John Hostettler

Infobox_Congressman
name = John N. Hostettler


date of birth = birth date and age|1961|06|19
place of birth = Evansville, Indiana
state = Indiana
district = 8th
term = 1995–2007
preceded = Frank McCloskey
succeeded = Brad Ellsworth
nationality = American
party = Republican
religion = General Baptist
spouse = Elizabeth Hostettler
children = Matthew, Amanda, Jaclyn, and Jared
website = http://www.johnhostettler.com
alma_mater = Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
profession = Engineer
residence= Evansville, Indiana

John Nathan Hostettler (born June 19 1961), is a Republican former member of the United States House of Representatives. Hostettler (pronounced HOH-stet-luhr) served six consecutive two-year terms, from January 3, 1995 to January 3, 2007, representing the 8th District of Indiana ( [http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/in08_109.gifmap] ).

He lost his reelection bid for a seventh term to Democratic challenger Brad Ellsworth in the 2006 midterm election, ending a twelve-year Congressional career.

Life Before Congress

Hostettler was born in Evansville, Indiana, as the eighth of ten children. He is of Swiss German descent. He grew up in rural Posey County near the Ohio and Wabash rivers.

After graduating from North Posey High School in 1979, he enrolled in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) in 1983.

Later that year, Hostettler married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Ann Hamman. They live in Blairsville, Indiana; a suburb of Evansville, and have four children.

Prior to his service in Congress, Hostettler was a power plant performance engineer with Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Company (SIGECO); he had received his PE license during his tenure.

Congressional Tenure

1994 election

Prior to the early 1990s, Hostettler had little interest in politics; his only political activity had been primary and general election voting.

However, in January 1994 Hostettler announced that he would run against Democrat Frank McCloskey, a six-term incumbent, in the November election, who Hostettler claimed was among the House's biggest-spending liberals. Hostettler also claimed McCloskey was too loyal to President Bill Clinton. [ [http://publiushouse.com/johnhostettlerbio/ "John Hostettler Bio"] PubliusHouse.com, Accessed December 2, 2007]

Hostettler was also inspired to enter politics after watching a television program by Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries, interviewing Rev. Peter Marshall (son of the late Senate Chaplain Rev. Dr. Peter Marshall), whereby Rev. Marshall, historian and author, recounted a Christian Heritage of the United States of America. [ [http://www.restoringourheritage.com/pastevents.htm "Dr. D. James Kennedy and Rev. Peter Marshall Attributed with Congressional Service of John N. Hostettler"] , RestoringOurHeritage.com, accessed November 30, 2007]

Hostettler won 52%-48%, becoming the sixth challenger to oust an incumbent in the 8th since 1966. In part due to its volatile nature, the district is often called "the Bloody Eighth."

Hostettler became part part of the 104th Congress, the first Republican majority in the House in 40 years. In subsequent years, Hostettler depended on his base of fellow social and fiscal conservatives to keep him in office. While southern Indiana has been traditionally Democratic, the 8th has always had a strong social conservative tint.

Despite having no political experience, Hostettler's campaign was distinctive in several respects. One of Hostettler's biggest assets in his run for Congress was his legendary "Red Army" or "Army of Red Volunteers." Parades and similar events would typically feature people of varying backgrounds wearing red tshirts with white lettering that simply stated Hostettler for Congress. A difference from typical campaigns was the volume of volunteer turnout and dedication of a core group.

Another unorthodox characteristic to the Hostettler campaign was extensive participation by family members, such as Karen Hammonds, Hostettler's sister, as the office manager and occasionally more than that. Being only one of ten children, his brothers and sisters helped in different areas. Some attribute this as an area of success and influence that helped Hostettler achieve six straight victories. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/ref/washington/raceprofile_INDIANA8.html "Race Profile: The 8th District of Indiana"] , NYTimes.com, accessed December 2, 2007]

