Allyson Schwartz
Allyson Young Schwartz (b. October 3, 1948, in Queens,New York) was aDemocratic member of theUnited States House of Representatives from the state ofPennsylvania.
Schwartz decided to forfeit a possible fifth term in Congress in2014, in order to run forGovernor of Pennsylvania. She filed for the2014 election to challengeRepublican incumbentTom Corbett on April 8, 2013.[1] She was defeated byTom Wolf in the Democratic primary.
Biography
Schwartz was born in Queens,New York. She earned her B.A. from Simmons College in 1970 and her master's degree from Bryn Mawr College in 1972. Before becoming a representative from Pennsylvania in theUnited States House, she was a member of thePennsylvania State Senate from 1991 to 2004.[2]
Career
Below is an abbreviated outline of Schwartz's political career:
- 2005-2015: Member of theUnited States House of Representatives,Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District
- 1991-2004: Member of thePennsylvania State Senate
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2013-2014
Schwartz served on the following committees:[3]
- Ways and Means Committee
- Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures
- Subcommittee on Social Security
2011-2012
Schwartz served on the following committees:[4]
- Foreign Affairs Committee
- Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia
- Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade[5]
Key votes
113th Congress
The second session of the113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[6] For more information pertaining to Schwartz's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[7]
National security
DHS Appropriations
Schwartz voted against HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines.[8]
Keystone Pipeline Amendment
Schwartz voted in favor of House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.[8]
CISPA (2013)
Schwartz voted in favor of HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill permitted federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[9] The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.[8]
NDAA
Schwartz voted in support of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[8]
Economy
Farm bill
On January 29, 2014, theU.S. House approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013,H.R. 2642, also known as theFarm Bill.[10] The bill passed by a vote of 251-166. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that would kick in when prices drop.[11][12] However, cuts to the food stamp program cut an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[12] Schwartz voted with 88 otherDemocraticrepresentatives in favor of the bill.
2014 Budget
On January 15, 2014, theRepublican-runHouse approvedH.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[13][14] The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582 page bill, with 64Republicans and threeDemocrats voting against the bill.[14] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[15] It included a 1 percent increase in the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel, a $1 billion increase in Head Start funding for early childhood education, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, and the protection of theAffordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. Schwartz joined with the majority of theDemocratic party and voted in favor of the bill.[13][14]
Government shutdown
- See also:United States budget debate, 2013
On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[16] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen.Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[17] Schwartz voted against the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[18]
The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by theSenate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made bySenate Democrats was to require income verification forObamacare subsidies.[19] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming fromRepublican members. Schwartz voted for HR 2775.[20]
Schwartz said that she planned to "go without her paycheck during the government shutdown" and would determine where she would donate the earnings.[21]
Immigration
Morton Memos Prohibition
Schwartz voted against House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain individuals residing in the United States without legal status. The vote largely followed party lines.[8]
Healthcare
Healthcare Reform Rules
Schwartz voted against House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[8]
Keep the IRS Off Your Healthcare Act
Schwartz voted against HR 2009 - Keep the IRS Off Your Healthcare Act of 2013. The bill passed through the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 232-185. The bill would prevent the IRS and Treasury Secretary from enforcing the powers provided to them in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The vote largely followed party lines.[8]
Social issues
Amash amendment
Schwartz voted against House Amendment 413 - Prohibits the National Security Agency from Collecting Records Under the Patriot Act. The amendment failed on July 4, 2013, by a vote of 205-217. The amendment would have prohibited the collection of records by the National Security Agency under the Patriot Act. Both parties were split on the vote.[8]
Previous congressional sessions
Fiscal cliff
Schwartz voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. She was one of 172 Democrats that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[22]
Elections
2014
Schwartz ran in theelection forGovernor of Pennsylvania in2014. She formally entered the race to challenge incumbent Gov.Tom Corbett (R) on April 8, 2013.[23][1] Schwartz lost theDemocratic primary election toTom Wolf.
| Governor of Pennsylvania, Democratic Primary, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
| 57.9% | 488,917 | |||
| Allyson Schwartz | 17.6% | 149,027 | ||
| Rob McCord | 16.8% | 142,311 | ||
| Kate McGinty | 7.7% | 64,754 | ||
| Total Votes | 845,009 | |||
| Election results viaPennsylvania Department of State. | ||||
Endorsements
Schwartz was endorsed by the following:
- Emily's List[24]
- United Mine Workers of America[25]
- U.S. Rep.Bob Brady[26]
- Philadelphia Democratic City Committee[27]
- IBEW Local 98[28]
2012
Schwartz ran in the2012 election for theU.S. House to representPennsylvania's13th District. She had no formal opposition in the Democratic primary on April 24, 2012, and she defeatedJoe Rooney (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[29]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 69.1% | 209,901 | ||
| Republican | Joe Rooney | 30.9% | 93,918 | |
| Total Votes | 303,819 | |||
| Source:Pennsylvania Department of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Schwartz won re-election to theUnited States House of Representatives. She defeatedCarson Dee Adcock (R) in the general election.[30]
Full history
To view the full congressional electoral history for Allyson Schwartz, click [show] to expand the section. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 On November 2, 2010, Allyson Schwartz won re-election to theUnited States House. She defeated Carson Dee Adcock (Republican) in the general election.[31]
2008 On November 4, 2008, Allyson Schwartz won re-election to theUnited States House. She defeated Marina Kats (R) and John P. McDermott (Const) in the general election.[32] 2006 On November 7, 2006, Allyson Schwartz won re-election to theUnited States House. She defeated Raj Peter Bhakta (R) in the general election.[33]
2004 On November 2, 2004, Allyson Schwartz won election to theUnited States House. She defeated Melissa Brown (R), John P. McDermott (Const.) and Chuck Moulton (L) in the general election.[34] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.
