Dave Brat (VA-07) Research Report the Following Report Contains Research on Dave Brat, a Republican Member of Congress in VA’S 7Th District

Dave Brat (VA-07) Research Report The following report contains research on Dave Brat, a Republican member of Congress in VA’s 7th district. Research for this research book was conducted by the DCCC’s Research Department between January 2018 and March. By accepting this report, you are accepting responsibility for all information and analysis included. Therefore, it is your responsibility to verify all claims against the original documentation before you make use of it. Make sure you understand the facts behind our conclusions before making any specific charges against anyone.

Dave Brat

Republican incumbent in VA’s 7th Congressional District

Research Book – 2018 Last Updated March 2018

Prepared by the DCCC Research Department

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ...... 2 Thematics ...... 4 Brat Ran As An Outsider… And Then Became The Consummate D.C. Insider ...... 5 Bad For Virginia ...... 17 Key Visuals...... 32 Personal & Professional History ...... 36 Biography ...... 37 Personal Finance ...... 42 Political Career ...... 44 Ethics ...... 50 Relationships ...... 57 Donald Trump ...... 60 Issues ...... 74 Budget Issues ...... 75 Civil Rights & Liberties ...... 83 Consumer Issues ...... 87 Defense Issues ...... 95 Economy & Jobs ...... 98 Education Issues ...... 99 Election & Campaign Finance Issues ...... 102 Energy Issues ...... 104 Environmental Issues ...... 107 FEMA And Disaster Relief Issues ...... 116 Foreign Policy Issues ...... 120 Gun Issues ...... 123 Health Care Issues ...... 130 Housing Issues ...... 142 Immigration & Border Issues ...... 144 Labor ...... 154 LGBT Issues ...... 158 National Security & Terrorism ...... 162 Native American Issues ...... 166

Seniors’ Issues ...... 167 Tax Issues ...... 173 Trade Issues ...... 184 Transportation Issues ...... 186 Veterans Issues ...... 187 Women’s Issues ...... 189 Appendixes ...... 197 Appendix I – Personal Financial Disclosures ...... 198 Appendix II – Campaign Finance ...... 206 Appendix III – Revolving Door ...... 213 Appendix V – Bill Sponsorships & Amendments ...... 219 Appendix VI – Bill Co-Sponsorships ...... 226 Appendix VII – Office Expenditures ...... 281 Appendix VIII – Travel Expenditures ...... 285

Thematics

Brat Ran As An Outsider… And Then Became The Consummate D.C. Insider

Significant Findings

 Brat ran for Congress as an outsider and an anti-establishment figure, successfully unseating House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.

 Once in Congress, Brat voted in line with Trump 89% of the time and the Republican party 97%.

 Brat’s initial campaign for Congress received $15,000 from Republican leadership.

 As of 2015, Brat slept in his taxpayer-funded office while in D.C.

 In Congress, Brat has received $9,090.83 worth of special interest funded travel and traveled to Israel.

 Five of Brat’s six trips were sponsored by the Heritage Foundation.

 Brat’s staff has received $13,227 in special interest funded travel.

 His staff went on six trips funded by the Heritage Foundation.

 In Congress, Brat collected $7,527 in personal reimbursements.

 Three of Brat’s staffers worked as lobbyists either before or after working for him.

 All three staffers had ties to the Heritage Foundation.

Brat Campaigned As An Outsider And An Anti-Establishment Figure

Brat: “I Was One Of The First To Run As An Outsider Against The Establishment And The Crony Deals On Wall Street.” “I was one of the first to run as an outsider against the establishment and the crony deals on Wall Street. I think we’re going to drain the swamp,” [Brat] said, invoking one of Trump’s favorite lines. The comment sent the crowd into an uproar once again. ‘I want to get the power out of D.C. and Wall Street and back to Main Street,’ Brat said. To which a man yelled, ‘Wall Street’s in the Cabinet now.’” [Washington Post, 2/21/17]

…But Once Elected, Brat Quickly Became An Establishment Figure

HEADLINE: “Dave Brat Slammed By Opponents For Losing Touch With Constituency.” [Washington Times, 4/4/18]

At A February Town Hall, Brat Was Criticized As Being Out Of Touch With His Constituents, The Same Attack He Had Leveled Against Cantor. “Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.), who drew national notice after complaining that women were “in my grill” because he was reluctant to hold a town hall meeting, finally relented and came face to face with those women — and plenty others — at a raucous public event Tuesday night. […] Nicole Subryan, 44, a registered nurse from Petersburg, which is not in Brat’s district, kept up a loud running commentary through the town hall and held up a sheet of paper with the word, ‘LIE.’ She and others seemed unimpressed with Brat’s recitation of his grass-roots credentials, which helped him topple House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in 2014. Cantor was criticized for being aloof and out of touch with his constituents — many of the same accusations now plaguing Brat.” [Washington Post, 2/21/17]

