Diane Black

Diane Black

Republican Party

Prior offices

Tennessee House of Representatives

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Tennessee State Senate

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U.S. House Tennessee District 6

Successor: John Rose

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Compensation

Net worth

$69,569,042

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 2, 2018

Education

Associate

Anne Arundel College, 1971

Bachelor's

Belmont University, 1991

Personal

Religion

Christian: Lutheran

Profession

Small businesswoman, Educator

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Personal website

Diane Black is a former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Tennessee, representing Tennessee's 6th Congressional District from 2011 to 2019.

Black ran for Governor of Tennessee in 2018. She lost the primary on August 2, 2018.

Prior to her election to the U.S. House, Black served in the Tennessee House of Representatives and the Tennessee State Senate.

Biography

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

Black earned her associate degree from Anne Arundel College in 1971 and her bachelor's from Belmont University in 1991. Before entering politics, Black worked as a nurse.

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Black's academic, professional, and political career:

• 2011-2019: U.S. Representative from Tennessee's 6th Congressional District
• 2005-2010: Served as a member of Tennessee State Senate
• 1999-2005: Served as a member of Tennessee House of Representatives
• 1992: Graduated from Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee
• 1971: Graduated from Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, Maryland

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2017-2018

At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Black was assigned to the following committees:

• Committee on Budget, Chairwoman

• On December 27, 2017, Black announced that she would step down as chairwoman.

• Committee on Ways and Means

2015-2016

Black served on the following committees:

• Budget Committee
• Ways and Means Committee
  • Subcommittee on Health

2013-2014

Black served on the following committees:

• Committee on Budget
• Ways and Means Committee
  • Subcommittee on Oversight

2011-2012

Black served on the following committees:

• Budget Committee
• Ways and Means Committee
  • Subcommittee on Oversight
  • Subcommittee on Human Resources

Key votes

See also: Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.

Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018

For detailed information about each vote, click here.

• Votes on domestic policy (click to expand)

  Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Conference report) (HR 2)

   Bill Passed (369-47) on December 12, 2018

  Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance through fiscal year 2023.

  Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2 (second vote))

   Bill Passed (213-211) on June 21, 2018

  Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance. It also proposed modifying the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as the food stamp program.

  Voted Yea on: Securing America’s Future Act of 2018 (HR 4760)

   Bill Failed (193-231) on June 21, 2018

  Proposed funding a border wall, limiting legal immigration, a mandatory worker verification program, allowing DACA recipients to apply for legal status, and preventing separation of families at the border.

  Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)

   Bill Passed (369-47) on December 12, 2018

  Reauthorizes through FY2023 and modifies some Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs.

  Voted Yea on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (HR 36)

   Bill Passed (237-189) on October 3, 2017

  Proposed amending the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or more. The bill provided exceptions for an abortion: (1) that was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.

  Voted Yea on: Kate's Law (HR 3004)

   Bill Passed (257-167) on June 29, 2017

  Proposed increasing criminal penalties for individuals in the country illegally who were convicted of certain crimes, deported, and then re-entered the U.S. illegally.

  Voted Yea on: No Sanctuary for Criminals Act (HR 3003)

   Bill Passed (228-195) on June 29, 2017

  Proposed withholding federal funds from states and localities that chose not to follow federal immigration laws.

  Voted Yea on: American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)

   Bill passed (217-213) on May 4, 2017

  Proposed modifying the budgetary and fiscal provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

• Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand)

  Voted Yea on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 6157)

   Bill Passed (361-61) on September 26, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.

  Voted Yea on: Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 5895)

   Bill Passed (377-20) on September 13, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.

  Did not vote on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 6157)

   Bill Passed (359-49) on June 28, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.

  Voted Yea on: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 5895)

   Bill Passed (235-179) on June 8, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.

  Did not vote on: Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S 2155)

   Bill Passed (258-159) on May 22, 2018

  Proposed exempting some banks from the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

  Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)

   Bill Passed (256-167) on March 22, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.

