Steve Buyer

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Steve Buyer
Steve Buyer
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Indiana's 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office 
January 5, 1993–
Preceded by Mark Souder
Succeeded by Incumbent
Born November 26, 1958 (age 48)
Rensselaer, Indiana
Political party Republican
Spouse Joni Buyer
Religion Methodist

Stephen Earle "Steve" Buyer (born November 26, 1958) has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993 for Indiana's 4th congressional district. He was born in Rensselaer, Indiana, was educated at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina and the Valparaiso University School of Law, served in the United States Army, and was a lawyer, Indiana state deputy attorney general, and legal counsel for the 22nd Theater Army in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm before entering the House. He served in the Gulf War as a lieutenant colonel in the Army.[1]

In 2004, Buyer received a promotion to Colonel in the United States Army Reserve at a White House ceremony by President George W. Bush, along with South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who was promoted to Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

[edit] Controversies

In October 2001 Buyer said that he would support use of a nuclear device in Afghanistan if a link between the 2001 anthrax attacks and al-Qaeda could be proven. Speaking to reporters for WTHR at Indianapolis International Airport, he said, "I would support the use of a limited, precision tactical nuclear device.... When there are hardened caves that go back a half a mile... don't send in Special Forces to sweep. We'd be naive to think biotoxins are not in there. Put in tactical nuclear devices and close these caves for a thousand years." [2]

On March 20, 2003 the following letter from Rep. Buyer to Rep. Hastert was included in the Congressional Record: "Dear Mr. Speaker: I have been called to active duty in the United States Army. Pending further orders, I request immediate indefinite leave of the United States House of Representatives to accommodate my military duties. Respectfully, Steve Buyer, Member of Congress"[3] Rep. Buyer was granted a paid leave of absence, which he spent in his home in Monticello, even though he was never actually called to active duty in March, 2003 and could not legally be called to active duty as a Member of Congress. [4]

When asked about potential compensation for veterans whose personal data was compromised by the theft of a Veterans Administration computer, Rep. Buyer told the Army Times, "How many of them would have had their identities stolen anyway?"[5]

In November, 2005 Buyer announced plans to eliminate testimony from veteran's service organizations before the annual joint session of the House and Senate Veterans Service committees, a tradition going back more than 50 years. A joint letter of protest from the four major veteran’s service organizations was hand delivered members of congress in May, 2006. [6]

Buyer, who interrogated captured Iraqis during the Gulf War, voted against the McCain Detainee Amendment, the "no torture" amendment offered by Senator John McCain. He reasoned that torture was already unlawful. He stated, "I think the people of Indiana need to know that there's a lot of grandstanding going on here, there's a lot of self-projection." [7]

In light of the resignation of Rep. Mark Foley (R, Florida) it has been brought to attention by many blogs that 2500 dollars was giving to Steve Buyer by a PAC with direct ties to the disgraced former congressman. [8] [9] [10]

Rep. Buyer received the money in 2002 from Foley’s ‘Florida Republican Leadership PAC’ and the gift to Rep. Buyer was the second largest that year. [11]

On December 16, 2006, Buyer injured himself while skiing in Aspen, Colorado. He did not return to work until February, 2007.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Reuters Veterans' defiance a nightmare for Bush", 2006-09-15.
  2. ^ http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0143,ridgeway,29353,1.html
  3. ^ http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r108:H20MR3-0030:
  4. ^ http://www.aiipowmia.com/inter23/in150603buyer.html
  5. ^ http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1823471.php
  6. ^ http://www.floridalegion.org/newsletter/2006_issues/dec_06.htm
  7. ^ "Buyer has unique perspective on torture ban", Tom Walker/Washington Bureau Chief, WTHR, Channel 13, Indianapolis
  8. ^ http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.asp?strID=C00325969
  9. ^ http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/9/30/112258/884
  10. ^ http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2006/oct/02/gop_candidates_pressured_on_foleys_dirty_money
  11. ^ http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.asp?strID=C00325969&Cycle=2002

[edit] External links


Preceded by
Jim Jontz		 United States Representative for the 5th Congressional District of Indiana
1993-2003		 Succeeded by
Dan Burton
Preceded by
Mark Souder		 United States Representative for the 4th Congressional District of Indiana
2003-present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Indiana's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators: Dick Lugar (R), Evan Bayh (D)

Representative(s): Pete Visclosky (D), Joe Donnelly (D), Mark Souder (R), Steve Buyer (R), Dan Burton (R), Mike Pence (R), Julia Carson (D), Brad Ellsworth (D), Baron Hill (D)

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