Robert Aderholt

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American politician and attorney (born 1965)

title: "Robert Aderholt" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1965-births", "20th-century-alabama-politicians", "21st-century-alabama-politicians", "21st-century-united-states-representatives", "alabama-lawyers", "alabama-republicans", "alabama-state-court-judges", "american-congregationalists", "birmingham–southern-college-alumni", "christians-from-alabama", "commanders-of-the-order-of-the-star-of-romania", "living-people", "municipal-judges-in-the-united-states", "people-from-haleyville,-alabama", "republican-party-united-states-representatives-from-alabama", "tea-party-movement-activists", "university-of-north-alabama-alumni"] description: "American politician and attorney (born 1965)" topic_path: "law" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Aderholt" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American politician and attorney (born 1965) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox officeholder"]

FieldValue
nameRobert Aderholt
imageRobert Aderholt official photo.jpg
captionOfficial portrait, 2018
stateAlabama
district
term_startJanuary 3, 1997
predecessorTom Bevill
birth_nameRobert Brown Aderholt
birth_date
birth_placeHaleyville, Alabama, U.S.
partyRepublican
spouse
children2
educationUniversity of North Alabama (attended)
Birmingham-Southern College (BA)
Samford University (JD)
signatureRobert Aderholt's signature.jpg
website

| | module | | ::

| name = Robert Aderholt | image = Robert Aderholt official photo.jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2018 | state = Alabama | district = | term_start = January 3, 1997 | term_end = | predecessor = Tom Bevill | successor = | birth_name = Robert Brown Aderholt | birth_date = | birth_place = Haleyville, Alabama, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = | children = 2 | education = University of North Alabama (attended) Birmingham-Southern College (BA) Samford University (JD) | signature = Robert Aderholt's signature.jpg | website =

| module = Robert Brown Aderholt ( ; born July 22, 1965) is an American politician and attorney from Alabama. A socially conservative member of the Republican Party and a member of the Tea Party Caucus, he is currently serving as a U.S. representative, representing since 1997. The district includes most of Tuscaloosa County north of the Black Warrior River, as well as Birmingham's far northern suburbs in Walker County and the southern suburbs of Huntsville and Decatur.

Representing the most Republican district in the country, with an index rating of R+33, He became the dean of Alabama's congressional delegation following Senator Richard Shelby's retirement at the end of the 117th Congress.

Early life and education

Aderholt was born in Haleyville, Alabama, 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. He attended the University of North Alabama and then Birmingham-Southern College, from which he graduated with a degree in history and political science. 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.

Career

In 1992, Aderholt was appointed Haleyville municipal judge. The same year, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention. In 1995, he became the top aide to Governor Fob James. He won the 1996 Republican primary in the race to succeed 15-term Democratic incumbent Tom Bevill.

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". This was a seriously contested race, receiving considerable national coverage and significant support from the Republican Party. Newt Gingrich personally visited the district during the campaign. Aderholt won, 50%–48%, becoming only the second Republican to represent the district since Reconstruction. Two years later, he was reelected over Tom Bevill, Jr., his predecessor's son. The first Republican to win the seat had been Jim Martin, who was swept into office in what was then the 7th District during the 1964 wave that delivered the state's electoral votes to Barry Goldwater. After his first win, Aderholt has never faced another contest nearly that close, and has been reelected nine times. He ran unopposed in 2004, 2010, 2014, and 2016. His increasing margins reflected the growing Republican trend in this part of Alabama.

Aderholt is associated with the Fellowship Foundation, which paid for his trip to Romania in 2017 to promote "traditional family values". Over the course of 16 years, Aderholt traveled to 18 countries on the Fellowship's behalf.

U.S. House of Representatives

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/George_W._Bush_and_Robert_Aderholt.jpg" caption="President]] [[George W. Bush]] in 2005"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Donald_J.Trump_and_Robert_Aderholt-_Jan_2019.jpg" caption="President]] [[Donald Trump]] in 2019"] ::

Tenure

Aderholt is one of 147 Republican lawmakers who voted to overturn results in the 2020 presidential election. He was at the Capitol to certify the election results when it was attacked. During the attack, he tweeted a prayer to God to "guide & protect this nation." In a video message, he later said that some of the attackers "crossed the line". Even after the attack, he supported overturning the election. Aderholt later opposed impeaching Trump for the second time.

In February 2021, Aderholt voted against the American Rescue Plan, claiming that his opposition was because half the bill's funding went to "unrelated liberal policies" and that the bill "has nothing to do with COVID-19 relief".

As of October 2021, Aderholt had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 7.5% of the time.

In January 2023, Aderholt announced that he had secured $13.8 million in funding for 14 infrastructure projects in his district, including broadband expansion, roadways and access to medical care. Although announced during the 118th Congress, the funds were from the previous House session.

In February 2023, CoinDesk reported that Aderholt is one of three members of Alabama's congressional delegation who received money from FTX, the defunct cryptocurrency exchange, alongside Katie Britt and Gary Palmer. His office did not respond to a CoinDesk inquiry about what had been done with the funds.

Aderholt voted to provide Israel with support following the October 7 attacks.

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:

Caucuses

Bills sponsored

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

Representatives Bruce Braley, Mike Castle, and Artur Davis co-sponsored the bill.

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 the House of Representatives by voice vote. A record of each representative's position was not kept.

September 27, 2010: This bill passed 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

Political positions

The American Conservative Union's center for legislative accountability gave Aderholt a 83% lifetime conservative rating and the progressive PAC Americans for Democratic Action gave him a 5% liberal quotient in 2019.

Abortion

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Robert_and_Carolina_Aderholt_at_March_for_Life_2018.jpg" caption="Robert and Caroline Aderholt at the 2018 [[March for Life]] in Washington, D.C."] ::

During the March for Life in Washington on January 22, 2010, Aderholt 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." Aderholt supported the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade and called it a "watershed moment for life".

Budget and economy

Aderholt opposes 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".

During the 2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis, Aderholt voted for the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. Aderholt called the debt-ceiling deal between Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden "a step in the right direction", though he also said it was "not perfect".

Civil rights

Aderholt opposes same-sex marriage. Aderholt condemned the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which held that same-sex marriage bans violated the US constitution. He has received high ratings from the Family Research Council, the Traditional Values Coalition, and the American Family Association. In 2013, the Human Rights Campaign gave him a score of 0 on its Congressional Scorecard.

Environment

During the 111th Congress, Aderholt voted for Steve Scalise's amendmentH. Amendment: H.Amdt. 448 to H.R. 367 to "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." Aderholt opposed regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, and in December 2008 helped write a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that read, "I am opposed to any attempt to impose greenhouse gas regulations under the Clean Air Act on the agricultural industry."

Gun policy

Aderholt supports easy access to firearms. He has been repeatedly endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund, and received $2,000 in 2010.

In the wake of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Aderholt called it a terrorist attack and said, "we do not have the luxury of debating the political correctness of 'radical Islam'", adding that there was 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" and called on the White House and Congress to "protect the homeland".

Health care

In 2019, Aderholt introduced a bill to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21.

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.

Tax policy

Aderholt is a signer of Americans for Tax Reform's Taxpayer Protection Pledge. He voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, saying it would "give back more money to Alabama taxpayers" and "does the right thing". He cited the raising of the child tax credit, changes to the state and local tax deductions, and said, "more than 80% the people in the 4th District of Alabama will receive a tax cut." Aderholt also said that more businesses will stay in the U.S. due to a lower corporate tax rate and therefore the act is a "jobs bill".

''Texas v. Pennsylvania''

In December 2020, Aderholt was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.

Defense

In September 2021, Aderholt was among 75 House Republicans to vote against the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, which contains a provision that would require women to be drafted.

