He also led countless efforts to help west Michigan including spending decades on a project linking US-31 to Interstate 94 in Berrien County, which was finally completed this year. And then itll be more in the next Congress.. The other three who have . 3301; 113th Congress), both articles of impeachment against Trump, United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus, "Upton becomes first member of Congress to vote to impeach two presidents", https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/04/david_stockman_former_southwes.html, "Club for Growth Encouraging Upton Primary Challenger", "Fred Upton still faces arrows from the right", "Jack Hoogendyk to challenge U.S. Rep. Fred Upton again for seat in Congress", "Southwest Michigan Politics: Mike O'Brien poll shows challenger in 'dead heat' with Congressman Fred Upton", "Michigan Election Results: Sixth House District", "House votes to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from committee assignments", "With Enrollment Slow, Some Democrats Back Change in Health Law", "The 2 House Republicans who put it all on the line for Obamacare repeal could lose Tuesday", https://www.cbsnews.com/news/21st-century-cures-act-congress-health-care-passed/, https://wdet.org/posts/2018/05/24/86819-rep-fred-upton-and-rep-debbie-dingell-team-up-to-battle-opioid-addiction/, "Long Live the Lightbulb. [15], Upton defeated Democratic nominee Scott Elliott, an art gallery owner, 65%32%. Thats probably our biggest achievement, Upton said. "Ive worked with seven administrations, seven House speakers, none of them would call me a rubber stamp. "If its good policy for Michigan, its good enough for all of us," he said. Upton is the fourth of the 10 pro-impeachment Republicans to leave Congress after this years midterm elections, joining Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio and John Katko of New York. [19] In the general election, he defeated Cooney, 62%34%. Upton attended the University of Michigan, obtaining a bachelors degree in journalism in 1975. Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan is the fourth retirement among the ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump over the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. 8297: Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022 -- House Vote #362 -- Jul 15, 2022", "H.R. 31 Democrats have announced they will not seek re-election. Thats put him in a tough place because he also has wanted to be a loyal member of his party. My district was cut like Zorro three different ways, the Michigan Republican told reporters. Our baseball bats not as big as it used to be.. [1] After Sander Levin retired at the end of the 115th Congress, Upton became the dean of Michigan's congressional delegation. Others losing badly, whos next? Trump wrote. He does have this magnetic pull on 35%-40% of the base and theyre going to be there for him.. Trump endorsed a Republican primary challenger against Upton, state Rep. Steve Carra. The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print paper, every day. [12], After redistricting, Upton decided to run in the newly redrawn Michigan's 6th congressional district, winning reelection to a fourth term with 62% of the vote. One important effect of this legislation was to pave the way for faster vaccine approval, including the first Pfizer vaccine produced in Kalamazoo, Upton said. For all that, said Dingell, Uptons essential nature is one of fostering camaraderie, an ability to lighten the mood, lighten the situation and make people feel better. U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, said he turned to Upton, as a senior member of the House, when he was looking for an ally to help him secure aid for Flint in the wake of lead contamination of its water supply beginning in 2014. Dubai 'Butt Squad' model worried for Ukrainian parents aft Woman fatally shot by upstate NY homeowner after pulling into wrong driveway: sheriff, Haribo fans shocked to learn green gummy bear flavor: 'Calling the police', Yuengling takes apparent jab at Bud Light with conspicuous tweet, Bill Hader says Carol Burnett emailed him to say theyre cousins: Its insane, Mike & Molly star Billy Gardell details 150-pound weight loss: My diabetes is gone, Pump Rules alum Billie Lee exits Tom Sandovals home in same clothes from night prior, Larry Brooks previews seventh playoff series between Rangers, Devils, Even AOC Cant Believe Netflix Crashed During Love Is Blind Live Reunion, Viewers pan Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos' 'brutal' first 'Live' show together. Norm Ornstein, senior fellow emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute and an expert on Congress who knows Upton well, said he doesnt accept the claim of many that the congressman is a moderate knowing that Upton is much more complicated than that. Fred knew well that if were going to deliver real solutions for the American people, we need to come together and listen to all perspectives, no matter how complicated the issue might be.. [5] He earned a B.A. She didnt answer.. I really do, even the few that dont always love me," he said. "UPTON QUITS! Frederick Stephen Upton (born April 23, 1953) is an American politician who served as a U.S. representative from Michigan from 1987 to 2023, representing the state's 6th congressional district since 1993. Hes an authentic human being, hes unaffected by the position that he holds.. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Huizenga a few weeks ago and had vowed to try to unseat Upton after he, along with nine other Republicans, voted to impeach Trump for instigating the Jan.. His retiring is a loss for this country and especially the people of Michigan.. Over the years, he has taken fire from both sides. [21] Upton had been criticized for not being conservative enough by Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, FreedomWorks, Right to Life of Michigan, and the Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots. And when he appeared to swing to the right after the Tea Party takeover of the U.S. House in 2011 and led efforts as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to curb greenhouse gas regulations, the American Lung Association went after him and the L.A. Times called him Earths biggest enemy, even though Upton has always maintained he has tried to balance environmental concerns with the economy. (WNDU) - One of the longest serving Republicans in the House of Representatives is retiring. [6] He is a member of the Emil Verban Society.[99]. 