Bud Cramer

Robert Cramer

Robert E. "Bud" Cramer Jr. (born August 22, 1947), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1991, representing the Alabama's 5th Congressional District, which includes the northernmost part of Alabama, centering on Huntsville.

Life & Political Career

Cramer was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1969 and Law degree from the University of Alabama in 1972, but quickly joined the Army as a tank officer later that year. He served in that capacity at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and continued his military service as a member of the Army Reserve from 1976 to 1978.

In 1973, Cramer began to serve as the Madison County District Attorney, a position he held until going into private practice in 1975. He remained in private practice until 1980, when he challenged the incumbent Madison County District Attorney and won - at age 33. He was district attorney from 1981 - 1990 until Rep. Ronnie Flippo ran unsuccessfully for governor. Cramer ran for the seat left vacant and won consequently, and has served ever since. In 1985, he founded the National Children's Advocacy Centre, a child friendly environment for abused children. He was briefly considered for a post in the Bush administration in 2001.

A widower, Cramer has a daughter Hollan, two grandsons Dylan and Mason, and a granddaughter Patricia Lanier. Cramer is a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school classes to young people for many years

House Record

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Bud Cramer's political orientation based on voting record

In the House Cramer has been a tireless supporter of the Space Station and a leading advocate for spending increases in missile defence, as Huntsville has long been a centre for research and development of these two projects. A liberal in his early days, he largely supported the Democratic party line until a close election in 1994 led him to avoid liberal votes on visible issues. He now often breaks with his party on issues from abortion, gay rights, and gun control to issues such as taxes, regulation of business, and the environment. Cramer was one of only four Democrats in the House to vote for the tax cut bill of 2003.

Cramer's voting record has placed him near the centre of the house, however he has often been cited as unpredictable in his votes. Child protection has long been a legislative project of Cramer's pursuant to his work with the area prior to his assent to the House. In the past few years, Democrats have become increasingly irriated by a more conservative voting pattern - particularly against partial-birth abortion and the impeachment of Bill Clinton.

Cramer is a long-time member of the Blue Dog Democrats, a coalition of conservative and moderate House Democrats. Because of his largely conservative positions, he has long been encouraged by fellow Alabama politician Sen. Richard Shelby to make the same switch that he did and register as a Republican. Cramer has resisted these efforts thus far, and has won reelection easily in his increasingly conservative district despite his party affiliation.

Committees and Subcommittees

• House Committee on Appropriations (17th of 29)
  • Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life & Veterans Affairs & Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related Agencies
• Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (5th of 9)
  • Subcommittee on Oversight (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Technical & Tactical Intelligence

Electoral history

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Bud Cramer speaking at the National Space Science and Technology Center

2004 General Election

Candidate		Votes	%
	Gerald Wallace (R)	74,145	27
	Bud Cramer (D)	200,999	73
	Bud Cramer (D) re-elected for 8th term

2002 General Election

Candidate		Votes	%
	Stephen Engel (R)	48,226	25
	Bud Cramer (D)	143,029	73
	Bud Cramer (D) re-elected for 7th term

• General Election 2000: Bud Cramer (D) - 89%
• General Election 1998: Bud Cramer (D) - 70%
• General Election 1996: Bud Cramer (D) - 56%
• General Election 1994: Bud Cramer (D) - 50%
• General Election 1992: Bud Cramer (D) - 66%
• General Election 1990: Bud Cramer (D) - 67%

Group Ratings (2004)

• National Journal
  • Economic: 50% Liberal, 49% Conservative
  • Social: 48% Liberal, 51% Conservative
  • Foreign: 54% Liberal, 45% Conservative
• Americans for Democratic Action: 75
• American Civil Liberties Union: 25
• Chamber of Commerce of the United States: 86
• Christian Coalition: 58
• American Conservative Union: 50
• National Taxpayers Union: 26
• League of Conservation Voters: 36

External links

• Official website
• Voting record maintained by the Washington Post