Joe Barton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Barton
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| Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee | |
| In office February 16, 2004 – January 3, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Billy Tauzin |
| Succeeded by | John Dingell |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 6th district |
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| In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Phil Gramm |
| Succeeded by | Ron Wright |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joseph Linus Barton
September 15, 1949 Waco, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
Janet Winslow
(m. 1971; div. 2003)Terri Brasier
(m. 2004; div. 2015) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Texas A&M University (BS) Purdue University (MS) |
Joseph Linus Barton (born September 15, 1949) is an American politician. He was a member of the Republican Party. He represented the 6th district of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1985 to 2019. This district included Arlington, part of Fort Worth, and other towns and rural areas.
Barton believed in conservative ideas and values. He supported making rules simpler for the electricity and natural gas industries. He was also a leader on the House Energy and Commerce Committees. He did not agree that human activities caused global warming. He supported using fossil fuels. He also voted to change the healthcare law known as Obamacare. In 2015, he helped end a ban on exporting oil.
In November 2017, Barton announced he would not run for re-election in 2018.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joe Barton was born in Waco, Texas. He went to Waco High School. He then studied industrial engineering at Texas A&M University and earned a bachelor's degree in 1972. He later received a master's degree from Purdue University in 1973.
After college, Barton worked in private companies. In 1981, he became a White House Fellow. He worked for the United States Secretary of Energy. Before being elected to Congress, he also worked as a consultant for an oil and gas company.
Time in the U.S. House of Representatives
Becoming a Representative
Barton first ran for office in 1984. He ran for the Texas's 6th congressional district seat. The previous representative, Phil Gramm, left to run for the Senate. Barton won the Republican primary election. He then won against the Democratic candidate. He was one of six new Republican congressmen from Texas elected that year. They were known as the "Texas Six Pack."
In 1986, Barton was re-elected. He won against Pete Geren, who later became a congressman himself.
Later Elections (1988–2016)
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During this time, Barton won most of his re-election campaigns with a large number of votes. He faced challenges in the primary elections only twice, in 1992 and 1994, and won both easily.
In 2011, some conservative groups tried to remove him from office. The Democratic Party also used his comments in political ads. Despite these challenges, Barton continued to win his elections. In 2014, he won his 16th term. In 2016, he won his 17th term.
Decision Not to Run in 2018
In November 2017, Joe Barton announced that he would not seek re-election in 2018. This meant he would not run for his House seat again. Many candidates from both parties then announced they would run for his open seat.
Key Actions in Congress
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- Economic Decisions: Barton voted against a law in 2008 that aimed to stabilize the economy during a financial crisis.
- Light Bulb Law: In 2011, he supported a bill to cancel a law about energy-efficient light bulbs. He believed people should choose their own light fixtures.
- Bipartisanship: In 2017, he was ranked as one of the most bipartisan members of the House. This means he worked well with members from both political parties.
- Energy Policy: He was a former Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He helped create the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This law dealt with energy issues.
- Privacy and Technology: He helped start the Congressional Privacy Caucus. He also supported laws against spyware. He was a key voice in changing from analog to digital TV. He also supported selling public airwaves to private companies.
Views on Climate Change
Joe Barton questioned the idea that human actions cause climate change. He said that climate science was "uneven and evolving." He believed that humans would "adapt" to changes in the climate. He often supported the oil industry.
BP Oil Spill Discussion
In 2010, after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Barton made comments about the Obama administration. He said the administration's agreement with BP, where BP would set aside money for damages, was like a "$20 billion shakedown." He later apologized for using that word and said his comments were misunderstood. He also said he believed BP was responsible for the accident.
Financial Transparency Report
A group called Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) raised questions about some of Barton's financial dealings. They noted that he had made money from an investment in natural gas. This investment was bought from a supporter. The report also mentioned that his campaign paid his wife and daughter for their work. His mother was also paid for a car. A spokesperson for Barton said his family members were paid for their roles in his campaign.
Crude Oil Exports
In 2014, Barton fully supported ending a 40-year ban on crude oil exports from the U.S. He believed that exporting oil would help lower fuel prices.
Healthcare Views
Barton wanted to cancel the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. He supported efforts by House Republicans to replace it.
Hurricane Harvey Relief
In 2017, Barton voted against a bill to provide aid for Hurricane Harvey victims. He explained that he could not support increasing the national debt.
Immigration Views
Barton supported President Donald Trump's order in 2017 that temporarily banned entry to the U.S. for people from certain countries. In November 2017, he also asked Congress to pass a law to help children who came to the U.S. illegally with their parents become citizens.
Committee Work
Barton was a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. He was also part of several subcommittees, including those dealing with:
- Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade
- Communications and Technology
- Energy and Power
- Environment and Economy
- Health
- Oversight and Investigations
1993 U.S. Senate Election
In 1993, Barton ran for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas. This seat became open when Senator Lloyd Bentsen resigned. Barton finished third in the election and did not make it to the final runoff vote.
Barton Family Foundation
The Barton Family Foundation was started in 2005. Its goal is to support charities in Joe Barton's district. Energy companies have given money to this foundation. The foundation has made donations to local groups like the Boys and Girls Club.
Personal Life
Joe Barton has been divorced twice. He has four children and five grandchildren. In December 2005, he had a heart attack.
Images for kids
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Barton meets President Ronald Reagan in 1984
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Barton meets President George H. W. Bush in 1989
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Barton with President George W. Bush
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Barton speaking at the 2015 Lincoln Dinner in Fort Worth
