Mark Udall

Revision as of 19:03, 16 May 2025 by imported>Nevermore27 (→‎Committee assignments: ce)
(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Template:Short description {{#invoke:infobox|infoboxTemplate | bodyclass = vcard | bodystyle = {{#if:|width: {{{mainwidth}}}}} | child = {{{embed}}}

| abovestyle = font-size: 100%;

| above = {{#if:|

{{{honorific-prefix}}}

}}

{{#if:Mark Udall|Mark Udall|Template:PAGENAMEBASE}}

{{#if:|

{{{honorific-suffix}}}

}}

| subheaderstyle = font-size:125%; font-weight:bold;

| subheader = {{#ifeq:{{{embed}}}|yes||{{#if:|{{#if:|

}}{{{native_name}}}{{#if:|

}}}}}}

| image = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage|image=MarkUdall-Senate Portrait.jpg|size=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=1|alt=|suppressplaceholder=yes}} | image2 = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage|image=|size=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=1|alt=|suppressplaceholder=yes}} | image3 = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage|image=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=1|alt=|suppressplaceholder=yes}} | captionstyle = line-height:normal;padding-top:0.2em; | caption{{#if:|3|{{#if:|2}}}} = Official portrait, 2009

| headerstyle = color: #202122; {{#ifeq:{{{embed}}}|yes|background:#eee|background:lavender}}

| data1 = {{#if:| {{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}}}Template:Infobox officeholder/office{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| {{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}

| data2 = | header3 = {{#if:Mark Emery UdallTemplate:Birth date and ageTucson, Arizona, U.S.DemocraticTemplate:Marriage2Mo UdallUdall familyWilliams College (BA)|Personal details}} | label4 = Pronunciation | data4 =

| label5 = Born | data5 = {{#invoke:Separated entries|br

|1 = {{#if:Mark Emery Udall|

Mark Emery Udall

}}

|2 = Template:Birth date and age
|3 = Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
}}

| label6 = Died | data6 = {{#invoke:Separated entries|br||}}

| label7 = {{#ifexpr: Template:Strfind short

   | Manner |{{#if:|Manner|Cause}} }} of death

| data7 = {{#if:||}}

| label8 = Resting place | class8 = label | data8 = {{#invoke:Separated entries|br||}}

| label9 = Citizenship | data9 =

| label10 = Nationality | data10 = {{#switch:{{#invoke:delink|delink|}} | {{#ifeq:Template:Country2nationality|{{#invoke:delink|delink|}}|{{#invoke:delink|delink|}}}} = | {{#ifeq:Template:Find country|England|British}} = | #default = }}

| label11 = Political party | data11 = {{#switch:Democratic | = | Democrat | Democratic | Democrat = Democratic | Republican | United States Republican Party | Republican | Republican Party = Republican | Conservative Party | Conservative = Conservative | Labour Party | Labour = Labour | Conservative Party | Conservative = Conservative | Liberal Party | Liberal = Liberal | KMT | Kuomintang | KMT | KMT | Kuomintang | Kuomintang (KMT) | Kuomintang (KMT) = Kuomintang | DPP | DPP | Democratic Progressive Party = Democratic Progressive Party | #default = Democratic }}

| label12 = Other political
affiliations | data12 =

| label13 = Height | data13 = {{#if:|Template:Infobox person/height}}

| label14 = Spouse{{#if:|s|{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize|Template:Marriage|likely=(s)|plural=s}}}} | data14 = Template:Marriage

| label15 = Domestic partner{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize||likely=(s)|plural=s}} | data15 =

| label16 = Relations | data16 =

| label17 = Children | data17 = 2

| label18 = Parent{{#if:|{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize||likely=(s)|plural=s}}|{{#ifexpr:Template:Count > 1|s}}}} | data18 = {{#if:|{{{parents}}}|{{#invoke:list|unbulleted|{{#if:Mo Udall|Mo Udall (father)}}|{{#if:|{{{mother}}} (mother)}}}}}}

| label19 = Relatives | data19 = Udall family

| label20 = Residence{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize||likely=(s)|plural=s}} | class20 = {{#if:||label}} | data20 =

| label21 = Education | data21 = Williams College (BA)