Brat Had Attacked Cantor For Being Out Of Touch. “As an unknown economics professor, Dave Brat personified the grass-roots revolution that shook the Republican Party four years ago when he dethroned House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (Va.) and was elected to Congress from a district outside Richmond. But facing reelection after two terms, Brat is himself the target of a rebellion, this one by Democrats infuriated by President Trump’s election, which galvanized a new wave of political activism nationwide, particularly among suburban women. […] ‘Dave Brat is just not available,’ said Quentin Kidd, director of the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University. ‘And that’s one of the great ironies. He called Eric Cantor out for being out of touch, and rightly. A few years later, Dave Brat might be in touch, but what he’s in touch with he’s not comfortable defending.’” [Washington Post, 4/9/18]

In Congress, Brat Voted In Line With His Party

In Congress, Brat Has Voted With Donald Trump 89% Of The Time

FiveThirtyEight: Brat Voted In Line With Trump’s Position 88.7 Percent Of The Time. [FiveThirtyEight, accessed 5/14/18]

In Congress, Brat Has Voted With His Party 97% Of The Time

Brat Voted With The Republican Party 97% Of The Time. According to CQ, over the course of his career, Brat has voted with other members of the Republican Caucus 97% of the time. [CQ Vote Study, accessed 6/5/18]

Party Unity Year Support Oppose 2017 99% 1% 2016 99% 1% 2015 97% 3% 2014 92% 8% Lifetime Average 97% 3% [CQ Vote Study, accessed 6/5/18]

Brat Voted With Paul Ryan 85% Of The Time

Brat Voted With Ryan 85% Of The Time. According to ProPublica, over the course of his career, Brat had voted with Speaker Ryan 85% of the time. [ProPublica, accessed 6/5/18]

Vote Comparison Votes Percent Congress Total Votes Disagreeing Agreement 115th 22 6 73% 114th 568 50 91% 113th 47 4 91% Lifetime Average 637 60 85% [ProPublica, accessed 6/5/18]

Brat Has Taken Over $100,000 From Leadership PACs & Even Banked $15,000 From the Republican Leaders He Assailed In His First Campaign

Brat Received $107,885 From Leadership PACs Over His Career – His 5th Highest Contributing ‘Industry’

Brat Career Top Campaign Committee Contributors By Industry

Rank Industry Total 1 Retired $441,732 2 Republican/Conservative $235,378 3 Real Estate $171,270 4 Securities & Investment $126,213 5 Leadership PACs $107,885 6 Lawyers/Law Firms $54,091 7 Automotive $46,300 8 Health Professionals $44,635 9 Tobacco $40,152 10 Misc Finance $40,070 [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 2/20/18]

Between His June Primary Win Over Eric Cantor And The 2014 General Election, Brat Banked $15,000 From Republican Leadership

Brat’s 2014 Campaign Received Funding From Republican Leadership, Receiving $15,000 From Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy And Steve Scalise

Over his career, Brat has received $15,000 in donations from Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise and their associated entities:

Donations From Paul Ryan Date Candidate/Committee Amount 9/30/2014 CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP FUND $1,000 9/18/2014 MAJORITY COMMITTEE PAC $5,000 9/30/2014 MAJORITY COMMITTEE PAC $5,000 8/19/2014 SCALISE FOR CONGRESS $2,000 11/3/2014 EYE OF THE TIGER PAC $2,500 Total $15,000 [FEC, accessed 9/15/17]

Three Of Brat’s Staffers Were Involved In Lobbying Before Or After Working For Him; All Three Had Ties To The Heritage Foundation

Three Of Brat’s Staffers Entered The Revolving Door

The Center For Responsive Politics Identified 3 Of Brat’s Staffers That Were Part Of The “Revolving Door.” [Center for Responsive Politics, revolving door search, accessed 2/6/18]

The Center For Responsive Politics Identified 2 Current Staffers And One Former Staffer.

According To Legistorm, 3 Of Brat’s Staffers Entered The Revolving Door. [Legistorm, Revolving Door Staff, accessed 2/6/18]

All Three Brat Staffers Worked At Various Points For Heritage Action For America, The Lobbying Arm Of The Heritage Foundation

Heritage Action For America Did Not Donate To Brat’s Congressional Campaign Committee. [FEC, accessed 3/6/18]

However, It Is Worth Noting The Heritage Action For America Sponsored Brat And Members Of His Staff To Travel To Conferences. [See Appendix VIII Travel Expenditures, which details the amount of money Brat’s office has taken from both the Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action for America in privately-funded travel.]

Brat’s First Chief Of Staff Started A Lobbying Firm Before Joining Brat’s Office; Returned To Lobbying After Leaving – In Possible Violation Of House Ethics Rules

2014-2016: Erin Siefring Worked As Brat’s Chief Of Staff, Between Two Lobbying Positions

Siefring Employment History Employer Position Date of Employment Hilltop Advocacy President January 2016 – Present Rep. Dave Brat (R-VA) Chief of Staff November 2014 – January 2016 Heritage Action for America Director of House Relations June 2010 – 2014 Heritage Foundation Director of House Relations January 2009 – June 2010 Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL) Legislative Director February 2007 – January 2009 Independent Community Bankers of Manager, Congressional Relations 2005 – 2007 America KPMG LLP PAC Director/Senior Legislative 2003 – 2005 Analyst [Legistorm, accessed 2/6/18]

