Joe Barton

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}}{{#if:|{{#ifeq:{{#ifeq:|no|yes}}|yes||}} }}{{#if:|{{#ifeq:{{#ifeq:|no|yes}}|yes||}} }}{{#if:|{{#if:||{{#ifeq:{{#ifeq:|no|yes}}|yes||}}}} }}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox officeholder with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| regexp1 = 1blankname[%d]* | regexp2 = 1namedata[%d]* | regexp3 = 2blankname[%d]* | regexp4 = 2namedata[%d]* | regexp5 = 3blankname[%d]* | regexp6 = 3namedata[%d]* | regexp7 = 4blankname[%d]* | regexp8 = 4namedata[%d]* | regexp9 = 5blankname[%d]* | regexp10 = 5namedata[%d]* | allegiance | alma_mater | regexp11 = alongside[%d]* | alt | regexp12 = ambassador_from[%d]* | regexp13 = appointed[%d]* | regexp14 = appointer[%d]* | regexp15 = assembly[%d]* | awards | battles | battles_label | birth_date | birth_name | birth_place | birthname | regexp16 = blank[%d]* | bodyclass | branch | branch_label | cabinet | candidate | caption | categories | regexp17 = chancellor[%d]* | children | citizenship | regexp18 = co%-leader[%d]* | commands | committees | regexp19 = constituency[%d]* | regexp20 = constituency_AM[%d]* | regexp21 = constituency_MP[%d]* | regexp22 = convocation[%d]* | regexp23 = country[%d]* | regexp24 = data[%d]* | date | death_cause | death_date | death_manner | death_place | demo | regexp25 = deputy[%d]* | regexp26 = district[%d]* | education | election_date | embed | father | regexp28 = firstminister[%d]* | footnotes | regexp29 = governor[%d]* | regexp30 = governor_general[%d]* | regexp31 = governor%-general[%d]* | height | honorific_prefix | honorific-prefix | honorific_suffix | honorific-suffix | image | image name | image_name_alt | image_size | imagesize | image_upright | incumbent | regexp32 = jr/sr[%d]* | regexp33 = jr/sr and state[%d]* | known_for | regexp34 = leader[%d]* | regexp35 = legislature[%d]* | regexp36 = lieutenant[%d]* | regexp37 = lieutenant_governor[%d]* | mainwidth | regexp38 = majority[%d]* | regexp39 = majority_floor_leader[%d]* | regexp40 = majority_leader[%d]* | regexp41 = majorityleader[%d]* | mawards | regexp42 = military_blank[%d]* | regexp43 = military_data[%d]* | regexp44 = minister[%d]* | regexp45 = minister_from[%d]* | regexp46 = minority_floor_leader[%d]* | regexp47 = minority_leader[%d]* | regexp48 = minorityleader[%d]* | regexp49 = module[%d]* | regexp50 = monarch[%d]* | mother | name | nationality | native_name | native_name_lang | nickname | nocat | regexp51 = nominator[%d]* | nominee | occupation | regexp52 = office[%d]* | opponent | regexp53 = order[%d]* | otherparty | parents | regexp54 = parliament[%d]* | regexp55 = parliamentarygroup[%d]* | partner | party | party_election | portfolio | regexp56 = preceded[%d]* | regexp57 = preceding[%d]* | regexp58 = predecessor[%d]* | regexp59 = premier[%d]* | regexp60 = president[%d]* | regexp61 = primeminister[%d]* | regexp62 = prior_term[%d]* | profession | pronunciation | rank | rank_label | relations | relatives | residence | resting_place | resting_place_coordinates | restingplace | restingplacecoordinates | regexp63 = riding[%d]* | runningmate | salary | serviceyears | serviceyears_label | signature | signature_alt | signature_size | smallimage | smallimage_alt | source | speaker | speaker_office | spouse | spouses | regexp64 = state[%d]* | regexp65 = state_assembly[%d]* | regexp66 = state_delegate[%d]* | regexp67 = state_house[%d]* | regexp68 = state_legislature[%d]* | regexp69 = state_senate[%d]* | regexp70 = status[%d]* | regexp71 = suboffice[%d]* | regexp72 = subterm[%d]* | regexp73 = succeeded[%d]* | regexp74 = succeeding[%d]* | regexp75 = successor[%d]* | regexp76 = taoiseach[%d]* | regexp77 = term[%d]* | regexp78 = term_end[%d]* | regexp79 = term_label[%d]* | regexp80 = term_start[%d]* | regexp81 = termend[%d]* | regexp82 = termlabel[%d]* | regexp83 = termstart[%d]* | regexp84 = title[%d]* | unit | unit_label | regexp85 = vicegovernor[%d]* | regexp86 = vicepremier[%d]* | regexp87 = vicepresident[%d]* | regexp88 = viceprimeminister[%d]* | regexp89 = assuming[%d]* | website | width | year }} Joseph Linus Barton (born September 15, 1949) is an American politician. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Template:Ushr in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1985 to 2019. The district included Arlington, part of Fort Worth, and several small towns and rural areas south of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. He was also a member of the Tea Party Caucus. In 2014, Barton became the longest-serving member of the Texas congressional delegation.<ref>"Barton, facing sexting scandal, won't run for re-election to Congress," San Antonio Express-News.</ref>

