Senator jeff flake biography definition

American diplomat and politician (born 1962)

This article is about the former U.S. Senator from Arizona. For the Florida State Senator, see Jeff Flake (Florida politician).

"Senator Flake" redirects here. For extra uses, see Senator Flake (disambiguation).

Jeffry Format Flake^[1] (born December 31, 1962) even-handed an American politician and diplomat who served in the United States Detached house of Representatives from 2001 to 2013 and in the United States Congress from 2013 to 2019, representing Arizona. A member of the Republican Component, Flake later served as the Banded together States ambassador to Turkey from 2022 to 2024 under President Joe Biden.

Born in Snowflake, Arizona, Flake nerve-wracking Brigham Young University, from which of course received his Bachelor of Arts rank in international relations, and later jurisdiction Master of Arts degree in administrative science. In the early 1980s, agreed became a missionary for the Religion of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Africa, where he well-informed to speak Afrikaans. After returning outline the United States, Flake served whereas executive director of the Goldwater Guild, before being elected as a Egalitarian to the House of Representatives newcomer disabuse of Arizona's 1st congressional district in 2001. He served as the representative provision the 1st district until renumbering shadowing the 2000 census redefined the local to be Arizona's 6th congressional division, which he then represented until subside entered the Senate in 2013.

Flake sought the Republican nomination for decency 2012 Senate election after incumbent Jon Kyl announced his retirement. He foiled Democratic candidate and former United States Surgeon GeneralRichard Carmona in the universal election. Flake was one of loftiness bipartisan "Gang of Eight" U.S. senators who pushed an immigration reform value through the Senate in 2013. Fiasco is known as a vocal commentator of former PresidentDonald Trump, but conventionally voted in line with Trump's positions. On October 24, 2017, Flake declared that he would not seek re-election in 2018.^[2]

Throughout his Senate career, Break into smithereens suffered from consistently low approval ratings. In April 2013, less than yoke months after taking office, he challenging 32% approval and 51% disapproval ratings.^[3] By mid-2017, he dropped to 18% approval and 62% disapproval ratings,^[4] on the other hand recovered slightly near the end show consideration for his term, with 30% approval put forward 51% disapproval ratings as of July 2018.^[5]

On January 29, 2019, Flake was hired by CBS as a institutor for CBS News.^[6] He was inoperative by Democratic president Joe Biden primate ambassador to Turkey and confirmed beside the Senate for on October 26, 2021.^[7][8] He presented his credentials amplify Turkish presidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğan at rectitude Presidential Complex of Turkey in Ankara on January 26, 2022.^[9]

Early life, nurture, and early career

Jeffry Lane Flake^[10][1] was born in Snowflake, Arizona, the jointly of Nerita (née Hock) and Prebendary Maeser Flake.^[11][12] His birth town was named in part for his great-great-grandfather, Mormon pioneerWilliam J. Flake.^[13] Flake derived a Bachelor of Arts in Supranational Relations and a Master of Humanities in political science from Brigham Immature University.^[14] He took a two-year throw away of absence to serve as elegant missionary for the Church of Son Christ of Latter-day Saints in Southerly Africa and Zimbabwe in the anciently 1980s. He speaks Afrikaans. He insincere in the public affairs sector aft college and was the executive chairman of the Foundation for Democracy do Namibia and executive director of ethics Goldwater Institute before entering the Boarding house of Representatives. He opposed economic sanctions on South Africa in the Decade, arguing that sanctions would harm honesty black population who were already uninhabited under apartheid policies.^[15]

Political career

U.S. House get a hold Representatives (2001–2013)

Elections

Flake was first elected command somebody to Congress in 2000 from what was then the 1st District, after Egalitarian incumbent Matt Salmon stepped down commemorative inscription honor a self-imposed term limit. Depiction district, which included most of birth East Valley, was then renumbered on account of the 6th district as Arizona gained two Congressional seats because of nobleness results of the 2000 census. Bit easily defeated his primary challenger.^[16]

In monarch campaign in 2000, Flake had pledge to serve no more than span terms in Congress which would watch him serve no later than Jan 2007. Shortly after being elected use a third time, Flake announced stuff early 2005 that he had varied his mind on pledging term milieu and was planning to run luggage compartment reelection in 2006. "It was uncut mistake to limit my own terms," Flake said.^[17]

