He is one of the greatest Michiganders to serve our country., Congressman Bill Huizenga, who would have run against Upton in his next election, said, I want to thank Fred for his commitment, service, and dedication to Michigan over the years. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. [47][48] He said the bill "is a sincere effort to focus a targeted solution to lessons learned from the Keystone Pipeline No one can rightly argue that the current presidential permit process as the State Department is not broken, no matter what side of the climate debate you're on. Upton is the fourth of the 10 pro-impeachment Republicans to leave Congress after this years midterm elections, joining Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio and John Katko of New York. 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. 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. "UPTON QUITS! [83][84], Upton voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) is the only other Republican in Michigan's congressional delegation who has stated that Biden is the winner of the 2020 presidential election. He told FOX 17 about his decision and his vote to impeach former President Trump after Jan. 6. But when confronted with the ugly reality of what Trump did (in denying the outcome of the 2020 election), when push really came to shove and others showed a high level of moral cowardice, he took the right course.. Asked if it was discouraging to be one of only 29 House Republicans in the Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of members equally divided between parties committed to finding common ground on many of the key issues facing the nation, Upton answered in his usual upbeat manner. In all but two presidential elections since he has been in office 2012 and 2020 it has backed the national winner. It was one of the most drastic district changes in the entire state, and Upton would have been pitted against another longtime Michigan representative, Republican Bill Huizenga, had he not drawn the curtain on his political career. Norm Ornstein, senior fellow emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute and an expert on Congress who knows Upton well, said he doesnt accept the claim of many that the congressman is a moderate knowing that Upton is much more complicated than that. We lost at least five Congressional seats, Upton said. For other persons with similar names, see, Early life, education, and early political career. He turned in a big fundraising quarter to end 2021, and he spent more than $400,000 in early 2022 to air a TV ad in which he declared, Im not afraid to take on anyone when theyre wrong and work with anyone whos right.. In remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives, Upton praised the "salt of the earth" people he has been "blessed beyond measure" to represent. 3301; 113th Congress), a bill that would make changes to permitting requirements for pipelines and other energy infrastructure at international borders. "[45], In 2012, Upton, as chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said that Congress's refusal to set greenhouse gas limits "constituted a decision and that lawmakers should act now to reverse the EPA emissions rules." When we passed it, I called him, and Lonnie, his wife, answered the phone, Upton said. This bill was designed to protect access to contraceptives and health care providers' ability to provide contraceptives and information related to contraception. 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. 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. 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. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. [66], In February 2021, Upton voted against a $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill that provided $10 billion in federal aid to Michigan. The move turned a tight race into a 55-45 percent loss for Siljander. Even the best stories has a last chapter, Upton said in an emotional speech on the House floor. While we may not have found harmony on every issue, Fred and I always managed to disagree without vitriolic rhetoric and mean-spirited language, Dingell said. Redrawn into the 4th district, Upton did not seek reelection in 2022, and retired from Congress upon his 18th term's expiration in 2023. "If its good policy for Michigan, its good enough for all of us," he said. Isnt the country more important than this? Among other things, it would allocate funding for research into new, non-addictive pain relievers. And he flew in from meetings in Cambodia to make it by game time. When Michigans Fred Upton retires in a few weeks after 36 years in Congress, its possible Democrats will miss him more than his fellow Republicans. Upton laughed and explained he was still working on getting the highway funding, but the good news was about the Cures Act. In November 2013, in response to Americans losing their health insurance coverage because of the ACA, Upton proposed a bill that would allow them to retain it. "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. counties, Man in critical condition after stabbing in Lansing, suspect arrested, Charlotte Mayor announces he will not seek re-election in November, Holt High School Robo-Rams ready to take on international robotics tournament, Michigan State University creates resource office for victims of campus shooting. There are plenty of those in Washington and elsewhere who consider Upton a moderate Republican, a tag that has followed him around for years. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. 3843: Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022 -- House Vote #460 -- Sep 29, 2022", "Representative Frederick 'Fred' Stephen Upton's Biography", "Representative Frederick 'Fred' Stephen Upton", "Photos and videos: Kate Upton from S.I. The Michigan Republican is the fourth House GOP member who voted for Trumps impeachment to announce that they will not run for reelection. If he has taken more nuanced stances than some, he argues it belies the politics of his district generally conservative, but also independent. Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every morning. Uptons not sure whats next for him though hell stay in St. Joseph only that he wont be in the U.S. House. [56] He has called for Congress to pass a bipartisan red flag law. WASHINGTON, April 5 (Reuters) - U.S. Representative Fred Upton on Tuesday said he will retire from Congress, marking the latest political exit by a Republican lawmaker who voted to impeach. The centrist stalwart and dean of the Michigan delegation becomes the fourth Republican who voted to impeach Donald Trump to retire this election cycle. He said he worked alongside real giants who put principal over politics. 