Gerry Connolly

Gerald Edward Connolly (born March 30, 1950) is an American politician serving as the United States Representative from Virginia's 11th congressional district, first elected in 2008. The district is anchored in Fairfax County, an affluent suburban county west of Washington, D. C. Connolly is a member of the Democratic Party.

Gerry Connolly
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 11th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Tom Davis
President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office TBD
Preceded by	Attila Mesterházy
Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
In office December 15, 2003 – January 2, 2009
Preceded by	Kate Hanley
Succeeded by	Sharon Bulova
Member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from the Providence district
In office March 28, 1995 – December 15, 2003
Preceded by	Kate Hanley
Succeeded by	Linda Smyth
Personal details
Born	Gerald Edward Connolly March 30, 1950 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Cathy Smith
Children	1
Education	Maryknoll College (BA) Harvard University (MPA)
Signature
Website	House website

Early life

Connolly graduated from Maryknoll College in Glen Ellyn, Illinois,[1] with a B.A. in literature in 1971, and completed a Master of Public Administration from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government in 1979.

Early career

Connolly worked from 1979 to 1989 with the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, where he managed committee oversight of international economic issues, international narcotics control, and United Nations and Middle East policies, and published reports on U.S. policy in El Salvador, Central America, Israel, and the Persian Gulf region.[2] From 1989 to 1997, he was Vice President of the Washington Office of SRI International. He was also Director of Community Relations for SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation).[3]

In local politics, Connolly served on the Fairfax Government Reorganization Commission from 1992 to 1993. In 1995, he was elected Providence District Supervisor, serving for nine years.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Gerry Connolly during 2015 Fairfax City 4th of July parade

Connolly's career as a public official began on March 28, 1995, when he won a special election for the Providence District seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, defeating Republican Jeannemarie A. Devolites.[4] A rematch against Devolites in November of that same year saw Connolly reelected to a full four-year term on the Board.[5] Connolly ran unopposed for reelection in November 1999. He was elected Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2003 and reelected in 2007.

As Chairman of the ten-member board, Connolly balanced a $4.5 billion budget and managed a county that would be the nation's 13th-largest city, 12th-largest school district, and sixth-largest office market. He served as Chairman of the County's Legislative Committee and Vice-Chair of the Economic Advisory Committee. Connolly also served as Chairman of the Board of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC), Chairman of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), and was chairman of the Board of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG). He also chaired the region's Emergency Preparedness Taskforce and represented Fairfax County on the Board of the Virginia Association of Counties (VaCo), where he also served as president.

U.S. House of Representatives

Committee assignments

• Committee on Foreign Affairs (2009–present)
  • Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia (2009–present)
  • Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific (2013–present)
• Committee on Oversight and Reform (2009–present)
  • Subcommittee on Government Operations (Chairman; 2013-present)
  • Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Job Creation and Regulatory Affairs (2013–present)
• U.S. Delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly (Chairman; 2013-present) [6]

Past committee assignments

• Committee on the Budget (2009-2011)
• Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade (2011-2013)
• Oversight Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia (2011-2013)
• Oversight Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement (2011-2013)

Caucus memberships

• American Sikh Congressional Caucus
• Congressional Arts Caucus[7]
• Congressional Taiwan Caucus (Co-Chair) [8]
• Congressional Cloud Computing Caucus (Co-Chair)
• Congressional Cement Caucus
• New Democrat Coalition[9]
• House Baltic Caucus[10]
• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus[11]
• U.S.-Japan Caucus[12]

Legislation sponsored

Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (H.R. 1232; 113th Congress) As the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Connolly co-sponsored this bill with Darrell Issa. It is a proposed bill that would make changes and reforms to the current framework that manages how the federal government buys new technology.[13] One of the requirements would be that the government develop a streamlined plan for its acquisitions.[14] The bill would increase the power of existing Chief Information Officers (CIO) within federal agencies so that they could be more effective.[15] Each agency would also be reduced to having only one CIO in the agency, who is then responsible for the success and failure of all IT projects in that agency.[16] The bill would also require the federal government to make use of private sector best practices.[15] The bill is intended to reduce IT procurement related waste.[17] Explaining the bill, Connolly said that "there are more than 250 identified CIOs in the federal government, yet none possess the necessary authority to effectively manage IT investments" which has "resulted in duplicative and wasteful IT spending."[15] It passed the House in a voice vote on February 25, 2014.[14]

