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{{short description|American politician (born 1952)}} | |||
{{redirect|Senator Blackburn}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}} | |||
{{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
|name = Marsha Blackburn | | name = Marsha Blackburn | ||
|image = Marsha |
| image = File:Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) official headshot - 116th Congress.jpg | ||
| |
| caption = Official portrait, 2019 | ||
| jr/sr = United States Senator | |||
|district = {{ushr|TN|7|7th}} | |||
| state = ] | |||
|term_start = January 3, 2003 | |||
| alongside = ] | |||
|term_end = | |||
| term_start = January 3, 2019 | |||
|predecessor = ] | |||
| |
| term_end = | ||
| predecessor = ] | |||
|birth_name = Marsha Wedgeworth | |||
| successor = | |||
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|6|6}} | |||
| state1 = ] | |||
|birth_place = ], ], ] | |||
| district1 = {{ushr|TN|7|7th}} | |||
|death_date = | |||
| term_start1 = January 3, 2003 | |||
|death_place = | |||
| term_end1 = January 3, 2019 | |||
|party = ] | |||
| |
| predecessor1 = ] | ||
| successor1 = ] | |||
|children = 2 | |||
| state_senate2 = Tennessee | |||
|alma_mater = ] {{small|(])}} | |||
| district2 = ] | |||
| term_start2 = January 12, 1999 | |||
| term_end2 = January 3, 2003 | |||
| predecessor2 = ] | |||
| successor2 = ] | |||
| office3 = Executive Director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission | |||
| governor3 = ] | |||
| term_start3 = February 1995 | |||
| term_end3 = June 1997 | |||
| predecessor3 = Dancy Jones | |||
| successor3 = Anne Pope | |||
| birth_name = Mary Marsha Wedgeworth | |||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|6|6}} | |||
| birth_place = ], U.S. | |||
| death_date = | |||
| death_place = | |||
| party = ] | |||
| spouse = {{marriage|Chuck Blackburn|1975}} | |||
| residence = ], U.S. | |||
| children = 2 | |||
| education = ] (]) | |||
| website = {{URL|blackburn.senate.gov|Senate website}} | |||
| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Marsha Blackburn on data privacy concerns in tech regulation.ogg|title=Marsha Blackburn's voice|type=speech|description=Marsha Blackburn on data privacy concerns in tech regulation<br/>Recorded January 20, 2022}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Marsha Wedgeworth Blackburn'''<ref></ref> (born June 6, 1952) is an American ]<ref name=CM/><ref name=Baker/> and was a businesswoman.<ref name=bio/> A member of the ],<ref name=CM/><ref name=Baker/> she represents southwest {{ushr|TN|7}} in the ].<ref name=Baker/> | |||
'''Mary Marsha Blackburn''' (née '''Wedgeworth'''; born June 6, 1952)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-01 |title=Marsha Blackburn {{!}} Biography & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marsha-Blackburn |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> is an American politician serving as the ] ] from ]. Blackburn was first elected to the Senate in 2018. A member of the ], Blackburn was a ] from 1999 to 2003 and represented {{ushr|TN|7}} in the ] from 2003 to 2019, during which time the '']'' rated her among the House's most conservative members. | |||
A supporter of the ], Blackburn is a staunch backer of president-elect ]. She opposes abortion, ], and the ]. On November 6, 2018, Blackburn became the first woman to be ], defeating Democratic former ] ]. Blackburn became the state's senior senator in January 2021 upon the retirement of Senator ]. Upon the retirement of Congressman ] in 2023, she became the dean of ]. She won reelection to a second Senate term in ] against Democratic nominee ]. | |||
==Early life and education== | ==Early life and education== | ||
] in 1969 |alt=Black and white photograph of a young woman with 1960s style hair poses for the camera with a smile and her right hand under her chin]] | |||
Born Marsha Wedgeworth in ], she attended ], earning a ] in ] in 1973.<ref name=MSU/><ref name="library.msstate.edu">http://library.msstate.edu/cprc/blackburn.asp</ref> In college, she joined ]<ref name=CM/><ref name=Baker>Baker, Jackson, , ''Memphis Magazine'', July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2013.</ref> and worked as a student manager for the ], selling books door-to-door.<ref name=MSU>, Mississippi State University Congressional and Political Research Center. Retrieved 5 December 2013.</ref> | |||
Marsha Wedgeworth was born in ], to Mary Jo (Morgan) and Hilman Wedgeworth, who worked in sales and management.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://brentwoodhomepage.com/hilman-wedgeworth-wwii-veteran-father-of-rep-blackburn|title=Hilman Wedgeworth: WWII veteran; father of Rep. Blackburn – Brentwood Home Page|website=brentwoodhomepage.com|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=September 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919025145/https://brentwoodhomepage.com/hilman-wedgeworth-wwii-veteran-father-of-rep-blackburn/|url-status=live}}</ref> She placed fourth during a beauty pageant in high school.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/capital-living/20889-understanding-the-beauty-queen-politician/|title=Understanding the beauty-queen politician|first=Ashley|last=Perks|date=September 15, 2008|access-date=August 17, 2017|archive-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901081251/http://thehill.com/capital-living/24096-understanding-the-beauty-queen-politician|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Blackburn attended ] on a ] scholarship, earning a ] in ] in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/reveille691974miss|title=Reveille|last=Mississippi State University|date=October 9, 1974|publisher=Mississippi State University|via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref name="MSU"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716234012/http://library.msstate.edu/cprc/blackburn.asp |date=July 16, 2011}}, Mississippi State University Congressional and Political Research Center; retrieved December 5, 2013.</ref><ref name="library.msstate.edu">{{cite web|url=http://library.msstate.edu/cprc/blackburn.asp|title=Mississippi State University Libraries: Congressional and Political Research Center: Collections: The Marsha Blackburn Collection|website=Library.msstate.edu|access-date=February 26, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903100452/http://library.msstate.edu/cprc/blackburn.asp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Baker"/> Blackburn was a member of the ] sorority, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Little Sisters of Minerva (an auxiliary to a male fraternity) and was elected both as secretary and president of the Associated Women Students at Mississippi State University, wherein she worked to advance social issues through the AWS ] and the AWS ] programs.<ref>https://archive.org/details/reveille671972miss/page/216/mode/1up?view=theater 1972 Reveille Yearbook, Mississippi State University.</ref><ref>https://archive.org/details/reveille671972miss/page/275/mode/1up?q=Wedgeworth&view=theater 1972 Reveille Yearbook, Mississippi State University.</ref><ref>https://archive.org/details/reveille691974miss/page/403/mode/1up?view=theater&q=Wedgeworth 1972 Reveille Yearbook, Mississippi State University.</ref> | |||
==Career== | |||
Blackburn's professional career began in 1973 when she was hired as a sales manager for Times Mirror, Inc. In 1975 she was named Director of Retail Fashion and Special Events of the ] Division of Mercantile Stores, Inc. She held this position until 1978, when she became the owner of Marketing Strategies, a promotion-event management and image consulting firm. She continues to run this business.<ref name="library.msstate.edu"/> | |||
==Early career and political activity== | |||
Blackburn was a founding member of the ] ].<ref name=Baker/> She became chair of the Williamson County Republican Party<ref name=Baker/> in 1989.<ref name=MSU/> In 1992, she was a candidate for ] and a delegate to the ].<ref name=MSU/> She lost the congressional race,<ref name=Baker/> but remained active in politics.<ref name=MSU/> In 1995, Blackburn was appointed executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission by Tennessee governor ],<ref name=Baker/> and held that post through 1997.<ref name=MSU/> In 1998, she was elected to the ], where she served for six years and rose to be minority ].<ref name=MSU/> | |||
In 1973, before graduating from college, Blackburn worked as a sales manager for the ]. From 1975 to 1978, she worked in the ] Division of Mercantile Stores, Inc. In 1978, she became the owner of Marketing Strategies, a promotion-event management firm. As of 2016, Blackburn continued to run this business.<ref name="library.msstate.edu"/> | |||
Blackburn was a founding member of the ] ].<ref name="Baker">Baker, Jackson, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210211025/http://www.memphismagazine.com/July-2011/Marsha-Blackburn/ |date=December 10, 2013 }}, ''Memphis Magazine'', July 2011; retrieved December 6, 2013.</ref> She was chair of the Williamson County Republican Party from 1989 to 1991.<ref name=Baker/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.cq.com/members/6434|title=RollCall.com – Member Profile – Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.|website=media.cq.com|access-date=May 2, 2018|archive-date=May 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503111103/http://media.cq.com/members/6434|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=East|first1=Jim|last2=Sickler|first2=Cletus|date=April 4, 1989|title=GOP elects 1st chairwoman|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79713348/gop-elects-1st-chairwoman/|page=2-B|access-date=June 16, 2021|work=The Tennessean|via=Newspapers.com|language=en}}</ref> In 1992, she ran for ] in ], losing to incumbent ], and was a delegate to the ].<ref name=Baker/> In 1995, Blackburn was appointed executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission by ] ], holding that post through 1997.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Parsons|first=Clark|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79713693/roll-em/|page=1D, |date=April 24, 1995|title=Roll 'em: Tennessee's new film commissioner, Marsha Blackburn, shines a spotlight on growth|work=The Tennessean|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 8, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Baker" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts-culture/article/13001516/tennessee-gets-a-new-film-commissioner|title=Tennessee gets a new film commissioner|website=Nashville Scene|date=June 26, 1997 |access-date=May 20, 2018|archive-date=May 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520124240/https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts-culture/article/13001516/tennessee-gets-a-new-film-commissioner|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2000, she took part in the effort to prevent the passage of a ] championed by Sundquist<ref name=Baker/> and to ask for accountability for spending increases related to TennCare. | |||
Blackburn was a member of the ] from 1998 to 2003, and rose to be minority ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/51279/Marsha_Wedgeworth_Blackburn.html|title=Representative Marsha Wedgeworth Blackburn (R-Tennessee, 7th) – Biography|access-date=February 26, 2017|archive-date=September 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912201549/https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/51279/Marsha_Wedgeworth_Blackburn.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=MSU/> In 2000, she took part in the effort to prevent the passage of a ] bill.<ref name=Baker/> | |||
===U.S. House of Representatives=== | |||
] in ]]] | |||
Blackburn is one of three female U.S. representatives in congress who identifies as a "congressman"; the others are Republicans ] of Tennessee and ] of Wyoming.<ref name=goby/> | |||
==U.S. House of Representatives== | |||
In 2002, Republican ] gave up his seat as representative from Tennessee's 7th District so that he could run for the Senate. Blackburn ran against ] Tim Barron for the seat and was overwhelmingly elected, thus becoming the first woman in Tennessee history to be elected to congress without following her husband.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}} In 2004, she ran unopposed and was re-elected. | |||
] at ] in 2004]] | |||
] in 2007]] | |||
Redistricting after the ] moved Blackburn's home from the 6th district into the 7th district, and created a gerrymandered district that stretched for 200 miles from eastern ] to southwest ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Kent|date=January 12, 2010|title=2011 Redistricting TN|work=TN Precinct Project|url=http://www.tnprecinctproject.com/2010/01/12/2011-redistricting-tn|url-status=live|access-date=June 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717064418/http://www.tnprecinctproject.com/2010/01/12/2011-redistricting-tn/|archive-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Baker" /> In 2002, Blackburn ran in the Republican primary for this congressional seat. Of the four main candidates, she was the only one from the Nashville suburbs. The other three (], ], and Brent Taylor) were all from Memphis or its suburbs. Blackburn was endorsed by the conservative ].<ref>Bianca Phillips, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308000236/http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2002/08/01/final-report-on-tennessee-elections|date=March 8, 2016}}, ''Memphis Flyer'', August 1, 2002; retrieved March 7, 2016.</ref> The three Memphians split the vote in that area, and she won the primary by nearly 20 percentage points.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314121403/http://www.dcpoliticalreport.com/members/2002/TNResults.htm|date=March 14, 2016}}, ''D.C.'s Political Report''; retrieved March 7, 2016.</ref> | |||
In 2006, she successfully ran for a third term in the House of Representatives.<ref name=CM/> In November 2007, she ran for the position of Republican conference chair, but lost.<ref name=goby>{{cite web |url=http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/smartpolitics/2013/06/meet_the_three_house_women_who.php |title=Meet the Three House Women Who Go by "Congressman" |work=Smart Politics |first=Eric |last=Ostermeier |date=June 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9622.html |title=The lady prefers 'congressman' |work=Politico |first=HELENA |last=ANDREWS |date=Apr 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/01/07/marsha-blackburn-has-not-yet-decided-on-a-run-for-guv/ |title=Marsha Blackburn Has Not Yet Decided On A Run For Guv |author=Kleinheider |work=] |date=January 7, 2009}}</ref> She joined ]'s ] as a senior advisor.<ref></ref> In May 2007, she resigned her position in the Romney campaign and endorsed former U.S. senator ] for president.<ref></ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/politics/2012/blackburn-says-romney-victory-in-tn-wouldnt-surprise-her/ |title=Blackburn says Romney victory in TN wouldn’t surprise her |date=March 6, 2012 |author=Elizabeth Bewley |work=The Tennessean}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=TN senators back freeze on special spending | |||
|work=The Tennessean |url=http://www.tennessean.com/article/20101116/NEWS02/11160323/2067 |author=David Lightman and Chris Echegaray |date=November 16, 2010 |page=2}}</ref> She was re-elected in 2008, 2010 and 2012; garnering no Democratic Party challenger in 2012. | |||
In the general election, Blackburn defeated Democratic nominee Tim Barron with 70% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.|url=http://media.cq.com/members/6434|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503111103/http://media.cq.com/members/6434|archive-date=May 3, 2018|access-date=May 2, 2018|publisher=Roll Call}}</ref> She was the fourth woman elected to Congress from Tennessee, and the first woman elected to Congress from Tennessee who did not succeed her husband.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803170035/http://www.williamsonherald.com/news/local_news/article_f83e9e08-e226-11e5-a53c-e391dd021950.html|date=August 3, 2020}}, ''Williamson Herald'', March 4, 2016.</ref> She was reelected seven times.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marsha-Blackburn|title=Marsha Blackburn |website=www.britannica.com |access-date=August 20, 2023}}</ref> | |||
Blackburn has been a member of the following committees: | |||
* ]<ref name=CM/> | |||
* ], vice chair | |||
* ]<ref name=CM/> | |||
* ]<ref name=CM/> | |||
* ],<ref name=CM/> vice chair – Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade | |||
*], chair<ref name=bio/> | |||
* ], former communications chair | |||
* ], communications chair | |||
=== Tenure === | |||
She was also a member of the following caucuses: | |||
Blackburn served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.beaconjournal.com/roll-call/member/blackburn-marsha/B001243/?page=69|title=Senator Marsha Blackburn|website=Akron Beacon Journal |access-date=August 20, 2023}}</ref> During her House tenure, the '']'' rated her among the House's most conservative members.<ref name="Baker"/> | |||
*Privacy and Data Security Working Group, chair.<ref name=bio/> | |||
* Congressional Songwriters Caucus, co-founder, co-chair | |||
* Reliable Energy Caucus | |||
* ]. | |||
In November 2007, Blackburn unsuccessfully ran for Republican conference chair.<ref name="goby">{{cite web|url=http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/smartpolitics/2013/06/meet_the_three_house_women_who.php|title=Meet the Three House Women Who Go by "Congressman"|work=Smart Politics|first=Eric|last=Ostermeier|date=June 13, 2013|access-date=July 8, 2013|archive-date=June 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616143443/http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/smartpolitics/2013/06/meet_the_three_house_women_who.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9622.html|title=The lady prefers 'congressman'|work=Politico|first=Helena|last=Andrews|date=April 15, 2008|access-date=August 13, 2009|archive-date=September 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909102516/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9622.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/01/07/marsha-blackburn-has-not-yet-decided-on-a-run-for-guv|title=Marsha Blackburn Has Not Yet Decided On A Run For Guv|work=NashvillePost.com|date=January 7, 2009}}</ref> She was a senior advisor on ]'s ], before resigning her position in the Romney campaign and endorsing ] for president.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/politics/2012/blackburn-says-romney-victory-in-tn-wouldnt-surprise-her|title=Blackburn says Romney victory in TN wouldn't surprise her|date=March 6, 2012|first=Elizabeth|last=Bewley|work=The Tennessean}}{{dead link|date=July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TN senators back freeze on special spending|work=The Tennessean|url=http://www.tennessean.com/article/20101116/NEWS02/11160323/2067|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20101204162853/http://www.tennessean.com/article/20101116/NEWS02/11160323/2067|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 4, 2010|first1=David|last1=Lightman|first2=Chris|last2=Echegaray|date=November 16, 2010|page=2|access-date=November 17, 2010}}</ref> Blackburn was an assistant whip in Congress from 2003 to 2005, as well as deputy whip from 2005.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 1, 2008|title=Blackburn to speak at GOP dinner|url=http://www.t-g.com/story/1322013.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503042430/http://www.t-g.com/story/1322013.html|archive-date=May 3, 2018|access-date=June 3, 2017|work=Shelbyville Times-Gazette}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=March 30, 2010|title=Biography|url=http://blackburn.house.gov/Biography|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528065201/https://blackburn.house.gov/biography/|archive-date=May 28, 2017|access-date=June 3, 2017|work=official U.S. House website}}</ref><ref name="bio" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Marsha Blackburn|url=http://cpac.conservative.org/speakers/marsha-blackburn|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116163956/http://cpac.conservative.org/speakers/marsha-blackburn/|archive-date=November 16, 2016|access-date=November 16, 2016|work=cpac.conservative.org}}</ref> | |||
She served as a deputy whip for every congress since 2003.<ref name=bio/><ref>{{cite web |title=Marsha Blackburn |url= | |||
], ], and ] at a press conference in 2010]] | |||
http://cpac.conservative.org/speakers/marsha-blackburn/ |work=cpac |accessdate= 2016-11-16}}</ref> | |||
'''Committee assignments''' | |||
* ]<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Senate: Committee Assignments of the 118th Congress|url=https://www.senate.gov/general/committee_assignments/assignments.htmm|access-date=2023-05-24|website=www.senate.gov}}</ref> | |||
During the 110th Congress she was the communications chair for the ]. She served as a member of the ] for a third consecutive term.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} In 2008, she won her primary race by gaining 62 percent of the vote against ] registrar of deeds, and fellow former state senator Tom Leatherwood.<ref>{{cite news |first=NICHOLAS |last= BEADLE |url=http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS03/80808001 |title=Blackburn beats Leatherwood |work=The Jackson Sun |date=August 8, 2008}} | |||
* ]<ref name="H2004">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CDIR-2004-08-01/html/CDIR-2004-08-01-HOUSECOMMITTEES.htm|title=Congressional Directory for the 108th Congress (2003–2004), August 2004. -|website=www.gpo.gov|access-date=November 15, 2018|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106132424/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CDIR-2004-08-01/html/CDIR-2004-08-01-HOUSECOMMITTEES.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=James |last=L. |url=http://www.swingstateproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2725 |title=8/7 Primary Results Round-up |work=Swing Stage Project |date=August 8, 2008}}</ref> | |||
