Robert Cramer

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Robert Cramer

United States Representative from Alabama's 5th district
In office 1991 - Present
Preceded by	Ronnie Flippo
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	August 22, 1947 Huntsville, Alabama
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Widowed
Religion	Methodist

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.

1 Life & Political Career
2 House Record
3 Committees and Subcommittees
4 Electoral history
5 Group Ratings (2004)
6 External links

[edit] 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.

[edit] House Record

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 in support of parts of the Republican Contract with America. However, unlike a few other conservative Demorcats, he did not vote in favor of any of the articles of impeachment against President 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.

[edit] 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