Hostettler signed the Contract with America, [ [http://www.issues2000.org/IN/John_Hostettler_Principles_+_Values.htm "John Hostettler on Principles & Values: Contract with America: 10 bills in 1st 100 days of Congress"] , OnTheIssues.com, accessed September 2, 2006] but he told an "Evansville Courier & Press" reporter the day he signed it he didn't support two provisions: a balanced budget amendment and term limits. [Mara Lee, [http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/aug/24/read-at-your-own-risk/ "Read at your own risk: Wikipedia politics play loose with facts"] , "Evansville Courier & Press", August 24, 2006.] He was one of only 40 Republicans in the House to vote in March 1995 against a constitutional amendment to set 12-year term limits for Representatives. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/termlimits/stories/033195.htm "House Roll Call on Term Limits"] , "Associated Press", March 31, 1995]

1996 election

In 1996, Hostettler defeated Democratic challenger Jonathan Weinzapfel 50%-48%. This was the narrowest win of his six Congressional victories.

Weinzapfel later became mayor of Evansville.

1998 election

In 1998, with a total of 92,785 votes, he defeated Democratic challenger Gail Riecken with 52% to Riecken's 46% of the vote. [ [http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/2002/people/in/rep_in08.htm "Rep. John Hostettler"] NationalJournal.com, May 30, 2001]

2000 election

In 2000, with 116,879 votes, Hostettler defeated Democratic challenger Paul Perry with 53% of the vote to Perry's 45%.

Doctors for Hostettler, a group of 82 physicians operating in tandem with the Hostettler campaign, organized against the healthcare issues raised by the Perry campaign, a campaign that was healthcare-oriented almost exclusively.

Some attributed this organization as one of the critical factor in the 2000 election, as the subsequently inactive group's statements played a role in the 2006 campaign. [ [http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/aug/13/health-care-divisive-issue-in-8th-district/ "Health Care Devisive Issue in 8th District"] , Courier & Press, August 13, 2006]

2002 election

Redistricting after the 2000 census theoretically made the 8th friendlier to Hostettler. Heavily Democratic Bloomington (ironically, the hometown of his predecessor, McCloskey) was cut out of the district and replaced with more conservative-leaning Terre Haute. However, he defeated Democratic challenger Bryan Hartke by only five points--a narrower margin than 2000. He took 51% to Hartke's 46% percentage of the vote.

Hartke was the nephew of former Senator Vance Hartke.

2004 election

In 2004, he defeated Democratic challenger Jon Jennings with 53% of the vote.

Ironically, as the previous opponent had ties to Indiana politics, Jennings had the same name as Jonathan Jennings, the first governor of Indiana. [Mary Leonard, [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2003/10/27/ex_coach_jennings_seeks_seat_in_indiana/ "Ex-Coach Jennings seeks seat in Indiana: Candidate for House is former Clinton aide"] , "Boston Globe" Staff, October 27, 2003]

2006 defeat

In 2006, Hostettler's Democratic opponent was Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth.

Ellsworth is almost as conservative on social issues as Hostettler. Some saw very little difference between the two candidates, and speculation arose from others that Democrats had to run a clone of John Hostettler to win the district. [Josh Bozeman [http://thebluesite.com/?p=1104 "John Hostettler Vs John Hostettler (aka Brad Ellsworth)"] , The Blue Site, October 4, 2006]

The National Republican Congressional Committee had spent $163,000 in his district as of mid-July 2006. (The DCCC, its counterpart, had spent $166,000 for Ellsworth as of that date.) [Thomas B. Langhorne, [http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/jul/17/hostettler-war-chest-a-little-light-pundit-says/ "Hostettler 'war chest' a little light, pundit says"] , "Evansville Courier & Press", July 17, 2006] [Maureen Groppe, [http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060718/NEWS06/607180456/1006/NEWS01 "Indiana candidates raise big bucks for tight races: $1 million or more in war chest isn't unusual this competitive year, finance reports show"] , "Indianapolis Star", July 18, 2006] He had never been a strong fundraiser; he never raised more than $800,000 in any campaign. Some attributed Hostettler's refusal to accept any Political action committee money to his relatively low funding levels during campaigns. [ [http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060506/News01/60506014 "Indiana race could live up to 'Bloody Eighth' nickname"] , South Bend Tribune, May 6, 2006] [ [http://opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?cycle=2000&id=IN08 Congressional Races ] ] [ [http://opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?cycle=2002&id=IN08 Congressional Races ] ] [ [http://opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?cycle=2004&id=IN08 Congressional Races ] ] [ [http://opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?cycle=2006&id=IN08 Congressional Races ] ] In part because of this, he was on somewhat less secure footing than conventional wisdom would suggest for a six-term incumbent.

