Unit 4 Section 1 Blog Post

Alec Pratt
March 22, 2016
Unit 4 Section 1

Representative Dan Lipinski

Rep. Lipinski has been a member of Congress since 2005.  Before becoming a member of congress, Rep. Lipinski was an engineer and a college professor. His largest contributor is the Polish American leadership PAC, which gave him around 1800 dollars in 2014. Rep. Lipinski’s district is a part of chicago and is heavily concerned with technology. He has served 6 terms as a representative for Illinois. His major committee assignments include: House committee on Science, Space and Technology, and House committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He is a ranking member of the subcommittee on Research and Technology.

What Would Dan Do?

H.R. 4528: ENCRYPT Act of 2016

I believe that Rep. Lipinski would vote in favor of the ENCRYPT Act. Coming from a technologically advanced district, and because he sits on many technology based committees, I believe that Rep. Lipinski would vote for the passing of this act. The ENCRYPT Act would prevent states from banning encryption. This would be very beneficial to the furthering of technology without the invasion of the outside. While the act is being sent and is based around terrorism and crime, i believe that Rep. Lipinski understands the need for privacy in technology.

H.R. Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Re-Authorization Act of 2016

I believe that Rep. Lipinski would not vote in favor of the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Re-Authorization Act of 2016. I believe that Rep. Lipinski would vote for the continuation of the air to be controlled by the FAA instead of privatizing the air. Rep. Lipinski serves on the Aviation subcommittee in the House as well. Coming from Chicago, i think he would see that having all airways under the same one control makes things a lot easier and safer.

H.R. Sentencing Reform Act of 2015

I think that Rep. Lipinski would not vote for the passing of the Sentencing Reform Act. Coming from an urban area, I believe that Rep. Lipinski would want to make his streets safe. While many prisoners may change while they are imprisoned, shortening a drug dealers sentence could lead to more drugs being sold in his district. I think that Rep. Lipinski would want the best for his people by keeping those who need to be in prison, in prison. However, I do believe that some one with the views like Lipinski would not be 100% opposed to changing sentencing and how it is done. I just think he wouldnt agree with certain components of the bill.