Melvin Watt

Melvin Luther (Mel) Watt, has been a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993, representing the 12th District of North Carolina.

Iraq War
Watt voted against 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

Background
Born August 26, 1945 in Steele Creek, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Yale University Law School. He served a single term in the North Carolina Senate (1985-1986), before returning to his law practice and running private business.

Congressional Career
Watt was elected to the House in 1992 and in the 109th Congress. He is chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Watt is also a member of the NAACP.

Watt was elected to his seventh consecutive term in the 2004 Congressional elections, earning 67% of the popular vote and defeating Republican Ada Fisher.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Ada M. Fisher to face Watt in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) What retained his seat.

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

 * House Committee on the Judiciary
 * Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
 * Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties
 * Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property
 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations -Chair

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

 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises
 * Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy Trade and Technology
 * House Committee on the Judiciary
 * Subcommittee on Task Force on Antirust
 * Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on the Constitution

Coatlitions and Caucuses

 * Congressional Black Caucus
 * Director, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
 * Congressional Human Rights Caucus
 * Congressional Progressive Caucus
 * Democratic Study Group
 * Steering Committee

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Member, Auditorium-Coliseum Authority, Charlotte
 * Central Piedmont Community College Foundation
 * Starting Pitcher, Democratic Baseball Team
 * President, Mecklenberg County Bar Association
 * Member, Mount Olive Presbyterian Church
 * Life Member, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
 * NCNB Community Development Corporation
 * North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers
 * North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers

Resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Articles

 * Congressman Watt Elected to Be Chair of the CBC