Vicky Hartzler

Vicky Jo Hartzler (née Zellmer, October 13, 1960) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 4th congressional district since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, she previously served as the Missouri State Representative for the 124th district from 1995 to 2000.[1][2]

Vicky Hartzler
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri's 4th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byIke Skelton
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 124th district
In office
1995–2000
Preceded byGene Olson
Succeeded byRex Rector
Personal details
Born
Vicky Jo Zellmer

(1960-10-13) October 13, 1960
Archie, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Lowell Hartzler
Children1 daughter
EducationUniversity of Missouri (BS)
University of Central Missouri (MS)

Her congressional district comprises a large swath of the western-central part of the state, anchored in Columbia and stretching to the eastern and southern Kansas City suburbs. The district also includes the cities of Sedalia, Warrensburg, Moberly and Lebanon.

Early years

Hartzler was raised on a farm near Archie, a rural community south of Kansas City. She attended the University of Missouri where she graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Education and attended University of Central Missouri where she graduated with an M.S. in Education.[3]

Missouri Legislature

Before running for State Representative in 1994, Hartzler taught high school home economics (now commonly referred to as family and consumer sciences) for 11 years.[4]

Her accomplishments included leadership on legislation facilitating the adoption process. Hartzler left the Missouri House of Representatives in 2000 after adopting a baby daughter. In 2004, after she had left the Missouri General Assembly, Hartzler served as state spokeswoman for the Coalition to Protect Marriage,[5] which supported banning same-sex marriage in Missouri. Despite her opposition to the Missouri Assembly's ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment[6] ("I don't want women used to pass a liberal agenda"), Republican Governor Matt Blunt appointed Hartzler Chairwoman of the Missouri Women's Council in 2005, where she served for two years.[7]

U.S. House of Representatives

2010
Main article: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri § District 4

After almost a decade out of politics, Hartzler entered the Republican primary for Missouri's 4th congressional district, which at the time was held by 17-term Democratic incumbent Ike Skelton. She won a seven-way primary with 40 percent of the vote.

Hartzler and family at swearing in ceremony at the United States House of Representatives

In the November 2, 2010 general election, Hartzler won with 50.43% of the vote. She is the first Republican to represent this district since 1955, and only the second since the Great Depression. She was also the second Republican woman elected to Congress from Missouri, after Jo Ann Emerson, with whom she served from 2011 to 2013. However, she is the first who was not elected as a stand-in for her husband; Emerson was originally elected to serve out the final term of her late husband, Bill Emerson. Republicans had been making gains in the district for some time; it gave John McCain 62 percent of the vote in 2008 while simultaneously reelecting Skelton, and Republicans hold most of the district's seats in the state legislature. She won primarily by running up her totals in the more rural areas of the sprawling district.

She ran on a conservative platform, voicing support for tax cuts and spending cuts. She opposes abortion[8] and same-sex marriage.

Missouri’s 4th congressional district election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vicky Hartzler 113,489 50.43
Democratic Ike Skelton (incumbent) 101,532 45.11
Libertarian Jason Michael Braun 6,123 2.72
Constitution Greg Cowan 3,912 1.74

2012
Main article: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri § District 4

Redistricting after the 2010 U.S. Census removed Cole, Lafayette, Ray and Saline counties—including Skelton's home. The district also lost its shares of Jackson and Webster counties. In its place, the district picked up all of Boone, Cooper, Howard, and Randolph counties, part of Audrain County, and the remainder of Cass County. The district now includes the Cass County portion of Kansas City. The new map also pushed the district further into Camden County.

In her first contest in the newly drawn district, Hartzler easily won the Republican primary with 84% against Bernie Mowinski and went on to comfortably win the general election with 60.3% against Democratic Cass County Prosecuting Attorney Teresa Hensley.

