Scott Rigell

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Scott Rigell
Image of Scott Rigell

Republican Party

Prior offices
U.S. House Virginia District 2
Successor: Scott Taylor
Predecessor: Glenn Nye

Compensation

Net worth

$38,247,537

Elections and appointments
Last election

November 4, 2014

Education

Associate

Brevard Community College

Bachelor's

Mercer University

Graduate

Regent University

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

Years of service

1978 - 1984

Personal
Profession
Entrepreneur

E. Scott Rigell (b. May 28, 1960, in Titusville, Fla.) is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives representing Virginia's 2nd Congressional District from 2011 to 2017.

Biography

Rigell earned his associate degree from Brevard Community College, his bachelor's degree from Mercer University and his master's degree from Regent University. He founded an automotive dealership, was vice president for another dealership and founded a third. He also served on Virginia's Motor Vehicle Dealer Board.[1] Rigell also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1978-1984.

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Rigell's academic, professional, and political career:[1]

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2015-2016

Rigell served on the following committees:[2]

2013-2014

Rigell served on the following committees:[3]

2011-2012

Rigell served on the following House committees:[4]

Key votes

114th Congress

CongressLogo.png

The first session of the 114th Congress enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session. In the second session, the 114th Congress enacted 133 out of 3,159 introduced bills (4.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 7.0 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[5][6] For more information pertaining to Rigell's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections.[7]

Economic and fiscal

Trade Act of 2015
See also: The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015

Trade adjustment assistance
Yea3.png On June 12, 2015, the House rejected the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015—by a vote of 126-302. Trade adjustment assistance (TAA) is a federal program providing American workers displaced by foreign trade agreements with job training and services. The measure was packaged with trade promotion authority (TPA), also known as fast-track authority. TPA is a legislative procedure that allows Congress to define "U.S. negotiating objectives and spells out a detailed oversight and consultation process for during trade negotiations. Under TPA, Congress retains the authority to review and decide whether any proposed U.S. trade agreement will be implemented," according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Rigell was one of 86 Republicans to vote in favor of TAA.[8][9]
Trade promotion authority
Yea3.png On June 12, 2015, the House passed the trade promotion authority (TPA) measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015 —by a vote of 219-211. TPA gives the president fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements sent to Congress without the opportunity for amendment or filibuster. Although the House approved TPA, it was a largely symbolic vote given the measure was part of a package trade bill including trade adjustment assistance (TAA), which was rejected earlier the same day. Rigell was one of 191 Republicans to support the measure.[10][11]
Trade promotion authority second vote
Yea3.png After the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) and trade promotion authority (TPA) did not pass the House together on June 12, 2015, representatives voted to authorize TPA alone as an amendment to HR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—on June 18, 2015. The amendment passed by a vote of 218-208, with all voting members of the House maintaining their original positions on TPA except for Ted Yoho (R-Fla.). Rigell was one of 190 Republicans to vote in favor of the amendment.[12][13]
Trade adjustment assistance second vote
Yea3.png The House passed HR 1295—the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015—on June 25, 2015, by a vote of 286-138. The Senate packaged trade adjustment assistance (TAA) in this bill after the House rejected the TAA measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015. Along with trade promotion authority (TPA), which Congress passed as part of HR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—TAA became law on June 29, 2015. Rigell was one of 111 Republicans to vote in favor of HR 1295.[14][15]

Defense spending authorization

Yea3.png On May 15, 2015, the House passed HR 1735—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 269-151. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Rigell voted with 227 other Republicans and 41 Democrats to approve the bill.[16] The Senate passed the bill on June 18, 2015, by a vote of 71-25. President Barack Obama vetoed the bill on October 22, 2015.[17]

Yea3.png On November 5, 2015, the House passed S 1356—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 370-58. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included $5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.[18][19] Rigell voted with 234 other Republicans and 135 Democrats to approve the bill.[20] On November 10, 2015, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 91-3, and President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015.[21]

2016 Budget proposal

Yea3.png On April 30, 2015, the House voted to approve SConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 226-197. The non-binding resolution was designed to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. All 183 Democrats who voted, voted against the resolution. Rigell voted with 225 other Republicans to approve the bill.[22][23][24]

2015 budget

Yea3.png On October 28, 2015, the House passed HR 1314—the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015—by a vote of 266-167. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017.[25] Rigell voted with 78 Republicans and 187 Democrats in favor of the bill.[26] It passed the Senate on October 30, 2015.[27] President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015.