As of early September, the Rothenberg Political Report called Hostettler one of the three most endangered House incumbents in the country; Chris Cillizza, political analyst for The Washington Post, ranked Hostettler as the most vulnerable House incumbent in the nation; and Robert D. Novak, a syndicated columnist and editor of the Evans-Novak Political Report, also rated Hostettler's seat a likely win for Ellsworth. [Thomas B. Langhorne, [http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/sep/03/hostettler-inactivity-curious/ "Hostettler inactivity curious"] , "Evansville Courier & Press", September 3, 2006]

In mid-October, an opinion poll commissioned by the "Evansville Courier & Press" showed Ellsworth leading Hostettler, 55% to 32%. [Thomas B. Langhorne, [http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/oct/15/ellsworth-widens-lead-in-poll/ "Ellsworth widens lead in poll: ISU questions likely voters in 8th District follow-up survey"] , "Evansville Courier & Press", October 15, 2006]

Hostettler debated Ellsworth on October 23, 2006. The debate was at public television station WVUT at Vincennes University, and involved the League of Women Voters. [ [http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/aug/30/hostettler-agrees-debate-date/ "Hostettler agrees to debate date"] , "Evansville Courier & Press", August 30, 2006]

In the November election, Hostettler was soundly defeated, taking 39 percent of the vote to Ellsworth's 61 percent. His defeat was the first announced that night.Fact|date=April 2008 The 22-point margin was the largest margin of defeat for an incumbent in the 2006 cycle, and the second-biggest margin of a defeat in a Republican-held district. Hostettler was the only incumbent in either party who did not receive 40% of the vote, although a few Senators such as Rick Santorum and Mike DeWine came close. The 8th district vote tally for Ellsworth was only 1% shy of the same district's tally for President Bush in 2004. [ [http://projects.washingtonpost.com/elections/keyraces/7/ "Election 2006: Key Race: U.S. House, Indiana District 8"] WashingtonPost.com, accessed December 2, 2007]

Post-congressional career

In mid-2007, Hostettler formed a publishing company, [http://www.publiushouse.com Publius House] . He is currently working on his first book, "Nothing for the Nation - Who Got What Out of Iraq". The book is said to examine the true motives of American political leaders behind the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. [ [http://www.johnhostettler.com "Hostettler Book will Examine Invasion of Iraq in March 2003"] , JohnHostettler.com, accessed November 30, 2007]

Political positions

Hostettler was one of the "true believers" in the Republican freshman class of 1995. He believed the U.S. Constitution should be strictly interpreted [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3827/is_199808/ai_n8809957 "Hostettler vs. Riecken"] Human Events, August 21, 1998] and was very critical of government actions--especially those of judges--that he felt overstepped their constitutional limits. Even those who disagreed with Hostettler felt that they knew where he stood and would likely give him the benefit of the doubt that he regularly voted in principle and not for political ends. [Radley Balko [http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:u7uafzdV3Y8J:www.theagitator.com/archives/2002_10.php+hostettler+%22don%27t+always+agree%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us "Why Did Hostettler Vote 'No'"] , The Agitator, October 18, 2002]

He was strongly pro-life and opposed gun control. He favored the dissolution of the Department of Education, and voted against the No Child Left Behind Act because he felt education was a state matter. [ [http://nochildleft.com/2006/jan06king.html "Congress and the Courts Kowtow to the New King"] , NoChildLeft.com, January 2006] He also voted against most federal health care bills, feeling health care was a state matter. He also felt that many federal environmental laws and regulations infringed on individuals' property rights.

Hostettler was very active on issues of religious freedom and expression. For example, during his last term, he was the chief sponsor of the Veterans' Memorials, Boy Scouts, Public Seals, and Other Public Expressions of Religion Protection Act of 2006, which would have prevented attorneys who successfully challenge violations of the Establishment Clause from collecting attorneys' fees.

On economic issues, he supported repeal of the estate tax, the capital gains tax and the "marriage tax penalty."

