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Mariannette Miller-Meeks

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Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Official portrait, 2020
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Iowa
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Preceded byDave Loebsack
Constituency2nd district (2021–2023)
1st district (2023–present)
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 41st district
In office
2019–2020
Preceded byMark Chelgren
Succeeded byAdrian Dickey
Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health
In office
January 15, 2011 – January 9, 2014
GovernorTerry Branstad
Preceded byTom Newton
Succeeded byGerd W. Clabaugh
Personal details
Born
Mariannette Jane Miller

(1955-09-06) September 6, 1955 (age 69)
Herlong, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Curt Meeks
​
(m. 1983)​
Children2
EducationTexas Christian University (BSN)
University of Southern California (MS)
McGovern Medical School (MD)
Signature
WebsiteHouse website
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1974–1998
RankLieutenant Colonel
UnitArmy Medical Department

Mariannette Jane Miller-Meeks (born September 6, 1955) is an American physician and politician who has served as a U.S. representative from Iowa since 2021. A member of the Republican Party, she represents the state's 1st congressional district. Her district, numbered as the 2nd district in her first term, includes most of Iowa's southeastern quadrant, including Davenport, Bettendorf, Burlington, and Iowa City. Miller-Meeks previously served as the Iowa state senator from the 41st district from 2019 to 2021.

Miller-Meeks ran three unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. House against Dave Loebsack. When Loebsack retired in 2020, she ran again and defeated Rita Hart by a margin of six votes. She was reelected in 2022 by a margin of nearly seven percentage points, and won a third term in a very close race in 2024. She is generally considered to be a moderate Republican and has supported issues such as immigration and LGBT rights.

Early life and education

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Mariannette Jane Miller-Meeks[1] was born in Herlong, California[2] on September 6, 1955.[3]

A first-generation college student, Miller-Meeks earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Christian University, a Master of Science in education from the University of Southern California, and a Doctor of Medicine from McGovern Medical School.[4]

Career before politics

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Miller-Meeks enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 18 and served for 24 years, including as a nurse, physician, and member of the United States Army Reserve.[citation needed] She retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel.[5]

Miller-Meeks operated a private ophthalmology practice in Ottumwa, Iowa, until 2008. She also served as the first female president of the Iowa Medical Society. She was the first woman on the faculty of the University of Iowa's department of ophthalmology and visual sciences, and worked as a representative from Iowa to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.[4] In 2010, Governor Terry Branstad appointed Miller-Meeks director of the Iowa Department of Public Health; she resigned in 2014 to run for Congress.[4][6]

Iowa State Senate

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When Mark Chelgren announced he was not running for reelection, Miller-Meeks ran for Iowa Senate, District 41 in 2018, defeating Democratic nominee Mary Stewart.[7] Miller-Meeks served in the Iowa Senate from 2019 to 2020.[3]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2008, 2010, 2014

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See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa § District 2, 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa § District 2, and 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa § District 2

Miller-Meeks was the Republican nominee for Iowa's 2nd congressional district in 2008, 2010, and 2014, losing to Dave Loebsack in all three races.[8]

In her 2014 campaign, Miller-Meeks opposed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).[2] She also stated her opposition to legalized abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or harm to the mother.[2] She opposed same-sex marriage.[2] She criticized EPA regulation of waterways and coal plants, saying it creates uncertainty for farmers.[2]

2020

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See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa § District 2

Miller-Meeks ran to represent Iowa's 2nd congressional district again in 2020, following Loebsack's retirement.[9] She won the June 2 Republican primary election, defeating former Illinois Congressman Bobby Schilling.[8]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Miller-Meeks said she "practices social distancing, wears a mask in public and sanitizes her hands" but does not support face mask mandates.[10]

Miller-Meeks faced the Democratic nominee, former state senator Rita Hart, in the November general election.[8] After Loebsack announced his retirement, journalists and election forecasters labeled the 2nd congressional district a swing district. Miller-Meeks defeated Hart in the general election by six votes; the Iowa Board of Canvass certified the result.[11][12]

Hart contested the certified result through a petition with the Committee on House Administration under the 1969 Federal Contested Elections Act, which sets forth procedures for contesting state election results in the House under the Constitution.[13] Hart did not contest the election in Iowa's courts.[13][12][14] In her petition, Hart contended, without evidence, that 22 legally cast votes were not counted. Had they been counted, per her petition, she would have won the race by nine votes.[15][16]

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi provisionally seated Miller-Meeks on January 3, 2021, pending adjudication of Hart's petition.[15][17] The Committee on House Administration reviewed Hart's petition, and Pelosi claimed the House had the authority to expel Miller-Meeks,[18][19] but on March 31, Hart withdrew her challenge.[20]

2022

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See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa § District 1

After redistricting, Miller-Meeks' district was renumbered as the 1st district, effective with the 2022 elections.[21] Miller-Meeks defeated Democratic nominee Christina Bohannan in the November 2022 general election by 53% to 47%.[22]

2024

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In 2024, Miller-Meeks again faced off against Christina Bohannan. The race was extremely close, with Miller-Meeks ahead by 801 votes after the initial count.[23][24] A recount confirmed that Miller-Meeks had been elected to a third term.[25]

Tenure

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Miller-Meeks, along with all other Senate and House Republicans, voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.[26]

On May 19, 2021, Miller-Meeks was one of 35 Republicans who joined all Democrats in voting to approve legislation to establish the January 6 commission meant to investigate the storming of the U.S. Capitol.[27]

Following the November 2024 elections, Miller-Meeks ran in the internal House Republican Conference elections for secretary (the sixth-highest ranking post in the conference), but was defeated by Erin Houchin of Indiana.[28]

Infrastructure

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In 2020, Miller-Meeks said that an infrastructure bill would be her main priority, suggesting a fuel tax increase to pay for it.[29]

In 2021, Miller-Meeks voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.[30][better source needed]

Immigration

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On July 21, 2021, Miller-Meeks and Deborah Ross co-sponsored the America's CHILDREN Act.[31] The bill would prevent the children of long-term visa holders who came to the U.S. legally with their parents from having their visas expire the day they turn 21. If they have maintained legal status in the U.S. for 10 years and graduated from an institution of higher education, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency.[31]

LGBT rights

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In 2021, Miller Meeks was one of 29 Republicans to vote to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.[32][better source needed] This bill expanded legal protections for transgender people, and contained provisions allowing transgender women to use women's shelters and serve time in prisons matching their gender identity rather than by biological sex.[33]

On July 19, 2022, Miller-Meeks and 46 other Republican representatives voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified the right to same-sex marriage in federal law.[34]

Antitrust bill

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In 2022, Meeks was one of 39 Republicans to vote for the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package that would crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior.[35][36]

Committee assignments

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For the 118th Congress:[37]

Caucus memberships

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  • Conservative Climate Caucus (chair)[38]
  • Pandemic Preparedness Caucus (co-chair)[38]
  • Congressional Western Caucus (vice chair)[38]
  • For Country Caucus (vice chair)[38]
  • 5G and Beyond Caucus[38]
  • Abraham Accords Caucus[38]
  • Aluminum Caucus[38]
  • American Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus[38]
  • Appalachian Caucus[38]
  • Army Caucus[38]
  • Biodefense Caucus[38]
  • Biofuels Caucus[38]
  • Bus Caucus[38]
  • Civil Air Patrol Congressional Squadron[38]
  • Climate Solutions Caucus[39]
  • Congressional Diabetes Caucus[38]
  • Critical Materials Caucus[38]
  • Czech Caucus[38]
  • Friends of Denmark Caucus[38]
  • General Aviation Caucus[38]
  • GOP Doctors Caucus[38]
  • GOP Healthy Futures Task Force[38]
  • Grid Innovation Caucus[38]
  • House Energy Action Team[38]
  • Main Street Caucus[38]
  • Maternity Care Caucus[38]
  • Mental Health Caucus[38]
  • Motorcycle Caucus[38]
  • Pro-Life Caucus[38]
  • Public Schools Caucus[38]
  • Rare Disease Caucus[38][40]
  • Republican Governance Group[38]
  • Rural Broadband Caucus[38]
  • Small Brewers Caucus[38]
  • Small Business Caucus[38]
  • Sportsmen's Caucus[38]
  • Steel Caucus[38]
  • Suburban Caucus[38]
  • Taiwan Caucus[38]
  • Ukraine Caucus[38]
  • Telehealth Caucus[38]
  • Western Caucus[38]
  • Women, Peace, and Security Caucus[38]