Barton described himself as "a constant defender of conservative ideals and values".<ref name=autogenerated15>"Battle for Texas’ 6th Congressional District," Fort Worth Star-Telegram.</ref> He advocated for deregulation of the electricity and natural gas industries,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and served as vice-chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committees.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He denied that manmade carbon emissions had contributed to global warming,<ref name=twsRStone101>Andy Kroll, November 3, 2016, Rolling Stone, Why Republicans Still Reject the Science of Global Warming, Retrieved May 21, 2017, "modern-day Republican Party, protecting fossil fuels ... was a religion ... didn't have a chance in hell of persuading someone like Barton to join his cause.... open hostility to science and evidence and facts...</ref><ref name=twsPolFact994>Louis Jacobson, January 15, 2015, PolitFact, Widely shared meme oversimplifies Joe Barton's 2009 comment on wind energy, climate change, Retrieved May 21, 2017</ref> was a proponent of the use of fossil fuels,<ref name=twsTimemag191>Jay Newton-Small and Katy Steinmetz, June 18, 2010, TIME, Eight More Deep Thoughts from Rep. Joe Barton, Retrieved May 22, 2017, "in the mid-1980s, Barton took a hard Texan line against spies ... he said all spies should be given the death penalty as "retribution" to fellow citizens... "We wouldn't go through the legalities that we have to because of our due process."</ref> voted in favor of the May 2017 GOP plan to replace Obamacare,<ref name=twsWashPost848>Kim Soffen, Darla Cameron, Kevin Uhrmacher, May 4, 2017, Washington Post, How the House voted to pass the GOP health-care bill, Retrieved May 22, 2017</ref> supported President Donald Trump's ban on immigration from certain predominantly Muslim nations,<ref name="Blake1"/><ref name=texastrib101>ABBY LIVINGSTON AND BOBBY BLANCHARD, January 29, 2017, Texas Tribune, Texas congressional delegation largely silent on Trump travel ban, Retrieved May 21, 2017, "Barton ... backed the ban..."</ref> and supported the death penalty for people caught spying.<ref name=twsTimemag191/> Barton led a successful effort to repeal the oil export ban in the House in 2015.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His environmental record of defending industries against tighter pollution controls earned him the nickname "Smokey Joe."<ref name=autogenerated7>"Nude photo posted online of U.S. Rep. Joe Barton," Fort Worth Star-Telegram.</ref>

Barton came to national prominence after telling a citizen at a town hall meeting to "shut up."<ref name=twsWashPost101>Lindsay Bever, March 15, 2017, Washington Post, ‘You, sir, shut up!’: Republican congressman shouts down a constituent at tense town hall, Retrieved March 15, 2017, ""You, sir, shut up."... The crowd responded with a combination of apparent anger and applause, with one attendee screaming: "What is that? You don't tell anybody to shut up! You work for us!""</ref> He came to national attention again when sexually explicit photos that he had shared with women surfaced online in 2017.<ref name=foxnews20171122>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=politico20171122>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In November 2017, Barton announced that he would not seek re-election in 2018 following a sex scandal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Early life, education, and early careerEdit

Barton was born in Waco, Texas, the son of Bess Wynell (née Buice) and Larry Linus Barton.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He graduated from Waco High School. He attended Texas A&M University in College Station on a Gifford-Hill Opportunity Award scholarship, and received a B.S. in industrial engineering in 1972.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> An M.Sc. in industrial administration from Purdue University followed in 1973.

