Dennis Hastert

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Dennis Bigjew Hastert
59th United States Speaker of the House
Incumbent
In office since January 6, 1999
Preceded by	Newt Gingrich
Succeeded by	incumbent
United States Representative from Illinois's 14th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  1987
Preceded by	John E. Grotberg
Succeeded by	Incumbent
Born	January 2, 1942 Aurora, Illinois
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Jean Kahl
Religion	Methodist

John Dennis Hastert (born January 2, 1942) is an American politician, and outgoing Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Originally elevated to the Speakership on January 6, 1999, he surpassed Joseph Gurney Cannon as the longest-serving Republican Speaker in history on June 1, 2006. Since 1987, he has been a Republican congressman from Illinois, representing that state's 14th District.

Hastert was reelected to an eleventh term in Congress in the 2006 general election, defeating former United States Navy intelligence officer John Laesch. However, his party suffered heavy losses in that election, losing its majority in the House and the United States Senate; on November 8, the day after the election, Hastert announced that he would not seek a leadership position in the upcoming session of Congress.^[1]

Contents 1 Early life 2 Rise to the Speakership 3 Speaker 4 Presidential succession 5 Controversies 5.1 Campaign contributors 5.2 Support for Turkey 5.3 Remarks about George Soros 5.4 New Orleans rebuilding 5.5 Connection to Jack Abramoff scandal 5.6 FBI search of a Congressional office 5.7 Real estate investments 5.8 2006 House page scandal 5.9 Joshua Hastert 5.10 Ethan Hastert 6 Post-Speakership career 7 Hastert in Fiction 8 References 9 Further reading 10 External links

[edit] Early life

Hastert was born in Aurora, Illinois and grew up in Oswego, Illinois. As a young man he worked in the Plainfield, Illinois family restaurant "The Clock Tower" as a fry cook.[2] [3] He graduated from Wheaton College, Illinois in 1964 and earned a master's degree in education from Northern Illinois University in 1967. He moved to Yorkville, 55 miles west of Chicago, and took a job as a government and history teacher at Yorkville High School. He also coached wrestling and football, leading the wrestling team to a state title in 1976. In 1980, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives and served three terms, becoming the ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee.

The Congressman from Illinois's 14th congressional district, John Grotberg, did not run for a second term in the 1986 election due to a terminal illness. Hastert was nominated by a Republican convention to succeed him. He faced Democrat Mary Lou Kearns, the coroner of Kane County. Hastert initially ran a sluggish campaign, but eventually the district's strong Republican lean (the 14th has been held by Republicans for all but four years since its formation in 1903) prevailed, and Hastert won with 52 percent of the vote. He has never faced another election nearly that close, especially after the 1990s round of redistricting made the 14th even more Republican.

[edit] Rise to the Speakership

Hastert's rise to the Speakership came unexpectedly. During his first 12 years in Congress, he had been a relatively low-key member with a reliably conservative voting record. He worked closely with Illinois Republican leaders, especially Minority Leader Robert Michel. After the Republicans took control of the House in 1995, Hastert was named Chief Deputy Whip, the highest appointed position in the House Republican caucus. In this position, he was chief vote-counter for former Majority Whip Tom DeLay.

Despite his role as one of the most powerful members of the House, Hastert was virtually unknown outside Washington and Illinois until the aftermath of the 1998 midterm elections. House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia had predicted that the Lewinsky scandal and the impeachment of Bill Clinton would result in huge gains for the Republicans, but they actually lost five seats--the worst result in 30 years for a majority party in the House. Facing a rebellion within the Republican caucus, Gingrich stood down for the Speakership and declined to take his seat for an 11th term. Appropriations Committee chairman Bob Livingston of Louisiana quickly gathered enough support within the Republican caucus to become de facto Speaker-elect, but announced that he would resign his seat as well after admitting to an extramarital affair.

With the departures of Gingrich and Livingston, the likely candidates for the Speakership seemed to be Majority Leader Dick Armey and DeLay, both from Texas. However, both were seen as vulnerable. Armey had only recently fended off a challenge from Oklahoma's Steve Largent to unseat him as majority leader. DeLay, already a lightning rod for controversy, was well aware that with a sharply reduced majority (indeed, it was at least in part Gingrich's prediction of a 30-seat win, and subsequent 5-seat loss, that had forced Gingrich out of the House), he would be too controversial and polarizing for the Republicans to reliably transact business in such a closely divided Congress. The leadership then turned to Hastert as a compromise candidate. He was unanimously elected as the Republican candidate for Speaker, which effectively made him Speaker-elect.

