| − | In 2000, Pence was elected to [[Congress]] and reelected in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010.<ref name="Bio"/> In 2005, he became chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group representing the most conservative members of the House.<ref name="Bio"/> The next year, Pence unsuccessfully ran for House minority leader, losing to [[John Boehner]].<ref name="Bio"/> Pence served as the House Republican Conference Chair during the 111th Congress, which lasted from 2009-2011.<ref name="Bio"/><ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=p000587 PENCE, Mike, (1959 - )]. ''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress''. Retrieved October 5, 2016.</ref> | + | In 2000, Pence was elected to [[Congress]] and reelected in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010.<ref name="Bio"/> In 2005, he became chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group representing the most conservative members of the House.<ref name="Bio"/> The next year, Pence unsuccessfully ran for House minority leader, losing to [[John Boehner]].<ref name="Bio"/> Pence served as the House Republican Conference Chair during the 111th Congress, which lasted from 2009–2011.<ref name="Bio"/><ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=p000587 PENCE, Mike, (1959 - )]. ''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress''. Retrieved October 5, 2016.</ref> |
| | In Congress, Pence built a very conservative record, even opposing liberal Republican bills that would increase spending or the size of government, such as [[No Child Left Behind]] in 2001, and the Medicare expansion of 2002.<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Eason10things"/> | | In Congress, Pence built a very conservative record, even opposing liberal Republican bills that would increase spending or the size of government, such as [[No Child Left Behind]] in 2001, and the Medicare expansion of 2002.<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Eason10things"/> |