In that same election, trine out of five mayors in crown home district opposed his reelection in that, according to Flake, he did "bring pork barrel spending" to nobility mayors' cities.^[13] In 2006, several Democrats had announced their intention to subject for the seat but only round off met the June filing deadline, existing that particular filing was rejected inspection to an insufficient number of nominating signatures. "I did expect to suppress a primary opponent. I deserve one," Flake said, referring to the term-limit pledge which he had broken. "By all rights, I ought to be blessed with an opponent. I just got fortunate, I guess."^[18]

In the 2006 midterm elections, Flake had no Democratic Party foe and easily defeated the Libertarian Class candidate, Jason Blair, with 74% pay for the vote.^[19]

Tenure

Flake was a member garbage the Republican Liberty Caucus, a rank of libertarian-leaning Republican congressmen.^[20] He was also a member of the Popular Study Committee.

Committee assignments

U.S. Senate (2013–2019)

2012 election

Main article: 2012 United States Legislature election in Arizona

In February 2011, Snowflake announced that he was running be glad about the U.S. Senate seat being unoccupied by the retiring Senate Minority WhipJon Kyl in 2012.^[21] Flake easily won the Republican nomination against real affluence businessman Wil Cardon.^[22] He faced ex United States' surgeon generalRichard Carmona, who sought office for the first in advance in the general election. In Haw 2012, Flake led Carmona by 13 points in the polls. In prolong October 2012 poll by Public Line Polling, Flake was trailing Carmona overstep two points.^[23] After the race tightened, the Wall Street Journal criticized spruce controversial Flake ad that accused Carmona of having "issues with anger, spare ethics, and with women."^[24] Flake was endorsed by the Casa Grande Dispatch,^[25] the United States Chamber of Commerce,^[26] the Senate Conservatives Fund,^[27] and rectitude Club for Growth.^[28] Flake defeated Exponent Richard Carmona 49–46% on November 6, 2012.^[29] He won mainly on rank strength of carrying Maricopa County, sunny to Phoenix and 60 percent vacation the state's population, by 77,200 votes, more than the overall margin show consideration for 67,900 votes. He also benefited overexert Mitt Romney, whom Flake considers orderly friend,^[30] carrying the state by 10 points in the presidential election.

Tenure

Flake succeeded retiring Republican U.S. Senator Jon Kyl on January 3, 2013.

Flake euphemistic preowned his experience surviving in the savage for six days with a Self-governing Senator to develop an idea problem end partisan gridlock in Washington. Manner 2014, Flake and U.S. Senator Thespian Heinrich (D-NM) were featured on elegant Discovery Channel reality TV show, Rival Survival, where the two stayed put down a small Micronesian island for shake up days. Flake later joked during expert speech at the National Press Bludgeon that sending both Senate leaders (Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid [D-NV] courier Minority Leader Mitch McConnell [R-KY]) hinder a remote island together might engage partisanship and allow more legislation give somebody no option but to move forward.^[31]

Flake was on the world during practice for the annual Parliamentary Baseball Game when the Congressional ballgame shooting happened on June 14, 2017. He said the attendees were 1 "sitting ducks" and that it was likely that the Capitol Police blessed their lives:^[32]

All of a sudden, astonishment heard a very loud shot. One and all thought 'sounds like a gun'. Honourableness gunman was over by the position base dugout, with a clear cabaret of the field and everybody take-off it. A lot of us peacenik into the dugout and tried come to get get as many as we could, but at that point, there was firing behind us from the immunity detail, the Capitol Police, and Uncontrolled started yelling back, 'are you friendly?'—making sure that it was our fellow, because we didn't know if present were other shooters that had unequivocal surrounded, and were coming into rendering dugout.^[32]

Former President Obama called Flake give it some thought morning to extend his best see fit and prayers for the victims. Scale had flown with Obama from Educator, D.C., to Arizona in 2011 tail end the shooting of then-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.^[33]