  Did not vote on: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892)

   Bill Passed (240-186) on February 9, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Further Extension Of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1892)

   Bill Passed (245-182) on February 6, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)

   Bill Passed (266-150) on January 22, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)

   Bill Passed (230-197) on January 18, 2018

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 16, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370)

   Bill Passed (231-188) on December 21, 2017

  Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

   Bill Passed (227-203) on December 19, 2017

  Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (HJ Res 123)

   Bill Passed (235-193) on December 7, 2017

  Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017.

  Voted Yea on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

   Bill Passed (227-205) on November 16, 2017

  Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses.

  Voted Yea on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

   Bill Passed (216-212) on October 26, 2017

  Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027. (This bill proposed adopting the Senate's budget resolution.)

  Voted Yea on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

   Bill Passed (219-206) on October 5, 2017

  Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027.

  
  

  Voted Yea on: Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3354)

   Bill Passed (211-198) on September 14, 2017

  Proposed providing FY2018 appropriations for the federal government. It combined 12 appropriations bills.

  Voted Nay on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601)

   Bill Passed (316-90) on September 8, 2017

  Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts.

  Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 601)

   Bill Passed (419-3) on September 6, 2017

  Proposed providing $7.85 billion for disaster relief requirements, including response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey.

  Voted Yea on: Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (HR 10)

   Bill passed (233-186) on June 8, 2017

  Proposed amending the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, among other acts.

  Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)

   Bill passed (309-118) on May 3, 2017

  Proposed a $1.2 trillion budget to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017.

• Votes on foreign policy and national security issues (click to expand)

  Did not vote on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (HR 5515)

   Bill Passed (351-66) on May 24, 2018

  Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities

  Voted Yea on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)

   Bill Passed (250-166) on January 30, 2018

  Proposed providing appropriations for military functions administered by the Department of Defense and for other purposes, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.

  
  

  Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018—Conference report (HR 2810)

   Bill Passed (356-70) on November 14, 2017

  Proposed authorizing FY2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths.

  Voted Yea on: Make America Secure Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3219)

   Bill Passed (235-192) on July 27, 2017

  Proposed making appropriations for defense, military construction, Veterans Affairs, the Legislative Branch, energy and water development, and for other purposes for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2018.

  Voted Yea on: Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364)

   Bill Passed (419-3) on July 25, 2017

  Proposed providing congressional review and measures to counter aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.

  Voted Yea on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180, second vote)

   Bill Passed (380-35) on July 28, 2017

  Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.

  Voted Yea on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180)

   Bill Failed (241-163) on July 24, 2017

  Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.

  Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810)

   Bill Passed (344-81) on July 14, 2017

  Proposed authorizing fiscal year 2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It did not provide budget authority.

  Voted Yea on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 1301)

   Bill passed (371-48) on March 8, 2017

  The $577.9 billion fiscal year 2017 defense spending bill proposed $516.1 billion in base budget funding and $61.8 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism funding.

Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress

Key votes (click "show" to expand or "hide" to contract)

