Jeff Duncan (politician)

Jeff Duncan
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 3rd district
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded by Gresham Barrett
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the 15th district
In office
January 14, 2003 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by Donny Wilder
Succeeded by David Tribble
Personal details
Born Jeffrey Darren Duncan
(1966-01-07) January 7, 1966
Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Melody Hodges
Children 3
Education Clemson University (BA)

Jeffrey Darren Duncan (born January 7, 1966) is an American politician who has been the United States Representative for South Carolina's 3rd congressional district since 2011. Duncan, a Republican, previously served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Early life, education, and business career

Jeff Duncan was born in Greenville, South Carolina on January 7, 1966.[1] Duncan's father worked in the textile business and moved the family across the South while Duncan was growing up. After attending three years of high school at Mooresville Senior High School in Mooresville, NC, Duncan moved to Ware Shoals and attended Ware Shoals High School. During his senior year of high school, he met his future wife, Melody Hodges. Duncan graduated Clemson University in 1988 where he walked on as a wide receiver on the football team. His experience as a walk-on player was later the inspiration for the title of his blog, "Walk-On Legislator," which he used to communicate with constituents while serving in the South Carolina General Assembly.

After graduation, Duncan served as branch manager and an Assistant Vice President during his seven years of working in community banking. Later, he started his own small business, J. Duncan & Associates, a South Carolina based, family owned real estate marketing firm which specialized in statewide real estate auctions.[2] He ran and operated that business until his election to Congress in 2010.

South Carolina House of Representatives

Elections

Duncan ran for South Carolina's 15th House District in 2002. In the Republican primary, he defeated David Tribble Jr, Clinton county councilman, 56%–44%.[3] He won the general election with 62% of the vote.[4] In 2004, he won re-election to a second term unopposed.[5] In 2006, he won re-election to a third term with 63% of the vote.[6] In 2008, he won re-election to a fourth term unopposed.[7] In 2010, he retired in order to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. David Tribble, Duncan's primary opponent in 2002, won Duncan's seat.

Tenure

He was given the guardian of small business award from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, an A+ rating from the Club for Growth, the Palmetto Leadership Award from the SC policy council, and legislator of the year from the SC Recreation and Parks Association and SC Wildlife Federation.[8] He was also named a "Taxpayer's Hero" by then Governor Mark Sanford for his work.[9]

Committee assignments

Duncan was named chairman of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, in 2007. He was appointed to Chair of the Education Finance Study and Natural Gas Offshore Drilling Study Committee. He also served as South Carolina's representative on the Southern States Energy Board.[10]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2010

He ran for South Carolina's 3rd congressional district when Republican incumbent U.S. representative J. Gresham Barrett ran for governor of South Carolina. He was an early Tea Party favorite and was endorsed by the Club for Growth[11] and the National Right to Life Committee.[12] In the Republican primary, businessman Richard Cash ranked first with 25% but failed to reach the 50% threshold to win outright. Duncan ranked second in the six candidate field with 23%.[13] In the run-off election, Duncan defeated Cash 51%–49%, a vote difference of 2,171. Duncan won five of the district's ten counties, and were mostly located in the southern part of the Congressional District.[14] He won the general election with 62% of the vote, 2% less than John McCain's 64% vote in 2008. He won nine of the district's ten counties, losing just McCormick (52%–47%). Duncan spent $935,503; Democrat Jane Ballard Dyer spent $272,698.[15][16]

2012

Duncan successfully ran for re-election in the newly redrawn 3rd district, which excludes Aiken County (McCain won with 62%),[17] and includes two new counties: Newberry (McCain won with 58%) and Greenville (McCain won with 57%). Duncan won re-election to a second term with 67% of the vote.[18]

2014

Duncan successfully ran for re-election in 2014, winning with 71.18% of the vote against Democratic candidate Barbara Jo Mullis.[19]

2016

Duncan successfully ran for re-election in 2016 with 72.8% of the vote against Democratic candidate Hosea Cleveland. In addition, Duncan was the first Congressional Republican to carry McCormick County during a Presidential election year. Duncan outperformed Trump by over 5% in 2016.

