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Dr. Coburn also is a two-time cancer survivor.

Dr. Coburn also is a two-time cancer survivor.

Dr. Coburn and his wife, Carolyn, a former Miss Oklahoma, were married in 1968 and have three children and four grandchildren.  They are members of Muskogee's New Community Church."[http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography]

Dr. Coburn and his wife, Carolyn, a former Miss Oklahoma, were married in 1968 and have three children and four grandchildren.  They are members of Muskogee's New Community Church."<ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

== A Citizen Legislator ==

== A Citizen Legislator ==

"Dr. Coburn represented Oklahoma's Second Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 1995 through 2001.  He was first elected in 1994, then re-elected in 1996 and 1998, becoming the first Republican to hold the seat for consecutive terms.  Dr. Coburn retired from Congress in 2001, fulfilling his pledge to serve no more than three terms in the House."  [http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography]

"Dr. Coburn represented Oklahoma's Second Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 1995 through 2001.  He was first elected in 1994, then re-elected in 1996 and 1998, becoming the first Republican to hold the seat for consecutive terms.  Dr. Coburn retired from Congress in 2001, fulfilling his pledge to serve no more than three terms in the House."  <ref>http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

When Coburn was first elected in to the House of Representatives in 1994, the year of the Republican Revolution he stated from the beginning that he would only serve three terms (if he was re-elected each time).  Coburn believes in the idea of a term limited citizen legislator.  In other words, a citizen who serves in Congress for several years and then goes home to live under the laws they have helped to create.   

When Coburn was first elected in to the House of Representatives in 1994, the year of the Republican Revolution he stated from the beginning that he would only serve three terms (if he was re-elected each time).  Coburn believes in the idea of a term limited citizen legislator.  In other words, a citizen who serves in Congress for several years and then goes home to live under the laws they have helped to create.   

"During his tenure in the House, Dr. Coburn wrote and passed far-reaching legislation. These include laws to expand seniors' health care options, to protect access to home health care in rural areas and to allow Americans to access cheaper medications from Canada and other nations. Dr. Coburn also wrote a law intended to prevent baby AIDS.  The Wall Street Journal said about the law, "In 10 long years of AIDS politics and funding, this is actually the first legislation to pass in this country that will rescue babies."  He also wrote a law to renew and reform federal AIDS care programs.   

"During his tenure in the House, Dr. Coburn wrote and passed far-reaching legislation. These include laws to expand seniors' health care options, to protect access to home health care in rural areas and to allow Americans to access cheaper medications from Canada and other nations. Dr. Coburn also wrote a law intended to prevent baby AIDS.  The Wall Street Journal said about the law, "In 10 long years of AIDS politics and funding, this is actually the first legislation to pass in this country that will rescue babies."  He also wrote a law to renew and reform federal AIDS care programs.   

During his three terms in the House, Dr. Coburn also played an influential role in reforming welfare and other federal entitlement programs. He led efforts to balance the budget, offering countless amendments to trim the bloated federal budget." [http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography]

During his three terms in the House, Dr. Coburn also played an influential role in reforming welfare and other federal entitlement programs. He led efforts to balance the budget, offering countless amendments to trim the bloated federal budget." <ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

 

== The Interlude ==

== The Interlude ==

"In 2002, President George Bush chose Dr. Coburn to serve as co-chair of the President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA)."[http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography]

"In 2002, President George Bush chose Dr. Coburn to serve as co-chair of the President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA)."<ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

== The Road to the Senate ==

== The Road to the Senate ==

In 2004, however, Coburn decided to return to public life and ran for and won a seat as a United States Senator from Oklahoma.  In keeping with the idea of the citrizen legislator, Coburn has promised to serve only two terms in the Senate.[http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography]

In 2004, however, Coburn decided to return to public life and ran for and won a seat as a United States Senator from Oklahoma.  In keeping with the idea of the citizen legislator, Coburn has promised to serve only two terms in the Senate.<ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>

== Coburn's Earmark Fight ==

== Coburn's Earmark Fight ==

In an article entitled, "Week of July 18, 2007," columnsit Robert D. Novak discussed the continuing anti-earmakr fight by several member of the Upper and Lower Houses of Congress, Tom Cobunr among them.   

