Doc Hastings

Richard Norman Hastings was born in Spokane, Washington to Ivan and Florene Hastings; he is of part Norwegian ancestry on the maternal side of his family.[http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/05/24/1501974/obit-congressman-hastings-mother.html Deaths of Ivan and Florene Hastings] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314043353/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/05/24/1501974/obit-congressman-hastings-mother.html |date=March 14, 2012 }}http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/hastingsdoc.htm {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=June 2022}} He served in the United States Army Reserve from 1964 to 1969.{{cite web|title=Veterans in the US House of Representatives 109th Congress|publisher=Navy League|url=http://www.navyleague.org/legislative_affairs/HouseVets.pdf|access-date=2006-12-09|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20061129201046/http%3A//www%2Enavyleague%2Eorg/legislative_affairs/HouseVets%2Epdf|archive-date=2006-11-29}}

He studied business administration at Columbia Basin College and Central Washington State College, but did not graduate from either. He was named Columbia Basin Alumni of the Year in 2001.{{cite book|title=Facts & Impacts|year=2001|publisher=Columbia Basin College|page=23|url=http://www.columbiabasin.edu/docs/facts_and_impacts_2001.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723223126/http://www.columbiabasin.edu/docs/facts_and_impacts_2001.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-07-23}} He returned to Central Washington as commencement speaker in 2008.{{cite news|last=McIntyre|first=Jerilyn S.|title=2008 CWU EASTSIDE/WESTSIDE COMMENCEMENTS|url=http://www.cwu.edu/bulletin/pastissues/june08pastissue.html|access-date=8 July 2011|newspaper=CWU University Bulletin|date=June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315191654/http://www.cwu.edu/bulletin/pastissues/june08pastissue.html|archive-date=15 March 2012}}

Before being elected to Congress, Hastings ran his family-owned small business, Columbia Basin Paper and Supply. He was an active member of the Pasco Chamber of Commerce, the Pasco/Kennewick Rotary Club, the Pasco Downtown Development Association, and the Pasco Jaycees.

In 1978, Hastings ran for Washington's 16th House District (seat 2). He defeated incumbent Democratic State Representative Charles Kilbury 62%–38%.{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=713750 | title=Our Campaigns - WA State House District 16 Seat 2 Race - Nov 07, 1978 }} In 1980, he won re-election to a second term, defeating Democrat Dorothy Miller 70%–30%.{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=695072 | title=Our Campaigns - WA State House District 16 Seat 2 Race - Nov 04, 1980 }} In 1982, he was re-elected to a third term against Democrat Sandy Dodd by 55%–45%.{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=690576 | title=Our Campaigns - WA State House District 16 Seat 2 Race - Nov 02, 1982 }} In 1984, he won re-election to a fourth term, defeating Democrat Bill Grant 52%–48%.{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=532909 | title=Our Campaigns - WA State House District 16 Seat 2 Race - Nov 06, 1984 }}

Hastings served in the Washington House of Representatives from 1979 to 1987, where he was selected by his colleagues to be Assistant Majority Leader and Republican Caucus Chairman. In 1983, he challenged the constitutionality of the state's 1.1% sales tax hike.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4_hLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oO4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=1769,6284109&dq=doc+hastings&hl=en 1983 challenge by Hastings to the constitutionality of Washington's 1.1% sales tax hike] He voluntarily left the Legislature, claiming family reasons.{{cite web|title=About Richard|url=http://www.dochastings.com/content/?page_id=2|work=Hastings Backgrounder|publisher=Friends of Richard Hastings|access-date=July 6, 2011}}

File:Doc Hasting, official 109th Congress photo.jpg

He served on the [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=G_hLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=se4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5438,1966106&dq=doc+hastings+committee&hl=en House Tax Advisory Committee].

Incumbent Republican Sid Morrison, of Washington's 4th congressional district, decided to retire in 1992 in order to run for Governor of Washington. Hastings ran, but lost in the general election to Democratic State Representative Jay Inslee, 51%–49%.{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28453 | title=Our Campaigns - WA District 4 Race - Nov 03, 1992 }} Although Hastings carried the Tri-Cities, he lost the rest of the district. He won three (Benton, Franklin, and Adams) of the district's ten counties.