[edit] Speaker

Hastert was sworn in as Speaker on January 6, 1999. In accepting the position, Hastert broke with tradition by delivering his acceptance speech from the floor, and by allowing Minority Leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri to preside briefly. Hastert noted the need for both parties to work together, saying: "Solutions to problems cannot be found in a pool of bitterness. They can be found in an environment in which we trust one another's word; where we generate heat and passion, but where we recognize that each member is equally important to our overall mission of improving the life of the American people." His policy agenda focused on lowering taxes, improving education, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, and bolstering national defense.

Although Hastert, as Speaker, is nominal leader of the House Republicans, he adopts a low profile in the media, in dramatic contrast to the media-savvy Gingrich. Hastert denies this. In the months after 9-11, he met regularly with President Bush, Vice President Cheney, the two Senate leaders and the House minority leader to shape the national response. Some have offered the observation that while Gingrich was a bombastic strategist, Hastert is a quiet tactician; the contrast of his predecessor may have exaggerated Hastert's preferred working style. As Speaker, he traditionally does not serve on any committee, and almost never votes on the floor.

Hastert has been a prominent advocate of the FairTax proposal to replace the income tax with a national sales tax. He has been a strong supporter of all of the Bush administration foreign and domestic policies.

On June 1, 2006, Hastert became the longest-serving Republican Speaker of the House in history, surpassing the record previously held by fellow Illinoisan Joe Cannon, who held the post from November 1903 to March 1911.

Hastert shares a townhouse with his chief of staff, Scott Palmer.

[edit] Presidential succession

Hastert is second in the Presidential Line of Succession. Should both President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney be removed, die, resign, or become otherwise unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office of President, Hastert will become President under the terms of the 25th amendment.

[edit] Controversies

[edit] Campaign contributors

According to Federal Election Commission records, Hastert has received campaign contributions from numerous PAC's and individuals. The companies include several with ties to Illinois, such as McDonald's, Caterpillar, and Allstate. Many Fortune 500 companies, medical associations, and agricultural interests have also contributed.^[2]

Hastert has declined and returned contributions from the National Rifle Association. Money from tobacco companies, including Lorillard Tobacco Company and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, have also been returned.^[2]

From 1997 to 2001, Hastert received multiple contributions from Enron Corporation and Arthur Andersen; however, the extent of their issues was not fully known at the time. Hastert accepted multiple contributions from Accenture, despite the GAO noting Accenture is incorporated in a tax haven country (Bermuda), thereby avoiding federal income tax.^[3]

The law firm of Winston & Strawn has made multiple financial contributions. Winston and Strawn's CEO is Republican James R. Thompson who is a former Governor of Illinois, who served as the audit committee chairman for Hollinger International, which is now under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Hastert received approximately $70,000 in contributions from clients of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. A Hastert spokesman said the money would be donated to charity; however, the charity was undisclosed.^[4]

[edit] Support for Turkey

During his time in United States Congress, critics have alleged he is too friendly with Turkey because he has not supported initiatives related to the Armenian genocide of 1915–1923. He has frequently traveled to Turkey.

In October 2000, Hastert withdrew at the last minute a promised House vote on a resolution to recognize the Armenian killings. Hastert claimed that this was prompted by a telephone conversation with then-President Bill Clinton in which "Clinton said he was 'deeply concerned' about the language in the document... Hastert said Clinton had warned of 'possible far-reaching negative consequences for the United States' if the House voted on the legislation."^[5] Hastert defended pulling the vote, saying:

I believe the Armenian people suffered a historic tragedy, and that this resolution was a fitting condemnation of those events. But the president of the United States, the commander and chief of our Armed Forces, has asked us not to bring this resolution to the House floor. This is not an idle request. We all know that the situation in the Middle East is unusually tense.^[5]

He blocked similar legislation in 2004.^[6]

In August 2005, an article published in Vanity Fair reported that Federal Bureau of Investigation translator turned whistleblower Sibel Edmonds has sworn under oath that she listened to wiretaps in which Turkish nationals boasted that Hastert had accepted bribes.^[7] A Hastert spokesperson has denied any knowledge of these events even though an National Security Agency investigation is underway [4].

[edit] Remarks about George Soros

On August 29, 2004, in a Fox News interview, Hastert said, "You know, I don't know where billionaire George Soros gets his money... if it comes overseas or from drug groups or where it comes from." Asked if he thought Soros got money from drug cartels, Hastert responded:

Well, that's what he's been for a number years — George Soros has been for legalizing drugs in this country. So, I mean, he's got a lot of ancillary interests out there. I'm saying I don't know where groups — could be people who support this type of thing. I'm saying we don't know.^[8]

Hastert had made similar comments in an August 23, 2004 radio interview.^[9][10]

On August 31, Soros, who had made his money from investments and currency speculation, wrote to Hastert requesting an apology.^[11] Hastert replied that Soros had "funded organizations such as The Drug Policy Foundation, The Open Society, The Lendesmith Center, the Andean Council of Coca Leaf Producers, and several ballot initiatives across the country to decriminalize illegal drug use"; he did not apologize. Slate magazine noted that "Hastert's explanation is preposterous. Soros gives money to these groups. He doesn't collect money from them."^[9] On September 1, Soros wrote a second letter, again requesting an apology.^[12]

In mid-September 2004, Soros filed a complaint with the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, charging that Hastert had slandered him by making comments on radio and television that Soros received drug money.^[13]

[edit] New Orleans rebuilding

Hastert generated controversy on 1 September 2005 when he said spending federal money to rebuild New Orleans from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina "doesn't make sense to me."^[14][15] Hastert went on to say that "It looks like a lot of that place could be bulldozed."^[14][15]

Hastert's website responds to this controversy with the following statements: "It is important that when we rebuild this historic city that we consider the safety of the citizens first. I am not advocating that the city be abandoned or relocated."^[15][16]

[edit] Connection to Jack Abramoff scandal

Hastert, an Illinois Republican, held a fundraiser at Jack Abramoff's Signatures restaurant in Washington on June 3, 2003, that collected at least $21,500 for his Keep Our Majority political action committee from the Abramoff's firm and tribal clients. Seven days later, Hastert wrote Interior Secretary Gale Norton, urging her to reject the Jena tribe of Choctaw Indians' request for a new casino. Hastert's three top House deputies also signed the letter, which said that approving the request would "run counter to congressional intent."

Hastert collected more than $100,000 in donations from Abramoff's firm and tribal clients. On May 24, 2006, ABC News chief investigative reporter Brian Ross reported that the FBI has begun an investigation into Hastert's connections with Abramoff, and the June 2003 letter in particular.^[17] The Justice Department quickly issued a denial of the ABC report: "Speaker Hastert is not under investigation by the Justice Department," DOJ Director of Public Affairs Tasia Scolinos said in a one-line statement.^[18] Hastert has strongly denied the report. ABC News later issued a updated report which stated that its sources stood by the story.^[19] There have been no further developments.

[edit] FBI search of a Congressional office

Just prior to the ABC report on May 24, Hastert had been critical of the FBI for its May 20, 2006 search of Rep. William J. Jefferson's Congressional office in a bribery investigation [5]. Hastert contended that the FBI, an agency in the executive branch of the federal government, had no constitutional right to search the offices of Congress, a separate branch [6]. The FBI had obtained a warrant for the search.

A number of conservative and Republican oriented pundits have criticized Hastert's position regarding the right of the FBI probe to do such a search. These critics include Captain's Quarters, contributors to National Review and Red State, and the nation's leading talk show host, Rush Limbaugh. The Washington Post also published an editorial critical of the Speaker's anti-FBI stance. Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter was also sharply critical of the Speaker's actions, and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Connecticut Republican Rep. Rob Simmons supported the FBI search.

[edit] Real estate investments

On June 14, 2006, the Sunlight Foundation reported that Hastert has used an Illinois trust to invest in real estate about six miles from the proposed site of the Prairie Parkway. Hastert's financial disclosure statements did not list the trust or its value, but did list several transactions done by the trust as if Hastert had done them directly. The House Ethics manual states that "Disclosure of real property should include a description sufficient to permit its identification (e.g., street address or plat and map location)."^[20] The use of an undisclosed trust to purchase and own land made it impossible to identify the property owned by Hastert.^[21]

In the summer of 2005, Hastert personally intervened during House and Senate negotiations over a huge transportation and infrastructure bill to secure $152 million to build the highway project and $55 million for an interchange 5.5 miles from his property. President George W. Bush signed the bill into law in September 2005.^[22]

On June 15, 2006, the Chicago Tribune reported that Hastert and two partners had sold a 138 acre parcel to a developer in December 2005 for $4.99 million. The land that was sold came equally from two purchases, in August 2002 and February 2004, and had a total cost of $1.9 million.^[23] Hastert's share of the profits was $2.018 million.^[22] Critics charged that, by earmarking money to improve the value of his land, Hastert violated House rules prohibiting taking official action for the prospect of personal gain [7].

[edit] 2006 House page scandal

Main article: Mark Foley scandal

In September of 2006, it was revealed that Speaker Hastert's office had been aware for over a year that Representative Mark Foley (Republican, Florida) had sent inappropriate e-mails to a 16-year old former congressional page in 2005. Foley had been told, by the chair of the three-person committee that oversaw the page program, to stop sending inappropriate emails, but no other action had been taken, nor any further investigation made into Foley's behavior.^[24]

Kirk Fordham, a senior congressional aide, said he told House Speaker Dennis Hastert's office about worrisome conduct by his former boss, Rep. Mark Foley, toward teenage pages more than three years ago, long before officials have acknowledged becoming aware of the issue.^[25]

While Hastert denies knowledge of any explicit e-mails or instant messages, calls are growing for Speaker Hastert to resign for his involvement in the Page scandal. The Washington Times, a conservative newspaper, has called for Hastert to resign as Speaker of the House. The editorial stated, "Either he was grossly negligent... or he deliberately looked the other way in hopes that a brewing scandal would simply blow away. He gave phony answers Friday to the old and ever-relevant questions of what did he know and when did he know it? Mr. Hastert has forfeited the confidence of the public and his party, and he cannot preside over the necessary coming investigation, an investigation that must examine his own inept performance."^[26] Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said that Hastert appropriately handled the aftermath of the scandal involving Florida congressman Foley and salacious, explicit instant messages to underage male pages. Gingrich dismissed a call for Hastert's resignation by The Washington Times. "I do not agree with that, and I think it's very premature and very inappropriate," said Gingrich.^[27]

Angela Marie "Bay" Buchanan, a conservative activist and former Treasurer of the United States, has called for Hastert to resign from Congress. Buchanan said that the email that Hastert was informed about — and described as "overly friendly" — "had predator stamped all over it. No one in the country can suggest otherwise." Buchanan said that Hastert and others "failed the parents of this country."^[28]

On October 4, 2006, a former aide to the House said he alerted Hastert at least three years ago before the e-mails became public.^[29]

On October 6, 2006, Hastert released a statement that he will not resign over this scandal.^[30]

On October 10, Hastert met with Indian-born evangelist K.A. Paul, who said he prayed with Hastert and attempted to get him to resign. Paul played an important role in getting embattled Liberian president Charles Taylor to leave Liberia and go into exile in 2003.^[31][32]

One effect of the controversy was to impair Hastert's ability to help Republican Congressional candidates. Some candidates "disinvited" Hastert from previously scheduled campaign appearances on their behalf.^[33]

[edit] Joshua Hastert

Dennis Hastert's oldest son, Joshua Hastert is a lobbyist for the firm PodestaMattoon. ^[34] Joshua Hastert is registered as a lobbyist for clients ranging from Amgen, a biotech company, to Lockheed Martin, a defense contractor. Such family ties are sparking debates about lobbyists. "There definitely should be restrictions" on family members, said Craig Holman, a Congress Watch official who has studied the matter. "This is family members cashing in on connections... It is an ideal opportunity for special interest groups to exploit family relationships for personal gain." Joshua Hastert says he does not lobby House Republican leaders. ^[35] Joshua loves bicycling and shoe repair.

[edit] Ethan Hastert

In March 2001, Ethan Hastert, a son of Dennis Hastert, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and other traffic violations. Ethan Hastert, was cited for several offenses in the early morning hours. ^[36] Ethan worked on the staff of Vice President Dick Cheney. ^[37] Ethan has since finished law school and works as an attorney for Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw. ^[38]

[edit] Post-Speakership career

Hastert was reelected to his seat by a margin of 59.75% vs. 40.25% in the 2006 election, but that year the Republicans lost control by a wide margin, and soon after, Hastert announced he would not run for the post of Minority leader. He had long made it known that the 2007-08 term would be his last.

[edit] Hastert in Fiction

The The West Wing character Glen Allen Walken played by John Goodman was very loosely based on Hastert.^{[citation needed]} Hastert may have been referenced in the episode "War Crimes" when Sam Seaborn stated that the Speaker was from Illinois.

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

• "How Hastert benefited from sale: Planned highway could sweeten asset near Plano", Chicago Tribune, June 18, 2006
• Mike Dorning, James Kimberly and Ray Gibson, "Hastert's wealth is grounded in land: Booming suburbs yield bounty for longtime real estate investor", Chicago Tribune, July 6, 2006

[edit] External links

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Official Congressional website for Dennis Hastert
• Office of the Speaker of the House
• Hastert for Congress campaign website
• Voting record maintained by the Washington Post
• List of contributors to Hastert's campaigns
• List of candidates for the Fourteenth Congressional District of Illinois

Preceded by John E. Grotberg	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 14th congressional district 1987 – present	Incumbent
Preceded by Newt Gingrich	Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives January 6, 1999 – January 3, 2003; January 7, 2003 – January 3, 2005; January 3, 2005 - present	Succeeded by incumbent
Preceded by Dick Cheney	United States Presidential Line of Succession 2nd in line	Succeeded by Ted Stevens
Preceded by Dick Cheney & Lynne Cheney	United States order of precedence as of 2006	Succeeded by John Roberts

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