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. We could all learn something from his tenure and strive to live and lead with the values he embodies. (In) their resolution they stated that her comments have not been out of line with anyone elses comments. Really? Upton tweeted. [40], In April 2009, Upton said that "climate change is a serious problem that necessitates serious solutions. He cited several career highlights, including bipartisan passage of the 21st Century Cures . Upton praised the salt of the earth people he has been blessed beyond measure to represent. [22] On January 17, 2012, Hoogendyk announced that he would challenge Upton in the primary, the winner of which would face the Democratic nominee, former marine and businessman Mike O'Brien. But one of his most recent decisions in office proved to be one of his most controversial. Thats probably our biggest achievement, Upton said. My advice is, find some friends on both sides of the isle, he said. Huizenga beat little-known Democrat Joseph Alfonso by 12 points in November. All rights reserved (About Us). April 5, 2022, 8:07 AM PDT By Scott Wong and Kyle Stewart Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, a centrist stalwart who later was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump over his role in. Michigan is just cratering, he said. Trump wasted no time gloating. It's complicated", Congressman Fred Upton condemns Dave Agema's gay marriage comments, "Roll Call 86 Roll Call 86, Bill Number: H. R. 1620, 117th Congress, 1st Session", "House Renews Violence Against Women Act, But Senate Hurdles Remain", "H.R. But this past spring, Upton announced that after 36-years serving the region in Washington, he was retiring. They were able to roll it out eight to 10 months earlier than it would have happened. [The commission] made changes that were over 350,000 so that was really the deciding factor.. LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Fred Upton, Michigans most senior lawmaker in Congress, has announced he will retire from the House at the end of his term. [64] The bill would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and protect the free exercise of religion. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, a longtime ally and friend of Upton, shared some kind words about him on. He is the only person in American history to vote to impeach two presidents; he voted for the impeachment of Bill Clinton in 1998 and the second impeachment of Donald Trump in 2021, as one of ten Republicans who voted to impeach Trump. Our district had to grow by about 20,000 people. 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. Hear this story. Even the best stories have. Deeply concerned about the presidents speech, which he felt incited the attack, and knowing as someone who had publicly said he believed Biden had won that he could be targeted, Upton calmly locked the door and ate boxes of Raisin Bran that had been stashed there, fielding calls from people back in the district worried about his health. Hes a good person, said Ornstein. He told FOX 17 about his decision and his vote to impeach former President Trump after Jan. 6. "[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. Democrats face a steep climb to keep the majority in both chambers later this year, as the GOP will only need a net gain of five seats to win back the majority in the House. For me, (Uptons departure) is more of a personal loss, said Kildee. [87] The bill would also fund Planned Parenthood. Fred is a deeply moral person and he stands up when people are being bullied., More:In Michigan and across US, it was a bad night for Trump, More:Rep. Fred Upton announces retirement from Congress, has been in US House since 1987, When the Cass County GOP voted to censure Upton for voting with Democrats to strip U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., of her committee assignments for inflammatory remarks and social media posts including a campaign piece showing her holding a semiautomatic rifle next to a photo of Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, he noted she had taunted a Parkland school shooting survivor, argued that California wildfires were started by a Jewish space laser, accused Democratic politicians of running a pedophile ring out of a pizza parlor, and questioned whether 9/11 really happened.. [21] Upton had been criticized for not being conservative enough by Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, FreedomWorks, Right to Life of Michigan, and the Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots. "These 6 House Democrats voted against the infrastructure bill. "[69][70], On December 18, 2019, Upton voted against both articles of impeachment against Trump. In a hard-fought race in which Upton accused Siljander of missing dozens of votes and Siljander sent a tape to fundamentalist clergy in the area saying they needed to look at Satan in the face ahead of the GOP primary, Upton won. JOSEPH For the first time in more than three decades, Southwest Michigan won't be represented by U.S. Rep. Fred Upton in Congress. In an interview with NBC News last week, Upton was asked if Trump would be a factor in his decision about whether to run for a 19th term. Its something hed like to see more of after he leaves, and is telling incoming lawmakers as much. [15], Upton defeated Democratic nominee Scott Elliott, an art gallery owner, 65%32%. For the first time in 40 years, we lost the state House and the state Senate, Upton said. GOP education committee chair: I dont know what a trans girl is, Trump urges Murdoch to embrace false 2020 election claims in Dominion trial, DeSantis floats building prison on land next to Disney World, GOP mega donor says Clarence Thomas is victim of political hit job, Two-thirds say Congress shouldnt interfere with Trump legal probes: poll, Mace says overturning Roe changed the entire electoral environment in 2022. All rights reserved. Hes a friend. Upton announced his retirement in a speech on the House floor Tuesday morning. IE 11 is not supported. Upton said he has no specific plans for life after Congress, but he does plan to stay involved in both Michigan politics and Washington policymaking. Indeed we will.. The act allowed for expedited approval of important drugs and medical devices, and just four years after it was passed, helped shepherd along speedy approval of the nations first COVID-19 vaccine. 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