Foreign Affairs

Iran nuclear deal
See also: Iran nuclear agreement, 2015

Yea3.png On May 14, 2015, the House approved HR 1191—the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 400-25. The bill required President Barack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review. Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove, or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. Rigell voted with 222 other Republican representatives to approve the bill.[28][29]


Approval of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
Nay3.png On September 11, 2015, the House rejected HR 3461—To approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 162-269. The legislation proposed approving the nuclear agreement with Iran. Rigell voted with 243 Republicans and 25 Democrats against the bill.[30][31]


Suspension of Iran sanctions relief
Yea3.png On September 11, 2015, the House approved HR 3460—To suspend until January 21, 2017, the authority of the President to waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 247-186. HR 3460 prohibited "the President, prior to January 21, 2017, from: limiting the application of specified sanctions on Iran or refraining from applying any such sanctions; or removing a foreign person (including entities) listed in Attachments 3 or 4 to Annex II of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) from the list of designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury." Rigell voted with 244 Republicans and two Democrats for the bill.[32][33]


Presidential non-compliance of section 2
Yea3.png On September 10, 2015, the House passed H Res 411—Finding that the President has not complied with section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 245-186. Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 required the president to submit all materials related to the nuclear agreement for congressional review. House Republicans introduced the resolution because two agreements between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran were not submitted to Congress. Rigell voted with 244 Republicans for the resolution.[34][35]

Export-Import Bank

Yea3.png On October 27, 2015, the House passed HR 597—the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015—by a vote of 313-118. The bill proposed reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank and allowing it to resume offering assistance in the form of loans and insurance to foreign companies that wanted to buy U.S. goods.[36] Rigell voted with 126 Republicans and 186 Democrats in favor of the bill.[37]

Domestic

USA FREEDOM Act of 2015

Yea3.png On May 13, 2015, the House passed HR 2048—the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015—by a vote of 338-88. The legislation revised HR 3199—the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005—by ending the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, requiring increased reporting from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Rigell voted with 195 Republicans and 142 Democrats to approve the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015.[38][39]

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Yea3.png On May 13, 2015, the House passed HR 36—the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act—by a vote of 242-184. The bill proposed prohibiting abortions from being performed after a fetus was determined to be 20 weeks or older. The bill proposed exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. Rigell voted with 237 Republicans in favor of the bill.[40][41]

Cyber security

Yea3.png On April 23, 2015, the House passed HR 1731—the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015—by a vote of 355-63. The bill proposed creating an information sharing program that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. It also proposed including liability protections for companies.[42] Rigell voted with 219 Republicans and 135 Democrats to approve the bill.[43]

Yea3.png On April 22, 2015, the House passed HR 1560—the Protecting Cyber Networks Act—by a vote of 307-116.[44] The bill proposed procedures that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Rigell voted with 201 Republicans and 105 Democrats in favor of the bill.[45]

Speaker of the House

Rigell did not cast his vote for John Boehner to continue as Speaker of the House. He voted for Dan Webster instead.[46]

Immigration

Yea3.png On November 19, 2015, the House passed HR 4038—the American SAFE Act of 2015—by a vote of 289-137.[47] The bill proposed instituting additional screening processes for refugees from Iraq and Syria who applied for admission to the U.S. Rigell voted with 241 Republicans and 47 Democrats in favor of the bill.[48]

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[49] For more information pertaining to Rigell's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[50]

National security

NDAA

Yea3.png Rigell voted in support of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[51]

