Mike Doyle (American politician): Difference between revisions

{{Short description|American politician (born 1953)}}

| successor1 = [[Summer Lee]] (redistricting)

'''Michael F. Doyle Jr.''' (born August 5, 1953) is an American politician who was the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|PA|18}}, serving from 1995 to 20232022. He is a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. His district was based in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]] and included most of [[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania|Allegheny County]].

A native of [[Swissvale, Pennsylvania|Swissvale]] and graduate of the [[Pennsylvania State University]], Doyle previously served as a member of the Swissvale Borough Council (1977–1981) and an aide to Republican State Senator [[Frank Pecora]] (1979–1994). He was first elected to Congress in [[1994 United States House of Representatives elections|1994]]. Doyle announced that he would retire from Congress in [[2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania#District 12|2022]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtae.com/article/rep-mike-doyle-pennsylvania-retiring/37990954|title=Rep. Mike Doyle will not seek re-election,|date=October 18, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/video/6111776-sources-u-s-representative-mike-doyle-to-announce-he-is-not-seeking-re-election-in-2022/|title=Sources: U.S. Representative Mike Doyle To Announce He Is Not Seeking Re-Election In 2022}}</ref>

After college, Doyle worked as executive director of Turtle Creek Valley Citizens Union (1977–1979) and was elected to the Swissvale Borough Council in 1977. In 1979, he began work as [[chief of staff]] to [[Pennsylvania State Senate|Pennsylvania State Senator]] [[Frank Pecora]]. Like Pecora, Doyle was once a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] who later switched parties to become a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]. In addition to his work for Pecora, he joined Eastgate Insurance Company as an insurance agent in 1982.

Doyle won the Democratic nomination against a progressive challenger, Jerry Dickinson, a law professor from the [[University of Pittsburgh School of Law]].<ref name="PrimaryNight">{{cite web|last1=Boockvar|first1=Kathy|title=Pennsylvania Elections – Office Results {{!}} Representative in Congress|url=https://electionreturns.pa.gov/Home/OfficeResults?OfficeID=11&ElectionID=undefined&ElectionType=undefined&IsActive=undefined|access-date=June 2, 2020|website=electionreturns.pa.gov|publisher=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania}}</ref> In the general election, he defeated Republican Luke Negron.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mike Doyle wins Pennsylvania 18th Congressional District|url=https://www.wtae.com/amp/article/mike-doyle-wins-pennsylvania-18th-congressional-district-2020-election/34566591|work=Pittsburgh's Action News 4|publisher=WTAE Pittsburgh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128185720/https://www.wtae.com/amp/article/mike-doyle-wins-pennsylvania-18th-congressional-district-2020-election/34566591|archive-date=November 28, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

Doyle came under fire in the 2000s for living in the [[C Street Center]], a home run by Republican Christian fundamentalists in D.C. Additionally, he traveled with the group, or The [[The_Fellowship_The Fellowship (Christian_organizationChristian organization)|Fellowship]], to the Middle East in April 2009. The trip included travel to Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel on behalf of the Fellowship Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Member / Officer post-travel disclosure form|url=http://clerk.house.gov/GTImages/MT/2009/500003363.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221144352/http://clerk.house.gov/GTImages/MT/2009/500003363.pdf|archive-date=2016-12-21|website=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives}}</ref> Doyle met with political and religious leaders to help spread the Fellowship's agenda. Doyle's time with the Fellowship was mentioned in Jeff Sharlet's 2010 book ''C Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy.'' Sharlet documented trips and events made by Doyle and other politicians on the Fellowship's behalf. Sharlet's books were the basis for the 2016 Netflix docuseries [[The_Family_The Family (miniseries)|''The Family.'']]

Doyle voted against authorizing [[2003 invasion of Iraq|military force in Iraq]] and against the $87 billion emergency spending bill to fund U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the co-founder and co-chair of the Coalition on Autism Research and Education,<ref>[http://doyle.house.gov/autism.shtml] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707024544/http://doyle.house.gov/autism.shtml|date=July 7, 2010}}</ref> also known as the Congressional Autism Caucus, and he offered an amendment that was included in the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|health reform law]] to ensure that insurance companies cover treatments for people with [[autism]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Rob Cullen |url=http://whatifpost.com/health-reform-and-autism.htm |title=Health reform and autism — What If Post |publisher=Whatifpost.com |date=May 27, 2010 |access-date=November 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030104020/http://whatifpost.com/health-reform-and-autism.htm |archive-date=October 30, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> He has also introduced legislation to provide better services for adults with autism.

