James Charles Slattery was a Kansas representative in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1995 after serving in the U.S Army. He played a crucial role in many key issues including environmental protection, health care, telecommunications, and budget cutting efforts. He worked to limit production of the B-2 bomber, and was the chief sponsor of the successful amendment to terminate spending on the Superconducting Super Collider in 1993. In 1993, Slattery orchestrated the House campaign that killed the Superconducting Super Collider.

Slattery also served on the Energy and Commerce, Veterans’ Affairs, Budget, Telecommunications and Banking committees and started his own successful real estate company.