Legislation & Tenure

Duncan was a "Tea Party freshman" in the 112th Congress.[20]

In February, 2011, Duncan introduced a resolution to create a new committee on the elimination of nonessential federal programs in an attempt to reduce federal outlays.[21]

On January 18, 2012, Congressman Duncan introduced the Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012 (H.R. 3783). This bill made it U.S. policy to use a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran's growing hostile presence in the Western Hemisphere by working together with U.S. allies and partners in the region to deter threats to U.S. interest by Iran, the Iranian Islamic Guard Corps (IRGC), the IRGC's Qods Force, and Hezbollah. On December 28, 2012, President Barack Obama signed this into law.

On November 19, 2012 Duncan wrote a letter to President Obama discouraging him from nominating Ambassador Susan Rice to serve as Secretary of State. Duncan's letter, which was signed by 97 Members of Congress, states that Ambassador Rice "either willfully or incompetently misled the American public in the Benghazi matter." The letter goes on to say that Ambassador Rice has lost the trust of the American people and would greatly undermine the US credibility abroad.

On April 18, 2013, Duncan introduced the Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act (H.R. 1613). This bill approved a year-old agreement between the United States and Mexico to allow the joint development of oil and gas straddling the two countries' maritime boundary in the Gulf of Mexico. H.R. 1613 passed the House with bipartisan support on June 27, 2013. The bill was subsequently wrapped into the Continuing Resolution of December 12, 2013.

On January 16, 2014 Duncan introduced the Energy Exploration and Production to Achieve National Demand Act (EXPAND Act) (H.R. 3895). The EXPAND Act renews America's founding principles by freeing Americans to produce more energy in the United States from all sources and contribute to the strength of American national security through North American energy independence.

On March 13, 2014, Duncan introduced the DHS Acquisition Accountability and Efficiency Act (H.R. 4228; 113th Congress), a bill that would direct the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to improve the accountability, transparency, and efficiency of its major acquisition programs.[22] The bill would specify procedures for the department to follow if it fails to meet timelines, cost estimates, or other performance parameters for these programs.[22][23] Duncan argued that "for years, DHS's purchases of major homeland security systems have been late, cost more, and done less than promised. This bill will save taxpayer dollars by forcing DHS to improve its management."[23]

On February 23, 2016 Duncan introduced H.Res. 617, which provides the House the authority to file a lawsuit against the Obama Administration should they violate or attempt to violate the law regarding the transfer of detainees from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

In January 2017 Duncan introduced in the House the Hearing Protection Act of 2017 (HPA) which would reclassify gun suppressors (silencers) from Title II weapons to Title I weapons (currently ordinary shotguns, rifles and handguns, weapons "not regulated by the National Firearms Act, but regulated by the Gun Control Act of 1968 and other federal laws"[24]), restricting their regulation and making them easier to buy.[25] The HPA amends the Internal Revenue Code and Title 18 of the United States Code to eliminate the transfer tax and paperwork associated with registration of suppressors, refund the tax to anyone who paid it after October 22, 2015 (the date the first Hearing Protection Act was introduced, by Rep. Matt Salmon), and "preempt" existing state or local silencer taxes and regulations.[26] In June 2017 Duncan added the HPA to the wide-ranging Sportsmen Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act, of which he was also the lead sponsor.[25][27] As of 30 January 2018, Jeff Duncan has the most conservative GovTrack ideology score in the House of Representatives.[28]

On January 19, 2018, Duncan introduced the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act (H.R. 4844) which requires that women seeking an abortion undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion.[29]

Awards

Duncan has received numerous awards during his time in the United States Congress. These awards vary from his views on limited government, conservative voting record, and his support of small businesses.

