Biography
Congressman Cliff Stearns
Working for Florida's Sixth District since 1989
Biography
Cliff Stearns was elected in 1988 to the U.S. House of Representative, his only elected office. He was born in Washington, D.C., attended Woodrow Wilson High School there, and then went to George Washington University (GWU). He participated in Air Force ROTC at GWU and was honored as the Air Force ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering and then started his four years of service in the Air Force.
Serving during the Vietnam War, Stearns worked as an aerospace engineer in satellite reconnaissance. He left the service with the rank of Captain. He worked in the private sector before starting his own business by purchasing a motel. He sold his first property, moved to Florida, and started a successful motel/restaurant business in Ocala and Gainesville.
Active in his community, Stearns was president if the Kiwanis Club, was on the Board of Directors fort the Boys & Girls Club, and on the Board of Directors for Munroe Regional Hospital. Because of his community involvement, he was urged to run for Congress.
Well known for fiscal responsibility, Stearns in 2007 is one of only 48 House members to receive an "A" rating from the National Taxpayers Union.
Stearns is the Ranking Republican on the Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee. Stearns is active through the Telecommunications Subcommittee in reforming antiquated laws that hinder the development and expansion of new products and services.
From 2001 until 2007, Stearns was Chairman of the Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee. Leading that panel, Stearns worked to expand consumer protection by enhancing cyber-security, consumer privacy, spyware control, and international trade agreements dealing with telecommunication service agreements. In addition, the House approved the legislation he amended to combat the abuse of spyware, which is software that allows a third party to monitor the computer use of individuals without their knowledge.
In addition, he is Co-Chairman and Co-Founder of the U.S. Air Force Caucus, leading a congressional delegation to Iraq in 2005, and he is Co-Chairman and Co-Founder of the Congressional Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Caucus.
President Bush signed Stearns' legislation curbing frivolous lawsuits against the firearms industry into law in October 2005. Currently, Stearns is working in his Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee on legislation to protect consumers' personal information and to prevent identity theft. In addition, the House approved the legislation he amended to combat the abuse of spyware, which is software that allows a third party to monitor the computer use of individuals without their knowledge.
Stearns is a leading advocate for increasing funding for the VA. For years, Stearns pushed for establishing a VA cemetery in the Jacksonville area, and his proposal was enacted leading to a new VA cemetery set to open in 2009. Stearns actively supports the VA's CARES plan, which calls for a new Regional Health Care Facility in Marion County and expansion of the VA Hospital in Gainesville.
Stearns is leading an effort to give Florida permanent control over its offshore resources after current moratoria on offshore drilling expire. He has championed programs at Central Florida Community College in Ocala, Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, and the University of Florida in Gainesville, and obtained funding for these schools to expand and enhance their programs. After years of controversy, he forged a consensus among state, local, and federal officials to return the Cross Florida Canal Lands to the state of Florida, resulting in a 77,000-acre greenway and $32 million in repayments to six Florida counties. As the representative for Cecil Field, Stearns actively promotes the expansion of commercial activities at the former base. He is instrumental in gaining grants for converting Cecil and for training students in the Jacksonville area in aviation technology.
Stearns lives with his wife Joan in Ocala; they have three adult sons. He is extremely accessible to constituents. Returning to his home in Ocala often, he has held nearly 500 town meetings across North Central Florida.
Family
Born:Washington, D.C.
Residence: Ocala
Family: Cliff and his wife Joan with their family.
Education Woodrow Wilson High School, Washington, D.C.