* ]<ref name="CM" /> | |||
** ], vice-chair | |||
** ], chair<ref name="bio" /> | |||
** ]<ref name="CM" /> | |||
** ],<ref name="CM" /> vice-chair – Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade | |||
* ]<ref name="H2004" /> | |||
* ]<ref name="H2004" /> | |||
*], chair<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/10/23/boehners-next-select-committee-focusing-on-planned-parenthood-to-be-led-by-marsha-blackburn|title=Boehner's next select committee, focusing on Planned Parenthood, to be led by Marsha Blackburn|first=Paul|last=Kane|date=October 23, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 23, 2015|archive-date=October 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024164512/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/10/23/boehners-next-select-committee-focusing-on-planned-parenthood-to-be-led-by-marsha-blackburn/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
{{multiple image | |||
| align = right | |||
| total_width = 350 | |||
| image1 = Marsha Blackburn Official.jpg|thumb|Rep. Blackburn official photo in 2011 | |||
| alt1 = | |||
| caption1 = | |||
| image2 = Marsha blackburn congress.jpg|thumb|Rep. Blackburn official photo in 2016 | |||
| alt2 = | |||
| caption2 = | |||
| footer = Rep. Blackburn's official portraits, {{circa}} 2011 and {{circa}} 2016 | |||
}} | |||
==U.S. Senate== | |||
Though serving a national role as vice chair of the ], Blackburn does not currently accept emails from outside of ]. | |||
=== 2018 election === | |||
{{Main|2018 United States Senate election in Tennessee}} | |||
[[File:2018 United States Senate election in Tennessee results map by county.svg|thumb|350px|alt=Final results by county|Final results by county in 2018: {{collapsible list | |||
In October 2015, Blackburn was selected to lead the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/10/23/boehners-next-select-committee-focusing-on-planned-parenthood-to-be-led-by-marsha-blackburn/|title=Boehner's next select committee, focusing on Planned Parenthood, to be led by Marsha Blackburn|author=Paul Kane|date=October 23, 2015|work=Washington Post|accessdate=October 23, 2015}}</ref> | |||
| title = {{legend|#E27F7F|Marsha Blackburn}}|{{legend|#D72F30|70–80%}}|{{legend|#D75D5D|60–70%}}|{{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}| | |||
{{legend|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} | |||
}} | |||
{{collapsible list | |||
| title = {{legend|#7996e2|]}}|||{{legend|#584cde|70–80%}}|{{legend|#6674de|60–70%}}| | |||
{{legend|#7996e2|50–60%}}|}}]]In October 2017, Blackburn announced her candidacy for the Senate seat being vacated by ]. In her announcement, she said that House Republicans were frustrated with Senate Republicans, who they believed acted like Democrats on important issues, including Obamacare.<ref name="FOX">{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-rep-blackburn-announces-senate-run-says-failure-to-repeal-obamacare-a-disgrace/|title=GOP Rep. Blackburn announces Senate run, says failure to repeal ObamaCare a 'disgrace'|first=Sarah|last=Smith|date=October 5, 2017|work=FOX news|access-date=October 10, 2017|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010053706/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/05/gop-rep-blackburn-announces-senate-run-says-failure-to-repeal-obamacare-disgrace.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/10/08/analysis-shifting-political-winds-forecast-trouble-tennessee-establishment-republicans/736931001|date=October 8, 2017|title=Analysis: shifting political winds forecast trouble Tennessee's establishment Republicans|author=Dave Boucher and Joel Ebert and Jordan Buie|work=The Tennessean|access-date=October 10, 2017|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200731082032/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/10/08/analysis-shifting-political-winds-forecast-trouble-tennessee-establishment-republicans/736931001/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the announcement, Blackburn called herself a "hardcore, card-carrying Tennessee conservative", said she was "politically incorrect", and noted with pride that liberals had called her a "wingnut".<ref name=":1" /> She dismissed compromise and bipartisanship, saying "No compromise, no apologies."<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/us/politics/tennessee-senate-race-bredesen-blackburn.html|title=In Pro-Trump Tennessee, Democrats Count on a Familiar Face to Flip a Senate Seat|last=Kaplan|first=Thomas|date=April 18, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418114844/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/us/politics/tennessee-senate-race-bredesen-blackburn.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She also said that she carried a gun in her purse.<ref name=":1" /> On August 2, Blackburn received 610,302 votes (84.48%) in the Republican primary, winning the nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://elections.tn.gov/results.php?ByOffice=United%20States%20Senate|title=August 2, 2018 Unofficial Election Results|work=Tennessee Secretary of State|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803104520/https://elections.tn.gov/results.php?ByOffice=United%20States%20Senate|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Blackburn largely backed President ]'s policies,<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |last=Kaplan |first=Thomas |date=April 18, 2018 |title=In Pro-Trump Tennessee, Democrats Count on a Familiar Face to Flip a Senate Seat |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/us/politics/tennessee-senate-race-bredesen-blackburn.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418114844/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/us/politics/tennessee-senate-race-bredesen-blackburn.html |archive-date=April 18, 2018 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |title=GOP gears up to battle popular ex-governor in Senate race in Tenn.; Bill Lee projected to win Republican primary for governor |language=en |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/tennessee-democrats-tap-a-popular-former-governor-for-senate--and-the-gop-braces-for-a-fight-in-trump-country/2018/08/02/0530e95c-9681-11e8-80e1-00e80e1fdf43_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803021316/https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/tennessee-democrats-tap-a-popular-former-governor-for-senate--and-the-gop-braces-for-a-fight-in-trump-country/2018/08/02/0530e95c-9681-11e8-80e1-00e80e1fdf43_story.html |archive-date=August 3, 2018}}</ref> including a U.S.–Mexico border wall,<ref name="FOX2">{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Sarah |date=October 5, 2017 |title=GOP Rep. Blackburn announces Senate run, says failure to repeal ObamaCare a 'disgrace' |work=FOX news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-rep-blackburn-announces-senate-run-says-failure-to-repeal-obamacare-a-disgrace/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010053706/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/05/gop-rep-blackburn-announces-senate-run-says-failure-to-repeal-obamacare-disgrace.html |archive-date=October 10, 2017}}</ref> and shared his opinion of ] national anthem protests.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 26, 2017 |title=In wake of Trump's NFL comments, Marsha Blackburn files resolution on national anthem etiquette |work=The Tennessean |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2017/09/26/marsha-blackburn-trump-nfl-anthem-protest-colin-kaepernick-alejandro-villanueva/703489001 |url-status=live |access-date=October 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200731082044/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2017/09/26/marsha-blackburn-trump-nfl-anthem-protest-colin-kaepernick-alejandro-villanueva/703489001/ |archive-date=July 31, 2020}}</ref> Trump and Vice President ] endorsed her. During the campaign, Blackburn pledged to support Trump's agenda and suggested that Bredesen would not.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Marsha Blackburn attacks Phil Bredesen at GOP fundraiser |language=en |work=The Tennessean |url=https://eu.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/tn-elections/2018/06/08/marsha-blackburn-attacks-phil-bredesen-gop-fundraiser-senate/687074002/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200731082118/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/tn-elections/2018/06/08/marsha-blackburn-attacks-phil-bredesen-gop-fundraiser-senate/687074002/ |archive-date=July 31, 2020}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
For most of the campaign, polls showed the two candidates nearly tied. But after ], Blackburn pulled ahead. Some believe the hearings mobilized Republican voters in the state,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/415276-blackburn-keeps-tennessee-seat-in-gop-hands/|title=Blackburn keeps Tennessee seat in GOP hands|work=thehill.com|last=Bolton|first=Alexander|date=November 6, 2018|access-date=November 7, 2018|archive-date=November 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107050338/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/415276-blackburn-keeps-tennessee-seat-in-gop-hands|url-status=live}}</ref> even though Democrats won the House. Blackburn won the election with 54.7% of the vote to Bredesen's 43.9%, an unexpectedly large margin. She carried all but three counties in the state (], ], and ]), the most counties ever won in an open Senate election in Tennessee.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Tennessee Senate election results 2018|url=https://www.cnn.com/election/2018/results/tennessee/senate|work=]|date=November 6, 2018|access-date=November 7, 2018|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128200308/https://www.cnn.com/election/2018/results/tennessee/senate|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Political campaigns=== | |||
] in 2019]] | |||
Redistricting after the ] moved Blackburn's home from the 6th district into the 7th district. The 6th District's ] ] congressman, ], had faced three tough races in the 1990s, including a near-defeat in 1994, in part due to the growing Republican trend in Nashville's suburbs. This was especially pronounced in Williamson County, the richest county in the state and the most Republican county in Middle Tennessee. It appeared that the Democratic-controlled Tennessee General Assembly wanted to protect Gordon by moving Williamson County into the already heavily Republican 7th District.<ref>{{cite news |title=2011 Redistricting TN |date=2010-01-12 |work=TN Precinct Project |url=http://www.tnprecinctproject.com/2010/01/12/2011-redistricting-tn/ |first=KENT |last=DAVIS}}</ref> To maintain approximately equal district sizes (as required by ]) and to compensate for the substantial increase in the 7th's population by the addition of Williamson County, the legislature shifted some of the more Democratic parts of ] to the nearby 8th district. This created a district that, in the words of ''Memphis Magazine'', stretched "in reptilian fashion" for 200 miles from eastern Memphis to southwest Nashville.<ref name=Baker/> Some parts of the Middle Tennessee portion of the district were only two miles wide—roughly the width of a highway lane. | |||
=== 2024 election === | |||
In 2002, 7th District incumbent Republican congressman ] decided to run for the ] seat being vacated by ]. Blackburn entered the primary to replace Bryant—the real contest in this Republican stronghold. Of the four serious candidates, she was the only one from the Nashville suburbs. The other three, future state senate majority leader ], conservative activist and future U. S. Attorney ], and city councilman Brent Taylor, were all from Memphis and its suburbs. She garnered the endorsement of the conservative ].<ref>Bianca Phillips, "," ''Memphis Flyer'', 1 August 2002. Retrieved: 7 March 2016.</ref> The three Memphians split the vote in that area, allowing her to win the primary by nearly 20 percentage points.<ref>"," ''D.C.'s Political Report''. Retrieved: 7 March 2016.</ref> In the general election, she easily defeated Democratic nominee Tim Barron, winning more than 70% of the vote. She was the fourth woman elected to Congress from Tennessee, but the first not to serve as a stand-in for her husband.<ref>",'" ''Williamson Herald'', 4 March 2016.</ref> (] and ] had served as ] after their husbands died in office, and ] replaced her husband on the ballot when he died after the primary election.) | |||
{{Main|2024 United States Senate election in Tennessee}} | |||
[[File:2024 United States Senate election in Tennessee results map by county.svg|alt=Final results by county|thumb|350x350px|Final results by county in 2024:{{collapsible list | |||
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She ran unopposed for reelection in 2004, which is somewhat unusual for a freshman member of Congress, even from a district as heavily Republican as the 7th. A 2004 survey of congressional aides by the '']'' identified her as one of the three "best newcomers" in the House of Representatives.<ref>"," ''Washingtonian'', 1 September 2004. Retrieved: 7 March 2016.</ref> | |||
The primaries took place on August 1, 2024, with Blackburn and Democratic state representative nominee ] winning their respective party nominations.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 2024 |title=Democratic Rep. Johnson wins Tennessee primary, will face GOP Sen. Blackburn in Senate race |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democratic-rep-johnson-wins-tennessee-primary-will-face-gop-sen-blackburn-in-senate-race |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=PBS}}</ref> This was the first all-woman general election for a Tennessee senate seat.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Results for Women in the August 1st Primaries in Tennessee |url=https://cawp.rutgers.edu/blog/results-women-august-1st-primaries-tennessee |website=cawp.rutgers.edu}}</ref> | |||
Blackburn was re-elected with 63.8% of the vote to Bredesen's 34.2%. She carried all but two counties in the state (] and ]). | |||
Redistricting after the 2010 census made the 7th district more compact; it lost its shares of Nashville and Memphis while regaining all of Clarksville. However, it is no less Republican than its predecessor; with a ] of R+18, it is one of the most Republican districts in the South.<ref>", ''The Cook Political Report'', 2013. Accessed: 7 March 2016.</ref> | |||
There was speculation that Blackburn could be Donald Trump's running mate in ],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Steinhauser |first1=Paul |date=18 March 2022 |title=Blackburn's 2022 trips to New Hampshire, Iowa spark some 2024 speculation |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/blackburns-new-hampshire-iowa-2024-speculation |access-date=19 August 2022 |publisher=Fox News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rau |first=Nate |date=May 29, 2024 |title=Blackburn earns VP buzz while running for re-election |url=https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/05/29/blackburn-earns-vp-buzz-while-running-for-re-election |access-date=July 16, 2024 |work=Axios Nashville}}</ref> but Trump instead chose ]. | |||
=== Political positions === | |||
] (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland on February 26, 2015]] | |||
Blackburn is a fiscal and social conservative. She opposed the ], stating that with the passage of the bill, "freedom dies a little bit today."<ref name="nyt-healthcare">{{cite news | work = ] | title = Republicans Face Drawbacks of United Stand on Health Bill | first = Adam | last = Nagourney | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/us/politics/23repubs.html | date = March 22, 2010}}</ref> She subsequently supported efforts to repeal the legislation, arguing that it "means well" but fails to live up to its promise.<ref name="nyt-debate">{{cite news | work = ] | title = Approaching Civility (if Perhaps Falling Short of Eloquence) in Debate | first = Jennifer | last = Steinhauer | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/us/politics/20civil.html | date = January 19, 2011}}</ref> When pressed by MSNBC's ] on the claim that the legislation included "]s" for the elderly, she would not reject this assertion,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Kn14Yndy4 |title=Blackburn wont deny reform will create death panels |work=MSNBC |date=2009-08-25}}</ref> despite the fact that, according to the ], it had been "...widely debunked by fact-checking journalism organizations".<ref>{{cite web | publisher = ] | title = 'Death panel' controversy remains very much alive | first = Peter | last = Grier | date = August 21, 2009 | url = http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2009/0821/death-panel-controversy-remains-very-much-alive | quote = It has been widely debunked by fact-checking journalism organizations.}}</ref> | |||
===Senate tenure=== | |||
In April 2009, she questioned former Vice President ] during an energy-related congressional hearing: "The legislation that we are discussing here today, is that something that you are going to personally benefit from?".<ref>{{cite news |title=Al Gore 'profiting' from climate change agenda |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/6496196/Al-Gore-profiting-from-climate-change-agenda.html |first=Nick |last=Allen |date=3 November 2009 |work=]}}</ref> '']'', a London-based periodical, has credited her for "famously put on the spot about his business interests in the industry" during this confrontation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/al-gore-denies-he-is-carbon-billionaire-1814199.html |title=Al Gore denies he is 'carbon billionaire' |first=David |last=Usborne |date=4 November 2009 |work=The Independent}}</ref> Gore vociferously refuted the implied accusation, pointing out that every penny he makes from renewable technology investment goes to a non-profit.<ref>{{cite news | work = ] | first = Azadeh | last = Ensha | url = http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/gore-to-blackburn-you-dont-know-me/ | title = Gore to Blackburn: 'You Don’t Know Me' | date = April 27, 2009}}</ref> | |||
] 2019]] | |||
Blackburn was sworn in as a U.S. senator on January 3, 2019. She is the first woman in history to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/tennessees-1st-female-senator-will-serve-on-judiciary-panel|title=Marsha Blackburn sworn in, becomes Tennessee's first female US Senator|date=January 3, 2019|website=News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF)}}</ref> Upon the retirement of Senator Lamar Alexander in 2021, Blackburn became the senior U.S. senator from Tennessee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wate.com/news/politics/knoxville-rep-gloria-johnson-mulls-us-senate-run-against-marsha-blackburn/|title=Knoxville Rep. Gloria Johnson mulls U.S. Senate run against Marsha Blackburn|website=WATE.com|last=Raucoules|first=Gregory|date=July 25, 2023}}</ref> | |||
'''Committee assignments<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Senate: Committee Assignments of the 117th Congress |url=https://www.senate.gov/general/committee_assignments/assignments.htm#BlackburnTN |website=www.senate.gov |access-date=October 6, 2021}}</ref>''' | |||
In 2013, she was chosen to manage debate on a bill promoted by House Republicans which would criminalize all ]s after 22 weeks' gestation, with limited exceptions for rape or incest.<ref name="nyt-abortion">{{cite news | work = ] | title = G.O.P. Pushes New Abortion Limits to Appease Vocal Base | first = Jeremy | last = Peters | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/18/us/politics/undaunted-by-2012-elections-republicans-embrace-anti-abortion-agenda.html | date = June 17, 2013}}</ref> She replaced the bill's sponsor, congressman ] (]-]), after Franks made controversial claims that the chances of ] were "very low".<ref name="bloomberg-abortion">{{cite news | publisher= Bloomberg News | first = Roxana | last = Tiron |author2=James Rowley | date = June 13, 2013 | title = Republicans Pick Female Lawmaker to Manage Abortion Bill | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-13/republicans-pick-female-lawmaker-to-manage-abortion-bill.html}}</ref><ref name="franks">{{cite news | publisher = ABC News | title = Rep. Trent Franks Claims 'Very Low' Pregnancy Rate From Rape | first = John | last = Parkinson | url = http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/06/rep-trent-franks-claims-very-low-pregnancy-rate-from-rape/ | date = June 12, 2013}}</ref> | |||
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== Political positions == | |||
At October 2013 congressional hearings on the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as "Obamacare", Blackburn charged that the health.gov website violated ] and ]. The next day, when a ] interviewer pointed out that the only health-related question that the web site asks is "do you smoke?", Blackburn repeated her criticism of the site for violating privacy rights.<ref>Cavendish, Steve , ], 25 October 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2013.</ref> | |||
Blackburn is a ] Republican.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|title=Marsha Blackburn, 'Politically Incorrect And Proud Of It,' Runs For Senate In Tenn.|language=en|work=NPR.org|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/10/05/555911040/marsha-blackburn-politically-incorrect-and-proud-of-it-runs-for-senate-in-tenn|url-status=live|access-date=September 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120234605/https://www.npr.org/2017/10/05/555911040/marsha-blackburn-politically-incorrect-and-proud-of-it-runs-for-senate-in-tenn|archive-date=November 20, 2018}}</ref> She has been called staunchly conservative,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite news|title=After Doug Jones's win, here's what Democrats need to do to retake the Senate in 2018|work=Vox|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/12/13/16770972/doug-jones-senate-2018-elections|url-status=live|access-date=September 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907032433/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/12/13/16770972/doug-jones-senate-2018-elections|archive-date=September 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=In deep-red Tennessee, Republicans are anxious about the U.S. Senate race|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-deep-red-tennessee-republicans-are-anxious-about-the-us-senate-race/2018/10/04/de13d5a6-c57d-11e8-b2b5-79270f9cce17_story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010195214/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-deep-red-tennessee-republicans-are-anxious-about-the-us-senate-race/2018/10/04/de13d5a6-c57d-11e8-b2b5-79270f9cce17_story.html|archive-date=October 10, 2018|access-date=October 11, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en}}</ref> and has sometimes attended functions of, and met with leaders of, far-right groups.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/tn-elections/2018/10/04/marsha-blackburn-senate-hate-group-david-horowitz/1513144002/|title=Blackburn listed as speaker for events organized by anti-Muslim activist; aide says she didn't attend|first=Natalie Allison and Joel|last=Ebert|website=The Tennessean}}</ref> She has called herself "a hard-core, card-carrying Tennessee conservative."<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|last=Hakim|first=Danny|date=October 3, 2018|title=In Tennessee Senate Race, Financial Missteps Linger in the Background|work=The New York Times |language=en|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/03/us/politics/tennessee-governor-blackburn-bredesen.html|url-status=live|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010195237/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/03/us/politics/tennessee-governor-blackburn-bredesen.html|archive-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref> | |||
] estimated Blackburn to be the most ideologically conservative member of the Senate in the 2019 legislative year.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 18, 2020 |title=2019 Report Cards: Ideology Score |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/report-cards/2019/senate/ideology |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320143648/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/report-cards/2019/senate/ideology |archive-date=March 20, 2020 |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=GovTrack}}</ref> In 2024, Blackburn served as chairperson for the ]'s official party platform.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rau |first1=Nate |title=Sen. Marsha Blackburn to deliver primetime speech at RNC |url=https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/07/15/marsha-blackburn-speech-rnc |website=Axios |date=July 15, 2024 |access-date=15 July 2024}}</ref> | |||
She scored 100% on ]'s 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009 Ratings of Congress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acuratings.org/2005all.htm#TN |title=2005 Votes by State Delegation |accessdate=2010-03-14 |work=ACU Ratings |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706024543/http://www.acuratings.org/2005all.htm |archivedate=July 6, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acuratings.org/2007all.htm#TN |title=2007 Votes by State Delegation |accessdate=2010-03-14 |work=ACU Ratings |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115031339/http://www.acuratings.org/2007all.htm |archivedate=January 15, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://67.20.95.56/ratings/ratingsarchive/2009/House%20Ratings.htm |title=2009 Votes by State Delegation |accessdate=2010-03-14 |work=ACU Ratings}}</ref> According to her campaign website, ] described her as a "freshman to watch" and a "top House conservative" in 2003 and 2004, ] called her a "taxpayer hero" in 2003, and the ] praised her for supporting the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} In 2008, Blackburn was named one of the "Most Corrupt Members of Congress" by the government watchdog group ],<ref>{{cite web|last=Sullivan |first=Bartholomew |url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/sep/11/blackburn-added-to-most-corrupt-in-congress-list/ |title=Blackburn added to 'most corrupt' in Congress list |work=The Commercial Appeal |accessdate=2010-08-29}}</ref> although the ] unanimously rejected CREW's complaint.<ref>"", ] (February 16, 2009).</ref> | |||
===Abortion and stem cell research=== | |||
She is a staunch opponent of ] and municipal broadband initiatives. As of March 2015 her campaign has accepted at least $221,900 from contributors in the telecommunications industry. These include AT&T and Comcast who have strongly lobbied against net neutrality.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brodkin|first1=Jon|title=Republicans’ "Internet Freedom Act" would wipe out net neutrality|url=http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/03/republicans-internet-freedom-act-would-wipe-out-net-neutrality/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Brodkin|first1=Jon|title=Congresswoman defends "states’ rights" to protect ISPs from muni competition|url=http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/07/congresswoman-defends-states-rights-to-protect-isps-from-muni-competition/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Top Contributors Representative Marsha Blackburn|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00003105&type=I}}</ref> She supported bills that restrict municipalities from creating their own broadband networks, and wrote a bill to prevent the FCC from interfering on behalf of communities.<ref>Eggerton, John (July 16, 2014) ''Broadcasting & Cable''. Retrieved December 30, 2015.</ref><ref>Sirota, David (July 16, 2014) ''International Business Times''. Retrieved December 30, 2015.</ref> | |||
Blackburn opposes abortion and sought to overturn '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/roe-v-wade-republicans-brief-trump-overturn-4dd4e6f5-ce95-403f-a048-bc15605e0256.html |title=39 Republican senators sign brief asking Supreme Court to revisit Roe v. Wade |date=January 2, 2020 |access-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119161331/https://www.axios.com/roe-v-wade-republicans-brief-trump-overturn-4dd4e6f5-ce95-403f-a048-bc15605e0256.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ontheissues.org/social/Marsha_Blackburn_Abortion.htm |title=Marsha Blackburn on Abortion |access-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-date=June 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602205105/https://www.ontheissues.org/social/Marsha_Blackburn_Abortion.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1" /> In 2013, she was chosen to manage debate on a bill promoted by House Republicans that would have prohibited abortions after 22 weeks' gestation, with limited exceptions for rape or incest.<ref name="nyt-abortion">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/18/us/politics/undaunted-by-2012-elections-republicans-embrace-anti-abortion-agenda.html|title=G.O.P. Pushes New Abortion Limits to Appease Vocal Base|last=Peters|first=Jeremy|date=June 17, 2013|newspaper=]|access-date=February 25, 2017|archive-date=February 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227233153/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/18/us/politics/undaunted-by-2012-elections-republicans-embrace-anti-abortion-agenda.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She replaced the bill's prior sponsor, U.S. Representative ], after Franks made controversial and dubious statements.<ref name="bloomberg-abortion">{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-13/republicans-pick-female-lawmaker-to-manage-abortion-bill.html|title=Republicans Pick Female Lawmaker to Manage Abortion Bill|last1=Tiron|first1=Roxana|date=June 13, 2013|publisher=Bloomberg News|first2=James|last2=Rowley|access-date=March 9, 2017|archive-date=November 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111045350/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-13/republicans-pick-female-lawmaker-to-manage-abortion-bill.html/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="franks">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/06/rep-trent-franks-claims-very-low-pregnancy-rate-from-rape|title=Rep. Trent Franks Claims 'Very Low' Pregnancy Rate From Rape|last=Parkinson|first=John|date=June 12, 2013|publisher=ABC News|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803223837/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/06/rep-trent-franks-claims-very-low-pregnancy-rate-from-rape|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2015, Blackburn led a panel that investigated the ], in which anti-abortion activists published a video purporting to show that Planned Parenthood illicitly sold fetal tissue. Subsequent investigations into Planned Parenthood found no evidence of fetal tissue sales or of wrongdoing,<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Swenson|first=Kyle|date=October 10, 2017|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/10/10/twitter-calls-foul-on-rep-marsha-blackburn-ad-due-to-baby-body-parts-comment/|title=Twitter calls foul on Rep. Marsha Blackburn ad because of 'baby body parts' comment|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en|access-date=September 6, 2018|archive-date=September 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907071041/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/10/10/twitter-calls-foul-on-rep-marsha-blackburn-ad-due-to-baby-body-parts-comment/|url-status=live}}</ref> but in 2017, when Blackburn announced that she was running for Senate, she ran a controversial advertisement saying that she "fought Planned Parenthood and we stopped the sale of baby body parts".<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=North|first=Anna|date=October 10, 2017|url=https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/10/10/16449920/marsha-blackburn-twitter-ban|title=Twitter's ban on Marsha Blackburn's ad mentioning "baby body parts," explained|work=Vox|access-date=September 6, 2018|archive-date=September 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905171857/https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/10/10/16449920/marsha-blackburn-twitter-ban|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Robillard |first1=Kevin |title=Twitter reverses decision, will allow Blackburn to promote ad |journal=Politico |date=October 10, 2017 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/10/twitter-blackburn-body-parts-ad-243652 |access-date=April 6, 2022}}</ref> In 2015, Blackburn claimed that 94% of Planned Parenthood's business revolves around abortion services, which ] found to be "wrong" and that "no one can say for sure what the percentage is".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2015/09/planned-parenthoods-services/|title=Planned Parenthood's Services|date=September 4, 2015|work=FactCheck.org|access-date=September 6, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=December 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216212734/https://www.factcheck.org/2015/09/planned-parenthoods-services/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In November, 2016, Blackburn joined ]'s presidential transition team.<ref>http://nypost.com/2016/11/11/mike-pence-takes-over-trump-transition-from-chris-christie/</ref> | |||
In March 2016, Blackburn chaired the Republican-led Select Investigative Panel, a committee convened to "explore the ethical implications of using fetal tissue in biomedical research".<ref name="select-investigative-panel">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/03/02/house-fetal-tissue-research|title=In first hearing, GOP panel casts doubt on fetal tissue research|author=DeBonis, Mike|date=March 2, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 19, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817121748/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/03/02/house-fetal-tissue-research/|url-status=live}}</ref> Democrats on the panel characterized the probe as a politically motivated witch hunt.<ref name="select-investigative-panel" /> | |||
===Positions on scientific issues=== | |||
===Birth certificate bill=== | |||
On February 16, 2014, Blackburn appeared on ]'s '']'' as a guest in a ] segment alongside ]. She reiterated a belief that scientists do not sufficiently understand the climate to make long term predictions, and argued that a cost/benefit analysis did not support taking any action against further carbon emission increases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/meet-press-transcript-feb-16-2014-n31691|title=MEET THE PRESS TRANSCRIPT|date=February 16, 2014|author=]}}</ref> | |||
In 2009, Blackburn sponsored legislation requiring presidential candidates to show their birth certificates. The bill was in response to ], commonly known as "birther" theories, that alleged that ] was not born in the United States. Her spokesperson said that Blackburn did not doubt that Obama was an American citizen.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Smith|first=Ben|date=July 7, 2009|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/ben-smith/2009/07/blackburn-does-not-doubt-obamas-citizenship-019619|title=Blackburn 'does not doubt' Obama's citizenship|work=POLITICO|access-date=October 8, 2018|language=en|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128200313/https://www.politico.com/blogs/ben-smith/2009/07/blackburn-does-not-doubt-obamas-citizenship-019619|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Winant|first=Gabriel|url=https://www.salon.com/2009/07/28/birther_enablers/|title=The Birthers in Congress|date=July 28, 2009|work=Salon|access-date=October 8, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128200314/https://www.salon.com/2009/07/28/birther_enablers/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
=== China === | |||
In 2015, Blackburn shared her belief that the world has been cooling instead of warming. She stated, "I think we've cooled almost 1 degree (F)."<ref name=science-environment-34342808>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34342808|title=Ignore Pope on climate, says Republican Marsha Blackburn|date=September 23, 2015|author=Harrabin, Roger}}</ref> Blackburn also rejects the ].<ref name=science-environment-34342808/> | |||
] ] in ], August 2022]] | |||
In December 2020, Blackburn posted, "] has a 5,000-year history of cheating and stealing. Some things will never change..." on her Twitter account.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Blackburn|first=Marsha|title=China has a 5,000 year history of cheating and stealing. Some things will never change...|url=https://twitter.com/marshablackburn/status/1334510812552163328|access-date=June 14, 2021|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/briefingroom-blogroll/528670-gop-senator-gets-into-nasty-twitter-spat-with-chinese-journalist/|title=GOP senator gets into nasty Twitter spat with Chinese journalist|website=TheHill.com|first=Sarah|last=Polus|date=December 3, 2020}}</ref> The European Union bureau chief for China's state-owned '']'', ], responded by tweeting, "This is the most racist and ignorant US Senator I have seen. A lifetime bitch".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Weihua|first=Chen|title=This is the most racist and ignorant US Senator I have seen. A lifetime bitch.|url=https://twitter.com/chenweihua/status/1334567538534084608|access-date=June 14, 2021|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> In what appeared to be a thinly veiled reference to Chen, Blackburn asserted in response that the U.S. would "not bow down to sexist communist thugs". One of Chen's tweets was, with an apparently sarcastic comment, retweeted by Republican Senator ].<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Connell|first=Oliver|date=December 4, 2020|title=Tennessee senator called a 'lifetime b****' by top Chinese journalist|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/marsha-blackburn-bitch-china-daily-uighurs-b1766467.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204193211/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/marsha-blackburn-bitch-china-daily-uighurs-b1766467.html|archive-date=December 4, 2020|access-date=December 4, 2020|work=]}}</ref> The Chinese American rights group Tennessee Chinese American Alliance protested Blackburn's comments as insulting to the Chinese community.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128200355/https://www.wsmv.com/news/davidson_county/chinese-americans-protesting-sen-marsha-blackburn/article_6f87c2bc-3cfb-11eb-9020-5fe1f9cabef1.html |date=January 28, 2021 }} News 4 Nashville. December 12, 2020</ref> | |||
In August 2022, Blackburn led a congressional delegation to ], where she met with ] ]. Her delegation was the third such delegation to visit Taiwan following ] early that month. During her visit, Blackburn voiced support for Taiwan, calling it an "independent nation" and a "country", and also supported further ] and combating the "New ]", which she defines as ], ], and ], led by China. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and condemns most visits by U.S. lawmakers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Lawrence |title=Chinese military runs new live drills near Taiwan in face of 'changing' situation |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3190315/us-senator-marsha-blackburn-calls-taiwan-country-promises?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article&campaign=3190315 |access-date=August 31, 2022 |work=] |date=August 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dou |first1=Eva |last2=Shepherd |first2=Christian |title=Sen. Blackburn calls Taiwan a 'country' during meeting with Tsai |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/26/taiwan-marsha-blackburn-meeting-tsai-china/ |access-date=August 31, 2022 |newspaper=] |date=August 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jung |first1=Iris |title=Sen. Marsha Blackburn says China part of 'New Axis of Evil' in op-ed supporting Taiwan independence |url=https://news.yahoo.com/sen-marsha-blackburn-says-china-234130286.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLmdvb2dsZS5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAElUyO6GxQn6WQi5QSksQrkfr44-2ZJpMGZuEq-j4V32WwvCeD2XnI5jkZ5OvgfoRqcWVwroNdo9nQmk_Cg9xGlhUEGuECJCNZxLsyacdOYM007oa9JpMpByOWWs4PMmsNlMZDIOARReH3ZJ30j_jkDkQef1xKtkBQvULFw5K0Qi |access-date=September 11, 2022 |work=] |agency=NextShark |date=September 9, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Blackburn |first1=Marsha |title=We must stand with Taiwan |url=https://www.tullahomanews.com/news/editorial/we-must-stand-with-taiwan/article_4b96beb6-2fad-11ed-b1a0-cb15fdfae46f.html |access-date=September 11, 2022 |work=The Tullahoma News |date=September 9, 2022}}</ref> | |||
Blackburn issued a "Statement on Stem Cell Research" <ref>http://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=90764</ref> in 2008. In this statement, Blackburn claimed there was an "absence of evidence that could justify the continued research into embryonic stem cells." She added that "no journals have published successful embryonic studies" (many such studies had been published in the preceding years) and "research tells us adult stem cells are equivalent or superior to embryonic stem cells", a claim stem cell biologists reject (see ]). | |||
In July 2023, Blackburn criticized the movie ] for "bending to Beijing to make a quick buck" after it was alleged the film contained a map of the world displaying the ], a ] by China to the ] that the international community rejects. In a statement addressing like criticisms, ], ''Barbie'''s production company, said the map was a "child-like crayon drawing . . . not intended to make any type of statement".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Diaz |first1=Daniella |title=GOP declares war on ... Barbie |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/07/gop-declares-war-on-barbie-00105154 |access-date=7 July 2023 |work=Politico |date=July 7, 2023}}</ref> | |||
In March 2016, Blackburn chaired the Republican-led Select Investigative Panel, a committee convened ostensibly to "explore the ethical implications of using fetal tissue in biomedical research".<ref name=select-investigative-panel>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/03/02/house-fetal-tissue-research/|title=In first hearing, GOP panel casts doubt on fetal tissue research|date=March 2, 2016|author=DeBonis, Mike}}</ref> Before expert testimony was heard, however, Democratic opposition objected to subpoenas demanding "names of researchers, technicians and medical personnel involved in fetal tissue handling".<ref name=select-investigative-panel/> Illinois Democrat Jan Schakowsky rebuked Blackburn by calling the demand an "abuse of her position", suggesting that publishing the names and workplaces of scientists who use fetal tissue in their research directly endangers their lives.<ref name=select-investigative-panel/> Subpoenaed biotechnology executives ] of the ] and Cate Dyer of ] published an article in ] further criticizing the intimidation of researchers and patients<ref>http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v535/n7610/full/535037c.html</ref>. Gu then went on ] on ] and detailed his experiences living in close proximity to Blackburn's Congressional district and having armed ] deliver the subpoena to his home. <ref>http://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/whats-in-a-subpoena/</ref> | |||
In 2024, Blackburn was targeted by the ]'s ] influence operation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Myers |first=Steven Lee |date=October 23, 2024 |title=Bots Linked to China Target Republican House and Senate Candidates, Microsoft Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/us/politics/x-bots-china-republicans.html |access-date=October 23, 2024 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
===Controversy=== | |||
In April 2008, Blackburn summoned reporters to explain that she had found errors in her Federal Election Commission filings going back several years and had failed to report $286,278 in expenditures, including $18,821 to a fundraising consulting company run by her son-in-law, Paul Ketchel. She also failed to report $102,044 in contributions.<ref>http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/local-news/group-names-us-rep-marsha-blackburn-its-most-corru</ref> | |||
