John Spratt



John McKee Spratt, Jr., a Democrat, is a former U.S. Representative for the 5th Congressional district of South Carolina, having served 1983 to 2011.

Iraq War
During the debate in 2002 over the resolution giving the president the right to use military force against Iraq, Spratt proposed an amendment (H.AMDT.609) requiring the president to obtain congressional approval before using military force against Iraq if a United Nations resolution could not be obtained. Supporters argued that the amendment ensured that Congress would have the final say in regards to going to war (which the Constitution guarantees). The amendment failed 155-270. Spratt voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

FY2009 Budget
On June 5, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives gave final approval to a conference agreement on the budget resolution for fiscal year 2009, marking the first time Congress has passed a budget in an election year since 2000. The Senate approved the plan on June 4.

“This agreement charts a new course,” said House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-SC). “It accommodates tax cuts for middle-income families; supports investments in energy, education and infrastructure; and returns the budget to balance. This is a balanced budget with balanced priorities.

“Our nation cannot afford to continue the Bush Administration’s policies of deficits and debt. People are struggling. This conference agreement begins the process of recovery. While it may not be a grand solution, this budget moves us in the right direction, enforcing fiscal responsibility but not to the exclusion of values that we hold dear,” Spratt said.

Biography
John Spratt was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, but grew up in York, South Carolina, where he still resides. After graduating from York High School, he earned a BA degree in history from Davidson College in 1964. He served as student body president at both schools. Spratt later earned an MA degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford University in 1966 while studying on a Marshall Scholarship, and an LLB degree from Yale Law School in 1969.

Spratt was a captain in the Army from 1969 to 1971, serving in the Operations Analysis Group in the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) at the Pentagon, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Spratt returned to York in 1971 to practice at the law firm of Spratt, McKeown, and Spratt. He was county attorney and school board attorney, and president of the Bank of Fort Mill. He also ran a small insurance agency and owned a farm in Fort Mill.

John Spratt is married to the former Jane Stacy, of Filbert, South Carolina. They have three daughters and four grandchildren.

Congressional career
Spratt was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 and has been re-elected every two years since then.

2008 congressional elections
In 2008, John Spratt was re-elected to Congress with 62% of the vote. Republican Albert Spencer received 37% and Constitution Party candidate Frank Waggoner received 1%.

2010 congressional elections
In 2010, Spratt lost his House seat to Republican Mick Mulvaney.

Money in politics
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Committees

 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces
 * Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
 * House Committee on the Budget - Chairman

Coalitions and caucuses

 * Vice Chair, House Democratic Policy Committee, 1994-1996
 * Airpower Caucus
 * Arms Control Foreign Policy Caucus
 * Army Caucus
 * Congressional Arts Caucus
 * Co-Chair, Congressional Bearing Caucus
 * Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans
 * Congressional Competitiveness Caucus
 * Congressional Diabetes Caucus
 * Congressional Fire Services Caucus
 * Congressional Fitness Caucus
 * Congressional Human Rights Caucus
 * Congressional Rural Caucus
 * Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus
 * Congressional Vietnam-Era Veterans Caucus
 * Democratic Homeland Security Task Force
 * Democratic Steering Committee
 * New Democrat Coalition
 * Co-Chair, Nuclear Energy Caucus
 * Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus
 * Sunbelt Caucus
 * Co-Chair, Textile Caucus

Boards and other affiliations

 * Chair, Divine Savior Hospital Board
 * Elder, First Presbyterian Church
 * National Guard and Reserve Components Congressional Members Organization
 * Member, Phi Beta Kappa
 * Member, Piedmont Legal Services Board of Services
 * Member, South Carolina Bar Association
 * President, Western York County United Fund
 * Chair, Winthrop College Board of Visitors
 * President, York Chamber of Commerce

Web sites

 * US Rep. John Spratt official US House website
 * US House Committee on the Budget website
 * John Spratt for Congress campaign website
 * John Spratt's YouTube Page
 * John Spratt's Facebook Fan Page

Resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2008 congressional races database

Articles

 * Walter Pincus, "Democrats Who Opposed War Move Into Key Positions. New Committee Chairmen Had Warned of Postwar Disorder," Washington Post, December 4, 2006.