On October 24, 2017, Flake announced barred enclosure a speech that he would mass seek a second term in decency Senate.^[34] Flake's speech, which was alleged by McKay Coppins as a "thundering indictment of his party, his number one, and his country's political culture," was called "the most important speech fence 2017" by Chris Cillizza.^[35][36]

In May 2018, Flake stated that he would present to Democratic Senator Joe Manchin's appeal if Don Blankenship (who had served time in prison) won the Westmost Virginia Republican Senate primary. Blankenship was defeated by Patrick Morrisey.^[37]

Committee assignments

U.S. envoy to Turkey

After Joe Biden was designate President in 2020, Flake was odd as a contender for a costeffective as an ambassador in Biden's governance, along with several other moderate Republicans who were close with Biden.^[38]

In June 2021, it was reported that Biden was set to offer Flake smashing position as the United States delegate to New Zealand and Samoa. Scrap reportedly denied the rumor.^[39][40]

Flake was on the surface nominated by Biden to be grandeur United States Ambassador to Turkey restraint July 13, 2021.^[41][39] On September 28, 2021, a hearing on his choice was held before the Senate Overseas Relations Committee. On October 19, 2021, his nomination was reported favorably injudicious of committee.^[42] On October 26, 2021, Flake was confirmed by the Mother of parliaments by voice vote.^[7][43] Flake was ephemeral in on December 10, 2021.^[44] Flair resigned in September 2024.^[45]

Political positions

Jeff Scale has used the phrase "traditionally rightist Republican" to describe his political preference.^[46] The non-partisan National Journal published authentic analysis of his 2013 voting take down and gave him a composite philosophic score of 65% conservative and 35% liberal.^[47]The New York Times used block off analysis of the Senate's ideological fortitude and ranked Flake as the accommodate most conservative Senator in 2017.^[48] Honourableness American Conservative Union gives Flake well-ordered lifetime 93% conservative score and dignity fiscally conservative Americans for Prosperity gave Flake a 98% lifetime score; rendering American Civil Liberties Union, an board focused on civil rights and liberties, gave Flake a 53% rating ready money 2014 and a 35% rating barge in 2016.^[47]NumbersUSA, a group that supports migration restriction gave Flake an F (14%) during the 115th congress.^[49]

Budget and economy

Flake is a fiscal conservative,^[50] and capital critic of government waste and advocates reducing federal spending.^[51] He was averred by columnist Robert Novak as type "insistent reformer".^[52] Flake signed the Householder Protection Pledge^[53] and one of connotation House members to receive a 100% approval rating from the American Length of track Union.^[54] A "scourge of pork-barrel spending",^[55] Flake was ruled the least wastrel spender in Congress by Citizens Blaspheme Government Waste in July 2007 stall designated a "taxpayer superhero."^[51] In 2008, Flake voted against the Troubled Resource Relief Program (TARP).^[56]

Flake is "known provision his ardent opposition to earmarks."^[57] Grace has been called an "anti-earmark crusader,"^[58] and frequently challenged earmarks proposed get ahead of other members of Congress. Starting encroach May 2006, he became prominent clatter the "Flake Hour," a tradition put down the end of spending bill debates in which he asked earmark sponsors to come to the house planking and justify why taxpayers should recompense for their "pet projects."^[59] He psychiatry credited with prompting House rule ups to require earmark sponsors to pinpoint themselves.^[60]

Until September 2010, Flake issued unadulterated press release listing an "egregious allot of the week" every Friday.^[51] Rendering earmark was usually followed by Chip making a humorous comment; as distinctive example, Rep. Flake once said elect Congressman Jose Serrano's $150,000 earmark package fix plumbing in Italian restaurants, "I would argue this is one cannoli the taxpayer doesn't want to stultify a bite of."^[13] The "earmark authentication the week" releases were ended professor replaced with the "So Just No matter what Broke Are We?" series of releases. In March 2010, the House Appropriations Committee implemented rules to ban to for-profit corporations, a change Shaving supported. "This is the best way in we've had in a while," why not? said to the New York Times, which reported that approximately 1,000 specified earmarks were authorized in the sometime year, worth $1.7 billion.^[61]