Siefring’s Clients Registrant Client Most Recent Filing Hilltop Advocacy LLC Related EB-5 Regional Center Holdings LLC 1/19/18 Hilltop Advocacy LLC Computer Science Education Coalition 1/19/18 Third Dimension Computer Science Education Coalition 7/16/17 Strategies, Inc. Hilltop Advocacy LLC COFINA Seniors Coalition 11/21/16 Heritage Action for Heritage Action for America 1/20/15 America Independent Independent Community Bankers of America 8/14/07 Community Bankers of America KPMG LLP KPMG LLP 8/12/05 KPMG LLP KPMG LLP 8/12/05 [Legistorm, Lobbying Filings, accessed 2/6/18]

Siefring Joined Brat’s Office As Chief Of Staff Days After His Election

Brat Hired Siefring As His First Chief Of Staff; Siefring Had Been Working As House Relations Director For Heritage Action Prior To Joining Brat’s Office. Days after Brat won the general election for Virginia’s 7th congressional district, Brat announced he was hiring former House relations director and Hill staffer Erin Siefring to serve as Brat’s first chief of staff. Just prior to being picked by Brat, Siefring was working as the director of House relations for Heritage Action for America. She had also had worked as the legislative director for Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Florida). [The Daily Progress, 11/17/14]

Siefring Had Incorporated A Lobbying Firm With Her Husband Just Months Before Joining Brat’s Office

Four Months Prior To Becoming Brat’s Chief Of Staff, Siefring & Her Husband Neil Siefring Incorporated Lobbying Firm Called Hilltop Advocacy; Operated Out Of Couple’s Alexandria Home. Four months prior to joining Brat’s team, Siefring and her husband Neil Siefring had formed a lobbying firm called Hilltop Advocacy. According to electronic incorporation records maintained by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hilltop Advocacy was incorporated by attorney Lonnie Rich as a foreign corporation on July 14, 2014—roughly four months before Siefring was publicly named as Brat’s chief of staff. The company was originally incorporated in Delaware. It was registered to Siefring’s home at 2010 Clark Place in Alexandria, the same address Siefring used on the lobbyist registration disclosures she later filed in 2016, after leaving Brat’s office. ]Commonwealth of Virginia, State Corporation Commission: Hilltop Advocacy, LLC,” https://sccefile.scc.virginia.gov/Business/T057828]

Siefring’s Husband Continued Working As A Lobbyist After Siefring Joined Brat’s Office

2014-2016: Husband Neil Siefring Was Hilltop’s President. Erin’s husband Neil served as the president of Hilltop Advocacy, LLC from 2014 to 2016, while Erin was working for Brat. However, Hilltop Advocacy had not registered for any lobbying during that time. [The Daily Progress, 11/17/14; Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, Post Employment Database, http://clerk.house.gov; LinkedIn, Erin Siefring; LinkedIn, Neil Siefring]

2015-2016: In Addition To Operating Hilltop Advocacy, Husband Neil Lobbied For Tea Party PAC Through Another Firm to Oppose Planned Parenthood Funding. During the time Erin served as Brat’s chief of staff between January 2015 to January 2016, her husband Neil was a registered lobbyist for theteaparty.net, a website for the Tea Party movement that has since redirected to www.teapartyforward.com, a PAC associated with the Tea Party. Neil was registered through a separate firm called P Intel LLC and was lobbying to oppose Planned Parenthood funding in HR 719, the Continuing Appropriation Act. Neil was first registered to lobby for the PAC on August 1, 2015. The firm P Intell LLC filed to terminate his registration on January 20, 2016. [United States Senate, Query the Lobbying Disclosure Act Database]

January 2016: Siefring Left Brat’s Office To Join Freedomworks As Government Relations Director

January 2016: Erin Siefring Left Brat’s Office In January 2016, Returned To Hilltop Advocacy; Husband Left To Serve As Director For Government Relations For Freedomworks, A Major Brat Supporter. On January 12, 2016, Erin Siefring left Brat’s office, after serving him for roughly a year. Siefring returned to Hilltop Advocacy to serve as its president, according to her LinkedIn profile. At the same time, her husband Neil left Hilltop to instead serve as the director of government relations for FreedomWorks, an independent committee that had regularly supported Brat’s candidacy. According to his LinkedIn profile, Neil joined FreedomWorks in January 2016 and stayed there until December 2016. [The Daily Progress, 11/17/14; Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, Post Employment Database;, http://clerk.house.gov; LinkedIn, Erin Siefring; LinkedIn, Neil Siefring]

June 2016: Siefring Returned To Hilltop Advocacy At Which Point The Firm Registered To Lobby Congress