George Washington University; B.S. Electrical Engineering
Air Force ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate
Military
Captain - U.S. Air Force
Aerospace Engineer / Satellite Reconnaissance
Meritorious Service Commendation Medal
Business
Data Control Systems Incorporated
CBS Incorporated
Kutola Advertising Agency
Images 70 / Wilson Height Welch
Stearns House Incorporated
Committee Assignments
Energy & Commerce Committee (Majority : Republican)
Republican Leader,
- Telecommunications & the Internet Subcommittee
- Deputy Republican Leader, House Veterans Affairs Committee
Member of,
- Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee
- Environment & Hazardous Materials Subcommittee
Veterans' Affairs Committee (Democrat : Republican)
- Health Subcommittee
- Oversight and Investigations
Congressman Cliff Stearns Accomplishments:
List of Recognition and Awards
What People Say About Cliff Stearns
"Rep. Stearns proved to be a valuable ally to the business community last year, supporting measures to stimulate job creation and spur economic growth. The business community appreciates Cliff's dedication to a pro-growth agenda." - Tom Donohue, President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce (April 23, 2008)
"U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns received an 'A' from the National Taxpayers Union for his fiscal responsibility, the highest ratingin the Florida delegationand one of only 48 members in the House. The federal government has a spending problem. Too few of the members are willing to keep the budget in blanace without raising taxes." - The Florida Times-Union (April 2, 2007)
"For example, Ocala Republican Congressman Cliff Stearns, a longtime champion of veterans issues, called conditions at Walter Reed unacceptable and an outrage...'Congress must ensure that our troops get the best care possible for the injuries they received defneding our freedoms.' We could not agree more with both points." - Editorial, Ocala Star-Banner (March 9, 2007)
"The era officially ended (steroids in baseball) in March 2005, in hearings before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection of the House of Representatives (Stearns, Chairman). But the legal ramifications, inside and outside baseball, continue." - Howard Wasserman, FindLaw Legal News (March 24, 2006)
"Congressman Cliff Stearns is one of the more frugal members from our area." - Channel 9 News Investigates (Orlando, WFTV, Feb. 27, 2006)
"Rep. Stearns' pro-taxpayer score was one of the best in the entire House. By consistently voting to reduce federal spending, taxes, and debt, Cliff Stearns has truly earned the title, 'Taxpayers' Friend.'"- John Berthoud, President, National Taxpayers Union (Feb. 23, 2006)
"Cutting waste is a politically difficult task becuase almost every program has an active constituency that profits from the status quo. But Rep. Stearns recognizes that the federal government must set priorities. He has taken a long-term view of the nation's fiscal problems and makes a serious effort to tackle the enormous debt being left to future generations." - Tom Schatz, President, Citizens Against Government Waste (September, 2005)
"North Central Florida is full of veterans, and Stearns built a strong reputation as their advocate -- a reputation that remains formidable." - Chuck Floyd, Chairman of the Alachua County Democratic Party (May 15, 2004)
"Stearns' philosophy on the federal budget is pretty simple: don't spend more than you have, don't increase the budget more than the cost of living and don't give government workers bigger pay raises than the average taxpayer. Sure sounds a lot like accountability and fiscal responsibility." - Ocala Star Banner (January 24, 2004)
"U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns has been honored by the nation's largest wartime veterans organization and a coalition of 142 other groups. Representative Stearns was elected by the people and truly listens to his constituents here in Florida." - American Legion (March 4, 2003)
"Cliff Stearns has shown his colors to the taxpayers of Florida and those living all across America...Florida taxpayers need not worry where Rep. Stearns's interests lie. Stearns represents taxpayers, not raptorial government spending lobbies that swarm around his office building in Washington." - Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform (February 28, 2002)
"U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns listens with horror as a parade of witnesses describes the accounting mess that helped ruin Enron. As one of the most senior members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, (he) is demanding answers about the 'complete failure and meltdown of fundamental responsibilities and oversight' in the Enron Corp. case." - Orlando Sentinel (February 10, 2002)
"Cliff Stearns, long a strong advocate for veterans...told us that keeping veterans issues on the front burner is an ongoing battle. We have long supported Stearns' proposal that veterans be allowed to receive treatment from their regular physician or local hospital...." - Ocala Star Banner (December 7, 2001)
"Recently, Rep. Cliff Stearns...introduced the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Act. For the sake of our veterans...and the overworked VA medical personnel, [I] wholeheartedly urge the passage of this important legislation." - Washington Times (July 10, 2000)
"It's a pleasure to endorse, at long last, a plan to safeguard the Social Security surplus by locking away 100% of it for future retirees. Thank you Rep. Stearns." - Jim Martin, President, 60 Plus association (March 24, 1999)
"Over the years the National Guard has depended on his reliable support... The National Guard has no better friend in Congress than Cliff Stearns." - Presentation of the Charles Dick Medal of Merit by the National Guard Association of the United States (September 6, 1998)
Working in Congress
Leadership: Stearns is the Ranking Republican on the Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee. Stearns is active through the Telecommunications Subcommittee in reforming antiquated laws that hinder the development and expansion of new products and services.
As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection (CTCP) Subcommittee, Stearns worked to expand consumer protection by enhancing cyber-security, consumer privacy, spyware control, and international trade agreements dealing with telecommunication service agreements. Now the ranking members of the CTPC Committee, Stearns is continuing to push for consumer privacy, data security, curbing identity theft, and protecting consumers from buying cars with undisclosed damage. In addition, he is Co-Chairman and Co-Founder of the U.S. Air Force Caucus, leading a congressional delegation to Iraq in 2005; Co-Chairman and Co-Founder of the Congressional Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Caucus; and he is a senior member of the Veterans Affairs Committee.
