Niki Tsongas

Niki Tsongas
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 5th district
Incumbent
Assumed office October 16, 2007
Preceded by	Marty Meehan
Personal details
Born	April 26, 1946 (1946-04-26) (age 65) Chico, California
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Paul Tsongas
Residence	Lowell, Massachusetts
Alma mater	Smith College Boston University
Occupation	Social worker, attorney

Nicola Dickson "Niki" Sauvage Tsongas^[1] (pronounced /ˈsɒŋɡəs/; born April 26, 1946) is the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district, serving since a special election in 2007. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

She is the widow of U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas, who represented the 5th district in the 1970s. She became the first woman from Massachusetts elected to Congress in 25 years.^[2]

Early life, education and career

Tsongas was born Nicola Dickson Sauvage in Chico, California, the daughter of Marian Susan (née Wyman), an artist and copywriter, and Colonel Russell Elmer Sauvage, an engineer in the United States Air Force who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. She is a 1964 graduate of Narimasu American High School in Japan, where her father was stationed at Fuchu Air Force Base and then spent one year at Michigan State before attending Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. After graduating from Smith in 1968, she moved to New York City, where she took a job as a social worker for the Department of Welfare.^[3]

Tsongas earned a law degree from Boston University and started Lowell's first all-female law practice. In 1967, while spending the summer in Arlington, Virginia, she met Paul Tsongas, then an aide to Congressman Brad Morse. In 1969, she married Paul and they had three daughters: Ashley, Katina, and Molly. Paul was a Massachusetts congressman and senator. In 1992, he became a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. He died in 1997 due to complications from non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Niki has worked as the Dean of External Affairs at Middlesex Community College,^[3] as well as a Board Member of Fallon Community Health Plan^[4] and actively serving on the Lowell Civic Stadium and Arena Commission (which oversees the Tsongas Arena, the LeLacheur Ballpark, the Merrimack Repertory Theatre, and the Lowell Plan).^[3] In 2001, she was appointed by Representative Marty Meehan to head a foundation to provide education funding for the children of the victims of the 9/11 attacks.^[5]

Congressional career

The 5th congressional district of Massachusetts in the 109th Congress.

When Meehan resigned in 2007 in order to serve as Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Niki Tsongas ran for the vacant seat in a special congressional election. She defeated four opponents in the Democratic primary with a 36% plurality of the vote. Her leading opponent in the general election on October 16, 2007 was Republican Jim Ogonowski. In addition, there were two independent candidates and one from the Constitution Party. During her campaign, Tsongas received endorsements from the three major newspapers in the area: the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, and the Lowell Sun.^[6][7] Tsongas won the special election with 51 percent of the vote.

Tsongas did not face any opponents in the 2008 election. She was challenged by Republican nominee Jon Golnik, a former Wall Street currency trader and small businessman, in the 2010 election,^[8] but kept her seat.

Economy and the budget

Tsongas is a member of the House Budget Committee,^[9] and voted to instate the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act in February 2010.^[10] She has supported economic stimulus efforts during the late-2000s recession, including the Economic Stimulus Act (a tax rebate and incentive policy) in February 2008,^[11] the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (which established the Troubled Asset Relief Program) in October 2008,^[12] and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (a $787 billion economic stimulus) in January 2009.^[13] In trade agreements for 2011, Tsongas voted against the Free Trade Agreement with Korea,^[14]but voted for trade promotion agreements for Panama and Colombia.^[15][16]

Committee assignments 112th Congress (2011-2013)
Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Forces Military Personnel Natural Resources National Parks, Forests and Public Lands

Foreign policy

Tsongas serves on the House Armed Services Committee.^[17] In her 2007 election, she campaigned on setting a timetable to end the Iraq War.^[18] The first bill she introduced in Congress, which died in committee, aimed to implement a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq.^[19][20] Tsongas believes the War in Afghanistan should be, “not just of a military nature, but also necessitate long term diplomatic, reconstruction and development efforts”^[21] and had opposed President Obama’s request for supplemental funds to support the deployment of additional troops to Afghanistan. As a member of the Armed Services Committee in the House, Tsongas has also been a long advocate of light-weight armor and the prevention of sexual assault in the military.^[22]

