Since entering Congress in 1995, Charlie Bass has made increasing federal funding for special education a top priority. The Laconia Citizen wrote, “Bass has heard and heeded the appeals of his constituents whose school districts are being crippled by the high cost of special education. He believes, as we do, that special education costs should be the federal government’s top education priority.” Bass’ bill to mandate full funding of federal assistance for special education has made him a nationally recognized leader on the issue and earned the Peterborough Republican the Council for Exceptional Children’s 2002 Outstanding Public Service Award.

Environmental groups in New Hampshire have recognized Bass’ strong record of protecting the environment and his commitment to conservation. The 2nd District Congressman has helped secure federal funding to preserve, protect, and enhance some of the state’s most outstanding natural resources, including the 171,000 acres of land in Northern New Hampshire and environmentally sensitive lands around Lake Tarleton, Bretton Woods, Pond of Safety, and Lake Umbagog. Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests President Jane Difly said, “Congressman Bass continues to show real leadership on the environment through these and many other efforts, something many New Hampshire citizens care deeply about.”

A longtime advocate for meaningful campaign finance reform, Charlie Bass worked during the 107th Congress with Senator John McCain to enact bipartisan campaign finance reform legislation to virtually ban soft money and regulate sham issue ads placed by third parties. The Concord Monitor wrote at the time that, “Reformers in both parties would do well to emulate the commitment and good judgement demonstrated by Bass. As a Member of the New Hampshire State Senate, Charlie Bass led the charge for campaign finance reform and authored the state’s campaign spending limit law.

Currently serving his sixth term, Congressman Bass is a Member of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. As the oldest standing committee in the House, the Energy and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over energy, commerce, environment, health, telecommunications, travel, and tourism. As a member of the Committee, Bass is working to reboot New Hampshire’s high tech economy and lower prescription drug costs for all Americans.

Charlie Bass’s public service to the Granite State started in 1982 as a State Representative. He served for three terms in the House, becoming Vice?Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. In 1988, he was elected to the State Senate, where he served as Chairman of the Public Affairs and Ethics committees, as well as Co-Chairman of the Economic Development Committee.

Charlie Bass and his wife Lisa currently reside in Peterborough with their two young children, Lucy and Jonathan.

Representative Charles F. Bass
Republican, 2nd District, New Hampshire
First elected in 1994; re-elected in 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002.

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Committee Assignments

House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection
Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Homeland Security

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Positions and Memberships

Co-Chair, The New England Congressional Caucus
Rural Health Care Caucus Steering Committee Member
Bipartisan Medical Technology Caucus
Congressional Fire Services Caucus
Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus
Congressional Rural Caucus
Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus
Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus
House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus
House Republican Cyber-Security Team
Northeast Agriculture Caucus

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Background

1984 - 1994: Chairman, Columbia Architectural Products
1980 - 1994: Vice President, High Standard, Inc.
1988 - 1992: New Hampshire State Senate
1982 - 1988: New Hampshire General Court
1984: Delegate, New Hampshire Constitutional Convention
1976 - 1979: Chief of Staff, Congressman David Emery (R-ME)
1974: Field Worker, Congressman William S. Cohen (R-ME)

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Education

1974: A.B., Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire

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Personal

Born: January 8, 1952
Home: Peterborough, New Hampshire
Parents: Congressman Perkins Bass (R-NH, 2nd District, 1955-1963) and Katharine Bass (1919-1971)
Married: Lisa L. Bass
Children: Lucy Foster Bass and Jonathan Perkins Bass

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Other

Member, Monadnock Rotary Club (President, 1992-93)
Member, Altemont Lodge, F. A&M;
Former Member, National Republican Congressional Committee Executive Council
Former Co-Chair, NRCC Northeast Task Force
Former Trustee, NH Higher Education Assistance Foundation
Former Trustee, Monadnock Conservancy
Former Trustee, New Hampshire Humanities Council
Former Trustee, Monadnock Worksource