Missouri’s 4th congressional district election, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vicky Hartzler 192,237 60.32
Democratic Teresa Hensley 113,120 35.49
Libertarian Thomas Holbrook 10,407 3.27
Constitution Greg Cowan 2,959 0.93

2014
Main article: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri § District 4

Hartzler won nearly 75% of the party vote in the Republican congressional primary with John Webb, then went on to easily win the general election with a more than two-to-one margin.

Missouri’s 4th congressional district election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vicky Hartzler 120,014 68.08
Democratic Nate Irvin 46,464 26.36
Libertarian Herschel L. Young 9,793 5.56
Write-in Greg Cowan 15 0.01

2016
Main article: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri § District 4

Hartzler won 72% of the party vote in the Republican congressional primary with John Webb, then won the general election with a more than two-to-one margin.

Missouri’s 4th congressional district election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vicky Hartzler 225,348 67.83
Democratic Gordon Christensen 92,510 27.85
Libertarian Mark Bliss 14,376 4.33

2018

Main article: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri District 4

Missouri's 4th congressional district, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vicky Hartzler (incumbent) 190,138 64.8
Democratic Renee Hoagenson 95,968 32.7
Libertarian Mark Bliss 7,210 2.5
Total votes 293,316 100.0
Republican hold

Committee assignments

116th Congress Committee Assignments:

Leadership Roles, 116th Congress

Hartzler is one of the three Republican House members serving as a commissioner.[9]

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) is an independent agency of the U.S. government which monitors human rights and rule of law developments in the People's Republic of China. It was created in October 2001 under Title III of H.R. 4444, which authorizes normal trade relations with the PRC, and establishes a framework for relations between the two countries.[10] The commission was given the mandate by the U.S. Congress to monitor and report on human rights issues with a particular focus on compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its reporting covers developments in freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly, religious freedom, freedom of movement, freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention, or torture, and the right to a fair trial, among others.[10] The commission publishes an annual report to the President of the United States and Congress, typically in the fall of each year. It also maintains a database of prisoners of conscience, holds regular roundtables and hearings, and issues letters to other institutions concerning human rights matters.[11][12]

Hartzler with Vice President Mike Pence at a Value Action Team event in the United States House of Representatives.
  • Value Actions Team

Since the 115th Congress, Hartzler has served as the Chairwoman of the Value Actions Team (VAT). VAT is a conservative group of lawmakers with a stated mission of advancing legislation on the principals of "traditional values", including pro-life and religious freedom legislation.[13]

In October 2015, Hartzler was named to serve on the Select Investigative Panel on Planned Parenthood.[14]

Caucuses

Ethics complaint

A complaint was filed against Hartzler's office stating a tweet from her Congressional account displaying Case IH's products violated congressional ethics rules. The products are sold at Hartzler's personal business, Heartland Tractor Company.[18] The House Ethics Committee has acknowledged receipt of the complaint but has not pursued any sanctions against the office.

Political positions

Abortion

Hartzler is an outspoken opponent of abortion.[19][20] She has sponsored legislation in an effort to block taxpayer dollars from funding clinics that offer abortion services such as Planned Parenthood,[21] as well as legislation such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.[22]

LGBT rights

Hartzler strongly opposes same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships.[19] She also opposes banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2019, Hartzler expressed her strong opposition to the Equality Act[23] and has written an op-ed totally rejecting the Equality Act.[24] She also opposes allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military.[25][26] Also in 2019, Hartzler sponsored an event by proponents of conversion therapy in order to provide the use of Congressional office space, inviting a rebuke from Rep. Ted Lieu, whose office was next to the event, and who sponsored legislation which would ban conversion therapy.[27][28][26]

Positions on China

Hartzler is a vocal supporter of President Donald J Trump's policies on China.

