Thomas Allen "Tom" Coburn
Thomas Allen "Tom" Coburn is an American politician and medical doctor. Coburn was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994, and served through 2001. During his three terms in the House, Coburn played an influential role in reforming welfare and other federal entitlement programs. In 2004, he returned to political office with a successful run for the U.S. Senate. Coburn was re-elected to a second term in 2010. Coburn is one of three medical doctors currently serving in the U.S. Senate. Coburn is a fiscal and social conservative, and described as the "godfather of the modern conservative, austerity movement". In 2013, Coburn received the U.S. Senator John Heinz Award for Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official, an award given out annually by Jefferson Awards.
