Shelley Berkley

Official portrait of Congresswoman Shelley Berkley

Rochelle "Shelley" Berkley (born as Rochelle Levine in New York City, January 20, 1951) is an American politician and lawyer. She was a United States Representative under Nevada's 1st congressional district from 1999 to 2013. In 2012, she was a candidate for the United States Senate, though she was not successful. Berkley is a member under the United States Democratic Party.[1]

Berkley was involved with the Nevada Assembly from 1982 to 1984. She was mostly involved in local civic affairs. She also worked under the Nevada University and Community College System Board of Regents from 1990 to 1998. Berkley was appointed vice chair.[2]

On September 5, 2011, an article from New York Times talked about the actions Berkley did while a member of Congress under which she and her husband profited.[3]

On September 19, 2011, the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released their annual Most Corrupt Members of Congress report.[4] Berkley was listed in the report under CREW's "Dishonorable Mention" category.[5] Berkley was named under the CREW's Most Corrupt Members of Congress report for the second year in 2012.[6]

On July 9, 2012, the United States House Committee on Ethics voted to launch an investigation into whether Berkley had used her official position to promote a policy that benefited the financial situation for her family.[7] More specifically, Berkley was later accused of pushing healthcare that would benefit her husband's medical practices.

Interest groups

As a sixth-term congresswoman, Berkley was endorsed by several interest groups. The themes with some groups included gender equality, education and environmental protection under politics.

Berkley was given various scores from a variety of interest groups. These issues include topics related to abortion, animal rights, budget, foreign aid and agriculture. Under the NARAL Pro-Choice America, Berkley has a 100% rating.[8] Under the National Right to Life Committee, she has a 0% rating.[9]

Under the American Farm Bureau Federation, Berkley has a rating at 33% related to the topic of agriculture. The National Farm Workers Union gave her a rating of 100%. Other interest groups from which Berkley has received high ratings include the Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants and the Defenders of Wildlife Organization.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Berkley, Shelley". The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Representative Shelley Berkley (NV)". Women in Nevada's History. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  3. ↑ "The Congresswoman's Cause is Often Her Husband's Gain". New York Times. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  4. ↑ "The CREW Names 14 Most Corrupt Members of Congress". CREW. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ↑ "Representative Shelley Berkley". CREW. Archived from the original on December 18, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ↑ "The CREW Names the 12 Most Corrupt Members of Congress". CREW. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ↑ "The House Ethics Committee to Launch Full Investigation". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  8. ↑ "The NARAL Pro-Choice America". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  9. ↑ "National Right to Life Committee Rating". Project Vote Smart. Archived from the original on December 28, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ↑ "Shelley Berkley - Ratings & Endorsements". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved July 5, 2021.