Dana Rohrabacher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dana Rohrabacher
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Official portrait, 2015
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California |
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| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Dan Lungren |
| Succeeded by | Harley Rouda |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | June 21, 1947 Coronado, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Rhonda Carmony
(m. 1997) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Los Angeles Harbor College California State University, Long Beach (BA) University of Southern California (MA) |
Dana Tyrone Rohrabacher (born June 21, 1947) is a former American politician. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1989 to 2019, representing parts of California. The House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the U.S. Congress, where laws are made.
As a member of the Republican Party, Rohrabacher served for 30 years. He lost his seat in the 2018 election to Democrat Harley Rouda. During his time in Congress, he was known for his strong support of Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin. This led some to call him "Putin's favorite congressman."
Contents
Early Life and Career
Dana Rohrabacher was born in Coronado, California. He went to Palos Verdes High School and later earned a bachelor's degree in history from California State University, Long Beach in 1969. He also received a master's degree from the University of Southern California.
In the 1970s, Rohrabacher was a folk singer and a writer for a local newspaper. He later became involved in politics. He worked for Ronald Reagan's presidential campaigns in 1976 and 1980. When Reagan became president, Rohrabacher worked in the White House as a speechwriter from 1981 to 1988. He helped shape President Reagan's foreign policy, known as the Reagan Doctrine.
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1988, Rohrabacher decided to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He won the election and began his first term in 1989. He was re-elected many times over the next 30 years, serving different districts in California as their boundaries changed.
Elections
Rohrabacher won most of his elections by a large margin. For example, in 2010, he won with 62% of the vote. After the district lines were redrawn in 2012, he ran in California's 48th congressional district and won with 61% of the vote. He continued to win re-election in 2014 and 2016.
However, in the 2018 election, he was defeated by his Democratic opponent, Harley Rouda. This ended his 30-year career in Congress.
Committee Work
In Congress, members work in small groups called committees to focus on specific topics. Rohrabacher was part of several important committees.
- Committee on Foreign Affairs: This committee deals with the United States' relationships with other countries.
- Committee on Science, Space and Technology: This committee oversees science programs, including NASA.
From 1997 to 2005, Rohrabacher was the chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. He was a strong supporter of space exploration. He also led a subcommittee that focused on U.S. policy toward Europe and Asia.
Key Policy Positions
During his time in Congress, Rohrabacher was known for his strong opinions on many issues, especially in foreign policy.
Russia
Rohrabacher was known for his friendly views toward Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin. This was unusual for many American politicians. He first met Putin in the early 1990s. He often defended Russia's actions on the world stage.
In 2008, he argued that Georgia, not Russia, started a military conflict between the two countries. In 2012, the FBI warned him that Russia might be trying to use his support for its own benefit.
After Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, a territory that was part of Ukraine, Rohrabacher defended the action. He said that the people living there should have the right to choose their own government.
His friendly relationship with Russia led to a lot of attention and questions from other politicians and the media.
Afghanistan
Rohrabacher had a long-standing interest in Afghanistan. In the 1980s, before he was in Congress, he traveled there to meet with fighters who were resisting the Soviet occupation.
As a congressman, he was against keeping U.S. troops in Afghanistan for a long time. He argued that the Afghan people should be responsible for their own country's future. He voted for plans that would require the U.S. military to create an exit strategy from the country.
China
Rohrabacher was a strong critic of the government of China. He often spoke out against China's human rights record. He opposed giving China special trading status with the United States.
In 2011, he described the Chinese government as "a gangster regime that murders its own people." He believed the U.S. should be tougher on China and support democratic movements.
Global Warming
Rohrabacher did not believe that human activity is the main cause of global warming. This view is different from what most scientists believe. In 2013, he called global warming a "total fraud" and said it was part of a plan by liberals to create a "global government."
Healthcare
In 2017, Rohrabacher voted to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. He supported a replacement plan called the American Health Care Act of 2017.
Personal Life
Rohrabacher married Rhonda Carmony in 1997. They have three children, who are triplets, born in 2004. He is an avid surfer and also plays the guitar.
After losing his re-election in 2018, Rohrabacher announced that he planned to move to Maine and write movie scripts.
Images for kids
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President Ronald Reagan faking a punch to Dana Rohrabacher aboard Air Force One in 1986.
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Rohrabacher shakes hands with a supporter wearing a Guy Fawkes mask in 2013.
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A picture of Rohrabacher from the 105th Congress's directory (1997).
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Rohrabacher receiving an award from FRC President Tony Perkins in 2003.
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Rohrabacher leads a meeting of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee.
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Rohrabacher speaking at the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
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Rohrabacher with Larry Elder and Kirk Elder.
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Rohrabacher speaking at a convention in 2016.
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Rohrabacher speaking at a convention in 2013.
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Rohrabacher in the 108th Congress, 2003–2004.
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Dana Rohrabacher (right) with Steven T. Kuykendall.
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Rohrabacher plays guitar for an audience in 2016.
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See also
- List of federal political scandals in the United States
- Timeline of Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections
