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Gil Gutknecht - 1st District
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Gil Gutknecht entered Congress in 1994 as a soldier in the Republican revolution being led by House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Gingrich is gone, and Gutknecht has found his own path, bucking his party in on key issues such as the nation's milk policy, a crucial concern to this district, and the importation of prescription drugs. In the race for the GOP nomination to the 1st District U.S. House seat in 1994, Gutknecht defeated former U.S. Rep. Arlen Erdahl, in part by trying to claim retiring incumbent Democratic Rep. Tim Penny's mantle of fiscal conservatism. A trained auctioneer, Gutknecht is known for his quick tongue.
In recent sessions, Gutknecht has pressed for prescription drug bill provisions that would allow the importation of U.S.-made pharmaceuticals sold more cheaply abroad and would help push low-cost generic drugs onto the market. Close to home, Gutknecht in August of 2002 voiced his support for expansion plans by the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad, despite opposition to the project from many constituents in Mankato and Rochester who are concerned about noice and traffic problems. Following the 2001 terrorist attacks, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons agreed to transfer Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, a blind Egyptian cleric convicted in 1995 of plotting to blow up landmarks in New York and Washington, from Rochester's Federal Medical Center to a federal prison in Colorado. Gutknecht had been seeking the transfer for months.
Gutknecht serves on the House Budget, Agriculture, and Science and Technology committees.
Gil Gutknecht was elected to the U.S. House in 1994 with 55 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat John Hottinger. He was re-elected in 1996 with 53 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Mary Rieder. In 1998, Gutknecht was re-elected defeating Democrat Tracy Beckman with 55 percent of the vote. Facing Rieder again, he was re-elected in 2000 with 56 percent of the vote. In 2002, Gutknecht easily defeated DFL Steve Andreasen by a 61-to-35% margin. He was unopposed in the primary. In 2004, Gutknecht again enjoyed an easy win over DFLer Leigh Pomeroy by a 60%-to-35% margin. See District 1 2004 election results.
Gil Gutknecht entered Congress in 1994 as a soldier in the Republican revolution being led by House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Gingrich is gone, and Gutknecht has found his own path, bucking his party in on key issues such as the nation's milk policy, a crucial concern to this district, and the importation of prescription drugs. In the race for the GOP nomination to the 1st District U.S. House seat in 1994, Gutknecht defeated former U.S. Rep. Arlen Erdahl, in part by trying to claim retiring incumbent Democratic Rep. Tim Penny's mantle of fiscal conservatism. A trained auctioneer, Gutknecht is known for his quick tongue.
In recent sessions, Gutknecht has pressed for prescription drug bill provisions that would allow the importation of U.S.-made pharmaceuticals sold more cheaply abroad and would help push low-cost generic drugs onto the market. Close to home, Gutknecht in August of 2002 voiced his support for expansion plans by the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad, despite opposition to the project from many constituents in Mankato and Rochester who are concerned about noice and traffic problems. Following the 2001 terrorist attacks, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons agreed to transfer Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, a blind Egyptian cleric convicted in 1995 of plotting to blow up landmarks in New York and Washington, from Rochester's Federal Medical Center to a federal prison in Colorado. Gutknecht had been seeking the transfer for months.
Gutknecht serves on the House Budget, Agriculture, and Science and Technology committees.
Gil Gutknecht was elected to the U.S. House in 1994 with 55 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat John Hottinger. He was re-elected in 1996 with 53 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Mary Rieder. In 1998, Gutknecht was re-elected defeating Democrat Tracy Beckman with 55 percent of the vote. Facing Rieder again, he was re-elected in 2000 with 56 percent of the vote. In 2002, Gutknecht easily defeated DFL Steve Andreasen by a 61-to-35% margin. He was unopposed in the primary. In 2004, Gutknecht again enjoyed an easy win over DFLer Leigh Pomeroy by a 60%-to-35% margin. See District 1 2004 election results.
McCollum's view of Iraq
Rep. Betty McCollum, DFL-Minn., has returned from a trip to Iraq. During her visit, a wave of coordinated attacks took place, some targeting the Red Cross headquarters in Baghdad, killing more than 35 people. She also visited Mosul, in northern Iraq, where she and other members of her delegation with the House International Relations committee met with members of the 101st Airborne Division. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with McCollum. (10/29/2003)
Kennedy remarks on Iraq
Minnesota 6th district republican Congressman Mark Kennedy talks about his recent trip to Iraq, and the major issues facing Congress this fall. ( 09/04/2003)
Tolls for thee, Minnesota?
In the next couple of years, Minnesotans could be paying tolls to use certain metropolitan highway lanes. State and federal lawmakers are considering plans to charge lane fees to relieve congestion and fund new road projects. The proposal is part of a mix of highway development and financing plans announced by Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration and legislators from both parties. (04/24/2003)
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