Health care

Tsongas advocates for universal health care and supports a public health insurance option, as long as it "[is] self-sufficient, relying on the premiums it collects."^[23] In January 2009, she voted to re-authorize and expand the Children's Health Insurance Program.^[24] She voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act in March 2010.^[25] On her website, Tsongas explained her vote in support of the legislation, saying, "The bill preserves what is best in the current system," in regards to Americans' choices in health care, and that it "will reduce our nation's growing deficit over 10 years by $104 billion" but stated that she was "very disappointed" at the restrictions on public funding for abortions built into the bill.^[26]

Clean energy

In a press release, Congresswoman Tsongas cited a 9 percent increase in jobs in the clean energy sector, more than twice the rate of growth of traditional jobs, from 1998 to 2007.^[27] Tsongas has also voted "yes" on the Energy Act of 2007, Alternative Energy Tax Incentives, and Energy Law Amendments (Cap and Trade), which aim to mandate increased minimum fuel efficiency cars may have in the United States, reduce taxes for the producers of alternative energy, and institute an Emissions Trading system, respectively.^[28][29][30]

Social issues

Tsongas is an advocate of abortion rights.^[31] Tsongas received a 100 percent approval rating from Planned Parenthood in 2008.^[32] She recently voted against an amendment to the Affordable Health Care for America Act "that would prohibit all federal funds...from being used to pay for abortion except in the case of rape, incest, or threat to the life of the mother."^[33] Tsongas also advocates for same-sex marriage and the rights for LGBT. She has cosponsored many proposed legislations, such as the Respect for Marriage Act.^[34] She also voted “yea” to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010.^[35] Due to her views, she receives high scores from LGBT interest groups such as the Human Rights Campaign.^[36] Tsongas is also a supporter of stricter gun regulation and voted against the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011^[37] and received a 100 percent rating from the Brady Campaign, a non-profit organization that promotes stricter gun regulation laws. Because of her views, pro-gun interest groups, such as the Gun Owners of America, have given her near to failing ratings.^[38]

Immigration

Tsongas believes that Reagan’s Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and President Clinton’s Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 have failed, “to adequately address the primary driver of immigration: employment due to the unmet demands for workers”.^[39] On her website she states that in order for immigration to be reformed the government should, “secure the border, fixe the system at its roots, hold employers accountable, and strengthen workforce verification”.^[40] Like many of her fellow Democrats, Tsongas was a major supporter of the DREAM Act and receives high ratings from immigration interest groups such as the National Latino Congreso^[41] and the American Immigration Lawyers Association.^[42]

Interest group ratings

On taxation and financial/budgetary issues, Tsongas has received low or failing ratings from some right wing groups like the National Taxpayer's Union, FreedomWorks, the National Tax Limitation Committee, and Americans for Tax Reform.^[43] On the contrary, Tsongas has a high support from major American worker unions such as the AFL-CIO and the AFSCME^[44]

Electoral history

U.S. House of Representatives — Massachusetts 5th congressional district, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Niki Tsongas (incumbent)	225,947	99%
	Republican	Uncontested

U.S. House of Representatives — Massachusetts 5th congressional district, 2010
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Niki Tsongas (incumbent)	122,676	54.9
	Republican	Jon Golnik	94,501	42.3

References

General biographies

• Alston, Farnsworth; Carter, Mary Ann; Randolph, Sarah (eds.) (2009). "Niki Tsongas". Congressional Directory for the 111th Congress (2009–2010). Washington: Government Printing Office. pp. 128–129. ISBN 978-0160837272. http://books.google.com/books?id=9nL2Bhq3UYIC&pg=PA435. 
• McCutcheon, Chuck; Lyons, Christina L. (eds.) (2009). "Rep. Niki Tsongas (D)". CQ's Politics in America 2010: The 111th Congress. Washington: Congressional Quarterly. pp. 494–495. ISBN 978-1604266023. 
• Tsongas, Niki (2009). "Long Bio". Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. United States House of Representatives. http://tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=54&sectiontree=2,54. Retrieved September 26, 2010. 

