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Thomas Stephen Foley
Thomas Stephen Foley 1929–, American political leader, b. Spokane, Wash. A lawyer, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1964. Foley became a prominent liberal Democratic member of Congress. He was chairman of the House agriculture committee (1975–81), Democratic whip (1981–87), and majority leader (1987–89). After the resignation of Speaker Jim Wright in 1989, Foley succeeded him. In 1992 his reputation was tarnished by revelations of irregularities in the operations of the House bank and post office, both controlled by the office of the Speaker. In 1994 Republicans won control of the House, and Foley became the first sitting speaker since 1860 to fail to win reelection from his district. He served U.S. ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2001. |
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"Thomas Stephen Foley." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Thomas Stephen Foley." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Foley-Th.html "Thomas Stephen Foley." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Foley-Th.html |
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Foley, Thomas S.
Foley, Thomas S. • Born: Mar. 6, 1929, Spokane, Wash.• Political party: Democrat• Education: University of Washington, A.B., 1951; University of Washington Law School, J.D., 1957• Representative from Washington: 1965–95• House majority leader: 1987–89• Speaker of the House: 1989–95
Tom Foley assumed the Speaker's chair in the House of Representatives at a difficult time of divided government (a Republican President but Democratic majorities in Congress), which led to legislative stalemate and frustration. After the election of 1992, the White House and Congress were once again controlled by the same party. But conservative Republicans put up stiff resistance to Democratic proposals, killing President Bill Clinton's ambitious plan for national health care. House Republicans portrayed Foley as a symbol of the Democratic majority and its resistance to term limitations and a balanced-budget amendment. Foley misjudged the depth of voter anger and demand for change. In 1994, as Democrats lost their majority for the first time in 40 years, he became the first Speaker defeated for reelection in more than a century. See also Speaker of the House |
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Cite this article
John J. Patrick, Richard M. Pious, and Donald A. Ritchie. "Foley, Thomas S." The Oxford Guide to the United States Government. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. John J. Patrick, Richard M. Pious, and Donald A. Ritchie. "Foley, Thomas S." The Oxford Guide to the United States Government. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O89-FoleyThomasS.html John J. Patrick, Richard M. Pious, and Donald A. Ritchie. "Foley, Thomas S." The Oxford Guide to the United States Government. 2001. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O89-FoleyThomasS.html |
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