June 2016: When Erin Siefring Returned To Hilltop Advocacy, Firm Started Registering To Lobby. When Erin Siefring returned to Hilltop Advocacy in January 2016, the firm started registering to lobby. Siefring was the only lobbyist and contact person listed on the firm’s lobbying reports and registrations. The firm first registered in June 2016, roughly six months after Erin left Brat’s office. Since the firm first registered to lobby in June 2016, Hilltop Advocacy has had three clients: Cypress Advocacy on behalf of COFINA Seniors Coalition, Related EB-5 Regional Center Holdings, LLC, and the homelessness nonprofit Solutions for Change. The firm first represented COFINA Seniors Coalition from June 2016 to November 2016, lobbying on the Puerto Rican economic crisis. [United States Senate, Query the Lobbying Disclosure Act Database]

present, that company has paid Hilltop Advocacy nearly $100,000 to lobby in support of the EB-5 program, which allows entrepreneurs and their family to apply for a green card if they make an investment in a commercial enterprise or plan to create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs in the country. Related EB-5 Regional Center Holdings, LLC operates an EB-5 service to attract potential real estate investors to invest in their New York City projects, in exchange for residence. The firm’s third and final client, Solutions of Change, was registered on April 13, 2017; no activity or spending amounts have yet been reported. [Related EB-5, “EB- 5 Projects,” http://www.relatedusa.com/en/our-projects]

May 2016: In Addition To Siefring’s Freelance Lobbying Work, She Was Also Was Listed As Sole Lobbyist, Contact Person On Hilltop Advocacy’s Lobbyist Registrations Months After Leaving Brat’s Office. In addition to Siefring’s freelance lobbying work, she has also been consistently listed as a lobbyist and the sole contact person on all of Hilltop Advocacy’s registrations. Siefring was listed as a lobbyist on the firm’s disclosure’s forms as early as May 2016, when her firm first registered to represent Cypress Advocacy on behalf of COFINA Seniors Coalition to lobby on the Puerto Rico economic crisis and looming bankruptcy. In fact, on all filings when the registrant was Hilltop, Siefring was named under the “Lobbyists” section. For example:

[Clerk of the House of Representatives, Lobbying Registration, Third Dimension Strategies, Inc, Filed on March 15, 2016; LinkedIn, “Erin Siefring,” https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinsiefring/]

March 2016: Siefring Registered As A Lobbyist Through Third Dimension Strategies

March 2016: Erin Siefring Was Listed As Lobbyist For Computer Science Education Coalition Through Separate Lobbying Firm Two Months After Leaving Brat’s Office. Siefring was listed as a lobbyist on a March 15, 2016 filing for Third Dimension Strategies Inc, representing the Computer Science Education Coalition—two months after leaving Brat’s office. Siefring reportedly represented the coalition on increasing access to computer science education. Below is a screenshot of the registration:

[Clerk of the House of Representatives, Lobbying Registration, Third Dimension Strategies, Inc, Filed on March 15, 2016; LinkedIn, “Erin Siefring,” https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinsiefring/]

Siefring’s Return To Lobbying Immediately After Leaving Brat’s Office May Have Violated House Ethics Rules

Senior Staff Face Post-Employment Restrictions that Prohibit Them From Communicating, Appearing Before Officials to Lobby; Erin Siefring Would Have Been Subject to Restrictions Until January 12, 2017. As part of the House’s ethics rules, senior staff are prohibited from communicating or appearing before officials to lobby them for one year following the end of their employment. According to post employment notification records, Erin left Brat’s office on January 12, 2016 and was subject to post-employment restrictions until January 12, 2017. Generally, the ethics rules prohibit covered staff—such as a chief of staff, like Erin—from seeking official action from their former members or former coworkers, House leadership, House committees or any other legislative office. Section 207 of the House Ethics law imposes a one-year “cooling-off period” in which former members, officers and covered employees “may not seek official action on behalf of anyone else by either communicating with or appearing before specified current officials with the intent to influence them.” Erin specified on lobby reports that her targeted agencies were the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, though she did not report any specific contact with any specific people. It is possible that Erin may have been allowed some exceptions under the post-employments restrictions, especially if she did not engage in any contact with members or other officials. However, because there is a lack of public information on Erin’s potential communication, we would recommend consulting with ethics attorneys to determine if Erin had violated ethics laws. Based on the ethics manual, Erin may not have been prohibited if she had not listed her name on any communications. The House Ethics Manual states: “These restrictions bar certain types of contacts with certain categories of officials, basically former colleagues and those most likely to be influenced on the basis of the former position. The law focuses on communications and appearances. By contrast, if a former official plays a background role, does not appear in person or convey his or her name on any communications, the law does not appear to prohibit that person from advising those who seek official action from the Congress. Such a background role does not pose the risk of improper influence since the current officials are not even aware of the former official‘s participation. The law does, however, absolutely preclude one set of activities regardless of whether the former official acts openly or behind the scenes.” [House Ethics Manual,

http://ethics.house.gov/sites/ethics.house.gov/files/documents/2008_House_Ethics_Manual.pdf; Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, Post Employment Database, http://clerk.house.gov]

However, Brat Did Not Receive Any Money From Siefring’s Clients

Hilltop Advocacy Did Not Donate To Brat’s Congressional Campaign Committee. [FEC, accessed 3/6/18]

Third Dimension Strategies Did Not Donate To Brat’s Congressional Campaign Committee. [FEC, accessed 3/6/18]