Hastings sought a rematch against Inslee in 1994, and defeated him, 53%–47%, winning eight of the district's ten counties.{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29004 | title=Our Campaigns - WA District 4 Race - Nov 08, 1994 }} In 1996, he was re-elected to a second term, defeating Democrat Rick Locke 53%–47%.{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29623 | title=Our Campaigns - WA District 4 Race - Nov 05, 1996 }} He never faced another contest anywhere near that close, and was reelected eight more times with at least 60% of the vote.{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30246 | title=Our Campaigns - WA District 4 Race - Nov 03, 1998 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=685 | title=Our Campaigns - WA District 4 Race - Nov 07, 2000 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=1340 | title=Our Campaigns - WA District 4 Race - Nov 05, 2002 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=4402 | title=Our Campaigns - WA District 4 Race - Nov 02, 2004 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=139507 | title=Our Campaigns - WA District 4 Race - Nov 07, 2006 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=322373 | title=Our Campaigns - WA District 4 Race - Nov 04, 2008 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=487804 | title=Our Campaigns - WA District 4 Race - Nov 02, 2010 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=773792|title=Our Campaigns - WA District 4 Race - Nov 06, 2012}}

File:Richard N. Doc Hastings.jpg

;Political positions

In response to Project Vote Smart, Hastings wrote, "Top priorities must be creating jobs, getting our economy back on track, and stopping reckless spending that has left our nation with the largest deficit in history". The Seattle Post-Intelligencer considers Hastings to be a "down-the-line supporter of the House Republican leadership".

Hastings has served as Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources since January 2011 and is a proponent of increasing domestic production of oil and gas, including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. In November 2010 he said that "Promoting new domestic energy production, including in the Arctic, will be a priority" for the committee."Effort aims to block oil drilling in refuge;

Environmentalists fear a possible GOP bid to open a sensitive Alaska wildlife zone", Los Angeles Times, November 20, 2010.

;Interest group ratings

Hastings has a lifetime score of 3% from the League of Conservation Voters.{{cite web|title=National Environmental Scorecard|url=http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/doc-hastings|website=League of Conservation Voters|access-date=20 August 2014}}

File:Dochastings.jpg]]Hastings is rated as one of the most pro-business representatives in Congress, according to the United States Chamber of Commerce which gives Hastings a score of 94 out of 100 based on his 16-year voting record.{{cite web|title=U.S. Chamber of Commerce Ranks Hastings|url=http://www.uschamber.com/issues/legislators/how-they-voted-2010-house|work=Chamber of Commerce web site|publisher=U.S. Chamber of Commerce|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525235642/https://www.uschamber.com/issues/legislators/how-they-voted-2010-house|archive-date=2011-05-25}} The 501(c)4 organization Club for Growth gave Hastings a grade of 94 out of 100.{{cite web|title=Hastings Rated High|url=http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/scorecard/?year=2010&chamber=2&state=Any&party=Any&memberName=hastings|work=Scorecard|publisher=Club for Growth|access-date=28 June 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928023131/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/scorecard/?year=2010&chamber=2&state=Any&party=Any&memberName=hastings|archive-date=28 September 2011}}

The National Taxpayers Union gives Hastings a grade of A.{{cite web|title=Hastings Scores High with Taxpayers|url=http://www.ntu.org/on-capitol-hill/ntu-rates-congress/members/house/doc-hastings.html|work=Taxpayers Union Scorecard|publisher=National Taxpayers Union|access-date=June 28, 2011}} Hastings has been given an 'A' grade by Liz Cheney's Keep America Safe PAC{{cite web|title=Keep America Safe Scorecard|url=http://www.keepamericasafe.com/?page_id=5827|work=Hastings Receives the A Grade|publisher=Keep America Safe|access-date=28 June 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626123817/http://www.keepamericasafe.com/?page_id=5827|archive-date=26 June 2011}} He earned a 95.15% lifetime rating, as of 2010, from the American Conservative Union.{{cite web|title=American Conservative Union Ranks Hastings|url=http://www.conservative.org/ratings/ratingsarchive/2010/2010HouseRatings.htm#WA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213222324/http://www.conservative.org/ratings/ratingsarchive/2010/2010HouseRatings.htm#WA|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 13, 2011|work=American Conservative Union Rankings|publisher=American Conservative Union|access-date=June 20, 2011}}

Hastings is pro-life, demonstrated by consistent ratings of 100% from the National Right to Life Committee. He has received mixed ratings from some national agricultural groups. For 2009–2010 the American Farm Bureau Federation gave Representative Hastings a 66% rating.[http://votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=22318 Project Vote Smart] His rating from the National Association of Wheat Growers was 25 percent in 2008.

In 2009 and 2010, he received grades of "D" and "F" from the teachers union-affiliated National Education Association, and 0% from the American Association of University Women. In 2009–10, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Hastings a grade of "D".

