Tom Coburn

Tom Coburn official portrait 112th Congress

Tom Coburn (March 14, 1948 – March 28, 2020) was an American politician and physician who served as a United States Senator from Oklahoma from 2005 to 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Coburn was known for his conservative political views and his advocacy for fiscal responsibility and government reform. Prior to his tenure in the Senate, he served in the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2001.

Early Life and Education

Tom Coburn was born in Casper, Wyoming, but grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Oklahoma State University in 1970. After a brief career in manufacturing, Coburn returned to school and received a medical degree from the University of Oklahoma Medical School in 1983. He then established a family medicine practice in Muskogee, where he worked until his election to Congress.

Political Career

House of Representatives

Coburn's political career began with his election to the United States House of Representatives in 1994, where he served as part of the Republican wave that ended 40 years of Democratic control of the House. Coburn was a member of the so-called "Republican Revolution" led by Newt Gingrich. He was known for his strong stance on reducing government spending and reforming welfare. Coburn served three terms, honoring his pledge to serve no more than six years in the House.

U.S. Senate

In 2004, Coburn ran for the U.S. Senate to succeed retiring Senator Don Nickles. He won the election and took office in January 2005. During his tenure in the Senate, Coburn was noted for his use of the filibuster and holds to block legislation and appointments he deemed wasteful or unethical. He was a vocal critic of earmarks and sought to increase transparency in government spending.

Coburn served on several committees, including the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the Committee on Finance. He was also a member of the Gang of 14, a bipartisan group that worked to avoid the nuclear option over judicial nominations.

Advocacy and Later Life

After retiring from the Senate in 2015, Coburn continued to advocate for fiscal responsibility and government reform. He was involved with several organizations and think tanks focused on these issues. Coburn also authored several books on government waste and reform.

Coburn's health became a concern in later years; he had survived melanoma in the early 2000s and was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011. He passed away on March 28, 2020, from complications associated with cancer.

Legacy

Tom Coburn is remembered for his dedication to fiscal conservatism, his efforts to combat government waste, and his commitment to principled leadership. His work in Congress, particularly his focus on transparency and accountability, has had a lasting impact on how government spending is scrutinized.