Erik Paulsen

For other people named Erik Poulsen, see Erik Poulsen (disambiguation).
Erik Paulsen
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 3rd district
Assumed office
January 3, 2009
Preceded by Jim Ramstad
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 42B district
In office
January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by Sidney J. Pauly[1]
Succeeded by Jenifer Loon
Minnesota House Majority Leader
In office
January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by Tim Pawlenty
Succeeded by Tony Sertich
Personal details
Born (1965-05-14) May 14, 1965
Bakersfield, California
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Kelly Paulsen
Residence Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Alma mater St. Olaf College
Occupation Business analyst
Religion Lutheran
Website www.paulsenforcongress.com

Erik Paulsen (born May 14, 1965) is an American politician serving in the United States House of Representatives for Minnesota's 3rd congressional district since 2009. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1995 to 2009 and as Majority Leader from 2003 to 2007. His district in the western part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area includes Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka, Maple Grove and Wayzata.

Early life, education, and career

Born in Bakersfield, California, Paulsen graduated from Chaska High School in Minnesota in 1983.[2] He attended St. Olaf College, and received a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics in 1987. After college, Paulsen worked as an intern for Republican Senator Rudy Boschwitz from 1989 until Boschwitz was defeated by Democratic challenger Paul Wellstone in 1990.[2] Paulsen then took a staff position with Republican Representative Jim Ramstad in Washington, D.C. He worked on Ramstad's local congressional campaign in 1992 before seeking election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1994.[3][4]

From 2007 to 2009, Paulsen worked as a part-time business analyst for Target Corporation while a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.[2]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Paulsen was initially elected as an Independent Republican. Before entering politics, he worked as a businessman.[5] He served on the Commerce and Labor, Rules and Legislative Administration, Taxes, and Ways and Means committees.[6]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2008

Paulsen won a three-way race for Minnesota's Third Congressional District in November 2008.[7] His U.S. House candidacy was announced after the incumbent, Jim Ramstad (a Republican), announced his retirement in 2007, which gave an opportunity for both major parties to field potential candidates. Shortly after he announced his retirement, Ramstad endorsed Paulsen and served as the chairman of Paulsen's Steering Committee.[8] Paulsen was a speaker at the 2008 Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Paulsen won the election with 48.48% of the vote, to Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nominee Ashwin Madia's 40.85% and Independence Party of Minnesota candidate David Dillon's 10.56%. While not achieving a majority, Paulsen defeated Madia by about 30,000 votes.[9]

2010

Paulson won reelection with 59% of the vote against Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party challenger Jim Meffert.[10]

During the race, Meffert filed a complaint with the United States House Committee on Ethics claiming that Paulsen distributed a deliberately misleading mailing to his constituents using the franking privilege afforded to House members. The committee didn't act on the complaint, as the franking office had cleared the mailer in advance.[11]

2012

Paulson ran against DFL nominee Brian Barnes, an Edina businessman and former Navy Reserve officer. He was reelected with 58% of the vote.[12]

Committee assignments

The Bicameral Joint Economic Committee

The House Committee on Ways and Means

• Subcommittee on Health • Subcommittee on Trade

Political positions

Paulsen supports continuing Bush-era tax cuts and global free trade agreements.[13]

Paulsen opposes a public health care option, saying it would represent a "government takeover" of health care. Instead, he supported a Republican alternative plan.[14] At an April 7, 2010, GOP rally in Minneapolis, Paulsen described the Affordable Care Act as a "government takeover of health care," a claim that Minnesota Public Radio stated "isn't correct."[15]

Paulsen has called for an end to Minnesota's ban on building nuclear power plants, saying that "trying to meet our energy needs without using nuclear energy is a little bit like trying to row a boat with one oar."[16][17]

Paulsen voted against the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009,[18] the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,[19] and the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009.[20]

Paulsen voted against a bill repealing the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy in favor of allowing individuals who have openly acknowledged their homosexuality to serve.[21] He voted against several employment discrimination law amendments in 2009, as well as a bill that would have, among other intentions, expanded the definition of hate crimes to include “felonies motivated by prejudice based on national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity of the victim.”[22] He voted in support of required background checks for school athletic coaches.[23]