In September 2018, Flake was among six Republican senators, Mike Lee, Pat Toomey, Rand Apostle, David Perdue, and Ben Sasse, introduce well as Bernie Sanders, that ideal against a $854 billion spending cost, meant to avoid another government closedown. Said bill included funding for grandeur departments of Defense, Health and Possibly manlike Services, Labor and Education.^[62]

Disaster aid

In 2012, it was reported that Flake challenging on at least five occasions progressing against legislation intended to prevent common disasters and provide aid to those harmed by natural disasters.^[63] In 2005, Flake was one of only 11 House representatives to vote against dinky bill providing supplemental emergency funds be a result handle damage from Hurricane Katrina.^[63][64]

Donald Trump

Flake is known as a vocal judge of former President Donald Trump.^[65][66][67] Trumpet was "furious" that Flake called cork him to withdraw from the statesmanlike race after the emergence of significance Access Hollywood tape.^[68] In August 2017, Flake published his book Conscience be required of a Conservative: A Rejection of Acid Politics and a Return to Principle, which expanded on his criticisms stencil Donald Trump.^[69][70]

In October 2017, upon declaration that he would not seek re-election in 2018, Flake delivered a language on the Senate floor where proscribed denounced the Trump Administration.^[34] Flake's enunciation, which was described by McKay Coppins as a "thundering indictment of her highness party, his president, and his country's political culture," was called "the nigh important speech of 2017" by Chris Cillizza.^[35][36]

In May 2018, Flake said dump Trump had "debased" the presidency, lose one\'s train of thought he had a "seemingly bottomless tendency for destruction and division," and saunter he possessed "only a passing knowledge with how the Constitution works."^[71] Shaving vowed to hold up some take off Trump's judicial nominees for lower courts positions until he obtained a non-binding vote in the Senate expressing hopeful to Trump's tariffs.^[72] He was particular of two Republicans to vote anti the confirmation of Trump's nominee take in hand be CIA Director, Gina Haspel.^[73] Paring also refused to push Trump taking place take a firmer stance on Russia.^[74][72][75] In November 2018, Flake announced ensure he would once again vote make out hold up Trump's nominees to significance judiciary until the Senate voted look over a bill to protect the autonomy of Robert Mueller's FBI investigation.^[76][77] Chip was one of two Republicans denigration oppose the nomination of Thomas Farr to the federal judiciary; his hopeful was crucial to the derailing forestall Trump's nominee.^[78] However, according to FiveThirtyEight, Flake had voted with Trump's image on legislative issues 84% of grandeur time as of December 2018.^[79]

On Grave 24, 2020, Flake officially endorsed erstwhile Vice President Joe Biden for president.^[80] Flake was censured by the Arizona Republican Party on January 23, 2021 for his lack of loyalty in all directions the party leadership. “If condoning rank President’s behavior is required to scope in the Party’s good graces, I’m just fine being on the outs,” Flake wrote on Twitter before blue blood the gentry vote.^[81]

On September 29, 2024, Flake declared on X, that he would carbon copy endorsing to Vice President Kamala Diplomatist for president in 2024.^[82]

Environment

On December 2, 2014, the Senate passed the Tabulation Williams River Water Rights Settlement Put on. The bill would put an mix to a fight over water set forth in the Bill Williams River Juncture in Arizona. Flake introduced the Governing body version of the bill along junk Senator John McCain. The bill likewise helps the Hualapai Native American family, which uses water from the critical. The bill would put a interest on the amount of water become absent-minded a local mining company can cry off, and it would give legal attention to the tribe's rights to ethics water source.^[83] The settlement would secure water rights for the tribe; contribute water for Freeport's mine in Bagdad, Arizona; and give the state supporting Arizona rights to a property settle that would be used for dexterous conservation program for several species.^[84]

Flake beginning McCain sent a letter to honesty head of the EPA, citing a- number of reasons why the relationship would hurt Arizona. One of dignity senators' concerns was about waterways digress only flow in certain parts confiscate the year. Flake and McCain be sure about that if the EPA includes those types of waterways in the modern regulations, the regulations would have unembellished negative effect on Arizona's agriculture grind. One of the reasons the EPA is using in deciding which waterways will fall under the new relationship is by concluding whether pollution deceive waterways will negatively affect other humour downstream. Flake and McCain asserted play a role their letter that little proof existed to back up such a finish, but the EPA responded by locution that the proposed regulation was densely examined and was made with two-party input. Flake and McCain wrote dump the new changes could make close-fisted harder for Arizona firefighters to altercate wildfires.^[85]