Heritage Action For America Did Not Donate To Brat’s Congressional Campaign Committee. [FEC, accessed 3/6/18]

Independent Community Bankers Of America Did Not Donate To Brat’s Congressional Campaign Committee. [FEC, accessed 3/6/18]

KPMG Did Not Donate To Brat’s Congressional Campaign Committee. [FEC, accessed 3/6/18]

In Congress, Brat Enjoyed The Generosity Of Taxpayers

By The End Of The 2018 Term, Brat Will Have Been Paid $723,000 In Taxpayer-Funded Salary As A Member Of Congress

2014-2018: Brat Will Have Earned $723,172 In Salary As A Member Of Congress

Year Congressional Salary 2014 $27,172.60 2015 $174,000.00 2016 $174,000.00 2017 $174,000.00 2018 $174,000.00 TOTAL $723,172.60 [Congressional Research Service, 6/21/16] Note: Brat took office on November 4th, 2014. In 2014 he was in office for 57 days and therefore earned $27,172.60.

Brat Voted At Least Once For Congressional Pay Increases

 2015: Brat voted against passage of an appropriations bill that banned a COLA for members of Congress. [CQ, 12/18/15; HR 2029, Vote #705, 12/18/15]

Brat Voted At Least Two Other Times To Block Automatic Pay Increases For Congress

2016: Brat Voted For A Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill That Included Freeze On COLA For Congress. In June 2016, Brat Voted For: “Passage of the bill that would provide $3.5 billion for legislative branch operations, excluding Senate operations, in fiscal 2017. The total would include $1.2 billion for House operations, $629 million for the Library of Congress, $533 million for the Government Accountability Office, $552 million for the Architect of the Capitol and $391 million for the Capitol Police.” A vote yes was a vote to block pay increases. The bill passed 233-175. [CQ, 6/10/16; HR5325, Vote #294, 6/10/16]

Senate operations, in fiscal 2016. The total would include $1.2 billion for House operations, $591 million in net appropriations for the Library of Congress, $522 million for the Government Accountability Office, $492 million for the Architect of the Capitol and $369 million for the Capitol Police. As amended, the bill would provide no funding for the Open World Leadership Center.” According to the Congressional Research Service, “The House- passed and Senate-reported versions of the FY2016 legislative branch appropriations bill (H.R. 2250) both contained a provision prohibiting this adjustment. The pay adjustment prohibition was subsequently included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-113).” A vote yes was a vote to block pay increases. The bill passed, 357-67. [CRS, 6/21/16; CQ, 5/19/15; HR2250, Vote #247, 5/19/15]

Brat Collected $7,526.95 In Personal Reimbursements

Personal Reimbursements To Brat Year Personal Reimbursements To Brat 2017 $2,455.52 2016 $961.89 2015 $4,109.54 2014 $0 Total: $7,526.95 [U.S. House of Representatives, Statements of Disbursements, accessed 2/21/18]

2014-2017: Brat Collected A Total Of $7,526.95 In Personal Reimbursements

2014-2017: Brat Collected A Total Of $7,526.95 In Personal Reimbursements. [U.S. House of Representatives, Statements of Disbursements, accessed 2/21/18]

Though Brat Only Lived 100 Miles From D.C., His Office Spent Nearly $40,000 On “Travel” In Four Years

Brat’s Office Spent Nearly $40,000 On “Travel” In Four Years

Brat Office Expenditures – Career Personnel Rent, Supplies Franked Compen- Comms., Other and Equip- Mail sation Travel Utilities Printing Services Materials ment 2017 $16,931.27 $611,802.89 $12,063.28 $48,474.61 $3,932.59 $34,292.14 $22,344.47 $3,645.53 2016 $2,943.82 $761,085.73 $10,582.34 $69,371.48 $3,260.20 $27,859.61 $17,541.48 $7,807.35 2015 $50,565.06 $879,804.97 $16,242.03 $67,135.80 $37,704.46 $37,345.39 $17,584.61 $14,050.25 2014 $0 $68,476.42 $105 $516.41 $21.50 $0 $3,743.08 $793.06 Career $70,440.15 $2,321,170.01 $38,992.65 $185,498.30 $44,918.75 $99,497.14 $61,213.64 $26,296.19 [U.S. House of Representatives, Statements of Disbursements, accessed 2/21/18]

2017: Brat Purchased Home In Glen Allen, VA, For $636,399

2017: Dave And Laura Brat Bought Home In Glen Allen, VA, For $636,399. [County of Henrico Finance Department Real Estate Assessment Division, 3/20/17]

Brat Slept In His Taxpayer-Funded Office While In D.C.

