Then, this fall, Upton said he followed up and called Alis widow, even though she no longer lives in Michigan, and left a voicemail on her cellphone: I just want to tell you that the governor and I cut the ribbon and the last leg of U.S. 31 is now open!, The Source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955. After the attack on the Capitol building on January 6th, 2021, Upton was one of only a handful of Republican lawmakers, including freshman Michigan Representative Peter Meijer, to impeach former President Donald Trump for his involvement in the days deadly events. She said, And they lived happily ever after. Indeed we will.. Upton was one of ten Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump over the Capitol riots in January of 2021. Speaking to reporters afterward, Upton pointed to redistricting as a key factor in his decision to retire, rather than backlash he faced over his impeachment vote. In remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives, Upton praised the "salt of the earth" people he has been "blessed beyond measure" to represent. The Michigan Republican is one of the longest-tenured Republicans in the House. Only two of the 10 Republicans who voted for impeachment, Reps. David Valadao of California and Dan Newhouse of Washington, won reelection in November. Oklahoma governor calls for resignations after county officials reportedly 10 key questions for this weeks historic UFO hearing. [72][73] He ultimately did so alongside nine other Republicans on January 13. [60], In 2021, Upton was one of 29 Republicans to vote to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Hes an authentic human being, hes unaffected by the position that he holds.. Seven others are seeking other office. [14] He won the general election with 69% of the vote. (ne Vial) and Stephen Edward Upton (19242022[3]). That vote made him the only member of Congress in history to vote to impeach two presidents, having backed the effort to oust President Bill Clinton in December 1998. IE 11 is not supported. [78], In June 2021, Upton was one of 49 House Republicans to vote to repeal the AUMF against Iraq. Schumer pans McCarthys one-year debt ceiling extension as terrible Graham calls Marjorie Taylor Greenes praise of US intelligence leaker Watch live: White House monkeypox response team holds briefing, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Hes known as a problem solver, said McMorris Rodgers. [86], Upton voted for H.R. Even the best stories have a last chapter. This is it for me, he said about 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 5. [2], Upton was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, the son of Elizabeth B. He was there when John died. Fred Upton is retiring after serving Michigan in Congress for 36 years. This is my home; this is where Im going to be, he said with a smile. He was first elected in 1986. Ive worked with seven administrations, seven House speakers none of them would call me a rubber stamp. This is it for me, Upton said on the floor. Upton has kept many of those beliefs as well as an abiding faith in what he calls the Reagan model, putting the best team of people around him and working on developing relationships regardless of whether you always agreed with someone or were in the same party. Trump endorsed a Republican primary challenger against Upton, state Rep. Steve Carra. He first worked as a staffer for then-Rep. David Stockman, R-Mich., and then followed his boss to the Office of Management and Budget during the Reagan administration. An independent commission in 2021 cut off the southern portion of Uptons old district, including a middle school named after him in his hometown of St. Joseph, and stretched it across the bottom of the state all the way to Lake Erie. U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, may be one of the most affable, easygoing politicians youll ever meet but when it comes to enemies, he sure can pick them. And as a key member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, comprised of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, he helped put forward and pass Biden's signature bill to rebuild roads, bridges and other infrastructure that most House Republicans voted against. 3843: Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022 -- House Vote #460 -- Sep 29, 2022", "Representative Frederick 'Fred' Stephen Upton's Biography", "Representative Frederick 'Fred' Stephen Upton", "Photos and videos: Kate Upton from S.I. Even the best stories have. View Comments. 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. Hes been an extraordinary leader.. These 13 Republicans voted for it", "Gun background check bill has bipartisan support in Michigan delegation", "The eight Republicans who voted to tighten background checks on guns", "Do homophobic attack ads work? NOW WHAT? 