Robert Aderholt

Committee assignments

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

Caucuses

• Republican Study Committee
• Tea Party Caucus
• Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans
• Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus^[5]
• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus^[6]

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.

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

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

October 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^[7]

2010 campaign

2012 campaign

Aderholt was reelected in the November election where he beat State representative Daniel Boman, the Democratic nominee.^[8] 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.^[9]

Defense spending

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".^[10]

Environmental issues

During the 2013 111th Congress, Aderholt voted for the amendment by Rep. Scalise (R-LA)^{[Notes 1]} which would "require that Congress be allowed to vote on any executive regulation that would impose any tax, price, or levy upon carbon emissions... effectively prevents the executive branch from levying any form of carbon tax without Congressional approval. Since a carbon tax would be tremendously destructive to the economy as a whole, this measure would hopefully make such a tax unlikely to pass."^[11] Aderholt 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."^[12] Aderholt was against the policies promoted by the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference as well as the US proposed Cap and Trade Bill, part of what he argued was an "unrealistic carbon emissions reduction mandate" that would result in a loss of American jobs. He agreed with the global warming petition project^[13] that, "[t]here is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of carbon dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gases is causing, or will in the foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the Earth's atmosphere and disruption of the Earth's climate."^[14]

Gun policy

Aderholt is a supporter of gun rights. He was endorsed by the National Rifle Association in the 2010 general election,^[15] and received $2,000 from them.^[16]

In the wake of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Aderholt called it a terrorist attack and stated "we do not have the luxury of debating the political correctness of 'radical Islam'." He stated a need to "hunt down those who would do us harm." He opposed the media and President Obama using the shooting to "push any type of political agenda relating to gun control. He made a call to the White House and Congress to "protect the homeland."^[17]

LGBT issues

Aderholt is opposed to same-sex marriage. He has received high ratings from the Family Research Council, the Traditional Values Coalition, and the American Family Association.^[9] In 2013, the Human Rights Campaign gave him a score of 0 on its Congressional Scorecard.^[18]

Regulatory reform

In December 2011, Aderholt voted in support of H.R. 10, the "Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act," which would have required congressional approval for any "major regulations" issued by the executive branch but, unlike the 1996 Congressional Review Act, would not require the president's signature or override of a probable presidential veto.^[19][20]

Abortion

During the "March for Life" rally in Washington on January 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."^[21]

Tax policy

Aderholt is a signer of Americans for Tax Reform's Taxpayer Protection Pledge.^[22]

He voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.^[23] Aderholt said he voted for the bill "to give back more money to Alabama taxpayers."^[24] He also stated that the bill "does the right thing." He cited the raising of the child tax credit, changes to the state and local tax deductions, and stated that "more than 80% the people in the 4th District of Alabama will receive a tax cut." Aderholt also says that more businesses will stay in the US due to a lower corporate tax rate and therefore the act is a "jobs bill."^[25]