Jim Talent

Talent grew up in Des Peres, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis.{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000024/ |title=TALENT, James Matthes – Biographical Information |publisher=Bioguide.congress.gov |access-date=March 14, 2015}} His father, Milton Oscar Talent, was the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, and was the first in his family to go to college, graduating from Harvard Law School.{{cite web|url=http://www.talentforsenate.com/about/ |title=About Senator Jim Talent |access-date=October 25, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061025200452/http://www.talentforsenate.com/about/ |archive-date=October 25, 2006 |website=talentforsenate.com }}{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=20021029&id=PN8vAAAAIBAJ&pg=3633,5967426 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713033056/http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=20021029&id=PN8vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7DsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3633,5967426 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |title=Milton Oscar Talent (obituary) |newspaper=Rome News-Tribune |date=October 29, 2002 }} Talent's mother, Marie Frieda (née Matthes), was an independent court reporter who was raised on a small farm near DeSoto, Missouri. She was from a Christian background;{{cite news|last=Murphy|first=Kevin|title=Politics of the past echo in Senate race Republican wants to 'make a difference'|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|date=October 20, 2002|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=KC&p_theme=kc&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F6CA45319E1D3C0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=May 15, 2009}}"Talent is deeply religious, although that was not his upbringing. His father was Jewish, his mother Christian. The family did not attend religious services."{{Dead link|date=December 2021}} her German ancestors had settled in Jefferson County, Missouri beginning in 1832.

Talent graduated from Kirkwood High School in Kirkwood, Missouri, in 1973. He earned his B.A. in political science from Washington University in St. Louis, graduating with the Arnold J. Lien Prize as the most outstanding undergraduate in political science. Talent graduated Order of the Coif from the University of Chicago Law School, receiving his J.D. in 1981. Following law school, he served as a law clerk to Judge Richard A. Posner of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Before winning political office Talent served as an adjunct professor at the Washington University School of Law. He married Brenda Lee Lyons in 1984. The Talents have three children.

Talent's interfaith family did not attend religious services, and later in life Talent became a member of the Presbyterian Church in America.{{cite news| url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=113C69A5BABC7020&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | title=Family matters : >BRENDA TALENT, wife of U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, uses on her husband's behalf the skills that have made her a top tax attorney and litigator | date=August 27, 2006|access-date=March 14, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.presbyteriannews.org/volumes/v8/4/pr34.pdf#search='Jim%20Talent%20PCA |title=Presbyterian & Reformed News : October -December 2002 |publisher=Presbyteriannews.org |access-date=March 14, 2015}} He was inspired to become a Christian while listening to one of Luis Palau's radio broadcasts in his car. He pulled over and accepted Jesus Christ into his life then. He refers to it as the moment he "passed from death to life."{{YouTube|6BF-_dT5rmk}}{{dead link|date=September 2017}}

Talent began his political career in 1984 when he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. He served four terms there, the last two as minority leader.

In the 1992 House of Representatives election, Talent defeated Bert Walker, the cousin of then-president George H. W. Bush and won the Republican nomination for the state's 2nd Congressional District, based in St. Louis's western suburbs. He went on to defeat Democratic incumbent Joan Kelly Horn in the general election, despite being heavily outspent.

The district had been altered after the 1990 census to preserve large Democratic majorities in the neighboring {{ushr|Missouri|1|1st District}} of Bill Clay and {{ushr|Missouri|3|3rd District}} of Dick Gephardt. Horn had appealed for a new map, even asking for a share of St. Louis, but was rebuffed by Clay and Gephardt.

Although Talent won narrowly in 1992, he never had another close race in what became a solidly Republican district. The only challenge he faced came in the 1996 House election, when Horn sought a rematch. Even though popular Democratic Governor Mel Carnahan won the district in his concurrent election, Talent won the rematch with 61% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=4&oid=936&arc=1 |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403035455/http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=4&oid=936&arc=1 |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |title=Official Election Returns: U.S. Representative – District 2 – Summary |date=November 21, 1996 |publisher=Office of Secretary of State, Missouri }}

As a freshman in Congress, Talent authored and introduced the Welfare Reform Act of 1994, which was the precursor to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act. Talent served as chairman of the Small Business Committee from 1997 to 2001.