Paulsen opposed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act intended to prevent pay discrimination against women.[24]

Paulsen introduced the Text a Tip Act to the House in 2010. The bill would have allowed users to send tips about crimes to a third party, removing all identifying information about the source before the police received the message.[25] The bill died in committee and was not adopted.[26]

Paulsen cosponsored a draft of the Small Business Assistance and Relief Act in 2010, to provide increased lending and aid for small businesses and ease their financial encumbrances.[27][28]

Paulsen voted against the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.[29]

Paulsen voted in favor of the federal budget plan for fiscal 2012 that, among other provisions, provided for substantial overhaul of Medicare, including replacement of the traditional program with a premium support payment for private health insurance coverage for Americans under age 55.[30]

Paulsen has received over $18,000 in campaign contributions from the National Rifle Association.[31]

Legislation

On February 13, 2013, Paulsen introduced the National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 627; 113th Congress), a bill that would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue gold, silver, and half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the National Park Service (NPS).[32][33] The coins would all have a surcharge attached, the money from which would be given to the National Park Foundation.[33]

Paulsen strongly supported the Money Remittances Improvement Act of 2014 (H.R. 4386; 113th Congress), a bill that would make it easier for nonbank financial institutions such as money service businesses to provide remittance payments internationally.[34] Paulsen argued that the bill would make it easier for American immigrants "supporting their extended families overseas" to help their relatives, while still "providing the necessary safeguards to ensure their money reaches its intended destination."[35] The bill would help these people by "streamlining the remittance process and eliminating regulatory barriers to sending money home."[35]

On November 21, 2013, Paulsen introduced the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act of 2013 (H.R. 3610; 113th Congress), a bill that would require each state, within three years, to have in effect legislation that: (1) treats a minor who has engaged or attempted to engage in a commercial sex act as a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons, (2) discourages the charging or prosecution of such an individual for a prostitution or sex trafficking offense, and (3) encourages the diversion of such individual to child protection services.[36] The bill was scheduled to be voted on in the House on May 20, 2014 under a suspension of the rules.[37]

In 2015, Paulsen was the House member who introduced the fifth-most bills with sponsors from both parties.[38] With Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, he led an effort to repeal an excise tax on medical devices imposed by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The bill passed the House one vote shy of a veto-proof majority.[39] A two-year suspension of the tax was included in a 2015 year-end funding bill in 2015.[40][41][42][41][42]

Also in 2015, Paulsen authored HR644, the Fighting Hunger Incentive Act of 2015, which provides tax incentives to encourage food donations,[43] and wrote a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act that requires the Department of Defense to return all military working dogs to the United States after completing their service.[44] The American Humane Association strongly advocated for passage of this provision.[45]

Personal life

During college at St. Olaf, Paulsen met his wife, Kelly. The Paulsens had four daughters as of 2014, and live in Eden Prairie. Paulsen serves as a Board Trustee of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and as a board member of the Eden Prairie A Brighter Day Foundation, Habitat for Global Learning, Habitat for Technology and the Southdale YMCA. He is a member of the American Council of Young Political Leaders and the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers for Learning Exchange.[46]