Government Reports Elimination Act of 2014 (H.R. 4194; 113th Congress) As the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Connolly co-sponsored this bill with Darrell Issa. It is a proposed bill that would eliminate approximately 100 required federal agency reports that are considered redundant or wasteful.[18] Connolly argued that "in today's challenging fiscal environment, it is incumbent that we leverage every opportunity to streamline or eliminate antiquated agency reporting requirements that are duplicative, irrelevant or simply ignored."[19] The bill passed in the House in a voice vote on April 28, 2014.[20]

Political positions

Abortion

Connolly is pro-choice.[21] He voted against the Stupak Amendment to the Affordable Care Act, which placed stringent limits on health insurance companies offering abortion services. During the budget amendments process in 2011, he voted against an amendment that would have prevented taxpayer funds from going to Planned Parenthood.[22]

Trump impeachment

Connolly voted[23] in favor of the articles of impeachment of Donald Trump. He said during debate on the articles that extorting "a foreign country to investigate your political opponent is an unconstitutional abuse of power. To solicit foreign interference in an American election is an unconstitutional abuse of power."

Civil liberties

Connolly has voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 regarding funding the US Armed Forces, including the paychecks delivered to soldiers but also including a controversial provision that allows the government and the military to detain anyone "who was part of or substantially supported al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners", and anyone who commits a "belligerent act" against the United States or its coalition allies in aid of such enemy forces, under the law of war, "without trial, until the end of the hostilities authorized by the Authorization of Use of Military Force." The law would not grant new powers to the President but does codify federal court rulings on this issue and the detainment of unlawful combatants until hostilities are over is in accordance to the Geneva Conventions.[24][25]

Economics

Connolly has voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,[26] the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009,[27] the supplemental appropriations bill that established Cash for Clunkers,[27] and the Cash for Clunkers Extension.[28] Additionally, he voted for all of the 2010 governmental appropriations bills,[29][30][31][32][33][34] and he voted for the Continuing Appropriations Act for 2011.[35] He has voted against some large spending bills, including the release of $350 billion in bank bailout funds[36] and a $154 billion spending bill[37] because of concerns these would add to the federal deficit.[38]

He was a cosponsor of pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget legislation that was signed into law in February 2010.[39]

In May 2011, Connolly voted to increase the debt ceiling, but the measure failed by a significant margin.[40] It was his third such vote.[41]

Energy

Connolly voted in favor of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009,[42] saying it would strengthen national security while spurring innovation in the energy industry.[43] In 2010, he voted in favor of ending a moratorium on deepwater drilling rigs that met certain safety standards.[44] Connolly is one of the 35 congressmen who founded the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.[45]

LGBT issues

Connolly supports gay rights, having campaigned against the Marshall-Newman Amendment to the Virginia Constitution, which banned all gay unions from being performed or recognized in Virginia.[46] In Congress, he voted in favor of repealing the contentious "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law that prohibited gays from serving openly in the military, and has co-sponsored a few bills that would repeal portions of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act.[47]

Guns

While on the Board of Supervisors for Fairfax County, Connolly sponsored an ordinance that would have made it illegal to transport a loaded shotgun in the back of one's car.[48] In Congress, Connolly signed on to a measure that would have closed the gun show loophole by requiring that private sellers of firearms at gun shows engage in the same background check and reporting requirements as registered firearms dealers.[49] Connolly opposes allowing concealed weapons in schools and on college campuses.[50]

In November 2011, Connolly voted against the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act, which would have exempted non-residents of states that prohibit concealed weapons from those restrictions.[51]

Health care

In 2009, Connolly was an early supporter of the Democratic health care plan, which ultimately became the America's Affordable Health Choices Act, as well as the public health insurance option, saying at a live chat with constituents in September to a woman from Washington, D.C. that "One of my principles for health care reform is that it increases the choices you have. By setting up a health insurance exchange, we can give your family more insurance choices, hopefully including one that your daughter's doctor chooses to accept". Connolly voted against the Stupak-Pitts Amendment,[52] and in 2010 for the America's Affordable Health Choices Act.