| Year | Office | Status | Contributions | Expenditures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Governor of Pennsylvania | Lost | $9,288,605 | N/A** |
| 2012 | U.S. House (Pennsylvania, District 13) | Won | $2,910,725 | N/A** |
| Grand total | $12,199,330 | N/A** | ||
| Sources:OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). | ||||
| ** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle | ||||
| Note: Totals above reflect only available data. | ||||
Personal Gain Index
- See also:Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)
- See also:Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)
ThePersonal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of theU.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:
PGI: Change in net worth
Based oncongressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available byOpenSecrets.org, Schwartz's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $1,718,050 to $4,371,000. That averages to$3,044,525, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic House members in 2012 of $5,700,168.36. Schwartz ranked as the 104th most wealthy representative in 2012.[35] Between 2004 and 2012, Schwartz's calculated net worth[36] increased by an average of 2 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.[37]
| Allyson Schwartz Yearly Net Worth | |
|---|---|
| Year | Average Net Worth |
| 2004 | $2,670,918 |
| 2012 | $3,044,525 |
| Growth from 2004 to 2012: | 14% |
| Average annual growth: | 2%[38] |
| Comparatively, theAmerican citizen experienced a median yearlydecline in net worth of-0.94%.[39] | |
The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.
PGI: Donation Concentration Metric
Filings required by theFederal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated byOpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). Schwartz received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by theLawyers/Law Firms industry. Comparatively, the top industry employer inPennsylvania's 13th Congressional District wasEducational services, and health care and social assistance, according to a 2012 U.S. Census survey.[40]
From 1997-2014,32.34 percent of Schwartz's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.[41]
| Allyson Schwartz Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Total Raised | $18,744,140 |
| Total Spent | $18,337,543 |
| Top industry in the district | Educational services, and health care and social assistance |
| Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee | |
| Lawyers/Law Firms | $2,281,377 |
| Women's Issues | $1,423,545 |
| Health Professionals | $959,822 |
| Retired | $716,950 |
| Real Estate | $679,447 |
| % total in top industry | 12.17% |
| % total in top two industries | 19.77% |
| % total in top five industries | 32.34% |
Analysis
Ideology and leadership
Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship byGovTrack, Schwartz was arank-and-file Democrat as of July 2014.[42] This was the same rating Schwartz received in June 2013.[43]
Like-minded colleagues
The websiteOpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she voted most and least often. The results include a member from each party.[44]
Schwartz most often voted with: | Schwartz least often voted with: |
Lifetime voting record
According to the websiteGovTrack, Schwartz missed 348 of 7,427 roll call votes from January 2005 to July 2014. This amounted to 4.7 percent, which was worse than the median of 2.5 percent among the lifetime records of representatives serving as of July 2014.[45]
Congressional staff salaries
The websiteLegistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Schwartz paid her congressional staff a total of $840,780 in 2011. Overall,Pennsylvania ranked 34th in average salary for representative staff. The averageU.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[46]
National Journal vote ratings
- See also:National Journal vote ratings
Each yearNational Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.
2013
Schwartz was one of three House members who ranked 144th in the liberal rankings in 2013.[47]
2012
Schwartz ranked 110th in the liberal rankings in 2012.[48]
2011
Schwartz ranked 144th in the liberal rankings in 2011.[49]
Voting with party
The websiteOpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.
2014
Allyson Schwartz voted with the Democratic Party94.5 percent of the time, which ranked 54th among the 204 House Democratic members as of July 2014.[50]
2013
Allyson Schwartz voted with the Democratic Party95.3 percent of the time, which ranked 42nd among the 201 House Democratic members as of June 2013.[51]
2011
Allyson Schwartz voted with the Democratic Party92.7 percent of the time, which ranked 92nd among the 192 House Democratic members as of December 2011.[52]
Personal
Note: Pleasecontact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Schwartz is married to David. They have two children.