Following college, Barton entered private industry until 1981, when he became a White House Fellow and served under United States Secretary of Energy James B. Edwards. Later, he began consulting for Atlantic Richfield Oil and Gas Co., before being elected to the United States Congress in 1984.<ref name=HouseBio>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

U.S. House of RepresentativesEdit

ElectionsEdit

1984–86Edit

File:Joe Barton and Ronald Reagan.jpg

Barton meets President Ronald Reagan in 1984

Barton made his first run for elected office in 1984, when he entered the Republican primary for Texas's 6th congressional district after three-term incumbent Phil Gramm left his seat to run for the United States Senate that year. He finished first in the five-candidate field with 42%, and very narrowly defeated Max Hoyt in the runoff with 50%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He then defeated Democratic nominee and former State Representative Dan Kubiak 57%–43%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Barton was one of six freshmen Republican U.S. congressmen elected from Texas in 1984, known as the Texas Six Pack.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1986, Barton won re-election against Democratic candidate Pete Geren, who was later elected to Congress from a neighboring district. Barton defeated Geren 56%–44%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

1988–2010Edit

File:Bush Contact Sheet P01374 (cropped).jpg

Barton meets President George H. W. Bush in 1989

File:George W. Bush and Joe Barton.jpg

Barton with President George W. Bush

During this period, Barton won each re-election with 60% of the vote or more.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His worst general election performance was in 2006, when he defeated Democratic candidate David Harris 60%–37%, a 23-point margin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The 2008 election was his second-worst performance, defeating Democratic candidate Ludwig Otto by a 26-point margin, 62%–36%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

He was only challenged in the primary twice in this time period: in 1992 and 1994. In 1992, he defeated Mike McGinn 79 to 21%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1994, he defeated Jerry Goode 89%–11%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2012Edit

Because of increasing controversy surrounding his record in office, election battles became increasingly contentious. In 2011, a Super PAC was formed by Texas conservative groups to remove him and several other long-time incumbents from office.<ref>Slater, Wayne (2012-04-02) "Texas super PAC targets long-time GOP incumbents Joe Barton and Ralph Hall" Template:Webarchive. Dallas Morning News. </ref> The Democratic National Committee used Barton's comments in political ads, shown nationally against all Republican candidates.<ref>Yellin, Jessica (2011-06-18) Template:YouTube. CNN. </ref> Several websites were created and dedicated to simply removing Barton from office. DefeatJoeBarton.com/ was created by Democratic challengers. All content was later removed, though the site is still owned.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Barton drew three primary challengers: Joe Chow, Mayor of Addison; Itamar Gelbman, a security consultant; and Frank C. Kuchar, a Dallas businessman and former preacher. Chow is Texas' first Asian-American mayor. He called Barton "the most corrupt congressman in the State of Texas."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the end of March 2012, Barton had $1.3 million in cash on hand, compared with $28,800 for Chow, $178,000 for Gelbman, and $463 for Kuchar.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2014Edit

In the Republican primary on March 4, Barton won re-nomination to a 16th term in the U.S. House. He polled 32,579 (72.7%); his 2012 primary opponent, Frank Kuchar, trailed with 12,260 votes (27.3%).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On November 4, Barton handily won re-election over Democratic opponent David Cozad.

2016Edit

Barton polled 55,197 votes (68.7%) in a three-candidate field for the Republican House nomination in the March 1 primary election. The runner-up, Steven Fowler, received 17,927 votes (22.3%).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> To win his 17th consecutive term in the House, Barton then defeated in the November 8 general election the Democrat Ruby Faye Woolridge (born 1948) of Arlington, who had polled 22,954 votes (69.7%) in her earlier three-candidate Democratic primary.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Barton finished with 159,444 votes (58.3%) to Woolridge's 106,667 (39%); the most any Democrat had received against Barton in his three-decade career.<ref name=autogenerated11>"What could happen to Texas Rep. Joe Barton's Congressional seat?" | The Kansas City Star</ref> The remaining 7,185 votes (2.6%) went to the Green Party candidate, Darrel Smith, Jr.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2018Edit

Texas's filing deadline for the House seat held by Barton was December 11, 2017.<ref name=autogenerated11 /> The primary was held March 6, 2018.<ref name=autogenerated11 /> Barton initially said that he would run for reelection, but announced on November 30, 2017, that he would not seek reelection in 2018.<ref name=autogenerated19>"Rep. Joe Barton: I will not seek re-election",Template:Dead link Dallas News.</ref><ref name=autogenerated20>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