DHS Appropriations

Yea3.png Rigell voted in support of HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines.[51]

Keystone Pipeline Amendment

Nay3.pngRigell voted in opposition of House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.[51]

CISPA (2013)

Nay3.png Rigell voted in opposition of HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill permitted federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[52] The bill was largely supported by Republicans but divided the Democratic Party.[51]

Economy

Farm bill

Yea3.png On January 29, 2014, the U.S. House approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, also known as the Farm Bill.[53] The bill passed by a vote of 251-166. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that would kick in when prices drop.[54][55] It also cut the food stamp program an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[55] Rigell voted with 161 other Republican representatives in favor of the bill.

2014 Budget

Yea3.png On January 15, 2014, the Republican-run House approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[56][57] The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582-page bill, with 64 Republicans and three Democrats voting against the bill.[57] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[58] It increased the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel by 1 percent, increased Head Start funding for early childhood education by $1 billion, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, and protected the Affordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. Rigell voted with the majority of the Republican Party in favor of the bill.[56]

Government shutdown
See also: United States budget debate, 2013

Yea3.png On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[59] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[60] Rigell voted to approve the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[61]

Yea3.png The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[62] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Rigell voted for HR 2775.[63]

Rigell released a statement on October 1, 2013, calling for an end to the shutdown. He said, "In rejecting outright all four offers, and without offering a single counter offer, the Senate demonstrated an absolute unwillingness to negotiate. The result? Gridlock and a government shutdown. The shutdown is hurting my district – including the military and the hard working men and women who have been furloughed due to the defense sequester. Republicans fought the good fight. The fight continues but is not advanced by a government shutdown that damages our economy and harms our military. The time has come to pass a clean CR to reopen the government.”[64]

Rigell planned to donate his salary for the duration of the shutdown to the Wounded Warrior Project.[65]

Farm Bill
See also: United States Farm Bill 2013

Yea3.png Rigell supported the Farm Bill on July 11, 2013. The bill passed in a 216-208 vote.[66] The bill passed included farm policy, but did not include food stamps.[67]

Immigration

Morton Memos Prohibition

Yea3.png Rigell supported House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain individuals residing in the United States without legal status.[68] The vote largely followed party lines.[69]

Healthcare

Repealing Obamacare

Yea3.png Rigell has voted in support of all attempts to repeal or delay the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[70]

Social issues

Abortion

Yea3.png Rigell supported HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196. The purpose of the bill was to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[71]

Government affairs

HR 676
See also: Boehner's lawsuit against the Obama administration

Yea3.png On July 30, 2014, the U.S. House approved a resolution 225 to 201 to sue President Barack Obama for exceeding his constitutional authority. Five Republicans—Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Broun of Georgia, Scott Garrett of New Jersey, Walter Jones of North Carolina and Steve Stockman of Texas—voted with Democrats against the lawsuit.[72] Rigell joined the other 224 Republicans in favor of the lawsuit. All Democrats voted against the resolution.[73][74]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal cliff

Nay3.png Rigell voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003, while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was one of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[75]


Issues

Presidential preference

2016 presidential endorsement

✓ Rigell endorsed Gary Johnson for the 2016 presidential general election. Rigell endorsed Marco Rubio for the Republican presidential primary.[76][77]

See also: Endorsements for Gary Johnson

Republicans who opposed Trump in 2016

See also: Republicans and their declared positions on Donald Trump

Rigell was part of a group of Republican members of Congress who said they would not endorse or vote for Donald Trump. On March 1, 2016, Rigell wrote, "Never before have I grabbed a word like catastrophic to make a political point. It’s like pulling a fire alarm; if you do it, there had better be a fire. There is a fire and it’s raging within our Republican party. I am convinced that if Donald Trump becomes our nominee, the harm done to our party would be nothing short of catastrophic. I reject Trump as our nominee based on his judgement, temperament and character, all of which point to a reckless, embarrassing and ultimately dangerous presidency."[78][79]

A full list of Republicans who opposed Trump can be viewed here.