Connolly cited deficit reduction in explaining his health care vote.[53][54]

Marijuana

Connolly supports rescheduling marijuana to expand its availability for research and medicine.[55]

Military veterans

Connolly was a cosponsor of the Helping Active Duty Deployed Act[56] and the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act.[57]

Syria

Connolly supported military intervention in Syria.[58]

Political campaigns

2008

Connolly scored a 24-point victory over his closest opponent, former Congresswoman Leslie L. Byrne, in the 2008 Democratic primary. He then defeated Republican nominee Keith Fimian by more than ten points for the open seat held by Republican incumbent Tom Davis.[59] The Independent Green Party candidate was Joseph P. Oddo.

2010

Connolly was challenged again by Fimian in 2010. Also running were Libertarian David L. Dotson, Independent Green David William Gillis, Jr., and Independent Christopher F. DeCarlo. Connolly won by fewer than a thousand votes.[60]

2012

Connolly was challenged by Republican nominee Chris Perkins, Green nominee Joe Galdo and independent candidates Peter Marchetti, Chris DeCarlo and Mark Gibson. He received 61% of the vote.[61] Connolly was significantly aided by redistricting. The old 11th had been reckoned a swing district, though Davis had held it without serious difficulty due to his popularity in the area. Redistricting made the 11th significantly more Democratic than its predecessor. Barack Obama carried the old 11th with 57% of the vote in 2008, but would have carried it with 61% of the vote under the new lines—making it one of the most Democratic white-majority districts in the South.

2014

Connolly faced Republican Suzanne Scholte, Green Joe Galdo, and Libertarian Marc Harrold in his reelection bid, winning with 56.86% of the vote.[62]

2016

Connolly ran unopposed for reelection in 2016.[63][64] He was reelected with 87.89% of the vote.[65]

2018

Connolly faced Republican challenger, U.S. Army veteran Jeff Dove and Libertarian Stevan Porter in the 2018 election.[66]

2020

Connolly defeated Republican Manga Anantatmula in the 2020 election.[67] He received 71.6% of the vote, the largest percentage a Democratic candidate has attained against Republican opposition in Virginia District 11 history.

Electoral history

Connolly and his daughter Caitlin during 2015 Fairfax City 4th of July parade

Personal life

Connolly and his wife Cathy have lived in Mantua since 1979.

Connolly is also a company member of The Providence Players of Fairfax, a community theatre in Fairfax County, having acted in several of their shows.[68]

