David Evans Skaggs (born February 22, 1943) is an American lawyer, politician and educator from Colorado. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 1999.
David Skaggs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chair of the Board of Directors of the United States Office of Congressional Ethics | |
| In office 2019–2021[1] | |
| Preceded by | Judy Biggert (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Michael D. Barnes |
| In office 2007–2011 | |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Succeeded by | Porter J. Goss |
| Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the United States Office of Congressional Ethics | |
| In office 2011–2019 | |
| Preceded by | Porter J. Goss |
| Succeeded by | Allison R. Hayward |
| Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education | |
| In office January 2007 – September 2009 | |
| Governor | Bill Ritter |
| Preceded by | Richard F. O'Donnell |
| Succeeded by | D. Rico Munn |
| Member of the United States Public Interest Declassification Board | |
| In office January 2005 – 2011 | |
| Leader | Nancy Pelosi John Boehner |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado's 2nd district | |
| In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Tim Wirth |
| Succeeded by | Mark Udall |
| Member of the Colorado House of Representatives | |
| In office January 7, 1981 – January 3, 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Lee R. Jones |
| Succeeded by | Dorothy Rupert |
| Constituency | 47th district (1981-1983) 14th district (1983-1987) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Evans Skaggs February 22, 1943 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Laura Locher |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Wesleyan University (BA) Yale University (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1968-1971 (active) 1971-1979 (reserve) |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | J.A.G. Corps |
Early life and education
editSkaggs was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but grew up in the New Jersey suburbs of New York City.[2] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Wesleyan University in 1964 and a Bachelor of Laws from Yale University in 1967.[3]
Career
editEarly career
editSkaggs spent three years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps, including service in Vietnam with the 1st Marine Division and assignments on Okinawa and at Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, DC.[4] Upon discharge from active duty in 1971, he remained in the Marine Reserves until 1978, attaining the rank of Major.[2] Skaggs practiced law briefly in New York City and, after military service, in Boulder, Colorado.[3][5]
Skaggs first became involved in politics as a Democratic Party volunteer and officer in 1971. In 1974, he was hired as an aide to United States Representative Tim Wirth of Colorado, a position he held until 1977.[6]
U.S. House of Representatives
editHe ran successfully for a seat in the Colorado House of Representatives in 1980, and he served three terms—two as Minority Leader—before running for Congress.[3] Skaggs was a six-term member of the United States House of Representatives and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996.[7]
While in the House, he served initially on the Science, Space & Technology Committee and the Public Works & Transportation Committee, before winning a seat on the Appropriations Committee in 1991. He also served six years (1993–99) on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.[6] During his tenure in office, Skaggs became a voice for civility in politics.[8] He and Representative Ray LaHood were founding co-chairs of the House Bi-Partisan Retreat, first held in 1997 and designed to encourage civility and comity in the House; the retreats continued through 2003. He was also co-founder of the Constitutional Forum (with Representative Jim Leach), a series of seminars with distinguished guest lecturers who led member discussions of constitutional issues. During the 104th Congress, Skaggs was Chairman of the Democratic Study Group, the principal policy and reform organization of House Democrats.[4]
Skaggs had a strong environmental record while in Congress. During his tenure in office, he sponsored 42 bills, three of which were successfully enacted, including the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993, legislation that designated certain lands in the State of Colorado as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.[9] Skaggs also co-sponsored the Energy Act of 1992 that, among other things, amended utility laws to increase clean energy use and improve overall energy efficiency in the United States and mandated installation of low flush toilets in all new homes.[10] Additionally, Skaggs was a co-sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, outlawing discrimination based on disability.[11]
Notwithstanding his efforts to uphold civility and restore bipartisan comity to the House, Skaggs was often criticized for being partisan and voting along party lines.[8] Though he was well known for his liberal voting record, he was a strong opponent both of the presidential line-item veto, once suing to block it, and President Clinton's use of military force without congressional approval.[12] In 1992, Skaggs came under fire for his overdrafts from the so-called House bank.[12]
After Congress
editAfter retiring in 1999, Skaggs served as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado and as executive director of the Center for Democracy & Citizenship at the Council for Excellence in Government for several years before moving back to Colorado to serve as executive director of the state Department of Higher Education from 2007 until resigning in 2009.[13][14] His resignation raised eyebrows at the time, as no specific resignation reason was given; Skaggs merely cited a dispute with Gov. Bill Ritter.[15] Skaggs was appointed the first chair of the board of the new Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) in 2008. After control of the House changed to the Republicans in 2010, former Florida Representative and CIA Director Porter Goss became OCE board chair, with Skaggs as co-chair.[4][16]
Additionally, Skaggs was a member of the U. S. Public Interest Declassification Board from 2005 to 2016.[4] Skaggs also served as co-chair of the Constitution Project's bipartisan War Powers Committee.[17] He serves on the boards of trustees of the National Endowment for Democracy and the American University of Iraq. He received the 2017 Distinguished Service Award from the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's David E. Skaggs Research Center in Boulder, Colorado, for which he secured funding, is named in his honor.[18] He now is affiliated with the Denver office of Dentons, where he works as a senior strategic advisor and independent consultant.[19] He leads the legal team in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Colorado's so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights ("TABOR").