Personal life

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Miller-Meeks is married to Curt Meeks and has two children.[41] She is Roman Catholic.[2]

Miller-Meeks organized a physician recruitment and retention organization to help bring physicians to southeast Iowa and has served as a court-appointed special advocate volunteer for children.[4]

Electoral history

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2008

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Main article: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa
2008 Iowa's 2nd congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dave Loebsack (incumbent) 175,218 57.19
Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks 118,778 38.77
Green Wendy Barth 6,664 2.18
Independent Brian White 5,437 1.78
No party Others 261 0.09
Total votes 306,358 100.00
Turnout  
Democratic hold

2010

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Main article: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa
2010 Iowa's 2nd congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dave Loebsack (incumbent) 115,839 50.99
Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks 104,319 45.92
Libertarian Gary Joseph Sicard 4,356 1.92
Constitution Jon Tack 2,463 1.08
No party Others 198 0.09
Total votes 227,175 100.00
Turnout  
Democratic hold

2014

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Main article: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa
2014 Iowa's 2nd congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dave Loebsack (incumbent) 143,431 52.48
Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks 129,455 47.36
Write-ins 443 0.16
Total votes 273,329 100
Democratic hold

2018

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Main article: 2018 Iowa Senate election
2018 Iowa's 41st senate district primary elections[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks 1,706 85.39
Republican Daniel Cesar 279 13.96
Write-ins 13 0.65
Total votes 2,134 100
2018 Iowa's 41st senate district general election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks 11,451 51.77
Democratic Mary Stewart 10,632 48.07
Write-ins 36 0.16
Total votes 22,119 100
Republican hold

2020

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Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa
Iowa's 2nd congressional district, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks 196,964 49.912
Democratic Rita Hart 196,958 49.910
Write-ins 703 0.178
Total votes 394,625 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

2022

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Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa
Iowa's 2nd congressional district, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks 160,441 53.3
Democratic Christina Bohannan 140,453 46.6
Write-ins 256 0.1
Total votes 301,150 100.0