• House Small Business Committee, chair (1997–2001)
• House Armed Services Committee
• House Education and the Workforce Committee{{cite web|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CDOC-109sdoc35/pdf/CDOC-109sdoc35.pdf |title=TRIBUTES TO HON. JAMES M. TALENT |date=2007}}

{{main|2000 Missouri gubernatorial election}}

Talent did not seek re-election to Congress in 2000, instead running for governor. He was narrowly defeated by Democratic state Treasurer Bob Holden, 49% to 48%.{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=14&oid=4265&arc=1 |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403040653/http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=14&oid=4265&arc=1 |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |title=Official Election Returns: Governor – Summary |date=December 4, 2000 |publisher=Office of Secretary of State, Missouri }}

For ten months in 2001, Talent worked for Washington lobbying firm Arent Fox,{{cite web|url=http://sopr.senate.gov/cgi-win/m_opr_viewer.exe?DoFn%3D3%26LOB%3DTALENT%2C+JAMES+M.%26LOBQUAL |access-date=October 16, 2006 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} During this time, Talent was not allowed to directly lobby Congress, and he was not licensed to practice law in Washington, leading some Democratic opponents to accuse the lobbying firm of using his appointment as an illegal conduit to donate toward his upcoming Senate race.{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=allfields(talent)%20and%20allfields(arent)%20and%20allfields(%22pay%20for%20work%22)%20AND%20date(2/20/2002%20to%204/6/2002)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=2/20/2002%20to%204/6/2002)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(%22talent%22)%20and%20(%22arent%22)%20and%20(%22pay%20for%20work%22)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no |title=ST. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspaper Archives |publisher=Nl.newsbank.com |access-date=March 14, 2015}} Arent Fox said the idea that Talent was not paid for genuine work was "absurd", but that "Talent's Republican ties did play a role in his hiring."{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=allfields(talent)%20and%20allfields(arent)%20and%20allfields(absurd)%20AND%20date(2/20/2002%20to%204/6/2002)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=2/20/2002%20to%204/6/2002)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(%22talent%22)%20and%20(%22arent%22)%20and%20(%22absurd%22)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no |title=ST. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspaper Archives |publisher=Nl.newsbank.com |access-date=March 14, 2015}}

{{main|2002 United States Senate special election in Missouri}}

In the November 2000 elections, Mel Carnahan, who had died in a plane crash three weeks before, remained on the ballot for election to the Senate. Missouri election law would not allow for Carnahan's name to be removed from the November ballot. Carnahan received more votes than his Republican opponent, incumbent senator (and later United States Attorney General) John Ashcroft. Lieutenant Governor Roger Wilson, as he had promised before the election, appointed Carnahan's widow, Jean, in her husband's place.

The Seventeenth Amendment requires that appointments to the Senate last only until a special election is held. Talent, who received the Republican nomination, narrowly defeated Jean Carnahan in the November 2002 election, 50% to 49%. He was sworn in later that month to fill out the balance of Mel Carnahan's term.{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/chronlist.pdf |title=Senators of the United States : 1789–present |publisher=Senate.gov |access-date=March 14, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=87&oid=24756&arc=1 |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402204314/http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=87&oid=24756&arc=1 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Official Election Returns: U.S. Senator – Summary |date=November 21, 2012 |publisher=Office of Secretary of State, Missouri }}

Jack Abramoff contributed $2,000 to Talent's 2002 senatorial campaign{{cite web |url=http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_ind/S2MO00353/1/A/ |title=Individuals Who Gave To James Matthes Talent |publisher=Query.nictusa.com |access-date=March 14, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608143244/http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_ind/S2MO00353/1/A/ |archive-date=June 8, 2015 |df=mdy-all }} and Preston Gates & Ellis, a former Abramoff employer, had also contributed $1,000 to Talent's campaign.{{cite web |url=http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/S2MO00353 |title=Committees Who Gave To This Candidate |publisher=Query.nictusa.com |access-date=March 14, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608145029/http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/S2MO00353 |archive-date=June 8, 2015 |df=mdy-all }} Talent later returned both contributions.{{cite news|url=http://www.citizensforethics.org/filelibrary/HotlineListofReturnedDonations01.06.06.pdf |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203214944/http://www.citizensforethics.org/filelibrary/HotlineListofReturnedDonations01.06.06.pdf |archive-date=February 3, 2007 |title=Returned Abramoff Personal Donations |page=3 |date=January 6, 2006 |newspaper=National Journal |via=citizensforethics.org }}