If Barton resigned from his seat (as predicted by Austin Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak), there would be a special, open primary election in 2018, in which candidates from all parties would appear on a single ballot; if no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, then the top two vote-getters (regardless of party) will advance to a runoff.<ref name=autogenerated11 /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Democrat former educator Ruby Faye Woolridge had indicated she would run for the seat, as did Democrats Jana Lynne Sanchez (endorsed by the New Democrat Coalition and the environmental group Climate Hawks Vote), party activist Justin Snider, Levii R. Shocklee of Arlington, and lawyer John Duncan.<ref>"Texas Rep. Joe Barton's seat could give Latina PR professional an opening" | McClatchy Washington Bureau</ref><ref name=autogenerated15 /><ref name=autogenerated14>"What could happen to Texas Rep. Joe Barton's Congressional seat?" | The News Tribune</ref><ref name=autogenerated12>"Texas' Joe Barton could get re-elected to Congress despite photo," Fort Worth Star-Telegram.</ref><ref name=autogenerated16>"Many local Republicans think Joe Barton shouldn't run for re-election," Fort Worth Star-Telegram.</ref> Republicans Jake Ellzey (a retired U.S. Navy fighter pilot and commissioner on the Texas Veterans Commission) and Dr. Monte Mark Mitchell (a Fort Worth physician, attorney, and custom home builder) filed to oppose Barton, and other Republican candidates for Barton's seat may include State Representative Tony Tinderholt, State Senators Brian Birdwell and Konni Burton, Ellis County Commissioner Paul Perry, and former Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector Ron Wright (Barton's former chief of staff and district director).<ref>"Who'll replace Joe Barton? Tax official, ex-fighter in race as Republicans," Fort Worth Star-Telegram.</ref><ref name=autogenerated14 /><ref name=autogenerated7 /><ref name=autogenerated12 /><ref name=autogenerated17>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=autogenerated16 /><ref>"Rep. Joe Barton faces new primary challenger after sexting revelation," Dallas News.</ref>

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram urged that Barton not seek re-election.<ref>"Joe Barton should leave Congress after sending nude photos," Fort Worth Star-Telegram.</ref> Tim O'Hare, the Chairman of the Tarrant County Republican Party, called on Barton "to not seek re-election and to retire from Congress by the end of [2017]," saying he is guilty of "sexual immorality."<ref name=autogenerated16 /><ref name=autogenerated17 /> Republican State Senators Konni Burton and Brian Birdwell also urged Barton to not seek re-election.<ref>"State Sen. Konni Burton joins Republicans asking U.S. Rep. Joe Barton to step down," Fort Worth Star-Telegram.</ref><ref>"State Sen. Birdwell asks Joe Barton to not seek re-election," Fort Worth Star-Telegram.</ref> Brian Mayes, a Dallas political consultant, said Barton was vulnerable in his upcoming election battle "if he gets a motivated opponent", and that he risked getting lumped in "fairly or unfairly" with sexual misconduct allegations in Congress.<ref name=autogenerated8>"Texas Rep. Joe Barton might be a victim, but he's also politically vulnerable, strategists say," Dallas News.</ref> Barton announced on November 30, 2017, that he would not seek reelection.<ref name=autogenerated19 />

TenureEdit

File:Joe Barton (16405774486).jpg

Barton speaking at the 2015 Lincoln Dinner in Fort Worth

Barton voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 in both of its manifestations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In March 2011, Barton sponsored the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act, which would repeal the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, signed by President George W. Bush. The 2007 law set energy efficiency standards for light bulbs, effectively eliminating most or all incandescent light bulbs. Barton said "People don't want Congress dictating what light fixtures they can use."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Barton was a member of the Freedom Caucus<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the first session of the 115th United States Congress, Barton was ranked the 42nd most bipartisan member of the House by the Bipartisan Index, a metric published by The Lugar Center and Georgetown's McCourt School of Public Policy to assess congressional bipartisanship.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Congressional action