Hostettler was a hawk by inclination (he strongly supported the Strategic Defense Initiative). However, he was one of the leading Republican opponents of the Iraq War. He felt that preemptive military strikes were improper, and also felt that the military should not go into action unless there was an "imminent threat" to national security.

Hostettler was a hardliner on immigration issues

"...the Constitution ... is very clear. These are violations of our immigration law, and those that violate our immigration law should be dealt with, and should be punished, and should be ultimately deported."

[ [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0504/13/ldt.01.html "Immigration Crisis; Importing Teachers; Border Insecurity"] , CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, April 13, 2005] ; he supported building a fence at the Mexican border and opposed benefits of any sort to illegal immigrants. During his last two terms in Congress, he was Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.

Committee participation

Hostettler served on the House Armed Services Committee and the Judiciary Committee.

In 1999, Hostettler was appointed vice-chairman of the Armed Services Research and Development Subcommittee for the 106th Congress.

In 2003, Hostettler was appointed the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims. He previously served as chairman of the Congressional Family Caucus, and was a member of the conservative Republican Study Committee.

Legislative activity

In late 1995, Hostettler was the sponsor of a bill passed by the House to repeal a District of Columbia law that allowed city workers to register domestic partners for health benefits. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9403E1D81639F930A35752C1A963958260 "Setback for Gay Rights"] , "Associated Press", November 3, 1995]

In January 1996, Hostettler was one of 17 Republicans who voted against a compromise, which House Speaker Newt Gingrich had endorsed, that ended a federal government shutdown. After the vote, Gingrich canceled plans to visit Evansville for a fund-raising event for Hostettler. Gingrich offered to reschedule, but Hostettler turned him down, saying "I cannot allow my fund raising to be tied in any way to specific votes." [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B03E5DC1E39F933A15752C0A960958260 "Politics: Courting Constituencies; Maverick Politician Rebuffs the Speaker"] , "Associated Press", January 20, 1996] That November would be Hostettler's closest re-election, against future Evansville Mayor Jon Weinzapfel.

In June 2000, Hostettler was one of only 10 Republicans voting against a prescription drug bill that passed the House 217-214. (The bill failed in the Senate.) [Robert Pear, [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9E01E7DC1F30F93AA15755C0A9669C8B63 'House Approves a Medicare Prescription Benefit"] , "New York Times", June 29, 2000]

In June 2001, Hostettler and Congressman Walter B. Jones of North Carolina (another member of the Republican class of 1995) co-authored a bill, H.R. 2357, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit churches and other houses of worship to engage in political campaigns [ [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2357: Introduction of H.R. 2357, "Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act"] , June 28, 2001] without losing their tax-exempt status. In October 2002 the bill was defeated in a 178 to 239 vote in the House. [ [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:HR02357:@@@P Roll call vote on HR 2357, "Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act"] , October 2, 2002]

On July 10 2002, Hostettler introduced House Amendment 523 to House Resolution 4635, which would have removed the 2% cap on the number of pilots who could be deputized as federal flight deck officers and thus permitted to carry firearms to as well as requiring the Transportation Security Administration to train 20% of all pilots who volunteer for the program within six months of enactment and train 80% by the end of the two-year pilot program. There were no cosponsors to his amendment and it failed in a roll call vote.

On October 10, 2002, U.S. Congressman John Hostettler was one of six House Republicans who voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that authorized the invasion of Iraq [ [http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/10/11/194543.shtml "Hostettler One of Six U.S. House Members Who Voted Against Iraq War Resolution of 2002"] , NewsMax.com, accessed November 30, 2007] . In a speech to the U.S. House on October 8, 2002, invoking St. Augustine's Just War Thesis, the Minutemen, and the Framers of the U.S. Constitution, Rep. Hostettler revealed his conclusion that:

"...Iraq indeed poses a threat, but it does not pose an imminent threat that justifies a pre-emptive military strike at this time."

