Thomas Daschle
U.S. Senate (D-SD)

Senator Daschle was born on December 9, 1947, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he grew up in a working family as the eldest of four brothers. After serving three years as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command, he spent five years as an aide to South Dakota Senator James Abourezk.

In 1978, Daschle was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served until 1986 when he ran for the U.S. Senate. After a close race, Daschle became the Junior Senator from South Dakota. Today, he serves as Senior Senator and Democratic Leader.

Daschle is strong proponent of immigrant rights and rational visa policies. He strongly favors visas for skilled workers and is a Cosponsor S. 2010, which Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt immediate relatives from the family-sponsored immigration cap. The bill expands the definition of immediate relatives to include spouses and children of lawful permanent residents.

Background Information
Party: Democrat
Term: 3rd
First Elected: 1986
Committees: Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry , Finance & Rules and Administration
Prev. Occupation: Congressional Aide
Prev. Political Exp.: US House, 1979-87
Education: BA South Dakota St. University, 1969
Military: USAF, 1969-72