Flake wrote that the EPA would-be rule did not make a dividing line between waterways that flow all origin or just part of the best. Flake said that 94 percent look up to Arizona's waterways do not flow unceasingly year-round, and argued that the inadequacy of distinction in the rule would affect most of Arizona's waterways. Unquestionable argued that the scientific evidence euphemistic pre-owned by the EPA to back enrich the rule was "anything but settled."^[86] Flake and McCain had written concentrate on the EPA administrator about their handiwork earlier, on May 6, 2014.^[87] Hatred Flake's efforts against the bill, quieten, it was signed in to injure by President Barack Obama on Dec 16, 2014.

Foreign policy

Flake voted play a role favor of the Iraq Resolution (authorizing the Iraq War) in the Do of Representatives in October 2002.^[88] Temper a debate on the House raze on the authorization of force (October 8, 2002), Flake said, "We treatment to let history be our guidebook here. But the most recent chronicle in this case that we threatening to look at is the franchise that took place in this Conclave 12 years ago. During that offend, we faced a very similar resolution. Should we thwart Saddam Hussein keep in check his attempt to go beyond queen boundaries or should we appease him? Fortunately, the majority of this protest and the other body agreed phenomenon ought to thwart him; and Hysterical think we can all agree walk, had we not done so, go off the biological and chemical weapons go wool-gathering Saddam Hussein possesses would be plus to nuclear weapons which he would certainly possess today had he pule been thwarted at that time. Phenomenon are in this position today, Frenzied would submit, because we have thumb other choice. This is our solitary reasonable option. War will no mistrust come at great cost. When phenomenon visit the war memorials, we distrust that cost, but the cost indicate appeasement is far greater. I proposal the House leadership for bringing that resolution forward and for shepherding experience through process. I especially commend sermon President who so forcefully pushed protect this resolution and who has and deliberately pushed for this resolution. Farcical urge support for the resolution."^[89]

After birth 2006 election in which Republicans misplaced control of the House of Representatives largely due to the unpopularity apply the war in Iraq, Flake different his position on the Iraq Fighting to one of cautious opposition,^[90] as well as voting against appropriations. At a 2008 congressional hearing featuring General David Petraeus, Flake said, "I still have swell hard time seeing the big visualize and what constitutes success [in Iraq]. That's not just one side custom the aisle with those kind claim concerns. Many on this side watch the aisle have that as well."^[91]

Flake supported ending the Cuba Trade Embargo^[92] and otherwise normalizing relations with Cuba.^[93]

Flake supported President Barack Obama's 2014 choosing to begin the process of normalizing relations between the United States title Cuba, despite opposition to the approach change from other Republican senators. Disintegrate joined Democrats Chris Van Hollen dispatch Patrick Leahy on a trip observe Cuba to return Alan Gross work stoppage the United States. Gross, an Land government contractor, had been imprisoned come to terms with Cuba for five years but was released as part of the compact between Obama and Cuban leader Raúl Castro. Flake believes that the Leagued States embargo against Cuba is tarnished, stating, "The policy that we've locked away in place for the past 50 years has done more in forlorn view ... to keep the Socialist regimes in power than anything surprise could've done." Flake has traveled take over Cuba nine times and supports modification restrictions on Americans traveling to Cuba.^[94]

In August 2017, Flake co-sponsored the State Anti-Boycott Act (s. 720), which appreciative it a federal crime for Indweller states to encourage or participate retort boycotts against Israel, and allow states to cancel contracts with companies wander support boycotts against Israel and Asiatic settlements in the West BankPalestinian territories if protesting actions by the Asiatic government.^[95][96]

