Joseph Cao facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joseph Cao
Official portrait, 2009
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 2nd district
In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	William J. Jefferson
Succeeded by	Cedric Richmond
Personal details
Born	Cao Quang Ánh (1967-03-13) March 13, 1967 (age 58) Saigon, South Vietnam (current-day Ho Chi Minh City)
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Kate Hoang
Children	3
Education	Baylor University (BS) Fordham University (MA) Loyola University New Orleans (JD)

Ánh Quang "Joseph" Cao (/ɡaʊ/ gow; Vietnamese: Cao Quang Ánh; born March 13, 1967) is a Vietnamese-American politician. He served as a U.S. Representative for Louisiana from 2009 to 2011. As a member of the Republican Party, he made history. He was the first Vietnamese American and the first person born in Vietnam to serve in the United States Congress.

Cao was the only Republican congressman to vote for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often called "Obamacare," in November 2009. This law aimed to make health insurance more available and affordable.

After his time in Congress, Cao continued to be involved in politics. In 2011, he announced he would run for Attorney General of Louisiana, but later decided not to. In 2015, he ran for a U.S. Senate seat in 2016. He finished eleventh in the primary election, so he did not move on to the main election.

Early Life and Education

Ánh Quang Cao was born in Saigon, South Vietnam in 1967. He was the fifth of eight children. His father was a lieutenant in the South Vietnamese Army. In 1975, at the end of the Vietnam War, his father was captured.

When he was eight years old, Joseph Cao, two of his siblings, and his uncle came to the United States as refugees. They settled in Houston, Texas. His mother stayed in Vietnam with his other siblings. After seven years, his father was released from prison and joined the family in Houston.

Cao and his family were raised as Roman Catholics. He went to public schools and graduated from Jersey Village High School in Houston. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Baylor University. He then studied to become a priest for six years, but decided it was not his path. He earned a Master of Arts in philosophy from Fordham University. In 2000, he received his law degree (J.D.) from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. While in law school, he also taught philosophy.

Law Practice and Early Politics

Joseph Cao used his legal skills to help people with immigration law. He volunteered to help Vietnamese refugees and immigrants. He also helped Vietnamese-American communities become more self-sufficient. Later, he opened his own law practice in New Orleans, focusing on immigration.

After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Cao became more involved in politics. He was unhappy with how the government responded to the disaster. He helped local residents fight against a landfill (a place where trash is buried) in their area.

U.S. House of Representatives

California Congressman Ed Royce and his wife welcoming newly elected Congressman Joseph Cao and his wife outside Cao's office

Joseph Cao made history as the first Vietnamese American and the first person born in Vietnam to serve in the US Congress. He was also the first Republican to represent his district since 1890. His district usually votes for Democratic candidates.

Cao was sworn into office on January 6, 2009. His family and a group of Vietnamese Americans were there. He quickly set up his office and got assignments to important committees. On March 24, 2009, he gave his first speech in the House. He supported a bill to honor Vietnam War veterans. He said he was a "direct beneficiary" of their service.

Cao worked to get funding for projects in his district. He asked for $1.2 billion for various projects. With support from other politicians, some of these projects were approved by Congress.

He also showed interest in environmental issues. He stated that global warming is an issue that needs to be addressed. In April 2009, he met with President Obama at the White House. He asked for money to help rebuild Charity Hospital in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

In June 2010, Cao was one of only two Republicans to vote for the DISCLOSE Act. This law aimed to limit spending on political campaigns by companies. In December 2010, he was one of fifteen Republican House members who voted to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the United States military. This policy had prevented openly gay people from serving.

A survey in 2011 called Cao the "most liberal Republican" in the House. He was one of seven Republicans who voted to criticize Representative Joe Wilson. Wilson had shouted "You lie!" at President Obama during a speech.

Office and Staff

Cao hired Rosalind Peychaud, a Democrat, as his deputy chief of staff. This was unusual because they were from different political parties. His office in the Rayburn House Office Building was the same one used by the previous congressman. In April 2009, Cao's district staff moved into a new office in Kenner, Louisiana.