===Israel=== | |||
On November 2, 2016 Blackburn, now a member of Donald Trump's presidential transition team, sent a request for medical records to Doctor Warren Hern regarding his practices in late term abortions.<ref>https://www.scribd.com/document/330802820/Rep-Marsha-Blackburn-letter-to-Warren-Hern</ref><ref>http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_30581284/boulder-abortion-doctor-warren-hern-blasts-despicable-congressional</ref> | |||
In October 2023, Blackburn voiced support for ] during the ], saying, "The United States has a moral obligation to defend Israel, and as Israel is surrounded by hostile actors funded by Iran who seek the destruction of the Jewish state and deny its right to exist, that's a solemn responsibility."<ref>{{cite news |title=Marsha Blackburn: Lawmakers must stand with Israel against Hamas terrorism. No excuses. |url=https://eu.tennessean.com/story/opinion/contributors/2023/10/13/marsha-blackburn-we-must-stand-with-israel-against-hamas-terrorism/71171358007/ |work=] |date=October 13, 2023}}</ref> | |||
== |
===Climate change=== | ||
Blackburn ] the ]. In a 2014 debate with science communicator ], Blackburn rejected the science and urgency of the issue, claiming that there is "no consensus" in the scientific community about the causes of climate change.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/7975/bill-nye-global-warming-marsha-blackburn/|title=Bill Nye Scolds GOP Congresswoman on Global Warming|date=February 16, 2014|magazine=Time}}</ref> | |||
=== Contraception and the right to privacy === | |||
In March 2022, Blackburn called '']'', a landmark Supreme Court decision holding that the Constitution protects the liberty of married couples to buy and use contraceptives without government restriction, "constitutionally unsound" as a ruling that "gave the court permission to bypass our system of checks and balances".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tennessean|first=Melissa Brown|date=March 21, 2022|title= Sen. Marsha Blackburn criticizes 1965 Supreme Court ruling on birth control access|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2022/03/21/marsha-blackburn-criticizes-1965-supreme-court-ruling-birth-control/7120236001/|access-date=March 22, 2022|website=Tennessean|language=en}}</ref> | |||
=== Donald Trump === | |||
Blackburn strongly supports Donald Trump.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|title=Tennessee a major target for Democrats in midterm election battle|language=en|work=UPI|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018/08/03/Tennessee-a-major-target-for-Democrats-in-midterm-election-battle/6881533293318/|url-status=live|access-date=September 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907032442/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018/08/03/Tennessee-a-major-target-for-Democrats-in-midterm-election-battle/6881533293318/|archive-date=September 7, 2018}}</ref> | |||
In November 2016, Blackburn joined Trump's ] as vice chair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2016/11/11/mike-pence-takes-over-trump-transition-from-chris-christie|title=Mike Pence takes over Trump transition from Chris Christie|last=Halper|first=Daniel|date=November 11, 2016|website=Nypost.com|access-date=February 26, 2017|archive-date=December 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211122842/http://nypost.com/2016/11/11/mike-pence-takes-over-trump-transition-from-chris-christie/|url-status=live}}</ref> She was a staunch supporter of his and backed most of his policies and proposals.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2"/><ref name=":5" /> She nominated him for a ] for his negotiations with ].<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Collins|first1=Michael|date=April 30, 2018|title=Three Tennessee Republicans sign letter formally nominating Donald Trump for Nobel Prize|publisher=The Tennessean|agency=USA Today Network|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/30/rep-marsha-blackburn-donald-trump-deserves-nobel-peace-prize-efforts-korea/565018002/|access-date=May 3, 2018|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200731082018/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/30/rep-marsha-blackburn-donald-trump-deserves-nobel-peace-prize-efforts-korea/565018002/|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'' speculated that Blackburn's ties to Trump, who won Tennessee in the 2016 election by 26 points, helped boost her Senate candidacy.<ref name="vox">{{cite news |last1=Lhou |first1=Li |title=Marsha Blackburn is Tennessee's first woman senator |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/11/6/18049520/midterm-election-results-tennessee-senate-marsha-blackburn-winner |access-date=November 29, 2018 |publisher=VOX |date=November 7, 2018 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130030516/https://www.vox.com/2018/11/6/18049520/midterm-election-results-tennessee-senate-marsha-blackburn-winner |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
] in 2016]] | |||
] | |||
During Trump's first Senate impeachment trial, Blackburn left the chamber for a television interview.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Brennan, David|date=January 22, 2020|title=Senator Marsha Blackburn Criticized for Mid-Impeachment Trial Fox News Interview: 'No One…can Be Treated As Above the Law'|work=Newsweek|url=https://www.newsweek.com/senator-marsha-blackburn-criticized-mid-impeachment-trial-fox-news-interview-treated-above-law-1483388|access-date=January 22, 2020|archive-date=January 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123021024/https://www.newsweek.com/senator-marsha-blackburn-criticized-mid-impeachment-trial-fox-news-interview-treated-above-law-1483388|url-status=live}}</ref> She also garnered attention by reading a book during the proceedings.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Folley|first1=Aris|date=January 23, 2020|title=Marsha Blackburn shares what book she's reading during Trump Senate trial|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/479631-marsha-blackburn-shares-what-book-shes-reading-during-trump-senate-trial/|access-date=January 24, 2020|archive-date=January 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123235502/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/479631-marsha-blackburn-shares-what-book-shes-reading-during-trump-senate-trial|url-status=live}}</ref> Blackburn spent time during the trial to tweet about ], calling him unpatriotic for allegedly "badmouth and ridicul" the U.S. in front of Russia.<ref>{{cite web|date=January 23, 2020|title=Sen. Marsha Blackburn|url=https://twitter.com/MarshaBlackburn/status/1220452721616216087|access-date=January 24, 2020|website=Twitter|quote=Adam Schiff is hailing Alexander Vindman as an American patriot.|archive-date=January 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123211546/https://twitter.com/MarshaBlackburn/status/1220452721616216087|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ZCohen20200125">{{Cite news|last=Cohen|first=Zachary|date=January 25, 2020|title=Pentagon's vow to protect Vindman against retaliation tested after Blackburn attacks decorated veteran|work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/25/politics/pentagon-retaliation-vindman-marsha-blackburn-tweet/index.html|access-date=January 25, 2020|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125201413/https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/25/politics/pentagon-retaliation-vindman-marsha-blackburn-tweet/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2019, #MoscowMarcia started trending on Twitter after Blackburn tweeted allegations against Vindman on her Twitter account.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kelman|first=Brett|title=Sen. Marsha Blackburn tweets 'Vindictive Vindman,' then #MoscowMarsha starts trending|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2019/11/22/marsha-blackburn-tweets-vindictive-vindman-so-now-moscowmarsha-is-trending/4274561002/|access-date=November 23, 2019|website=The Tennessean|language=en|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191205033333/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2019/11/22/marsha-blackburn-tweets-vindictive-vindman-so-now-moscowmarsha-is-trending/4274561002/|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'' characterized her tweet as a "conspiratorial smear".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://theweek.com/speedreads/880409/gop-sen-marsha-blackburn-tweets-conspiratorial-smear-against-lt-col-vindman |title=GOP Sen. Marsha Blackburn tweets conspiratorial smear against Lt. Col Vindman |date=November 22, 2019 |first=Kathryn |last=Krawczyk |magazine=] |access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref> In her post, she wrote "Vindictive Vindman is the 'whistleblower's' handler".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Blackburn|first=Sen Marsha|date=November 22, 2019|title=Vindictive Vindman is the "whistleblower's" handler.|url=https://twitter.com/MarshaBlackburn/status/1197875810256007170|access-date=November 23, 2019|website=@MarshaBlackburn|language=en|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128200349/https://pbs.twimg.com/hashflag/config-2021-01-28-20.json|url-status=live}}</ref> The tweet was in reference to Vindman, a decorated army official and ] veteran, who became a central figure in Trump's impeachment proceedings in Congress after testifying he heard Trump pressure the ] to investigate the son of one of his chief political rivals, former Vice President ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 22, 2019|title=GOP congressmembers blamed Ukraine for election hacking. Russia's been trying to make that happen for years.|url=https://theweek.com/speedreads/880591/gop-congressmembers-blamed-ukraine-election-hacking-russias-been-trying-make-that-happen-years|access-date=November 23, 2019|website=theweek.com|language=en|archive-date=November 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122233045/https://theweek.com/speedreads/880591/gop-congressmembers-blamed-ukraine-election-hacking-russias-been-trying-make-that-happen-years|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
After Biden won the ], Blackburn supported Trump's false claims of victory and raised funds to support the Trump campaign's effort to ] in court.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|last=Allison|first=Natalie|title=Staff of U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn says she misspoke by calling Biden 'president-elect'|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/20/tennessee-senator-marsha-blackburn-donald-trump-joe-biden-president-elect/6367537002/|access-date=November 21, 2020|website=The Tennessean|language=en-US|archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201121140817/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/20/tennessee-senator-marsha-blackburn-donald-trump-joe-biden-president-elect/6367537002/|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview on November 20, she briefly called Biden the "president-elect" but later retracted this as a mistake.<ref name=":9" /> On January 2, 2021, Blackburn and 10 other Republican senators announced that they would vote to oppose certification of the results of the election on January 6, the joint session of Congress in which the certification of a presidential election occurs, citing false allegations of widespread ], irregularities, and unconstitutional changes to voting laws and voting restrictions. But after a mob of Trump supporters ] that day, she voted to certify the results of the election.<ref>{{Cite web|author=WMCActionNews5 com Staff|title=Sen. Marsha Blackburn says she will vote to certify election results|url=https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2021/01/06/tennessee-sen-blackburn-changes-stance-certifying-electoral-college-results/|access-date=February 3, 2021|website=www.wmcactionnews5.com|date=January 7, 2021 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107033356/https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2021/01/06/tennessee-sen-blackburn-changes-stance-certifying-electoral-college-results/ |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=January 2, 2021|title=Blackburn, Hagerty and Colleagues Will Vote to Oppose Electoral College Results|url=https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2021/1/blackburn-hagerty-and-colleagues-will-vote-to-oppose-electoral-college-results|access-date=January 2, 2021|website=U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee|language=en|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102175824/https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2021/1/blackburn-hagerty-and-colleagues-will-vote-to-oppose-electoral-college-results|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Higgins|first=Tucker|date=January 2, 2021|title=11 Republican senators, led by Ted Cruz, push to delay certification of Biden victory|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/02/11-republican-senators-push-to-delay-certification-of-election-results.html|access-date=January 2, 2021|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102192451/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/02/11-republican-senators-push-to-delay-certification-of-election-results.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In May 2021, Blackburn abstained from voting on the creation of the ].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 28, 2021 |title=Which senators supported a Jan. 6 Capitol riot commission |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/january6-commission-senators-vote/}}</ref> | |||
===Education=== | |||
In 2021, when President Biden proposed universal pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds and subsidized child care for low- and middle-income families, Blackburn likened the proposal to the communist policies of the Soviet Union.<ref>{{Cite news|title='Lefty social engineering': GOP launches cultural attack on Biden's plan for daycare, education and employee leave|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/lefty-social-engineering-gop-launches-cultural-attack-on-bidens-plan-for-day-care-education-and-employee-leave/2021/04/30/38983b6e-a9bc-11eb-8c1a-56f0cb4ff3b5_story.html|access-date=May 11, 2021|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> She also falsely claimed that the Biden administration proposed to put children in pre-K even if their parents did not want to send them there.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dale|first=Daniel|title=Fact check: Sen. Marsha Blackburn falsely claims Biden would force people to attend pre-K and two years of college|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/29/politics/fact-check-blackburn-biden-families-plan-pre-k-college/index.html|access-date=May 11, 2021|website=CNN|date=April 30, 2021}}</ref> | |||
===Fiscal policy=== | |||
Blackburn was among the 31 Senate Republicans who voted against final passage of the ], which raised the U.S. debt ceiling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4031302-here-are-the-senators-who-voted-against-the-bill-to-raise-the-debt-ceiling/|title=Here are the senators who voted against the bill to raise the debt ceiling|first=Aris|last=Folley|date=June 1, 2023|access-date=June 17, 2023|work=]}}</ref> | |||
===Gun rights=== | |||
After the ] on November 7, 2018, which resulted in 12 deaths, Blackburn responded to a question about the shooting in a ] interview by saying, "how do we make certain that we protect the ] and protect our citizens? We've always done that in this country. Mental health issues need to be addressed."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/11/8/18076084/thousand-oaks-borderline-shooting-marsha-blackburn-fox-news-nra-mental-health|title=Marsha Blackburn is an NRA favorite. Her comments about the Thousand Oaks shooting show why.|work=Vox|access-date=November 15, 2018|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116034405/https://www.vox.com/2018/11/8/18076084/thousand-oaks-borderline-shooting-marsha-blackburn-fox-news-nra-mental-health|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In March 2023, California Governor ] criticized Blackburn for accepting over $1 million in campaign donations from the ] and voting against gun control measures, including the ], which passed in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news | |||
| first = Kierra | |||
| last = Frazier | |||
| title = Newsom slams Blackburn for voting against gun control bill in wake of Nashville shooting | |||
|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/28/gavin-newsom-blackburn-nashville-shooting-00089169 | |||
| publisher = ] | |||
| date = March 28, 2023 | |||
| access-date = June 14, 2023 | |||
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328155127/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/28/gavin-newsom-blackburn-nashville-shooting-00089169 | |||
| archive-date=March 28, 2023 | |||
| url-status=live | |||
| quote = California Gov. Gavin Newsom slammed Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn on Twitter Monday night for voting against gun safety laws and accepting over $1 million in donations from the NRA over her career after the senator tweeted she was “ready to assist” in the wake of the deadly elementary school shooting in Nashville. | |||
}}</ref> | |||
===Health care and pharmaceuticals=== | |||
Blackburn opposed the ] (Obamacare), saying upon its passage, "freedom dies a little bit today."<ref name=":1" /><ref name="nyt-healthcare">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/us/politics/23repubs.html|title=Republicans Face Drawbacks of United Stand on Health Bill|last=Nagourney|first=Adam|date=March 22, 2010|newspaper=]|access-date=February 25, 2017|archive-date=October 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007022225/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/us/politics/23repubs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She supported efforts to repeal the legislation.<ref name="nyt-debate">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/us/politics/20civil.html|title=Approaching Civility (if Perhaps Falling Short of Eloquence) in Debate|last=Steinhauer|first=Jennifer|date=January 19, 2011|newspaper=]|access-date=February 25, 2017|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006211943/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/us/politics/20civil.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, while arguing for its repeal, Blackburn falsely said that two of its popular provisions (protections for people with preexisting conditions and allowing adult children to be on their parents' health plans until they're 26) "were two Republican provisions which made it into the bill."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/02/28/marsha-blackburns-false-claim-that-two-key-obamacare-elements-are-republican-provisions/|title=Analysis {{!}} Rep. Marsha Blackburn's false claim that two key Obamacare elements are 'Republican provisions'|last=Kessler|first=Glenn|date=February 28, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=June 9, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145802/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/02/28/marsha-blackburns-false-claim-that-two-key-obamacare-elements-are-republican-provisions/|url-status=live}}</ref> In her declaration that she would run for the ], she said that the failure to repeal the ACA was "a disgrace".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Golshan|first=Tara|date=October 5, 2017|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/10/5/16430792/marsha-blackburn-senate-candidate-corker|title=Republican Senate candidate announces her bid by trashing the Republican Senate|work=Vox|access-date=October 6, 2017|archive-date=October 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005220016/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/10/5/16430792/marsha-blackburn-senate-candidate-corker|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
At October 2013 congressional hearings on the ACA, Blackburn said the website healthcare.gov violated ] and ]. The next day, when a ] interviewer pointed out that the only health-related question the site asked was "do you smoke?", Blackburn repeated her criticism of the site for violating privacy rights.<ref>Cavendish, Steve {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129140159/http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2013/10/25/this-is-what-happens-when-marsha-blackburn-cant-answer-a-simple-question |date=November 29, 2013 }}, '']'', October 25, 2013; retrieved December 5, 2013.</ref> | |||
According to ''The New York Times'' in 2017, Blackburn's best-known legislation was her co-sponsorship of a bill that revised the legal standard the ] (DEA) had used to establish that "a significant and present risk of death or serious bodily harm that is more likely than not to occur", rather than the previous tougher standard of "imminent danger", before suspending the manufacturer's opioid drug shipments.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/investigations/dea-drug-industry-congress|title=How Congress allied with drug company lobbyists to derail the DEA's war on opioids|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 16, 2017|archive-date=October 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016022851/https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/investigations/dea-drug-industry-congress/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> The legislation passed the House and the Senate unanimously, but was criticized in internal Justice Department documents and by the DEA's chief administrative law judge as hampering DEA enforcement actions against drug distribution companies engaging in black-market sales.<ref name=":0" /> Joe Rannazzisi, who had led the DEA's Office of Diversion Control, said he informed Blackburn's staffers what the effects of a 2016 law she co-sponsored would be. Blackburn said her bill had "unintended consequences", but Rannazzisi said they should have been anticipated. He said that during a July 2014 conference call he told congressional staffers the bill would cause more difficulties for the DEA if it pursued corporations that were illegally distributing such drugs.<ref name="DEA"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313221259/https://apnews.com/c597ffffadbd4b7baf7d1c79e453617c |date=March 13, 2020 }}, Jonathan Mattise, October 26, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2019.</ref> Blackburn and Representative ], the main co-sponsor of her House bill, sent a letter requesting an Office of Inspector General investigation about Rannazzisi, saying he tried to intimidate Congress in the July conversation. Rannazzisi said he was removed from his DEA position in August 2015.<ref name="DEA" /> | |||