114th Congress The first session of the 114th Congress enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session. In the second session, the 114th Congress enacted 133 out of 3,159 introduced bills (4.2 percent). Comparatively, the 113th Congress had 7.0 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session. For more information pertaining to Black's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections. Economic and fiscal Trade Act of 2015 See also: The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015 Trade adjustment assistance On June 12, 2015, the House rejected the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015—by a vote of 126-302. Trade adjustment assistance (TAA) is a federal program providing American workers displaced by foreign trade agreements with job training and services. The measure was packaged with trade promotion authority (TPA), also known as fast-track authority. TPA is a legislative procedure that allows Congress to define "U.S. negotiating objectives and spells out a detailed oversight and consultation process for during trade negotiations. Under TPA, Congress retains the authority to review and decide whether any proposed U.S. trade agreement will be implemented," according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Black was one of 158 Republicans to vote against TAA. Trade promotion authority On June 12, 2015, the House passed the trade promotion authority (TPA) measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015 —by a vote of 219-211. TPA gives the president fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements sent to Congress without the opportunity for amendment or filibuster. Although the House approved TPA, it was a largely symbolic vote given the measure was part of a package trade bill including trade adjustment assistance (TAA), which was rejected earlier the same day. Black was one of 191 Republicans to support the measure. Trade promotion authority second vote After the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) and trade promotion authority (TPA) did not pass the House together on June 12, 2015, representatives voted to authorize TPA alone as an amendment to HR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—on June 18, 2015. The amendment passed by a vote of 218-208, with all voting members of the House maintaining their original positions on TPA except for Ted Yoho (R-Fla.). Black was one of 190 Republicans to vote in favor of the amendment. Trade adjustment assistance second vote The House passed HR 1295—the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015—on June 25, 2015, by a vote of 286-138. The Senate packaged trade adjustment assistance (TAA) in this bill after the House rejected the TAA measure in HR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015. Along with trade promotion authority (TPA), which Congress passed as part of HR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—TAA became law on June 29, 2015. Black was one of 132 Republicans to vote against HR 1295. Defense spending authorization On May 15, 2015, the House passed HR 1735 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 by a vote of 269-151. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Black and seven other Republicans did not vote. The Senate passed the bill on June 18, 2015, by a vote of 71-25. President Barack Obama vetoed the bill on October 22, 2015. On November 5, 2015, the House passed S 1356—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 370-58. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included $5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison. Black voted with 234 other Republicans and 135 Democrats to approve the bill. On November 10, 2015, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 91-3, and President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015. 2016 Budget proposal On April 30, 2015, the House voted to approve SConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 226-197. The non-binding resolution was designed to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. All 183 Democrats who voted, voted against the resolution. Black voted with 225 other Republicans to approve the bill. 2015 budget On October 28, 2015, the House passed HR 1314—the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015—by a vote of 266-167. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017. Black voted with 166 Republicans against the bill. It passed the Senate on October 30, 2015. President Barack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015. Foreign Affairs Iran nuclear deal See also: Iran nuclear agreement, 2015 On May 14, 2015, the House approved HR 1191—the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 400-25. The bill required President Barack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review. Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove, or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. Black voted with 222 other Republican representatives to approve the bill. Approval of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action On September 11, 2015, the House rejected HR 3461—To approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 162-269. The legislation proposed approving the nuclear agreement with Iran. Black voted with 243 Republicans and 25 Democrats against the bill. Suspension of Iran sanctions relief On September 11, 2015, the House approved HR 3460—To suspend until January 21, 2017, the authority of the President to waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 247-186. HR 3460 prohibited "the President, prior to January 21, 2017, from: limiting the application of specified sanctions on Iran or refraining from applying any such sanctions; or removing a foreign person (including entities) listed in Attachments 3 or 4 to Annex II of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) from the list of designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury." Black voted with 244 Republicans and two Democrats for the bill. Presidential non-compliance of section 2 On September 10, 2015, the House passed H Res 411—Finding that the President has not complied with section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 245-186. Section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 required the president to submit all materials related to the nuclear agreement