E.W. Jackson

Rigell refused to endorse E.W. Jackson, the 2013 Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, because of anti-gay comments made by Jackson.[80]

National security

Libya and Iraq

Rigell opposed deploying ground troops to Libya and joined a bipartisan coalition that asked President Obama and Congress to resist “calls for a ‘quick’ and ‘easy’ military intervention in Iraq.”[81][82]

American response in Syria

See also: United States involvement in Syria

Sixty-five House lawmakers signed a letter urging President Barack Obama to call Congress back into session, if he decided to use military force in Syria.[83][84]

In the August 2013 letter Rigell wrote that “engaging our military in Syria when no direct threat to the United States exists and without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers that is clearly delineated in the Constitution.”[83]

The letter noted that Obama should have asked Congress for permission when he sent cruise missiles and bombs into Libya. “If the use of 221 Tomahawk cruise missiles, 704 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and 42 Predator Hellfire missiles expended in Libya does not constitute ‘hostilities,’ what does?” the signers asked.[83]

“If you deem that military action in Syria is necessary, Congress can reconvene at your request,” the letter stated. “We stand ready to come back into session, consider the facts before us, and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict.”[83]

Most signers of the letter were Republicans. Ten Democratic members - Beto O'Rourke, Gene Green, Zoe Lofgren, Peter DeFazio, Kurt Schrader, Rush Holt, William Enyart, Tim Walz, Rick Nolan and Michael Capuano - also signed the letter.[83]

Elections

2016

See also: Virginia's 2nd Congressional District election, 2016

Rigell did not seek re-election to his seat in 2016.[85]

2014

BattlegroundRace.jpg
See also: Virginia's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2014

Incumbent Scott Rigell (R) defeated retired U.S. Naval Reserve Commander Suzanne Patrick (D) in the general election on November 4, 2014. Neither candidate faced a primary challenger.

Ballotpedia identified Virginia's 2nd Congressional District as a battleground race because Cook's PVI showed the district as R+2, and Fairvote rated the district as 43.4 percent Democratic. In addition, President Barack Obama won the district by 1.5 percent in 2012 and 1.7 percent in 2008.[86][87]

U.S. House, Virginia District 2 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngScott Rigell Incumbent 58.7% 101,558
     Democratic Suzanne Patrick 41.1% 71,178
     N/A Write-in 0.2% 324
Total Votes 173,060
Source: Virginia Department of Elections

Race background

Rigell was a member of the National Republican Congressional Committee's Patriot Program. The program was designed to assist vulnerable Republican incumbents during the 2014 election.[88]

Media

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Scott Rigell for Congress 2014: "The Round Table."

2012

See also: Virginia's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2012

Rigell won re-election in 2012. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary and defeated Democrat Paul Hirschbiel in the November general election.[89][90]

U.S. House, Virginia District 2 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Paul Hirschbiel 46.1% 142,548
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngScott Rigell Incumbent 53.8% 166,231
     Write-In N/A 0.1% 443
Total Votes 309,222
Source: Virginia State Board of Elections, "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

Full history


Campaign themes

2014

Rigell highlighted thirteen issues on his website. Here are some of them:[92]

“

Creating Jobs: As a lifelong businessman I know the great joy that comes with being able to look someone in the eye and say, “You’re hired!” But today our American small businesses are suffering at the hands of an overreaching, paternalistic government. As a result, America’s unemployment rate has hovered at 8% for more than three full years. So many more Americans are underemployed or have given up looking for work, but if these past three years have taught us anything, it is this: that the government cannot create sustainable jobs or spend our way out of unemployment. The only true path to job creation is to get the government out of the way, create an economic environment that provides certainty to businesses and unleash the greatest job-creating engine the world has ever known: the American entrepreneur! To get the economy back into action, we must first repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which places a heavy burden on our small businesses, and replace it with common-sense, market-based health care solutions that preserve the patient-doctor relationship. Second, we must make our tax code flatter and fairer, so that the government isn’t picking winners and losers through lobbyist-written loopholes and deductions. Third, we must roll back the excessive regulations the federal government has placed on businesses. Finally, we must find new opportunities to grow our national economy, and energy is our number one way to do this. Simply opening up Virginia’s coastal energy for environmentally-responsible energy harvesting would create 18,000 jobs, move us toward energy independence and bring in tax revenue for our schools and roads! Energy development in Virginia has broad bipartisan support.