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bass, David (December 7, 2022). "Foxx makes top 10 list of most talkative members of Congress". carolinajournal.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Jackson, Sharyn (October 12, 2014). "Hot issues dominate 2nd District". Des Moines Register. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "MILLER-MEEKS, Mariannette". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d "Mariannette Miller-Meeks". Archives of Women's Political Communication. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  5. ^ Smith, Zachary (November 28, 2020). "End of recount maintains Miller-Meeks' lead in Iowa 2nd District U.S. House race; margin just 6 votes". press-citizen.com.
  6. ^ Leys, Tony (January 10, 2014). "Iowa health director quits, weighs third run for Congress". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  7. ^ "Miller-Meeks elected state senator; Gaskill, Huit, Parker win their races". Ottumwa Courier. November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  8. ^ a b c Smith, Zachary Oren. "Mariannette Miller-Meeks wins Republican nomination in Iowa's 2nd District to face Democrat Rita Hart". Iowa City Press-Citizen. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  9. ^ Lynch, James Q. (October 1, 2019). "Miller-Meeks kicks off race for Iowa's 2nd District". The Gazette. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  10. ^ Payne, Marissa. "U.S. House rivals Hart and Miller-Meeks focus on health care, pandemic in second debate". The Gazette. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  11. ^ Foley, Ryan (November 30, 2020). "Iowa board certifies 6-vote Republican win in US House race". apnews.com.
  12. ^ a b Pfannenstiel, Brianne; Zachary Oren Smith. "Iowa certifies Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks won Iowa's 2nd Congressional District seat — by 6 votes". Des Moines Register. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Bridget Bowman & Herb Jackson, Iowa Democrat Rita Hart to appeal 2nd District results to House, Roll Call (December 2, 2020).
  14. ^ "Iowa Democrat will challenge election results with House". POLITICO. 2 December 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  15. ^ a b Brianne Pfannenstiel and Ian Richardson (January 3, 2021). "Iowa Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks provisionally seated in 117th Congress as new session begins". Des Moines Register.
  16. ^ Rogers, Alex; Raju, Manu (March 18, 2021). "House Democrats weigh ejecting GOP winner of contested Iowa race, dismissing comparisons to Trump's efforts to overturn election". CNN. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  17. ^ "Pelosi to seat Republican in contested Iowa race". POLITICO. 30 December 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  18. ^ "Pelosi defends possible expulsion of Iowa Republican who won by 6 votes". New York Post. 26 March 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  19. ^ "Pelosi downplays concerns from moderates about reviewing contested Iowa race". The Hill. 25 March 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  20. ^ Schultz, Marisa (March 31, 2021). "Dem Rita Hart backs down in Iowa election challenge to Miller-Meeks amid mounting GOP pressure". Fox News. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  21. ^ "Candidate List" (PDF). Iowa Secretary of State. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  22. ^ Shillcock, George (November 9, 2022). "U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks beats Democrat Christina Bohannan in Iowa's 1st District". Iowa City Press-Citizen. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  23. ^ Hannah Fingerhut, Bohannan requests a recount in Iowa's close congressional race as GOP wins control of House, Associated Press (November 14, 2024).
  24. ^ Payne, Marissa (November 14, 2024). "1st District race against Mariannette Miller-Meeks". Des Moines Register. Gannett. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  25. ^ Payne, Marissa (November 27, 2024). "Recount affirms Mariannette Miller-Meeks' win over Christina Bohannan in 1st District". Des Moines Register. Gannet. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  26. ^ Carl Hulse (March 6, 2021). "After Stimulus Victory in Senate, Reality Sinks in: Bipartisanship Is Dead". New York Times.
  27. ^ LeBlanc, Paul (May 19, 2021). "Here are the 35 House Republicans who voted for the January 6 commission". CNN. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  28. ^ Marissa Payne, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa loses election for Congress leadership post, Des Moines Register (November 14, 2024).
  29. ^ Beeman, Perry (2020-09-10). "Miller-Meeks: Increase in fuel tax could pay for infrastructure". Iowa Capital Dispatch. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  30. ^ "Roll Call 369 Roll Call 369, Bill Number: H. R. 3684, 117th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  31. ^ a b "Miller-Meeks, Ross, Kim, Krishnamoorthi Introduce Bipartisan America's CHILDREN Act". Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks. 2021-07-01. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  32. ^ "Roll Call 86 Roll Call 86, Bill Number: H. R. 1620, 117th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  33. ^ "House Renews Violence Against Women Act, But Senate Hurdles Remain". NPR. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  34. ^ Schnell, Mychael (July 19, 2022). "These are the 47 House Republicans who voted for a bill protecting marriage equality". The Hill. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  35. ^ "House passes antitrust bill that hikes M&A fees as larger efforts targeting tech have stalled". CNBC. 29 September 2022.
  36. ^ "H.R. 3843: Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022 -- House Vote #460 -- Sep 29, 2022".
  37. ^ "Mariannette Miller-Meeks". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap "Committees and Caucuses". Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks. 3 January 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  39. ^ "About Climate Solutions Caucus". Climate Solutions Caucus. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  40. ^ "Rare Disease Congressional Caucus". Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  41. ^ "Senator Mariannette Miller-Meeks". The Iowa Legislature. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  42. ^ "State of Iowa – Primary Election 2018 – Canvass Summary (6/5/2018)" (PDF). Secretary of State of Iowa. June 6, 2018. p. 149. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
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Iowa Senate
Preceded by Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 41st district
2019–2021 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Iowa's 2nd congressional district
2021–2023 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Iowa's 1st congressional district
2023–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
320th 		Succeeded by
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