Robert Cramer



Robert E. "Bud" Cramer Jr., a Democrat, represented the 5th District of Alabama in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1991-2008. The district includes the northernmost part of Alabama, centering on Huntsville. (map)

In 2009, Cramer joined the lobbying and consulting firm Wexler and Walker Public Policy Associates. "Under House ethics rules, Cramer can't personally lobby his former Capitol Hill colleagues for one year, but he can provide behind-the-scenes guidance and strategic advice," reported the Associated Press. Wexler can also use the $1.5 million reported in his election account, after he left Congress, "for donations to the former colleagues he will now be lobbying." Wexler and Walker's clients include Ball Aerospace & Technologies, Comcast, Nuclear Energy Institute, General Motors and Wyeth.

Iraq War
Cramer voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Bio
Cramer was born August 22, 1947 in Huntsville, Alabama. He was educated at the University of Alabama, served in the United States Army and was a lawyer and district attorney before entering the House.

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

2006 elections
No major candidates announced their intentions to contest Cramer’s seat in the November 2006 election. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

Retirement
On March 13, 2008, Cramer announced that he would not seek re-election in November. Cramer served nine terms in the House, but had been contemplating retirement for the last 3 years. In a statement released by his office, he cited a desire to "spend more time with my family and begin another chapter in my life."

Money in politics
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Committee assignments in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Defense
 * Subcommittee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development
 * Subcommittee on Select Intelligence Oversight Panel
 * House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Science State Justice and Commerce and Related Agencies
 * House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
 * Subcommittee on Oversight - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence

Affiliations

 * Member, Blue Dog Coalition

Contact
DC Office: 2368 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-0105 Phone: 202-225-4801 Fax: 202-225-4392 Email: budmail AT mail.house.gov Web Email Website

District Office- Decatur - Mailing: Post Office Box 668 Decatur, AL 35602 Phone: 256-355-9400 Fax: 256-355-9406

District Office - Decatur - Walk in: Morgan County Courthouse 302 Lee Street Fifth Floor, Room 86 Decatur, AL 35601 Phone: 256-355-9400 Fax: 256-355-9406

District Office - Huntsville: 626 Clinton Avenue, West Huntsville, AL 35801 Phone: 256-551-0190 Fax: 256-551-0194

District Office - Muscle Shoals: The Bevill Center for Environmental Technology 1011 George Wallace Boulevard Tuscumbia, AL 35674 Phone: 256-381-3450 Fax: 256-381-7659

Articles and resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Alabama Democrat