8297: Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. UPTON QUITS! [17], Upton defeated Democratic nominee Don Cooney, a Kalamazoo City Commissioner, 59%39%. The closest he came to losing was in 2018, a wave year for Democrats nationally, when he beat Matt Longjohn 50%-46%. Upton was one of ten Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump over the Capitol riots in January of 2021. Copyright 2023 CQ Roll Call. I mean, they really just sliced me up like Zorro, he said. [51] In 2018, he joined the Climate Solutions Caucus. I was a Reagan domestic guy, he said. He was there when John died. "[50], As of 2017, Upton has received more than $2 million in campaign donations from oil and gas companies and electric utilities over the course of his political career. [20], In 2011, Hoogendyk met with the Club for Growth, a conservative 501(c)4 organization, about running against Upton again. Upton came to the nations capital in the 1970s to work for a new Michigan congressman his dad had introduced him to Republican David Stockman and was regarded highly enough by Stockman that he took Upton with him when he became head of the Office of Management and Budget for President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Oklahoma governor calls for resignations after county officials reportedly 10 key questions for this weeks historic UFO hearing. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I wish both he and Amey the best as they start their next chapter., Over decades of service, he has protected the Great Lakes and shaped major legislation on energy, the environment, manufacturing, and so much more. [14] He won the general election with 69% of the vote. Its about 9 oclock at night. 3301; 113th Congress), a bill that would make changes to permitting requirements for pipelines and other energy infrastructure at international borders. Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, a centrist stalwart who later was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump over his role in the Jan. 6 attack, said Tuesday that he would not run for re-election after 18 terms in the House. You know, this place is more toxic than ever before, he said. Is there a worldwide run on the Bank of the United States of America? Hes a friend. Follow him on Twitter @tsspangler. Gov. I got a lot of unfinished business that Im going to be working on now. Upton is the fourth of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for inciting an insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 to announce their retirement. Seven others are seeking other office. [47][48] He said the bill "is a sincere effort to focus a targeted solution to lessons learned from the Keystone Pipeline No one can rightly argue that the current presidential permit process as the State Department is not broken, no matter what side of the climate debate you're on. Trump then endorsed Huizenga last month. Fred is a dear friend to me, he was Johns best friend. Our district had to grow by about 20,000 people. Rep. Fred Upton, one of the longest-tenured Republicans in the House of Representatives, has decided to retire rather than seek reelection in 2022. For other persons with similar names, see, Early life, education, and early political career. One of them was the late heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, who lived in Uptons district and came to Washington to lobby for the Cures Act, even while suffering from Parkinsons disease. Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), a longtime member of Congress who has served in the lower chamber since 1987, announced his retirement Tuesday in an emotional speech on the House floor. I mean, you know, the top three candidates [on the statewide ballot in November] were all election deniers. 454 shares By Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com Fred Upton, Michigan's longest serving member of Congress, is retiring, he announced today from the House floor. Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan In September, Trump endorsed Michigan state Rep. Steve Carra in a challenge to Upton, who the former President labeled a "RINO," or "Republican in name only.". [68], In July 2019, Upton was one of four Republican House members to vote in support of a motion to condemn comments Trump made on Twitter calling on four Democratic Congresswomen, three of whom were born in the U.S., to "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Four were defeated in primaries, and four, including Upton, opted to retire. [18], Upton defeated former State Representative Jack Hoogendyk in the Republican primary, 57%43%. Upton said he has no specific plans for life after Congress, but he does plan to stay involved in both Michigan politics and Washington policymaking. Freds a mensch. [32] In 2017, Upton played an important role advancing Republican Party efforts to repeal the ACA. He also spent $3.2 million to Alfonsos $35,000 in campaign spending, a margin of more than 90-1. Upton did so and the two wrote legislation requiring the government to publicize water quality issues when they arise. If he has argued for limiting the EPAs hold on greenhouse gas emissions, he also has voted against loosening methane emission rules and acknowledges that climate change is real, unlike many in his party. The decision follows months of Upton's . For a time, it appeared that running in the redrawn district was Uptons plan. It wasnt even close. And it was, again, the independent voters that really determined the results., The loss of moderates like Upton will reduce the membership of the Problem Solvers Caucus from 58 to around 50 in the next Congress, he predicted. When the late Howard Wolpe, a Kalamazoo Democrat who left Congress when his district was merged into Uptons, fired off a letter accusing Upton of moving too far to the right to gain his chairmanship in 2011, Upton fired back noting that there had been Democratic support for rolling back some regulations. He has his ear to the ground like nobody on Capitol Hill hes got relationships, across the aisle, across the Rotunda with the Senate, like no one.. We lost at least five Congressional seats, Upton said. It wouldnt be difficult to list many more accomplishments, including having won 18 elections in a district that has swung politically in national elections. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)AP. The decision follows months of Uptons hesitation to make an announcement about his political future. Then theres former President Donald Trump, who has labeled Upton as a RINO (Republican in name only) so many times, youd think he has a horn. They were able to roll it out eight to 10 months earlier than it would have happened. But suggesting John Dingell was in hell, as Trump did, and using the Dingell name in a dishonorable manner, he thought, was unacceptable from anyone." 