Our Military: We have a deep obligation to pass on to future generations of Americans the blessings of liberty and freedom. That is why a strong military force and a sound national security strategy are so critical – perhaps now more than ever before. Unfortunately, our military and national security are at risk because of massive looming defense cuts that will affect each and every American unless Congress and the President can agree on a plan to stop them. At the same time, American military leaders have said that our national debt is the number one threat to our national security. We must find the common ground to address our unacceptable – and unaccountable – levels of national spending while maintaining the strongest fighting force on the planet. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have successfully fought to keep all East Coast Carriers based in Norfolk and secured emergency funding to improve the electrical grid at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. I also have the great privilege of representing a district that is home to more men and women in uniform than any other district in the country. As the son of an Iwo Jima Marine, and having served in the Marine Corps Reserve myself, I know first-hand the sacrifice and struggle that our military families go through.

Education: The future of America depends on preparing today’s students for success tomorrow. Unfortunately, education in America too often puts the concerns of bureaucrats above the needs of our children. That is wrong. Education should and must be about making sure that our schools equip America’s students with the knowledge and life skills necessary to be well-informed and take on the challenges of adulthood. While government is tightening its belt, I believe that education funding must remain a top priority. I have supported keeping K-12 funding levels consistent while adjusting for inflation. And while the federal government plays an important role in funding America’s public schools, I believe that primary education policy must continue to be managed at the local and state level. Finally, successful and effective public education depends on a healthy economy that produces the necessary tax revenue to fund a world-class system. That is why it is so critical for us to improve our economy through smarter, lighter regulations, a fairer and flatter tax code and a sound energy policy that opens up the job-creating power of the energy industry in America.

Senior Issues: For too long, the issues facing our nation’s seniors have been used as a pawn in political debates while vitally important programs head toward bankruptcy. Even today, efforts to strengthen Medicare for future generations are being unfairly mischaracterized for political gain. The truth is undeniable: according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund - the fund that pays the Medicare bills - is projected to be exhausted in 2022. I am committed to pursuing and supporting legislation that strengthens and preserves Medicare for current and future generations. I recently introduced a House Resolution that would prevent any changes to Medicare for those 55 and older, and also seeks to reduce the waste, fraud and abuse that is so troubling. This includes legislation ensuring that no changes in Medicare will occur for anyone 55 and older. Unfortunately the recent changes that have been made to Medicare have been damaging. In 2010, Congress passed and the President signed a government-run health care law that cut more than $500 billion from Medicare. This law also put in place an unaccountable, unelected board of fifteen bureaucrats known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), and gave it the power to make coverage decisions on health care which cannot be appealed. We must strongly oppose these cuts in Medicare while implementing market-based reforms that provide more choices for America’s future seniors. The federal government also has an obligation to make good on its promise and pay out Social Security benefits that many depend on and expected when calculating the cost of their retirement. That is why I do not support changing Social Security for today’s seniors or anyone that is on the verge of retirement. Instead, we should enact incremental changes to the program for young Americans to ensure that Social Security remains viable for future generations, while giving young workers enough time to adequately prepare for their own retirements. It will take true leadership in Congress and the White House to save Medicare and face the reality of the situation: if we do nothing, which has been the status quo for years, Medicare and Social Security won’t be there for future Americans. I am committed to doing all that can be done to ensure strong and healthy Medicare and Social Security programs for America’s seniors. [93]

”
—Scott Rigell, http://web.archive.org/web/20140916183502/http://www.scottrigell.com/index.php/where-i-stand

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Scott Rigell campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2014U.S. House (Virginia, District 2)Won $1,564,606 N/A**
Grand total$1,564,606 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only availabale data.

