ABOUT GIPAC GIPAC is the political action committee (PAC) for clinical gastroenterologists and gastrointestinal specialists. We are a bipartisan federal PAC that supports legislators demonstrating an interest in the issues and challenges facing our practices and patients. It is important to note that GIPAC is an issue-specific PAC: While our members may have diverse political opinions, we agree that it is necessary to support those willing to champion the legislative causes important to our profession. GIPAC is always looking to be involved in a federal campaign. If you wish to have GIPAC support a member of Congress, or candidate for federal office, please contact GIPAC leadership. Please visit www.gipac.org to make a contribution. GIPAC NEAR PERFECT IN MID-TERM ELECTIONS Now that the dust of the 2010 mid-presidential term elections has settled, I am pleased to provide you with the results of GIPAC’s campaign efforts over the past year. The aftermath of the November 2, 2010 elections was the biggest shakeup in Congress since 1994 and the largest change of seats in the House of Representatives since 1948. Republicans in the House gained 60 seats, securing a majority of 239 to 196. Republicans also gained 6 seats in the U.S. Senate. However, Democrats maintained control with a 53 to 47 majority. This is an anomaly because the House has changed parties six times since World War II, and each time the House flipped, control the Senate changed parties too. GIPAC strives to be good stewards with your money as we advocate on behalf of the GI clinician. Thanks to your generosity, GIPAC was quite successful this year. We can now boast that GIPAC supported members of Congress who will soon be in key leadership positions in both the U.S. House and Senate. While this year’s political environment was especially harsh for House Democrats, GIPAC proved correct in choosing a few Democrats who pulled off elections bids as well. COMPLETE LIST OF GIPAC SUPPORTED CAMPAIGNS (November 2009 - November 2010) U.S. SENATE Harry Reid (D-NV) Presumptive Senate Majority Leader Ron Wyden (D-OR) Senate Finance Committee Member Richard Burr (R-NC) Senate HELP Committee Member Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) U.S. Senate Freshman Class Joe Manchin (D-WV) U.S. Senate Freshman Class U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ERIC PAC- Eric Cantor (R-VA) Presumptive House Majority Leader Dave Camp (R-MI) Incoming Committee on Ways & Means Chairman Charles Gonzalez (D-TX) Energy & Commerce Committee Member GIPAC Event 10/17/10 Ron Kind (D-WI) Ways & Means Committee Member Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) Ways & Means Committee Member Tom Price, M.D. (R-GA) Respected Voice on Healthcare Policy Pat Meehan (R-PA) U.S. House Freshman Class Dan Maffei (D-NY) Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) Ways & Means Committee Member   Rich Ashoo for Congress (R-NH) New Hampshire Primary Election   With the passage of health reform, and the forthcoming regulations stemming from the health reform law, I urge you to continue supporting our mission. Thanks to you we have made tremendous strides this election cycle in raising money and advocating our issues to legislators. However, clinical GI must compete with the larger PACs of other medical societies and organizations. Please continue to help make GIPAC a stronger voice on Capitol Hill. GIPAC is thankful for your contributions and support. Donate today! www.gipac.org Regards, Harry Sarles, Jr., MD, FACG President GIPAC GIPAC.org