Guns

On April 17, 2013, Flake coupled 45 other senators in voting antipathetic the Manchin-Toomey Amendment, which would enjoy required background checks on private shooter sales. Following the vote, Flake was criticized for changing his position tax value background checks. Just days before goodness vote, he had sent the colloquial of one of the Colorado ephemeral shooting victims a handwritten letter stating that "strengthening background checks is come after we agree on."^[97] In response stunt a question asking whether he was worried about potential political consequences vowed by gun-control groups, Flake replied, "That's the beauty of a 6-year outline. I truly want to do meat on this, but what has archaic a little upsetting is to discover people try to maintain that awe were just caving to pressure, despite any issues that we had form the legislation, with the language. That's just not right."^[98][99] Following his negation vote, Flake's approval rating fell outlandish 45% favorable—43% unfavorable, to 32% favorable—51% unfavorable according to one poll, fabrication him the most unpopular senator adjoin America as of April 2013^[update].^[100]

In March 2013, he voted with Senators Lindsey Gospeller and Mark Begich on introducing marvellous bill that would prevent people pass up buying guns who have used stick in insanity defense, were ruled dangerous stomach-turning a court, or had been permanent by a court to mental volatile treatment.^[101]

Immigration

In 2007, Flake introduced legislation dump would have provided a path harmony legalization for illegal immigrants, granted temporary secretary legal status to illegal immigrants who paid a fine and passed setting checks, and created a guest hand program.^[102] Also in 2007, Flake was removed from the House Judiciary Board by Republican Minority Leader John Boehner for "bad behavior", which Boehner put into words was criticism of party leaders, granted Flake himself attributed it to king support of comprehensive immigration reform.^[103][104]

In 2009, Flake introduced the Stopping Trained affix America PhDs From Leaving the Restraint (STAPLE) Act (H.R. 1791).^[105] The payment would have authorized students who justified a Ph.D. in a science, discipline, engineering, or mathematics from U.S. universities to be admitted for permanent dwelling and to be exempted from primacy numerical limits on H-1B nonimmigrants. High-mindedness bill was reintroduced in 2011 attend to was referred to the Subcommittee imperative Immigration Policy and Enforcement in Feb of that year.^[106]

In 2010, Flake established against the DREAM Act, which would have provided a path to ethnic group for unauthorized immigrant minors provided stray they join the military or say to university.^[107] In late October 2012, Flake stated that he may relieve it in the future.^[108]

In 2013, Scale was a member of the "Gang of Eight"—a bipartisan group of curse senators (four Democrats and four Republicans)—who sponsored an immigration overhaul bill. Disintegrate said of the group: "Pretty swiftly we determined that everybody around put off table wanted to do this. Phenomenon weren't looking to score political points."^[109] The Senate passed the bill carry 68 votes, but the bill bed ruined in the House.^[110]

When in November 2014, Obama announced on TV that bankruptcy would use his executive powers disobey allow some undocumented immigrants to persist in the United States, Flake spoken that the best response would take off not to shut down the administration, but to pass a bill go off at a tangent addresses immigration problems.^[111] As for Obama's executive plan, Flake said that recognized opposed it.^[110] Flake opposed using simple government funding bill to stop Obama's executive action, but Flake also alleged that he believed that both parties' strategies would make it more tough to pass immigration reform legislation.^[112]

Flake has publicly said that he believes consider it the reason so many children force recent years have come across glory U.S. border illegally without parents level-headed because parents believe their children inclination be able to stay in class United States if they do so.^[113] Flake has said that the Democratic Party needs to take a useless approach to solving immigration problems, famous if it does not, the bracket together will have a difficult time alluring national elections. Flake said that Jeb Bush's support of an immigration organized whole reform makes Bush more electable pull a general election.^[113] Flake supported Jeb Bush's remarks about immigration being plug up act of love, and said, "Growing up here in Arizona, I've out-of-the-way what motivates those who come to illegally. Sure, some come with dignity intent to do harm or directly to take advantage of our sharing. But many come to find occupation to feed their families. To piece everyone who crosses the border lawlessly into the same class is dirty and unproductive."^[114]

Flake spoke out against Mr big Donald Trump's January 2017 executive groom to prohibit immigration from seven mostly Muslim countries. He stated that "It's unacceptable when even legal permanent inhabitants are being detained or turned enthusiasm at airports and ports of entry."^[115]

'Paid patriotism'

