John Breaux

John Breaux
United States Senate · Public domain · source
Name	John Breaux
Caption	Official portrait, 2001
State	Louisiana
Term start	January 3, 1987
Term end	January 3, 2005
Predecessor	Russell B. Long
Successor	David Vitter
State1	Louisiana
District1	7th
Term start1	September 30, 1972
Term end1	January 3, 1987
Predecessor1	Edwin Edwards
Successor1	Jimmy Hayes
Office2	Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Term start2	1968
Term end2	1972
Birth date	1 March 1944
Birth place	Crowley, Louisiana, U.S.
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Lois Daigle
Education	University of Southwestern Louisiana (BS), Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center (JD)

John Breaux is a former American politician who served as a United States Senator from Louisiana from 1987 to 2005. A member of the Democratic Party, he was known as a centrist dealmaker, often working with Republicans on key legislation. Before his Senate service, he represented Louisiana's 7th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives for over fourteen years.

Early life and education

John Breaux was born in Crowley, Louisiana, and grew up in the nearby community of Church Point. He attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He subsequently pursued a legal education, graduating from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center with a Juris Doctor degree. His early political involvement was shaped by the unique cultural and economic landscape of Acadiana.

Political career

Breaux's political career began with his election to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1968. His tenure in the state legislature was brief, as he successfully ran for the United States House of Representatives in a 1972 special election to fill the seat vacated by Edwin Edwards, who had been elected Governor of Louisiana. Breaux represented Louisiana's 7th congressional district, a region with significant interests in the petroleum industry, agriculture, and fisheries. During his seven terms in the House of Representatives, he served on influential committees including the Committee on Ways and Means, focusing on tax policy, international trade, and Social Security.

U.S. Senate tenure

In 1986, Breaux was elected to the United States Senate, succeeding the retiring Russell B. Long. He quickly established himself as a leader of the Democratic Leadership Council and a key figure in the centrist or Third Way faction of his party. His committee assignments were pivotal, including seats on the Senate Committee on Finance, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Special Committee on Aging. He co-authored the 1997 State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) with Senator Orrin Hatch and was instrumental in the 2003 Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act. Breaux also chaired the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare.

Post-Senate career and lobbying

Upon retiring from the Senate in 2005, Breaux joined the Washington, D.C. law and lobbying firm Patton Boggs (later part of Squire Patton Boggs). He became a senior counsel, advising clients on matters of healthcare policy, energy, taxation, and transportation policy. His activities with the firm led to scrutiny under the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act regarding the "revolving door" between Congress and K Street. He also served as a senior advisor to the 2008 presidential campaign of Senator John McCain and was co-chair of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition under President Barack Obama.

Political positions and legacy

Throughout his career, Breaux was a prototypical Blue Dog Democrat, fiscally conservative and socially moderate. He was a strong advocate for the oil and gas industry vital to Louisiana and supported free trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). On social issues, he generally opposed abortion but supported some gun control measures. His legacy is that of a pragmatic legislator who championed bipartisan compromise, notably on complex healthcare reform and entitlement reform issues. His centrist model influenced later Louisiana politicians, including Senator Mary Landrieu.

Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:American lawyers Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Louisiana Category:Democratic Party United States senators from Louisiana Category:Members of the Louisiana House of Representatives Category:University of Louisiana at Lafayette alumni Category:Louisiana State University alumni