Glenn Thompson
Chair of the House Agriculture Committee
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byDavid Scott
Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee
In office
January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023
Preceded byMike Conaway
Succeeded byDavid Scott
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania
Assumed office
January 3, 2009
Preceded byJohn E. Peterson
Constituency5th district (2009–2019)
15th district (2019–present)
Personal details
Born
Glenn William Thompson Jr.

(1959-07-27) July 27, 1959
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpousePenny Ammerman
Children3
EducationPennsylvania State University (BS)
Temple University (MEd)
WebsiteHouse website

Glenn William "GT" Thompson Jr. (born July 27, 1959) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he was first elected to Congress in 2008 for the state's 5th congressional district; Thompson was redistricted to the 15th congressional district in the 2018 election by an order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.[1] Since 2023, he has chaired the House Agriculture Committee.

Early life, education and early career

Thompson was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, grew up in Howard, Pennsylvania, and is the son of a Navy veteran. He holds a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation from Pennsylvania State University and dual master's degrees in therapeutic recreation and health science from Temple University.

Thompson worked for 28 years as a Therapist/Rehab Services Manager/Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Lycoming County and chaired the Centre County Republican Committee for six years. He has spent 25 years as a member or president of the Howard Volunteer Fire Company 14, and volunteers as a firefighter, emergency medical technician, and rescue technician.

U.S. House of Representatives

Tenure

Thompson during the
116th Congress

When the 112th Congress convened on January 5, 2011, to elect a Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Thompson's vote was the 218th vote for John Boehner, giving Boehner the majority needed to be named Speaker.

During the 112th Congress, Thompson became chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Energy.

At the start of the 115th Congress, Thompson was named vice-chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture.[2] In December 2020, ahead of the 117th Congress, he was named ranking member of the agriculture committee.[3]

Government funding

In January 2018, Thompson voted for the Fiscal Year 2018 continuing resolution (CR), a stopgap funding bill to fund the federal government at then-current levels through February 16, 2018. It also provided for six-year funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Thompson praised the measure for delaying what he called "three onerous and unpopular Obamacare taxes, which should be permanently repealed."[4]

Education

As a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Thompson has supported local control rather than federal mandates on issues like evaluating teachers, opposed private school vouchers, and voted to expand S-CHIP (children's health insurance). In August 2014, the National Education Association's political action committee endorsed Thompson for reelection.[5]

Food programs

In April 2018, Thompson supported new work and job training requirements for certain beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps. Thompson spoke up for the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), recalling that in the early 1980s, when he earned "less than $9,000", he and his wife had relied upon WIC, "a short-term intervention program designed to help pregnant women and their children meet healthy nutritional needs."[6]

Gun control

Thompson during Bat Week in 2017

After the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018, Thompson told an audience of students that he did not agree with the idea of arming teachers and had voted to fund an improved national background check system. Thompson called for more "uniformed law enforcement in our schools."[7]

Veterans

In April 2017, Thompson and Julia Brownley introduced H.R. 2123, the Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support (VETS) Act of 2017. In September, Thompson praised the Department of Veterans Affairs for proposing a rule that was similar to his bill that would allow VA-credentialed health care providers to practice telemedicine across state lines.[8]

Thompson sponsored the Servicemembers' Telemedicine and E-Health Portability Act of 2011, which was enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. The bill expanded the use of telemedicine for active duty military, reserve and National Guard.[9]

Environment

Of climate change, Thompson has said, "I think humans contribute," but added that he was not sure of the degree to which they contribute.[10] In September 2017, Thompson and several other members of Congress asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rescind the Waters of the United States rule, calling the regulation an overreach that expanded "EPA's authority far beyond its congressional mandate."[11]

Rural air service

In April 2018, Thompson fought efforts to eliminate federal funding for the Essential Air Service. Three airports in his district participate in it.[12]

Texas v. Pennsylvania

In December 2020, Thompson was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated[13] incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.[14][15][16]

Marriage rights

In July 2022, Thompson voted against the Respect for Marriage Act,[17] which would codify the right to same-sex marriage, just days before attending his son's same-sex wedding.[18]

Committee assignments

Caucus leadership

Elections

2008

Thompson was elected the U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 5th congressional district, defeating Democratic nominee Mark McCracken, 58%–42%.[31]

2010

Thompson defeated Democratic nominee Michael Pipe, 69%–28%.[32]

2012

Thompson defeated Democratic nominee Charles Dumas, 63%–37%.[33]

2014

Thompson defeated Democratic nominee Kerith Strano Taylor, 64%–36%.[34]

2016

Thompson defeated Taylor again, 67%–33%.[35]

2018

After the Pennsylvania Supreme Court redrew the congressional district map in February 2018, Thompson's district was renumbered the 15th. In May 2018, Susan Boser, a professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, won the Democratic nomination in Thompson's district, defeating Wade Johun in her party's primary.[36] In the general election, Thompson defeated Boser, 68%–32%.