Hartzler supported the Trump Administration's call to requiring the government purchase only medical equipment and pharmaceuticals made in the United States. In 2019, Hartzler introduced legislation with Democrat Representative John Garamendi of California to require the Department of Defense to "identify vulnerabilities faced by our country’s dependence on Chinese pharmaceuticals, and to only purchase American-made raw materials, medicines, and vaccines for the military."[29] In July 2020, Hartzler and Garamendi announced provisions of the legislation were ultimately rolled in the broader National Defense Authorization Act[30], which passed the House of Representatives on July 21, 2020.[31]

As a member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, she was sanctioned by the Chinese government along with other prominent figures of the federal government, including Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Ted Cruz, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.[32] The sanctions against Hartzler and her colleagues came after the United States Secretary of State and the United States Department of Treasury sanctioned four Chinese officials for their involvement in alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang against the Uyghur Muslim population.[33]

On July 17, 2020, days after the announcement of sanctions against U.S. lawmakers by the China, Hartzler wrote in op-ed in Fox News expressing support for the Trump Administration's sanctions on China and calling for the international community to impose similar sanctions. She also called lawmakers to "expose U.S. companies complicit" in profiting from alleged slave labor in Xinjiang re-education camps.[34]

Hartzler visiting the United States Army installation at Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Military

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Hartzler is a staunch supporter of increasing military spending, saying "[i]n order to maintain our competitive advantage in the era of great power competition, we must modernize our forces."[35]

Throughout her tenure in the committee, Hartzler has served as a conferee in the legislative process to pass the National Defense Authorization Act[36], all of which have been signed by the President into law. Hartzler has led initiatives to fully fund the B-21 long range strike bomber program[37] and modernization programs of the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit based at Whiteman Air Force Base. She has also successfully advocated for funding for the maintenance and modifications to the A-10 Thunderbolt II program[38] and funding for the F-15EX program based in Missouri, the F-18 Super Hornet program, and the T-7A Advanced Trainer program. Additionally, Hartzler has successfully advocated for funding of the Fort Leonard Wood hospital replacement project and a partial dislocation allowance for service members forced to move from dormitories.[39][40]

On June 29, 2017 Hartzler opposed allowing transgender Americans to serve in the U.S. armed forces, and proposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 to reverse an Obama-administration policy that allowed transgender Americans in the armed services.[41] Hartzler's amendment was rejected in a 209–214 vote,[42][43] but Trump subsequently announced that he would ban transgender people to serve in U.S. military; Hartzler said that she was "very pleased" with the decision.[44]

Women

Hartzler voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.[45]

Healthcare

Hartzler is a staunch opponent of the Affordable Care Act[46] and a supporter of the American Health Care Act.[47]

Hartzler signing final version of the Farm Bill

Agriculture

In September 2013, Hartzler voted in favor of a $39 billion reduction in SNAP benefits, which was separated from legislation to increase farm subsidies for the first time in over three decades.[48]

As a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, Hartzler has Hartzler has served as a conferee to pass the final version of the past latest Farm Bill in 2018.[49] Though she was a conferee, Hartzler did not vote on the measure to pass the Farm Bill due to her father passing away in December 2019.[50] President Donald Trump signed the final version of the Farm Bill in December 2018 just before the Christmas recess.[51]

Hartzler has also been a staunch advocate for investment in rural broadband, which falls under the jurisdiction of the House Agriculture Committee. She successfully led provisions signed into law by President Donald J Trump to increase private investment in rural broadband, modifying Rural Utilities Service broadband programs to include loan guarantees in addition to existing direct loans.[52]. She also successfully led provisions to increase minimum download speeds from 4 to 25 megabits per second, with minimum upload speed tripling to 3 Mbps for companies receiving financing from the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service fund.[53] In 2020, Hartzler introduced legislation to allow certain Rural Utilities Service borrowers to take advantage of current low interest rates without heavy fines and penalties in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. [54]

Environment

Hartzler rejects the scientific consensus on climate change. On November 18, 2014, during the worst early season cold snap in the U.S. since 1976, Hartzler made a joke about climate change on Twitter. "Global warming strikes America! Brrrr!"[55] The quip was rebutted in detail by The Washington Post, which reported that her district in Missouri is among the areas most severely impacted by climate change in the United States.[56]

She voted to approve the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline on the federally protected lands of Indigenous people.[57]

Israel

In February 2016, during a trip to Israel, Hartzler voiced her support for the country and shared the belief that "our country has been blessed because we have been a blessing to Israel".[58]

In 2017, Hartzler supported the Trump Administration proclamation recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. [59]

In her capacity as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Hartzler has supported legislation in Congress to bolster the diplomatic and military relations with Israel, saying that “the United States partnership with Israel is crucial to protecting our national interests and strengthening our long-term security.”[60]

Immigration

In January 2017, Hartzler made a statement supporting President Donald J Trump's ban on immigrants from seven Muslim countries and halting the U.S. Refugee program for 120 days.[20] In her statement, Hartzler drew equivalency between Trump's executive order and Obama's 2011 policy that slowed immigration from Iraq by saying they were "similar".[61]

In February 2017, Hartzler supported Trump's rollback of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.[62]

Guns

Hartzler opposes gun control and advocates for looser gun laws. She is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment.[63]

Barack Obama

At a town hall meeting in Missouri on April 5, 2012, Hartzler expressed doubts regarding President Barack Obama's birth certificate.[64][65][66]

Personal life

Hartzler lives on a farm near Harrisonville with her family.[3]

Works
  • Vicky Hartzler self-published the book Running God's Way, Pleasant Word (a division of the now defunct WinePress Publishing; December 13, 2007), and then later Xulon Press.; ISBN 978-1-4141-1124-7