[ [http://www.publiushouse.com/floorspeechtext.htm "U.S. Congressman John Hostettler's Speech on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives"] , PubliusHouse.com, accessed November 30, 2007]

On July 15, 2003, the House voted 226-198 on a Hostettler-sponsored amendment to the State Departments's "Foreign Relations Authorization Act" reauthorization bill for Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005, requiring tighter regulation of consular cards of foreign nations within the United States, including Mexico's "matricula consular" cards. The Senate did pass corresponding legislation in the 108th Congress. [ [http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:NFm65A5m0zwJ:www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32094.pdf+Foreign+Relations+authorization+bill+hostettler+vote+226&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us "CRS Report for Congress"] , Library of Congress Congressional Research Service, Updated May 26, 2005]

Also in 2003, he amended the Commerce, State, and Justice appropriation bill to restrict any funding for a ruling calling by the Court of Appeals 11th Circuit for the removal of the Ten Commandments from the Alabama State Supreme Court House. Chief Justice Roy Moore, who was removed from office later in 2003, had placed a 5-ton granite monument that included the Ten Commandments in the rotunda of the Alabama Supreme Court building on July 31, 2001. [Marvin Olasky "Push Has Come to Shove", World Magazine, August 23, 2003]

In 2004, the House passed the Hostettler-sponsored Marriage Protection Act (MPA). This kept federal courts from ruling on same-sex marriage licenses, as a result of Masschusetts' Supreme Court ruling on February 3, 2004 on the Massachusetts ban on same-sex marriage. [ [http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/18/samesex.marriage.ruling/ "Massachusetts court rules ban on gay marriage unconstitutional"] , CNN.com, February 4, 2004]

In September 2005, Hostettler was one of 11 Representatives who voted against the $51.8 billion aid package for relief and recovery from Hurricane Katrina. [Mara Lee, "Hostettler: No to storm aid", "Evansville Courier & Press", September 9, 2006] Spokesman Matt Faraci said Hostettler voted against the hurricane measure because it included a provision making it easy for supposed do-gooders to pilfer federal funds. Faraci said that Hostettler would like to see federal funds spent helping victims of natural disasters so long as those dollars are not squandered. "He was very supportive of giving assistance to people affected by Rita and Katrina," Faraci said. "He was concerned that there were provisions in the bill that were open to abuse." [Peter Savodnik, [http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Campaign/110805.html "With ’06 race heating up, Hostettler backs Ind. aid"] , "The Hill", November 8, 2005]

Hostettler had introduced legislation in five consecutive Congress' to prevent organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union from collecting attorneys’ fees when they win lawsuits challenging religious symbols on public land or religious groups’ use of government property. Hostletter said in a speech in February 2006 that his bill would "restore legal balance in this country, and it will protect us from being the victims of this assault on our religious liberties". [Tom Strode [http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=22902 "House sponsor hopeful about bill that would bar ACLU’s rewards in religion lawsuits"] , "Baptist Press" News, March 24, 2006]

In 2006, Hostettler voted against a constitutional amendment that defined marriage as being between a man and a woman. [ [http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll378.xml Final vote results for roll call 378, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage] , Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, July 18, 2006]

Awards and commendations

*The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) bestowed upon Hostettler the 'Guardian of Small Business' Award in 2000 because of attaining a 94% favorable rating with their organization, markedly above the 70% requirement for the award. [ [http://www.nfib.com/object/2731136.html "Hostettler Named "Guardian of Small Business"] National Federation of Independent Business, September 20, 2000]

*In 2001, the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) presented to Hostettler the 'Taxpayers' Friend Award' which he shared with 41 other Congressional Members that year. [ [http://www.ntu.org/main/page.php?PageID=33 "NTU's Taxpayer Friends in the House for 2001"] National Taxpayers Union, Accessed December 1, 2007]

*The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) gave, for second consecutive year, the 'Taxpayers' Friend Award' to John Hostettler along with 35 other lawmakers in 2002. [ [http://www.ntu.org/main/press_release.php?PressID=113&org_name=ntu "Citizen Group Salutes 'Taxpayers' Friends' in Congress"] National Taxpayers Union, May 7, 2003]

*In 2004, Hostettler received the 'Distinguished Christian Statesman Award' from the Center for Christian Statesmanship, an outreach of Coral Ridge Ministries and Dr. D. James Kennedy. [ [http://www.coralridge.org/impact/2004_Jun_Pg1.htm "Center Gives Statesmanship Award to Rep. John Hostettler"] , Coral Ridge Ministries "Impact", June 2004]

