199,956
     Democratic Charles Kendall Hatchett 30.4% 87,199
Total Votes 287,155
Source: Kentucky Board of Elections "2012 General Election Official Vote Totals"

Media

In the following video, Whitfield took to the U.S. House floor in support of repealing the Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare.


Ed Whitfield, "06.20.2012 Domestic Energy and Jobs Act floor "[82]

Full history


Campaign themes

2012

Whitfield's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[92]

  • Defense

Excerpt: 'I have always been a vocal proponent of maintaining a strong national defense.'

  • Education

Excerpt: 'I believe that local school officials, not federal employees at the Department of Education, should make decisions about the educational needs of our Kentucky schools'

  • Fiscal Reform and the Economy

Excerpt: 'By instituting commonsense government reforms and reducing government spending, I am committed to doing everything he can to promote job growth in our Kentucky communities and get our economy back on track.'

  • Energy

Excerpt: 'I believe that America must develop an "All of the Above" energy strategy that responsibly develops and uses the sources of energy available in America.'

  • Healthcare

Excerpt: 'In the current session of Congress, I have voted to repeal the law (Affordable Care Act) and also voted to prevent funding for its implementation. Make no mistake: I know there needs to be reform to ensure quality care at the lowest price possible'

  • Homeland Security

Excerpt: 'To combat these threats, I continue to remain focused on making sure our communities are given the resources they need to meet whatever challenges they may face."

  • 2nd Amendment

Excerpt: 'I strongly support Americans’ Constitutionally-protected right to keep and bear arms and have consistently opposed efforts to restrict rights guaranteed under the Second Amendment."

  • Tax Relief

Excerpt: 'I am committed to reducing the heavy burden of taxation on our nation's families and businesses.'

  • Transportation

Excerpt: 'I remain committed to making sure that the locks, dams, and other associated infrastructure components that maintain Kentucky’s waterways, roads, and railways are adequately funded and properly maintained.'

  • Veteran Affairs

Excerpt: 'I will continue to fight to provide veterans with the medical and educational benefits they have earned.'

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Ed Whitfield campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2014U.S. House (Kentucky, District 1)Won $1,873,975 N/A**
2012U.S. House Kentucky District 1Won $1,917,048 N/A**
2010U.S. House Kentucky District 1Won $1,254,885 N/A**
2008U.S. House Kentucky District 1Won $1,020,193 N/A**
2006U.S. House Kentucky District 1Won $1,052,012 N/A**
2004U.S. House Kentucky District 1Won $848,124 N/A**
2002U.S. House Kentucky District 1Won $999,809 N/A**
2000U.S. House Kentucky District 1Won $1,426,748 N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only availabale data.

Personal Gain Index

Congressional Personal Gain Index graphic.png
See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:

PGI: Change in net worth

See also: Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) and Net worth of United States Senators and Representatives
Net Worth Metric graphic.png

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Whitfield's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $2,021,052 and $4,815,000. That averages to $3,418,026, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican representatives in 2012 of $6,956,438.47. Whitfield ranked as the 100th most wealthy representative in 2012.[93] Between 2004 and 2012, Whitfield's calculated net worth[94] percentage increase was not meaningful for this candidate. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.[95]

Ed Whitfield Yearly Net Worth
YearAverage Net Worth
2004$3,355,821
2012$3,418,026
Growth from 2004 to 2012:2%
Average annual growth:0%[96]
Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.[97]

The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric

See also: The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by the Federal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated by OpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). Whitfield received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by the Health Professionals industry.

From 1993-2014, 27.49 percent of Whitfield's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.[98]

Donation Concentration Metric graphic.png
Ed Whitfield Campaign Contributions
Total Raised $12,196,182
Total Spent $9,950,710
Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee
Health Professionals$1,377,508
Electric Utilities$672,115
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products$516,209
Oil & Gas$474,997
Lawyers/Law Firms$312,339
% total in top industry11.29%
% total in top two industries16.81%
% total in top five industries27.49%

Analysis

Ideology and leadership

See also: GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Whitfield was a "moderate Republican leader," as of July 31, 2014. Whitfield was rated as a "rank-and-file Republican" in June 2013.[99]

Like-minded colleagues

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.[100]

Whitfield most often voted with:

Whitfield least often voted with:


Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Whitfield missed 440 of 14,040 roll call votes from January 1995 to September 2015. This amounted to 3.1 percent, which was higher than the median of 2.2 percent among representatives as of September 2015.[101]

Congressional staff salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Whitfield paid his congressional staff a total of $1,103,639 in 2011. He ranked 13th on the list of the highest paid Republican representative staff salaries and ranked 63rd overall of the highest paid representative staff salaries in 2011. Overall, Kentucky ranked 10th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[102]

National Journal vote ratings

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year.

