Steve Buyer
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| Steve Buyer | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Mark Souder |
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| Born | November 26, 1958 Rensselaer, Indiana |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Joni Buyer |
| Religion | Methodist |
Stephen Earle Buyer (born November 26, 1958) has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993 for Indiana's 4th congressional district. He was born in Rensselaer, Indiana, was educated at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina and the Valparaiso University School of Law, served in the United States Army, and was a lawyer, Indiana state deputy attorney general, and legal counsel for the 22nd Theater Army in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm before entering the House. He served in the Gulf War as a lieutenant colonel in the Army.[1]
In 2004, Buyer received a promotion to Colonel in the United States Army Reserve at a White House ceremony by President George W. Bush, along with South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who was promoted to Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
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[edit] Committee Assignments
- Veterans' Affairs Committee (Ranking Member)
- Energy and Commerce Committee
- Subcommittee on Health
- Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
- National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus, Co-Chairman
[edit] Controversies
In 1992, according to "On the Issues" supported bringing to a vote on the House floor regarding term limits on Congress in 1994. He voted for the measure and it received a majority of vote but not the 2/3 voted needed to passOn the Issues
In October 2001 Buyer said that he would support use of a nuclear device in Afghanistan if a link between the 2001 anthrax attacks and al-Qaeda could be proven. Speaking to reporters for WTHR at Indianapolis International Airport, he said, "I would support the use of a limited, precision tactical nuclear device be on the table as an option for discussion.... When there are hardened caves that go back a half a mile... don't send in Special Forces to sweep. We'd be naive to think biotoxins are not in there. Put in tactical nuclear devices and close these caverns for a thousand years."[2]
On March 20, 2003 the following letter from Rep. Buyer to Rep. Hastert was included in the Congressional Record: "Dear Mr. Speaker: I have been called to active duty in the United States Army. Pending further orders, I request immediate indefinite leave of the United States House of Representatives to accommodate my military duties. Respectfully, Steve Buyer, Member of Congress"[3] Rep. Buyer was granted a paid leave of absence, which he spent in his home in Monticello, IN, according to the Gannett news article sourced the Department of Defense was able to fill the requirement for a JAG officer with some else. [4]
In November, 2005 Buyer announced plans to move up testimony from veteran's service organizations before the annual joint session of the House and Senate Veterans Service committees, a tradition going back more than 50 years. Mr. Buyer asked the hearings to be moved to prior to the budget being considered in committee. VSO's normally hold Congressional flyins during March and wanted to hold the joint hearings when members of their organizations were in town. A joint letter of protest from the four major veteran’s service organizations was hand delivered members of congress in May, 2006.[5]
Buyer, who interrogated captured Iraqis during the Gulf War, voted against the McCain Detainee Amendment, the "no torture" amendment offered by Senator John McCain. He reasoned that torture was already unlawful. He stated, "I think the people of Indiana need to know that there's a lot of grandstanding going on here, there's a lot of self-projection."[6]
Rep. Buyer received the money in 2002 from the ‘Florida Republican Leadership PAC.[7]
On December 16, 2006, Buyer injured his knee while skiing in Aspen, Colorado. Tearing his ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus. He returned to work February, 2007 after rehab and physical therapy.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ "Reuters Veterans' defiance a nightmare for Bush", 2006-09-15.
- ^ village voice > news > When the going gets tough, the elected officials get going-out of town, that is. James Ridgeway monitors the Capitol in the throes of anthrax anxiety. by James Ridgeway
- ^ http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r108:H20MR3-0030:
- ^ AII POW-MIA InterNetwork
- ^ http://www.floridalegion.org/newsletter/2006_issues/dec_06.htm
- ^ "Buyer has unique perspective on torture ban", Tom Walker/Washington Bureau Chief, WTHR, Channel 13, Indianapolis
- ^ Political Action Committees
[edit] External links
- U.S. Congressman Steve Buyer official House site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Current Bills Sponsored at StateSurge.com
- Profile from SourceWatch Congresspedia
- Steve Buyer for Congress official campaign site
| Preceded by Jim Jontz |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 5th congressional district 1993 – 2003 |
Succeeded by Dan Burton |
| Preceded by Mark Souder |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 4th congressional district 2003 – present |
Incumbent |
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