*He received a perfect 100% rating from the American Conservative Union in 2005. [ [http://www.conservative.org/pressroom/2006/0604052pr.asp "ACU Releases 2005 Congressional Ratings"] American Conservative Union, April 5, 2006]

*In 2006, 9/11 Families for a Secure America gave Hostettler the 'Homeland Defender Award' [ [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=12876&R=EEBAFBD "The most vulnerable Republicans are found in a five-state swath, from Indiana to Connecticut"] , The Weekly Standard, November 6, 2006]

Controversies

Direct loan program

On October 30, 1995, the Bloomington Herald-Times reported that 700 Indiana University students and faculty, as well as the entire Bloomington City Council, signed a petition to oppose Hostettler's proposed changes in federal financial aid. According to the article, Hostettler had proposed abolishing the U.S. Department of Education as well as the Direct Loan program.

Indiana University Student Association, acting on student sentiment as evidenced in the 1995 petition, voted in February 1996 to oppose Hostettler's drive to abolish the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. The resolution passed 38-3. (IUSA Resolution 2-8-1996)

Breast cancer / abortion link

On April 30, 2002, Hostettler met in Washington with eleven breast cancer survivors from Indiana that were seeking support for more research funding. In a subsequent campaign letter, Hostettler said Diane Gregory, who set up the meeting, "had expressed interest in reading more about [studies on the link between abortion and breast cancer] and had asked Congressman Hostettler to send her a copy of the reports." Gregory denied that, saying "The materials on abortion (two brochures) came to me totally unsolicited. I must admit I was disturbed and surprised to receive the brochures."

According to the women, at the meeting Hostettler "brought up the topic of abortion as the cause of breast cancer" and "made many (of the women) feel he was insinuating that they had had an abortion." Hostettler's campaign letter described the women as being on a smear campaign and said their accusations "never happened." [Roberta Heiman, [http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=9&num=441&printer=1 "Hostettler escalates war with breast cancer survivors"] , "Evansville Courier & Press", September 16, 2002]

In early 2003, the National Cancer Institute concluded that it was well-established from all available scientific evidence that "induced abortion is not associated with an increase in breast cancer risk." [ [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/ere-workshop-report "Summary Report: Early Reproductive Events and Breast Cancer Workshop"] , National Cancer Institute, posted March 4, 2003]

Detainment for airport firearm possession

On April 20, 2004, Hostettler was briefly detained at the Louisville International Airport when he attempted to board a flight for Washington, D.C. with a loaded 9 mm Glock pistol in his briefcase [ [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,117656,00.html "Hostettler Inadvertantly Takes Gun to Louisville Airport"] , FoxNews.com, April 20, 2004] The congressman explained he "completely forgot" the gun was there, and called it a rather stupid mistake. His spokesman said Hostettler never brings the gun, registered to the Congressman, to Washington, where handguns are illegal. Hostettler does not have a house or apartment in D.C., but sleeps in his office. [Jeanne Meserve and Ted Barrett, [http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/20/congressman.gun/ "Gun found in congressman's carry-on bag: Lawmaker detained, but not arrested at airport"] , CNN, April 20, 2004]

In August, Hostettler pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon. He agreed to a plea-bargained sentence of 60 days in jail, with the jail time to be conditionally discharged rather than served if he had no more legal problems in the next two years. [ [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?s_site=louisville&p_multi=LCJB|&p_product=LCJB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=Hostettler&s_dispstring=Hostettler%20AND%20date(2004)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=2004&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no "Hostettler likely won't have to serve 60-day jail sentence over gun"] , "Louisville Courier-Journal", October 5, 2004] On October 4, 2004, a Kentucky judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest after Hostettler failed to pay court costs, but it was recalled the same day after his attorney paid the $122.50. [Jason Riley, [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?s_site=louisville&p_multi=LCJB|&p_product=LCJB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=Hostettler&s_dispstring=Hostettler%20AND%20date(2004)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=2004&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no "Hostettler pays court costs in gun case; warrant recalled"] , "Louisville Courier-Journal", October 5, 2004]