=== Immigration === | |||
Blackburn supported Trump's 2017 ] imposing a temporary travel and immigration ban barring citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.<ref name="Blake1">{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/29/republicans-on-trump-travel-ban|title=Coffman, Gardner join Republicans against President Trump's travel ban; here's where the rest stand|last1=Blake|first1=Aaron|website=The Denver Post|date=January 29, 2017|access-date=January 30, 2017|archive-date=January 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129222238/http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/29/republicans-on-trump-travel-ban/|url-status=live}}</ref> She has often expressed support of Trump's ], especially his plan to greatly expand the ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Stockard|first=Sam|date=October 12, 2018|title=Blackburn would spend $70B on border wall; Bredesen says he'd put money into technology|url=https://www.dailymemphian.com/article/594/Blackburn-would-spend-70B-on-border-wall-Bredesen-says-hed-put-money-into-technology|work=]|location=Memphis, Tennessee|access-date=December 26, 2018|archive-date=December 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226184220/https://www.dailymemphian.com/article/594/Blackburn-would-spend-70B-on-border-wall-Bredesen-says-hed-put-money-into-technology|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2021, Blackburn visited the southern border of the United States with several other Republican senators; she accused President Biden of encouraging a surge of illegal immigration.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carden |first1=Curtis |title=Sen. Marsha Blackburn visits the U.S. – Mexico border |url=https://www.wate.com/news/tennessee/sen-marsha-blackburn-visits-the-u-s-mexico-border/ |access-date=April 6, 2021 |work=] |date=March 21, 2021 |location=Knoxville |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321234407/https://www.wate.com/news/tennessee/sen-marsha-blackburn-visits-the-u-s-mexico-border/ |archive-date=March 21, 2021}}</ref> | |||
===LGBT rights=== | |||
Blackburn opposes ]<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Boucher|first1=Dave|date=June 26, 2015|title=Gay marriage: Tennessee reacts to landmark decision|work=The Tennessean|location=Nashville|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2015/06/26/reaction-supreme-court-gay-marriage-case/29271663/|url-status=live|access-date=May 2, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200731082208/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2015/06/26/reaction-supreme-court-gay-marriage-case/29271663/|archive-date=July 31, 2020}}</ref> and in 2004 and 2006 voted for proposed constitutional amendments to ban it.<ref name=":6" /> Of the Supreme Court's 2015 decision in '']'', Blackburn said, "Despite this decision, no one can overrule the truth about what marriage actually is—a sacred institution between a man and a woman."<ref>{{cite web|title=Blackburn Statement on SCOTUS Marriage Ruling|url=https://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397760|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628215902/https://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397760|archive-date=June 28, 2015|access-date=October 25, 2017|publisher=House.gov}}</ref> In 2010, she voted against repealing the military's ].<ref>{{cite web|title=House Vote 638 – Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'|date=August 12, 2015|url=https://projects.propublica.org/represent/votes/111/house/2/638|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107004248/https://projects.propublica.org/represent/votes/111/house/2/638|archive-date=November 7, 2017|access-date=October 25, 2017|publisher=ProPublica}}</ref> | |||
During her tenure as a representative, Blackburn sought to remove ], a gay man who worked in the ], saying that Jennings "has played an integral role in promoting homosexuality and pushing a pro-homosexual agenda in America’s schools".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Manzo|first=Kathleen|date=October 23, 2009|title=Controversy Still Swirls Around Safe-Schools Chief|work=Education Week|url=https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/10/28/09jennings.h29.html|access-date=July 12, 2020|archive-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712004726/https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/10/28/09jennings.h29.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2013, Blackburn voted to reauthorize the ] in the House,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Reynard|first1=Mike|date=May 16, 2012|title=Press Release: Blackburn Statement on House Reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act|url=https://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=295739|website=blackburn.house.gov|access-date=January 28, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915080930/http://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=295739|archive-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref> but voted against the Senate's version of the act, which expanded VAWA to apply to people regardless of sexual orientation.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Marsha_Blackburn_Civil_Rights.htm|title=Marsha Blackburn on Civil Rights|website=www.ontheissues.org|access-date=October 17, 2018|archive-date=October 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018003003/http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Marsha_Blackburn_Civil_Rights.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> She argued that increasing the number of targets for VAWA funding would "dilute the money that needs to go into the sexual assault centers, domestic abuse centers, child advocacy centers",<ref name="MSNBC VAWA Interview">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=DAtbkjv2KH0|title=Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) opposed VAWA because it helped too many "different groups"|publisher=MSNBC|access-date=January 28, 2018|date=March 4, 2013|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128200357/https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=DAtbkjv2KH0|url-status=live}}</ref> and said VAWA ought to remain focused on supporting women's shelters and facilitating law enforcement against crimes against women, rather than addressing other groups or issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/politics/2013/03/05/congresswoman-votes-against-vawa-because-lgbt-inclusiveness|title=Congresswoman Votes Against VAWA Because of LGBT Inclusiveness|date=March 5, 2013|publisher=The Advocate|access-date=October 25, 2017|quote=I didn't like the way it was expanded to include other different groups...What you need is something that is focused specifically to help the shelters and to help out law enforcement who is trying to work with the crimes that have been committed against women and helping them to stand up|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107024016/https://www.advocate.com/politics/2013/03/05/congresswoman-votes-against-vawa-because-lgbt-inclusiveness|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Blackburn voted against the ] to ban discrimination against LGBT employees.<ref name=":6" /> In August 2019, she co-signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that ] of the ] does not prohibit employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identity.<ref>{{cite news |last=Caplan |first=Andrew |date=August 28, 2019 |title=Yoho joins GOP call to allow LGBTQ discrimination |url=https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190828/yoho-joins-gop-call-to-allow-lgbtq-discrimination |newspaper=Gainesville Sun |location=Gainesville, FL |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904075407/https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190828/yoho-joins-gop-call-to-allow-lgbtq-discrimination |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-107/113569/20190826112615797_17-1618%20-1623%2018-107%20Amici%20BOM%20Members%20of%20Congress.pdf|title=BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF EMPLOYERS|publisher=supremecourt.gov|access-date=September 3, 2019|archive-date=August 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829010820/https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-107/113569/20190826112615797_17-1618%20-1623%2018-107%20Amici%20BOM%20Members%20of%20Congress.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===SafeSport=== | |||
In October 2021, Blackburn requested feedback from gymnast ] and others on the structural failures of Olympic sport sexual abuse investigations, writing, "This was a systemic failure, and every single person in authority who turned a blind eye to your abuse must be held accountable". She sent the ] a letter demanding answers to questions posed during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on sex offender ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/?p=535052|title=Marsha Blackburn Requests Feedback From USA Gymnasts, SafeSport On Structural Failures In Larry Nassar Investigation|website=Clarksville Online|date=October 13, 2021}}</ref> | |||
=== Supreme Court nominations === | |||
On October 26, 2020, Blackburn voted to confirm ] to the Supreme Court of the United States. Barrett was confirmed by a vote of 52–48.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/116-2020/s224 |title=On the Nomination PN2252: Amy Coney Barrett, of Indiana, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States |website=Govtrack.us |date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106031627/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/116-2020/s224 |archive-date=6 November 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Blackburn wore a mask that read "Grin and Barrett" to the Senate vote.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rollcall.com/2020/10/26/tensions-high-but-drama-largely-absent-at-barretts-senate-confirmation/|title=Tensions high but drama largely absent at Barrett's Senate confirmation|date=October 26, 2020|website=Roll Call |archive-date=6 November 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106031822/https://rollcall.com/2020/10/26/tensions-high-but-drama-largely-absent-at-barretts-senate-confirmation/ |first=Katherine |last=Tully-McManus}}</ref> | |||
On March 22, 2022, during the confirmation hearings for ] nominee ], Blackburn asked Jackson to define the word "woman". "'I can’t—' Jackson replied. 'You can’t?' Blackburn said. 'Not in this context. I’m not a biologist,' Jackson said. 'The meaning of the word woman is so unclear and controversial that you can’t give me a definition?' Blackburn asked."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/22/blackburn-jackson-define-the-word-woman-00019543|title=Blackburn to Jackson: Can you define 'the word woman'?|first=Myah|last=Ward|date=March 22, 2022|website=POLITICO |archive-date=6 November 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106031418/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/22/blackburn-jackson-define-the-word-woman-00019543}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/23/us/politics/ketanji-brown-jackson-woman-definition.html |archive-date=6 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106030752/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/23/us/politics/ketanji-brown-jackson-woman-definition.html |last=Weisman |first=Jonathan |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |title=A demand to define 'woman' injects gender politics into Jackson's confirmation hearings |work=The New York Times |date=23 March 2022}}</ref> On April 7, 2022, the Senate voted 53–47 to confirm Jackson to the Supreme Court; Blackburn voted against Jackson's confirmation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1172/vote_117_2_00134.htm |title=Roll Call Vote 117th Congress - 2nd Session |quote=Question: On the Nomination (Confirmation: Ketanji Brown Jackson, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States). |website=Senate.gov |date=April 7, 2022 |archive-date=6 November 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106031215/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1172/vote_117_2_00134.htm}}</ref> | |||
=== Tech policy and antitrust === | |||
Blackburn has advocated increased regulation of technology companies and criticized alleged anti-conservative bias on major platforms.<ref name="dailybeast20201028" /> In June 2018, she published an op-ed arguing for greater oversight and restrictions on tech companies that sparked a vocal backlash among ] employees.<ref name="tennesseestar">{{cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Jason|date=October 2, 2018|title=Senior Google Software Engineer Calls Marsha Blackburn 'Terrorist' and 'Violent Thug,' Supports Censorship|url=https://tennesseestar.com/2018/10/02/senior-google-software-engineer-calls-marsha-blackburn-terrorist-and-violent-thug-supports-censorship/|work=Tennessee Star|access-date=October 1, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101000834/https://tennesseestar.com/2018/10/02/senior-google-software-engineer-calls-marsha-blackburn-terrorist-and-violent-thug-supports-censorship/|url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=March 2021}}</ref> During a 2020 ] hearing in which she claimed that tech companies stifle free speech, Blackburn asked Google chief ] about the employment status of an employee who had criticized her.<ref name="politico20201028">{{cite news |last=Overly |first=Steven |date=October 28, 2020 |title=Blackburn asks Google if employee who criticized her still has a job |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/28/blackburn-questions-google-employee-433312 |work=Politico |location=Washington DC |access-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028190137/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/28/blackburn-questions-google-employee-433312 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="dailybeast20201028">{{cite news |last=Montgomery |first=Bale |date=October 28, 2020 |title=Sen. Blackburn Asks Google CEO If He Fired an Engineer Who Was Mean to Her |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/sen-marsha-blackburn-asks-google-ceo-sundar-pichai-if-he-fired-an-engineer-who-was-mean-to-her |work=The Daily Beast |access-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101040839/https://www.thedailybeast.com/sen-marsha-blackburn-asks-google-ceo-sundar-pichai-if-he-fired-an-engineer-who-was-mean-to-her |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="esquire">{{cite news |last=Pierce |first=Charles |date=October 29, 2020 |title=Sen. Blackburn Asks Google CEO If He Fired an Engineer Who Was Mean to Her |url=https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a34524589/tennessee-state-legislator-prescibe-opioids-lover-second-cousin/ |work=Esquire |access-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102081304/https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a34524589/tennessee-state-legislator-prescibe-opioids-lover-second-cousin/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In the ], Blackburn introduced the bipartisan ] alongside Senators ] and ]. The legislation is intended to curb ] and ], the operators of the ] and ], from engaging in ] in ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blumenthal, Blackburn & Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Antitrust Legislation to Promote App Store Competition {{!}} U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut |url=https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-blackburn-and-klobuchar-introduce-bipartisan-antitrust-legislation-to-promote-app-store-competition |access-date=2022-02-26 |website=www.blumenthal.senate.gov |date=August 11, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Feiner |first=Lauren |title=Senate committee advances bill targeting Google and Apple's app store profitability |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/03/senate-committee-advances-open-app-markets-act.html |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=CNBC |date=February 3, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Blackburn also worked with Blumenthal to introduce children's online child safety legislation, known as the ] (KOSA).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Sara |date=2023-02-15 |title=The new Congress is enlisting kids in its ongoing fight with Big Tech |url=https://www.vox.com/recode/2023/2/15/23599879/congress-children-safety-online-big-tech |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Vox |language=en}}</ref> | |||
===Telecommunications policy=== | |||
Blackburn opposes ], calling it "socialistic".<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/why-marsha-blackburns-rise-is-bad-news-for-net-neutrality-and-science|title=Why Marsha Blackburn's Rise Is Bad News for Net Neutrality and Science|first=Sam|last=Gustin|work=Motherboard|date=January 10, 2017 |publisher=]|quote=Blackburn has waged a relentless campaign against the FCC's policy safeguarding net neutrality, the principle that all internet content should be equally accessible, which she has disparaged as "socialistic."|access-date=March 30, 2017|archive-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330181833/https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/why-marsha-blackburns-rise-is-bad-news-for-net-neutrality-and-science|url-status=live}}</ref> She opposes ] initiatives that aim to compete with ]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/business/2015/03/republicans-internet-freedom-act-would-wipe-out-net-neutrality|title=Republicans' "Internet Freedom Act" would wipe out net neutrality|last1=Brodkin|first1=Jon|website=Arstechnica.com|date=March 5, 2015|access-date=February 26, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304193857/https://arstechnica.com/business/2015/03/republicans-internet-freedom-act-would-wipe-out-net-neutrality/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/business/2014/07/congresswoman-defends-states-rights-to-protect-isps-from-muni-competition|title=Congresswoman defends "states' rights" to protect ISPs from muni competition|last1=Brodkin|first1=Jon|website=Ars Technica|date=July 16, 2014|access-date=February 26, 2017|archive-date=February 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225140305/https://arstechnica.com/business/2014/07/congresswoman-defends-states-rights-to-protect-isps-from-muni-competition/|url-status=live}}</ref> She supported bills that restrict municipalities from creating their own broadband networks, and wrote a bill to prevent the ] (FCC) from ] state laws that blocked municipal broadband.<ref>Eggerton, John (July 16, 2014) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115034812/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/washington/blackburn-bill-would-block-fcc-preemption/132468 |date=November 15, 2015 }}, ''Broadcasting & Cable''; retrieved December 30, 2015.</ref><ref>Sirota, David (July 16, 2014) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801095908/http://www.ibtimes.com/marsha-blackburn-r-tn-why-one-congresswoman-wants-block-fast-cheap-internet-her-1630060 |date=August 1, 2016 }}, ''International Business Times''; retrieved December 30, 2015.</ref> | |||
In 2017, Blackburn introduced to the House a measure to dismantle an Obama-administration online privacy rule that the FCC adopted in October 2016.<ref name="KangBlackburn">Cecilia Kang, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329205940/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/28/technology/congress-votes-to-overturn-obama-era-online-privacy-rules.html |date=March 29, 2017 }}, ''New York Times'' (March 28, 2017).</ref> Her measure, which was supported by ]s but criticized by privacy advocates, repealed the rule that required broadband providers to obtain consumers' permission before sharing their online data, including browsing histories.<ref name="KangBlackburn" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vocativ.com/415597/house-vote-internet-providers-sell-browsing-history|title=House Votes To Let Internet Providers Sell Your Browsing History|date=March 28, 2017|website=Vocativ.com|access-date=March 28, 2017|archive-date=March 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329015652/http://www.vocativ.com/415597/house-vote-internet-providers-sell-browsing-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> The measure passed the House in a party-line vote in March 2017, after a similar measure passed the Senate the same week.<ref name="KangBlackburn" /> She subsequently proposed legislation that expanded the requirement to include internet companies as well as broadband providers.<ref>Ali Breland, , ''The Hill'', May 19, 2017.</ref> As of 2017, Blackburn had accepted at least $693,000 in campaign contributions from telecom companies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Collier|first=Kevin|url=http://www.vocativ.com/415350/house-rep-pushing-to-set-back-online-privacy-rakes-in-industry-funds/|title=House Rep. Pushing To Set Back Online Privacy Rakes In Industry Funds|date=March 28, 2017|website=Vocativ.com|access-date=March 28, 2017|archive-date=March 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328133238/http://www.vocativ.com/415350/house-rep-pushing-to-set-back-online-privacy-rakes-in-industry-funds/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/meet-marsha-blackburn-big-telecoms-best-friend-in-congress|date=July 16, 2014|title=Meet Marsha Blackburn, Big Telecom's Best Friend in Congress|first=Sam|last=Gustin|work=Motherboard|publisher=]|quote=Blackburn has also been a major recipient of financial support from the nation's largest telecom and cable companies.|access-date=March 30, 2017|archive-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330181856/https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/meet-marsha-blackburn-big-telecoms-best-friend-in-congress|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