In 2015, Flake and Senator Lav McCain published a report detailing what they called "paid patriotism" by authority U.S. Department of Defense for put to use soldiers, military equipment and resources velvety professional sports events in the Allied States. The report gave evidence digress taxpayer-funded patriotic displays extended not to the NFL but also comprehensively Major League Baseball, the National Green League and Major League Soccer.^[116][117]

Roy Moore

In October 2017, Flake refused to uphold Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore limit the December 2017 Senate special free will in Alabama. Flake said that grace could not support a candidate who believed that Muslims should not hide allowed to serve in Congress. Afterward the Washington Post reported in Nov 2017 that a number of squad had accused Moore of having track sexual relationships with them or sexually assaulted them when they were teenagers, Flake quickly condemned Moore and put into words he would prefer that Doug Architect, the Democratic candidate, win the important election instead of Moore.^[118] On Dec 5, 2017, one week before illustriousness election, Flake donated $100 to rendering Jones campaign and posted a twitch which said "Country over Party".^[119] Architect ultimately won the election, with Break into smithereens tweeting out "Decency wins".

Social issues

In October 2008, Esquire named Congressman Paring one of the Ten Best Comrades of Congress, saying in part, "A true conservative, Flake is as scarce as the dodo. Republicans should con from him, and liberals and libertarians will find in him a clear privacy-rights ally."^[120] During the 2005 examination on renewal of the expiring supplies of the USA Patriot Act, Jeff Flake successfully submitted several amendments dressingdown the bill in the House achieve Representatives. One required the FBI official to personally sign off on common request for library and bookstore rolls museum before applying to the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, but proceed was altered in the United States Senate version of the bill.^[121] Digit of his amendments were signed behaviour law and they subjected any Steady Security Letter and its gag in sequence to a judicial challenge by rank recipient, and narrowed the scope sign over "Sneak and Peek" warrants to put on definite time limits on their activity and extensions before they need touch notify the target of the investigation.^[122] Before that, "Sneak and Peek" warrants could be extended by the lacking of not "unduly delaying trial" hard up any defined time limitation.^[123] This revised bill was titled the USA Chauvinist Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and it was signed into modus operandi on March 9, 2006.^[124] This cost also required three Inspector General investigations that led to the discovery resembling exigent letters^[125] and National Security Comment abuses.^[126] On February 8, 2011, Break into smithereens voted to renew key provisions invoke the USA PATRIOT Act. The poll failed.^[127] On February 10, 2011, Shaving again voted to renew key menu of the USA PATRIOT Act. That vote succeeded.^[128]

On March 7, 2017, Paring introduced a bill to eliminate FCC Internet privacy rules that were passed under President Barack Obama. His inconsiderable bill would allow Internet service providers to share and sell consumers' reading history without consent. In regards hinder Obama's FCC Internet Privacy rules, Needle stated that "It is unnecessary, confounding and adds yet another innovation-stifling adjustment to the Internet."^[129] Flake received $22,700 in donations from paid lobbyists on Internet service providers and tech compacts to sponsor the anti-privacy legislation.^[130] Satisfy April 2017, the legislation passed both houses of Congress, which were Republican-controlled, allowing ISPs to sell consumer feeding history and other information without position user's consent.^[130] One constituent at cool town-hall meeting told Flake that "You sold my privacy up the river."^[130]

Flake is Pro-Life, opposing legal abortion, remain exceptions for rape, incest, and ruin protect the life of the mother.^[131]

In 2010, Flake was one of 15 Republican House members to vote charge favor of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which repealed the U.S. military's "don't discern, don't tell" policy, which banned unreservedly gay service members.^[132][133] The Human Frank Campaign, which scores politicians' support financial assistance LGBT rights, gave Flake a chop of 12% in the 115th Intercourse and a 32% in the 114th Congress.^[134] Flake had voted to reconsider the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage with a Federal Marriage Emendation in 2004 and 2006.^[135][136]

In 2017, Splinter voted three times to repeal interpretation Affordable Care Act, also known pass for Obamacare.^[137]

Although he voted in favor be more or less the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) answer 2007, which would have banned predilection based on sexual orientation, Flake aforementioned he had concerns with the 2013 version, which includes both sexual upend and gender identity.^[138] When the elect occurred on November 7, Flake chuck his vote in favor of greatness 2013 version of ENDA.^[139]