Committee Assignments

Joseph Cao was assigned to several important committees in the House of Representatives:

• Committee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response
  • Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
  • Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
  • Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia

Caucuses

Cao was also part of these groups:

• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
• American Engagement Caucus

Interest in Congressional Black Caucus

Joseph Cao was interested in joining the Congressional Black Caucus. This group is made up of African-American members of Congress. Even though his district had many African-American voters, the caucus did not allow him to join.

Recall Effort

Early in his term, Cao voted against a large spending bill called the "stimulus package." He felt his district, which was badly damaged by hurricanes, did not get enough money from the bill. Because of this vote, some people started a petition to remove him from office. This is called a "recall." However, officials said that federal politicians cannot be recalled by states. The effort did not succeed.

FEMA Critic

On February 25, 2009, Cao announced that his staff was investigating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) office in New Orleans. FEMA is a government agency that helps with disasters. Cao was concerned about how FEMA was handling recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina. He called for the head of FEMA's New Orleans office to resign. The next day, this official was replaced. Cao continued to work with other leaders to secure funding for rebuilding damaged areas, like the campus of Southern University at New Orleans.

American Engagement Caucus

In January 2010, Cao worked with Democratic Congressman Russ Carnahan to create the American Engagement Caucus. This group aimed to promote a foreign policy where the United States works closely with other countries. They believed that America's interests are connected to the rest of the world.

Health Care

Cao was the only Republican to vote for the Affordable Health Care for America Act in November 2009. This bill was an early version of the Affordable Care Act. He also voted with Democrats to re-authorize the Children's Health Insurance Program, which helps provide health care to children.

Political Campaigns

2006

Cao ran for a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives as an independent candidate, but he did not win.

2008

In 2008, Joseph Cao ran for the U.S. House of Representatives against the current representative, William J. Jefferson. Jefferson had faced federal charges, which made him vulnerable. Cao was the only Republican candidate.

Many groups and individuals supported Cao, including the New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Even some Democrats, like Helena Moreno, who had lost to Jefferson in the primary election, supported Cao.

The election was very close. Cao won with 33,122 votes (about 50%) to Jefferson's 31,296 votes (about 47%). This was a big surprise because the district usually voted strongly Democratic. Cao's victory was called one of America's "Top 10 Political Upsets" of 2008. He became the first Vietnamese American elected to Congress.

2010

In 2010, Joseph Cao ran for reelection. However, his district was still very Democratic. He lost his reelection bid to Cedric Richmond, a Democratic State Representative. Richmond won with 65% of the vote, while Cao received 33%. Cao was one of only two Republican House members to lose reelection that year.

2016

In December 2015, Cao announced he would run for a U.S. Senate seat in 2016. He finished eleventh in the primary election, so he did not move on to the general election.

Political Positions

Joseph Cao is considered a moderate Republican. He has described himself as "fiscally conservative," meaning he believes in careful spending of government money. In 2010, a non-partisan group gave him a score of 57% conservative and 43% liberal.

He voted against President Obama's proposed stimulus package in 2009. He also voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which aimed to ensure equal pay for equal work.

However, he also broke with his party on some issues. He voted with Democrats for the Affordable Health Care for America Act. He was also one of 29 Republicans who voted to re-authorize the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Cao was one of only five House Republicans who voted to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" in May 2010. This policy had prevented openly gay people from serving in the military. In December 2010, he was one of eight Republicans to vote for the DREAM Act. This bill would have given a path to legal status for some undocumented young people who came to the U.S. as children.

Electoral History

Louisiana State Representative, 103rd Representative District, 2007

U. S. Representative, 2nd Congressional District, 2008

U. S. Representative, 2nd Congressional District, 2010

Documentary

On January 3, 2013, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) aired a documentary called Mr. Cao Goes to Washington. The film shows Joseph Cao's short time in Washington, D.C. as the first Vietnamese American elected to Congress.

Personal Life

Joseph Cao is married to Hieu Phuong "Kate" Hoang. They have two daughters and live in New Orleans. Kate and Joseph met in 1998 at the Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church. Kate is a registered pharmacist.

Cao is a very religious Roman Catholic. He served on the board of the Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church's Community Development Corporation. This group helps Vietnamese Americans after hurricanes. He is also a member of the National Advisory Council of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

See also

In Spanish: Joseph Cao para niños

• Vietnamese in New Orleans
• List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress