Scott Rigell
E. Scott Rigell (b. May 28, 1960, in Titusville, Fla.) is a formerRepublican member of theUnited States House of Representatives representingVirginia's 2nd Congressional District from 2011 to 2017.
Biography
Rigell earned his associate degree from Brevard Community College, his bachelor's degree from Mercer University and his master's degree from Regent University. He founded an automotive dealership, was vice president for another dealership and founded a third. He also served on Virginia's Motor Vehicle Dealer Board.[1] Rigell also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1978-1984.
Career
Below is an abbreviated outline of Rigell's academic, professional, and political career:[1]
- 2011-2017: U.S. Representative fromVirginia's 2nd Congressional District
- 1995-1999: Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2015-2016
Rigell served on the following committees:[2]
2013-2014
Rigell served on the following committees:[3]
- Armed Services Committee
- Subcommittee on Readiness
- Subcommittee on Seapower & Projection Forces
- Committee on Budget
2011-2012
Rigell served on the following House committees:[4]
- House Armed Services Committee
- Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee
- Strategic Forces Subcommittee
- Committee on Homeland Security
- Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee
- Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee
- Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications Subcommittee
- Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
- Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
- Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation
Key votes
114th Congress
The first session of the114th Congress enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session. In the second session, the114th Congress enacted 133 out of 3,159 introduced bills (4.2 percent). Comparatively, the113th Congress had 7.0 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[5][6] For more information pertaining to Rigell's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections.[7]
Economic and fiscal
Trade Act of 2015
Trade adjustment assistance
On June 12, 2015, theHouse rejected thetrade adjustment assistance (TAA) measure inHR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015—by a vote of 126-302.Trade adjustment assistance (TAA) is a federal program providing American workers displaced by foreign trade agreements with job training and services. The measure was packaged withtrade promotion authority (TPA), also known as fast-track authority. TPA is a legislative procedure that allows Congress to define "U.S. negotiating objectives and spells out a detailed oversight and consultation process for during trade negotiations. Under TPA, Congress retains the authority to review and decide whether any proposed U.S. trade agreement will be implemented," according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Rigell was one of 86 Republicans to vote in favor of TAA.[8][9]
Trade promotion authority On June 12, 2015, theHouse passed thetrade promotion authority (TPA) measure inHR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015 —by a vote of 219-211. TPA gives thepresident fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements sent toCongress without the opportunity for amendment or filibuster. Although the House approved TPA, it was a largely symbolic vote given the measure was part of a package trade bill includingtrade adjustment assistance (TAA), which was rejected earlier the same day. Rigell was one of 191Republicans to support the measure.[10][11]
Trade promotion authority second vote After thetrade adjustment assistance (TAA) andtrade promotion authority (TPA) did not pass theHouse together on June 12, 2015, representatives voted to authorize TPA alone as an amendment toHR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—on June 18, 2015. The amendment passed by a vote of 218-208, with all voting members of the House maintaining their original positions on TPA except forTed Yoho (R-Fla.). Rigell was one of 190Republicans to vote in favor of the amendment.[12][13]
Trade adjustment assistance second vote TheHouse passedHR 1295—the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015—on June 25, 2015, by a vote of 286-138. TheSenate packagedtrade adjustment assistance (TAA) in this bill after the House rejected the TAA measure inHR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015. Along withtrade promotion authority (TPA), whichCongress passed as part ofHR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—TAA became law on June 29, 2015. Rigell was one of 111Republicans to vote in favor of HR 1295.[14][15]
Defense spending authorization
On May 15, 2015, theHouse passedHR 1735—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 269-151. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Rigell voted with 227 otherRepublicans and 41Democrats to approve the bill.[16] The Senate passed the bill on June 18, 2015, by a vote of 71-25. PresidentBarack Obamavetoed the bill on October 22, 2015.[17]
On November 5, 2015, theHouse passedS 1356—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 370-58. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included $5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.[18][19] Rigell voted with 234 otherRepublicans and 135Democrats to approve the bill.[20] On November 10, 2015, theSenate passed the bill by a vote of 91-3, and PresidentBarack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015.[21]
2016 Budget proposal
On April 30, 2015, theHouse voted to approveSConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 226-197. The non-binding resolution was designed to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. All 183Democrats who voted, voted against the resolution. Rigell voted with 225 otherRepublicans to approve the bill.[22][23][24]
2015 budget
On October 28, 2015, theHouse passedHR 1314—the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015—by a vote of 266-167. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017.[25] Rigell voted with 78Republicans and 187Democrats in favor of the bill.[26] It passed theSenate on October 30, 2015.[27] PresidentBarack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015.
