The Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett asks to Joe Biden to step aside, becoming the first Democrat to publicly urge the president to withdraw. “He should make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw,” Doggett said, explaining that his decision to come forward “was not made lightly and does not diminish the respect I have for Biden. That said, Biden’s commitment is to this country and that is why I am asking” that he withdraw.
Who is Lloyd Alton Doggett?
Lloyd Alton Doggett II (born October 6, 1946) is an American lawyer and politician who represents Texas as a United States Congressman. Member of the Democratic partyhas represented an Austin-based district since 1995, currently numbered as Texas’ 37th congressional district.
Doggett was previously a member of the Texas State Senate and judge of the Supreme Court of Texas. Along with fellow Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, Doggett became co-dean of the Texas congressional delegation following the retirement of Eddie Bernice Johnson.
Life and Education
Doggett was born in Austin, the son of Alyce Paulin (Freydenfeldt) and Lloyd Alton Doggett. His maternal grandparents were Swedish. Doggett earned both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a Bachelor’s degree in law at the University of Texas at Austin, where he served as student body president his senior year. While in college, he also joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
Early Career
Doggett served as a member of the Texas Senate from 1973 to 1985. He was the Democratic candidate for the elections to United States Senate in 1984 in Texas, losing to Republican candidate U.S. Senator Phil Gramm. Doggett authored the law that created the Texas Human Rights Commissionas well as a law banning “cop killer” bullets and a “sunset” law requiring periodic review of government agencies. He gained attention in 1979 as a member of the “Killer Bees,” a group of 12 Democratic state senators who opposed a plan to move the Texas presidential primary to March 11.
In 1989, Doggett became both an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas who is an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law.
United States House of Representatives
Doggett was elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 in the then-called 10th District after the retirement of incumbent Jake Pickle. He was one of the few Democrats to win an open seat in the great Republican wave that year. He continued to win with high percentages of the vote in subsequent elections, facing only Libertarian opponents.
Redrawing the Districts
In 2003, the Texas Legislature redrew the boundaries of Doggett’s district, splitting it into multiple districts and placing his residence in a new, heavily Republican 10th District. Doggett moved to the new 25th Districtwinning the Democratic primary and general election. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2006 ordered the redrawing of several districts, including the 25th, because of violations of Latino voter rights.
Elections from 2012 to 2022
Doggett faced numerous district changes due to redrawing, but managed to retain his seat, moving to 35th District in 2012 and finally to 37th District in 2022. During these years, he faced significant electoral challenges, but always maintained strong electoral support.
Political Positions
Abortion
Doggett supports the legalization of abortion and voted against efforts to ban procedures called “partial-birth abortions.” She received a 100% rating from NARAL.
Environment
Doggett is a supporter of the environmental preservation and is a leading opponent of Arctic oil drilling. He has authored climate change legislation and voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
LGBT rights
Doggett voted against constitutional amendments that would have banned same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples. He co-sponsored the Respect for Marriage Act to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
Taxes
Doggett has introduced legislation to limit American corporations’ strategies to reduce their tax rates through the use of tax havens. He has criticized the renewal of the Bush tax cuts and has led initiatives to close tax loopholes.
Health
Doggett voted in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and sponsored legislation to protect the rights of elderly patients and reduce drug costs.
Immigration
He supports a guest worker program for undocumented immigrants and the program DACA for the “Dreamers”.
Iraq and Syria
Doggett opposed the authorization of the Iraq War and voted against continued funding for the conflict. In 2023, he voted to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria.
Doggett continues to be a prominent figure in Texas and U.S. politics, championing a broad range of progressive policies.