Commerce: President Bush signed Stearns' legislation curbing frivolous lawsuits against the firearms industry into law in October 2005. Currently, Stearns is working in his Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee on legislation to protect consumers' personal information and to prevent identity theft. In addition, the House approved the legislation he amended to combat the abuse of spyware, which is software that allows a third party to monitor the computer use of individuals without their knowledge. In 2005, the House approved Stearns' proposal to protect consumers from 'price gouging' for fuel during emergency situations.__He is also looking carefully at international trade agreements to ensure that America's intellectual property rights and competitive advantage in high tech products and services are protected. The full Committee approved his legislation addressing the use of illegal steroids in professional sports, which contributes to steroid abuse among students in high school and lower schools. Stearns is active through the Telecommunications Subcommittee in reforming antiquated laws that hinder the development and expansion of new products and services.
He is also looking carefully at international trade agreements to ensure that America’s intellectual property rights and competitive advantage in high tech products and services are protected. The full Committee approved his legislation addressing the use of illegal steroids in professional sports, which contributes to steroid abuse among students in high school and lower schools.
Stearns is active through the Telecommunications Subcommittee in reforming antiquated laws that hinder the development and expansion of new products and services.
Veterans Affairs: Stearns is a leading advocate for increasing funding for the VA. For years, Stearns pushed for establishing a VA cemetery in the Jacksonville area, and his proposal was enacted leading to a new VA cemetery set to open in 2009. Stearns actively supports the VA's CARES plan, which calls for a new Regional Health Care Facility in Marion County and expansion of the VA Hospital in Gainesville.
He was Chairman of the Veterans Health Subcommittee from 1997 to 2000 and its Vice Chairman from 2001 to 2002 and since 2005. His Veterans Millennium Health Care & Benefits Act, H.R. 2116, was signed into law in 1999. The health provisions will improve access to long-term care for disabled veterans and expand the VA's obligation to provide alternatives to nursing home care. In 2000, the provisions from H.R. 5109, the Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Act authored by Stearns, were combined with other veterans proposals and enacted as S. 1402. The health-care personnel provisions guarantee annual pay raises for VA nurses, revises and increases the rates of special pay for VA dentists, and includes pharmacists among those exempt from special salary caps. He succeeded in placing VA health clinics in Ocala and Leesburg. In September 2005, the House approved Stearns’ resolution commemorating the 60th Anniversary of V-J (Victory in Japan) Day.
Helping Older Americans: Stearns voted to reform Medicare with a voluntary prescription drug benefit, one that gives beneficiaries choices in meeting their health care needs. Stearns’ legislation was signed into law to expand choices for beneficiaries with disabilities (Cash & Counseling program). He is also committed to the long-term solvency of the Social Security system and supports using Social Security dollars only to pay benefits. Earlier in his tenure, he led the effort to overturn regulations limiting senior’s only housing and pushed for additional funding and programs to meet the medical needs of seniors.
Looking Out for Schoolchildren: In the 108th Congress, President Bush signed Stearns’ Asthmatic Schoolchildren Treatment and Education Act (ASTHMA), encouraging children’s right to carry their inhalers on their person. And, in the 109th, the House passed Stearns’ amendment funding training for Head Start Employees to provide for the unique needs of children with disabilities and their families.
Serving Florida: Stearns is leading an effort to give Florida permanent control over its offshore resources after current moratoria on offshore drilling expire. He has championed programs at Central Florida Community College in Ocala, Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, and the University of Florida in Gainesville, and obtained funding for these schools to expand and enhance their programs.
After years of controversy, he forged a consensus among state, local, and federal officials to return the Cross Florida Canal Lands to the state of Florida, resulting in a 77,000-acre greenway and $32 million in repayments to six Florida counties.
As the representative for Cecil Field, Stearns actively promotes the expansion of commercial activities at the former base. He is instrumental in gaining grants for converting Cecil and for training students in the Jacksonville area in aviation technology. He also worked with the U.S. Attorney General to bring the Federal "Weed & Seed" program, which funds community-based efforts to combat crime and poverty, to several Florida cities.
Accessibility: He is extremely accessible to constituents. Returning to his home in Ocala often, he has held over 500 town meetings across North Central Florida.