Talent was criticized for not returning the money received from Americans for a Republican Majority (ARMPAC), a PAC formed by Tom DeLay. DeLay was facing charges of money laundering and violation of campaign finance laws. A spokesman for Talent has stated that Talent had not yet made a decision about whether or not to return the ARMPAC contribution, stating "Senator Talent is not ready to presume guilt or innocence and wants to give the judicial process a chance to move forward."{{cite web|url=http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid%3D15581098%26BRD%3D1452%26PAG%3D461%26dept_id%3D155076%26rfi%3D6 |title=Sun-News of the Northland - News - Top Stories |access-date=September 12, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035431/http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15581098&BRD=1452&PAG=461&dept_id=155076&rfi=6 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}

File:US Navy 041202-N-7469S-003 U.S. Senator James Talent (R-MO) addresses a group of Sailors from Missouri on board Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain.jpg in 2004]]

During his tenure, Talent served on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Special Committee on Aging, Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

{{main|2006 United States Senate election in Missouri}}

Talent sought re-election in the 2006 Senate election. His Democratic opponent was state Auditor Claire McCaskill. Talent held a fundraising advantage,{{cite web|url=http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11454552/ |access-date=February 23, 2006 |title=MSN }}{{dead link|date=August 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} in part because of support from the Bush administration; on October 11, 2005, Vice President Dick Cheney held a fundraiser for Talent.{{cite web|url=http://www.showmenews.com/2005/Oct/20051022News024.asp |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060531073033/http://showmenews.com/2005/Oct/20051022News024.asp |archive-date=May 31, 2006 |title=Cheney talks at Talent fundraiser |date=October 22, 2005 |newspaper=Columbia Daily Tribune |agency=Associated Press }} Talent accepted $5,000 from the lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Talent subsequently refunded all $5,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna10723902 |title=Lawmakers return Abramoff donations – politics |publisher=NBC News |date=January 5, 2006 |access-date=March 14, 2015}}

Talent received a number of endorsements for his re-election, including from the Missouri Farm Bureau,{{cite web|url=http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/c261de75-c0a8-2f11-0163-66f433d41528/ff93c3ca-c0a8-2f11-01c0-35ae87ae9913 |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105103601/http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/c261de75-c0a8-2f11-0163-66f433d41528/ff93c3ca-c0a8-2f11-01c0-35ae87ae9913 |archive-date=November 5, 2006 |title=Missouri Farm Bureau Endorses Talent for Senate |date=August 11, 2006 |publisher=KOMU-TV }} the St. Louis Police Officers' Association,{{cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/blogs/news-politicalfix/2006/09/st-louis-police-group-endorses-talent/print/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912054214/http://www.stltoday.com/blogs/news-politicalfix/2006/09/st-louis-police-group-endorses-talent/print/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 12, 2012 |access-date=October 10, 2006 |title=STL Blogger Network : Stltoday }} the Missouri Pork Association,{{cite web |url=http://www.marshallnews.com/story/1162463.html |title=Marshall Democrat-News: Local News: Talent receives endorsement of Missouri Pork Association (07/31/06) |publisher=Marshallnews.com |date=July 31, 2006 |access-date=March 14, 2015 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402143329/http://www.marshallnews.com/story/1162463.html |url-status=dead }} the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, the Missouri Corn Growers Association,{{cite press release|url=http://www.mocorn.org/news/2006/NewsRelease-071606Talent.htm |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514095453/http://www.mocorn.org/news/2006/NewsRelease-071606Talent.htm |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |title= Missouri Corn Growers Endorse Senator Talent |publisher=Missouri Corn Growers Association |date=July 16, 2006 }} and Veterans of Foreign Wars.{{cite web|url=http://www.talentforsenate.com/news/Read.aspx?ID=138 |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204162843/http://www.talentforsenate.com/news/Read.aspx?ID=138 |archive-date=February 4, 2012 |title= VFW Endorses Senator Talent |website=talentforsenate.com |date=September 22, 2006 }}

In 2006, the Washington DC newspaper Roll Call reported that DC lobbying interests had pledged to raise $1 million for Talent's re-election.{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/15096600.htm |access-date=October 25, 2006 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Talent stated that he does not give favors in exchange for donations, and that he "wouldn't take five dollars from someone who expects something for it."

McCaskill and Talent debated each other on Meet the Press on October 8, 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/news/politics/15221409.htm |access-date=August 8, 2006 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} McCaskill narrowly defeated Talent on November 7, 2006, with a 50% to 47% margin of victory.

