What Others Are Saying
Mac is a commonsense conservative with deep Texas roots. In his time in Congress, he has established a reputation as a leader on national security policy. Take a look at what others are saying about Mac.
“The congressman from the 13th District is Mac Thornberry... He is considered one of Congress’ brainiest and most thoughtful Republicans on national and domestic security issues…Thornberry has often been at the forefront of security issues…”
National Journal Almanac of American Politics, July 1, 2011
“Thornberry is a thoughtful lawmaker with considerable experience in the legislative process…and he is a respected voice on national security matters.”
Congressional Quarterly Politics in America Member Profile 2011
“…Rep. Mac Thornberry had an influential seat at the table to hammer out military legislation important to both the nation and North Texas…[he] has been a regular at that table for several years, appointed by the House speaker…the fact that Thornberry is allowed to participate says a lot about the level of respect for him in the House.”
Times Record News, December 21, 2011
“…an expert in intelligence and defense…”
Times Record News, May 10, 2011
“One of the most conservative members of the House 2009”
National Journal, February 2010
“…Thornberry has demonstrated a clear commitment to economic liberty and growth.”
Chris Chocola - President, The Club for Growth
“Thornberry's conservative credentials are almost beyond reproach…”
Amarillo Globe-News, August 15, 2010
“This Defender of Liberty award is a reflection of Representative Mac Thornberry’s outstanding record in support of conservative principles on a wide range of issues of concern to grass roots conservatives in 2009 and someone to whom conservatives can turn to for leadership. At a challenging time when the fundamental principles on which the American system of government are being challenged, Representative Mac Thornberry stands with those who are trying to preserve those principles.”
David A. Keene – Chairman of the American Conservative Union, May 6, 2010
“..thank you for your strong support of the Jeffersonian ideal of smaller government that permits the free enterprise system to flourish.”
Jonathan Eisen - Senior Vice President, Government Relations, International Food Distributors Association.
"Without a doubt, there are some very solid legislators from that year who remain in the House, including …Mac Thornberry (Texas)."
Editors, The Hill Newspaper, May 18, 2010
“As far as America’s Right is concerned, he’s one of the good guys.”
“William M. “Mac” Thornberry of Texas, a senior Republican on the House Armed Services Committee and a serious student of government management, stood out at the panel’s otherwise self-congratulatory April 21 markup by reminding his colleagues of the Pentagon’s poor record of implementing congressional prescriptions of this sort. Defense bill after defense bill has called for changes never implemented or only partly observed.”
Congressional Quartlerly, John Donnelly April 26, 2010
“Well regarded in both parties for his thoughtfulness on security issues, he [Mac] now laments what he sees as deepening partisan divides on everything from Iraq to intelligence.”
National Journal, October 28, 2009
“At Wednesday’s House Armed Services Committee budget hearing, Rep. Mac Thornberry, one of the most consistently thoughtful and effective legislators on the House Armed Services Committee, asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates if he thought such an outside panel would be a good idea. Gates made the classic bureaucrat’s move of preempting the questioner, telling Thornberry he had already ,made a move in that direction, naming Andy Marshall, head of the elect Office of Net Assessment, and Marine Gen. James Mattis, head of Joint Forces Command, as his red team.”
Colin Clark, DoD Buzz
“His understanding of the government’s disparate jurisdiction over domestic security, and his steadily growing influence on the Armed Services Committee, have made him one of the more influential junior House members of the War Congress.”
Congressional Quarterly, January 5, 2008
“His hard work on defense and homeland security issues has earned him a reputation as one of the brainiest and most accessible lawmakers on those issues.”
National Journal Almanac of American Politics, January 2008
“An informed, dispassionate expert on national security and intelligence, Thornberry both helped create Homeland Security and stands out as one of the most dogged critics of its numerous shortcomings.”
Esquire magazine, October 2008