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Robert Brown Aderholt (born July 22, 1965) is the U.S. Representative for Alabama's 4th congressional district, serving since 1997. He is a member of the Republican Party.

The district includes most of the far northern suburbs of Birmingham, as well as the southern suburbs of Huntsville and Decatur. He has won his recent elections with a large majority over the Democratic challenger. Aderholt is a member of the Tea Party, and has taken very conservative stands on issues such as abortion, tax reform, defense spending, and same sex marriage. He served as a delegate to the republican national convention in 1992.

Early life, education and career
Aderholt was born in Haleyville, Alabama, where he still lives, to Mary Frances Brown and Bobby Ray Aderholt. Aderholt's father, a part-time minister for a small group of Congregational churches in northwest Alabama, was a circuit judge for more than 30 years, and his wife's father was a state commissioner and senator. He attended the University of North Alabama and then Birmingham-Southern College where he graduated. During college, Aderholt was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. Aderholt received his J.D. from the Samford University Cumberland School of Law and practiced law after graduation. In 1992, Aderholt was appointed Haleyville municipal judge, and in 1995 become the top aide to Governor Fob James. With that experience, he won the Republican primary in the race to succeed 15-term Democratic incumbent Tom Bevill, who retired from Congress in 1996. Aderholt also endorsed a candidate for circuit judgeship in Blount County, Steven King. Though the move was controversial, King won the judgeship. Aderholt was subsequently criticized by many for endorsing someone that was not from his own district.

Political positions
Aderholt is a signer of Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge. saying he will not raise taxes on any tax bracket. Aderholt is actively involved in the pro-life movement. During the “March for Life” rally in Washington on Jan 22, 2010, he said, “The issue of abortion and the sanctity of life is something that I feel strongly about and I encourage my colleagues to look for ways to curb and stop abortions in the United States, while compassionately educating on this important issue.” He does not support reducing the defense budget to close the American deficit, and in May 2012 said "cuts to defense budgets - the federal government's primary Constitutional responsibility - shouldn't be the relief valve for uncontrolled domestic program spending". Aderholt opposes government spending to stimulate economic growth. He voted against the $787 Billion Stimulus Package in February 2009.

Aderholt has also opposed regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, and in December 2008 helped write a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which stated, “I am opposed to any attempt to impose greenhouse gas regulations under the Clean Air Act on the agricultural industry”. Aderholt is a supporter of the Second Amendment and was endorsed by the NRA in the 2010 General Election. He is opposed to same sex marriage and has received high ratings from traditional family based interest groups such as the Family Research Council, the Traditional Values Coalition, and American Family Association.

Committee assignments

 * Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security (Chairman)
 * Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Caucuses

 * Republican Study Committee
 * Tea Party Caucus
 * Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans

Aderholt's voting record is generally conservative, however his vote on economic issues has been generally based on the concerns of his district rather than an overarching ideology. He has been notable in his support of quotas on steel imports and sponsored a bill assessing additional antidumping duties on foreign steel in 1999. He reached out further to industrial unions with his vote against PNTR with China. Aderholt's most notable success has been the continued protection of the sock industry, based out of Fort Payne, Alabama. He voted against the free trade agreements with Chile, Morocco, and Singapore, but supported the US-Australia FTA. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Aderholt has secured a significant amount of highway and sewer funding for the 4th District. Aderholt voted in favor of a joint resolution to withdraw the United States from the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2000 and 2005. He is involved with the NASA Space Launch System and has urged to increase funding for the programs based in Alabama.

Aderholt is a staunch supporter and confidant of "Ten Commandments Judge" Roy Moore, whose home is in Gadsden, the longtime political center of the district. Moore joined Aderholt when Aderholt introduced the Constitution Restoration Act, controversial legislation which would remove issues regarding the First Amendment to the Constitution from the reach of the Federal Courts.

Aderholt has become very popular in his district, even though it still has a sizable majority of registered Democrats. However, most of the district's voters are very conservative on social issues.

Aderholt voted in favor of the Central America Free Trade Agreement, but has since stated that he relied on promises by the Bush White House that were not kept.

On November 4, 1999, Aderholt voted in favor of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which some economists, including Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, believe helped create the 2007 financial crisis.

Bills sponsored
Sponsor HR 3808: Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010, 111th Congress

The bill was cosponsored by Reps. Bruce Braley (D., Iowa), Michael Castle (R., Del.), and Artur Davis (D., Ala.).

H.R. 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 - To require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce.

Apr 27, 2010: This bill passed in the House of Representatives by voice vote. A record of each representative’s position was not kept.

Sep 27, 2010: This bill passed in the Senate by Unanimous Consent. A record of each senator’s position was not kept.

Oct 8, 2010: Vetoed by President.

H.R. 2017 Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012

May 26, 2011: Introduced

June 2, 2011: Passed House with amendments

September 26, 2011: Passed Senate with amendments

September 30, 2011: Became Public Law 112-33

Political campaigns
As the Republican nominee, Aderholt faced a considerable challenge against State Senator Bob Wilson Jr., who called himself a Democrat "in the Tom Bevill tradition". In a culturally conservative district, Aderholt didn't hedge on cultural issues. This was a seriously contested district, receiving a deal of national coverage and significant support from the Republican Party. Newt Gingrich personally visited the district during the campaign. Aderholt won narrowly, 50%-48%, and hasn't faced serious opposition since.

2010 campaign
Aderholt was re-elected unopposed.

2012 campaign
Aderholt was reelected in the November election where he beat State representative Daniel Boman, the Democratic nominee. In 2012 Aderholt raised $1,207,484.98 for his campaign, but spent only $963,859.15. Parker Towing was his largest contributor, providing $24,000.00. $493,856, 41% of his contributions came from large individual contributions. $583,000, 48% came from PACs.

Personal life
Aderholt is married to the former Caroline McDonald. They have two children. The Aderholts live in Arlington, Virginia.