Personal Gain Index

Congressional Personal Gain Index graphic.png
See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:

PGI: Change in net worth

See also: Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) and Net worth of United States Senators and Representatives
Net Worth Metric graphic.png

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Rigell's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $14,104,074 to $62,391,000. That averages to $38,247,537, which is higher than the average net worth of Republican House members in 2012 of $7,614,097.96. Rigell ranked as the 17th most wealthy representative in 2012.[94] Between 2009 and 2012, Rigell‘s calculated net worth[95] increased by an average of 6 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.[96]

Scott Rigell Yearly Net Worth
YearAverage Net Worth
2009$32,008,166
2012$38,247,537
Growth from 2009 to 2012:19%
Average annual growth:6%[97]
Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.[98]

The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric

See also: The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by the Federal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated by OpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). Rigell received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by the Retired industry. Comparatively, the top industry employer in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District was Educational services, and health care and social assistance, according to a 2012 U.S. Census survey.[99]

From 2009-2014, 17.44 percent of Rigell's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.[100]

Donation Concentration Metric graphic.png
Scott Rigell Campaign Contributions
Total Raised $8,161,508
Total Spent $7,401,028
Top industry in the districtEducational services, and health care and social assistance
Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee
Retired$392,602
Leadership PACs$310,667
Real Estate$304,750
Automotive$283,334
Health Professionals$132,125
% total in top industry4.81%
% total in top two industries8.62%
% total in top five industries17.44%

Analysis

Ideology and leadership

See also: GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Rigell was a "ran-and-file Republican follower," as of August 2014.[101] Rigell was a moderate Republican follower in July 2013.[102]

Like-minded colleagues

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.[103]

Rigell most often voted with:

Rigell least often voted with:


Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Rigell missed 22 of 3,342 roll call votes from January 2011 to September 2015. This amounted to 0.7 percent, which was lower than the median of 2.2 percent among representatives as of September 2015.[104]

Congressional staff salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Rigell paid his congressional staff a total of $835,880 in 2011. Overall, Virginia ranked 29th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[105]

Staff bonuses

According to an analysis by CNN, Rigell was one of nearly 25 percent of House members who gave their staff bonuses in 2012. Rigell's staff was given an apparent $3,000.00 in bonus money.[106]

National Journal vote ratings

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.

2013

Rigell ranked 213th in the conservative rankings in 2013.[107]

2012

Rigell ranked 213th in the conservative rankings in 2012.[108]

2011

Rigell was one of two members of congress who ranked 183rd in the conservative rankings in 2011.[109]

Voting with party

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.

2014

Rigell voted with the Republican Party 93 percent of the time, which ranked 161st among the 233 House Republican members as of August 2014.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

2013

Rigell voted with the Republican Party 91.7 percent of the time, which ranked 187th among the 234 House Republican members as of July 2013.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Rigell and his wife, Teri, have four children.[110]

Recent news

This section links to a Google news search for the term Scott + Rigell + Virginia + House