Having lost his reelection bid, Talent was considered a possible candidate for Governor of Missouri in 2008 after incumbent and fellow Republican Matt Blunt decided to not seek re-election.{{cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/missouristatenews/story/FCA083049BDE7797862573D8007A9DC0?OpenDocument |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625213323/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/missouristatenews/story/FCA083049BDE7797862573D8007A9DC0?OpenDocument |archive-date=June 25, 2008 |title=STLtoday - Gov. Blunt says he won't run again }} Talent did not enter the race, which was won by Democrat Jay Nixon.

• Senate Committee on Armed Services
• Subcommittee on Seapower (chairman){{cite web|url=https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Subcommittee.pdf |title=Armed Services Committee Announces Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members |date=2003-01-30}}
• Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
• Subcommittee on Marketing, Inspection, and Product Promotion (chairman)
• Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
• Senate Special Committee on Aging

File:Jim Talent and John Roberts.jpg nominee John Roberts in 2005]]

Talent is widely regarded by political analysts as a reliable conservative, receiving a life score of 93 out of 100 from the American Conservative Union. The National Right to Life Committee gave Talent a 100% rating.{{cite web |url=http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/scorecard/?chamber=S&session=109&x=9&y=10 |title=Vote ScoreCard |publisher=Capwiz.com |date=January 17, 2006 |access-date=March 14, 2015 |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200419/http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/scorecard/?chamber=S&session=109&x=9&y=10 |url-status=dead }} In 2005, Talent was tied for the third-highest rating among all senators and representatives as determined by the Republican Liberty Caucus, which promotes "liberty-minded, limited-government individuals to office."{{cite web |url=http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?sig_id=004155M&sort=rating |title=Project Vote Smart – The Voter's Self Defense System |publisher=Vote-smart.org |access-date=March 14, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061204200919/http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?sig_id=004155M&sort=rating |archive-date=December 4, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.republicanliberty.org/candid/c_look.asp?LYear=2006&LPos=FLS&LState=ANY |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127081500/http://www.republicanliberty.org/candid/c_look.asp?LYear=2006&LPos=FLS&LState=ANY |archive-date=November 27, 2013 |title=RLC Endorses Candidates |publisher=Republican Liberty Caucus |date=January 19, 2006 }}

Talent supported the new Renewable Fuel Standard, which would add {{convert|7.5|e9USgal|m3}} of renewable fuels to the national supply by 2012, including a measure to include tax credits for businesses offering soybean-based fuels.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.mosoy.org/msf/2006/07.06.PDF |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324211222/http://www.mosoy.org/msf/2006/07.06.PDF |archive-date=March 24, 2009 |magazine=Missouri Soybean Farmer |orig-year=Pre-Harvest 2006 |title=U.S. Sen. Talent Supports Missouri Agriculture |date=July 6, 2006 |page=6 |first1=Laura |last1=Bolte |first2=Hannah |last2=Nelson }} In addition to renewable fuels, Talent supported drilling in the Arctic as a step in the direction of energy independence, which he sees as critical to national security.{{cite news |url=http://www.marshallnews.com/story/1164558.html |newspaper=The Marshall Democrat-News |department=Local News |title=Talent: 'We're going to be in a new world – a renewable world' |date=August 17, 2006 |publisher=Marshallnews.com |access-date=September 13, 2017 |archive-date=September 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913135129/http://www.marshallnews.com/story/1164558.html |url-status=dead }}

Talent supported the Medicare prescription drug benefit called Medicare Part D, the purpose of which is to reduce the amount seniors pay for their prescription drugs.{{cite news| url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/bush-promotes-medicare-prescription-drug-plan-in-missouri | work=Fox News | title=Bush Promotes Medicare Prescription Drug Plan in Missouri | date=April 11, 2006 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=September 13, 2017 }} Talent called for waiving a one percent penalty for senior citizens who missed the deadline to sign up for the program.{{cite web|url=http://www.missourinet.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=E6B41D4F-E38C-4BAF-8E5D5FF12114BA01&dbtranslator=local.cfm |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802223420/http://www.missourinet.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=E6B41D4F-E38C-4BAF-8E5D5FF12114BA01&dbtranslator=local.cfm |archive-date=August 2, 2009 |title= Talent Calls for Waiver of Penalty for Seniors Enrolling in Drug Benefit |date=May 17, 2006 |first=Steve |last=Walsh |website=Missourinet |publisher=Learfield Communications }}

Talent voted against an amendment allowing Medicare to negotiate a bulk purchase discount for prescription drugs.{{cite web|url=http://www.issues2000.org/social/Jim_Talent_Health_Care.htm |title=Jim Talent on Health Care |publisher=Issues2000.org |access-date=March 14, 2015}}