Former Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee,<ref name="paidwife">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="bbcwarming">Template:Cite news</ref> House sponsor of the Energy Policy Act of 2005,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and chairman of the House–Senate energy conference committee.Template:Citation needed On his website he speaks of his diligent work to promote a conservative agenda, and how "in his first legislative victory as Chairman, the House overwhelmingly passed legislation to limit indecency on the public airwaves."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Both initiated and eliminated "safe harbor" provision for MTBE (in Energy Policy Act of 2005).<ref name="MSNBCNews"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Co-founded the Congressional Privacy Caucus, cosponsor of the anti-spyware SPY ACT, initiated National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006.
Opposed the extension of the Voting Rights Act in 2006
Barton was a leading voice in Congress for forcing the switch from analog to digital TV.<ref>Barton Pushes For Analog Shut Off, Billboard (April 26, 2005).</ref><ref>Lawmaker to press for digital TV deadline: Broadcasters wary because of low adoption rate, Associated Press (April 19, 2005).</ref>
Barton has supported the auctioning off the public airwaves to private companies.<ref>Dow Jones, FCC's Martin admits D-block spectrum bid unlikely, Mercury News (February 13, 2008).</ref><ref>"GOP Lawmakers Call for New Airwave Auction to Pay for National 911 Communications", Associated Press (April 15, 2008).</ref>

Global warmingEdit

Prompted by a February 2005 Wall Street Journal article,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Barton launched an investigation that year into two climate change studies from 1998 and 1999.<ref name="bbcwarming"/> In his letters to the authors of the studies he requested details on the studies and the sources of the authors grant funding.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Washington Post condemned Barton's investigation as a "witch-hunt".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During former Vice President Al Gore's testimony to the Energy and Commerce Committee in March 2007, Barton asserted to Gore that "You're not just off a little, you're totally wrong" (climate scientists have refuted Barton's assertion<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>), stating that "Global warming science is uneven and evolving."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Upset with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's passage of global warming legislation in 2009, he said: "You can't regulate God."<ref name=autogenerated13>"Eight More Deep Thoughts from Congressman Joe Barton," TIME, June 18, 2010.</ref> At the same time, Barton implied in 2009 that wind is a "finite resource," and there was a claim made that Barton was suggesting that greater use of wind turbines would "slow the winds down," which would "cause the temperature to go up,"<ref name=autogenerated13 /><ref>"Opening Panel Round," NPR, June 26, 2010.</ref><ref>"Leo Hickman: Climate sceptic 'baffles' US energy secretary Steven Chu" | Environment, The Guardian, April 23, 2009.</ref> although a report in Snopes suggested that Barton was merely quoting an academic study which suggested that increased use of wind turbines might have unintended consequences for the environment, and that the claim about the linkage between increased use of wind turbines and slowing down the winds was incorrect.<ref name=twsSnopes111>Snopes, Did Rep. Joe Barton Proclaim 'Wind Is a Finite Resource'? Texas Rep. Joe Barton supposedly once said that 'wind is a finite resource and harnessing it would slow the winds down, which would cause the temperature to go up.', Retrieved December 16, 2017, "...he was quoting from a paper written by an academic that questioned whether increased use of wind turbines might have unintended environmental consequences..."</ref> In 2013, when discussing the Keystone XL pipeline, he referred to the Genesis flood narrative in the Bible to argue that current climate change isn't man-made.<ref name=huffington_post_10_apr_2013>Template:Cite news</ref> Barton rejects the scientific consensus on climate change that climate change is real and that human activity is the primary cause.<ref name="huffington_post_10_apr_2013" /><ref name=vice>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=buzzfeed20130410>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=time20100618>Template:Cite news</ref> Barton has "mocked human-caused climate change" according to The New York Times,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and is "a long-time denier of global warming" according to Time magazine,<ref name=time20100618/> and "a longtime skeptic of human involvement in climate change" according to HuffPost.<ref name="huffington_post_10_apr_2013"/> In any event, he suggested that humans will "adapt" to climate change because we can "get shade."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Barton has made a reputation for his outspoken rejection of man-made climate change, and for his support for the oil industry," according to Suzanne Goldenberg in The Guardian.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Autism bills controversyEdit

Barton tried to block the bipartisan Combating Autism Act of 2006. He said that the money steered toward environmental causes of autism was not the reason he blocked passage of the bill.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The controversy stemmed from the conflict between two bills in the House and Senate. Barton introduced the National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> while Senator Rick Santorum introduced the Autism bill. Santorum said in a CNN interview that the Senate bill was intended to be "fit into" Barton's bill in the House bill. He stated that "I was in constant conversation with him [Barton] and many House members all last week in an attempt to help the NIH bill come through the Senate, as well as try to move the Combating Autism bill through the Senate." Santorum stated that the Senate bill would investigate possible environmental causes, while the House bill would prevent that.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Barton let the bill die in committee, which upset many people who were vocal about saying Barton had sacrificed the interests of autistic children in the interests of the oil and gas companies that donate heavily to his campaign.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