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the termAllyson + Schwartz + Pennsylvania + House
See also
- Pennsylvania
- United States congressional delegations from Pennsylvania
- United States House of Representatives
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2014
- Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District
- List of U.S. Congress incumbents not running for re-election in 2014
- United States congressional delegations from Pennsylvania
- United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2014
External links
- Biographies:
- Political profiles:
- Financial (federal level):
- Financial (state level):
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
- Voting record:
- Media coverage:
Footnotes
- ↑1.01.1The Philadelphia Inquirer, "Allyson Schwartz files to run for Pa. governor," April 8, 2013
- ↑Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "SCHWARTZ, Allyson Y., (1948 - )"
- ↑CQ.com, "House Committee Rosters for the 113th Congress," accessed March 3, 2013
- ↑Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, "Committee Information"
- ↑Committee on Foreign Affairs, Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, "Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere"
- ↑Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 112th Congress," accessed September 5, 2013
- ↑Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 113th Congress," accessed March 4, 2014
- ↑8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.7Project Vote Smart, "Allyson Schwartz Key Votes," accessed October 16, 2013
- ↑The Library of Congress, "Bill Summary & Status - 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) - H.R.624," accessed August 27, 2013
- ↑Clerk of U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 31: H.R. 2642," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑Politico, "House clears farm bill," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑12.012.1NY Times, "Senate Passes Long-Stalled Farm Bill, With Clear Winners and Losers," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑13.013.1CNN.com, "House passes compromise $1.1 trillion budget for 2014," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑14.014.114.2U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 21," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑Roll Call, "Omnibus Sails Through the Senate," January 16, 2014
- ↑Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑Buzzfeed, "Government Shutdown: How We Got Here," accessed October 1, 2013
- ↑Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
- ↑U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 550," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑Washington Post, "Which lawmakers will refuse their pay during the shutdown?" accessed October 2, 2013
- ↑U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff," accessed January 4, 2013
- ↑The Philadelphia Inquirer, "Allyson Schwartz hires Democratic Party finance chief as she considers running against Corbett," December 8, 2012
- ↑Huffington Post, "Emily's List Endorses Allyson Schwartz For Pennsylvania Governor," May 23, 2013
- ↑PoliticsPA, "Schwartz Endorsed by UMWA," September 10, 2013
- ↑PoliticsPA, "Brady Backs Schwartz," October 17, 2013
- ↑Politics PA, "PA-Gov Roundup: Philly Dems Back Schwartz & More," November 1, 2013
- ↑Philly.com, "IBEW Local 98 gives Schwartz $100k contribution," December 11, 2013
- ↑Pennsylvania Department of State, "2012 General Primary Unofficial Returns," April 24, 2012
- ↑U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑OpenSecrets, "Schwartz, 2012," accessed January 14, 2014
- ↑This figure represents the total percentage growth from either 2004 (if the member entered office in 2004 or earlier) or the member's first year in office (as noted in the chart below).
- ↑This number was found by dividing each member's total net worth growth percentage by the number of years included in the calculation.
- ↑This figure represents the total percentage growth divided by the number of years for which there are net worth figures for each member.
- ↑This figure was calculated using median asset data from the Census Bureau. Please see theCongressional Net Worth data for Ballotpedia spreadsheet for more information on this calculation.
- ↑Census.gov, "My Congressional District," accessed September 24, 2014
- ↑OpenSecrets.org, "Rep. Allyson Schwartz," accessed September 24, 2014
- ↑GovTrack, "Allyson Schwartz," accessed July 23, 2014
- ↑GovTrack, "Allyson Schwartz," accessed June 19, 2013
- ↑OpenCongress, "Rep. Allyson Schwartz," accessed July 23, 2014
- ↑GovTrack, "Allyson Schwartz," accessed July 23, 2014
- ↑LegiStorm, "Allyson Schwartz," accessed September 18, 2012
- ↑National Journal, "TABLE: House Conservative Scores by Issue Area," July 23, 2014
- ↑National Journal, "TABLE: House Liberal Scores by Issue Area," February 21, 2013
- ↑National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House," accessed February 23, 2012
- ↑OpenCongress, "Voting With Party," accessed July 2014
- ↑OpenCongress, "Voting With Party," accessed July 2014
- ↑OpenCongress, "Voting With Party," accessed July 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Joe Hoeffel | U.S. House of Representatives - Pennsylvania, District 13 2005–2015 | Succeeded by Brendan Boyle |
| Preceded by ' | Pennsylvania State Senate 1991-2004 | Succeeded by ' |
- Pages using DynamicPageList3 dplreplace parser function
- 109th Congress
- 110th Congress
- 111th Congress
- 112th Congress
- 113th Congress
- Democratic Party
- Former member, U.S. Congress
- Former member, U.S. House
- Former state legislative member
- Former state senator
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. House, Pennsylvania
- U.S. House incumbent retired, 2014
- 2012 Congress incumbent
- 2012 incumbent
- U.S. House candidate, 2012
- 2014 State executive challenger
- State executive candidate, 2014
- Gubernatorial candidate, 2014
- 2014 State executive primary (defeated)