References

1. "History of Maryknoll". Retrieved March 13, 2016.
2. "Meet Gerry". Retrieved September 26, 2014.
3. "Representative Gerald E. 'Gerry' Connolly (VA)". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
4. Lipton, Eric (March 29, 1995). "Democrat Wins Open Seat; Fairfax Board Split". The Washington Post. ProQuest 903414664.
5. "Northern Virginia Election Results". The Washington Post. November 8, 1995. ProQuest 903375036.
6. "Connolly Named Chairman of NATO Parliamentary Assembly Delegation". U.S. Congressman Gerry Connolly. February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
7. "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
8. "House & Senate Taiwan Caucus (2019-2020)". Formosan Association of Public Affiairs. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
9. "Members". New Democrat Coalition. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
10. "Members". House Baltic Caucus. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
11. "Members". Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
12. "Members". U.S. - Japan Caucus. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
13. "H.R. 1232 - Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
14. Kasperowicz, Pete (February 25, 2014). "House votes unanimously to fix FOIA process". The Hill. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
15. Hardy, Michael (February 25, 2014). "House passes FITARA". Federal Times. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
16. Marks, Joseph (February 25, 2014). "IT Reform Act Heads to House Floor Tuesday". NextGov.com. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
17. Washington Technology staff (February 25, 2014). "Acquisition reform effort hits the House floor". Washington Technology. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
18. "CBO - H.R. 4194". Congressional Budget Office. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
19. "Issa, Connolly, Woodall Praise Passage of Government Reports Elimination Act". Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. April 28, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
20. "H.R. 4194 - All Actions". United States Congress. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
21. "Virginia District 11 :: NARAL Pro-Choice America". Prochoiceamerica.org. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
22. "Gerry Connolly – Abortion". Thepoliticalguide.com. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
23. "Connolly Statement in Support of Articles of Impeachment". connolly.house.gov.
24. "NDAA Bill: How Did Your Congress Member Vote?". Ibtimes.com. December 16, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
25. 112th Congress, 1st Session, H1540CR.HSE: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012." pp. 265-266.
26. "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 46". January 28, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2010.
27. "GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 2346 [111th]: Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009". Govtrack.us. May 14, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
28. "GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 3435 [111th]: Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year". Govtrack.us. July 31, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
29. "GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 3288 [111th]: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010". Govtrack.us. July 23, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
30. "GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 2996 [111th]: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related". Govtrack.us. June 26, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
31. "GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 2892 [111th]: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010". Govtrack.us. June 24, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
32. "GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 2997 [111th]: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug". Govtrack.us. July 9, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
33. "GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 3326 [111th]: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010". Govtrack.us. July 30, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
34. "GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 3183 [111th]: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies". Govtrack.us. July 17, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
35. "GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 3081 [111th]: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011". Govtrack.us. July 9, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
36. "The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010". May 28, 2010. Archived from the original on November 3, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
37. FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 991. clerk.house.gov 16-Dec-2009
38. "Connolly Cites Deficit in Voting Against $115 Billion Spending Bill". May 28, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
39. "Connolly, Fimian make another swing for Virginia district". July 23, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
40. FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 379. clerk.house.gov 31-May-2011
41. "Most of Virginia congressmen have backed debt limit increases". PolitiFact. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
42. "Project Vote Smart – Representative Connolly on HR 2454 – Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade")". Votesmart.org. June 26, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
43. "Congressman Gerry Connolly : News : Connolly Statement on American Clean Energy and Security Act". Connolly.house.gov. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
44. "Project Vote Smart – Representative Connolly on H Amdt 773 – Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards". Votesmart.org. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
45. "Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition". House.gov. September 23, 2010. Archived from the original on November 2, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
46. "U.S. House candidates diverge on gay issues in Va. – Gerry Connolly". Zimbio. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
47. "Gerry Connolly – Gay Marriage". Thepoliticalguide.com. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
48. "Blue Virginia:: Rep. Gerry Connolly: Intensity Matters on the Gun Issue". Blue Virginia. Archived from the original on February 12, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
49. Gerry Connolly on Gun Control. Issues2000.org. Retrieved on 2012-03-07.
50. "Keith Fimian Says College Students Should "Pack Heat" - Gerry Connolly For Congress". Retrieved September 26, 2014.
51. "U.S. House of Representatives Roll Call Votes". Retrieved September 26, 2014.
52. "Washington Post – Rep. Gerald Connolly On Health Reform". The Washington Post. September 24, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2010.
53. Stone, Andrea (April 4, 2010). "Congressman in Trouble After Health Care Vote". AOL News. Archived from the original on April 7, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
54. Jessica Banthin; Sarah Masi (May 14, 2013). "CBO's Estimate of the Net Budgetary Impact of the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Coverage Provisions Has Not Changed Much Over Time - CBO". Cbo.gov. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
55. "MIXED SIGNALS: THE ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY ON MARIJUANA, PART FOUR—THE HEALTH EFFECTS AND SCIENCE" (PDF), HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, June 20, 2014, pp. 66–67, retrieved December 24, 2019
56. Helping Active Duty Deployed Act of 2009
57. "H.R. 1016: Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009". GovTrack.us. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
58. Nakamura, David (September 6, 2013). "Rep. Gerald E. Connolly faces constituents' ire in making the case for striking Syria". The Washington Post.
59. "CQ Politics – District Detail: VA-11". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
60. Pershing, Ben (November 8, 2010). "Fimian will concede defeat to Connolly in 11th district". The Washington Post.
61. "Virginia's 11th Congressional District elections, 2012". www.ballotpedia.org. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
62. "Virginia's 11th Congressional District elections, 2014". www.ballotpedia.org. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
63. COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA List of Candidates
64. GOP opts against fielding candidate to run against Connolly
65. http://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2016%20November%20General/Site/Congress.html
66. "Iraq War Vet Jeff Dove Will Seek GOP Nomination in VA's 11th Congressional District". fairfaxfreecitizen.com. April 25, 2017. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
67. "Democrat Gerry Connolly wins re-election in Virginia's District 11". wjla.com. November 3, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
68. "Falls Church News & Notes". Falls Church News Press. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2010.

Further reading

• Fimian, Connolly Square Off Burke Connection, October 1, 2008
• Connolly Seeks Higher Office, Julia O'Donoghue, Fairfax Connection, October 8, 2008
• Connolly: ‘Is there enough spending to be cut?’, Robert Costa, National Review, June 11, 2010

External links

• Congressman Gerry Connolly official U.S. House website
• Gerry Connolly for Congress
• Gerry Connolly at Curlie

• 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
• Appearances on C-SPAN