Talent supported limiting awards in medical liability lawsuits.{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/06/20050602-14.html |title=President's Remarks at Talent for Senate Dinner |publisher=Georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov |access-date=March 14, 2015}} He believes that "medical liability relief will cut costs because physicians won't have to practice 'defensive medicine.'"{{cite web|url=http://www.naw.org/Content/ContentGroups/News2/WDPAC_Endorses_Senator_Jim_Talent_for_Re-Election.htm |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930044100/http://www.naw.org/Content/ContentGroups/News2/WDPAC_Endorses_Senator_Jim_Talent_for_Re-Election.htm |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |title=WDPAC Endorses Senator Jim Talent for Re-Election |date=September 30, 2007 |publisher=National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors }}

Talent supported and proposed legislation to allow trade organizations to sponsor health insurance plans, which he believes would provide uninsured workers the opportunity for more affordable health care.{{cite web|url=http://www.stjoenews-press.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=75180&SectionID=81&SubSectionID=&S=1 |access-date=September 13, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008133557/http://www.stjoenews-press.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=75180&SectionID=81&SubSectionID=&S=1 |archive-date=October 8, 2007 |title=Denied:1up! Software }}

Talent sponsored legislation to cap the annual percentage interest rate for payday loans to military service personnel from an average of around 39% to 36%.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15062520 |title=Congress to limit rates for payday loans – Business – US business |publisher=NBC News |date=September 29, 2006 |access-date=March 14, 2015}}

After joining the Senate in 2002, Talent supported federal legislation that would ban embryonic stem cell research or federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. This included cosponsoring a bill (S.658){{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:s.658: |title=Bill Text – 109th Congress (2005–2006) – THOMAS (Library of Congress) |publisher=Thomas.loc.gov |date=March 17, 2005 |access-date=March 14, 2015 |archive-date=January 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117091300/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:s.658: |url-status=dead }} sponsored by Senator Sam Brownback, which would ban all forms of human cloning including embryonic therapeutic cloning techniques that are seen as crucial to stem cell research.

On February 10, 2006, Talent withdrew his support for the bill,{{cite news |url=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/13845435.htm |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060313143147/http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/13845435.htm |archive-date=March 13, 2006 |title=Talent changes stem-cell stance |date=March 13, 2006 |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |first1=Matt |last1=Stearns |first2=Steve |last2=Kraske }} citing the need to balance research and protection against human cloning. This move followed criticism by Talent's opponent in the 2006 election, Claire McCaskill, as well as pressure from Missouri business interests that oppose restrictions on stem cell research. Though this reversal was criticized as being politically motivated,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11410626/site/newsweek |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061129111847/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11410626/site/newsweek/ |archive-date=November 29, 2006 |title=Stem-Cell Dilemmas |magazine=Newsweek |date=February 17, 2006 |first=Eleanor |last=Clift }} Talent told the Associated Press, "The technology is changing all the time and so I'm always considering whether there is a better way to strike the balance."{{cite web|url=http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/business/13710191.htm |access-date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029015314/http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/business/13710191.htm |archive-date=October 29, 2006 |title=Fort Worth/Dallas news, sports, cars and jobs }} Talent suggested that moral concerns might be put to rest through a possible future scientific breakthrough – replicating embryonic stem cells without the use of cloned embryos.

There was a ballot-initiative in Missouri in November 2006 to amend the state constitution and allow, in line with federal law, stem cell research and treatment.{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2006ballot/ |title=SOS, Missouri – Elections: 2006 Ballot Measures |publisher=Sos.mo.gov |access-date=March 14, 2015}} On May 1, 2006, Talent announced his opposition to the proposed ballot-initiative.{{cite news | title=A wedge issue that helps Democrats: Stem cell research is dividing Missouri's GOP | author=Kristen Hinman | date=July 17, 2006 | work=Salon.com}} Stem cell research and treatment is working up to be a divisive issue for many Republicans and is taking a particular prominence in Missouri.{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/24/news/stem.php |access-date=May 2, 2006 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

In July 2006, he voted against expanding federal funds for embryonic stem cell research in cases where the embryos were donated by fertility clinics or were created for purposes of fertility treatment.{{cite news |url=http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Oct/20061022Feat004.asp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20061024093525/http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Oct/20061022Feat004.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 24, 2006 |access-date=February 19, 2016 |title=Missouri race catches nation's eye |newspaper=Columbia Daily Tribune |date=October 22, 2006 |first=Terry |last=Ganey }} This bill passed the Senate 63–37, but was vetoed by President Bush, in a move that was said to have significant political implications for Talent.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/19/AR2006071900524.html |title=Stem Cell Bill Gets Bush's First Veto |work=Washingtonpost.com |access-date=March 14, 2015}}

