Spencer Bachus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Spencer Bachus
Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank
In office May 9, 2019 – January 20, 2023
President	Donald Trump Joe Biden
Preceded by	Patricia Loui
Succeeded by	Vacant
Chair of the House Financial Services Committee
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Barney Frank
Succeeded by	Jeb Hensarling
Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Barney Frank
Succeeded by	Barney Frank
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 6th district
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Ben Erdreich
Succeeded by	Gary Palmer
Chair of the Alabama Republican Party
In office 1991–1992
Preceded by	Elbert Peters
Succeeded by	Elbert Peters
Member of the Alabama State Board of Education from the 6th District
In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1991
Preceded by	Howard Martin
Succeeded by	Bettye Fine Collins
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 46th district
In office January 3, 1984 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	Bryant Melton
Succeeded by	William Slaughter
Member of the Alabama Senate from the 17th district
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1984
Preceded by	Doug Cook
Succeeded by	Mac Parsons
Personal details
Born	Spencer Thomas Bachus III (1947-12-28) December 28, 1947 (age 76) Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Linda Bachus
Children	5
Education	Auburn University (BA) University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (JD)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army Alabama Army National Guard
Years of service	1969–1971

Spencer Thomas Bachus III (born December 28, 1947) is an American politician. He is a former U.S. Representative for the state of Alabama, serving from 1993 to 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he served as ranking member (2007–2011) and chairman (2011–2013) of the House Financial Services Committee. On September 30, 2013, Bachus announced his retirement from Congress. His term ended in 2015.

Born and raised in Birmingham, Bachus graduated from Auburn University and the University of Alabama Law School. He served in the Alabama National Guard before being elected to the Alabama State School Board in 1986 and holding the position of Alabama Republican Party Chairman in 1991. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992, and was re-elected by wide margins. From 2006 to 2012, Bachus was the leading Republican on the House Financial Services Committee, serving as committee chairman when his party held a House majority during the 112th Congress. Due to House Republican term limits on committee leadership positions, Bachus was succeeded by Congressman Jeb Hensarling in 2013.

Early life, education, and career

Bachus was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the son of Edith (née Wells) and Jim Bachus Jr. He graduated from Auburn University in 1969 where he became a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. He served in the Alabama National Guard from 1969 to 1971, during the Vietnam War, while attending law school; Bachus earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alabama Law School in 1972. Prior to his political career, he owned a sawmill and practiced law until 1992.

State politics

In 1982, Bachus was elected to the Alabama Senate. Because new legislative elections were scheduled for 1983, he served only one year. In 1983 he was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives. In 1986, he was elected as the first Republican to the Alabama State Board of Education, serving one four-year term representing the 6th District. In 1990, he ran unsuccessfully for Attorney General of Alabama. In 1991, he became Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, serving in that position until his campaign for Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives

From 2006 to 2012, Bachus was the leading Republican on the House Financial Services Committee, serving as committee chairman when his party held a House majority during the 112th Congress. Due to House Republican term limits on committee leadership positions, Bachus was named Chairman Emeritus of the Financial Services Committee and rejoined the Judiciary Committee, which he had to take leave of when named Financial Services Chair.

On September 30, 2013, Bachus announced his retirement from Congress. His term ended in January 2015.

Upon his retirement in 2014, Norman Ornstein wrote a column in the National Journal lamenting the "Exodus of Problem Solvers on Capitol Hill."

Committee assignments

Spencer Bachus as Chair of the House Financial Services Committee

• Committee on Financial Services (Chairman Emeritus)
• Committee on the Judiciary

• Chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial, and Antitrust Law. (Subcommittee Chairman)
• Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus
• Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans
• Congressional Cement Caucus
• Congressional China Caucus
• Congressional Constitution Caucus
• Congressional Fire Services Caucus
• Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus
• Congressional Steel Caucus
• Friends of Switzerland Caucus
• House Cancer Caucus
• International Conservation Caucus
• Passenger Rail Caucus
• Republican Study Committee

Medical care advocacy

Bachus and his wife, Linda, have been recognized by multiple organizations for their support and contributions to medical research.

Bachus has been called a "champion for cancer patients"; he and Mrs. Bachus were awarded the National Distinguished Advocacy Award for Excellence in Cancer-Fighting Public Policy by The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the group's highest legislative honor.

Bachus was a member of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease. During his Congressional tenure, he was also a member of the Cancer Caucus, Autism Caucus, Alzheimer's Task Force, Biomedical Research Caucus, Immigration Reform Caucus.

In October 2014, Mr. and Mrs. Bachus were honored at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Ambassadors Ball for their efforts on behalf of the organization's Alabama-Mississippi chapter.

In September 2014, Linda Bachus was awarded Congressional Families Leadership Award for her role as the first executive director of the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program.

Bachus sponsored legislation prioritizing palliative care.

Personal life

Bachus has three children and two step-children with his wife, Linda.

Electoral history

See also

• List of Auburn University people