Early in his career, Doyle opposed abortion, but he began to support abortion rights in the 2010s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/21853/mike-doyle-jr/2/abortion-issues|title=Mike Doyle's Voting Records on Issue: – The Voter's Self Defense System – Vote Smart|work=Project Vote Smart}}</ref> receiving more favorable ratings from interest groups like [[NARAL Pro-Choice America|NARAL]] while scoring a 0 with groups such as the [[National Right to Life Committee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/21853/mike-doyle-jr/2|title=Mike Doyle's Ratings and Endorsements – The Voter's Self Defense System – Vote Smart|work=Project Vote Smart}}</ref> In the early 2000s, he voted to prohibit "partial-birth/late term abortions".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mike Doyle, Jr.'s Political Summary on Issue: Abortion|url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/21853/mike-doyle-jr?categoryId=2&type=V,S,R,E,F,P,E,E,E,E,E,E,E&p=7|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-13|website=Vote Smart}}</ref> Doyle has also voted for the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is in danger.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Deitch|first=Charlie|date=2020-01-23|title=On Roe v. Wade anniversary, primary challenger calls out Rep. Mike Doyle for backing Hyde Amendment|url=https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/on-roe-v-wade-anniversary-primary-challenger-calls-out-rep-mike-doyle-for-backing-hyde-amendment/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-13|website=Pennsylvania Capital-Star|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420080952/https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/on-roe-v-wade-anniversary-primary-challenger-calls-out-rep-mike-doyle-for-backing-hyde-amendment/|archive-date=April 20, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> He supports using federal dollars for [[Title X]], family planning services, and [[Planned Parenthood]], with the existing provision that federal funds may not be used to perform abortions.<ref name="votesmart.org">{{cite web |url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/21853/mike-doyle-jr/ |title=Mike Doyle, Jr. - Political Courage Test - Project Vote Smart |access-date=November 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605084556/http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/21853/mike-doyle-jr/ |archive-date=June 5, 2012 }}</ref>

Doyle has fought against gun laws that would allow people to bring firearms into national parks, repeal any part of the assault or military style weapon ban,<ref name="votesmart.org"/> or repeal parts of the D.C. gun ban.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/21853/mike-doyle-jr/37/gun-issues|title=Mike Doyle's Voting Records on Issue: – The Voter's Self Defense System – Vote Smart|work=Project Vote Smart}}</ref> This has led to declining ratings from [[Gun Rights|gun rights]] interest groups such as the [[NationalNRA RiflePolitical Association|NRAVictory Fund]] (42% lifetime rating in 2000 to 0% in 2006) and [[Gun Owners of America]]. Conversely, he has received high ratings from [[Gun control in the United States|gun control]] groups, receiving a 90% in the [[Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/21853/mike-doyle-jr/37|title=Mike Doyle's Ratings and Endorsements – The Voter's Self Defense System – Vote Smart|work=Project Vote Smart}}</ref>

[[Liberalism in the United States|Liberals]] have praised Doyle for his stance on [[copyright]] issues<ref>{{cite web|url=http://463.blogs.com/the_463/2007/03/perhaps_the_coo.html|title=The 463: Inside Tech}}</ref> and his support of [[net neutrality]]. He iswas the lead sponsor of HR 1147, the [[Local Community Radio Act]] of 2009, which will expand [[low-power broadcasting]] to hundreds of new [[community radio]] stations. In 2010, he was given the Digital Patriot Award,<ref>{{cite web |author=Line:&nbsp; By Steve Smith |url=http://www.twice.com/article/452105-CEA_Gives_Vinton_Cerf_Reps_Doyle_Upton_Digital_Patriot_Awards.php |title=Consumer Electronics – Computer Retailers – Camera Retailers – CES |publisher=twice.com |date=May 3, 2010 |access-date=November 16, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324112138/http://www.twice.com/article/452105-CEA_Gives_Vinton_Cerf_Reps_Doyle_Upton_Digital_Patriot_Awards.php |archive-date=March 24, 2012 }}</ref> along with [[Vint Cerf]], one of the creators of the technology that runs the [[Internet]]. In February 2013, he became one of the sponsors of the [[Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act]] to expedite open access to taxpayer-funded research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lofgren.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=783&Itemid=130 |title=Reps. Zoe Lofgren, Mike Doyle and Kevin Yoder Introduce Bill Expanding Access to Federally Funded Research - Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren |access-date=February 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025054356/http://lofgren.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=783&Itemid=130 |archive-date=October 25, 2013 }}</ref> Doyle is a strong supporter of letting local governments provide Internet services in order to increase competition, improve service, and decrease prices.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Crawford|first1=Susan|title=How Cities Can Take On Big Cable|url=http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-06-27/how-cities-can-take-on-big-cable|access-date=July 26, 2014|publisher=Bloomberg News|date=June 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701095726/http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-06-27/how-cities-can-take-on-big-cable|archive-date=July 1, 2014}}</ref>