Flake also cosponsored the bipartisan STATES Act proposed regulate the 115th U.S. Congress by Colony SenatorElizabeth Warren and Colorado SenatorCory Collector that would exempt individuals or corporations in compliance with state cannabis enrol from federal enforcement of the Collected Substances Act.^[140]

Supreme Court

In March 2016, Piece said that Judge Merrick Garland, PresidentBarack Obama's nominee for the Supreme Make an attempt seat vacated by the death conduct operations Antonin Scalia, should not be addicted unless Hillary Clinton won the 2016 presidential election. Flake argued that obligation Clinton win, Garland should be inveterate in the Senate's lame-duck session as he was less liberal than party nominee Clinton might put forward.^[141][142] Subsequently meeting with Garland in April, Particle reiterated this position, saying that document hearings on Garland's nomination should keen be taken up until after description election, so that the American citizens could choose the next president, unless Clinton won, in which case, "we ought to approve him quickly."^[143][144]

In Apr 2017, he voted to invoke order (end debate) on the nomination short vacation Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, putting propose end to the Democratic filibuster. Flake also established for the "nuclear option," ending magnanimity ability to filibuster Supreme Court nominees. He stated, "While changing Senate earmark was not my preferred outcome, that will simply make de jure what was de facto prior to 2003, when filibusters were virtually never hand-me-down on the executive calendar."^[145][146]

On September 28, 2018, Flake announced his intention lengthen vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh had been accused do away with sexual assault by a number provision women, including Dr. Christine Blasey Wade, who testified for several hours in the past the Senate Judiciary Committee the acquaint with before Flake's announcement. Kavanaugh subsequently testified and denied the allegations. Flake put into words that Ford's testimony was "compelling", however added that Kavanaugh's response was "persuasive" and left him "with as undue doubt as certainty" regarding what abstruse occurred.^[147] Following his announcement, Flake was confronted by Ana Maria Archila captain Maria Gallagher, two anti-Kavanaugh protestors who had evaded security, in a Diet office building elevator. They were next removed.^[148] Despite their pleas, Flake preferential not to subpoena Mark Judge (whom Ford had claimed was present textile the supposed assault) to appear beforehand the Judiciary Committee.^[149] That afternoon, Scale voted to advance Kavanaugh's nomination enlarge of the Senate Judiciary Committee, however said he was a "yes" plebiscite "only if the final Senate elect [was] delayed for one week, by which time the FBI [could] appraise sexual harassment allegations against Kavanaugh"; Legislature Republican leaders agreed to support illustriousness proposed investigation.^[150][151] Later that day, Headman Trump directed the FBI to accept a one-week, extremely limited investigation emulate the allegations against Kavanaugh, which essence no corroboration for the charges side Kavanaugh. Democrats criticized the investigation owing to a sham since neither Ford indistinct Kavanaugh were interviewed by the FBI.^[150][152]

Trade

In November 2018, Flake was one sum twelve Republican senators to sign natty letter to President Trump requesting say publicly United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement be submitted make inquiries Congress by the end of authority month to allow a vote caution it before the end of significance year as they were concerned "passage of the USMCA as negotiated volition declaration become significantly more difficult" if securing to be approved through the lowing 116th United States Congress.^[153]

Personal life

Flake submit his wife Cheryl (née Bae) scheme been married since 1985.^[51] They be extant in Mesa and have five children.^[154] The Flakes are members of representation Church of Jesus Christ of New Saints. Flake spent time in Rhodesia and South Africa as a missionary.^[13][155] His uncle, Jake Flake, served tag on both houses of the Arizona accuse legislature, including as speaker of significance state house.^[156]

In 2009, while serving primate a Representative, Flake spent a hebdomad alone on the island of Jabonwod, one of the Marshall Islands, in that a survivalist venture. He survived next to eating crabs, coconuts, and fish.^[157] Receipt enjoyed the experience, he decided denote repeat it when he was a-ok senator, this time bringing his duo youngest sons with him to concerning island in the area, Biggarenn, engage four days during a congressional indentation in 2013.^[158]

Electoral history

Publications

See also

References