=== Women's rights === | |||
In 2009, Blackburn voted against the ] and the ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/06/09/the-fringe-factor-women-don-t-want-equal-pay-laws|title=The Fringe Factor: Women Don't Want Equal Pay Laws|last=Dickson|first=Caitlin|date=June 9, 2013|work=The Daily Beast|access-date=May 9, 2018|language=en|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128200424/https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-fringe-factor-women-dont-want-equal-pay-laws|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Personal life== | |||
Marsha married Chuck Blackburn in 1974.<ref name=Baker/><ref>{{Cite news |date=1974-09-29 |title=Mary Marsha Wedgeworth wedding notice |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger/67072613/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |work=Clarion-Ledger |pages=58}}</ref> They live in ], a suburb of Nashville in Williamson County,<ref name=bio>{{cite web|title=Marsha Blackburn Congress|url=http://blackburn.house.gov/biography|website=Marsha Blackburn Biography|access-date=November 16, 2016|archive-date=November 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115152552/http://blackburn.house.gov/biography/|url-status=live}}</ref> and have two children.<ref name=Baker/> She is a ] and a member of ].<ref name=CM>Barnette, Amy, , '']'', June 30, 2010; retrieved December 5, 2013.{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018000422/http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/jun/30/marsha-blackburn----7th-congressional-district/|date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> | |||
Blackburn is a member of ], a prayer group that includes members of Congress.<ref name=cst> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724155034/http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/07/21/c_street/print.html|date=July 24, 2009}}, Salon.com, July 21, 2009.</ref> She is a former member of the ] Advisory Board.<ref name=bio/> | |||
Blackburn is the author of ''The Mind of a Conservative Woman: Seeking the Best for Family and Country''. The book was published on September 1, 2020, by ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sharp |first1=Ashley |title=Sen. Marsha Blackburn speaks on new book release |url=https://www.wkrn.com/news/sen-marsha-blackburn-speaks-on-new-book-release/ |website=WKRN News 2 |access-date=October 6, 2021 |date=September 20, 2020}}</ref> | |||
== Electoral history == | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%" | {| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%" | ||
|+ {{ushr|Tennessee|6|}}: 1992 results<ref name="clerkresults">{{cite web |url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |
|+ {{ushr|Tennessee|6|}}: 1992 results<ref name="clerkresults">{{cite web|title=Election Statistics|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730201058/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html|archive-date=July 30, 2008|access-date=January 10, 2008|publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives}}</ref>{{efn|Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1992, write-ins received 10 votes.}} | ||
! Year | ! Year | ||
! | ! | ||
Line 124: | Line 290: | ||
! | ! | ||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |] | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |''']''' | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |''']''' '''(incumbent)''' | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |120,177 | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |'''120,177''' | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |57% | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''57%''' | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Marsha Blackburn | | {{Party shading/Republican}} |Marsha Blackburn | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |86,289 | | {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |86,289 | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |41% | | {{Party shading/Republican}} |41% | ||
| | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |H. Scott Benson | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |] | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |5,952 | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3% | |||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |H. Scott Benson | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |] | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |5,952 | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3% | |||
| |'''*''' | |||
|- | |||
|} | |} | ||
{{refbegin}} | |||
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1992, write-ins received 10 votes. | |||
{{refend}} | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%" | {| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%" | ||
|+ {{ushr|Tennessee|7|}}: Results |
|+ {{ushr|Tennessee|7|}}: Results 2002–2016<ref name="clerkresults" /><ref>{{cite web|title=2014 Midterm Election Results |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Elections/Tennessee|access-date=February 26, 2017|website=Abcnews.go.com|archive-date=February 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214140908/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Elections/Tennessee|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=State of Tennessee: State General: November 4, 2014|url=http://share.tn.gov/sos/election/results/20141104_CountyTotals_01.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905205830/http://share.tn.gov/sos/election/results/20141104_CountyTotals_01.pdf|archive-date=September 5, 2015|access-date=February 26, 2017|website=Share.tn.gov}}</ref> | ||
! Year | ! Year | ||
! | ! | ||
Line 165: | Line 326: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |] | ||
| {{efn|Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 2002, write-ins received 31 votes.}} | |||
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Tim Barron | |||
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |51,790 | |||
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |26% | |||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/ |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Marsha Blackburn'''}} | ||
|{{Party shading/ |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''138,314''' | ||
|{{Party shading/ |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''71%''' | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/ |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |Rick Patterson | ||
|{{Party shading/ |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |] | ||
|{{Party shading/ |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |5,423 | ||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3% | |||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Rick Patterson | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |] | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |5,423 | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3% | |||
| |'''*''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |] | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |''(no candidate)'' | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |''(no candidate)'' | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" | | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" | | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} | | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn''' | | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn''' '''(incumbent)''' | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |232,404 | | {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''232,404''' | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |100% | | {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''100%''' | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 197: | Line 358: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |] | ||
| {{efn|Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 2006, James B. "Mickey" White received 898 votes; William J. Smith received 848 votes; John L. Rimer received 710 votes, and Gayl G. Pratt received 663 votes.}} | |||
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Bill Morrison | |||
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |73,369 | |||
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |32% | |||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/ |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn''' '''(incumbent)''' | ||
|{{Party shading/ |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''152,288''' | ||
|{{Party shading/ |
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''66%''' | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/ |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |Kathleen A. Culver | ||
|{{Party shading/ |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |] | ||
|{{Party shading/ |
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1,806 | ||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1% | |||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Kathleen A. Culver | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |] | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1,806 | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1% | |||
| |'''*''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |] | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Randy Morris | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Randy Morris | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |98,207 | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |98,207 | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |31% | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |31% | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn''' | | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn''' '''(incumbent)''' | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |214,214 | | {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''214,214''' | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |69% | | {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''69%''' | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
Line 230: | Line 391: | ||
|] | |] | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Greg Rabidoux | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Greg Rabidoux | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |54,341 | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |54,341 | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |25% | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |25% | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn''' | | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn''' '''(incumbent)''' | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |158,892 | | {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''158,892''' | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |72% | | {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''72%''' | ||
| | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |J.W. Stone | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |] | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |6,319 | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3% | |||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |J.W. Stone | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |] | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |6,319 | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3% | |||
| |'''*''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |] | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Credo Amouzouvik | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Credo Amouzouvik | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |61,050 | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |61,050 | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |24% | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |24% | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn''' | | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn''' '''(incumbent)''' | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |180,775 | | {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''180,775''' | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |71% | | {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''71%''' | ||
| | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |Howard Switzer | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |Green | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |4,584 | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |2% | |||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Howard Switzer | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |] | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |4,584 | |||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |2% | |||
| |'''*''' | |||
|- | |||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |] | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Daniel Cramer | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Daniel Cramer | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |42,280 | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |42,280 | ||
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |26.8% | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |26.8% | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn''' | | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn''' '''(incumbent)''' | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |110,534 | | {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''110,534''' | ||
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |69.9% | | {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''69.9%''' | ||
| | | | ||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Leonard Ladner | | {{Party shading/Independent}} |Leonard Ladner | ||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |] | | {{Party shading/Independent}} |] | ||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |5,093 | | {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |5,093 | ||
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3.2% | | {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3.2% | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |||
| | |||
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Tharon Chandler | |||
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |65,226 | |||
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} |23.5% | |||
| | |||
| {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn''' '''(incumbent)''' | |||
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''200,407''' | |||
| {{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''72.2%''' | |||
| | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |Leonard Ladner | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} |] | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |11,880 | |||
| {{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |4.3% | |||
| | |||
|} | |} | ||
{{Election box begin|title=]<ref>{{cite web|title=November 6, 2018 Unofficial Election Results|url=https://elections.tn.gov/results.php?ByOffice=United%20States%20Senate|publisher=Tennessee Secretary of State|access-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref>}} | |||
{{refbegin}}<nowiki>*</nowiki>Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 2002, write-ins received 31 votes. In 2006, James B. "Mickey" White received 898 votes; William J. Smith received 848 votes; John L. Rimer received 710 votes; and Gayl G. Pratt received 663 votes. | |||
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|candidate=Marsha Blackburn|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=1,227,483|percentage=54.71%|change=-10.18%}} | |||
{{refend}} | |||
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=]|votes=985,450|percentage=43.92%|change=+13.51%}} | |||
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (United States)|candidate=Trudy Austin|votes=9,455|percentage=0.42%|change=N/A}} | |||
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (United States)|candidate=Dean Hill|votes=8,717|percentage=0.39%|change=N/A}} | |||
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (United States)|candidate=Kris L. Todd|votes=5,084|percentage=0.23%|change=N/A}} | |||
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (United States)|candidate=John Carico|votes=3,398|percentage=0.15%|change=N/A}} | |||
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (United States)|candidate=Breton Phillips|votes=2,226|percentage=0.10%|change=N/A}} | |||
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (United States)|candidate=Kevin Lee McCants|votes=1,927|percentage=0.09%|change=N/A}} | |||
{{Election box total|votes=2,243,740|percentage=100.00%|change=N/A}} | |||
{{Election box hold with party link no swing|winner=Republican Party (United States)}} | |||
{{Election box end}} | |||
{{Election box begin |title=]<ref>{{Cite report|date=December 2, 2024|title=State of Tennessee General Election Results, November 5, 2024, Results By Office|url=https://sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com/s3fs-public/document/20241105GeneralbyOffice.pdf|publisher=Secretary of State of Tennessee|access-date=December 29, 2024}}</ref>}} | |||
==Personal life== | |||
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=] (incumbent)|votes=1,918,743|percentage=63.80%|change=+9.09%}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=]|votes=1,027,461|percentage=34.16%|change=-9.76%}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent|candidate=Tharon Chandler|votes=28,444|percentage=0.95%|change=N/A}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent|candidate=Pamela Moses|votes=24,682|percentage=0.82%|change=N/A}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent|candidate=Hastina Robinson|votes=8,278|percentage=0.28%|change=N/A}}{{Election box total | |||
Blackburn is married to Chuck Blackburn,<ref name=Baker/> and they live in ], a suburb of Nashville in Williamson County.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|title=Marsha Blackburn Congress|url=http://blackburn.house.gov/biography/|website=Marsha Blackburn Biography|accessdate= 2016-11-16}}</ref> The couple have two children.<ref name=Baker/> Her husband is the founder of the International Bow Tie Society (IBTS).<ref name=bowtie>. Retrieved 5 December 2013.</ref> She is Presbyterian<ref name=CM>Barnette, Amy, , '']'', 30 June 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2013.</ref> and her church, ],<ref name=CM/> is affiliated with the ].<ref>, Christ Presbyterian Church, "About Us"</ref><ref>, Associated Press</ref> She is a member of ], a prayer group that includes members of Congress.<ref name=cst>, Salon.com July 21, 2009</ref> She is a former member of the Smithsonian Libraries Advisory Board.<ref name=bio/> | |||
|votes =3,007,608 | |||
|percentage =100.00% | |||
}}{{Election box end}} | |||
==See also== | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
==Notes== | |||
{{notelist}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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{{wikiquote}} | |||
* official U.S. House site | |||
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* {{Dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Tennessee/Government/Federal/US_House_of_Representatives/Marsha_Blackburn_%5BR-7%5D}} | |||
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* {{C-SPAN|marshablackburn}} | |||
* {{C-SPAN|31226}} | |||
{{CongLinks | congbio = b001243 | ballot = Marsha_Blackburn | nndb = 371/000032275 | votesmart = 25186 | govtrack = 400032 | opencong = 400032 | rollcall = | politifact = marsha-blackburn | fec = H2TN06030 | opensecrets = N00003105 | assets = marsha-blackburn | legistorm = 129/Rep_Marsha_Wedgeworth_Blackburn_TN.html | followthemoney = | ontheissues = House/Marsha_Blackburn.htm | congress = marsha-blackburn/1748 | worldcat = | cspan = 31226 | imdb = 3628842 | bloomberg = | nyt = | washpo = gIQALZuKAP }} | |||
* {{CongLinks | congbio=B001243 | votesmart=25186 | fec=S8TN00337 | congress=marsha-blackburn/B001243}} | |||
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{{s-start}} | {{s-start}} | ||
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{{s-bef|before=Keith Jordan}} | {{s-bef|before=]}} | ||
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{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Tennessee Senate<br>from the 23rd district|years=1999–2003}} | ||
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{{s-bef|before=]}} | {{s-bef|before=]}} | ||
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the ]<br>from ]|years= |
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the ]<br>from ]|years=2003–2019}} | ||
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{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|Republican nominee for ] from Tennessee}}<br>(])|years=], ]}} | |||
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{{s-ttl|title=]|years=2019–present|alongside=], ]}} | |||
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{{s-ttl|title=] <br>''{{small|as United States Senator from ]}} ''|years=}} | ||
{{s-aft|after=]}} | {{s-aft|after=]|as=United States Senator from ]}} | ||
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{{United States senators from Tennessee}} | |||
{{TN-FedRep}} | {{TN-FedRep}} | ||
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{{USCongRep-start|congresses= 108th––present ]es |state=]}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 20:39, 4 January 2025
American politician (born 1952) "Senator Blackburn" redirects here. For other uses, see Senator Blackburn (disambiguation).