for congressional review. House Republicans introduced the resolution because two agreements between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran were not submitted to Congress. Black voted with 244 Republicans for the resolution. Export-Import Bank On October 27, 2015, the House passed HR 597—the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015—by a vote of 313-118. The bill proposed reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank and allowing it to resume offering assistance in the form of loans and insurance to foreign companies that wanted to buy U.S. goods. Black voted with 116 Republicans and one Democrat against the bill. Domestic USA FREEDOM Act of 2015 On May 13, 2015, the House passed HR 2048—the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015—by a vote of 338-88. The legislation revised HR 3199—the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005—by ending the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, requiring increased reporting from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Black voted with 195 Republicans and 142 Democrats to approve the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015. Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act On May 13, 2015, the House passed HR 36—the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act—by a vote of 242-184. The bill proposed prohibiting abortions from being performed after a fetus was determined to be 20 weeks or older. The bill proposed exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. Black voted with 237 Republicans in favor of the bill. Cyber security On April 23, 2015, the House passed HR 1731—the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015—by a vote of 355-63. The bill proposed creating an information sharing program that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. It also proposed including liability protections for companies. Black voted with 219 Republicans and 135 Democrats to approve the bill. On April 22, 2015, the House passed HR 1560—the Protecting Cyber Networks Act—by a vote of 307-116. The bill proposed procedures that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Black voted with 201 Republicans and 105 Democrats in favor of the bill. Immigration On November 19, 2015, the House passed HR 4038—the American SAFE Act of 2015—by a vote of 289-137. The bill proposed instituting additional screening processes for refugees from Iraq and Syria who applied for admission to the U.S. Black voted with 241 Republicans and 47 Democrats in favor of the bill. 113th Congress The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session. For more information pertaining to Black's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections. National security NDAA Black voted in support of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote. DHS Appropriations Black voted in support of HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines. Keystone Pipeline Amendment Black voted in opposition of House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines. CISPA (2013) Black voted in support of HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill permitted federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities. The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party. Economy 2014 Farm bill On January 29, 2014, the U.S. House approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, also known as the Farm Bill. The bill passed by a vote of 251-166. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that would kick in when prices drop. It also cut the food stamp program an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states. Black voted with 161 other Republican representatives in favor of the bill. 2014 Budget On January 15, 2014, the Republican-run House approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014. The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582-page bill, with 64 Republicans and three Democrats voting against the bill. The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations. It increased the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel by 1 percent, increased Head Start funding for early childhood education by $1 billion, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, and protected the Affordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. Black voted with the majority of the Republican Party in favor of the bill. Government shutdown See also: United States budget debate, 2013 On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201. At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference. Black voted to approve the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate. The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies. The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Black voted against HR 2775. Black declined to accept her salary while the government was shutdown. 2013 Farm bill See also: United States Farm Bill 2013 Black supported the July 11, 2013 Farm Bill. The bill passed in a 216-208 vote. The bill passed included farm policy, but did not include food stamps. Immigration Morton Memos Prohibition Black supported House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain individuals residing in the United States without legal status. The vote largely followed party lines. Healthcare Repealing Obamacare Black supported all attempts to repeal or delay the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Social issues Abortion Black supported HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196. The purpose of the bill was to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization. Government affairs HR 676 See also: Boehner's lawsuit against the Obama administration On July 30, 2014, the U.S. House approved a resolution 225 to 201 to sue President Barack Obama for exceeding his constitutional authority. Five Republicans—Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Broun of Georgia, Scott Garrett of New Jersey, Walter Jones of North Carolina and Steve Stockman of Texas—voted with Democrats against the lawsuit. Black joined the other 224 Republicans in favor of the lawsuit. All Democrats voted against the resolution. Previous congressional sessions Fiscal Cliff Black voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. She was 1 of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.