Foreign Affairs
Iran nuclear deal
- See also:Iran nuclear agreement, 2015
On May 14, 2015, theHouse approvedHR 1191—the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 400-25. The bill required PresidentBarack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review.Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove, or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. Rigell voted with 222 otherRepublicanrepresentatives to approve the bill.[28][29]
Approval of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
On September 11, 2015, theHouse rejectedHR 3461—To approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 162-269. The legislation proposed approvingthe nuclear agreement with Iran. Rigell voted with 243Republicans and 25Democrats against the bill.[30][31]
Suspension of Iran sanctions relief On September 11, 2015, theHouse approvedHR 3460—To suspend until January 21, 2017, the authority of the President to waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 247-186. HR 3460 prohibited "the President, prior to January 21, 2017, from: limiting the application of specified sanctions on Iran or refraining from applying any such sanctions; or removing a foreign person (including entities) listed in Attachments 3 or 4 to Annex II of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) from the list of designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury." Rigell voted with 244Republicans and twoDemocrats for the bill.[32][33]
Presidential non-compliance of section 2 On September 10, 2015, theHouse passedH Res 411—Finding that the President has not complied with section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 245-186. Section 2 of theIran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 required the president to submit all materials related to the nuclear agreement for congressional review. HouseRepublicans introduced the resolution because two agreements between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran were not submitted to Congress. Rigell voted with 244Republicans for the resolution.[34][35]
Export-Import Bank
On October 27, 2015, theHouse passedHR 597—the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015—by a vote of 313-118. The bill proposed reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank and allowing it to resume offering assistance in the form of loans and insurance to foreign companies that wanted to buy U.S. goods.[36] Rigell voted with 126Republicans and 186Democrats in favor of the bill.[37]
Domestic
USA FREEDOM Act of 2015
On May 13, 2015, theHouse passedHR 2048—the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015—by a vote of 338-88. The legislation revisedHR 3199—the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005—by ending the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, requiring increased reporting from theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Rigell voted with 195Republicans and 142Democrats to approve the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015.[38][39]
Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
On May 13, 2015, theHouse passedHR 36—the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act—by a vote of 242-184. The bill proposed prohibiting abortions from being performed after a fetus was determined to be 20 weeks or older. The bill proposed exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. Rigell voted with 237Republicans in favor of the bill.[40][41]
Cyber security
On April 23, 2015, theHouse passedHR 1731—the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015—by a vote of 355-63. The bill proposed creating an information sharing program that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. It also proposed including liability protections for companies.[42] Rigell voted with 219Republicans and 135Democrats to approve the bill.[43]
On April 22, 2015, theHouse passedHR 1560—the Protecting Cyber Networks Act—by a vote of 307-116.[44] The bill proposed procedures that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Rigell voted with 201Republicans and 105Democrats in favor of the bill.[45]
Speaker of the House
Rigell did not cast his vote forJohn Boehner to continue asSpeaker of the House. He voted forDan Webster instead.[46]
Immigration
On November 19, 2015, theHouse passedHR 4038—the American SAFE Act of 2015—by a vote of 289-137.[47] The bill proposed instituting additional screening processes for refugees from Iraq and Syria who applied for admission to the U.S. Rigell voted with 241Republicans and 47Democrats in favor of the bill.[48]
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.[49] For more information pertaining to Rigell's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[50]
National security
NDAA
Rigell 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.[51]
DHS Appropriations
Rigell voted in support of 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.[51]
Keystone Pipeline Amendment
Rigell voted in opposition 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.[51]
CISPA (2013)
Rigell voted in opposition 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.[52] The bill was largely supported by Republicans but divided the Democratic Party.[51]
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.[53] 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.[54][55] It also cut the food stamp program an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[55] Rigell voted with 161 otherRepublicanrepresentatives 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.[56][57] The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582-page bill, with 64Republicans and threeDemocrats voting against the bill.[57] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[58] It increased the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel by 1 percent, increased Head Start funding for early childhood education by $1 billion, reduced funding to theInternal Revenue Service and theEnvironmental Protection Agency, and protected theAffordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. Rigell voted with the majority of theRepublican Party in favor of the bill.[56]
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.[59] 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.[60] Rigell voted to approve the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[61]
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.[62] 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. Rigell voted for HR 2775.[63]
Rigell released a statement on October 1, 2013, calling for an end to the shutdown. He said, "In rejecting outright all four offers, and without offering a single counter offer, the Senate demonstrated an absolute unwillingness to negotiate. The result? Gridlock and a government shutdown. The shutdown is hurting my district – including the military and the hard working men and women who have been furloughed due to the defense sequester. Republicans fought the good fight. The fight continues but is not advanced by a government shutdown that damages our economy and harms our military. The time has come to pass a clean CR to reopen the government.”[64]
Rigell planned to donate his salary for the duration of the shutdown to the Wounded Warrior Project.[65]
Farm Bill
- See also:United States Farm Bill 2013
Rigell supported the Farm Bill on July 11, 2013. The bill passed in a 216-208 vote.[66] The bill passed included farm policy, but did not include food stamps.[67]
Immigration
Morton Memos Prohibition
Rigell supported 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.[68] The vote largely followed party lines.[69]
Healthcare
Repealing Obamacare
Rigell has voted in support of all attempts to repeal or delay the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[70]
Social issues
Abortion
Rigell supported HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196. The purpose of the bill was to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[71]
Government affairs
HR 676
On July 30, 2014, theU.S. House approveda resolution 225 to 201 to sue President Barack Obama for exceeding his constitutional authority. FiveRepublicans—Thomas Massie of Kentucky,Paul Broun of Georgia,Scott Garrett of New Jersey,Walter Jones of North Carolina andSteve Stockman of Texas—voted withDemocrats against the lawsuit.[72] Rigell joined the other 224Republicans in favor of the lawsuit. All Democrats voted against the resolution.[73][74]
Previous congressional sessions
Fiscal cliff
Rigell voted against 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. He was one of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[75]
Issues
Presidential preference
2016 presidential endorsement
✓ Rigell endorsedGary Johnson for the 2016 presidential general election. Rigell endorsedMarco Rubio for the Republican presidential primary.[76][77]
- See also:Endorsements for Gary Johnson
Republicans who opposed Trump in 2016
Rigell was part of a group of Republican members of Congress who said they would not endorse or vote forDonald Trump. On March 1, 2016, Rigell wrote, "Never before have I grabbed a word like catastrophic to make a political point. It’s like pulling a fire alarm; if you do it, there had better be a fire. There is a fire and it’s raging within our Republican party. I am convinced that if Donald Trump becomes our nominee, the harm done to our party would be nothing short of catastrophic. I reject Trump as our nominee based on his judgement, temperament and character, all of which point to a reckless, embarrassing and ultimately dangerous presidency."[78][79]
A full list of Republicans who opposed Trump can be viewedhere.
E.W. Jackson
Rigell refused to endorseE.W. Jackson, the 2013 Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, because of anti-gay comments made by Jackson.[80]
National security
Libya and Iraq
Rigell opposed deploying ground troops to Libya and joined a bipartisan coalition that asked President Obama and Congress to resist “calls for a ‘quick’ and ‘easy’ military intervention in Iraq.”[81][82]
American response in Syria
- See also:United States involvement in Syria
Sixty-five House lawmakers signed a letter urging PresidentBarack Obama to callCongress back into session, if he decided to use military force in Syria.[83][84]
In the August 2013 letter Rigell wrote that “engaging our military in Syria when no direct threat to the United States exists and without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers that is clearly delineated in the Constitution.”[83]
The letter noted that Obama should have asked Congress for permission when he sent cruise missiles and bombs into Libya. “If the use of 221 Tomahawk cruise missiles, 704 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and 42 Predator Hellfire missiles expended in Libya does not constitute ‘hostilities,’ what does?” the signers asked.[83]
“If you deem that military action in Syria is necessary,Congress can reconvene at your request,” the letter stated. “We stand ready to come back into session, consider the facts before us, and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict.”[83]
Most signers of the letter wereRepublicans. TenDemocratic members -Beto O'Rourke,Gene Green,Zoe Lofgren,Peter DeFazio,Kurt Schrader,Rush Holt,William Enyart,Tim Walz,Rick Nolan andMichael Capuano - also signed the letter.[83]
Elections
2016
Rigell did not seek re-election to his seat in 2016.[85]
2014
IncumbentScott Rigell (R) defeated retired U.S. Naval Reserve CommanderSuzanne Patrick (D) in the general election on November 4, 2014. Neither candidate faced a primary challenger.
Ballotpedia identified Virginia's 2nd Congressional District as a battleground race becauseCook's PVI showed the district as R+2, andFairvote rated the district as 43.4 percent Democratic. In addition, PresidentBarack Obama won the district by 1.5 percent in 2012 and 1.7 percent in 2008.[86][87]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Scott RigellIncumbent | 58.7% | 101,558 | |
| Democratic | Suzanne Patrick | 41.1% | 71,178 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.2% | 324 | |
| Total Votes | 173,060 | |||
| Source:Virginia Department of Elections | ||||
Race background
Rigell was a member of theNational Republican Congressional Committee's Patriot Program. The program was designed to assist vulnerable Republican incumbents during the 2014 election.[88]
Media
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2012
Rigell won re-election in 2012. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary and defeated DemocratPaul Hirschbiel in the November general election.[89][90]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Paul Hirschbiel | 46.1% | 142,548 | |
| Republican | Scott RigellIncumbent | 53.8% | 166,231 | |
| Write-In | N/A | 0.1% | 443 | |
| Total Votes | 309,222 | |||
| Source:Virginia State Board of Elections, "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
Full history
To view the full congressional electoral history for Frank Wolf, click [show] to expand the section. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2010 On November 2, 2010, Scott Rigell won election to theUnited States House. He defeated Glenn C. Nye (D) and Kenny E. Golden (I) in the general election.[91]
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Campaign themes
2014
Rigell highlighted thirteen issues on his website. Here are some of them:[92]
| “ | Creating Jobs:As a lifelong businessman I know the great joy that comes with being able to look someone in the eye and say, “You’re hired!” But today our American small businesses are suffering at the hands of an overreaching, paternalistic government. As a result, America’s unemployment rate has hovered at 8% for more than three full years. So many more Americans are underemployed or have given up looking for work, but if these past three years have taught us anything, it is this: that the government cannot create sustainable jobs or spend our way out of unemployment. The only true path to job creation is to get the government out of the way, create an economic environment that provides certainty to businesses and unleash the greatest job-creating engine the world has ever known: the American entrepreneur! To get the economy back into action, we must first repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which places a heavy burden on our small businesses, and replace it with common-sense, market-based health care solutions that preserve the patient-doctor relationship. Second, we must make our tax code flatter and fairer, so that the government isn’t picking winners and losers through lobbyist-written loopholes and deductions. Third, we must roll back the excessive regulations the federal government has placed on businesses. Finally, we must find new opportunities to grow our national economy, and energy is our number one way to do this. Simply opening up Virginia’s coastal energy for environmentally-responsible energy harvesting would create 18,000 jobs, move us toward energy independence and bring in tax revenue for our schools and roads! Energy development in Virginia has broad bipartisan support. Our Military:We have a deep obligation to pass on to future generations of Americans the blessings of liberty and freedom. That is why a strong military force and a sound national security strategy are so critical – perhaps now more than ever before. Unfortunately, our military and national security are at risk because of massive looming defense cuts that will affect each and every American unless Congress and the President can agree on a plan to stop them. At the same time, American military leaders have said that our national debt is the number one threat to our national security. We must find the common ground to address our unacceptable – and unaccountable – levels of national spending while maintaining the strongest fighting force on the planet. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have successfully fought to keep all East Coast Carriers based in Norfolk and secured emergency funding to improve the electrical grid at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. I also have the great privilege of representing a district that is home to more men and women in uniform than any other district in the country. As the son of an Iwo Jima Marine, and having served in the Marine Corps Reserve myself, I know first-hand the sacrifice and struggle that our military families go through. Education:The future of America depends on preparing today’s students for success tomorrow. Unfortunately, education in America too often puts the concerns of bureaucrats above the needs of our children. That is wrong. Education should and must be about making sure that our schools equip America’s students with the knowledge and life skills necessary to be well-informed and take on the challenges of adulthood. While government is tightening its belt, I believe that education funding must remain a top priority. I have supported keeping K-12 funding levels consistent while adjusting for inflation. And while the federal government plays an important role in funding America’s public schools, I believe that primary education policy must continue to be managed at the local and state level. Finally, successful and effective public education depends on a healthy economy that produces the necessary tax revenue to fund a world-class system. That is why it is so critical for us to improve our economy through smarter, lighter regulations, a fairer and flatter tax code and a sound energy policy that opens up the job-creating power of the energy industry in America. Senior Issues:For too long, the issues facing our nation’s seniors have been used as a pawn in political debates while vitally important programs head toward bankruptcy. Even today, efforts to strengthen Medicare for future generations are being unfairly mischaracterized for political gain. The truth is undeniable: according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund - the fund that pays the Medicare bills - is projected to be exhausted in 2022. I am committed to pursuing and supporting legislation that strengthens and preserves Medicare for current and future generations. I recently introduced a House Resolution that would prevent any changes to Medicare for those 55 and older, and also seeks to reduce the waste, fraud and abuse that is so troubling. This includes legislation ensuring that no changes in Medicare will occur for anyone 55 and older. Unfortunately the recent changes that have been made to Medicare have been damaging. In 2010, Congress passed and the President signed a government-run health care law that cut more than $500 billion from Medicare. This law also put in place an unaccountable, unelected board of fifteen bureaucrats known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), and gave it the power to make coverage decisions on health care which cannot be appealed. We must strongly oppose these cuts in Medicare while implementing market-based reforms that provide more choices for America’s future seniors. The federal government also has an obligation to make good on its promise and pay out Social Security benefits that many depend on and expected when calculating the cost of their retirement. That is why I do not support changing Social Security for today’s seniors or anyone that is on the verge of retirement. Instead, we should enact incremental changes to the program for young Americans to ensure that Social Security remains viable for future generations, while giving young workers enough time to adequately prepare for their own retirements. It will take true leadership in Congress and the White House to save Medicare and face the reality of the situation: if we do nothing, which has been the status quo for years, Medicare and Social Security won’t be there for future Americans. I am committed to doing all that can be done to ensure strong and healthy Medicare and Social Security programs for America’s seniors.[93] | ” |
| —Scott Rigell,http://web.archive.org/web/20140916183502/http://www.scottrigell.com/index.php/where-i-stand | ||
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 | U.S. House (Virginia, District 2) | Won | $1,564,606 | N/A** |
| Grand total | $1,564,606 | 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, Rigell's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $14,104,074 to $62,391,000. That averages to$38,247,537, which is higher than the average net worth of Republican House members in 2012 of $7,614,097.96. Rigell ranked as the 17th most wealthy representative in 2012.[94] Between 2009 and 2012, Rigell‘s calculated net worth[95] increased by an average of 6 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.[96]
| Scott Rigell Yearly Net Worth | |
|---|---|
| Year | Average Net Worth |
| 2009 | $32,008,166 |
| 2012 | $38,247,537 |
| Growth from 2009 to 2012: | 19% |
| Average annual growth: | 6%[97] |
| Comparatively, theAmerican citizen experienced a median yearlydecline in net worth of-0.94%.[98] | |
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). Rigell received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by theRetired industry. Comparatively, the top industry employer inVirginia's 2nd Congressional District wasEducational services, and health care and social assistance, according to a 2012 U.S. Census survey.[99]
From 2009-2014,17.44 percent of Rigell's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.[100]
| Scott Rigell Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Total Raised | $8,161,508 |
| Total Spent | $7,401,028 |
| Top industry in the district | Educational services, and health care and social assistance |
| Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee | |
| Retired | $392,602 |
| Leadership PACs | $310,667 |
| Real Estate | $304,750 |
| Automotive | $283,334 |
| Health Professionals | $132,125 |
| % total in top industry | 4.81% |
| % total in top two industries | 8.62% |
| % total in top five industries | 17.44% |
Analysis
Ideology and leadership
Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship byGovTrack, Rigell was a "ran-and-file Republican follower," as of August 2014.[101] Rigell was a moderate Republican follower in July 2013.[102]
Like-minded colleagues
The websiteOpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.[103]
Rigell most often voted with: | Rigell least often voted with: |
Lifetime voting record
According to the websiteGovTrack, Rigell missed 22 of 3,342 roll call votes from January 2011 to September 2015. This amounted to 0.7 percent, which was lower than the median of 2.2 percent among representatives as of September 2015.[104]
Congressional staff salaries
The websiteLegistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Rigell paid his congressional staff a total of $835,880 in 2011. Overall,Virginia ranked 29th in average salary for representative staff. The averageU.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[105]
Staff bonuses
According to an analysis byCNN, Rigell was one of nearly 25 percent of House members who gave their staff bonuses in 2012. Rigell's staff was given an apparent $3,000.00 in bonus money.[106]
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
Rigell ranked 213th in the conservative rankings in 2013.[107]
2012
Rigell ranked 213th in the conservative rankings in 2012.[108]
2011
Rigell was one of two members of congress who ranked 183rd in the conservative rankings in 2011.[109]
Voting with party
The websiteOpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.
2014
Rigell voted with the Republican Party93 percent of the time, which ranked 161st among the 233 House Republican members as of August 2014.Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many
2013
Rigell voted with the Republican Party91.7 percent of the time, which ranked 187th among the 234 House Republican members as of July 2013.Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many
Personal
Note: Pleasecontact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Rigell and his wife, Teri, have four children.[110]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the termScott + Rigell + Virginia + House
See also
- Virginia's 2nd Congressional District
- Virginia's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2014
- United States congressional delegations from Virginia
External links
- Social media:
- Biographies:
- Political profiles:
- Financial (federal level):
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
- Voting record:
- Media appearances:
- Media coverage:
Footnotes
- ↑1.01.1Who Runs Gov, "Scott Rigell," accessed November 7, 2011
- ↑U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk, "Committee Information," accessed February 20, 2015
- ↑CQ.com, "House Committee Rosters for the 113th Congress," accessed March 3, 2013
- ↑Official House website, "Committees and Caucuses," accessed November 7, 2011
- ↑Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 113th Congress," accessed April 29, 2015
- ↑Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 114th Congress," accessed January 5, 2017
- ↑Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress," April 13, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 361," June 12, 2015
- ↑Roll Call, "Deadline for TAA Do-Over Vote Extended to July 30 (Updated)," June 15, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 362," June 12, 2015
- ↑Roll Call, "Deadline for TAA Do-Over Vote Extended to July 30 (Updated)," June 15, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 374," June 18, 2015
- ↑Politico, "Trade turnaround: House backs new power for Obama," June 18, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 388," June 24, 2015
- ↑The Hill, "Obama signs trade bills," June 29, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 239," accessed May 27, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "H.R. 1735," accessed May 27, 2015
- ↑The Hill, "Redone defense policy bill sails through House," accessed November 12, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "S. 1356," accessed November 12, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 618," accessed November 12, 2015
- ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S. 1356)," accessed November 12, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "S.Con.Res.11," accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 183," accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑The Hill, "Republicans pass a budget, flexing power of majority," accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "HR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015," accessed November 1, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 579," accessed November 1, 2015
- ↑Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1314)," accessed November 1, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "H.R.1191 - Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015," accessed May 16, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 226," accessed May 16, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "HR 3461," accessed September 11, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 493," accessed September 11, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "HR 3460," accessed September 10, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 494," accessed September 11, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "H Res 411," accessed September 10, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 492," accessed September 10, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "HR 597," accessed November 2, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 576," accessed November 2, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "H.R.2048," accessed May 26, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 224," accessed May 26, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "HR 36 - the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act," accessed May 16, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "HR 36," accessed May 16, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "HR 1731," accessed November 2, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 173," accessed November 2, 2015
- ↑Congress.gov, "HR 1560 - Protecting Cyber Networks Act," accessed November 1, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 170," accessed November 1, 2015
- ↑Washington Post, "Here are the Republicans who voted against John Boehner for speaker," accessed January 9, 2014
- ↑Congress.gov, "HR 4038 - the American SAFE Act of 2015," accessed November 20, 2015
- ↑Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 643," accessed November 20, 2015
- ↑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
- ↑51.051.151.251.3Project Vote Smart, "Representative Rigell's Voting Records on National Security," accessed October 14, 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
- ↑55.055.1New York Times, "Senate passes long-stalled farm bill, with clear winners and losers," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑56.056.1CNN.com, "House passes compromise $1.1 trillion budget for 2014," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑57.057.1U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 21," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑Roll Call, "House passes $1.1 trillion omnibus," accessed January 15, 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
- ↑Rigell House website, "Government shutdown," accessed October 1, 2013
- ↑Washington Post, "Which lawmakers will refuse their pay during the shutdown?" accessed October 2, 2013
- ↑Project Vote Smart, "Rigell on agriculture," accessed October 14, 2013
- ↑New York Times, "House Republicans push through farm bill, without food stamps," accessed September 17, 2013
- ↑The Library of Congress, "H.AMDT.136," accessed August 28, 2013
- ↑Project Vote Smart, "Representative Rigell's Voting Records on Immigration," accessed October 14, 2013
- ↑Project Vote Smart, "Representative Rigell's Voting Records on Issue: Health and Healthcare," accessed October 14, 2013
- ↑Project Vote Smart, "Rigell on abortion," accessed October 14, 2013
- ↑U.S. House, "House Resolution 676," accessed July 30, 2014
- ↑Associated Press, "Suing Obama: GOP-led House gives the go-ahead," July 31, 2014
- ↑Washington Post, "House clears way for lawsuit against Obama," accessed July 30, 2014
- ↑U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff," accessed January 4, 2013
- ↑The New York Times, "Congressman Backs Libertarian Presidential Candidate in Campaign First," August 6, 2016
- ↑The Virginian-Pilot, "Rep. Scott Rigell backs Marco Rubio's presidential bid," December 11, 2015
- ↑The Hill, "GOP rep: 'I will not support Trump'," accessed March 2, 2016
- ↑Wavy.com, "Congressman Rigell denounces Donald Trump in letter," accessed March 2, 2016
- ↑"Huffington Post","Rep. Scott Rigell Refuses To Endorse E.W. Jackson, Citing Bishop's Views On Gays" June 5, 2013
- ↑"Votesmart", "H Res 292 - Ground Forces in Libya - Key Vote," accessed August 3, 2014
- ↑"The Nation", "Left-Right Coalition of 80 House Members Wants Congress to Check and Balance Iraq Intervention," July 3, 2014
- ↑83.083.183.283.383.4Politico, "33 lawmakers: Congress must approve Syria action," accessed August 28, 2013
- ↑Yahoo, "65 Lawmakers ask Obama to consult on Syria," accessed August 28, 2013
- ↑Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedretire - ↑The Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2014 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," accessed November 5, 2013
- ↑FairVote, "FairVote Releases Projections for the 2014 Congressional Elections," accessed November 5, 2013
- ↑Roll Call, "House GOP adds 9 vulnerable incumbents to Patriot Program," July 21, 2013
- ↑Washington Post blog, "Scott Rigell, Paul Hirschbiel trade ‘clean campaign’ challenges," May 21, 2012
- ↑Politico, "2012 Election Map," accessed November 6, 2012
- ↑U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ScottRigell.com, "Where I Stand," accessed September 16, 2014
- ↑Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑Open Secrets, "Rigell, 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 25, 2014
- ↑OpenSecrets.org, "Rep. Scott Rigell," accessed September 25, 2014
- ↑GovTrack, "Rigell," accessed September 8, 2014
- ↑GovTrack, "Rigell," accessed July 1, 2013
- ↑OpenCongress, "Rep. Scott Rigell," archived April 7, 2014
- ↑GovTrack, "Rep. Edward “Scott” Rigell [R," accessed October 2, 2015]
- ↑LegiStorm, "Scott Rigell," accessed September 13, 2012
- ↑CNN Politics, "Congressional bonuses in a time of cuts," accessed March 8, 2013
- ↑National Journal, "2013 Congressional Vote Ratings," September 8, 2014
- ↑National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," February 28, 2013
- ↑National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House," accessed February 23, 2012
- ↑Official House website, "Biography," accessed November 7, 2011
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Glenn Nye | U.S. House of Representatives - Virginia, 2nd District 2011-2017 | Succeeded by Scott Taylor (R) |
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