Mark Critz
Encyclopedia
Mark S. Critz is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since the special election in 2010. He is a member of the Democratic Party
.
The district, located in the southwestern portion of the state, stretches from Johnstown
to the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh.
Critz was the district director for the 12th's longtime congressman, John Murtha
. Following Murtha's death, Critz won the May 2010 special election with 53% of the vote to complete Murtha's term. Critz was sworn in on May 20. Critz won a full term in November 2010 to represent the 12th District in Congress.
; a suburb of Pittsburgh. In 1987, Critz obtained a Bachelor of Science
degree in Management information systems from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
in Indiana, Pennsylvania
.
In 1987, after graduating from college, Critz served as a manager for several retail businesses, including Spherical Concepts, American Eagle Outfitters
, and Roy Rogers
restaurants. From 1998 until February 2010, he served as an aide and regional director to U.S. Representative John Murtha
in Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district
.
Critz served as Murtha’s liaison to the Flight 93 Memorial committee and the Que Creek Mine disaster
site.
Mark was recognized for his service to the military when he was awarded the Patrick Henry Award by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). It is the highest civilian award issued by the National Guard.
Critz announced on February 22, 2010 that he would resign his position with the 12th Congressional District and would seek the Democratic
nomination to run in a special election
to be held on May 18, 2010, to fill the seat left vacant by the late congressman Murtha. On March 8, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party
Executive Committee followed the recommendation of the district officials by nominating Critz. Of the 49 votes cast by the Committee members, Critz received 30.
Critz was endorsed by Vice President
Joe Biden
, who also campaigned for Critz in early 2010. In March 2010, Critz received the endorsement of the AFL-CIO
of Pennsylvania. Critz received an 86% approval rating from the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) In April he received an endorsement from the United Mine Workers
. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare endorses Mark Critz.
Critz defeated Republican nominee Tim Burns
52.6% to 45.1%.
General
Critz won reelection with 51% of the vote over Republican Tim Burns with 49%.
Critz voted against the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which passed the House in July 2010 by a vote of 239-192.
In 2010, Critz spent a total of $2,428,377.66 on his campaign and his top contributors were Progeny Systems, Mepco LLC, and Concurrent Technologies.
before the November elections. The adjournment resolution passed 210-209.
Mr. Critz received a 100% approval rating from both The American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union. In 2009, Critz received a 50% approval rating from Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund and a 100% approval rating from the Society for Animal Protective Legislation.
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the National Association for the Self-Employed gave Critz a 100% approval rating. Mr. Critz received and 85% approval rating from The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and he received a 50% approval rating from the interest group for Federally Employed Women.
Mark Critz opposes "Cap and Trade" legislation, because it would hurt working families in an already economically strained area. On October 12, 2011 Mr. Critz voted no on the Free Trade Agreement with Korea to keep jobs and businesses in the United States.
Mr. Critz believes that "Social Security is a contract between the government and Americans who have spent their entire lives working, and it is one the government must honor. I will fight all schemes to gamble your social security on the stock market." Mr. Critz has pledged to protect Social Security believing it to be an essential feature of the American workers’ lives, providing them with a peace of mind in their later years ; Social Security must remain fair and equal. He will fight against privatization and a higher retirement age.
On November 3, 2011, Mark Critz voted yes to the authorization of crowdfunding for small businesses allowing those businesses to attain funds more easily.
Mark Critz is a Pro Life representative , and has received a 100% approval rating from the National Right to Life Committee. . Furthermore, "Mark is pro-life and opposes taxpayer funding of abortion. In Congress, Mark will fight for policies that stand up for the sanctity of life." He received a 0% approval from Planned Parenthood.
Mr. Critz's strongest desire is to fix the nation's economy, create more jobs and protect his home state of Pennsylvania.He is also dedicated to standing up for veterans when they return home.
Mr. Critz voted no on July 1, 2010 to limiting Afghanistan military funding to withdrawal and other specified purposes and to requiring a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan. He also voted no on March 17, 2011 to removing troops from Afghanistan.
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...
for , serving since the special election in 2010. He is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
The district, located in the southwestern portion of the state, stretches from Johnstown
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
to the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh.
Critz was the district director for the 12th's longtime congressman, John Murtha
John Murtha
John Patrick "Jack" Murtha, Jr. was an American politician from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Murtha, a Democrat, represented Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1974 until his death in 2010....
. Following Murtha's death, Critz won the May 2010 special election with 53% of the vote to complete Murtha's term. Critz was sworn in on May 20. Critz won a full term in November 2010 to represent the 12th District in Congress.
Early life, education, and pre-congressional career
Critz was born and raised in Irwin, PennsylvaniaIrwin, Pennsylvania
Irwin is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh. Some of the most extensive bituminous coal deposits in the State are located here. In the past, iron foundries, flour mills, car shops, facing and planing mills, electrical goods, and mirror factories provided...
; a suburb of Pittsburgh. In 1987, Critz obtained a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Management information systems from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, USA. The university is northeast of Pittsburgh. It is the largest university in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and is the commonwealth's fifth largest university...
in Indiana, Pennsylvania
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Indiana is a borough in and the county seat of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 14,895 at the 2000 census.The borough and the region as a whole promotes itself as the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World" because the national Christmas Tree Grower's Association was...
.
In 1987, after graduating from college, Critz served as a manager for several retail businesses, including Spherical Concepts, American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle Outfitters is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1977 by Mark and Jerry Silverman as a subsidiary of Retail Ventures, Inc., a company which also owned and operated Silverman's Menswear...
, and Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
restaurants. From 1998 until February 2010, he served as an aide and regional director to U.S. Representative John Murtha
John Murtha
John Patrick "Jack" Murtha, Jr. was an American politician from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Murtha, a Democrat, represented Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1974 until his death in 2010....
in Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district
Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district
Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district is represented by Congressman Mark Critz after a special election was held on May 18, 2010 following the death of Democrat John Murtha. The district has a Cook Partisan Voting Index score of R+1...
.
Critz served as Murtha’s liaison to the Flight 93 Memorial committee and the Que Creek Mine disaster
Quecreek Mine Rescue
The Quecreek Mine Rescue took place in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, when nine miners were trapped underground for over 78 hours, from July 24 to 28, 2002...
site.
Mark was recognized for his service to the military when he was awarded the Patrick Henry Award by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). It is the highest civilian award issued by the National Guard.
2010 elections
SpecialCritz announced on February 22, 2010 that he would resign his position with the 12th Congressional District and would seek the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nomination to run in a special election
Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district special election, 2010
The 2010 special election for the 12th congressional district of Pennsylvania was held on May 18, 2010 to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Democratic U.S. Representative John Murtha. Democratic nominee Mark Critz, Murtha's former district director, defeated Republican nominee Tim Burns...
to be held on May 18, 2010, to fill the seat left vacant by the late congressman Murtha. On March 8, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party
Pennsylvania Democratic Party
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of Pennsylvania. The party has had strong support in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia area for a long time, having controlled the mayoral office in Philadelphia since 1952, and the Pittsburgh...
Executive Committee followed the recommendation of the district officials by nominating Critz. Of the 49 votes cast by the Committee members, Critz received 30.
Critz was endorsed by Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Joe Biden
Joe Biden
Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr. is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama...
, who also campaigned for Critz in early 2010. In March 2010, Critz received the endorsement of the AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
of Pennsylvania. Critz received an 86% approval rating from the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) In April he received an endorsement from the United Mine Workers
United Mine Workers
The United Mine Workers of America is a North American labor union best known for representing coal miners and coal technicians. Today, the Union also represents health care workers, truck drivers, manufacturing workers and public employees in the United States and Canada...
. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare endorses Mark Critz.
Critz defeated Republican nominee Tim Burns
Tim Burns (Pennsylvania businessman)
Tim Burns is a Pennsylvania businessman who ran as a Republican in the 2010 special election to represent Western Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Burns won the party nomination but lost the November general election to Democratic incumbent Mark Critz...
52.6% to 45.1%.
General
Critz won reelection with 51% of the vote over Republican Tim Burns with 49%.
Critz voted against the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which passed the House in July 2010 by a vote of 239-192.
In 2010, Critz spent a total of $2,428,377.66 on his campaign and his top contributors were Progeny Systems, Mepco LLC, and Concurrent Technologies.
Tenure
Critz voted for Congressional adjournment in Sept 2010. Adjournment foes sought extension of Bush-era tax cutsEconomic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001
The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 , was a sweeping piece of tax legislation in the United States by President George W. Bush...
before the November elections. The adjournment resolution passed 210-209.
Mr. Critz received a 100% approval rating from both The American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union. In 2009, Critz received a 50% approval rating from Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund and a 100% approval rating from the Society for Animal Protective Legislation.
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the National Association for the Self-Employed gave Critz a 100% approval rating. Mr. Critz received and 85% approval rating from The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and he received a 50% approval rating from the interest group for Federally Employed Women.
Mark Critz opposes "Cap and Trade" legislation, because it would hurt working families in an already economically strained area. On October 12, 2011 Mr. Critz voted no on the Free Trade Agreement with Korea to keep jobs and businesses in the United States.
Mr. Critz believes that "Social Security is a contract between the government and Americans who have spent their entire lives working, and it is one the government must honor. I will fight all schemes to gamble your social security on the stock market." Mr. Critz has pledged to protect Social Security believing it to be an essential feature of the American workers’ lives, providing them with a peace of mind in their later years ; Social Security must remain fair and equal. He will fight against privatization and a higher retirement age.
On November 3, 2011, Mark Critz voted yes to the authorization of crowdfunding for small businesses allowing those businesses to attain funds more easily.
Mark Critz is a Pro Life representative , and has received a 100% approval rating from the National Right to Life Committee. . Furthermore, "Mark is pro-life and opposes taxpayer funding of abortion. In Congress, Mark will fight for policies that stand up for the sanctity of life." He received a 0% approval from Planned Parenthood.
Mr. Critz's strongest desire is to fix the nation's economy, create more jobs and protect his home state of Pennsylvania.He is also dedicated to standing up for veterans when they return home.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Armed ServicesUnited States House Committee on Armed Servicesthumb|United States House Committee on Armed Services emblemThe U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives...
- Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land ForcesUnited States House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land ForcesHouse Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces is a subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee in the United States House of Representatives.-Jurisdiction:...
- Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
- Subcommittee on Military Personnel
- Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
Mr. Critz voted no on July 1, 2010 to limiting Afghanistan military funding to withdrawal and other specified purposes and to requiring a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan. He also voted no on March 17, 2011 to removing troops from Afghanistan.
- Committee on Small BusinessUnited States House Committee on Small BusinessThe United States House Committee on Small Business is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives.-History:On December 4, 1941, the U. S...
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Coal Caucus
- Congressional Military Families Caucus
- Congressional Natural Gas Caucus
- Congressional Research and Development Caucus
- Congressional Rural Education Caucus
- International Conservation CaucusUnited States Congressional International Conservation CaucusThe U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization that was founded in September 2003 with the conviction that “the United States of America has the opportunity, the obligation and the interests to advance the conservation of natural resources for...
- Marcellus Shale Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
External links
- U.S. Congressman Mark Critz official U.S. House site
- Mark Critz for Congress official campaign site