Issues

Presidential preference

2012

See also: Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election

Diane Black endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.

Elections

2018

See also: Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2018

General election

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Tennessee on November 6, 2018.

General election

General election for Governor of Tennessee

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Lee (R)	59.6	1,336,106
		Karl Dean (D)	38.6	864,863
		Sherry Clark (Independent)	0.2	5,198
		Mark Wright (Independent)	0.2	4,687
		Patrick Whitlock (Independent)	0.2	3,631
		Yvonne Neubert (Independent)	0.1	3,070
		Heather Scott (Independent)	0.1	2,969
		Mark Brown (Independent)	0.1	2,841
		Joe Wilmoth (Independent)	0.1	2,444
		George Blackwell Smith IV (Independent)	0.1	1,550
		Cory King (Independent)	0.1	1,502
		Tracy Yaste Tisdale (Independent)	0.1	1,396
		Justin Cornett (Independent)	0.1	1,217
		Chad Riden (Independent)	0.0	1,096
		Robert Sawyers (Independent)	0.0	1,059
		Vinnie Vineyard (Independent)	0.0	1,012
		Rick Tyler (Independent)	0.0	981
		Gabriel Fancher (Independent)	0.0	869
		Sean Fleming (Independent)	0.0	814
		Alfred Rapoza (Independent)	0.0	800
		Jessie McDonald (Independent)	0.0	755
		Toney Mitchell (Independent)	0.0	739
		Mike Toews (Independent)	0.0	726
		Matthew Koch (Independent)	0.0	652
		Jeremy Allen Stephenson (Independent)	0.0	613
		Tommy McAnally (Independent)	0.0	609
		Jaron Weidner (Independent)	0.0	588
		William Helmstetter (Independent)	0.0	496
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	11

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,243,294
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Karl Dean defeated Craig Fitzhugh and Mezianne Vale Payne in the Democratic primary for Governor of Tennessee on August 2, 2018.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Tennessee

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Karl Dean	75.1	279,324
		Craig Fitzhugh	19.4	72,263
		Mezianne Vale Payne	5.4	20,253

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 371,840
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Tennessee on August 2, 2018.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Tennessee

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Lee	36.7	289,699
		Randy Boyd	24.3	191,940
		Diane Black	23.0	181,719
		Beth Harwell	15.3	120,910
		Kay White	0.4	3,181
		Basil Marceaux	0.2	1,270

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 788,719
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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2016

See also: Tennessee's 6th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Diane Black (R) defeated David Kent (D) and David Ross (I) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Black defeated Joe Carr, Tommy Hay, and Donald Strong in the Republican primary, while Kent defeated Flo Matheson to win the Democratic nomination. The primary elections took place on August 4, 2016.

U.S. House, Tennessee District 6 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Diane Black Incumbent	71.1%	202,234
	Democratic	David Kent	21.8%	61,995
	Independent	David Ross	7.1%	20,261
Total Votes				284,490
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State

U.S. House, Tennessee District 6 Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
David Kent	67%	7,551
Flo Matheson	33%	3,714
Total Votes		11,265
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State

U.S. House, Tennessee District 6 Republican Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Diane Black Incumbent	63.7%	33,215
Joe Carr	31.9%	16,665
Donald Strong	2.6%	1,354
Tommy Hay	1.8%	945
Total Votes		52,179
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State

2014

See also: Tennessee's 6th Congressional District elections, 2014

Black ran in the 2014 election for the U.S. House to represent Tennessee's 6th District. Black defeated Jerry Lowery in the Republican primary on August 7, 2014. She defeated Amos Powers (D) and independent candidate Mike Winton in the general election.

U.S. House, Tennessee District 6 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Diane Black Incumbent	71.1%	115,190
	Democratic	Amos Powers	23%	37,215
	Independent	Mike Winton	5.9%	9,630
Total Votes				162,035
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State Vote totals above are unofficial and will be updated once official totals are made available.

U.S. House, Tennessee District 6 Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Diane Black Incumbent	76.7%	67,881
Jerry Lowery	23.3%	20,660
Total Votes		88,541
Source: Results via Associated Press

2012

See also: Tennessee's 6th Congressional District elections, 2012

Black ran for re-election in the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing Tennessee's 6th District. She defeated Lou Ann Zelenik in the August 2 Republican primary. She the defeated Scott Beasley (I) in the general election on November 6, 2012.

U.S. House, Tennessee District 6 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Diane Black Incumbent	76.4%	184,383
	Green	Pat Riley	9%	21,633
	Independent	Scott Beasley	14.4%	34,766
	Write-In	N/A	0.2%	459
Total Votes				241,241
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

U.S. House, Tennessee's 6th Congressional District Republican Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Diane Black Incumbent	69.4%	44,949
Lou Ann Zelenik	30.6%	19,836
Total Votes		64,785

2010

On November 2, 2010, Diane Black won election to the United States House. She defeated Brett Carter (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Tennessee District 6 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Diane Black	69.6%	128,517
	Democratic	Brett Carter	30.4%	56,145
Total Votes				184,662

Black defeated Zelenik in the 2010 primary election.

