Frank James Sensenbrenner, Jr.. (born June 14, 1943), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1979, representing the Fifth Congressional District of Wisconsin (map).

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Sensenbrenner graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Political Science in 1965. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1968. Sensenbrenner married Cheryl Warren in 1977, with whom he has two sons, Frank, born in 1981, and Bob, born in 1984. When not in Washington, Sensebrenner resides in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

While still at Stanford, Sensenbrenner served as staff assistant to Congressman J. Arthur Younger from California. Before becoming a member of Congress, Sensenbrenner served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1969 to 1975 and the Wisconsin State Senate from 1975 to 1979.

Formerly Chairman of the House Science Committee, as of 2005, Sensenbrenner is the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and is also a member of the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property. In addition, Sensenbrenner serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Sensenbrenner receives high marks from the National Taxpayers Union, an anti-tax non-profit organization.

Bryan Kennedy, a Democratic professor at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee living in Glendale, Wisconsin who ran for Congress in 2004, has announced plans to again run against Sensenbrenner in the 2006 Congressional elections.[1]

Sensenbrenner held an important role in the impeachment of Bill Clinton, acting as one of the House managers.

In 2005, Sensenbrenner made the headlines by being a vocal advocate of the Real ID Act which requires additional scrutiny of citizenship before issuing drivers' licenses and creates a federal database of state-issued identification. Jim Sensenbrenner attached the controversial act as a rider on military spending bill HR418. Subsequently, it was passed by the Senate without debate. [2]

As chairman of the judiciary committee, Sensenbrenner wields significant power over the future of the USA PATRIOT Act. He has been quoted as saying that he does not favor making all of the provisions of the act permanent, but rather wants some of them to continue to have periodic review by Congress. [3]

Sensenbrenner believes in criminal prosecution of broadcasters and cable operators who violate decency standards as opposed to the current FCC regulatory methods.[4]

On December 16, 2005, Sensenbrenner introduced the Digital Transition Content Security Act.

On October 23, 2001, Sensenbrenner introduced the USA PATRIOT Act to the House. In November 2004, Sensenbrenner and California Congressman Duncan Hunter objected to provisions of a bill that, among other things, created a National Intelligence Director, a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. The bill, however, completely ignored all of the 9/11 Commission's recomendations that deal with securing the United States border.

In an oft-replayed but little-noted video clip recorded during the debate over removing Terri Schiavo's feeding tube in March 2005, Sensenbrenner mispronounced her name (pronounced /Shai vo/ by the Schiavo family) as "/Shee-ahvo/." He went on to introduce legislation attempting to block removal of her feeding tube, arguing passionately that action was immediately necessary. He gave no reason why no action was taken by the House of Representatives when Schiavo's persistent vegatative state (PVS) was first diagnosed in 1993 or during the previous two periods during which her feeding tube was removed.

On April 26, 2005, it was widely reported that Sensenbrenner has had lobbyists pay for his transportation, a violation of congressional rules. His total travel expenses are higher than any other congressman.

Sensenbrenner authored the Real ID Act, which was passed into law on May 11, 2005. This controversial act discusses standards for drivers licenses, national border patrols, individuals seeking asylum, and individuals seeking visas. However, it also allows the Attorney General and the Department of Homeland Security to bypass all laws and all judicial oversight while creating stronger borders.

On June 10, 2005, Sensenbrenner, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, abruptly ended and walked out of a meeting where Republicans and Democrats were supposed to be debating the renewal of the USA PATRIOT Act. During this meeting, judiciary Democrats also talked about Guantanamo Bay and the Iraq war. Ignoring proper meeting procedure and decorum, he ordered the court reporter to halt transcriptions of the proceedings, C-SPAN cameras covering the meeting be shut off, and that discussion on the issue be halted.

• Sensenbrenner Bill
• Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005

• Sensenbrenner's Congressional website
• Sensenbrenner for Congress
• Sensenbrenner's positions on issues
• Sensenbrenner's opening statement at the Clinton impeachment trial