Debbie Dingell, who has been close friends with the Uptons for decades and said she speaks to Fred almost daily, said she has only seen him angry when people arent treating other people decently., Its just crossing a line, said Dingell, who in the last few weeks of the current Congress, gave Upton a desk in her office as departing members were forced to give up their spaces to prepare for incoming members. [44] Due to his environmental policies, The Los Angeles Times wrote in 2011 that Upton "represents one of the biggest threats to planet Earth on planet Earth. They were able to roll it out eight to 10 months earlier than it would have happened. This bill was designed to protect access to contraceptives and health care providers' ability to provide contraceptives and information related to contraception. Mr. Uptons leadership is bipartisan, commonsense, and empathetic, said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The move turned a tight race into a 55-45 percent loss for Siljander. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Upton didnt explicitly say so at the time, but newly drawn congressional lines the result of a voter approved redistricting commission decimated the area he represented since 1986. Local Republican groups censured Upton. Part of his political base in southwestern Michigan was parceled into another district. [6] He served on the congressional staff of U.S. Representative David Stockman from 1976 to 1980. I have not changed my stripes or my number, he told Wolpe as reported at the time by MLive. Carbon regulation, he said, "threatens to drive energy prices higher, destroy jobs and hamstring our economic recovery. "UPTON QUITS! Upton is the fourth of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for inciting an insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 to announce their retirement. The new district covers southern Ottawa County to northern Berrien County, including all of Allegan and Van Buren counties, Uptons hometown of St. Joseph, a portion of Kalamazoo County, and Battle Creek. Both did on Nov. 7, the day the Associated Press and other media outlets called the election for the Democrat. This is my home; this is where Im going to be, he said with a smile. I really do, even the few that dont always love me," he said. He also reminded Wolpe that when he began to represent Kalamazoo, he kept Wolpes staff on his team because they were excellent at constituent service. [36] In 2018, Upton and Representative Debbie Dingell worked together on legislation designed to combat opioid addiction. In fact, a bill named for him and Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell ensures the Great Lakes' safety against issues caused by pipelines below its surface. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) spoke on the floor following Uptons announcement, asking for more of her colleagues to work across the aisle like Upton did. Scott Wong is a senior congressional reporter for NBC News. Washington After nearly 36 years in office, Michigan Republican U.S. Rep. Fred Upton said Tuesday he plans to retire at the end of his term, declining to pursue a primary fight with a. Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images file, GOP Rep. Fred Upton receives death threat after backing infrastructure bill. But he made no mention of Trump in his speech or his decision to impeach him. Isnt the country more important than this? Five other House Republicans who did not vote to impeach Trump are also retiring this cycle. Redrawn into the 4th district, Upton did not seek reelection in 2022, and retired from Congress upon his 18th term's expiration in 2023. Fred and I have worked together on a host of issues including prioritizing the protection of the Great Lakes, leveling the playing field for Michigan agriculture, and supporting efforts to clean up PFAS and lead contamination. [1] After Sander Levin retired at the end of the 115th Congress, Upton became the dean of Michigan's congressional delegation. Freds statesman-like legacy will be remembered both in Michigan and our nations capital, Huizenga wrote. But there was no question that he would have faced a tough, expensive primary race against a Trump-backed Huizenga. When we passed it, I called him, and Lonnie, his wife, answered the phone, Upton said. I said, Ive got some good news for the champ. She said, You got the money for U.S. 31, referring to a main highway in southwest Michigan needing expansion. Hes an authentic human being, hes unaffected by the position that he holds.. Uptons not sure whats next for him though hell stay in St. Joseph only that he wont be in the U.S. House. But its important to remember his background. Seven others are seeking other office. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)AP. Frederick Stephen Upton (born April 23, 1953) is an American politician who served as a U.S. representative from Michigan from 1987 to 2023, representing the state's 6th congressional district since 1993. "Fred knew well that if we are going to deliver real solutions for the American people we need to come together and listen to all perspectives, no matter how complicated the issue might be.". Mobile app for news, photos and video on the go. A moderate in a toxic place, Fred Upton says goodbye to Congress, He built a bipartisan legacy and took flak for impeaching Trump. One of the last acts signed into law by President Barack Obama, it would help pave the way for a COVID-19 vaccine to be speedily brought to the public beginning in late 2020. With the latest redistricting of the states political maps following the 2020 Census, Upton, 68, was drawn into the new 4th District with Rep. Bill Huizenga of Holland. The eNewspaper, a digital replica of the print paper, every day. Only two of the 10 Republicans who voted for impeachment, Reps. David Valadao of California and Dan Newhouse of Washington, won reelection in November. This is it for me, said Upton (R-Mich.), who was first elected to Congress in 1986 but faced a strong primary challenge from fellow Michigan GOP Rep. Bill Huizenga. Freds a mensch. "[49] Upton added, "we're creating a fair and transparent approval process for cross-border energy projects, putting them all on a level playing field for the benefit of North American energy security, lower energy prices, and jobs. Gov. [2], Upton was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, the son of Elizabeth B. [89][90], Upton's grandfather and eponym, Frederick Upton, was co-founder with his brother Louis Upton of appliance manufacturer and marketer Whirlpool Corporation, headquartered in Benton Harbor. Thanks again to the people of my district who placed their faith and confidence in me all these years, Upton said on the morning of April 5. Ironically, it was a nasty campaign tactic by his Republican primary opponent that helped Upton win his first run for Congress in 1986. Stockman, of course, wasnt any ordinary OMB director: He was chief progenitor of Reagans supply-side economics, arguing for deep cuts in taxes and government spending. After 36 years representing St. Joseph, Michigan, Congressman Fred Upton is ready for a new chapter. And when he appeared to swing to the right after the Tea Party takeover of the U.S. House in 2011 and led efforts as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to curb greenhouse gas regulations, the American Lung Association went after him and the L.A. Times called him Earths biggest enemy, even though Upton has always maintained he has tried to balance environmental concerns with the economy. [9], Upton won reelection to a second term with 71% of the vote. Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio), John Katko (R-N.Y.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.)have done the same. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Huizenga beat little-known Democrat Joseph Alfonso by 12 points in November. Hes known as a problem solver, said McMorris Rodgers. If he has argued for limiting the EPAs hold on greenhouse gas emissions, he also has voted against loosening methane emission rules and acknowledges that climate change is real, unlike many in his party. Even the best stories have. He cited several career highlights, including bipartisan passage of the 21st Century Cures Act to speed up cures and treatments for many devastating diseases. Others losing badly, whos next?. Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan is the fourth retirement among the ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump over the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. [64] The bill would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and protect the free exercise of religion. Its something hed like to see more of after he leaves, and is telling incoming lawmakers as much. Trump wasted no time gloating. 3301; 113th Congress), both articles of impeachment against Trump, United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus, "Upton becomes first member of Congress to vote to impeach two presidents", https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/04/david_stockman_former_southwes.html, "Club for Growth Encouraging Upton Primary Challenger", "Fred Upton still faces arrows from the right", "Jack Hoogendyk to challenge U.S. Rep. Fred Upton again for seat in Congress", "Southwest Michigan Politics: Mike O'Brien poll shows challenger in 'dead heat' with Congressman Fred Upton", "Michigan Election Results: Sixth House District", "House votes to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from committee assignments", "With Enrollment Slow, Some Democrats Back Change in Health Law", "The 2 House Republicans who put it all on the line for Obamacare repeal could lose Tuesday", https://www.cbsnews.com/news/21st-century-cures-act-congress-health-care-passed/, https://wdet.org/posts/2018/05/24/86819-rep-fred-upton-and-rep-debbie-dingell-team-up-to-battle-opioid-addiction/, "Long Live the Lightbulb. For other persons with similar names, see, Early life, education, and early political career. "It is a little bit in that some of the folks here are so beholden to him that they dont accept those of us that are willing to stand up," Upton said. Fred Upton is retiring after serving Michigan in Congress for 36 years. But suggesting John Dingell was in hell, as Trump did, and using the Dingell name in a dishonorable manner, he thought, was unacceptable from anyone." If he has taken more nuanced stances than some, he argues it belies the politics of his district generally conservative, but also independent. A free market no more? His retirement is a loss for this country and especially the people of Michigan.. Upton served as a sports editor of the newspaper for UM and had dreams of covering the Chicago Cubs one day. As for Trumps impact in Michigans top-of-the-ballot races, its already known: His picks lost badly and Republicans gave up control of the state Legislature for the first time in decades. [5] He earned a B.A. Trump celebrated Uptons retirement on Tuesday, writing in a statement, UPTON QUITS! This content is only available to subscribers. "This is it for . My advice is, find some friends on both sides of the isle, he said. 1158: DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act -- House Vote #690 -- Dec 17, 2019", "H.R. As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee from 2010-16, he led dozens of efforts and since then has continued to serve as a mentor and force for bipartisanship. [33], In 2013, Upton introduced a bill that would grant the Food and Drug Administration more power to regulate drug compounding in the wake of the New England Compounding Center meningitis outbreak. [56] He has called for Congress to pass a bipartisan red flag law. She said, And they lived happily ever after. Indeed we will.. CQ Roll Call is a part of FiscalNote, the leading technology innovator at the intersection of global business and government. [61] This bill expanded legal protections for transgender people, and contained provisions allowing transgender women to use women's shelters and serve time in prisons matching their gender identity. U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, may be one of the most affable, easygoing politicians youll ever meet but when it comes to enemies, he sure can pick them. He was first elected in 1986. Michigan's Fred Upton on Tuesday became the fourth of the 10 congressmen to announce his retirement. April 5, 2022 Facing new district lines and a tough primary race, Representative Fred Upton of Michigan, announced his retirement on Tuesday, becoming the fourth House Republican who voted to. by Kelsey Carolan - 04/05/22 10:33 AM ET Greg Nash Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), a longtime member of Congress who has served in the lower chamber since 1987, announced his retirement Tuesday in. in journalism from the University of Michigan in 1975. Huizenga thanked Upton for his service in a statement. But what also stands out about Upton who turns 70 next year and as a University of Michigan journalism student dreamed of being a sportswriter covering the Cubs is just how well he has managed to get along with so many of his colleagues in what can be a rough business. Shortly after Uptons announcement, Trump released a brief statement cheering the decision. NOW WHAT? Redrawn into the 4th district, Upton did not seek reelection in 2022, and retired from Congress upon his 18th term's expiration in 2023. ", "To him, bipartisan and compromise are not forbidden words," she said. Hes one of the all-time greats, said U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., who will take over as chairman of the committee in the new Congress and is a close friend of Uptons. 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