In an article entitled, "Week of July 18, 2007," columnsit Robert D. Novak discussed the continuing anti-earmakr fight by several member of the Upper and Lower Houses of Congress, Tom Cobunr among them.   

"Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) will continue in the Senate the anti-earmark fight that Representatives Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.) have been fighting in the House. Two Senate amendments to the Defense bill will target an earmark by one of Flake's favorite targets, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), and a Nebraska defense company. Two other amendments will require a competition to determine the best rifle for U.S. soldiers and require competitive contract processes for winning earmarked Defense money. Coburn leads the charge in stripping individual earmarks, while DeMint pushes for new transparency rules."[http://www.www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21588]

"Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) will continue in the Senate the anti-earmark fight that Representatives Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.) have been fighting in the House. Two Senate amendments to the Defense bill will target an earmark by one of Flake's favorite targets, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), and a Nebraska defense company. Two other amendments will require a competition to determine the best rifle for U.S. soldiers and require competitive contract processes for winning earmarked Defense money. Coburn leads the charge in stripping individual earmarks, while DeMint pushes for new transparency rules."<ref>http://www.www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=21588</ref>

On his website, Coburn also provides an explanation of why he is fighting against earmarks in addition to a scorecard of what he has done during the 109th and 110th Congresses.   

On his website, Coburn also provides an explanation of why he is fighting against earmarks in addition to a scorecard of what he has done during the 109th and 110th Congresses.   

Every family in America must make decisions that require prioritizing and financial restraint to meet their financial situation and expect the government to do the same.  But politicians in Washington have for too long avoided making tough decisions and have prioritized their next election over the next generation.  Clearly this in not the time for business as usual in Washington and the borrow and spend mentality must come to an end if we are to ensure that the next generation of Americans inherit the same standard of living and that our seniors can enjoy financial security during their retirement years.

Every family in America must make decisions that require prioritizing and financial restraint to meet their financial situation and expect the government to do the same.  But politicians in Washington have for too long avoided making tough decisions and have prioritized their next election over the next generation.  Clearly this in not the time for business as usual in Washington and the borrow and spend mentality must come to an end if we are to ensure that the next generation of Americans inherit the same standard of living and that our seniors can enjoy financial security during their retirement years.

The following is a summary of the amendments I have offered on the Senate floor to reduce wasteful Washington spending and to reform the budget process.  While many of these amendments have been unsuccessful — often losing in lopsided votes — I believe it is important not to be discouraged and to continue to press for change and fiscal responsibility in Washington.  The future of our country, after all, depends upon it."  

The following is a summary of the amendments I have offered on the Senate floor to reduce wasteful Washington spending and to reform the budget process.  While many of these amendments have been unsuccessful — often losing in lopsided votes — I believe it is important not to be discouraged and to continue to press for change and fiscal responsibility in Washington.  The future of our country, after all, depends upon it." <ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ConstituentServices.PorkBusters</ref>

[http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ConstituentServices.PorkBusters]

== Coburn's Senate Activities ==

== Coburn's Senate Activities ==

"Dr. Coburn's priorities in the Senate include reducing wasteful spending, balancing the budget, improving health care access and affordability, protecting the sanctity of all human life - including the unborn - and representing traditional, Oklahoma values.  As a citizen legislator, Dr. Coburn has pledged to serve no more than two terms in the Senate and to continue to care for patients.  He is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Indian Affairs Committee and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions."[http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography]

"Dr. Coburn's priorities in the Senate include reducing wasteful spending, balancing the budget, improving health care access and affordability, protecting the sanctity of all human life - including the unborn - and representing traditional, Oklahoma values.  As a citizen legislator, Dr. Coburn has pledged to serve no more than two terms in the Senate and to continue to care for patients.  He is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Indian Affairs Committee and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions." <ref>http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorCoburn.Biography</ref>