Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio:
Brown is a passionate progressive, and critic of U.S. free trade policies who led House trade-policy fights against both Clinton and Bush. He voted against the Iraq War in 2002.
Brown makes no secret of his social justice-oriented Christian values. He's the author of two respected political books, and his wife is a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Sherrod Brown on the Issues:
In 1992, Brown pledged to not use Senate health plan for himself until Congress passes universal healthcare. He's kept that promise by paying for his own healthcare, until his 2004 marriage, when he joined his wife's policy.
Senate Committees in 112th Congress, 2011-2012:
- Appropriations Committee
- Agriculture, Nutrition, Forestry Committee
- Agriculture Subcommittee on Energy, Science, Technology
- Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Food Assistance
- Agriculture Subcommittee on Production, Income Protection, Price Support
- Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs Committee
- Banking Subcommittee on Economic Policy
- Banking Subcommittee on Security, International Trade
- Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Select Committee on Ethics
Rep. Sherrod Brown in Congress:
He's also famously fought against trade agreements that threaten US jobs, undermine environmental protections and eliminate workplace safety safeguards. He voted against the Iraq War in 2002, and now demands a "winning exit strategy" for US troops.
House of Representatives Committees & Affiliations:
- House Committee on Energy and Commerce
- House Subcommittee on Health (ranking Democrat)
- House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
- House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
- House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protections
- House International Relations Committee
- House Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
Personal Data:
- Birth - November 9, 1952 in Mansfield, Ohio to Charles, a small-town doctor (a Republican), and his wife, Emily, an early civil rights supporter.
- Education - Public schools in Mansfield, Ohio. BA in Russian Studies, Yale University, 1974. MA in Education, 1979, MA in Public Administration, 1981, both from Ohio State University.
- Family - Married in 2004 to second wife, Connie Schulz. Four adult children and stepchildren.
- Faith - Lutheran (ELCA)
Sherrod Brown Prior to Congress:
Ohio state legislature - 1975 to 1983
Ohio Secretary of State - 1983 - 1991
US House of Representatives - 1992 - present
The Sherrod Brown Persona:
Down-to-earth and warm, enthusiastic and energetic, Brown is an ardent baseball fan and athlete and an avid reader. His first marriage fell apart under the time pressures of his political career.
Brown's Wife, Connie Schultz, Pulitzer Prize Winner:
Memorable Quotes by Sherrod Brown:
On Trade Agreements
"Stop passing these trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA, which are as bad for workers in Guatemala as they are for workers in Ohio. Take some of the $2 billion a week we're spending on this war in Iraq and put it into developing alternative-fuel industries, so we can stop buying oil from countries that fund terrorists."
On Medicaid Cuts
"There was no sign of remorse when the Congressional Budget Office estimated that one-third of the Medicaid savings would come from taking coverage and benefits away from Medicaid enrollees... Never mind that some of those dollars would come by kicking some impoverished seniors out of nursing homes and denying others access...
A Congress that treats the elderly like guinea pigs when it comes to drug coverage and criminals when it comes to Medicaid -- is not a Congress you can trust when it comes to long-term care planning."
On the War in Iraq
"The administration has still not provided answers to the questions I raised before the war. The President has yet to provide an adequate budget, plan, or exit strategy in Iraq. He continues to exaggerate our progress in defeating the insurgency...
The violence is increasing and the insurgents are getting bolder. This war is creating new terrorists and reinforcing a dangerously negative public perception of the United States in the Muslim world.
Our nation cannot afford to sweep bad news and mistakes under the rug. If Republicans and Democrats alike don’t speak up when the Bush administration fails the American people, then the Bush administration will continue to fail the American people.
The President must develop and implement a plan for the endgame in Iraq...
Enough is enough."