Robert Brady

From KeyWiki

Robert Brady is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 1st district of Pennsylvania since 1998. He is the ranking Democrat on the United States House Committee on House Administration since 2007.^[1] He has been the Chairman to the Philadelphia Democratic Party since 1986, and is one of the few members of Congress who is also a county chairman (Philadelphia Democratic City Committee).

Contents 1 Early Years 2 Congressional Progressive Caucus 3 Judicial Controversy 4 U.S. House of Represnetatives 4.1 Proposed Anti-Freedom of Speech Legislation 4.2 Abortion 4.3 Immigration 4.4 Committee Assignments 5 Power and Influence 6 Staff 7 External links 8 References

Early Years

Brady was born April 7, 1945 and raised in Philadelphia, the son of Enez (nee Caterini) and Robert G. Brady, a police officer. and graduated from Thomas More High School. He became a carpenter and was soon part of the leadership of the Carpenters Union. He continues to be a member of both the Carpenters' and Teachers Unions.^[2]

Congressional Progressive Caucus

As of February 20 2009 Robert Brady was listed as a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.^[3]

Judicial Controversy

On September 30, 2011 the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the city Democratic Party, of which Bob Brady is the party chairman, invited 27 Philadelphia judges to a buffet breakfast and asked them to pay $10,000 each to assure party support when they face yes-or-no retention votes in November, according to judges who attended. Political corruption has been rampant in the city of Philadelphia and the city Democratic Party has largely held political power for the past 60 years. Bob Brady still resides as party chairman.^[4]

U.S. House of Represnetatives

Proposed Anti-Freedom of Speech Legislation

Immediately following the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona, Bob Brady was also recognized by many for leading an effort which many believed was to suppress free speech in the USA and empower Congress to determine what is and what is not an appropriate comment or action made to express discontent with Congress. He said he would introduce legislation making it a federal crime for a person to use language or symbols that could be perceived as threatening or inciting violence against a Member of Congress or federal official.^[5]

Abortion

Bob Brady is pro-choice and in 2001 voted against President G.W. Bush's restrictions on funding to family planning groups. Over the years, he has supported minors’ abortion rights, voting in 2005 for the right for those under 18 to obtain abortions across state lines without parental consent.^[6] He voted against the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, proposed by fellow Pennsylvanian Republican representative Joseph Pitts, which prohibits health insurance companies from offering abortion coverage in a plan to any citizen. He also opposed the proposal to prohibit federally funded abortion services.^[7] Over the past fifteen years, organizations such as the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (NARAL), the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, and Planned Parenthood have rated him one hundred percent on his pro-choice voting record.^[8]

Immigration

U.S. Representative Brady supports a liberal stance on immigration as well. He voted against the Secure Fence Act (2006), which authorized the construction of additional fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as the Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006.^[9] He does continue to support Homeland Security Appropriations for border protection, in addition to the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Technology project.^[10] This government program works towards improving the nation's capability to keep track of immigrants and control their entry and exit.^[11] Minority rights’ interest groups such as the National Latino Congreso /William C. Velásquez Institute, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the Federation for American Immigration Reform consistently rate Brady from fifty to one hundred percent for his strong stance on immigration.^[12]

Committee Assignments

• United States House Committee on Armed Services
• United States House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel
• United States House Committee on House Administration (Ranking Member)
• United States House Administration Subcommittee on Elections (Ranking Member)

Power and Influence

When he ran for Congress in a special election in 1998, he was unopposed in the Democratic primary despite the fact that the district was a Democratic stronghold. The Philadelphia Inquirer described him as "the longtime boss of the Democratic City Committee, one of the few old-fashioned big-city political machines left. Running against him could equal career suicide."^[13]

In 2001, the political website PoliticsPA described him as a "consummate 'backroom politician' (and we say that with respect!)" and said that he might be the best county party chair in Pennsylvania.^[14] In 2003, the Pennsylvania Report said that Brady has "managed effectively to balance his multiracial district and city Democrat party."^{[15] [16]}

Staff

The following have worked as staff members for Robert Brady:^[17]

External links

• Brady's website with the House of Representatives

References