Electoral history

::data[format=table title="{{sronly|Electoral history of Robert Aderholt}}"]

YearOfficePartyPrimaryGeneralResultSwing.Total%.Total%.
1996U.S. RepresentativeRepublican Party (United States)}};"Republican10,41048.83%1st102,74149.94%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"
1998Republican Party (United States)}};"Republicancolspan=3106,29756.43%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2000Republican Party (United States)}};"Republicancolspan=3140,00960.89%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2002Republican Party (United States)}};"Republicancolspan=3139,70587.01%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2004Republican Party (United States)}};"Republicancolspan=3191,11074.83%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2006Republican Party (United States)}};"Republicancolspan=3128,48470.18%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2008Republican Party (United States)}};"Republicancolspan=3196,74174.76%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2010Republican Party (United States)}};"Republicancolspan=3167,71498.82%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2012Republican Party (United States)}};"Republicancolspan=3199,07173.97%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2014Republican Party (United States)}};"Republicancolspan=3132,83198.57%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2016Republican Party (United States)}};"Republican86,66081.18%1st235,92598.53%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2018Republican Party (United States)}};"Republican93,95981.54%1st184,25579.77%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2020Republican Party (United States)}};"Republicancolspan=3261,55382.24%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2022Republican Party (United States)}};"Republicancolspan=3164,65584.12%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
2024Republican Party (United States)}};"Republican79,08379.8%1st274,49898.79%1stRepublican Party (United States)}};"Hold
::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Mary_Elliott_and_Robert_Aderholt.jpg" caption="Aderholt with his daughter, Mary Elliott, while sheltering-in-place during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama]]."] ::

Personal life

Aderholt is married to Caroline McDonald. Her father, Albert, served in the Alabama State Senate and was Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. They have two children.

On December 4, 2020, Aderholt announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 after going into quarantine eight days earlier after his wife had tested positive.

Aderholt is a Congregationalist.

Honors

Aderholt has been awarded the following foreign honors:

Notes

Citations

References

References

  1. (February 23, 2005). "U.S. House of Representatives".
  2. Orndorff Troyan, Mary. (August 4, 2010). "Alabama Rep. Robert Aderholt joins congressional Tea Party Caucus". [[AL.com]].
  3. (July 13, 2022). "Introducing the 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI)".
  4. (December 22, 2020). "Led by Shelby and Aderholt, Alabama's congressional delegation again delivers in appropriations package".
  5. "John-C-Elliott - User Trees".
  6. Aderholt, Robert. (February 22, 2022). "Robert Aderholt".
  7. Aderholt, Robert. (February 22, 2022). "Robert Aderholt".
  8. (2013). "2014 Almanac of American Politics". The University of Chicago Press.
  9. Estrada, Louie. (March 31, 2005). "Rep. Tom Bevill, 84; Alabama Democrat". [[Washington Post]].
  10. Sharlet, Jeff.. (2008). "The family : the secret fundamentalism at the heart of American power". HarperCollins.
  11. (2021-01-07). "The 147 Republicans Who Voted to Overturn Election Results". The New York Times.
  12. "Alabama's congressional delegation reacts to storming of US Capitol". WAFF.
  13. (13 January 2021). "Impeachment Results: How Democrats and Republicans Voted". The New York Times.
  14. (27 February 2021). "Here's how Alabama's U.S. House Representatives voted on President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill". WHNT.
  15. (2021-10-22}}{{dead link). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?".
  16. Taylor, Daniel. (January 10, 2023). "U.S. Rep. Aderholt secures $13.8 million for 14 projects in north Alabama including broadband, education, medical expansions". [[1819 News]].
  17. Taylor, Daniel. (February 6, 2023). "Aderholt, Britt, Palmer among 196 U.S. Congress members who received funds from FTX". 1819 News.
  18. Demirjian, Karoun. (2023-10-25). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times.
  19. (2023-10-25). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session".
  20. "Robert Aderholt". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
  21. (2017-12-06). "Membership".
  22. "Members". Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus.
  23. "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus.
  24. "118TH Congress Congressional Coalition on Adoption Members".
  25. (September 30, 2011). "H.R.2017 - Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012".
  26. "ACU Lawmakers".
  27. "ADA Liberal Quotient".
  28. (October 25, 2013). "Taking Back the House, Vol. 3: Robert Aderholt and Alabama's 4th District".
  29. ""Today is a watershed moment in the fight for life. The Court's decision is a landmark in the effort to protect the most vulnerable among us and guarantee their right to life and liberty."".
  30. "Redstone's Pivotal Role in Nation's Technology Must be Protected, says Rep. Robert Aderholt". AL.com.
  31. (May 31, 2023). "Raising the Debt Limit: See Who Voted For and Against". The New York Times.
  32. Taylor, Daniel. (May 31, 2023). "Tuberville rips debt ceiling deal as U.S. House prepares to vote Wednesday; Aderholt calls it 'a step in the right direction'". 1819 News.
  33. (2015-06-26). "Aderholt Statement on SCOTUS Ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges".
  34. "Congressional Scorecard: Measuring Support for Equality in the 112th Congress". Human Rights Campaign.
  35. (September 28, 2010). "Inhofe Says EPA's New Boiler Rule Could Kill Nearly 800,000 Manufacturing Jobs". Fox News.
  36. (2022). "YOUR VOTE DEFENDS FREEDOM! – VOTE ROBERT ADERHOLT FOR U.S. HOUSE". NRA-PVF.
  37. "Obama to present gun agenda; all but one Alabama representative supported by NRA". On The Issues.
  38. (January 16, 2013). "Robert Aderholt on Gun Control". Challen Stevens.
  39. "Everything lawmakers said (and didn't say) after the Orlando mass shooting". Washington Post.
  40. (4 April 2019). "U.S. Rep. Aderholt wants to raise age for buying tobacco to 21". WHNT.
  41. Sonmez, Felicia. (December 7, 2011). "REINS bill to expand congressional power over executive regulations passed by House". [[The Washington Post]].
  42. "Robert Aderholt {{pipe}} FreedomWorks Key Voting Record".
  43. (December 19, 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill".
  44. "Senate Passes Tax Bill Late Tuesday, But Rules Force House to Revote Wednesday".
  45. (December 19, 2017). "House passes $1.5T tax bill, delivering on a major piece of GOP agenda".
  46. (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president".
  47. Liptak, Adam. (2020-12-11). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times.
  48. (2020-12-11). "Order in Pending Case". [[Supreme Court of the United States]].
  49. Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". [[CNN]].
  50. (September 23, 2021). "House passes sweeping defense policy bill".
  51. "H.R. 4350: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 -- House Vote #293 -- Sep 23, 2021".
  52. (2002). "2002 United States House of Representatives general election results". [[Secretary of State of Alabama]].
  53. (2004). "2004 United States House of Representatives general election results". [[Secretary of State of Alabama]].
  54. (2006). "2006 United States House of Representatives general election results". [[Secretary of State of Alabama]].
  55. (2008). "2008 United States House of Representatives general election results". [[Secretary of State of Alabama]].
  56. (2010). "2010 United States House of Representatives general election results". [[Secretary of State of Alabama]].
  57. (2012). "2012 United States House of Representatives general election results". [[Secretary of State of Alabama]].
  58. (2014). "2014 United States House of Representatives general election results". [[Secretary of State of Alabama]].
  59. (2020). "2020 United States House of Representatives general election results". [[Secretary of State of Alabama]].
  60. (2022). "2022 United States House of Representatives general election results". [[Secretary of State of Alabama]].
  61. 'Funeral Service set for Albert McDonald, former state senator and ag commissioner from Madison,' '''AL.com.,''' Steve Doyle, July 7, 2014
  62. (December 3, 2012). "About Robert". Congressman Robert Aderholt.
  63. (2020-12-04). "Congressman Robert Aderholt tests positive for coronavirus, says he's asymptomatic".
  64. (January 3, 2023). "Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 118th Congress". [[Pew Research Center]].
  65. (June 9, 2017). "Klaus Iohannis a decorat opt congresmani americani cu Ordinul Steaua României în grad de Comandor".
  66. (June 9, 2017). "President Iohannis and U.S. congressmen discuss Romania's inclusion in Visa Waiver programme".
  67. "Order of St John".

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1965-births20th-century-alabama-politicians21st-century-alabama-politicians21st-century-united-states-representativesalabama-lawyersalabama-republicansalabama-state-court-judgesamerican-congregationalistsbirmingham–southern-college-alumnichristians-from-alabamacommanders-of-the-order-of-the-star-of-romanialiving-peoplemunicipal-judges-in-the-united-statespeople-from-haleyville,-alabamarepublican-party-united-states-representatives-from-alabamatea-party-movement-activistsuniversity-of-north-alabama-alumni