1158),[85] which effectively prohibits ICE from cooperating with Health and Human Services to detain or remove illegal alien sponsors of unaccompanied alien children (UACs). ", "To him, bipartisan and compromise are not forbidden words," she said. Trump celebrated Uptons retirement on Tuesday, writing in a statement, UPTON QUITS! "UPTON QUITS! WASHINGTON - Michigan Congressman Fred Upton, a Republican who has been serving the 6th district in West Michigan since 1987, says he's retiring from Congress. In making his announcement, Upton said he is looking forward to spending time with his family. Deeply concerned about the presidents speech, which he felt incited the attack, and knowing as someone who had publicly said he believed Biden had won that he could be targeted, Upton calmly locked the door and ate boxes of Raisin Bran that had been stashed there, fielding calls from people back in the district worried about his health. Upton, 68, is the fourth Republican. [72][73] He ultimately did so alongside nine other Republicans on January 13. "This is it for me," said Upton, R-St. Joseph. Rep. Fred Upton speaks to reporters outside the White House. As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee from 2010-16, he led dozens of efforts and since then has continued to serve as a mentor and force for bipartisanship. A former chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Upton has played a major role in shaping post-Obamacare health care legislation. Fred really believed that he was an American first - that reaching across the aisle was important, that working together was how to get things done for the American people. "Fred knew well that if we are going to deliver real solutions for the American people we need to come together and listen to all perspectives, no matter how complicated the issue might be.". The late Rush Limbaugh savaged him on his radio show more than a decade ago for embracing more efficient lightbulbs and being too willing to work with Democrats. "[46], On October 22, 2013, Upton introduced the North American Energy Infrastructure Act (H.R. Michigan Democrats were also affected by redistricting, with Rep. Brenda Lawrence announcing her retirement in January after her hometown was drawn into a district currently represented by fellow Democrat Debbie Dingell. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, a longtime ally and friend of Upton, shared some kind words about him on. [62], In 2021, Upton was one of 33 Republicans to vote for the LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act.[63]. And she said it would be and they lived happily ever after, Upton said. Prior to being elected to Congress in 1986, Upton worked for President Ronald Reagan in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Washington After 36 years in Congress, Republican U.S. Rep. Fred Upton has emptied his three offices, turned in the keys and shipped 102 boxes of his papers to . We could all learn something from his tenure and strive to live and lead with the values he embodies. A few weeks before Upton announced his decision, Trump who had earlier endorsed a little-known state representative in a race against Upton switched his endorsement to Huizenga. [75] He was later censured by the Cass County Republican Party for voting to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from the House Education Committee. By: Doug Reardon Posted. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, followed Upton at the podium after he announced the news Tuesday. [16], Upton defeated Democratic nominee Kim Clark, 61%38%. THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. Trump said in a statement. 1158: DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act -- House Vote #690 -- Dec 17, 2019", "H.R. He was in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1985, while Stockman served as OMB Director. Rep. Dingell noted how much Upton means to her and her family, as he was so close to her late husband. Debbie was my first call, said Upton. This is my home; this is where Im going to be, he said with a smile. Trump had endorsed a GOP primary challenger against Upton, state Rep. Steve Carra. The idea of not having to raise money during his final months in office, along with the fact that he and his wife, Amey, now have three grandchildren, sealed the deal, said Upton, who turns 70 in April. [67], During Trump's presidency, Upton voted in line with Trump's stated position 78.6% of the time. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. But one of his most recent decisions in office proved to be one of his most controversial. Upton has said Trumps endorsement didn't force his hand, that it was more about redistricting. A free market no more? There are plenty of those in Washington and elsewhere who consider Upton a moderate Republican, a tag that has followed him around for years. [22] On January 17, 2012, Hoogendyk announced that he would challenge Upton in the primary, the winner of which would face the Democratic nominee, former marine and businessman Mike O'Brien. Upton, 68, has had a storied career in Washington and is that rare lawmaker who is respected on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill. Carbon regulation, he said, "threatens to drive energy prices higher, destroy jobs and hamstring our economic recovery. Long-time Republican Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan announced his retirement on Tuesday, and former President Donald Trump found immediate reason to celebrate. I said, Ive got some good news for the champ. She said, You got the money for U.S. 31, referring to a main highway in southwest Michigan needing expansion. He falls into easy conversation about anything U-M sports, politics, whatever with just about anybody. If you want a rubber stamp as your congressman, Im the wrong guy, Upton continued in the ad, which touted his work in Congress on taxes, law enforcement and fighting diseases. Im convinced that we came within minutes of having a massacre on the House or Senate floor, said Upton, describing how he watched the mob move up the streets of D.C., past his office and to the Capitol, and picking up bits of broken glass in the building later in the night. Upton, who previously chaired the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, leaves behind a record of bipartisan legislation. 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