;Controversies

Hastings was instrumental in 2002 in building the case that led to the expulsion of Congressman James Traficant (I-OH) from the United States Congress. As Chairman of the Investigative Subcommittee of the United States House Committee on Ethics, Hastings was tasked with reviewing the file from Traficant's trial and other material to determine if there had been a violation of House rules. Hastings said on the floor of the House, "After considering all of the evidence, I concluded that Mr. Traficant's offenses were so serious and so purposeful that expulsion from the House is the only appropriate sanction". The measure to remove Traficant from the House passed 420–1.{{cite news|last=Pope|first=Charles|title=Potomac Watch|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Potomac-Watch-Doc-Hastings-took-the-lead-in-1092275.php|work=Richard Hastings took the lead in Traficant's expulsion|publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|access-date=June 27, 2011|date=July 26, 2002}}

In 1996, lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his firm had as many as 36 contacts with Hastings' office, resulting in as many as 85.57 billed hours regarding the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.1996 CNMI Preston Gates Ellis Invoices Abramoff bragged to the CNMI of having "excellent" ties to Hastings.Alicia Mundy, "Pasco Congressman in Rare Spotlight", The Seattle Times, June 10, 2005. Hastings' 2004 campaign had received $1,000 from Abramoff personally and an additional $5,647 from Abramoff's lobbying firm, which was also one of the largest law firms in the State of Washington, Preston Gates. Preston Gates, Microsoft's law and lobbying firm, also contributed to Washington Democrats during that cycle, including to Seattle's Jim McDermott.{{cite web|title=Candidate Summary Report|url=http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/?_04+H2WA04041|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717162520/http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/?_04+H2WA04041|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 17, 2012|work=Richard Hastings|publisher=Federal Elections Commission|access-date=July 6, 2011}}

Following Hastings' work that led to Traficant's removal from the House, he was named to the Chairmanship of the United States House Committee on Ethics. Soon after being named chairman, two senior staff members for the committee were fired, and Hastings attempted to place his office Chief of Staff, Ed Cassidy, onto the Ethics Committee staff. Democrats cast this a partisan move, while Republicans pointed out that such a change in staff is the norm with the naming of a new committee chairman. Hastings came under fire during his chairmanship of the Ethics Committee, due to claims by Democrats of inaction regarding then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. By rule, the House Ethics Committee's work, votes, and investigative findings are kept strictly confidential.Alicia Mundy, "Hastings says ethics panel won't investigate DeLay", The Seattle Times, October 6, 2005; "House Ethics Chair Fires Lawyers", Associated Press, February 16, 2005, which can viewed [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,147833,00.html here]; Mike Allen "House Ethics Panel in Gridlock; Democrats Refuse to Participate Under New GOP Rules," Washington Post, March 11, 2005, Page A02; Alicia Mundy, "Ethics claims target Doc Hastings," Seattle Times, June 25, 2005; Gail Russell Chaddock, "House ethics panel lapses at an awkward time", Christian Science Monitor, April 26, 2005.

In 2008, Hastings, by now the ranking member of the Ethics Committee, pushed the investigation of Charlie Rangel.{{cite news|last=Lee and Pershing|first=Christopher and Ben|title=Official Rangel Probe Appears Likely|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/18/AR2008091803961.html|access-date=July 7, 2011|newspaper=Washington Post|date=September 9, 2008}} A four-person investigative subcommittee was formed with Hastings as co-chair. The subcommittee's subsequent report led to Rangel's loss of the chairmanship of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and censure by the House in 2010.

• Committee on Natural Resources (Chair)
• As chairman of the full committee, Rep. Hastings was entitled to sit as an ex officio member of all subcommittees.

Hastings chaired the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, also known as the House Ethics Committee from 2005 to 2007,(109th United States Congress) replacing outgoing chairman Joel Hefley. He switched to ranking member 2007–2009 when the Democrats won the majority for the 110th United States Congress. {{Citation needed|date=July 2013}}

• House Nuclear Clean-Up Caucus (chairman and founder)
• Northwest Energy Caucus (Co-chair)
• Rural Health Care Coalition
• Specialty Crop Caucus
• Hastings is the senior Republican in Congress from the Pacific Northwest.