BP oil spill controversyEdit

In June 2010, Barton accused the Obama administration of a "$20 billion shakedown" of oil giant BP after the company reached an agreement with the administration to establish an escrow account to pay the claims of people harmed by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made the accusation at the outset of a House hearing where BP's chief executive officer, Tony Hayward, appeared for the first time before Congress. Facing Hayward at the witness table, Barton said, "I apologize. I do not want to live in a country where any time a citizen or a corporation does something that is legitimately wrong, is subject to some sort of political pressure that is, again, in my words — amounts to a shakedown, so I apologize."<ref name="barton-bp-apology-cbs">Template:Cite news</ref> Prior to the establishment of the agreement, the Obama administration had been public in their criticism of BP for the oil spill.<ref name="barton-bp-apology-cbs"/>

Barton's remarks were criticized by White House spokesman Robert Gibbs and Vice President Joe Biden,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> GOP congressional leadership<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> as well as by Barton's fellow Republicans, some of whom called on him to relinquish his leadership role in the House Energy Subcommittee.<ref>Collette, Christopher (2010-06-18) "Florida Congressmen denounce Joe Barton's apology to BP". Associated Press via WTSP.</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Barton later said that his earlier remarks had been "misconstrued" and that he believed BP was responsible for the accident. Later that day, he issued a statement apologizing for using the term "shakedown" and fully retracted his apology to BP.<ref name="MSNBCNews">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sodomy and abortionEdit

In 2010, Barton backed a policy platform that called for re-criminalizing sodomy in Texas.<ref name=autogenerated9>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He has 100% ratings from socially conservative groups such as the Family Research Council and the Christian Coalition of America for his opposition to abortion and LGBTQ rights.<ref name=autogenerated9 /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>"Fort Worth protesters demand funding cuts for Planned Parenthood," Fort Worth Star-Telegram.</ref>

CREW reportEdit

The organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) put Barton on its "CREW's Most Corrupt Report 2011".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The article stated that on Barton's 2008 financial disclosure statement, he inaccurately reported on the source of a natural gas interest that he bought into. The share was purchased through a longtime donor and supporter, who later died. This was discovered by the Dallas Morning News in 2010.<ref name="dallasnews1">Michaels, Dave (2010-02-03) "U.S. Rep. Joe Barton's gas well stake raises ethical questions". Dallas Morning News. </ref> According to the Dallas Morning News article, Barton made over $100,000 on the investment. The article and CREW Report both pointed out how Barton buying this undervalued asset from an "advisor" on energy issues could be a conflict of interest to the Congressman's position as the Chair of the House's Energy Subcommittee. It quoted James Thurber, a Distinguished Professor of Government at American University, as saying: "If you are elected as a public servant to try to do what is right for the public generally and then you use that position to help bring in material wealth, I think it's unethical."<ref name="dallasnews1"/>

CREW also reported that Barton paid his wife Terri $57,759 in salary and bonuses, from his campaign funds in the 2006 election cycle.<ref name="ethicsreport">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A spokesman said that Terri served as the campaign's outreach director and planned fund raising and special events.<ref name="paidwife"/> in addition, Barton's daughter Kristin was paid $12,622 in salary and bonuses, and his mother, Nell Barton, was paid $7,000 for a car.<ref name="paidwife"/>

Crude oil banEdit

Barton expressed in September 2014 his full support of the U.S. lifting the 40-year-old ban on crude oil exports – an issue that sparked controversy among members of the Republican Party. Several research reports had found that exporting the glut of shale oil would ultimately lower U.S. and global fuel prices, rather than raise them; U.S. public opinion was divided on the issue.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Online pokerEdit

Barton has sought to permit online poker, and regulate it on a federal level.<ref name=autogenerated10>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> To that end, he has introduced the Online Poker Act of 2011, the Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013, and the Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2015.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=autogenerated10 />

Health careEdit

Barton favored repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Explaining why the American Health Care Act (the House Republicans' bill to repeal and replace for the Affordable Care Act) failed in March 2017, Barton said, "Sometimes you're playing fantasy football and sometimes you're in the real game. We knew the president, if we could get a repeal bill to his desk, would almost certainly veto it. This time we knew if it got to the president's desk it would be signed."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Hurricane Harvey reliefEdit