2013

Whitfield ranked 164th in the conservative rankings in 2013.[103]

2012

Whitfield ranked 218th in the conservative rankings in 2012.[104]

2011

Whitfield ranked 198th in the conservative rankings in 2011.[105]

Voting with party

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.

2014

Whitfield voted with the Republican Party 93.5 percent of the time, which ranked 148th among the 234 House Republican members as of July 2014.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

2013

Whitfield voted with the Republican Party 96.3 percent of the time, which ranked 120th among the 233 House Republican members as of June 2013.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Whitfield is married to Connie Harriman, a former Assistant Secretary of the Interior.[106]

Recent news

This section links to a Google news search for the term Ed + Whitfield + Kentucky + House


Ed Whitfield News Feed

See also

External links


Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Roll Call, "Kentucky’s Whitfield Won’t Seek 12th Term in Congress," September 29, 2015
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Hill, "Kentucky Republican to resign from House," August 31, 2016
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bioguide
  4. ↑ U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk, "Committee Information," accessed February 18, 2015
  5. ↑ CQ.com, "House Committee Rosters for the 113th Congress," accessed March 3, 2013
  6. ↑ U.S. House of Representatives, "Committee assignments," accessed March 31, 2014
  7. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "House of Representatives Committee Assignments," accessed November 12, 2011
  8. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 113th Congress," accessed April 29, 2015
  9. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 114th Congress," accessed January 5, 2017
  10. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress," April 13, 2015
  11. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 361," June 12, 2015
  12. ↑ Roll Call, "Deadline for TAA Do-Over Vote Extended to July 30 (Updated)," June 15, 2015
  13. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 362," June 12, 2015
  14. ↑ Roll Call, "Deadline for TAA Do-Over Vote Extended to July 30 (Updated)," June 15, 2015
  15. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 374," June 18, 2015
  16. ↑ Politico, "Trade turnaround: House backs new power for Obama," June 18, 2015
  17. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 388," June 24, 2015
  18. ↑ The Hill, "Obama signs trade bills," June 29, 2015
  19. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 239," accessed May 27, 2015
  20. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R. 1735," accessed May 27, 2015
  21. ↑ The Hill, "Redone defense policy bill sails through House," accessed November 12, 2015
  22. ↑ Congress.gov, "S. 1356," accessed November 12, 2015
  23. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 618," accessed November 12, 2015
  24. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S. 1356)," accessed November 12, 2015
  25. ↑ Congress.gov, "S.Con.Res.11," accessed May 5, 2015
  26. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 183," accessed May 5, 2015
  27. ↑ The Hill, "Republicans pass a budget, flexing power of majority," accessed May 5, 2015
  28. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015," accessed November 1, 2015
  29. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 579," accessed November 1, 2015
  30. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1314)," accessed November 1, 2015
  31. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1191 - Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015," accessed May 16, 2015
  32. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 226," accessed May 16, 2015
  33. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 3461," accessed September 11, 2015
  34. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 493," accessed September 11, 2015
  35. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 3460," accessed September 10, 2015
  36. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 494," accessed September 11, 2015
  37. ↑ Congress.gov, "H Res 411," accessed September 10, 2015
  38. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 492," accessed September 10, 2015
  39. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 597," accessed November 2, 2015
  40. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 576," accessed November 2, 2015
  41. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.2048," accessed May 26, 2015
  42. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 224," accessed May 26, 2015
  43. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 36 - the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act," accessed May 16, 2015
  44. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "HR 36," accessed May 16, 2015
  45. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 1731," accessed November 2, 2015
  46. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 173," accessed November 2, 2015
  47. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 1560 - Protecting Cyber Networks Act," accessed November 1, 2015
  48. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 170," accessed November 1, 2015
  49. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 4038 - the American SAFE Act of 2015," accessed November 20, 2015
