Michael C. Burgess
Encyclopedia
Michael Clifton Burgess, (born December 23, 1950) is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since 2003, and a member of the Tea Party Caucus
.
to Harry Meredith Burgess and Norma Crowhurst. He graduated from North Texas State University
(now the University of North Texas) in 1972 and graduated from the medical school
at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
in 1977. He completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology
at Parkland Memorial Hospital
in Dallas, Texas
.
primary
election to replace U.S. Congressman and House Majority Leader Richard Armey. The district, comprising the majority of Denton County
, was strongly Republican.
Using the campaign slogan "My dad is NOT Dick Armey", and with the endorsement of multiple medical Political Action Committees
and the support of organizations like the National Beer Wholesalers Association, Burgess took second place in the primary behind Congressman Armey's son, finishing with 23% of the vote to Armey's 45%. Armey's failure to capture a 50% majority led to a runoff election
. Before the runoff, the left-leaning Dallas Morning News released a series of hit pieces alleging that Judge Armey used his influence to procure county jobs and contracts for his friends. The report strongly hurt Armey's campaign, and Burgess beat the more conservative Armey by a 55% to 45% margin in the runoff.
Burgess went on to win the general election and has subsequently won reelection four times, most recently against Democrat Neil Durrance
.
during his 2008 presidential campaign. During the 111th United States Congress
, he chaired the Congressional Health Care Caucus, a Congressional caucus
In May 2009, Congressional Quarterly
noted that Congressman Burgess had "become a prominent voice on health care issues."
On August 9, 2011, Burgess met with a less than supportive local Tea Party group to discuss his recent vote to raise the debt ceiling and decade-long record of earmarks. When a constituent asked if the House of Representatives was considering impeaching President Barack Obama
, Burgess pandered "It needs to happen, and I agree with you it would tie things up," Burgess said. "No question about that."
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving since 2003, and a member of the Tea Party Caucus
Tea Party Caucus
The Tea Party Caucus is a caucus of the United States House of Representatives and Senate launched and chaired by Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann on July 16, 2010. The caucus is dedicated to promoting what it considers fiscal responsibility, adherence to the movement's interpretation of...
.
Early life, education, and early career
Burgess was born on December 23, 1950 in Rochester, MinnesotaRochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
to Harry Meredith Burgess and Norma Crowhurst. He graduated from North Texas State University
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
(now the University of North Texas) in 1972 and graduated from the medical school
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston was created by the UT System Board of Regents and supported by the Texas Legislature in 1972...
in 1977. He completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and gynaecology
Obstetrics and gynaecology are the two surgical–medical specialties dealing with the female reproductive organs in their pregnant and non-pregnant state, respectively, and as such are often combined to form a single medical specialty and postgraduate training programme...
at Parkland Memorial Hospital
Parkland Memorial Hospital
Parkland Memorial Hospital is a hospital located at 5201 Harry Hines Boulevard, just west of Oak Lawn in Dallas, Texas . It is the main hospital of the Dallas County Hospital District and serves as Dallas County's public hospital.- History :The original hospital opened in 1894 in a wooden...
in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
.
Elections
Burgess, who had never held any public office and voted in the Democratic primaries in 1990, 1992, and 1994, entered in the 2002 RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
election to replace U.S. Congressman and House Majority Leader Richard Armey. The district, comprising the majority of Denton County
Denton County, Texas
Denton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 432,976; in 2009 the estimated population had reached 628,300. Part of the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex, it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. The county seat is Denton. The county...
, was strongly Republican.
Using the campaign slogan "My dad is NOT Dick Armey", and with the endorsement of multiple medical Political Action Committees
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
and the support of organizations like the National Beer Wholesalers Association, Burgess took second place in the primary behind Congressman Armey's son, finishing with 23% of the vote to Armey's 45%. Armey's failure to capture a 50% majority led to a runoff election
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
. Before the runoff, the left-leaning Dallas Morning News released a series of hit pieces alleging that Judge Armey used his influence to procure county jobs and contracts for his friends. The report strongly hurt Armey's campaign, and Burgess beat the more conservative Armey by a 55% to 45% margin in the runoff.
Burgess went on to win the general election and has subsequently won reelection four times, most recently against Democrat Neil Durrance
Neil Durrance
Neil L. Durrance is an American politician. He has served two terms on the city council of Denton, Texas. Recently, he served as Chairman of the Denton County Democratic Party.-Background:Durrance was born in Salina, Kansas...
.
Tenure
Burgess is one of nine medical doctors in Congress, and one of seven in the House of Representatives. He is active in the health care reform debate, having served as a campaign surrogate for Sen. John McCainJohn McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
during his 2008 presidential campaign. During the 111th United States Congress
111th United States Congress
The One Hundred Eleventh United States Congress was the meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011. It began during the last two weeks of the George W. Bush administration, with the remainder spanning the first two years of...
, he chaired the Congressional Health Care Caucus, a Congressional caucus
Congressional caucus
A congressional caucus is a group of members of the United States Congress that meets to pursue common legislative objectives. Formally, caucuses are formed as congressional member organizations through the United States House of Representatives and governed under the rules of that chamber...
In May 2009, Congressional Quarterly
Congressional Quarterly
Congressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
noted that Congressman Burgess had "become a prominent voice on health care issues."
On August 9, 2011, Burgess met with a less than supportive local Tea Party group to discuss his recent vote to raise the debt ceiling and decade-long record of earmarks. When a constituent asked if the House of Representatives was considering impeaching President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, Burgess pandered "It needs to happen, and I agree with you it would tie things up," Burgess said. "No question about that."
Committee assignments
- Committee on Energy and CommerceUnited States House Committee on Energy and CommerceThe Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more than 200 years...
- Subcommittee on Energy and Power
- Subcommittee on Health (Vice Chair)
- Subcommittee on Oversight and InvestigationsUnited States House Energy Subcommittee on Oversight and InvestigationsThe U.S. House Energy Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is a subcommittee within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.-Jurisdiction:...
(Vice Chair - Health)
External links
- Congressman Michael C. Burgess Official U.S. House page
- Dr. Michael Burgess Campaign page
- Profile at SourceWatchSourceWatchSourceWatch is an internet wiki site that is a collaborative project of the liberal Center for Media and Democracy...