See also

References
  1. "Representative Vicky Jo Hartzler (Vicky) (R-Missouri, 4th) – Biography from LegiStorm". Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  2. Former GOP lawmaker Hartzler wins 9-way contest, Associated Press (August 3, 2010).
  3. Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler biodata, hartzler.house.gov; accessed July 26, 2017
  4. Purging the pain from political campaigns Murphree, Randall. OneNewsNow.com April 2008; accessed January 3, 2009.
  5. Missouri Begins Vote on Same-sex 'Marriage' Ban Phan, Katherine. The Christian Post. August 3, 2004. Accessed January 3, 2009
  6. Lutz, Jennifer. "ERA supporters, opponents speak out". Missouri Digital News.
  7. Former State Rep makes pitch to replace Ike Skelton in Congress September 2, 2009; accessed January 3, 2010.
  8. Hartzler, Vicky (July 14, 2016). "Rep. Vicky Hartzler: Congress, we must protect Americans who disagree with abortion". Fox News. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  9. "Commissioners of the 116th Congress | Congressional-Executive Commission on China". Cecc.gov. October 19, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  10. H.R. 4444, TITLE III--CONGRESSIONAL-EXECUTIVE COMMISSION ON THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Archived 2011-09-12 at the Wayback Machine
  11. "Congressional-Executive Commission on China". www.cecc.gov. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  12. "Xinjiang: Chairs Ask Whether World Bank Funding Possible "Crimes Against Humanity"". Congressional-Executive Commission on China. August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  13. "Hartzler takes helm of House Values Action Team | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler". Hartzler.house.gov. January 11, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  14. Paul Kane (October 23, 2015). "Boehner's next select committee, focusing on Planned Parenthood, to be led by Marsha Blackburn". Washington Post. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  15. "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  16. "Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus". Veterinary Medicine Caucus. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  17. "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  18. https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article233706162.html
  19. "Marriage". Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  20. "Missouri, Kansas politicians weigh in on Trump immigration ban". Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  21. "Hartzler Introduces the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2019 | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler". Hartzler.house.gov. January 9, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  22. "Hartzler Speaks in Support of Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler". Hartzler.house.gov. September 26, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  23. "House Debate on the Equality Act". C-SPAN. May 17, 2019.
  24. https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/civil-rights/443589-the-equality-act-would-lead-to-the-death-of-womens-rights
  25. By Liz StarkUpdated 3:04 PM ET, Wed July 26, 2017 (July 26, 2017). "Hartzler: Transgender service members 'costly' to military - CNNPolitics". Cnn.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. Republican congresswoman Vicky Hartzler is not sorry for promoting gay cure therapy
  27. "GOP Rep. Vicky Hartzler Helps 'Conversion Therapy' Group Hold Capitol Hill Event". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  28. "Hartzler says she supports her office's help of group that believes in conversion therapy". The Columbia Missourian. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  29. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/bipartisan-group-of-lawmakers-press-trump-to-issue-executive-order-moving-drug-manufacturing-out-of-china
  30. https://hartzler.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hartzler-house-armed-services-committee-passing-national-defense
  31. https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/21/politics/house-to-vote-ndaa-confederate-names-military-bases/index.html
  32. https://fortune.com/2020/07/13/china-sanctions-ted-cruz-marco-rubio/
  33. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53355697
  34. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/rep-vicky-hartzler-trump-right-to-hold-china-accountable-for-inhumane-crimes-against-uighur-minority
  35. https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/06/30/us-cant-be-negligent-or-irresponsible-in-military-funding-decisions/
  36. https://www.republicanleader.gov/leader-mccarthy-announces-ndaa-conferees/
  37. http://dearcolleague.us/2019/03/support-fy20-funding-for-the-b-21-program/
  38. https://breakingdefense.com/2014/03/why-congress-may-let-air-force-retire-the-a-10/
  39. https://hartzler.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hartzler-supports-defense-bill-strengthening-america-s-national-security
  40. https://www.army.mil/article/236701/fort_leonard_wood_breaks_ground_on_new_hospital
  41. "Hartzler Statement on NDAA Amendment to Reverse Obama Transgender Policy". Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler. June 29, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  42. Lardner, Richard. "House rejects attempt to ban transgender surgery for troops". Associated Press. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  43. "H.Amdt.183 to H.R.2810 in 115th Congress (2017-2018)". Congress.gov. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  44. Lowry, Brian. "Trump blocking transgender troops comes after pressure from Missouri's Vicky Hartzler". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  45. OnTheIssues.org. "Vicky Hartzler on the Issues". www.ontheissues.org. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  46. "Vicky Hartzler on Health Care". ontheissues.org. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  47. "American Health Care Act" (PDF). Cbo.gov. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  48. "How Republicans Justify Cutting Food Stamps While Boosting Farm Subsidies". Bloomberg. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  49. https://www.missourinet.com/2018/10/08/hartzler-and-congressional-committee-work-on-differences-to-replace-expired-farm-bill/
  50. https://www.missourinet.com/2018/12/13/missouri-house-delegation-to-washington-all-in-with-farm-bill/
  51. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-is-improving-american-agriculture-programs/
  52. http://agnetwest.com/hartzler-legislation-broadband-farm-bill/
  53. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/rural-broadband-could-get-a-lot-faster-with-new-farm-bill
  54. https://brownfieldagnews.com/news/hartzler-introduces-relief-to-rural-broadband-providers/
  55. "Global warming strikes America! Brrrr!". Twitter. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  56. "Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler wonders why it's so cold if global warming exists. Here's the answer". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  57. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  58. Lazaroff, Tovah (February 23, 2016). "Visiting GOP congressman from Florida: Israel has done its utmost to promote peace". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  59. https://twitter.com/RepHartzler/status/938490625057525761
  60. "Hartzler Supports Bills Backing Israel | Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler". Hartzler.house.gov. July 25, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  61. "There are major differences between Trump's immigration ban and Obama's 2011 policy". Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  62. "Statement on President Trump's Executive Order on Fiduciary Rule". February 3, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  63. "Vicky Hartzler on Gun Control". ontheissues.org. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  64. Celock, John. "Obama Birth Certificate: Missouri Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler Expresses Doubt". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  65. "Hartzler speaks in town hall: 'We don't want to go bankrupt'". SedaliaDemocrat.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  66. "America's Most Anti-Gay Congresswoman Also a Birther". MotherJones.com. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Ike Skelton		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri's 4th congressional district
2011–present		 Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Andy Harris		 United States Representatives by seniority
163rd		 Succeeded by
Jaime Herrera Beutler
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