Scott Rigell News Feed

See also

External links


Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Who Runs Gov, "Scott Rigell," accessed November 7, 2011
  2. ↑ U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk, "Committee Information," accessed February 20, 2015
  3. ↑ CQ.com, "House Committee Rosters for the 113th Congress," accessed March 3, 2013
  4. ↑ Official House website, "Committees and Caucuses," accessed November 7, 2011
  5. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 113th Congress," accessed April 29, 2015
  6. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 114th Congress," accessed January 5, 2017
  7. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress," April 13, 2015
  8. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 361," June 12, 2015
  9. ↑ Roll Call, "Deadline for TAA Do-Over Vote Extended to July 30 (Updated)," June 15, 2015
  10. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 362," June 12, 2015
  11. ↑ Roll Call, "Deadline for TAA Do-Over Vote Extended to July 30 (Updated)," June 15, 2015
  12. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 374," June 18, 2015
  13. ↑ Politico, "Trade turnaround: House backs new power for Obama," June 18, 2015
  14. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 388," June 24, 2015
  15. ↑ The Hill, "Obama signs trade bills," June 29, 2015
  16. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 239," accessed May 27, 2015
  17. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R. 1735," accessed May 27, 2015
  18. ↑ The Hill, "Redone defense policy bill sails through House," accessed November 12, 2015
  19. ↑ Congress.gov, "S. 1356," accessed November 12, 2015
  20. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 618," accessed November 12, 2015
  21. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to S. 1356)," accessed November 12, 2015
  22. ↑ Congress.gov, "S.Con.Res.11," accessed May 5, 2015
  23. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 183," accessed May 5, 2015
  24. ↑ The Hill, "Republicans pass a budget, flexing power of majority," accessed May 5, 2015
  25. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 1314 - Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015," accessed November 1, 2015
  26. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 579," accessed November 1, 2015
  27. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion (Motion to Concur in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1314)," accessed November 1, 2015
  28. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1191 - Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015," accessed May 16, 2015
  29. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 226," accessed May 16, 2015
  30. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 3461," accessed September 11, 2015
  31. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 493," accessed September 11, 2015
  32. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 3460," accessed September 10, 2015
  33. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 494," accessed September 11, 2015
  34. ↑ Congress.gov, "H Res 411," accessed September 10, 2015
  35. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 492," accessed September 10, 2015
  36. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 597," accessed November 2, 2015
  37. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 576," accessed November 2, 2015
  38. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.2048," accessed May 26, 2015
  39. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 224," accessed May 26, 2015
  40. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 36 - the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act," accessed May 16, 2015
  41. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "HR 36," accessed May 16, 2015
  42. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 1731," accessed November 2, 2015
  43. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 173," accessed November 2, 2015
  44. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 1560 - Protecting Cyber Networks Act," accessed November 1, 2015
  45. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 170," accessed November 1, 2015
  46. ↑ Washington Post, "Here are the Republicans who voted against John Boehner for speaker," accessed January 9, 2014
  47. ↑ Congress.gov, "HR 4038 - the American SAFE Act of 2015," accessed November 20, 2015
  48. ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 643," accessed November 20, 2015
  49. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, First Session of the 112th Congress," accessed September 5, 2013
  50. ↑ Congressional Record, "Resume of Congressional Activity, Second Session of the 113th Congress," accessed March 4, 2014
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 51.3 Project Vote Smart, "Representative Rigell's Voting Records on National Security," accessed October 14, 2013
  52. ↑ The Library of Congress, "Bill Summary & Status - 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) - H.R.624," accessed August 27, 2013
  53. ↑ Clerk of U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 31: H.R. 2642," accessed February 12, 2014
  54. ↑ Politico, "House clears farm bill," accessed February 12, 2014
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 New York Times, "Senate passes long-stalled farm bill, with clear winners and losers," accessed February 12, 2014
