Senate Report Card: Norm Coleman R-MN

Senator Norm Coleman is the senior Republican United States Senator from the state of Minnesota. Senator Coleman assumed office in 2003. He was previously a member of the Democratic Farm Labor Party.

Senator Coleman serves on the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; Foreign Relations and Aging Committees. He is also the ranking member on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations and the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs.

Coleman has worked for policies that strengthen America's ability to produce clean, reliable energy. He has promoted fuels by providing farmers support to grow fuel, ensure the availability of E-85 gas pumps and flex-fuel vehicles, and has set aggressive, achievable standards for renewable fuel production. He has proposed 10 percent renewable fuel requirements in 10 years.

He introduced several bipartisan bills such as the Vehicle and Fuel Choices for American Security Act which sets a goal of saving 2.5 million barrels of oil daily in 10 years - the amount currently imported from the Middle East. He also introduced the Transforming Energy Now bill that requires 10% of America's fuel to be blended with ethanol in 10 years. He cosponsored legislation, the bipartisan Fuel Economy Reform Act, which seeks a more flexible approach to increased Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency Standards.

Senator Norm Coleman cited his opposition to homosexuals and abortion as his reasoning to join the Republican Party. He is opposed to federal funding of stem cell research. He opposes recognition of gay marriage or even civil unions by either the state or federal governments. Coleman used an anti-gay flyer at the Republican Party of Minnesota convention. Coleman opposes adoptions by gay and lesbian individuals. Coleman as the Mayor of St. Paul voted against an effort to repeal a city law that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation

Coleman introduced legislation to combat high energy costs. The Home Energy Savings Incentives Act provided up to $5000 in tax credits to homeowners that make energy-saving upgrades to their homes after consultation with a qualified energy rater. In addition it encouraged energy conservation. He joined in voting for the Federal Minimum Wage increase.

Senator Norm Coleman supports the war in Iraq, but opposed President Bush's troop surge. He voted to place restrictions on troop deployments. He voted against a troop reduction.

Senator Norm Coleman is expected to face tough competition for his seat in Minnesota, Saturday Night Live alum Al Franken has announced he will run against Coleman.