Robert Aderholt

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Template:Short description Template:Pp-pc Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox officeholder Robert Brown Aderholt<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell; born July 22, 1965) is an American politician and attorney from Alabama. A socially conservative member of the Republican Party and a member of the Tea Party Caucus,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> he is currently serving as a U.S. representative, representing Template:Ushr since 1997. The district includes most of Tuscaloosa County north of the Black Warrior River, as well as Birmingham's far northern suburbs in Walker County and the southern suburbs of Huntsville and Decatur.

Representing the most Republican district in the country, with an index rating of R+33,<ref name="2022 Report">Template:Cite web</ref> He became the dean of Alabama's congressional delegation following Senator Richard Shelby's retirement at the end of the 117th Congress.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Early life and education

Aderholt was born in Haleyville, Alabama, to Mary Frances Brown and Bobby Ray Aderholt.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Aderholt's father, a part-time minister for a small group of Congregational churches in northwest Alabama, was a circuit judge for more than 30 years. He attended the University of North Alabama and then Birmingham-Southern College, from which he graduated with a degree in history and political science.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During college, Aderholt was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. Aderholt received his J.D. from the Samford University Cumberland School of Law and practiced law after graduation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Career

In 1992, Aderholt was appointed Haleyville municipal judge.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The same year, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention. In 1995, he became the top aide to Governor Fob James. He won the 1996 Republican primary in the race to succeed 15-term Democratic incumbent Tom Bevill.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

As the Republican nominee, Aderholt faced a considerable challenge against State Senator Bob Wilson Jr., who called himself a Democrat "in the Tom Bevill tradition". This was a seriously contested race, receiving considerable national coverage and significant support from the Republican Party. Newt Gingrich personally visited the district during the campaign. Aderholt won, 50%–48%, becoming only the second Republican to represent the district since Reconstruction. Two years later, he was reelected over Tom Bevill, Jr., his predecessor's son. The first Republican to win the seat had been Jim Martin, who was swept into office in what was then the 7th District during the 1964 wave that delivered the state's electoral votes to Barry Goldwater. After his first win, Aderholt has never faced another contest nearly that close, and has been reelected nine times. He ran unopposed in 2004, 2010, 2014, and 2016. His increasing margins reflected the growing Republican trend in this part of Alabama.

Aderholt is associated with the Fellowship Foundation, which paid for his trip to Romania in 2017 to promote "traditional family values".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Over the course of 16 years, Aderholt traveled to 18 countries on the Fellowship's behalf.

U.S. House of Representatives

Aderholt greeting President George W. Bush in 2005
Aderholt with President Donald Trump in 2019

Tenure

Aderholt is one of 147 Republican lawmakers who voted to overturn results in the 2020 presidential election.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was at the Capitol to certify the election results when it was attacked. During the attack, he tweeted a prayer to God to "guide & protect this nation." In a video message, he later said that some of the attackers "crossed the line".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Even after the attack, he supported overturning the election. Aderholt later opposed impeaching Trump for the second time.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In February 2021, Aderholt voted against the American Rescue Plan, claiming that his opposition was because half the bill's funding went to "unrelated liberal policies" and that the bill "has nothing to do with COVID-19 relief".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

As of October 2021, Aderholt had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 7.5% of the time.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

In January 2023, Aderholt announced that he had secured $13.8 million in funding for 14 infrastructure projects in his district, including broadband expansion, roadways and access to medical care. Although announced during the 118th Congress, the funds were from the previous House session.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In February 2023, CoinDesk reported that Aderholt is one of three members of Alabama's congressional delegation who received money from FTX, the defunct cryptocurrency exchange, alongside Katie Britt and Gary Palmer. His office did not respond to a CoinDesk inquiry about what had been done with the funds.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Aderholt voted to provide Israel with support following the October 7 attacks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Caucuses

Bills sponsored

Sponsor HR 3808: Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010, 111th Congress

Representatives Bruce Braley, Mike Castle, and Artur Davis co-sponsored the bill.

H.R. 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 – To require any federal or state court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a state other than the state where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce.

April 27, 2010: This bill passed the House of Representatives by voice vote. A record of each representative's position was not kept.

September 27, 2010: This bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent. A record of each senator's position was not kept.

October 8, 2010: vetoed by President.

H.R. 2017 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012

May 26, 2011: Introduced

June 2, 2011: Passed House with amendments

September 26, 2011: Passed Senate with amendments

September 30, 2011: Became Public Law 112-33<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Political positions

The American Conservative Union's center for legislative accountability gave Aderholt a 83% lifetime conservative rating<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the progressive PAC Americans for Democratic Action gave him a 5% liberal quotient in 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Abortion

Robert and Carolina Aderholt at the 2018 March for Life in Washington, D.C.

During the March for Life in Washington on January 22, 2010, Aderholt said, "The issue of abortion and the sanctity of life is something that I feel strongly about and I encourage my colleagues to look for ways to curb and stop abortions in the United States, while compassionately educating on this important issue."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Aderholt supported the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade and called it a "watershed moment for life".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Budget and economy

Aderholt opposes reducing the defense budget to close the American deficit, and in May 2012 said "cuts to defense budgets – the federal government's primary Constitutional responsibility – shouldn't be the relief valve for uncontrolled domestic program spending".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

During the 2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis, Aderholt voted for the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Aderholt called the debt-ceiling deal between Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden "a step in the right direction", though he also said it was "not perfect".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Civil rights

Aderholt opposes same-sex marriage. Aderholt condemned the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which held that same-sex marriage bans violated the US constitution.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He has received high ratings from the Family Research Council, the Traditional Values Coalition, and the American Family Association.Template:Sfn In 2013, the Human Rights Campaign gave him a score of 0 on its Congressional Scorecard.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Environment

During the 111th Congress, Aderholt voted for Steve Scalise's amendment<ref group="Notes">H. Amendment: H.Amdt. 448 to H.R. 367</ref> to "require that Congress be allowed to vote on any executive regulation that would impose any tax, price, or levy upon carbon emissions... effectively prevents the executive branch from levying any form of carbon tax without Congressional approval. Since a carbon tax would be tremendously destructive to the economy as a whole, this measure would hopefully make such a tax unlikely to pass."Template:Sfn Aderholt opposed regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, and in December 2008 helped write a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that read, "I am opposed to any attempt to impose greenhouse gas regulations under the Clean Air Act on the agricultural industry."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Gun policy

Aderholt supports easy access to firearms. He has been repeatedly endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and received $2,000 in 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the wake of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Aderholt called it a terrorist attack and said, "we do not have the luxury of debating the political correctness of 'radical Islam'", adding that there was a need to "hunt down those who would do us harm". He opposed the media and President Obama using the shooting to "push any type of political agenda relating to gun control" and called on the White House and Congress to "protect the homeland".<ref name="Berkowitz61616">Template:Cite news</ref>

Health care

In 2019, Aderholt introduced a bill to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21.<ref name="Ary1">Template:Cite news</ref>

Regulatory reform

In December 2011, Aderholt voted in support of H.R. 10, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act, which would have required congressional approval for any "major regulations" issued by the executive branch but, unlike the 1996 Congressional Review Act, would not require the president's signature or override of a probable presidential veto.<ref name="wapo111207">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name ="FreedomWorks">Template:Cite web</ref>

Tax policy

Aderholt is a signer of Americans for Tax Reform's Taxpayer Protection Pledge.Template:Sfn He voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017,<ref name="Almukhtar">Template:Cite web</ref> saying it would "give back more money to Alabama taxpayers"<ref name="Hagstrom122017">Template:Cite web</ref> and "does the right thing". He cited the raising of the child tax credit, changes to the state and local tax deductions, and said, "more than 80% the people in the 4th District of Alabama will receive a tax cut." Aderholt also said that more businesses will stay in the U.S. due to a lower corporate tax rate and therefore the act is a "jobs bill".<ref name="WHNT121917">Template:Cite web</ref>

Texas v. Pennsylvania

In December 2020, Aderholt was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Defense

In September 2021, Aderholt was among 75 House Republicans to vote against the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, which contains a provision that would require women to be drafted.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Electoral history

Template:Sronly
Year Office Party Primary General Result Swing Template:Abbr.
Total % Template:Abbr. Total % Template:Abbr.
1996 U.S. Representative style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican 10,410 48.83% 1st 102,741 49.94% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Gain
1998 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican colspan=3 Template:CNone 106,297 56.43% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold
2000 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican colspan=3 Template:CNone 140,009 60.89% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold
2002 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican colspan=3 Template:CNone 139,705 87.01% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2004 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican colspan=3 Template:CNone 191,110 74.83% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2006 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican colspan=3 Template:CNone 128,484 70.18% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2008 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican colspan=3 Template:CNone 196,741 74.76% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2010 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican colspan=3 Template:CNone 167,714 98.82% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2012 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican colspan=3 Template:CNone 199,071 73.97% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2014 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican colspan=3 Template:CNone 132,831 98.57% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2016 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican 86,660 81.18% 1st 235,925 98.53% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold <ref>Primary election:

General election:

2018 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican 93,959 81.54% 1st 184,255 79.77% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold <ref>Primary election:

General election:

2020 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican colspan=3 Template:CNone 261,553 82.24% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2022 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican colspan=3 Template:CNone 164,655 84.12% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2024 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Republican 79,083 79.8% 1st 274,498 98.79% 1st Template:Yes2 style="background-color:Template:Party color;"| Hold <ref>Primary election:

General election:

</ref>

Aderholt with his daughter, Mary Elliott, while sheltering-in-place during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama.

Personal life

Aderholt is married to Caroline McDonald. Her father, Albert, served in the Alabama State Senate and was Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.<ref>'Funeral Service set for Albert McDonald, former state senator and ag commissioner from Madison,' AL.com., Steve Doyle, July 7, 2014</ref> They have two children.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On December 4, 2020, Aderholt announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 after going into quarantine eight days earlier after his wife had tested positive.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Aderholt is a Congregationalist.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>

Honors

Aderholt has been awarded the following foreign honors:

Notes

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Citations

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References

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