Ted Deutch
Ted Deutch | |
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Chair of the House Ethics Committee | |
Assumed office January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Susan Brooks |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida | |
Assumed office April 13, 2010 | |
Preceded by | Robert Wexler |
Constituency | 19th district (2010–2013) 21st district (2013–2017) 22nd district (2017–present) |
Member of the Florida Senate from the 30th district | |
In office November 7, 2006 – April 13, 2010 | |
Preceded by | Ron Klein |
Succeeded by | Maria Sachs |
Personal details | |
Born | Theodore Eliot Deutch May 7, 1966 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Jill Weinstock (m. 1992) |
Children | 3 |
Education | University of Michigan (BA, JD) |
Theodore Eliot Deutch /ˈdɔɪtʃ/ (born May 7, 1966) is an American politician and Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives for Florida's 22nd congressional district. He first won election to Congress during a special election in April 2010 in Florida's 19th congressional district. He previously served in the Florida Senate. In 2012, due to redistricting, he ran for and won re-election in Florida's 21st congressional district.[1]
Contents
Early life, education, and law career[edit]
Deutch was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the son of Jean (née Mindlin) and the late Bernard Deutch. His grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Belarus, Russia.[2] A graduate of Liberty High School in Bethlehem,[3] Deutch graduated from the University of Michigan, where he served as editor-in-chief of Consider magazine and was awarded the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, and received his J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
Florida Senate[edit]
As a member of the National Young Leadership Cabinet of United Jewish Communities, Deutch organized over 2,500 people to march on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., with the intent of pressuring Congress on a slate of issues affecting children and the elderly. At the end of his tenure in the state senate, Deutch served as Vice Chair of the Committee on Regulated Industries, and the Policy and Steering Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee.[4]
U.S. House of Representatives[edit]
Elections[edit]
2010[edit]
- Special
In late 2009, Deutch declared himself a candidate in a special election to fill the 19th congressional district seat formerly held by Robert Wexler, who left Congress to lead the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation. He won the Democratic primary with 85% of the vote, and on April 13, 2010, won the special election, defeating Republican Edward J. Lynch.[5]
Deutch's district is located on the East coast of Florida. It includes parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties.
- General
Deutch was challenged by Republican nominee Joe Budd and write-in candidate Stan Smilan.[6] He won the election.
2012[edit]
After Florida underwent redistricting in 2012, Deutch filed for re-election in the 21st congressional district.[1] Deutch won the November 6, 2012 general election with no major party opposition.[7]
2014[edit]
In the general election, against write-in opposition, Deutch won with 99.6% of the vote.[8]
2016[edit]
In December 2015, Florida underwent redistricting due to a Supreme Court ruling, swapping the districts of Deutch and fellow Democrat Lois Frankel of the 22nd congressional district. Deutch and Frankel agreed to run for each other's seats in 2016.[9]
2018[edit]
Deutch won the general election on November 8, 2018, defeating Nicolas Kimaz 62% to 38% [10]
Tenure[edit]
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200102063627im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Congressman_Ted_Deutch_meets_with_Emma_Gonz%C3%A1lez.jpg/220px-Congressman_Ted_Deutch_meets_with_Emma_Gonz%C3%A1lez.jpg)
Deutch was sworn in as a member of the United States House of Representatives on April 15, 2010.
In the wake of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Deutch spoke out in favor of expanded gun control legislation. He spoke at a CNN town hall meeting and urged action. "A lot of people have told this community -- people from all around the world -- that it's too soon," he said. "It's too soon to get together to have this kind of forum. It's too soon to talk about preventing another tragedy like the one that struck our community from happening anywhere again. It's too soon to talk about getting weapons of war out of our communities. It is not too soon. It is too late for the 17 lives that were lost."[11]
Legislative record[edit]
Shortly after his election, Deutch introduced the Preserving our Promise to Seniors Act, which aims to keep Social Security benefits in line with retirees' costs and gradually raises the cap on FICA taxes over a period of seven years.[12]
During the 2011 debate regarding the debt ceiling, Deutch assembled and brought to the house floor an elaborate, game-show style wheel to illustrate which government services he claimed would be endangered by a default on the U.S. national debt.[13]
On November 19, 2011, Rep. Deutch introduced a resolution[14] proposing "an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to expressly exclude for-profit corporations from the rights given to natural persons by the Constitution of the United States, prohibit corporate spending in all elections, and affirm the authority of Congress and the states to regulate corporations and to regulate and set limits on all election contributions and expenditures".