| label22 = Alma mater | data22 =

| label23 = Occupation | data23 =

| label24 = Profession | data24 =

| label25 = Known for | data25 =

| label26 = Salary | data26 =

| label27 = Cabinet | data27 =

| label28 = Committees | data28 =

| label29 = Portfolio | data29 =

| label30 = {{#if:|Civilian awards|Awards}} | data30 =

| label31 = {{{blank1}}} | data31 =

| label32 = {{{blank2}}} | data32 =

| label33 = {{{blank3}}} | data33 =

| label34 = {{{blank4}}} | data34 =

| label35 = {{{blank5}}} | data35 =

| label36 = Signature | data36 = {{#if:Mark Udall Signature.svg|Mark Udall's signature}}

| label37 = Website | data37 =

| label38 = Nickname{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize||likely=(s)|plural=s}} | data38 =

| header39 = {{#if:|Military service}}

| label40 = Allegiance | data40 =

| label41 = {{#if:||Branch/service}} | data41 =

| label42 = {{#if:||Years of service}} | data42 =

| label43 = {{#if:||Rank}} | data43 =

| label44 = {{#if:||Unit}} | data44 =

| label45 = Commands | data45 =

| label46 = {{#if:||Battles/wars}} | data46 =

| label47 = {{#if:|Military awards|Awards}} | data47 =

| label48 = {{{military_blank1}}} | data48 =

| label49 = {{{military_blank2}}} | data49 =

| label50 = {{{military_blank3}}} | data50 =

| label51 = {{{military_blank4}}} | data51 =

| label52 = {{{military_blank5}}} | data52 =

| data53 = {{#invoke:Listen|main}} | data54 = | data55 = | data56 = | data57 = | data58 = | belowstyle = border-top: 1px solid right;

| below =

{{#if:| As of {{{date}}}{{#if:|, {{{year}}}}}}}

{{#if:|Source: [{{{source}}}]}}

}}{{#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 }} Mark Emery Udall (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell; born July 18, 1950) is an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Colorado from 2009 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the United States House of Representatives, representing Template:Ushr. Before being elected to Congress, he represented parts of Boulder, Colorado, in the Colorado House of Representatives.

Throughout his career, he has proposed legislation to support renewable energy, expand national parks, and protect natural resources. Born in Tucson, Arizona, he is the son of former U.S. Representative Mo Udall and the nephew of former U.S. Representative Stewart Udall. A member of the Udall family, a western American political family, his relatives include New Mexico's Tom Udall and Utah's Mike Lee. Udall ran for reelection in 2014 to a second term in the U.S. Senate, but was narrowly defeated by Republican challenger Cory Gardner.

Early life and educationEdit

File:ICS Papa.svg
The Blue Peter nautical flag which indicates a vessel is "Outward Bound" is used as the program's symbol.

Template:See also Mark Udall was born in Tucson, Arizona, to Patricia J. (née Emery) and Morris "Mo" Udall, the U.S. representative for Template:Ushr from 1961 to 1991, and candidate for the 1976 Democratic nomination for President. Udall attended and graduated from Canyon del Oro High School in 1968, where he was elected student body president.<ref name="accomplishments" /> Udall won the Arizona State Golf Championship Boy's division in 1968.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Udall later graduated from Williams College in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in American civilization.<ref name="accomplishments">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1976 Udall worked as a field coordinator for his father's campaign to win the Democratic nomination against Jimmy Carter.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

After college, Udall moved to Colorado and began his career with Outward Bound, a non-profit outdoor education organization.<ref name="sen about">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="rollcall">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For ten years Udall worked as a course instructor, in which he would bring patrons on outdoor expeditions. During his career in Outdoor Adventure Education he also was an instructor at DoDDS's Project Bold, located at the Hinterbrand Lodge in Berchtesgaden, Germany. Afterward, Udall served as Outward Bound's Executive Director for ten years, after which Udall decided to retire, completing his twenty-year career with Outward Bound.<ref name="nj"/>

Colorado House of RepresentativesEdit

In 1996, Udall was encouraged to run for the Colorado House of Representatives by Peggy Lamm of the 13th district, who had decided to retire.<ref name="MJ">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After running a grassroots campaign in the swing district, Udall narrowly defeated Republican Drew Bolin to represent the Longmont and Boulder district.<ref name="ciruli">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During his two years in office, Udall served on the Judiciary and Agriculture Livestock & Natural Resources Committees.<ref name="corecord">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

While in the Colorado House, Udall proposed legislation titled "Renewable Electricity Standard." It would have required at least 10% of energy consumed in Colorado to be provided by renewable sources rather than fossil fuels. The bill died in committee.<ref name="MJ"/> Udall chose not to run for re-election, instead decided to run for the United States Congress. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat, Tom Plant.<ref name="ciruli"/>