  • Club for Growth's "Defender of Economic Freedom" Award[30]
  • FreedomWorks "Freedom Fighter" Award[31]
  • Family Research Council "True Blue" Award[32]
  • Act of America "National Security Patriot Award"[33]
  • NFIB Guardian of Small Business[34]
  • Heritage Action "Sentinel"[35]
  • 60+ Association "Guardian of Seniors Rights"[36]

Positions

Duncan is pro-life. He has cosponsored legislation to ban late-term abortions, to remove federal funding from abortion providers like Planned Parenthood,[37] and to protect conscience rights for businesses and healthcare providers who oppose paying for or participating in abortions. He supports gun rights. In addition to introducing the Hearing Protection Act, Duncan has cosponsored bills to expand concealed carry reciprocity rights. Duncan is a Lifetime Member of the NRA and has been endorsed by the NRA and given an A rating.[38]

He voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[39] He also cosponsored legislation to repeal the income tax, the estate tax, and the entirety of the tax code.[40]

Duncan supports federal infrastructure, but believes states should have control over their transportation decisions and this will provide more relief from government regulation.

Duncan supported the full repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, voting on numerous occasions to repeal it in whole or in part. Duncan supports replacing it with free market solutions, having cosponsored legislation to expand health savings accounts, make all health care spending tax deductible, supporting Christian charity health plans, and creating association health plans.

Duncan opposes a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Duncan supports the construction of a border wall with physical fencing, surveillance technology, and increased border patrol agents on the ground. In February 2017, Duncan introduced the Terrorist Deportation Act (H.R. 844),[41] which makes it harder for suspected terrorists to come to the United States and remove those who are already here.[1] Duncan is also a cosponsor of "Goodlatte/McCaul", H.R. 4760,[42] which requires mandatory E-verify, makes it a crime to overstay a visa, eliminates chain migration, ends the diversity lottery, and creates an agriculture work visa program.

Duncan is a supporter of a free-market, all-of-the-above approach to energy, and has been a champion for both national and hemispheric energy independence. Duncan sponsored the legislation to implement the Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act. He has also cosponsored legislation supporting offshore energy exploration, seismic testing, clean coal technology, nuclear energy production, and the export of natural gas. Duncan has also worked to ease regulations on hydraulic fracturing, coal ash, the Social Cost of Carbon, and the Clean Water Rule. Duncan was in favor of the January 2018 decision by the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to allow more access to the Outer Continental Shelf.

Committee assignments

  • Committee on Energy and Commerce
    • Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection
    • Subcommittee on Energy
    • Subcommittee on Environment
  • Republican Study Committee

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Duncan is married to Melody (Hodges) Duncan, and has three sons. He lives in Laurens, South Carolina.[46][1][15]