Rep. Deutch’s amendment is a blend of "ideas from "Move to Amend, Free Speech for People, Public Citizen, People For the American Way, Common Cause, and the Center for Media and Democracy".[15]
In November 2018, Rep. Deutch and other members of congress introduced legislation to enact a Carbon Tax and Dividend in the United States.[16]
Committee assignments[edit]
Caucus memberships[edit]
- Congressional Arts Caucus[17]
- United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus[18]
- Climate Solutions Caucus[19]
Political positions[edit]
Gun policy[edit]
Deutch believes that acceptable limitations can be placed on the Second Amendment right to bear arms, saying, "the majority of people in this country now understand that there are limitations on the Second Amendment. You cannot own an automatic weapon. You cannot own a bazooka. And so there is no reason to continue to sell to people a weapon of war like this," referencing semi-automatic rifles.[20] During his tenure as Congressman, Deutch has voted on several pieces of gun legislation. He voted against H. R. 38 (the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act), which would enable concealed carry reciprocity among all States if and when it is signed into law.[21] Deutch also voted against H. J. Res. 40, which ultimately passed and used the Congressional Review Act to block implementation of an Obama-era Amendment to the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 that was aimed at preventing the mentally-infirm from legally purchasing firearms.[22] Deutch has an "F" rating from the NRA, indicating that it does not believe he adequately supports gun rights.[23]
After the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Deutch endorsed several gun control measures. Deutch cosponsored H. R. 5087, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2018, saying, "Americans don't own tanks or missiles; so why should our streets be flooded with weapons of war made for the sole purpose of killing people?"[24] Deutch also announced his support for H. R. 4909, the STOP School Violence Act of 2018. The STOP School Violence Act would allow grants to train school staff how to identify troubled students and intervene before crises. The grants could also be used for developing an anonymous reporting system for students to submit concerns, as well as improving the physical infrastructure of schools against attacks.[25] Deutch also supports universal background checks, banning bump stocks, raising the minimum age to buy a rifle to 21, and repealing the 1996 Dickey Amendment.[20] In May 2018 he advocated for the complete ban of all semi automatic weapons.[26]
Israel[edit]
On January 5, 2017, Deutch voted in favor of a House resolution condemning the UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building in the occupied Palestinian territories as a violation of international law. Deutch said that "it ignores Palestinian terrorism, incitement to violence, and payments to families of terrorists."[27]
Deutch supported President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. He stated: "The President's decision today is a recognition of existing U.S. law that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and that the U.S. embassy should ultimately be located in the capital."[28]
Environment[edit]
On November 28, 2018, Deutch introduced a carbon fee and dividend bill, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2018, saying "this aggressive carbon pricing scheme introduced by members from both parties marks an important opportunity to begin to seriously address the immediate threat of climate change."[29] After the bill died at the end of the 115th Congress, he reintroduced it as the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019, saying, "climate change is an urgent threat that demands urgent bipartisan action. With this legislation, we are making clear to our colleagues that bipartisanship is possible – even necessary – to address climate change in this Congress."[30]
Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance[edit]
In 2013, a bipartisan congressional group of Greek-American and Jewish-American members was created by Deutch and Gus Bilirakis, a Republican representative from Florida. The group, called the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance, was announced at a special congressional event.[31] The Greek–Israeli caucus consisted of members of the Democratic and Republican parties.[32][33][34]
Personal life[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". Retrieved June 12, 2016.
- ^ Stone, Kurt F. (2010). The Jews of Capitol Hill: A Compendium of Jewish Congressional Members. Scarecrow Press. p. 625. ISBN 9780810877382.
- ^ "Arena Profile: Rep. Ted Deutch". Politico. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ "About Ted". Ted Deutch for Congress. Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
- ^ "Republican concedes; Deutch keeps Wexler's South Florida congress". Retrieved June 12, 2016.
