David Obey

David Obey
Name	David Obey
Caption	Official portrait, 2009
State	Wisconsin
District	7th
Term start	April 1, 1969
Term end	January 3, 2011
Predecessor	Melvin Laird
Successor	Sean Duffy
Office1	Chair of the House Appropriations Committee
Term start1	2007
Term end1	2011
Predecessor1	Jerry Lewis
Successor1	Harold Rogers
Office2	Chair of the House Budget Committee
Term start2	1994
Term end2	1995
Predecessor2	Martin Olav Sabo
Successor2	John Kasich
Party	Democratic
Birth date	3 October 1938
Birth place	Okmulgee, Oklahoma, U.S.
Spouse	Joan Lepinski, 1963
Education	University of Wisconsin–Madison (BA, MA)
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army Reserve
Serviceyears	1963–1969
Rank	Specialist 5

David Obey. David Ross Obey is an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin for over four decades. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the state's 7th congressional district and rose to become one of the most powerful figures in the Congress as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Known as a staunch liberal and a master of the federal budget process, Obey was a key architect of major spending bills and a vocal advocate for health care reform, education funding, and labor rights.

Early life and education

David Obey was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and moved with his family to Wausau, Wisconsin, as a child. He attended Wausau Senior High School before enrolling at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in political science. His academic work focused on Soviet studies, and he served in the United States Army Reserve during this period. His early political interests were shaped by the progressive traditions of Wisconsin and figures like Robert M. La Follette Sr..

Early political career

Obey began his career as a staff assistant to U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. In 1962, he was elected as a Democrat to the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the Wausau area. He served three terms, developing a reputation for detailed policy work. In 1969, he successfully ran in a special election for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district, which was vacated by Melvin Laird when Laird was appointed Secretary of Defense by President Richard Nixon.

U.S. House of Representatives

Obey was sworn into the 91st United States Congress in April 1969 and was subsequently re-elected 20 times. He became a prominent member of the House Democratic Caucus, known for his principled and sometimes combative style. He played a significant role in debates over the Vietnam War, Watergate scandal, and the impeachment of Bill Clinton. A key moment was his leadership in drafting the initial American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in response to the Great Recession.

Committee assignments and legislative work

Obey's power was built through his work on the House Appropriations Committee, which he chaired from 2007 to 2011. He also chaired the House Budget Committee from 1994 to 1995. His legislative legacy includes authoring the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, championing increased funding for the National Institutes of Health, and securing earmarks for projects in Wisconsin. He was a central figure in annual battles over federal spending and frequently clashed with Republicans like Newt Gingrich and John Boehner.

Post-congressional career

After retiring from Congress in 2011, Obey joined the Washington, D.C. law and lobbying firm Gephardt Government Affairs, founded by former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt. He has served as a senior advisor, providing counsel on appropriations and legislative strategy. He remains an occasional commentator on political affairs, often critical of the increasing polarization within the Congress and the influence of money in politics, as exemplified by decisions like Citizens United v. FEC.

Personal life

Obey married Joan Lepinski in 1963, and they have two sons. He is a Roman Catholic and maintained a residence in Wausau, Wisconsin, throughout his congressional career. An avid reader and history enthusiast, he has been involved with various civic institutions in Wisconsin, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Since retirement, he has split his time between Wisconsin and the Washington metropolitan area.

Category:1938 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin Category:Wisconsin Democrats Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni