Bill Thomas
Encyclopedia
William Marshall Thomas (born December 6, 1941), commonly known as Bill Thomas, is an American
politician, and a Republican
member of the United States House of Representatives
from 1979–2007, finishing his tenure representing California's 22nd congressional district
and as the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
, moving with his parents to the Southern California
area. He graduated from Garden Grove High School
, attended Santa Ana College
, earning an associate's degree
before transferring to San Francisco State University
, where he earned his bachelor's degree
and master's degree
in political science
in 1963 and 1965, respectively. He became an instructor at Bakersfield College
before running in the California State Assembly
in 1974. He won election to the House of Representatives in 1978, representing the 18th congressional district
.
Thomas married the former Sharon Lynn Hamilton in 1968. They have two grown children. He and his wife are Baptists.
magazine polled congressional aides on the "best and worst" of Congress, Thomas was voted #2 for "brainiest", #3 for "workhorse", and #1 for "meanest" and overwhelmingly for "hottest temper" in the House. Thomas is known for being able to comprehend and communicate the intricacies of obscure legislative matters, studying testimony and research reports himself instead of relying on executive summaries from his aides. Thomas is also known for losing his temper when people are unprepared, earning a reputation for sharp interrogations. "He's revered, but he's also reviled to some degree", fellow representative Mark Foley
told CQ Weekly
.
Thomas was a key proponent of several of President George W. Bush's
agenda items, including three major tax cut bills and the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act
of 2003 (PL 108-173), and was also instrumental in the passage of the Balanced Budget Act
of 1997.
On March 6, 2006, Thomas announced he would not seek reelection, retiring after 28 years in the House. A major influence on his decision was the internal GOP term limits that would require him to relinquish his Ways and Means chairmanship even if he were re-elected. Thomas endorsed a former aide, Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy, who was elected to replace him.
In 2007, after leaving the House, Thomas joined the American Enterprise Institute
as a visiting fellow working on tax policy, trade policy, and health care policy. Thomas also joined law and lobbying firm Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician, and a Republican
California Republican Party
The California Republican Party is the California affiliate of the United States Republican Party. The party chairman is Tom Del Beccaro and is based in Burbank, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. The RPC also has a headquarters in Sacramento....
member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from 1979–2007, finishing his tenure representing California's 22nd congressional district
California's 22nd congressional district
California's 22nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California that covers parts of San Luis Obispo, Kern, and Los Angeles counties. The district is anchored in Bakersfield and takes in most of San Luis Obispo County....
and as the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Early life and family
Thomas was born in Wallace, IdahoWallace, Idaho
Wallace is a historic city in the Panhandle region of the U.S. state of Idaho and the county seat of Shoshone County in the Silver Valley mining district...
, moving with his parents to the Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
area. He graduated from Garden Grove High School
Garden Grove High School
Garden Grove High School is located in Garden Grove, California. It is a member of the Garden Grove Unified School District.- Overview :The Garden Grove Union High School District was established in 1921 in response to attempts by neighboring school districts to annex the Garden Grove area. GGHS...
, attended Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College is a community college located in Santa Ana, California, USA.-History:In 1915, Santa Ana Junior College opened its doors to 25 students as a department of Santa Ana High School. It was the second community college founded in Orange County, behind Fullerton College, and the fourth...
, earning an associate's degree
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...
before transferring to San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
, where he earned his bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
and master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
in 1963 and 1965, respectively. He became an instructor at Bakersfield College
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield College is a public community college located in Bakersfield, California, USA. Bakersfield College has an official Twitter account at @bcrenegades and an official...
before running in the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
in 1974. He won election to the House of Representatives in 1978, representing the 18th congressional district
California's 18th congressional district
California's 18th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California. The district is located in the northern San Joaquin Valley and includes the cities of Modesto, Stockton, Ceres, Atwater, Merced and Los Banos...
.
Thomas married the former Sharon Lynn Hamilton in 1968. They have two grown children. He and his wife are Baptists.
Career
When WashingtonianWashingtonian (magazine)
Washingtonian is a monthly magazine distributed in the Washington, DC area since 1965. The magazine describes itself as "the magazine Washington lives by." The magazine's core focuses are local feature journalism, guide book-style articles, and real estate advice.-Editorial Content:Washingtonian...
magazine polled congressional aides on the "best and worst" of Congress, Thomas was voted #2 for "brainiest", #3 for "workhorse", and #1 for "meanest" and overwhelmingly for "hottest temper" in the House. Thomas is known for being able to comprehend and communicate the intricacies of obscure legislative matters, studying testimony and research reports himself instead of relying on executive summaries from his aides. Thomas is also known for losing his temper when people are unprepared, earning a reputation for sharp interrogations. "He's revered, but he's also reviled to some degree", fellow representative Mark Foley
Mark Foley
Mark Adam Foley is a former member of the United States House of Representatives. He served from 1995 until 2006, representing the 16th District of Florida as a member of the Republican Party....
told CQ Weekly
Congressional Quarterly
Congressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
.
Thomas was a key proponent of several of President George W. Bush's
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
agenda items, including three major tax cut bills and the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act is a federal law of the United States, enacted in 2003. It produced the largest overhaul of Medicare in the public health program's 38-year history.The MMA was signed by President George W...
of 2003 (PL 108-173), and was also instrumental in the passage of the Balanced Budget Act
Balanced Budget Act of 1997
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997, , was signed into law on August 5, 1997. It was an omnibus legislative package enacted using the budget reconciliation process and designed to balance the federal budget by 2002....
of 1997.
On March 6, 2006, Thomas announced he would not seek reelection, retiring after 28 years in the House. A major influence on his decision was the internal GOP term limits that would require him to relinquish his Ways and Means chairmanship even if he were re-elected. Thomas endorsed a former aide, Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy, who was elected to replace him.
In 2007, after leaving the House, Thomas joined the American Enterprise Institute
American Enterprise Institute
The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research is a conservative think tank founded in 1943. Its stated mission is "to defend the principles and improve the institutions of American freedom and democratic capitalism—limited government, private enterprise, individual liberty and...
as a visiting fellow working on tax policy, trade policy, and health care policy. Thomas also joined law and lobbying firm Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney P.C. is a large U.S. law firm and lobbying group based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The firm has more than 450 lawyers in sixteen offices nationwide, and was ranked 108th on the National Law Journal's 2010 list of the 250 largest law firms in the United...
.
Election history
- 1978 — Defeated Bob Sogge - 59%-41%
- 1980 — Defeated Mary Pat Timmermans - 71%-29%
- 1982 — Defeated Robert J. Bethea - 68%-32%
- 1984 — Defeated Michael T. LeSage - 71%-29%
- 1986 — Defeated Jules H. Moquin -73%-27%
- 1988 — Defeated Lita Reid - 71%-27%
- 1990 — Defeated Michael Thomas — 60%-34%
- 1992 — Defeated Deborah Vollmer — 65%-35%
- 1994 — Defeated John EvansJohn Evans- Academics :*Sir John Evans , English archaeologist and geologist*John Davies Evans , English archaeologist specialising in the prehistory of the Mediterranean and Malta, former Director of the Institute of Archaeology, London...
— 69%-28% - 1996 — Defeated Deborah Vollmer — 66%-27%
- 1998 — Defeated John EvansJohn Evans- Academics :*Sir John Evans , English archaeologist and geologist*John Davies Evans , English archaeologist specialising in the prehistory of the Mediterranean and Malta, former Director of the Institute of Archaeology, London...
— 79%-21% - 2000 — Defeated Pete Martinez — 72%-25%
- 2002 — Defeated Jaime Corvera — 73%-24%
- 2004 — Unopposed
Congressional committees
- U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means — Chairman (2001–2006)
- U.S. House Committee on AdministrationUnited States House Committee on House AdministrationThe United States House Committee on House Administration deals with the general administration matters of the United States House of Representatives.-Jurisdiction:...
— Chairman (1995–2001)