- ^ "Candidates and Races - Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". Election.dos.state.fl.us. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
- ^ Carney, Heather. "Hastings, Deutch, Wasserman Schultz win re-election". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ^ "November 4, 2014 General Election Official Results". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
- ^ Man, Anthony; Sweeney, Dan (December 3, 2015). "Ted Deutch to run in Broward-based district, leaving Lois Frankel to run in all-Palm Beach County district". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ . Ballotpedia https://ballotpedia.org/Florida%27s_22nd_Congressional_District_election,_2018. Retrieved September 8, 2019. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ^ "Transcript: Stoneman students' questions to lawmakers and the NRA at the CNN town hall". CNN. February 22, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- ^ "FOR SOCIAL SECURITY, A BIRTHDAY MAKEOVER". New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
- ^ "Rep. Ted Deutch spins 'GOP wheel of misfortune' on house floor". Crooks and Liars. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2012. wheel
- ^ "Rep. Deutch Unveils OCCUPIED Constitutional Amendment". US Congressman Ted Deutch. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
- ^ "Finally, a Constitutional Amendment for the 99%". Nation of Change. Archived from the original on November 24, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
- ^ "Landmark Bipartisan Carbon Fee Legislation Introduced". US Congressman Ted Deutch. November 27, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
- ^ "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- ^ "90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members". Citizen´s Climate Lobby. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
- ^ a b "Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Bipartisan Members of Congress in Meeting on School and Community Safety". whitehouse.gov. U. S. Federal Government. February 28, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 663". clerk.house.gov. U.S. Federal Government. December 6, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 77". clerk.house.gov. U. S. Federal Government. February 2, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- ^ "Rating Group: National Rifle Association". ISPY. Vote Smart. 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- ^ "Reps. Deutch, Cicilline Introduce Assault Weapons Ban". Congressman Ted Deutch. U. S. Federal Government. February 26, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- ^ "Sandy Hook Promise Applauds Bipartisan Introduction of Critical School Safety Legislation entitled the STOP School Violence Act of 2018, Urging Swift Passage in Congress". United States Congressman Hal Rogers. U. S. Federal Government. February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- ^ Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch: ‘No More Manufacture’ Of Semi-Automatic Rifles, ‘Get Them Out Of Our Communities’
- ^ Cortellessa, Eric (January 6, 2017). "US House Passes Motion Repudiating UN Resolution on Israel". The Times of Israel. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ "Florida reaction to Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel". Tampa Bay Times. December 6, 2017.
- ^ "Bipartisan carbon fee bill introduced in House". Citizens' Climate Lobby. November 28, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Bipartisan carbon pricing bill reintroduced in House". Citizens' Climate Lobby. January 24, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 25, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Ambassador hosts congressional Hellenic-Israel caucus". Retrieved June 12, 2016.
- ^ "New Greek-Israeli Committee in U.S Congress". Retrieved June 12, 2016.
- ^ "Israel's US envoy hosts meeting on Israeli-Greek-Cypriot ties". Retrieved June 12, 2016.
- ^ Anthony Man,"Going Vegan Was Winning Move for South Florida Congressman," Sun Sentinel, 12 September 2014.
External links[edit]
![]() |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ted Deutch. |
- Congressman Ted Deutch official U.S. House site
- Ted Deutch for Congress
- Ted Deutch at Curlie
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Robert Wexler |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 19th congressional district 2010–2013 |
Succeeded by Trey Radel |
Preceded by Mario Diaz-Balart |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 21st congressional district 2013–2017 |
Succeeded by Lois Frankel |
Preceded by Lois Frankel |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 22nd congressional district 2017–present |
Incumbent |
Preceded by Susan Brooks |
Chair of the House Ethics Committee 2019–present | |
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
Preceded by John Garamendi |
United States Representatives by seniority 145th |
Succeeded by Tom Graves |
- 1966 births
- 21st-century American politicians
- American people of Belarusian-Jewish descent
- American people of Lithuanian-Jewish descent
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives
- Florida Democrats
- Florida state senators
- Jewish members of the United States House of Representatives
- Liberty High School (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) alumni
- Living people
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida
- People from Boca Raton, Florida
- Politicians from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- Truman Scholars
- University of Michigan Law School alumni