In January 2023, Skaggs was one of several applicants to fill the Colorado House District 12 seat vacated by the resignation of Rep. Tracey Bernett.[20][21] The committee elected Louisville councilman Kyle Brown for the seat.[22]
Skaggs endorsed an uncommitted vote in the 2024 Colorado Democratic presidential primary. In a column for The Denver Post, he praised Joe Biden's presidency but expressed doubt over his odds at re-election, and wrote that "he should step aside, as Lyndon Johnson did in March 1968 [...] preserve the splendid legacy he has earned, and avoid the embarrassment he doesn't deserve".[23]
In July 2024, after Joe Biden's poorly received performance in the first presidential debate on June 27, and subsequent calls for him to suspend his campaign, Skaggs organized 24 former members of Congress to sign a letter asking Biden to drop out of the race.[24]
Personal life
editAs of 2024[update], Skaggs lives in Longmont, Colorado.[23]
References
edit- ^ Combs, Cory (July 20, 2021). "Issue One thanks former OCE chairman David Skaggs for his years of leadership as a vital and independent voice holding members of Congress accountable". Issue One. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ a b "The U.S. Congress Votes Database – David Skaggs". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) Members". National Archives. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "David Skaggs, Co-Chairman". Office of Congressional Ethics. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ "Skaggs, David E. Candidate Details". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ a b "Revolving Door: David E Skaggs Employment Summary". OpenSecrets. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ Harden, Mark (January 19, 2010). "Ex-congressman David Skaggs joins McKenna Long & Aldridge". Denver Business Journal. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ a b Zaret, Elliott (November 30, 1998). "Skaggs leaves a legacy of civility". Denver Post.
- ^ "H.R. 631: Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993". govtrack.us. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ "Bill Summary & Status 102nd Congress (1991–1992) H.R.776 Cosponsors". Library of Congress. Archived from the original on October 3, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ "Bill Summary & Status 101st Congress(1989–1990) H.R.2273 Cosponsors". Library of Congress. Archived from the original on July 4, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ a b Romano, Michael (December 28, 1998). "David Skaggs Congressman's Reputation Rests on Crusade for Civility". Rocky Mountain News.
- ^ "David E. Skaggs". Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership. Archived from the original on October 15, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ deYoanna, Michael (August 31, 2009). "Questions Linger Over David Skaggs' Resignation". 5280: The Denver Magazine. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ Sherry, Allison (August 29, 2009). "Colorado higher-ed director Skaggs resigns". Denver Post. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ Nixon, Ron (January 21, 2011). "G.O.P. Grants Reprieve to House Ethics Office". The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ "War Powers Committee Members". The Constitution Project. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ "David Skaggs Research Center". U.S. Department of Commerce Boulder Labs. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ "Former Congressman David Skaggs joins Denver law firm". The Colorado Statesman. April 9, 2010. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ Goodland, Marianne (January 17, 2023). "House District 12 vacancy draws unusual candidate in former U.S. Rep. David Skaggs". Colorado Politics. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ "Candidates emerge for House District 12 seat vacated by former Rep. Tracey Bernett". Longmont Times-Call. January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ Goodland, Marianne (January 28, 2023). "Democrats in Louisville-based House District 12 choose Kyle Brown to replace Tracey Bernett". Colorado Politics. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ^ a b Skaggs, David (February 21, 2024). "Skaggs: I'm voting "uncommitted" on Super Tuesday because Democrats deserve a choice". The Denver Post. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Ferris, Sarah (July 12, 2024). "24 former Dem lawmakers to Biden: Allow an open convention". Politico. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
External links
edit- United States Congress. "David Skaggs (id: S000462)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2009-02-11
- OCE bio
- Appearances on C-SPAN