Fellowships, honors, and recognitions

Paulsen has participated in the inaugural two-year class of the Aspen Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership, the German Marshall Memorial Fellowship, the Young Leaders Forum of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, and the American Council of Young Political Leaders.[47] He has been granted an Aspen Institute Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership, and a Marshall Memorial Fellowship from the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "MN House Seat 42B Race – Nov 08, 1994". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2010-10-25.
  2. 1 2 3 http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.aspx?id=10508
  3. ↑ http://www.legistorm.com/blog/2008-election-big-for-former-congressional-staffers.html
  4. ↑ Minnesota Legislative Library for Erik Paulsen
  5. ↑ "PAULSEN, Erik, (1965 - )". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  6. ↑ Duchschere, Kevin (January 27, 2008). "Ramstad protégé Paulsen announces House bid". Star Tribune.
  7. ↑ Brunswick, Mark; Furst, Randy (November 5, 2008). "Paulsen triumphs over Madia for Third District seat". Star Tribune.
  8. ↑ Ramstad endorses Erik Paulsen.
  9. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State
  10. ↑ "State Results – Election Center 2010 – Elections & Politics from CNN.com". CNN.
  11. ↑ Wallbank, Derek (April 28, 2011). "No Comment: The story of an ethics complaint and what didn't happen next". MinnPost..
  12. ↑ http://abcnewspapers.com/2012/11/06/erik-paulsen-wins-re-election-in-3rd-congressional-district/
  13. ↑ Black, Eric. Erik Paulsen on tax cuts: inflammatory and misleading. Minn Post. 15 October 2008.
  14. ↑ "Minnesota delegation's positions on health care plans". MinnPost. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  15. ↑ "Fact-checking yesterday's political rallies | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ". Minnesota.publicradio.org. 2010-04-08. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  16. ↑ Walz, Paulsen Tout Nuclear Power. KEYC News. 24 November 2009.
  17. ↑ Bakst, Brian. Effort to Scrap Anti-Nuclear Law in Minn. Ramps Up. Associated Press. 24 November 2009.
  18. ↑ HR 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
  19. ↑ Appropriations, Tax Law Amendments, and Unemployment Benefit Amendments ("Stimulus Bill") Project Vote Smart.
  20. ↑ The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009 Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
  21. ↑ Roll Call 317 Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
  22. ↑ http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=26244&can_id=3833
  23. ↑ http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=3833
  24. ↑ Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
  25. ↑ http://www.votesmart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=590459&keyword=&phrase=&contain=
  26. ↑ http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-5913
  27. ↑ http://www.votesmart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=590458&keyword=&phrase=&contain=
  28. ↑ http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-5554
  29. ↑ "House Vote 550 – Passes 9/11 Health Care Bill". Pro Publica.
  30. ↑ http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2011-277
  31. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/nra-donations
  32. ↑ "H.R. 627 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  33. 1 2 Pekow, Charles (30 April 2014). "House approves commemorative coins for National Park Service centennial". The Examiner.
  34. ↑ Radio, Dalsan (7 May 2014). "Somalia: Congressman Ellison's Money Remittances Improvement Act Passed". All Africa. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  35. 1 2 "Ellison, Paulsen, Duffy Applaud Passage of Money Remittances Improvement Act". House Office of Keith Ellison. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  36. ↑ "H.R. 3610 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  37. ↑ Marcos, Cristina (16 May 2014). "Next week: Lawmakers to debate defense and drones". The Hill. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  38. ↑ 2015 Report Cards: All Representatives. GovTrack.us. 6 January 2016.
  39. ↑ Brodey, Sam.U.S. House passes repeal of medical device tax. Minn Post. 18 June 2015.
  40. ↑ Spencer, Jim. Medical device tax could be suspended for two years in tax deal. Star Tribune. 16 December 2015.
  41. 1 2 Zdechlik, Mark. With Special Tax Suspended, Medical Device Firms Reap Big Savings. npr. 16 February 2016.
  42. 1 2 H.R. 2029 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. Congress.gov. 18 December 2015.
  43. ↑ Olson, Samantha. John Oliver Exposes Food Waste In America: Billions Of Dollars In Food Wasted While Millions Of People Go Hungry. Medical Daily. 20 July 2015.
  44. ↑ Keady, Cameron. Every U.S. Military Dog Will Be Brought Home, Thanks To New Law. The Huffington Post. 7 December 2015.
  45. ↑ American Humane Association clinches major victory for military dogs. American Humane Association. 25 November 2015.
  46. ↑ "Project Vote Smart – Representative Erik Paulsen – Biography". Votesmart.org. 1965-05-14. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  47. ↑ http://paulsen.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=98&sectiontree-2,98
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Jim Ramstad		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district
2009–present 		Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Pete Olson
R-Texas 		United States Representatives by seniority
208th 		Succeeded by
Chellie Pingree
D-Maine
Political offices
Preceded by
Tim Pawlenty		 Minnesota House Majority Leader
2003–2007 		Succeeded by
Tony Sertich
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