Brat Said That When In Washington He Stayed In His Office, “Paul Ryan Style.” “Q: Where do you stay when you’re here? BRAT: In the office. Paul Ryan style. [Brat points to a cot in the closet.]” [Huffington Post, 12/1/15]

In Congress, Brat Received $9,090 In Special Interest Funded Travel; 5 Of His 6 Trips Were Funded By The Heritage Foundation

Brat Received $9,090.83 Worth Of Special Interest Funded Travel And Travelled To One Foreign Country

Brat Received $9,090.83 Worth Of Special Interest Funded Travel

2015-2017: Brat Received $9,090.83 Worth Of Special Interest Funded Travel. [Congressional Foreign Gift Travel Reports, accessed 2/23/18; Legistorm, accessed 2/22/18]

Brat Travelled To Israel On Special Interest Funds

2016: Brat Attended The International Leaders Summit In Jerusalem, Israel, Sponsored By The International Leaders Summit Inc. [Congressional Foreign Gift Travel Reports, accessed 2/23/18; Legistorm, accessed 2/22/18]

Brat Private Travel Expenditures Date Destination Sponsor Accompanying Transpor- Lodging Meals Other Total Cost Relative tation Expenses 2/8/17- New York, NY Heritage Laura Brat $864.04 $336 $383.32 $168 $1,751.36 2/10/17 Foundation 12/17/1 Jerusalem, International N/A $1,570.39 $749.19 $155 $182.24 $2,656.82 6- Israel Leaders Summit 12/21/1 Inc. 6 12/2/16 Charlottesville, Heritage Laura Brat $29.63 $128 $272.60 $1,210.48 $1,640.71 - VA Foundation 12/3/16 11/18/1 Dallas, TX Heritage Action N/A $702.69 $162.28 $104.24 $0 $969.21 6- for America 11/19/1 6 1/27/16 Middleburg, Heritage Laura Brat $16 $282.50 $395 $25.88 $719.38 - VA Foundation 1/29/16 1/28/15 Middleburg, Heritage Laura Brat $115.47 $282.50 $900.18 $55.20 $1,353.35 - VA Foundation 1/30/15 TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $9,090.83 [Congressional Foreign Gift Travel Reports, accessed 2/23/18; Legistorm, accessed 2/22/18]

2017: Brat Reported $1,751.36 In Travel Payments And Reimbursements

February 2017: Brat Traveled, At The Heritage Foundation’s Expense, To New York, NY. [U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics, Member Post-Travel Disclosure Form, 2/22/17]

2016: Brat Reported $5,986.12 In Travel Payments And Reimbursements

December 2016: Brat Traveled, At The International Leaders Summit Inc.’s Expense, To Jerusalem, Israel. [U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics, Member Post-Travel Disclosure Form, 1/5/17]

December 2016: Brat Traveled, At The Heritage Foundation’s Expense, To Charlottesville, VA. [U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics, Member Post-Travel Disclosure Form, 12/16/16]

November 2016: Brat Traveled, At Heritage Action for America’s Expense, To Dallas, TX. [U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics, Member Post-Travel Disclosure Form, 12/2/16]

January 2016: Brat Traveled, At The Heritage Foundation’s Expense, To Middleburg, VA. [U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics, Member Post-Travel Disclosure Form, 2/10/16]

2015: Brat Reported $1,353.35 In Travel Payments And Reimbursements

January 2015: Brat Traveled, At The Heritage Foundation’s Expense, To Middleburg, VA. [U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics, Member Post-Travel Disclosure Form, 2/11/15]

Brat’s Congressional Staff Received $13,227 In Special Interest Funded Travel, Including 6 Trips Courtesy Of The Heritage Foundation

2015-2018: Brat’s Staff Received $13,227.15 Worth Of Special Interest Funded Travel, Including 6 Trips Courtesy Of The Heritage Foundation

Brat’s Staff Received $13,227.15 Worth Of Special Interest Funded Travel. [Congressional Foreign Travel Reports, accessed 2/23/18; Legistorm, accessed 2/22/18]

Brat’s Staff Private Travel Expenditures Staff Transpor Other Date Member Position Destination Sponsor -tation Lodging Meals Expense Total Cost 11/16/1 7- Legislative 11/17/1 Eric W. Corresponden Richmond, Heritage 7 Heigis t VA Foundation $32.30 $139 $95.37 $15 $281.67 11/16/1 7- 11/17/1 Jay M. Legislative Richmond, Heritage 7 Kronzer Assistant VA Foundation $32.30 $139 $95.37 $15 $281.67 Juliana 5/11/17- Heerscha Communicati Baltimore, Congressional 5/13/17 p ons Director MD Institute Inc. $48.26 $359.58 $172.50 $207.87 $788.21 National Associations 4/23/17- Hugh D. Legislative Las Vegas, of 4/25/17 Fike II Assistant NV Broadcasters $623.10 $405.90 $124.15 $218.66 $1,371.81 Mark David Kelly (and spouse 3/23/17- Keirsten Hot Springs, Congressional 3/25/17 Kelly) Chief of Staff VA Institute Inc. $0 $198.93 $255 $816 $1,269.93 10/12/1 6- Sarah 10/14/1 Grace Office Heritage 6 Walt Manager Bedford, PA Foundation $76.05 $196.56 $118 $9 $399.61 8/4/16- Chad A. Legislative Hillsdale 8/7/16 Yelinski Assistant Hillsdale, MI College $510 $237 $87 $0 $834 3/17/16- Philip P. District Chief Baltimore, Congressional 3/19/16 Rapp of Staff MD Institute Inc. $0 $348.42 $182.09 $252.56 $783.08 10/15/1 5- 10/16/1 William Legislative Lexington, Heritage 6 E. Wolfe Assistant VA Foundation $82.59 $159.99 $100.56 $15.63 $358.77 10/11/1 German 5- Erin Marshall Fund 10/16/1 Kanoy Berlin, of the United 5 Siefring Chief of Staff Germany States, Robert $2,701.23 $857.28 $460 $0 $4,018.51