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 CNN.com, "House passes compromise $1.1 trillion budget for 2014," accessed January 20, 2014
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 21," accessed January 20, 2014
  58. ↑ Roll Call, "House passes $1.1 trillion omnibus," accessed January 15, 2014
  59. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  60. ↑ Buzzfeed, "Government shutdown: How we got here," accessed October 1, 2013
  61. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  62. ↑ The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
  63. ↑ U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 550," accessed October 31, 2013
  64. ↑ Rigell House website, "Government shutdown," accessed October 1, 2013
  65. ↑ Washington Post, "Which lawmakers will refuse their pay during the shutdown?" accessed October 2, 2013
  66. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Rigell on agriculture," accessed October 14, 2013
  67. ↑ New York Times, "House Republicans push through farm bill, without food stamps," accessed September 17, 2013
  68. ↑ The Library of Congress, "H.AMDT.136," accessed August 28, 2013
  69. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Representative Rigell's Voting Records on Immigration," accessed October 14, 2013
  70. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Representative Rigell's Voting Records on Issue: Health and Healthcare," accessed October 14, 2013
  71. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Rigell on abortion," accessed October 14, 2013
  72. ↑ U.S. House, "House Resolution 676," accessed July 30, 2014
  73. ↑ Associated Press, "Suing Obama: GOP-led House gives the go-ahead," July 31, 2014
  74. ↑ Washington Post, "House clears way for lawsuit against Obama," accessed July 30, 2014
  75. ↑ U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff," accessed January 4, 2013
  76. ↑ The New York Times, "Congressman Backs Libertarian Presidential Candidate in Campaign First," August 6, 2016
  77. ↑ The Virginian-Pilot, "Rep. Scott Rigell backs Marco Rubio's presidential bid," December 11, 2015
  78. ↑ The Hill, "GOP rep: 'I will not support Trump'," accessed March 2, 2016
  79. ↑ Wavy.com, "Congressman Rigell denounces Donald Trump in letter," accessed March 2, 2016
  80. ↑ "Huffington Post","Rep. Scott Rigell Refuses To Endorse E.W. Jackson, Citing Bishop's Views On Gays" June 5, 2013
  81. ↑ "Votesmart", "H Res 292 - Ground Forces in Libya - Key Vote," accessed August 3, 2014
  82. ↑ "The Nation", "Left-Right Coalition of 80 House Members Wants Congress to Check and Balance Iraq Intervention," July 3, 2014
  83. ↑ 83.0 83.1 83.2 83.3 83.4 Politico, "33 lawmakers: Congress must approve Syria action," accessed August 28, 2013
  84. ↑ Yahoo, "65 Lawmakers ask Obama to consult on Syria," accessed August 28, 2013
  85. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named retire
  86. ↑ The Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2014 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," accessed November 5, 2013
  87. ↑ FairVote, "FairVote Releases Projections for the 2014 Congressional Elections," accessed November 5, 2013
  88. ↑ Roll Call, "House GOP adds 9 vulnerable incumbents to Patriot Program," July 21, 2013
  89. ↑ Washington Post blog, "Scott Rigell, Paul Hirschbiel trade ‘clean campaign’ challenges," May 21, 2012
  90. ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map," accessed November 6, 2012
  91. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
  92. ↑ ScottRigell.com, "Where I Stand," accessed September 16, 2014
  93. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  94. ↑ Open Secrets, "Rigell, 2012," accessed January 14, 2014
  95. ↑ This figure represents the total percentage growth from either 2004 (if the member entered office in 2004 or earlier) or the member's first year in office (as noted in the chart below).
  96. ↑ This number was found by dividing each member's total net worth growth percentage by the number of years included in the calculation.
  97. ↑ This figure represents the total percentage growth divided by the number of years for which there are net worth figures for each member.
  98. ↑ This figure was calculated using median asset data from the Census Bureau. Please see the Congressional Net Worth data for Ballotpedia spreadsheet for more information on this calculation.
  99. ↑ Census.gov, "My Congressional District," accessed September 25, 2014
  100. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Rep. Scott Rigell," accessed September 25, 2014
  101. ↑ GovTrack, "Rigell," accessed September 8, 2014
  102. ↑ GovTrack, "Rigell," accessed July 1, 2013
  103. ↑ OpenCongress, "Rep. Scott Rigell," archived April 7, 2014
  104. ↑ GovTrack, "Rep. Edward “Scott” Rigell [R," accessed October 2, 2015]
  105. ↑ LegiStorm, "Scott Rigell," accessed September 13, 2012
  106. ↑ CNN Politics, "Congressional bonuses in a time of cuts," accessed March 8, 2013
  107. ↑ National Journal, "2013 Congressional Vote Ratings," September 8, 2014
  108. ↑ National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," February 28, 2013
  109. ↑ National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House," accessed February 23, 2012
  110. ↑ Official House website, "Biography," accessed November 7, 2011
Political offices
Preceded by
Glenn Nye 		U.S. House of Representatives - Virginia, 2nd District
2011-2017 		Succeeded by
Scott Taylor (R)


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