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. Trusted, up-to-date local Detroit and Michigan breaking news. Others losing badly, whos next? Trump wrote. [4] He attended Shattuck-Saint Mary's, graduating in 1971. Rep. Fred Upton, a Republican from Michigan, listens during a news. Trump said in a statement. Upton has said Trumps endorsement didn't force his hand, that it was more about redistricting. [58], In 2004 and 2006, Upton voted for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. When Politico recently suggested that his name might be floated as a candidate for House speaker if Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy of California cant get the votes he needs anyone can be named speaker, theoretically, with a majority vote in the entire House and the suggestion was that the well-liked Upton might be able to peel off enough Democratic and Republican votes to win he waved it off casually. [2] Early life, education, and early political career Thanks again to the people of my district who placed their faith and confidence in me all these years, Upton said on the morning of April 5. ", "To him, bipartisan and compromise are not forbidden words," she said. I know that Mr. Upton will continue getting things done for Michiganders and leading on the issues that matter most in our great state.. "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.". A moderate in a 'toxic' place, Fred Upton says goodbye to Congress He built a bipartisan legacy and took flak for impeaching Trump Rep. Fred Upton poses this month in front of his portrait. Asked if it was discouraging to be one of only 29 House Republicans in the Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of members equally divided between parties committed to finding common ground on many of the key issues facing the nation, Upton answered in his usual upbeat manner. The same goes for the Democrats he faced. "This is it for . [23][24], Initial polls showed Upton with a sizable lead over O'Brien, but an October poll showed Upton and O'Brien in a dead heat heading into the final stretch of the campaign.[25][26]. THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. Upton praised the salt of the earth people he has been blessed beyond measure to represent. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). [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. He said he worked alongside real giants who put principal over politics. [99] Upton's niece is supermodel Kate Upton. During Uptons tenure, though, moderates went from being a dominant force to a dying breed. The other three who have . THE FCC JUST KILLED NET NEUTRALITY. Prior to being elected to Congress in 1986, Upton worked for President Ronald Reagan in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). VIDEO: Rep. Fred Upton makes emotional retirement announcement, Even the best stories have a last chapter: This is it for me.. On July 19, 2022, Upton and 46 other Republican Representatives voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify the right to same-sex marriage in federal law. But there was no question that he would have faced a tough, expensive primary race against a Trump-backed Huizenga. Debbie Dingell, who has been close friends with the Uptons for decades and said she speaks to Fred almost daily, said she has only seen him angry when people arent treating other people decently., Its just crossing a line, said Dingell, who in the last few weeks of the current Congress, gave Upton a desk in her office as departing members were forced to give up their spaces to prepare for incoming members. Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images file, GOP Rep. Fred Upton receives death threat after backing infrastructure bill. When we passed it, I called him, and Lonnie, his wife, answered the phone, Upton said. One of the longest serving Republicans in the House, Upton has decided to retire . Starting his career in politics working for the Office of Budget Management in the administration of President Ronald Regan, Upton says hes seen a great change in politics since he first arrived in Washington. Huizenga thanked Upton for his service in a statement. Fred and I have worked together on a host of issues including prioritizing the protection of the Great Lakes, leveling the playing field for Michigan agriculture, and supporting efforts to clean up PFAS and lead contamination. Hear this story. Among other things, it would allocate funding for research into new, non-addictive pain relievers. He is now a Libertarian and also is retiring this year. Ukraine impacted multiple ways by leaked US material, Kansas City homeowner accused of shooting Black teen charged with two felonies, 5 takeaways from Jim Jordans NYC hearing into Alvin Bragg and crime, McConnell returns to Capitol as GOP faces full plate of challenges, Schumer pans McCarthys one-year debt ceiling extension as terrible idea, GOP confronts raucous field hearing on NYC crime. 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.. Isnt the country more important than this? Upton was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump in January 2021, saying in a statement that our country cannot and will not tolerate any effort by any president to impede the peaceful transfer of power. Now, Upton is the fourth of those 10 to retire, joining Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio), John Katko (R-N.Y.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) in exiting Congress. But this past spring, Upton announced that after 36-years serving the region in Washington, he was retiring. We lost at least five Congressional seats, Upton said. That reaching across the aisle was important, that working together is how we get things done for the American people. "[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. Stockman, of course, wasnt any ordinary OMB director: He was chief progenitor of Reagans supply-side economics, arguing for deep cuts in taxes and government spending. Twenty-five contested elections yielded 25-consecutive wins for the 69-year-old. 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