Bosch Foundation 6/18/15- Julia A. Press Williamsburg Congressional 6/20/15 Hahn Secretary , VA Institute Inc. $33.97 $217.12 $255.66 $0 $506.75 Erin Kanoy Siefring (and spouse 4/16/15- Neil Hot Springs, Congressional 4/18/15 Siefring) Chief of Staff VA Institute Inc. $20 $208.08 $527.95 $0 $756.03 Erin Kanoy Siefring (and spouse 4/10/15- Neil San Diego, Heritage 4/11/15 Siefring) Chief of Staff CA Foundation $0 $844 $602.78 $4.50 $1,451.28 4/10/15- William Legislative Heritage 4/10/15 E. Wolfe Assistant Quantico, VA Foundation $57.75 $0 $68.08 $0 $125.83 TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $13,227.15 [Congressional Foreign Travel Reports, accessed 2/23/18; Legistorm, accessed 2/22/18]

Bad For Virginia

Significant Findings

 Brat voted against protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and stated he wanted to “move…towards fairness” in Social Security spending for Seniors.

 In 2016, 133,242 residents of Virginia’s 7th district received some Medicare benefits.

 In 2015, Brat voted to jeopardize Social Security.

 In 2016, 140,949 residents of Virginia’s 7th district received some Social Security benefits.

 Brat voted for a FY 2016 Republican budget that would have gutted Medicare.

 In 2017, Brat voted against consideration of an amendment lowering out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors.

 Brat voted for the American Health Care Bill.

 Brat voted against protecting coverage for pre-existing conditions in The American Health Care Act.

 Brat voted against exempting any rule that prohibited insurance companies from eliminating coverage for dependents younger than 26.

 Brat voted for a bill prohibiting the advance payment of health insurance premium tax credits to applicants until HHS confirms applicants are citizens.

 Brat campaigned on repealing the Affordable Care Act and voted nine times to repeal all or part of the act.

 In 2017, Brat voted against authorizing $400 million a year for the Maternal, Infant, And Early Childhood Home Visiting Program.

 Brat voted to pass the Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

 Brat voted at least twelve times to defund or attack Planned Parenthood.

 In 2017, Brat voted for a twenty week abortion ban.

 In 2017, Brat voted against an amendment to the 20-week abortion ban allowing for an exception for an abortion necessary to save the health of a pregnant woman.

 In 2017, Brat voted against consideration of an amendment that prevented insurance plans from charging women higher premiums than men.

 Brat repeatedly voted against considering the Paycheck Fairness Act, despite the fact that women in Virginia make only 80 cents for every dollar a man makes.

Bad For Seniors

Tax Cuts & Benefit Cuts

Brat To Seniors: The Only Way To Save Social Security Is To Either Raise Taxes “Through The Roof” Or Increase Retirement Age

AUDIO: Brat: “If The Average Death Age Used To Be 65 When These Programs Were Set Up To Be Actuarially Sound, And Now The Average Death Age Is 83, Right? So People Start Getting The Benefits At 62 Or 65 And Lived To Be 83, You Don't Have To Be A Rocket Scientist To See Why They're Bankrupt.” Brat: “If the average death age used to be 65 when these programs were set up to be actuarially sound, and now the average death age is 83, right? So people start getting the benefits at 62 or 65 and lived to be 83, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to see why they're bankrupt. And so both sides need to come to the table and say, ‘We better fix this or the kids get nothing, right?’” [WBUR, 4/12/18]

AUDIO: On “Solutions” To “End The Life” Of Social Security And Medicare: “Either The Tax Rates Would Have To Go Through The Roof Or Else The Ages Have To Change Or Some Combination Of 'Em.” “On if he would support raising the eligibility age for entitlements[, Brat said,] ‘The Democrats have to decide to quit running negative ads against Paul Ryan and anyone that proposes solutions to extend the life of these programs.’ ‘When Paul Ryan has put that down on paper, the Democrats run ads of him pushing grandma off a cliff.’ ‘Either the tax rates would have to go through the roof or else the ages have to change or some combination of 'em.’” [WBUR, 4/12/18]