Tennessee's 6th Congressional District Republican Primary, 2010
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Diane Black	50.3%	24,374
Lou Ann Zelenik	49.7%	24,091
Total Votes		48,465

Campaign themes

2016

The following issues were listed on Black's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

“	Healthcare: As a nurse for over 40 years, I understand the damage this law does to our healthcare system. I authored a bill that has become law that repeals part of Obamacare, saving taxpayers $13 billion. But, I won’t rest until the whole law is repealed. Tax Reform: One of my highest priorities in Congress is to lower the tax burden on American families and ensure that small businesses have the capital needed to grow and create jobs. For far too long, hard-working families have sent their tax dollars to Washington only to see them squandered away by Congress. In this economic climate, it is absolutely wrong to raise taxes on families and employers. That is why I am fighting to make the tax code simpler and fairer, not larger and more painful. 2nd Amendment: Our individual right to keep and bear arms is fundamental to America and a right guaranteed by our Constitution. I will always fight to protect our Second Amendment rights from those who would seek to weaken them. Family Values: When I became a nurse over 40 years ago, I took a vow to “devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care,” whether they were born or unborn. I still consider the words of that oath today as a nurse and a legislator. The care of the individual begins long before they are born. Those of us who have voices must stand up and speak for those who do not yet have a voice of their own. I am 100% pro-life and I will always fight to protect the unborn and the most vulnerable members of society. National Security: As the war on terror rages on, the world is more dangerous than ever. There are groups all over the world who wish to destroy the freedoms we enjoy and the values that make America great. As a result we must continue to be an example to other countries of freedom and prosperity. In order to do this, we must make sure that our commanders on the ground are not hindered from achieving our objective by arbitrary timelines.	”
—Diane Black's campaign website, https://votedianeblack.com/category/issues/

2012

According to Black's website, her campaign themes included:

• Jobs: "The real way to grow the economy is to get government out of the way, and let the real job creators, American small businesses, create jobs."
• Taxes: "For far too long, hard-working families have sent their tax dollars to Washington only to see them squandered away by Congress."
• Immigration: "By failing to secure our border, the federal government has failed to perform its most basic function –providing for the safety and security of its citizens."

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Diane Black campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2016	U.S. House, Tennessee District 6	Won	$1,798,803	N/A**
2014	U.S. House (Tennessee, District 6)	Won	$1,334,513	N/A**
2012	U.S. House Tennessee District 6	Won	$2,437,229	N/A**
2010	U.S. House Tennessee District 6	Won	$2,238,011	N/A**
Grand total			$7,808,556	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only availabale data.

Personal Gain Index

See also: Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress)

The Personal Gain Index (U.S. Congress) is a two-part measurement that illustrates the extent to which members of the U.S. Congress have prospered during their tenure as public servants.
It consists of two different metrics:

• Changes in Net Worth
• The Donation Concentration Metric

PGI: Change in net worth

See also: Changes in Net Worth of U.S. Senators and Representatives (Personal Gain Index) and Net worth of United States Senators and Representatives

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Black's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $3,443,087 to $135,694,997. That averages to $69,569,042, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican House members in 2012 of $7,614,097.96. Black ranked as the 8th most wealthy representative in 2012. Between 2009 and 2012, Black‘s calculated net worth increased by an average of 11 percent per year. Between 2004 and 2012, the average annual percentage increase for a member of Congress was 15.4 percent.

Diane Black Yearly Net Worth
Year	Average Net Worth
2009	$52,877,262
2012	$69,569,042
Growth from 2009 to 2012:	32%
Average annual growth:	11%
Comparatively, the American citizen experienced a median yearly decline in net worth of -0.94%.