Talent did take a position on the ballot-initiative in Missouri, called Proposition B, that would raise the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 per hour, or to the level of the federal minimum wage if that is higher, with subsequent adjustments for inflation. He said he believed it was a state issue, but stated he supports minimum wage increases if they are coupled with tax breaks for small businesses.{{cite news | url=https://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stcharles/story/E5D658A528E480B78625720C0054E53B?OpenDocument | title=Many jabs in debate but no KO | author=Matt Franck | date=October 19, 2006 | newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Talent believed that increasing the minimum wage could reduce the number of jobs by raising the cost of doing business.{{cite news | url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/talents_bid_for_reelection_to.html | title=Talent's Bid for Second Term Just Like His First – a Tossup | author=Lauren Phillips | date=September 29, 2006 | publisher=CQPolitics.com | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061027160009/http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/talents_bid_for_reelection_to.html | archive-date=October 27, 2006 | df=mdy-all }}

Talent supported a ban on abortions, with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.{{cite web|url=http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID%3D%2F20061017%2FNEWS0602%2F61017001%2F1007%2FNEWS05 |title=News-Leader.com | Elections - U.S. Senate |access-date=March 14, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234945/http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20061017%2FNEWS0602%2F61017001%2F1007%2FNEWS05 |archive-date=September 26, 2007 }}

Talent has been outspoken about what he sees as the nation's vulnerability to a growing bioterrorism threat. He is Vice Chair of the bipartisan Commission on the Prevention of WMD proliferation and terrorism, which has concluded that, unless action is taken, a biological attack within the United States is increasingly likely and will become a probability by 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.freedomsolutions.org/2010/01/sen-talent-washington-post-op-ed/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801164210/http://www.freedomsolutions.org/2010/01/sen-talent-washington-post-op-ed/ |archive-date=August 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |title=Sen. Talent: Washington Post Op-Ed |publisher=American Freedom & Enterprise Foundation |website=freedomsolutions.org |access-date=September 13, 2017 }} Together with former Senator Bob Graham, Chairman of the commission, he has criticized the federal government's readiness to deal with major public health crisis'. On January 4, 2010, the two senators published an op-ed in the Washington Post, arguing that an unsatisfactory response to the 2009 flu pandemic shows the need for better medical emergency plans.{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/03/AR2010010301812.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=H1N1 response shows need for better medical emergency plans | first1=Bob | last1=Graham | first2=Jim | last2=Talent | date=January 4, 2010 | access-date=May 6, 2010}}

• 2006 election for U.S. Senate
• Jim Talent (R), 47%
• Claire McCaskill (D), 50%
• Frank Gilmour (L), 2%
• 2002 election for U.S. Senate
• Jim Talent (R), 50%
• Jean Carnahan (D), 49%
• Tamara A. Millay (L) 1%
• Daniel "Digger" Romano (G) <1%
• 2000 election for Missouri Governor
• Bob Holden (D), 49%
• Jim Talent (R), 48%
• 1998 election for U.S. House of Representatives
• Jim Talent (R), 70%
• John Ross (D), 28%
• Brian Lundy (L), 2%
• 1996 election for U.S. House of Representatives
• Jim Talent (R), 61%
• Joan Kelly Horn (D), 37%
• 1994 election for U.S. House of Representatives
• Jim Talent (R), 67%
• Pat Kelley (D), 31%
• Jim Higgens (L), 2%
• 1992 election for U.S. House of Representatives
• Jim Talent (R), 50%
• Joan Kelly Horn (D), 48%
• Jim Higgens (L), 0%
• 1992 Race for U.S. House of Representatives (Republican Primary)
• Jim Talent (R), 58%
• Bert Walker (R), 32%

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{commons category|Jim Talent}}

• {{CongLinks | congbio=t000024 | votesmart= | fec=H2MO02037 | congress= }}
• [http://clerk.house.gov/members/electionInfo/elections.html House Clerk Office Election info]
• [http://myclob.pbworks.com/w/page/21958248/Jim%20Talent Talent shares his thoughts on Mitt Romney], February 1, 2007
• {{C-SPAN|4275}}

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