U.S. House of RepresentativesEdit

ElectionsEdit

After one term in the Colorado House of Representatives, Udall opted to run for Colorado's 2nd congressional district, which was being vacated by incumbent David Skaggs. In the primary, Udall had four opponents: Gene Nichol, Paul Weissmann, and Dave Thomas. He won with 44% of the vote, defeating his closest opponent Nichol by 7 percentage points.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He faced the Republican nominee, Boulder, Colorado Mayor Bob Greenlee in the general election. The race was unexpectedly close, with Udall narrowly winning, 49% to 47%. Udall was consecutively elected to five terms in the House, without major opposition. He was eventually succeeded by Jared Polis, after he decided to run for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Wayne Allard.<ref name="encyclopedia"/>

U.S. SenateEdit

ElectionsEdit

2004

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In 2004, Udall announced his candidacy for the Senate seat which was being vacated by Ben Nighthorse Campbell. However, the following day, Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar announced his candidacy as well. Udall bowed out of the race and endorsed Salazar.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2008

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

On January 15, 2007, incumbent Senator Wayne Allard announced he would not run for a third term.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In April 2007, Udall announced his campaign for the Senate.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Udall became the Democratic nominee for the race after running unopposed in the primary.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In the general election, Udall faced former U.S. Representative Republican Bob Schaffer. By August 28, 2008, over $10 million had been spent on attack ads against Udall by political parties and political action committees, an amount higher than in any other Senate race that year.<ref name="fail to shift">Template:Cite news</ref>

The race was especially competitive, with Democrats wanting to expand their majority as much as possible due to that year's presidential election.<ref name="usatoday">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> While both CQ Politics<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and The Rothenberg Political Report<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> estimated Udall would win, and The Cook Political Report considered it a 'Toss Up,'<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Udall maintained a steady lead in the polls, but with neither candidate usually topping 50%.<ref name="fail to shift"/> Udall described the race as "the toughest climb I've ever taken."<ref name="usatoday"/> On November 4, Udall won the election by 240,265 votes.

2014

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

On January 7, 2013, Udall announced he was running for re-election.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Udall was unopposed in the Democratic primary, and faced Republican U.S. Representative Cory Gardner in the general election. Although Udall was heavily favored in early polls, around September, Gardner gained and held a steady lead thereafter.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Udall's re-election campaign focused on reproductive and women's rights. Throughout, Udall attacked Gardner for his former support of a fetal personhood initiative, and claimed in ads that Gardner "championed an eight-year crusade to outlaw birth control here in Colorado." PolitiFact.com rated his claim "half-true," saying that it "leaves out important details."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On MSNBC's The Last Word, Alex Wagner attributed Udall's trailing poll numbers to his "focus on reproductive rights."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Due to his campaign's emphasis on these issues, Udall was ridiculed as "Mark Uterus."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In an October 2014 Denver Post endorsement of his opponent, the editorial board stated that "Udall's campaign has devoted a shocking amount of energy and money trying to convince voters that Gardner seeks to outlaw birth control despite the congressman's call for over-the-counter sales of contraceptives. Udall is trying to frighten voters rather than inspire them with a hopeful vision."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Towards the end of his campaign, Udall was accompanied by Second Lady of the United States Jill Biden, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In July 2014, President Barack Obama headlined a fundraiser for Udall's campaign.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Udall lost the election.

Senate tenureEdit

Less than one month after Udall took office in the Senate, newly elected President Obama nominated senior Colorado Senator Ken Salazar to serve as his Secretary of the Interior. After his confirmation, Udall became the Senate's most junior senior Senator.<ref name="carbon">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Committee assignmentsEdit

Political positionsEdit

AbortionEdit

NRLC- National Right to Life Committee gives Udall a 0% rating for abortion rights,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> while his opponent in 2014, Cory Gardner, earned a 100% rating.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

AgricultureEdit

In February 2014, Udall voted for the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, a $1 trillion bill that ended direct payments to farmers but expanded crop insurance by $7 billion over the next decade, created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that will kick in if or when prices drop, and cut food stamp subsidies for 1.7 million people in 15 states.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2011, Maine Senator Susan Collins and Udall successfully introduced an amendment to the Senate's agriculture appropriations bill. The amendment to the appropriations bill removed a limit placed on potatoes in the USDA new school nutrition guidelines.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Campaign finance reformEdit

Udall is a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> a bipartisan organization dedicated to reducing the influence of money in politics.

CannabisEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Although Senator to the first state to legalize the recreational sale of marijuana, Udall took no official stance on Colorado Amendment 64 during its campaign.<ref name="wtime">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After Amendment 64 and Washington state's similar initiative passed in 2012, Udall and the Senate delegations from Washington addressed a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder and White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, imploring them to "let this experiment unfold," as Udall characterized it.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Domestic securityEdit

Udall has been an opponent of the National Security Agency's (NSA) mass surveillance programs.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Following the revelation of the NSA's mass surveillance of Americans, Udall has been an advocate for reform.<ref name="spying">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Udall, along with Senators Ron Wyden and Rand Paul, published an Op-ed in the Los Angeles Times expressing their collective desire to "end the dragnet — and to affirm that we can keep our nation secure without trampling on and abandoning Americans' constitutional rights."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Udall expressed his support for Edward Snowden to return to America to "make his case."<ref name="snowden">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After reports that the Central Intelligence Agency improperly spied on U.S. Senators, Udall called for the resignation of Agency Director John O. Brennan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

After the September 11 attacks, the one-term Representative Udall was one of 66 House members to vote against the Patriot Act.<ref name="accomplishments"/> In 2011, Udall voted against reauthorizing the Patriot Act.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In July 2014, Udall voted against the CISPA bill, a proposed law which would allow for the sharing of Internet traffic information between the U.S. government and technology and manufacturing companies, voicing his concerns that it "lacks adequate protections for the privacy rights."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

During the 2011 debate over the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (NDAA), Udall introduced an amendment to end the practice of military detention of American citizens indefinitely and without trial. In response to the amendment's introduction, the Obama administration threatened to veto the bill.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The amendment was rejected by a vote of 60–38 (with 2 abstaining).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Udall subsequently voted for the Act in the joint session of Congress that passed it, and though he remained "extremely troubled" by the detainee provisions, he promised to "push Congress to conduct the maximum amount of oversight possible".<ref name="denverpost1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Udall has supported PRISM, a clandestine anti-terrorism mass electronic surveillance data mining program launched in 2007 by the National Security Agency (NSA); however, he has also expressed support for introduction of measures to reform and limit the scope of the Patriot Act; 'The Patriot Act should be reformed so Americans' phone records do not get indiscriminately swept up in a federal government database.'<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

EconomyEdit

Udall voted for the Employee Free Choice Act in 2007, which would have eliminated secret ballot in voting to unionize businesses, and said that he supported the measure because the National Labor Relations Board would be the best forum to deal with concerns raised by the bill's opponents.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On February 10, 2009, Udall voted to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (commonly referred to as The Stimulus or The Recovery Act). Udall was part of a bipartisan group of 20 senators who negotiated an agreement to set the stimulus bill size to around $600 billion and include $70 billion for the Alternative Minimum Tax.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In December 2010, Udall was one of seven Democrats to vote against a deal to extend the Bush tax cuts for two years as well as fund unemployment benefits for an additional 13 months, having stated, "Days after the most substantive national conversation we've had about addressing the debt, the debate suddenly has turned to extending tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires that — alone — will cost $700 billion over the next decade."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Energy and environmentEdit

Udall has supported tax breaks for renewable energy and the expansion of national parks. Udall has a lifetime rating of 97% from the League of Conservation Voters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="grist">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2004, Udall helped lead a statewide ballot initiative (Amendment 37) to adopt the Renewable Electricity Standard, a standard he originally introduced in the Colorado House of Representatives. Working with the Republican Colorado House Speaker, the measure mandating 10% of energy consumed be from renewable sources, passed by a close margin 52% to 48%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Throughout his career Udall has introduced the "Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act," which was passed in 2011. The act allows ski resorts to offer activities in the summer.<ref name="accomplishments"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2009, Udall introduced legislation to address the environmental damage caused by the pine beetle infestation in Colorado's forests, in what Udall described as one of the "biggest natural disasters."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In July 2014, Udall came out in opposition of two Colorado ballot initiative that would have limited hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking", and created an "Environmental Bill of Rights." While his opposition to the initiative aligned him Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, it put him at odds with the main proponent of the bills and his House district successor, Jared Polis.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Udall has repeatedly voted against the Keystone XL pipeline, having said that he wants to wait until a technical review of the project by the State Department is complete.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Gun policyEdit