2020

Thomson defeated Democratic nominee Robert Williams, 73.5%–26.5%.

2022

Thomson defeated the Democratic nominee, Lewisburg Borough Council Member Mike Molesevich, 70%–30%.[37][38]

References

  1. ↑ Chuck Biedka, Democrats in 15th Congressional District primary focus on broadband expansion, Trib Live
  2. ↑ "Thompson named vice chairman of the House Agriculture committee". meadvilletribune.com. January 12, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  3. ↑ Cole, John (December 3, 2020). "Thompson Elected Top Republican on Ag Committee". Politics PA. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Thompson supports government funding measure". The Bradford Era. December 22, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Pennsylvania educators recommend Rep. Glenn Thompson's reelection to Congress". NEA. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  6. ↑ Op-Ed, Pennlive (May 9, 2018). "These historic investments in nutrition assistance will change lives | Glenn 'GT' Thompson". pennlive. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  7. ↑ Bundy, Andrew (April 2, 2018). "Glenn Thompson talks about new district, gun control". TheCourierExpress.com. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  8. ↑ mHealthIntelligence (November 8, 2017). "VETS Act, Supporting Telehealth for Veterans, Now in Senate's Hands". mHealthIntelligence. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  9. ↑ He authored the Service Member Electronic Health Portability Act (STEP) of 2011.
  10. ↑ Rafacz, Sarah (October 8, 2017). "Thompson meets with constituents in local forum". Centre Daily Times. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  11. ↑ Davenport, Coral (June 27, 2017). "E.P.A. Moves to Rescind Contested Water Pollution Regulation". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Rep. Thompson speaks in support of rural air service". Transportation Today. May 2, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  13. ↑ Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  14. ↑ Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  16. ↑ Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  17. ↑ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (July 19, 2022). "Roll Call 373 Roll Call 373, Bill Number: H. R. 8404, 117th Congress, 2nd Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved July 25, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ "GOP lawmaker attended gay son's wedding 3 days after voting against same-sex marriage". NBC News. July 25, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  19. ↑ Orland, Madison. "Congressional Art Competition". House.gov. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  20. ↑ "The Congressional German-American Caucus | German American Business Council". Gabcwashington.com. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Natural Gas Caucus | Congressman Glenn Thompson". February 21, 2014. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Members | Career and Technical Education Caucus". Careerandtechnicaleducationcaucus-langevin.house.gov. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Membership of the Congressional Constitution Caucus". Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Congressional Coal Caucus members list". Capitol Impact. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  25. ↑ Thompson, Glen (October 25, 2013). "Thompson Times - October Newsletter". US Congress. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Members". House Baltic Caucus. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Members". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus". Veterinary Medicine Caucus. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  30. ↑ Olson, Laura (March 21, 2017). "Charlie Dent, 'Tuesday Group' head to White House". mcall.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  31. ↑ 2012 Election Results Map by State – Live Voting Updates. Politico.com (June 21, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-08-17.
  32. ↑ 2012 Election Results Map by State – Live Voting Updates. Politico.com (June 21, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-08-17.
  33. ↑ 2012 Election Results Map by State – Live Voting Updates. Politico.com (June 21, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-08-17.
  34. ↑ Pennsylvania Election Results: 2014. Politico.com (2014). Retrieved on April 28, 2016.
  35. ↑ Pennsylvania Election Results: 2016. Politico.com (2016). Retrieved on January 16, 2017.
  36. ↑ Stevens, Matthew (May 15, 2018). "IUP professor Susan Boser wins 15th District Democratic nod, to challenge Glenn Thompson". WJAC. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  37. ↑ Moore, Marcia (October 27, 2022). "15th House District: Where Thompson vs. Molesevich stand on the issues". The Daily Item. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Pennsylvania U.S. House Election Results 2022". NBC News. November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
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