Doyle used his position on the [[United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce|House Energy and Commerce Committee]] to lead negotiations on legislation addressing [[climate change]] and promoting energy independence while protecting clean domestic manufacturing.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sheppard |first=Kate |url=http://www.grist.org/article/2009-06-25-pelosi-climate-bill-votes |title=Pelosi cracks the whips to get climate bill passed |publisher=Grist |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=November 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622114757/http://www.grist.org/article/2009-06-25-pelosi-climate-bill-votes|archive-date=June 22, 2011}}</ref> He has been criticized for taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from the fossil fuel industry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lynn |first=Hannah |date=January 13, 2020 |title=Candidate Jerry Dickinson backs Green New Deal, criticizes Rep. Mike Doyle's lack of support |url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/candidate-jerry-dickinson-backs-green-new-deal-criticizes-rep-mike-doyles-lack-of-support/Content?oid=16550699 |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=Pittsburgh City Paper |language=en}}</ref> Doyle backs the CLEAN Act, which has been criticized as less aggressive than the [[Green New Deal]], with goals for 2050 as opposed to 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lynn |first=Hannah |date=January 9, 2020 |title=Rep. Mike Doyle backs the CLEAN Future Act. How does it compare to the Green New Deal? |url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/rep-mike-doyle-backs-the-clean-future-act-how-does-it-compare-to-the-green-new-deal/Content?oid=16524496 |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=Pittsburgh City Paper |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110062811/https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/rep-mike-doyle-backs-the-clean-future-act-how-does-it-compare-to-the-green-new-deal/Content?oid=16524496 |archive-date=January 10, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

*[[Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2013 (H.R. 3675; 113th Congress)]] – a bill that would make a number of changes to procedures that the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) follows in its rulemaking processes.<ref name=3675cbo>{{cite web|title=H.R. 3675 – CBO|date=January 29, 2014|url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45057|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=March 10, 2014}}</ref> The FCC would have to act in a more transparent way as a result of this bill, forced to accept public input about regulations.<ref name=PeteVotesTransparency>{{cite news|last=Kasperowicz|first=Pete|title=House votes for more transparency at the FCC|url=httphttps://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/votes/200503-house-votes-for-more-transparency-at-the-fcc/|access-date=March 12, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=March 11, 2014}}</ref> Doyle argued in favor of the bill because "the FCC is charged with overseeing industries that make up one-sixth of our national economy."<ref name="PeteVotesTransparency"/>

*[[Autism CARES Act of 2014]] – a bill that would amend the [[Public Health Service Act]] to reauthorize research, surveillance, and education activities related to [[autism spectrum disorders]] (autism) conducted by various agencies within the [[United States Department of Health and Human Services]] (HHS).<ref name=cbo4631>{{cite web|title=CBO – H.R. 4631|date=June 20, 2014|url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45460|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=June 24, 2014}}</ref> Doyle co-sponsored the bill, saying that "every time new data is realized on autism spectrum disorders, the numbers become more and more troubling... this is why passage of the Autism Cares Act today is so important to continue research into the causes of autism."<ref name=MarcosVotes24>{{cite news|last1=Marcos|first1=Cristina|title=House votes to reauthorize autism support programs|url=httphttps://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/210446-house-votes-to-reauthorize-autism-support-programs/|access-date=June 25, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=June 24, 2014}}</ref>

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Pennsylvania|U.S. House of Representatives]] <br/>from [[Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district]]|years=2019–2022}}

[[Category:21st-century American politicianslegislators]]

[[Category:LivingCatholics peoplefrom Pennsylvania]]