One week after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Colorado Senators Udall and Michael Bennet came out in support of a Federal Assault Weapons Ban.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On the issue, Udall commented "if we can save one child in the future from being killed in such a way, I'm ready to push those kinds of policies."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On April 17, 2013, Udall supported a failed amendment to expand background checks for gun purchases.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2009, Udall upset gun control advocates for supporting an amendment that would have allowed concealed weapons to be transported across state lines.<ref name="accomplishments"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The National Rifle Association of America gave an "F" grade during his time in the House of Representatives. While during his tenure in the Senate, they have given him a "C".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2023, Udall said if “in a time machine and going back” he would bring a grim message to himself: “This is going to get worse and worse. More and more people are going to be deeply affected by this.” He would vote for the ban and “take the political heat.”<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Health policyEdit

In December 2009, Udall voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Udall has also stated his support for a public option about which he stated, "[t]he reason I support a public option, if it's done in a fiscally responsible way, is it would create competition. Competition drives down cost and what we want to do is make insurance affordable for all Americans."<ref name="insurance">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In November 2013, Udall was critical of the Colorado Division of Insurance concerning the Division's estimates of the number of Colorado residents whose medical insurance was cancelled in response to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.<ref name="DenPostStateFails">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="DenPostGOPCallSpHear">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Udall's office wanted the Division to lower the number from 250,000 because it believed the majority of individuals counted had received renewal options. The Division refused to change the numbers. Administrators at the Colorado Division of Insurance said they felt pressured by members of Udall's staff to change their estimates of policy cancellations.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A panel which investigated the matter concluded Udall's office behaved appropriately, however the investigation was criticized because the chair was appointed by Democratic governor John Hickenlooper; all other members of the panel were selected by the chair, who refused to name the other members of the panel, and left no written records of its investigation.<ref name="DenPostGOPCallSpHear" />

Personal lifeEdit

Udall is married to Maggie Fox, an environmental lawyer who previously served as CEO of The Climate Reality Project.<ref name="encyclopedia">Template:Cite book</ref> The two met while working at Outward Bound, and were married in 1982.<ref name="MJ"/><ref name="10 things">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They have two children, Jedediah and Tess.<ref name="accomplishments"/><ref name="nj">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A golfer, Udall was ranked the 11th best golfer in Congress by Golf Digest in 2011.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Udall has said "there isn't a Coloradan out there who doesn't cycle, hunt, hike... We're an outdoor state. It fits our worldview, and it's how we define ourselves."<ref name="rollcall"/> An experienced mountaineer, Udall has climbed many peaks during his work as an Outward Bound instructor, and in his personal life. Udall has climbed Colorado's 100 tallest peaks, known as "The Colorado Centennials," as well as Kangchenjunga in the Himalayas and Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America. He has also attempted Mount Everest multiple times.<ref name="accomplishments"/><ref name="rollcall"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1986, Udall and his wife went on a group trek of Mount Garmo. During the climb, Maggie broke her leg, and their fellow climber, Steve Monfredo, died on the mountainside.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Udall's 61-year-old brother, Randy Udall, went missing on June 26, 2013, after going on a solo hike in Wyoming's Wind River Range.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On July 3, 2013, a body, later identified as that of Randy Udall, was found approximately 80 miles southeast of Grand Teton National Park.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Electoral historyEdit

Year Office District Democrat Republican
1996 Colorado House of Representatives 13th district Mark Udall 50% Drew Bolin 45%
1998<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

United States House of Representatives Colorado's 2nd District Mark Udall 49% Bob Greenlee 47%
2000<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

United States House of Representatives Colorado's 2nd district Mark Udall 55% Carolyn Cox 38%
2002<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

United States House of Representatives Colorado's 2nd district Mark Udall 61% Sandy Hume 37%
2004<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

United States House of Representatives Colorado's 2nd district Mark Udall 67% Stephen Hackman 30%
2006<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

United States House of Representatives Colorado's 2nd district Mark Udall 68% Rich Mancuso 28%
2008 United States Senate Colorado (Class 2) Mark Udall 52% Bob Schaffer 42%
2014 United States Senate Colorado (Class 2) Mark Udall 46% Cory Gardner 48%

See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

Further readingEdit

External linksEdit

Template:Sister project Template:Sister projectTemplate:Namespace detect

Template:S-start Template:S-par Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft |- Template:S-ppo Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft |- Template:S-par Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft |- Template:S-prec Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft Template:S-end

Template:USSenCO Template:ColoradoUSRepresentatives Template:Authority control