• On April 12, 2013, Hastings introduced the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526; 113th Congress). The bill would direct the United States Department of Agriculture to establish at least one Forest Reserve Revenue Area within each unit of the National Forest System designated for sustainable forest management for the production of national forest materials (the sale of trees, portions of trees, or forest products from System lands) and forest reserve revenues (to be derived from the sale of such materials in such an Area).{{cite web|title=H.R. 1526 – Summary|url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th/house-bill/1526|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=September 17, 2013}} The bill states that the purpose of an Area is to provide a dependable source of 25% payments and economic activity for each beneficiary county containing System land that was eligible to receive payments through its state under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.
• On June 19, 2014, Hastings introduced the Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act of 2014 (H.R. 4899; 113th Congress). The bill would revise existing laws and policies regarding the development of oil and gas resources on the Outer Continental Shelf.{{cite web|title=CBO – H.R. 4899|url=http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/hr4899.pdf|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=June 26, 2014}} The bill is intended to increase domestic energy production and lower gas prices.{{cite news|last1=Marcos|first1=Cristina|title=House passes bill to increase offshore energy projects|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/210690-house-passes-bill-to-increase-offshore-energy-projects/|access-date=June 26, 2014|work=The Hill|date=June 26, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Graeber|first1=Daniel J.|title=House measure on gas aimed at lower prices|url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2014/06/27/House-measure-on-gas-aimed-at-lower-prices/9031403872288|access-date=June 27, 2014|publisher=UPI|date=June 27, 2014}} Hastings argued that "the current turmoil in Iraq has already caused the price of gasoline to increase, and it serves as an important reminder of why we need to increase production here at home" because it is the "best way to protect ourselves from price spikes caused by international conflicts."

In 1967, Hastings married his wife, Claire, in Sacramento, California; the couple has three children: Kirsten, Petrina, and Colin, and has 8 grandchildren.

!|Year

!

!|Democrat

!|Votes

!|Pct

!

!|Republican

!|Votes

!|Pct

!

!|3rd party

!|Party

!|Votes

!|Pct

!

|-

|1992

|

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Jay Inslee

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |106,556

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |51%

|

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Richard Hastings

|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |103,028

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |49%

|

|

|

|

|

|

|-

|1994

|

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Jay Inslee

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |81,198

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |47%

|

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|Richard Hastings}}

|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |92,828

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |53%

|

|

|

|

|

|

|-

|1996

|

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Rick Locke

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |96,502

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |47%

|

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Richard Hastings

|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |108,647

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |53%

|

|

|

|

|

|

|-

|1998

|

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Gordon Allen Pross}}

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |43,043

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |24%

|

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Richard Hastings

|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |121,684

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |69%

|

|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} |Peggy S. McKerlie

|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} |Reform

|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} align="right" |11,363

|{{Party shading/ReformUSA}} align="right" |6%

|

|-

|2000

|

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Jim Davis

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |87,585

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |37%

|

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Richard Hastings

|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |143,259

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |61%

|

|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Fred D. Krauss

|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Libertarian

|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4,260

|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%

|

|-

|2002

|

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Craig Mason

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |53,572

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |33%

|

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Richard Hastings

|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |108,257

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |67%

|

|

|

|

|

|

|-

|2004

|

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Sandy Matheson}}

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |92,486

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |37%

|

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Richard Hastings

|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |154,627

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |63%

|

|

|

|

|

|

|-

|2006

|

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Richard Wright}}

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |77,054

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |40%

|

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Richard Hastings

|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |115,246

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |60%

|

|

|

|

|

|

|-

|2008

|

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|George Fearing}}

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |99,430

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |37%

|

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Richard Hastings

|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |169,940

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |63%

|

|

|

|

|

|

|-

|2010

|

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Jay Clough

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |69,512

|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |32%

|

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Richard Hastings

|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |145,317

|{{Party shading/Republican}} |68%

|

|

|

|

|

|

|}

{{portal|Conservatism}}

• Central Washington
• Eastern Washington

{{reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

• {{CongLinks | congbio=h000329 | votesmart=22318 | fec=H2WA04041 | congress=doc-hastings/512 }}
• {{C-SPAN|31324}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Jay Inslee}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Washington's 4th congressional district|years=1995–2015}}

{{s-aft|after=Dan Newhouse}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Joel Hefley}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the House Ethics Committee|years=2005–2007}}

{{s-aft|after=Stephanie Tubbs Jones}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Stephanie Tubbs Jones}}

{{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the House Ethics Committee|years=2007–2009}}

{{s-aft|after=Jo Bonner}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Don Young}}

{{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee|years=2009–2011}}

{{s-aft|after=Ed Markey}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Nick Rahall}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee|years=2011–2015}}

{{s-aft|after=Rob Bishop}}

|-

{{s-prec|usa}}

{{s-bef|before=Joel Hefley|as=Former US Representative}}

{{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States
{{small|as Former US Representative}}|years=}}

{{s-aft|after=Cathy McMorris Rodgers|as=Former US Representative}}

{{s-end}}

{{US House Natural Resources chairs}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hastings, Doc}}

Category:1941 births

Category:Living people

Category:American people of Norwegian descent

Category:American Presbyterians

Category:Republican Party members of the Washington House of Representatives

Category:People from Pasco, Washington

Category:Politicians from Spokane, Washington

Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Washington (state)

Category:Columbia Basin College alumni

Category:United States Army reservists

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:20th-century members of the Washington State Legislature