Marsha Blackburn | |
---|---|
Official portrait, 2019 | |
United States Senator from Tennessee | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office January 3, 2019Serving with Bill Hagerty | |
Preceded by | Bob Corker |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 7th district | |
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Ed Bryant |
Succeeded by | Mark Green |
Member of the Tennessee Senate from the 23rd district | |
In office January 12, 1999 – January 3, 2003 | |
Preceded by | Keith Jordan |
Succeeded by | Jim Bryson |
Executive Director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission | |
In office February 1995 – June 1997 | |
Governor | Don Sundquist |
Preceded by | Dancy Jones |
Succeeded by | Anne Pope |
Personal details | |
Born | Mary Marsha Wedgeworth (1952-06-06) June 6, 1952 (age 72) Laurel, Mississippi, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse |
Chuck Blackburn (m. 1975) |
Children | 2 |
Residence(s) | Brentwood, Tennessee, U.S. |
Education | Mississippi State University (BS) |
Website | Senate website |
Marsha Blackburn's voice
Marsha Blackburn on data privacy concerns in tech regulation Recorded January 20, 2022 | |
Mary Marsha Blackburn (née Wedgeworth; born June 6, 1952) is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Tennessee. Blackburn was first elected to the Senate in 2018. A member of the Republican Party, Blackburn was a state senator from 1999 to 2003 and represented Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2003 to 2019, during which time the National Journal rated her among the House's most conservative members.
A supporter of the Tea Party movement, Blackburn is a staunch backer of president-elect Donald Trump. She opposes abortion, same-sex marriage, and the Affordable Care Act. On November 6, 2018, Blackburn became the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee, defeating Democratic former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen. Blackburn became the state's senior senator in January 2021 upon the retirement of Senator Lamar Alexander. Upon the retirement of Congressman Jim Cooper in 2023, she became the dean of Tennessee's congressional delegation. She won reelection to a second Senate term in 2024 against Democratic nominee Gloria Johnson.
Early life and education
Marsha Wedgeworth was born in Laurel, Mississippi, to Mary Jo (Morgan) and Hilman Wedgeworth, who worked in sales and management. She placed fourth during a beauty pageant in high school.
Blackburn attended Mississippi State University on a 4-H scholarship, earning a Bachelor of Science in home economics in 1974. Blackburn was a member of the Chi Omega sorority, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Little Sisters of Minerva (an auxiliary to a male fraternity) and was elected both as secretary and president of the Associated Women Students at Mississippi State University, wherein she worked to advance social issues through the AWS Zero Population Growth and the AWS venereal disease programs.
Early career and political activity
In 1973, before graduating from college, Blackburn worked as a sales manager for the Times Mirror Company. From 1975 to 1978, she worked in the Castner Knott Division of Mercantile Stores, Inc. In 1978, she became the owner of Marketing Strategies, a promotion-event management firm. As of 2016, Blackburn continued to run this business.
Blackburn was a founding member of the Williamson County Young Republicans. She was chair of the Williamson County Republican Party from 1989 to 1991. In 1992, she ran for Congress in Tennessee's 6th congressional district, losing to incumbent Bart Gordon, and was a delegate to the 1992 Republican National Convention. In 1995, Blackburn was appointed executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission by Tennessee governor Don Sundquist, holding that post through 1997.
Blackburn was a member of the Tennessee Senate from 1998 to 2003, and rose to be minority whip. In 2000, she took part in the effort to prevent the passage of a state income tax bill.
U.S. House of Representatives
Redistricting after the 2000 census moved Blackburn's home from the 6th district into the 7th district, and created a gerrymandered district that stretched for 200 miles from eastern Memphis to southwest Nashville. In 2002, Blackburn ran in the Republican primary for this congressional seat. Of the four main candidates, she was the only one from the Nashville suburbs. The other three (Mark Norris, David Kustoff, and Brent Taylor) were all from Memphis or its suburbs. Blackburn was endorsed by the conservative Club for Growth. The three Memphians split the vote in that area, and she won the primary by nearly 20 percentage points.
In the general election, Blackburn defeated Democratic nominee Tim Barron with 70% of the vote. She was the fourth woman elected to Congress from Tennessee, and the first woman elected to Congress from Tennessee who did not succeed her husband. She was reelected seven times.
Tenure
Blackburn served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2019. During her House tenure, the National Journal rated her among the House's most conservative members.
In November 2007, Blackburn unsuccessfully ran for Republican conference chair. She was a senior advisor on Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential campaign, before resigning her position in the Romney campaign and endorsing Fred Thompson for president. Blackburn was an assistant whip in Congress from 2003 to 2005, as well as deputy whip from 2005.
Committee assignments
- Committee on the Budget
- Committee on Education and the Workforce
- Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, vice-chair
- Subcommittee on Communications and the Internet, chair
- Subcommittee on Health Care
- Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, vice-chair – Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
- Committee on Judiciary
- Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
- Select Investigative Panel on Planned Parenthood, chair
U.S. Senate
2018 election
Main article: 2018 United States Senate election in TennesseeIn October 2017, Blackburn announced her candidacy for the Senate seat being vacated by Bob Corker. In her announcement, she said that House Republicans were frustrated with Senate Republicans, who they believed acted like Democrats on important issues, including Obamacare. In the announcement, Blackburn called herself a "hardcore, card-carrying Tennessee conservative", said she was "politically incorrect", and noted with pride that liberals had called her a "wingnut". She dismissed compromise and bipartisanship, saying "No compromise, no apologies." She also said that she carried a gun in her purse. On August 2, Blackburn received 610,302 votes (84.48%) in the Republican primary, winning the nomination.
Blackburn largely backed President Donald Trump's policies, including a U.S.–Mexico border wall, and shared his opinion of National Football League national anthem protests. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence endorsed her. During the campaign, Blackburn pledged to support Trump's agenda and suggested that Bredesen would not.
For most of the campaign, polls showed the two candidates nearly tied. But after Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Blackburn pulled ahead. Some believe the hearings mobilized Republican voters in the state, even though Democrats won the House. Blackburn won the election with 54.7% of the vote to Bredesen's 43.9%, an unexpectedly large margin. She carried all but three counties in the state (Davidson, Shelby, and Haywood), the most counties ever won in an open Senate election in Tennessee.
2024 election
Main article: 2024 United States Senate election in TennesseeThe primaries took place on August 1, 2024, with Blackburn and Democratic state representative nominee Gloria Johnson winning their respective party nominations. This was the first all-woman general election for a Tennessee senate seat.
Blackburn was re-elected with 63.8% of the vote to Bredesen's 34.2%. She carried all but two counties in the state (Davidson and Shelby).
There was speculation that Blackburn could be Donald Trump's running mate in his 2024 presidential campaign, but Trump instead chose JD Vance.
Senate tenure
Blackburn was sworn in as a U.S. senator on January 3, 2019. She is the first woman in history to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate. Upon the retirement of Senator Lamar Alexander in 2021, Blackburn became the senior U.S. senator from Tennessee.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- Committee on Finance
- Committee on the Judiciary
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Political positions
Blackburn is a Tea Party Republican. She has been called staunchly conservative, and has sometimes attended functions of, and met with leaders of, far-right groups. She has called herself "a hard-core, card-carrying Tennessee conservative."
GovTrack estimated Blackburn to be the most ideologically conservative member of the Senate in the 2019 legislative year. In 2024, Blackburn served as chairperson for the Republican National Committee's official party platform.
Abortion and stem cell research
Blackburn opposes abortion and sought to overturn Roe v. Wade. In 2013, she was chosen to manage debate on a bill promoted by House Republicans that would have prohibited abortions after 22 weeks' gestation, with limited exceptions for rape or incest. She replaced the bill's prior sponsor, U.S. Representative Trent Franks, after Franks made controversial and dubious statements.
In 2015, Blackburn led a panel that investigated the Planned Parenthood undercover video controversy, in which anti-abortion activists published a video purporting to show that Planned Parenthood illicitly sold fetal tissue. Subsequent investigations into Planned Parenthood found no evidence of fetal tissue sales or of wrongdoing, but in 2017, when Blackburn announced that she was running for Senate, she ran a controversial advertisement saying that she "fought Planned Parenthood and we stopped the sale of baby body parts". In 2015, Blackburn claimed that 94% of Planned Parenthood's business revolves around abortion services, which FactCheck.org found to be "wrong" and that "no one can say for sure what the percentage is".
In March 2016, Blackburn chaired the Republican-led Select Investigative Panel, a committee convened to "explore the ethical implications of using fetal tissue in biomedical research". Democrats on the panel characterized the probe as a politically motivated witch hunt.
Birth certificate bill
In 2009, Blackburn sponsored legislation requiring presidential candidates to show their birth certificates. The bill was in response to conspiracy theories, commonly known as "birther" theories, that alleged that Barack Obama was not born in the United States. Her spokesperson said that Blackburn did not doubt that Obama was an American citizen.
China
In December 2020, Blackburn posted, "China has a 5,000-year history of cheating and stealing. Some things will never change..." on her Twitter account. The European Union bureau chief for China's state-owned China Daily, Chen Weihua, responded by tweeting, "This is the most racist and ignorant US Senator I have seen. A lifetime bitch". In what appeared to be a thinly veiled reference to Chen, Blackburn asserted in response that the U.S. would "not bow down to sexist communist thugs". One of Chen's tweets was, with an apparently sarcastic comment, retweeted by Republican Senator Marco Rubio. The Chinese American rights group Tennessee Chinese American Alliance protested Blackburn's comments as insulting to the Chinese community.
In August 2022, Blackburn led a congressional delegation to Taiwan, where she met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. Her delegation was the third such delegation to visit Taiwan following Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit early that month. During her visit, Blackburn voiced support for Taiwan, calling it an "independent nation" and a "country", and also supported further U.S.-Taiwan relations and combating the "New Axis of Evil", which she defines as Iran, Russia, and North Korea, led by China. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and condemns most visits by U.S. lawmakers.
In July 2023, Blackburn criticized the movie Barbie for "bending to Beijing to make a quick buck" after it was alleged the film contained a map of the world displaying the nine-dash line, a territorial claim by China to the South China Sea that the international community rejects. In a statement addressing like criticisms, Warner Bros., Barbie's production company, said the map was a "child-like crayon drawing . . . not intended to make any type of statement".
In 2024, Blackburn was targeted by the Chinese government's Spamouflage influence operation.
Israel
In October 2023, Blackburn voiced support for Israel during the Israel–Hamas war, saying, "The United States has a moral obligation to defend Israel, and as Israel is surrounded by hostile actors funded by Iran who seek the destruction of the Jewish state and deny its right to exist, that's a solemn responsibility."
Climate change
Blackburn rejects the scientific consensus on climate change. In a 2014 debate with science communicator Bill Nye, Blackburn rejected the science and urgency of the issue, claiming that there is "no consensus" in the scientific community about the causes of climate change.
Contraception and the right to privacy
In March 2022, Blackburn called Griswold v. Connecticut, a landmark Supreme Court decision holding that the Constitution protects the liberty of married couples to buy and use contraceptives without government restriction, "constitutionally unsound" as a ruling that "gave the court permission to bypass our system of checks and balances".
Donald Trump
Blackburn strongly supports Donald Trump.
In November 2016, Blackburn joined Trump's presidential transition team as vice chair. She was a staunch supporter of his and backed most of his policies and proposals. She nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize for his negotiations with North Korea. Vox speculated that Blackburn's ties to Trump, who won Tennessee in the 2016 election by 26 points, helped boost her Senate candidacy.
During Trump's first Senate impeachment trial, Blackburn left the chamber for a television interview. She also garnered attention by reading a book during the proceedings. Blackburn spent time during the trial to tweet about Alexander Vindman, calling him unpatriotic for allegedly "badmouth and ridicul" the U.S. in front of Russia. In November 2019, #MoscowMarcia started trending on Twitter after Blackburn tweeted allegations against Vindman on her Twitter account. The Week characterized her tweet as a "conspiratorial smear". In her post, she wrote "Vindictive Vindman is the 'whistleblower's' handler". The tweet was in reference to Vindman, a decorated army official and Purple Heart veteran, who became a central figure in Trump's impeachment proceedings in Congress after testifying he heard Trump pressure the president of Ukraine to investigate the son of one of his chief political rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden.
After Biden won the 2020 United States presidential election, Blackburn supported Trump's false claims of victory and raised funds to support the Trump campaign's effort to overturn the election results in court. In an interview on November 20, she briefly called Biden the "president-elect" but later retracted this as a mistake. On January 2, 2021, Blackburn and 10 other Republican senators announced that they would vote to oppose certification of the results of the election on January 6, the joint session of Congress in which the certification of a presidential election occurs, citing false allegations of widespread election fraud, irregularities, and unconstitutional changes to voting laws and voting restrictions. But after a mob of Trump supporters violently stormed Capitol Hill that day, she voted to certify the results of the election.
In May 2021, Blackburn abstained from voting on the creation of the January 6 commission.
Education
In 2021, when President Biden proposed universal pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds and subsidized child care for low- and middle-income families, Blackburn likened the proposal to the communist policies of the Soviet Union. She also falsely claimed that the Biden administration proposed to put children in pre-K even if their parents did not want to send them there.
Fiscal policy
Blackburn was among the 31 Senate Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which raised the U.S. debt ceiling.
Gun rights
After the 2018 Thousand Oaks shooting on November 7, 2018, which resulted in 12 deaths, Blackburn responded to a question about the shooting in a Fox News interview by saying, "how do we make certain that we protect the Second Amendment and protect our citizens? We've always done that in this country. Mental health issues need to be addressed."
In March 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Blackburn for accepting over $1 million in campaign donations from the National Rifle Association of America and voting against gun control measures, including the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which passed in 2022.
Health care and pharmaceuticals
Blackburn opposed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), saying upon its passage, "freedom dies a little bit today." She supported efforts to repeal the legislation. In 2017, while arguing for its repeal, Blackburn falsely said that two of its popular provisions (protections for people with preexisting conditions and allowing adult children to be on their parents' health plans until they're 26) "were two Republican provisions which made it into the bill." In her declaration that she would run for the Senate in 2018, she said that the failure to repeal the ACA was "a disgrace".
At October 2013 congressional hearings on the ACA, Blackburn said the website healthcare.gov violated HIPAA and health information privacy rights. The next day, when a CNN interviewer pointed out that the only health-related question the site asked was "do you smoke?", Blackburn repeated her criticism of the site for violating privacy rights.