Barton voted against Hurricane Harvey relief in 2017.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> Barton said that he could not support an increase in the debt ceiling.<ref name=":0" />

ImmigrationEdit

Barton supported President Donald Trump's 2017 Executive Order 13769 banning entry to the United States by nationals of seven Muslim-majority nations.<ref name="Blake1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In November 2017, Barton called on the House leadership to pass naturalization legislation for children who came across the border illegally with their parents.<ref>Drusch, Andrea. (9 November 2017). "After three decades in Congress, Rep. Barton keeps changing, keeps surviving". McClatchy DC website Retrieved November 15, 2017.</ref>

Committee assignmentsEdit

Committee on Energy and Commerce (Chair emeritus)

1993 U.S. Senate electionEdit

Template:See also In 1993, Barton ran in the special election for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the resignation of Lloyd Bentsen, who became United States Secretary of the Treasury in the Clinton administration. Barton finished third in the contest, behind state treasurer Kay Bailey Hutchison and Senator Bob Krueger, thus missing a runoff slot. He divided the more conservative vote in that election with House colleague Jack Fields of Houston.

Barton Family FoundationEdit

The Barton Family Foundation was established in 2005 to support charities within the congressman's district. His daughter-in-law, Amy Barton, is the Foundation's Executive Director. Major energy corporations, such as the Chicago-based nuclear energy producer, Exelon Corporation, make major gifts to the Foundation. In June 2008, at a time when Barton had introduced legislation to assist corporations with the recycling of spent nuclear fuel, the corporation donated $25,000 to the Foundation. Exelon has also donated $80,000 to Barton's campaign funds. The Foundation gave $90,000 to the local Boys and Girls Club, this is the only recorded donation made by the Foundation in its seven-year history.<ref name=Sepee>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sex scandalEdit

In November 2017, nude selfie pictures of Barton surfaced online, which he acknowledged were authentic, and which he apologized for to his constituents.<ref name=foxnews20171122 /><ref name=politico20171122 /> He confirmed he himself took the photo, apparently from a video of him masturbating, and sent it to women with whom he was having consensual sexual relationships.<ref name=autogenerated1>"Texas congressman apologizes for nude online selfie" ABC News</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> An anonymous Twitter user posted the photo of Barton, who had pointed his camera upward from below his genitals, next to a text message reading, "I want you soo bad. Right now. Deep and hard."<ref name=autogenerated2 />

An anonymous woman said that she had received the selfie and other explicit images from Barton, but she did not post any of them on the internet. She also shared with the Washington Post a 2015 recorded phone call in which Barton warned her against using the explicit materials "in a way that would negatively affect my career," threatening to report her to the Capitol Police if she did so.<ref>"Barton threatened to report the woman to Capitol Police if she shared sexually explicit photos of him: report" Jacqueline Thomsen, thehill.com 2017-11-22</ref> On the taped phone call, Barton said "... I ... met you twice while married and had sex with you on two different occasions"; the woman said that they had slept together in 2012 in Washington, DC, and in 2014 in Texas, and that the Congressman had reimbursed her for her airfare in cash on both occasions.<ref name=autogenerated6 /> The woman also shared with the Washington Post text and social media messages Barton exchanged with her, as well as a 53-second cellphone video in which Barton recorded himself masturbating.<ref>"Congressman on tape tells woman he would report her to Capitol Police because she could expose his secret sex life" Mike DeBonis and Elise Viebeck, Washington Post, November 22, 2017</ref> She described to the newspaper encounters and contact with Barton spanning a five-year period, beginning in 2011.<ref name=autogenerated6>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She said she came forward because: "It's not normal for a member of Congress who runs on a GOP platform of family values and conservatism to be scouring the Internet looking for a new sexual liaison."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

A week later a second woman, Kelly Canon, a board member of the Arlington Republican Club and a member of the Republican Women of Arlington who is a constituent of Barton's, shared a series of messages—some with sexual overtones—that Barton had sent to her.<ref name=autogenerated18>"He talked panties and politics: Woman shares Facebook messages from Texas politician" | Miami Herald</ref> Barton sent the messages in 2012 and 2013, while Barton was married to his second wife.<ref name=autogenerated18 /> The messages included questions from Barton about whether Canon was "wearing a tank top only .. and no panties," followed by "answer me miss evasive."<ref name=autogenerated18 /> Barton also messaged her that "men are men...and u r definitely a sexy woman." When Canon responded that "all the good ones are married," Barton replied: "I dont know about good..but I am married ... but ...I am not thinking good thoughts at this moment ... blush."<ref name=autogenerated18 /> Barton confirmed that he had the message exchange.<ref name=autogenerated18 />