The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership, and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

PGI: Donation Concentration Metric

See also: The Donation Concentration Metric (U.S. Congress Personal Gain Index)

Filings required by the Federal Election Commission report on the industries that give to each candidate. Using campaign filings and information calculated by OpenSecrets.org, Ballotpedia calculated the percentage of donations by industry received by each incumbent over the course of his or her career (or 1989 and later, if elected prior to 1988). Black received the most donations from individuals and PACs employed by the Health Professionals industry. Comparatively, the top industry employer in Tennessee's 6th Congressional District was Manufacturing, according to a 2012 U.S. Census survey.

From 2009-2014, 20.83 percent of Black's career contributions came from the top five industries as listed below.

Diane Black Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$5,668,055
Total Spent	$4,776,381
Top industry in the district	Manufacturing
Top five industries that contributed to campaign committee
Health Professionals	$349,441
Insurance	$270,707
Hospitals/Nursing Homes	$200,000
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products	$182,060
Leadership PACs	$178,398
% total in top industry	6.17%
% total in top two industries	10.94%
% total in top five industries	20.83%

Analysis

Like-minded colleagues

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.

Black most often voted with:

• Billy Long
• John Barrow

Black least often voted with:

• Chris Gibson
• Janice Schakowsky

Ideology and leadership

See also: GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Black was a "moderate Republican leader," as of July 30, 2014. This was the same rating Black received in June 2013.

Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Black missed 69 of 3,358 roll call votes from January 2011 to September 2015. This amounted to 2.1 percent, which was lower than the median of 2.2 percent among representatives as of September 2015.

Congressional staff salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Black paid her congressional staff a total of $787,942 in 2011. Overall, Tennessee ranked 39th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.

National Journal vote ratings

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Click the link above for the full ratings of all members of Congress.

2013

Black ranked 14th in the conservative rankings in 2013.

2012

Black was one of three members who ranked 26th in the conservative rankings in 2012.

2011

Black was one of 10 members of congress who ranked 1st in the conservative rankings in 2011.

Voting with party

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus.

2014

Black voted with the Republican Party 96.1 percent of the time, which ranked 26th among the 233 House Republican members as of July 2014.

2013

Black voted with the Republican Party 97.8 percent of the time, which ranked 34th among the 234 House Republican members as of June 2013.

Recent news

This section links to a Google news search for the term Diane + Black + Tennessee + House

Diane Black News Feed

See also

• Governor of Tennessee
• Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2018
• United States House of Representatives
• Tennessee's 6th Congressional District elections, 2014
• Tennessee's 6th Congressional District

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic
• Governor of Tennessee

 

• Social media:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
• Biographies:
  • U.S. Congress
• Political profiles:
  • GovTrack
  • CongressMerge
  • Project Vote Smart
• Financial (federal level):
  • FEC contributions
  • OpenSecrets.org
  • LegiStorm.com
• Financial (state level):
  • Follow The Money
• Interest group ratings:
  • Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions:
  • On The Issues
  • Project Vote Smart
• Public statements:
  • Project Vote Smart
• Voting record:
  • Project Vote Smart
  • Washington Post
• Media appearances:
  • C-SPAN
• Media coverage:
  • Washington Post

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Bart Gordon	U.S. House of Representatives - Tennessee, District 6 2011–2019	Succeeded by John Rose (R)
Preceded by '	Tennessee State Senate 2006-2010	Succeeded by '
Preceded by '	Tennessee House of Representatives 1999-2005	Succeeded by '

[show]

Tennessee's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Marsha Blackburn (R)

Bill Hagerty (R)

Representatives

District 1

Diana Harshbarger (R)

District 2

Tim Burchett (R)

District 3

Charles Fleischmann (R)

District 4

Scott DesJarlais (R)

District 5

Andy Ogles (R)

District 6

John Rose (R)

District 7

Mark Green (R)

District 8

David Kustoff (R)

District 9

Steve Cohen (D)

Republican Party (10)

Democratic Party (1)