According to The New York Times in 2017, Blackburn's best-known legislation was her co-sponsorship of a bill that revised the legal standard the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had used to establish that "a significant and present risk of death or serious bodily harm that is more likely than not to occur", rather than the previous tougher standard of "imminent danger", before suspending the manufacturer's opioid drug shipments. The legislation passed the House and the Senate unanimously, but was criticized in internal Justice Department documents and by the DEA's chief administrative law judge as hampering DEA enforcement actions against drug distribution companies engaging in black-market sales. Joe Rannazzisi, who had led the DEA's Office of Diversion Control, said he informed Blackburn's staffers what the effects of a 2016 law she co-sponsored would be. Blackburn said her bill had "unintended consequences", but Rannazzisi said they should have been anticipated. He said that during a July 2014 conference call he told congressional staffers the bill would cause more difficulties for the DEA if it pursued corporations that were illegally distributing such drugs. Blackburn and Representative Tom Marino, the main co-sponsor of her House bill, sent a letter requesting an Office of Inspector General investigation about Rannazzisi, saying he tried to intimidate Congress in the July conversation. Rannazzisi said he was removed from his DEA position in August 2015.
Immigration
Blackburn supported Trump's 2017 executive order imposing a temporary travel and immigration ban barring citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. She has often expressed support of Trump's immigration policy, especially his plan to greatly expand the Mexico–United States barrier. In March 2021, Blackburn visited the southern border of the United States with several other Republican senators; she accused President Biden of encouraging a surge of illegal immigration.
LGBT rights
Blackburn opposes same-sex marriage and in 2004 and 2006 voted for proposed constitutional amendments to ban it. Of the Supreme Court's 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, Blackburn said, "Despite this decision, no one can overrule the truth about what marriage actually is—a sacred institution between a man and a woman." In 2010, she voted against repealing the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.
During her tenure as a representative, Blackburn sought to remove Kevin Jennings, a gay man who worked in the United States Department of Education, saying that Jennings "has played an integral role in promoting homosexuality and pushing a pro-homosexual agenda in America’s schools".
In 2013, Blackburn voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act in the House, but voted against the Senate's version of the act, which expanded VAWA to apply to people regardless of sexual orientation. She argued that increasing the number of targets for VAWA funding would "dilute the money that needs to go into the sexual assault centers, domestic abuse centers, child advocacy centers", and said VAWA ought to remain focused on supporting women's shelters and facilitating law enforcement against crimes against women, rather than addressing other groups or issues.
Blackburn voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to ban discrimination against LGBT employees. In August 2019, she co-signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not prohibit employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identity.
SafeSport
In October 2021, Blackburn requested feedback from gymnast Aly Raisman and others on the structural failures of Olympic sport sexual abuse investigations, writing, "This was a systemic failure, and every single person in authority who turned a blind eye to your abuse must be held accountable". She sent the United States Center for SafeSport a letter demanding answers to questions posed during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on sex offender Larry Nassar.
Supreme Court nominations
On October 26, 2020, Blackburn voted to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States. Barrett was confirmed by a vote of 52–48. Blackburn wore a mask that read "Grin and Barrett" to the Senate vote.
On March 22, 2022, during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, Blackburn asked Jackson to define the word "woman". "'I can’t—' Jackson replied. 'You can’t?' Blackburn said. 'Not in this context. I’m not a biologist,' Jackson said. 'The meaning of the word woman is so unclear and controversial that you can’t give me a definition?' Blackburn asked." On April 7, 2022, the Senate voted 53–47 to confirm Jackson to the Supreme Court; Blackburn voted against Jackson's confirmation.
Tech policy and antitrust
Blackburn has advocated increased regulation of technology companies and criticized alleged anti-conservative bias on major platforms. In June 2018, she published an op-ed arguing for greater oversight and restrictions on tech companies that sparked a vocal backlash among Google employees. During a 2020 Commerce Committee hearing in which she claimed that tech companies stifle free speech, Blackburn asked Google chief Sundar Pichai about the employment status of an employee who had criticized her.
In the 117th United States Congress, Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Open App Markets Act alongside Senators Richard Blumenthal and Amy Klobuchar. The legislation is intended to curb Apple and Google, the operators of the App Store and Google Play, from engaging in anti-competitive behavior in app markets. Blackburn also worked with Blumenthal to introduce children's online child safety legislation, known as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).
Telecommunications policy
Blackburn opposes net neutrality in the United States, calling it "socialistic". She opposes municipal broadband initiatives that aim to compete with Internet service providers. She supported bills that restrict municipalities from creating their own broadband networks, and wrote a bill to prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from preempting state laws that blocked municipal broadband.
In 2017, Blackburn introduced to the House a measure to dismantle an Obama-administration online privacy rule that the FCC adopted in October 2016. Her measure, which was supported by broadband providers but criticized by privacy advocates, repealed the rule that required broadband providers to obtain consumers' permission before sharing their online data, including browsing histories. The measure passed the House in a party-line vote in March 2017, after a similar measure passed the Senate the same week. She subsequently proposed legislation that expanded the requirement to include internet companies as well as broadband providers. As of 2017, Blackburn had accepted at least $693,000 in campaign contributions from telecom companies.
Women's rights
In 2009, Blackburn voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Personal life
Marsha married Chuck Blackburn in 1974. They live in Brentwood, a suburb of Nashville in Williamson County, and have two children. She is a Presbyterian and a member of Christ Presbyterian Church.
Blackburn is a member of The C Street Family, a prayer group that includes members of Congress. She is a former member of the Smithsonian Libraries Advisory Board.
Blackburn is the author of The Mind of a Conservative Woman: Seeking the Best for Family and Country. The book was published on September 1, 2020, by Worthy Books.
Electoral history
Year | Democratic | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1992 | Bart Gordon (incumbent) | 120,177 | 57% | Marsha Blackburn | 86,289 | 41% | H. Scott Benson | Independent | 5,952 | 3% |
Year | Democratic | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | Tim Barron | 51,790 | 26% | Marsha Blackburn | 138,314 | 71% | Rick Patterson | Independent | 5,423 | 3% | ||||
2004 | (no candidate) | Marsha Blackburn (incumbent) | 232,404 | 100% | ||||||||||
2006 | Bill Morrison | 73,369 | 32% | Marsha Blackburn (incumbent) | 152,288 | 66% | Kathleen A. Culver | Independent | 1,806 | 1% | ||||
2008 | Randy Morris | 98,207 | 31% | Marsha Blackburn (incumbent) | 214,214 | 69% | ||||||||
2010 | Greg Rabidoux | 54,341 | 25% | Marsha Blackburn (incumbent) | 158,892 | 72% | J.W. Stone | Independent | 6,319 | 3% | ||||
2012 | Credo Amouzouvik | 61,050 | 24% | Marsha Blackburn (incumbent) | 180,775 | 71% | Howard Switzer | Green | 4,584 | 2% | ||||
2014 | Daniel Cramer | 42,280 | 26.8% | Marsha Blackburn (incumbent) | 110,534 | 69.9% | Leonard Ladner | Independent | 5,093 | 3.2% | ||||
2016 | Tharon Chandler | 65,226 | 23.5% | Marsha Blackburn (incumbent) | 200,407 | 72.2% | Leonard Ladner | Independent | 11,880 | 4.3% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Marsha Blackburn | 1,227,483 | 54.71% | −10.18% | |
Democratic | Phil Bredesen | 985,450 | 43.92% | +13.51% | |
Independent | Trudy Austin | 9,455 | 0.42% | N/A | |
Independent | Dean Hill | 8,717 | 0.39% | N/A | |
Independent | Kris L. Todd | 5,084 | 0.23% | N/A | |
Independent | John Carico | 3,398 | 0.15% | N/A | |
Independent | Breton Phillips | 2,226 | 0.10% | N/A | |
Independent | Kevin Lee McCants | 1,927 | 0.09% | N/A | |
Total votes | 2,243,740 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
Republican hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Marsha Blackburn (incumbent) | 1,918,743 | 63.80% | +9.09% | |
Democratic | Gloria Johnson | 1,027,461 | 34.16% | −9.76% | |
Independent | Tharon Chandler | 28,444 | 0.95% | N/A | |
Independent | Pamela Moses | 24,682 | 0.82% | N/A | |
Independent | Hastina Robinson | 8,278 | 0.28% | N/A | |
Total votes | 3,007,608 | 100.00% |
See also
Notes
- Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1992, write-ins received 10 votes.
- Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 2002, write-ins received 31 votes.
- Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 2006, James B. "Mickey" White received 898 votes; William J. Smith received 848 votes; John L. Rimer received 710 votes, and Gayl G. Pratt received 663 votes.
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Adam Schiff is hailing Alexander Vindman as an American patriot.
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{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - "Blackburn, Hagerty and Colleagues Will Vote to Oppose Electoral College Results". U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. January 2, 2021. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom slammed Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn on Twitter Monday night for voting against gun safety laws and accepting over $1 million in donations from the NRA over her career after the senator tweeted she was "ready to assist" in the wake of the deadly elementary school shooting in Nashville.
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- Stockard, Sam (October 12, 2018). "Blackburn would spend $70B on border wall; Bredesen says he'd put money into technology". The Daily Memphian. Memphis, Tennessee. Archived from the original on December 26, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
- Carden, Curtis (March 21, 2021). "Sen. Marsha Blackburn visits the U.S. – Mexico border". WATE-TV. Knoxville. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- Boucher, Dave (June 26, 2015). "Gay marriage: Tennessee reacts to landmark decision". The Tennessean. Nashville. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- ^ "Marsha Blackburn on Civil Rights". www.ontheissues.org. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- "Blackburn Statement on SCOTUS Marriage Ruling". House.gov. Archived from the original on June 28, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
- "House Vote 638 – Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'". ProPublica. August 12, 2015. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
- Manzo, Kathleen (October 23, 2009). "Controversy Still Swirls Around Safe-Schools Chief". Education Week. Archived from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
- Reynard, Mike (May 16, 2012). "Press Release: Blackburn Statement on House Reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act". blackburn.house.gov. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- "Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) opposed VAWA because it helped too many "different groups"". MSNBC. March 4, 2013. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- "Congresswoman Votes Against VAWA Because of LGBT Inclusiveness". The Advocate. March 5, 2013. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
I didn't like the way it was expanded to include other different groups...What you need is something that is focused specifically to help the shelters and to help out law enforcement who is trying to work with the crimes that have been committed against women and helping them to stand up
- Caplan, Andrew (August 28, 2019). "Yoho joins GOP call to allow LGBTQ discrimination". Gainesville Sun. Gainesville, FL. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- "BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF EMPLOYERS" (PDF). supremecourt.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- "Marsha Blackburn Requests Feedback From USA Gymnasts, SafeSport On Structural Failures In Larry Nassar Investigation". Clarksville Online. October 13, 2021.
- "On the Nomination PN2252: Amy Coney Barrett, of Indiana, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States". Govtrack.us. October 26, 2020. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- Tully-McManus, Katherine (October 26, 2020). "Tensions high but drama largely absent at Barrett's Senate confirmation". Roll Call. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- Ward, Myah (March 22, 2022). "Blackburn to Jackson: Can you define 'the word woman'?". POLITICO. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- Weisman, Jonathan (March 23, 2022). "A demand to define 'woman' injects gender politics into Jackson's confirmation hearings". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- "Roll Call Vote 117th Congress - 2nd Session". Senate.gov. April 7, 2022. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
Question: On the Nomination (Confirmation: Ketanji Brown Jackson, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States).
- ^ Montgomery, Bale (October 28, 2020). "Sen. Blackburn Asks Google CEO If He Fired an Engineer Who Was Mean to Her". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- Reynolds, Jason (October 2, 2018). "Senior Google Software Engineer Calls Marsha Blackburn 'Terrorist' and 'Violent Thug,' Supports Censorship". Tennessee Star. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
- Overly, Steven (October 28, 2020). "Blackburn asks Google if employee who criticized her still has a job". Politico. Washington DC. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- Pierce, Charles (October 29, 2020). "Sen. Blackburn Asks Google CEO If He Fired an Engineer Who Was Mean to Her". Esquire. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- "Blumenthal, Blackburn & Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Antitrust Legislation to Promote App Store Competition | U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut". www.blumenthal.senate.gov. August 11, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
- Feiner, Lauren (February 3, 2022). "Senate committee advances bill targeting Google and Apple's app store profitability". CNBC. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- Morrison, Sara (February 15, 2023). "The new Congress is enlisting kids in its ongoing fight with Big Tech". Vox. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- Gustin, Sam (January 10, 2017). "Why Marsha Blackburn's Rise Is Bad News for Net Neutrality and Science". Motherboard. Vice Media. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
Blackburn has waged a relentless campaign against the FCC's policy safeguarding net neutrality, the principle that all internet content should be equally accessible, which she has disparaged as "socialistic."
- Brodkin, Jon (March 5, 2015). "Republicans' "Internet Freedom Act" would wipe out net neutrality". Arstechnica.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
- Brodkin, Jon (July 16, 2014). "Congresswoman defends "states' rights" to protect ISPs from muni competition". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
- Eggerton, John (July 16, 2014) "Blackburn Bill Would Block FCC Preemption" Archived November 15, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Broadcasting & Cable; retrieved December 30, 2015.
- Sirota, David (July 16, 2014) "Marsha Blackburn (R-TN): Why One Congresswoman Wants To Block Fast, Cheap Internet In Her District" Archived August 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, International Business Times; retrieved December 30, 2015.
- ^ Cecilia Kang, Congress Moves to Overturn Obama-Era Online Privacy Rules Archived March 29, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, New York Times (March 28, 2017).
- "House Votes To Let Internet Providers Sell Your Browsing History". Vocativ.com. March 28, 2017. Archived from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- Ali Breland, House Republican unveils internet privacy bill, The Hill, May 19, 2017.
- Collier, Kevin (March 28, 2017). "House Rep. Pushing To Set Back Online Privacy Rakes In Industry Funds". Vocativ.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- Gustin, Sam (July 16, 2014). "Meet Marsha Blackburn, Big Telecom's Best Friend in Congress". Motherboard. Vice Media. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
Blackburn has also been a major recipient of financial support from the nation's largest telecom and cable companies.
- Dickson, Caitlin (June 9, 2013). "The Fringe Factor: Women Don't Want Equal Pay Laws". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
- "Mary Marsha Wedgeworth wedding notice". Clarion-Ledger. September 29, 1974. p. 58. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- Inside The C Street House Archived July 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Salon.com, July 21, 2009.
- Sharp, Ashley (September 20, 2020). "Sen. Marsha Blackburn speaks on new book release". WKRN News 2. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
- ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Archived from the original on July 30, 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
- "2014 Midterm Election Results". Abcnews.go.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
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- State of Tennessee General Election Results, November 5, 2024, Results By Office (PDF) (Report). Secretary of State of Tennessee. December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
External links
- Official U.S. Senate website
- Campaign website
- Podcast website
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
Tennessee Senate | ||
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Preceded byKeith Jordan | Member of the Tennessee Senate from the 23rd district 1999–2003 |
Succeeded byJim Bryson |
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
Preceded byEd Bryant | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 7th congressional district 2003–2019 |
Succeeded byMark Green |
Party political offices | ||
Preceded byBob Corker | Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Tennessee (Class 1) 2018, 2024 |
Most recent |
U.S. Senate | ||
Preceded byBob Corker | U.S. Senator (Class 1) from Tennessee 2019–present Served alongside: Lamar Alexander, Bill Hagerty |
Incumbent |
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
Preceded byCindy Hyde-Smithas United States Senator from Mississippi | Order of precedence of the United States as United States Senator from Tennessee |
Succeeded byJosh Hawleyas United States Senator from Missouri |
United States senators by seniority 66th |
Succeeded byKevin Cramer |
United States senators from Tennessee | ||
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Class 1 | ||
Class 2 |
Tennessee's current delegation to the United States Congress | |
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Senators |
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Representatives (ordered by district) |
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Current United States senators | ||
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President: ▌ Kamala Harris (D) ‧ President pro tempore: ▌ Chuck Grassley (R) | ||
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- 1952 births
- 20th-century American women politicians
- 20th-century Presbyterians
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century Presbyterians
- American anti-abortion activists
- American anti-communists
- American Presbyterians
- Christians from Mississippi
- Female United States senators
- Female members of the United States House of Representatives
- Living people
- Mississippi State University alumni
- People from Brentwood, Tennessee
- People from Laurel, Mississippi
- Presbyterians from Tennessee
- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Tennessee
- Republican Party United States senators from Tennessee
- Republican Party Tennessee state senators
- Tennessee Republicans
- Women state legislators in Tennessee
- Beauty queen-politicians
- American beauty pageant winners
- 21st-century United States senators
- 21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives
- 20th-century members of the Tennessee General Assembly
- 21st-century members of the Tennessee General Assembly