  50. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 643," accessed November 20, 2015
  51. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 112th Congress," accessed September 5, 2013
  52. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 113th Congress," accessed March 4, 2014
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 53.3 53.4 53.5 53.6 53.7 Project Vote Smart, "Ed Whitfield Key Votes," accessed October 14, 2013
  54. ↑ The Library of Congress, "Bill Summary & Status - 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) - H.R.624," accessed August 27, 2013
  55. ↑ Clerk of U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 31: H.R. 2642," accessed February 12, 2014
  56. ↑ Politico, "House clears farm bill," accessed February 12, 2014
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 New York Times, "Senate passes long-stalled farm bill, with clear winners and losers," accessed February 12, 2014
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 CNN.com, "House passes compromise $1.1 trillion budget for 2014," accessed January 20, 2014
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 21," accessed January 20, 2014
  60. ↑ Roll Call, "House passes $1.1 trillion omnibus," accessed January 15, 2014
  61. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  62. ↑ Buzzfeed, "Government Shutdown: How We Got Here," accessed October 1, 2013
  63. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  64. ↑ The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
  65. ↑ U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 550," accessed October 31, 2013
  66. ↑ U.S. House, "House Resolution 676," accessed July 30, 2014
  67. ↑ Associated Press, "Suing Obama: GOP-led House gives the go-ahead," July 31, 2014
  68. ↑ Washington Post, "House clears way for lawsuit against Obama," accessed July 30, 2014
  69. ↑ Office Website, "Ed Whitfield," accessed 2012
  70. ↑ U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff," accessed January 4, 2013
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 71.2 71.3 Washington Post, "10 House republicans vote against Ryan budget," accessed March 22, 2013
  72. ↑ CBS News, "Senate rejects Paul Ryan budget," accessed March 22, 2013
  73. ↑ Politico, "McConnell-Paul alliance has its limits," April 1, 2015
  74. ↑ The Hill, "2012 GOP Lawmaker Endorsements for President," accessed November 23, 2011
  75. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State," accessed January 27, 2016
  76. ↑ The New York Times, "Kentucky Results," May 17, 2016
  77. ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State," accessed September 6, 2016
  78. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named prim
  79. ↑ Courier Press, "Judge to rule by Tuesday on Kentucky legislative filing deadline," accessed January 30, 2012
  80. ↑ Kentucky.com, "Lawmakers move to postpone congressional deadline," accessed January 27, 2012
  81. ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map," accessed November 6, 2012
  82. ↑ YouTube channel, "Video," accessed 2012
  83. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
  84. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
  85. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
  86. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
  87. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
  88. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
  89. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1998," accessed March 28, 2013
  90. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1996," accessed March 28, 2013
  91. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1994," accessed March 28, 2013
  92. ↑ Official Website, "Campaign themes," accessed 2012
  93. ↑ OpenSecrets, "Whitfield, (R-KY), 2012," accessed February 18, 2014
  94. ↑ This figure represents the total percentage growth from either 2004 (if the member entered office in 2004 or earlier) or the member's first year in office (as noted in the chart below).
  95. ↑ This number was found by dividing each member's total net worth growth percentage by the number of years included in the calculation.
  96. ↑ This figure represents the total percentage growth divided by the number of years for which there are net worth figures for each member.
  97. ↑ This figure was calculated using median asset data from the Census Bureau. Please see the Congressional Net Worth data for Ballotpedia spreadsheet for more information on this calculation.
  98. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Rep. Ed Whitfield," accessed September 24, 2014
  99. ↑ GovTrack, "Whitfield," accessed July 31, 2014
  100. ↑ OpenCongress, "Rep. Ed Whitfield," accessed October 1, 2015
  101. ↑ GovTrack, "Rep. Ed Whitfield (R)," accessed October 1, 2015
  102. ↑ LegiStorm, "Ed Whitfield," accessed 2012
  103. ↑ National Journal, "2013 Congressional Vote Ratings," accessed July 30, 2014
  104. ↑ National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," February 28, 2013
  105. ↑ National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House," accessed February 23, 2012
  106. ↑ Official House Site, "Biography," accessed November 12, 2011 (dead link)
Political offices
Preceded by
Tom Barlow 		U.S. House of Representatives - Kentucky District 1
1995–2016 		Succeeded by
James Comer Jr.
Preceded by
' 		Kentucky House of Representatives
1973-1975 		Succeeded by
'


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