John Breaux

Former U.S. Senator (D-LA) and Expert on Social Security, Healthcare, and Energy
John Breaux
  • Popular Democratic leader and former Deputy Minority Whip in the Senate
  • Co-chair of the President Bush’s 2005 Tax Reform Commission
  • Social Security, healthcare, and energy expert
  • Offers a customizable and hard-hitting outlook of the current political environment

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Senator John Breaux is a vital voice in the American political arena and arguably the most popular Democratic politician in Louisiana. An expert on Social Security, healthcare, and energy, he served as deputy minority whip in the Senate and held several key committee positions. He was also the co-chair of the President Bush’s 2005 Tax Reform Commission, a founder of the Centrist Coalition of Senate Democrats and Republicans, and the chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council. His mainstream approach to government has earned him praise across the nation. The Shreveport Times observed, “Breaux has sought to build bridges between Democrats and Republicans and is widely respected on both sides of the aisle.” Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities, Inc. speakers bureau, he tackles today’s key political issues and analyzes the current political environment in his easy-going, comfortable style, based both on his Southern upbringing and his many years of experience serving the nation.

Post-Congressional Career. Breaux led a long and distinguished career in Congress before retiring from the Senate in 2005 and joining Patton Boggs as senior counsel. There, he co-chairs the firm’s public policy practice and provides strategic advice to on a wide range of issues, focusing particularly on healthcare and energy law. Breaux also joined forces with former U.S. Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) and their sons to form the Breaux Lott Leadership Group, which quickly became one of the 20 largest government relations firms in Washington, DC. They advise on energy, healthcare, financial services, defense, homeland security, telecom, tax policy, and trade.

An Experienced Politician. Breaux was elected to the House of Representatives at the age of 28 – at the time, the youngest member of the United States Congress. He held that seat until 1986, when he was elected to the U.S. Senate. In 1993, Breaux was elected by his Democratic colleagues to the post of deputy minority whip, a position he held until his retirement. He also held a number of key Senate committee positions. A senior member of the Finance Committee, Breaux served as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Security and Family Policy. He also held positions on two other finance subcommittees, the Subcommittee on Health Care and the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight. He played instrumental roles in the passage of the welfare and health insurance reform bills in 1996 and was a leader in the efforts to provide tax relief for college education.

Additionally, he served on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Technology Committee, where he worked on telecommunications and transportation issues, and was the chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, where he highlighted the importance of protecting and strengthening Social Security, Medicare, and other retirement programs. He chaired both the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare and the National Commission on Retirement Policy.

Breaux was also a leader on energy issues. He served as co-chair of the Oil and Gas Caucus and was a conferee on the 2005 energy bill. He advanced legislation that promoted domestic oil and gas production and incentivized greener energy production. He also co-sponsored tax incentives for oil production from marginal wells and was the author of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

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Senator John Breaux Diagnosis Partisan Illness

Political Outlook. Senator John Breaux offers hard-hitting analysis of the current political environment from the perspective of someone intimately familiar with the legislative process. He discusses the day’s hot political topics, details potential legislation and policy decisions, and speaks to the strategic choices of the Parties. He also forecasts likely power shifts, looking toward the future and the next elections.

Energy Security 101. As an expert on energy issues, Breaux addresses the vast challenges and opportunities in American’s energy policy. He discusses the global pressure that shapes the energy scene and suggests new and innovative ways in which we can develop an energy strategy that Americans can drive with and live with.

The Politics of Compromise. In an environment of political dysfunction, Breaux shows how we can work together as individuals, communities, and a nation to achieve our goals. He is attuned to the legislation on Capitol Hill and can speak to audiences about what today’s policies and issues will mean for industries and associations across the country.

Healthcare and Us. Healthcare has always been an issue close to Breaux’s heart. He presents the current dialogue on healthcare, outlines the ramifications of the Affordable Care Act, keeps abreast of healthcare policies and procedures under consideration, and discusses their potential impact on American business.

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