Footnotes

1. ^ According to the State of California. California Birth Index, 1905-1995. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. Searchable at http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/39461
2. ^ "United States Congressional Delegations from Massachusetts: 1963–1983". Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congressional_Delegations_from_Massachusetts#1963.E2.80.931983:_12_seats. Retrieved 2007-10-15. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Tsongas 2009.
4. ^ "Niki Tsongas, Board Member of Fallon Community Health Plan, Elected to Congress". ACHP.
5. ^ Negri, Gloria (August 26, 2002). "Scholarship fund helps 9/11 families". The Boston Globe: p. B3. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/155340241.html?FMT=ABS. Retrieved September 26, 2010. 
6. ^ "Niki Tsongas Endorsed by Boston Globe and Boston Herald". Niki Tsongas for Congress. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. http://web.archive.org/web/20071013091644/http://nikitsongas.com/press/082807-GlobeandHerald.pdf. Retrieved 2007-10-15. 
7. ^ "Sun backs Tsongas". Blue Mass. Group. http://www.bluemassgroup.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=9007. Retrieved 2007-10-15. 
8. ^ Chabot, Hillary (September 15, 2010). "Niki Tsongas, Jon Golnick to battle for 5th". Boston Herald. http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20100915niki_tsongas_jon_golnick_to_battle_for_5th/. 
9. ^ "Members". House Budget Committee. 2010. http://budget.house.gov/members.shtml. Retrieved September 29, 2010. ^{[dead link]}
10. ^ H.J.Res. 45.
11. ^ H.R. 5140.
12. ^ H.R. 1424.
13. ^ H.R. 1.
14. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/bill/13919/36916/89417/free-trade-agreement-with-korea
15. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/bill/13920/36919/89417/trade-promotion-agreement-with-panama
16. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/bill/13921/36922/89417/trade-promotion-agreement-with-colombia
17. ^ "List of members". United States House Committee on Armed Services. http://armedservices.house.gov/list_of_members.shtml. Retrieved September 27, 2010. 
18. ^ Finucane, Martin (January 8, 2008). "Tsongas to visit troops in the Middle East". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/01/08/tsongas_to_visit_troops_battling_in_the_mideast/. Retrieved September 27, 2010. 
19. ^ McCutcheon & Lyons 2009
20. ^ H.R. 5499.
21. ^ http://tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=21&sectiontree=5,21
22. ^ http://www.tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&parentid=48&sectiontree=48,49&itemid=429
23. ^ "Press Release of 11/07/09 on Health Reform on the Representative's website". Congresswoman Tsongas' Website. http://tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&parentid=48&sectiontree=48,49&itemid=361. Retrieved September 26, 2010. 
24. ^ H.R. 2.
25. ^ H.R. 3590, H.R. 4872.
26. ^ "Health Care". Congresswoman Tsongas' Website. http://tsongas.house.gov/?sectionid=22&sectiontree=5,22,. Retrieved September 26, 2010. 
27. ^ http://tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&sectiontree=48,49&itemid=264, Niki Tsongas on Alternative Energy
28. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=16733&can_id=89417, Project Vote Smart on the Energy Act of 2007
29. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=19326&can_id=89417, Project Vote Smart on Alternative Energy Tax Incentives
30. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=26496&can_id=89417, Project Vote Smart on Energy Law Amendments
31. ^ "Women's issues". Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (official website). http://tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=97&sectiontree=5,97. Retrieved September 29, 2010. 
32. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?r_id=4376, Project Vote Smart Interest Group ratings for Planned parenthood
33. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=28175&can_id=89417, Project Vote Smart Voting Records
34. ^ http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/rep_bios.php?rep_id=94733175&category=views&id=20100506102364
35. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/bill/12449/32975/89417/dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-act
36. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/interest-group/1256/rating/5716
37. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/bill/14168/37348/
38. ^ http://thehill.com/resources/lawmaker-ratings/82903-rep-niki-tsongas-d-mass%2520
39. ^ http://www.tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=101&sectiontree=5,101
40. ^ http://www.tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=101&sectiontree=5,101
41. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/interest-group/1934/rating/4890
42. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/interest-group/1542/rating/5642
43. ^ http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=89417, Project Vote Smart Interest Group Rankings for Nicola Tsongas
44. ^ http://thehill.com/resources/lawmaker-ratings/82903-rep-niki-tsongas-d-mass%2520

External links

• Congresswoman Niki Tsongas official U.S. House site
• Niki Tsongas for Congress official campaign site
• Blog on Blue Mass. Group
• Biography at WhoRunsGov.com at The Washington Post
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Congressional profile at GovTrack
• Congressional profile at OpenCongress
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• Financial information at OpenSecrets.org
• Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Appearances on C-SPAN programs
• Boston.com: Tsongas receives endorsement from state treasurer August 21, 2007

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Marty Meehan	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 5th congressional district October 16, 2007 – present	Incumbent
United States order of precedence
Preceded by Laura Richardson D-California	United States Representatives by seniority 293rd	Succeeded by Bob Latta R-Ohio

Persondata
Name	Tsongas, Niki
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	April 26, 1946
Place of birth	Chico, California
Date of death
Place of death