A third woman, Cheryl Small, said on November 30, 2017, that Barton had sex with her multiple times in his Ennis office while he was married.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

His second ex-wife said: "Of course I wasn't surprised. I guess I was more surprised that some of these ladies finally came forward."<ref name=autogenerated22>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She said she found it ironic that Barton was one of President Bill Clinton's loudest critics during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.<ref name=autogenerated22 /> Similarly, columnist Jim Schutze of the Dallas Observer noted that Barton practically built his political career "on condemning the behavior of others and even on trying to make other people's private behavior against the law ...."<ref>[1], Dallas Observer.</ref>

While Barton had no plans to resign immediately, according to a spokeswoman,<ref name=autogenerated1 /> and initially had said that he would run for reelection in 2018, a number of state and local politicians indicated that they might challenge him in the 2018 election for his seat.<ref>"Joe Barton apologizes for explicit photo, but he doesn't plan to resign" Dallas News.</ref><ref name=autogenerated20 /> Barton hired a crisis communication firm, and said he had suffered a "potential crime."<ref>"Senior Texas Republican Swept Up Into Storm Over Explicit Photo" Nicholas Fandos and Jonathan Martin, The New York Times Nov. 22, 2017</ref> Outlets including Slate, NBC and CNN opined that Barton might be a victim of revenge porn, which—though not a federal crime—is a class A misdemeanor in Texas, punishable by up to one year in county jail and up to a $4,000 fine.<ref>"Congressman Joe Barton Might Have Been the Victim of Revenge Porn", Slate.com, November 22, 2017</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Randy Bellomy, Chairman of the Ellis County Republican Party, said "His lifestyle is inconsistent with Republican ideals, and he has brought disgrace not only to Ellis County and the 6th Congressional District, but also to the people of Texas and this great nation."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Brian Mayes, a Dallas political consultant, said that the sexting "is something you'd expect from a young, immature college kid, not a grandfather."<ref name=autogenerated8 /> Texas GOP Chairman James Dickey said that the case is distinguishable from that of former Congressman Anthony Weiner and his sexting scandal, but that the two controversies share one "consistent message that everyone should take to heart: We should all think very hard before we post, text or otherwise share anything."<ref name=autogenerated8 /> Barton announced on November 30, 2017, that he would not seek reelection.<ref name=autogenerated19 />

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram ran an editorial in reaction entitled "Hey Joe Barton, skipping the next election is not enough. It's time to go."<ref name=autogenerated21>"Joe Barton Republican step down United States House of Representatives," Fort Worth Star-Telegram.</ref> It opined that it was not appropriate for Barton – who "can no longer be taken seriously" – to continue to represent the 6th Congressional District for another year, until January 2019.<ref name=autogenerated21 />

Personal lifeEdit

Barton was divorced from his first wife (Jeanette/Janet Sue Winslow) in 2003. He remarried in 2004, and divorced from his second wife (Terri) in 2015.<ref name=autogenerated5>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=autogenerated7 /><ref>Maria Recio, Long-timer Joe Barton seeks to regain powerful chairmanship in Congress, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (May 21, 2016).</ref><ref name=autogenerated2>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 2017 he was again engaged.<ref name=autogenerated7 /> His wife Terri said she filed for divorce after evidence that Barton had engaged in multiple affairs, and finding "a very sexually explicit video of one of his mistresses."

He has four children and five grandchildren.<ref name=HouseBio/> In December 2005, Barton suffered a heart attack and was taken to George Washington University Hospital.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Electoral historyEdit

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

Template:Sister project

Articles

How the Wall Street Journal and Rep. Barton celebrated a global-warming skeptic: The untold story of how a front-page article and powerful U.S. politicians morphed former mining executive Stephen McIntyre into a scientific superstar Environmental Science & Technology, August 31, 2005
"Big Oil Looking for a Government Handout, Courtesy of Joe Barton" World Internet News, April 2006,
"Activists Putting Heat on Barton" Template:Webarchive Dallas Morning News, October 2006
"Eight More Deep Thoughts from Rep. Joe Barton" Time, June 2010

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