Congressional Baseball Shooting

According to Duncan, the shooter, James Thomas Hodgkinson, approached him at his car and asked if Democrats or Republicans were on the field. Duncan told reporters later, "The world changed a little bit today for us as members".[47]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "News From The Associated Press (Jeff Duncan Candidate Profile)". Associated Press. 2016-03-04. Archived from the original on 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  2. ↑ "Full Biography | Congressman Jeff Duncan". jeffduncan.house.gov. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  3. ↑ "SC State House 015 - R Primary Race - Jun 11, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  4. ↑ "SC State House 015 Race - Nov 05, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  5. ↑ "Our Campaigns - SC State House 015 Race - Nov 02, 2004". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  6. ↑ "SC State House 015 Race - Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  7. ↑ "SC State House 015 Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  8. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-09-21. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  9. ↑ "House E&C Committee Now Runnin' With Duncan | Radio & Television Business Report". www.rbr.com. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-10-01. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  11. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-09-20. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  12. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-10-01. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  13. ↑ "SC - District 03 - R Primary Race - Jun 08, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  14. ↑ "SC District 03 - R Runoff Race - Jun 22, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  15. 1 2 Barone, Michael; Chuck McCutcheon (2011). The Almanac of American Politics 2012. Washington, D.C.: National Journal Group. pp. 1453–1455. ISBN 978-0-226-03808-7. LCCN 2011929193.
  16. ↑ "SC – District 03 Race". Our Campaigns. Nov 2, 2010. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  17. ↑ "U.S. Rep. Duncan promises to represent Aiken despite congressional redistricting". Aiken Standard.
  18. ↑ "2016 Primary Election Results: President Live Map by State, Real-Time Voting Updates". Election Hub.
  19. ↑ "2014 Statewide General Election Results". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  20. ↑ Graham, David A. (2011-08-15). "Debt Stand by South Carolina Tea Party Freshmen Hailed as Heroic". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  21. ↑ "Jeff Duncan Full Biography". U.S. Congressman Jeff Duncan. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  22. 1 2 "CBO – H.R. 4228". Congressional Budget Office. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  23. 1 2 Medici, Andy (10 June 2014). "House passes bill reforming DHS acquisition management". Federal Times. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  24. ↑ "Gun Trust Guru: FAQs". guntrustguru.com. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  25. 1 2 Gorman, Michelle (June 14, 2017). "Trump Era Gets Its First Gun Hearing: House to Consider Legislation on Silencers". Newsweek. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  26. ↑ Levy, Gabrielle (October 2, 2017). "House to Vote on Gun Silencer Legislation This Week". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved October 3, 2017. The $200 tax and registration requirements were put into place in 1934 in the NFA, when $200 ($3,719.98 in August 2017 dollars) was considered a high enough price to deter Prohibition Era gangsters. ATF: National Firearms Act
  27. ↑ "House Committee Passes SHARE Act by Wide Margin". National Rifle Association. September 15, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Jeff Duncan, Representative for South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District – GovTrack.us". GovTrack.us.
  29. ↑ Jeff, Duncan, (2018-01-26). "H.R.4844 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Ultrasound Informed Consent Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  30. ↑ "2017 Defenders of Economic Freedom - Club for Growth". Club for Growth. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  31. ↑ "FreedomWorks Announces FreedomFighter Award Winners | FreedomWorks". www.freedomworks.org. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  32. ↑ "FRC Action PAC". www.frcactionpac.org. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  33. ↑ "Cruz calls hate group watchdog 'leftist institution' with 'sorry record'". mcclatchydc. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  34. ↑ "Congressman Duncan honored as Guardian of Small Business by NFIB – 94.1 – The Lake / WSNW". wsnwradio.com. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  35. ↑ "Heritage: Conservative 'sentinels' stand guard for freedom". Conservative News Today. 2013-01-30. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  36. ↑ "Jeff Duncan Receives Guardian of Seniors' Rights Award | Congressman Jeff Duncan". jeffduncan.house.gov. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  37. ↑ Diane, Black, (2017-01-25). "H.R.217 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  38. ↑ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  39. ↑ cdemarest@aikenstandard.com, Colin Demarest. "S.C., Aiken Republicans supported House tax bill". Aiken Standard. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  40. ↑ Rob, Woodall, (2017-01-03). "H.R.25 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): FairTax Act of 2017". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  41. ↑ Jeff, Duncan, (2017-03-02). "H.R.844 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Terrorist Deportation Act of 2017". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  42. ↑ Bob, Goodlatte, (2018-01-24). "H.R.4760 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Securing America's Future Act of 2018". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  43. ↑ "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  44. ↑ "What is the House Freedom Caucus, and who's in it?". Pew research center. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  45. ↑ "Members". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  46. ↑ O'Connor, John (July 23, 2008). "Lawmakers to tackle S.C. school funding". Rock Hill Herald Online. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  47. ↑ edumain@postandcourier.com, Emma Dumain. "Shooter asked S.C.'s Rep. Jeff Duncan if 'Democrats or Republicans' were practicing before firing shots". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2018-02-22.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Gresham Barrett		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 3rd congressional district
2011–present		 Incumbent
Current U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Sean Duffy
R-Wisconsin		 United States Representatives by seniority
202nd		 Succeeded by
Chuck Fleischmann
R-Tennessee
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