Brat Voted For The Tax Cuts And Jobs Act

Brat Voted For Final Passage Of The Tax Cuts And Jobs Act By Concurring With A Senate Amendment. In December 2017, Brat voted for “Brady, R-Texas, motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the tax overhaul that would revise the federal income tax system by: lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent; lowering individual tax rates through 2025; limiting state and local deductions to $10,000 through 2025; decreasing the limit on deductible mortgage debt through 2025; and creating a new system of taxing U.S. corporations with foreign subsidiaries. Specifically, it would repeal personal exemptions and would roughly double the standard deduction through 2025. It would raise the child tax credit to $2,000 through 2025, would repeal the alternative minimum tax for corporations and provide for broader exemptions to the tax for individuals through 2025. It would double individual exemptions to the estate tax and gift tax through 2025, and would establish a new top tax rate for “pass-through” business income through 2025. It would effectively eliminate the penalty for not purchasing health insurance under the 2010 health care overhaul law in 2019. It would also open portions of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling.” The motion was passed 224-201. [HR 1, Vote #699, 12/20/17; CQ Floor Votes, 12/20/17]

…Which Increased The Federal Debt – And Brat Planned To Pay For It With Cuts To Medicare And Social Security

Official CBO Estimate Found Final Tax Bill Would Increase The Federal Deficit By $1.46 Trillion. “Republicans decided it would be all right to go into debt up to $1.5 trillion to fund the tax cut. In the end, they nearly hit that mark. The official estimate -- released Friday evening alongside the bill -- came in at $1.46 trillion.” [Washington Post, 12/15/17]

Center For A Responsible Federal Budget Found True Cost of Tax Bill Would Be $2 Trillion Or More, After Budget Gimmicks Were Accounted For. “Adding these gimmicks to the cost of the bill would increase the total cost to $2.0 trillion to $2.2 trillion. Though the dynamic effect of making the bill permanent is unknown, we estimate a permanent bill would produce roughly $450 billion of feedback,* leading to a dynamic cost of roughly $1.6 trillion to $1.7 trillion. With interest, these costs would rise to $2.4 trillion to $2.5 trillion, or $1.9 trillion to $2 trillion with dynamic effects included, over a decade.” [CRFB, 12/18/17]

Brat On The FY 2018 Budget: “$100 Trillion Dollars In Unfunded Obligations To Programs Like Social Security And Medicare Is Not The Inheritance I Want To Leave Our Children And Grandchildren.” “It is time to have a real debate about Washington’s spending priorities and balance the budget as soon as possible. Nearly $20 trillion dollars of debt and $100 trillion dollars in unfunded obligations to programs like Social Security and Medicare is not the inheritance I want to leave to our children and grandchildren. We must be honest with the American people. If we allow these programs to continue on auto-pilot spending and get too far in debt, there will be no safety net for the next generation of the most vulnerable.” [U.S. Rep. Dave Brat, press release, 5/23/17]

After Passing A Tax Bill That Added Trillions To The Deficit, Speaker Ryan Said Medicare And Medicaid Would Need To Be “Reformed” In Order To Decrease The Deficit. “With his dream of tax reform now realized, Ryan is hoping to make progress on two other issues he’s targeted during his two-decade career in Washington: entitlement and welfare reform. ‘We’re going to have to get back next year at entitlement reform, which is how you tackle the debt and the deficit,’ Ryan, a former Budget Committee chairman, said in a recent interview this month on the Ross Kaminsky radio talk show. Medicare and Medicaid are the ‘big drivers of debt,’ Ryan said, suggesting Republicans could once again use the budget reconciliation process to avoid a Democratic filibuster. Medicare is the ‘biggest entitlement that’s got to have reform,’ Ryan added.” [The Hill, 12/27/17]

HEADLINE: After Tax Overhaul, GOP Sets Sights on Medicare, Social Security [US News, 12/7/17]

HEADLINE: Ryan says Republicans to target welfare, Medicare, Medicaid spending in 2018 [Washington Post, 12/6/17]

HEADLINE: Paul Ryan Pushes to Keep Overhaul of Safety-Net Programs on GOP Agenda [Wall Street Journal, 2/4/18]

AP: “A Wide Range Of Economists And Nonpartisan Analysts Have Warned That The Bill Will Likely Escalate Federal Debt, Intensify Pressure To Cut Spending On Social Programs And Further Widen America’s Troubling Income Inequality.” “The tax overhaul of 2017 amounts to a high-stakes gamble by Republicans in Congress: That slashing taxes for corporations and wealthy individuals will accelerate growth and assure greater prosperity for Americans for years to come. The risks are considerable. A wide range of economists and nonpartisan analysts have warned that the bill will likely escalate federal debt, intensify pressure to cut spending on social programs and further widen America’s troubling income inequality.” [Associated Press, 12/17/17]

Social Security

Brat Voted To Block Legislation That Would Prevent The House From Cutting Social Security, Medicare, Or Medicaid

Brat Voted For Blocking Legislation That Would Prevent The House From Cutting Social Security, Medicare, Or Medicaid. In May 2017, Brat voted for: “Woodall, R-Ga., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment.)” According to the Democratic Leader’s office, the motion blocked legislation to “restrict consideration of any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, or conference report that: (1) cuts social security benefits, (2) raises the retirement age for social security, (3) privatizes social security, (4) cuts guaranteed medicare benefits, or (5) results in cuts to state medicaid plan benefits or eligibility.” A vote for the previous question was a vote to block the legislation prohibiting the House from cutting these programs. The previous question carried, 229-191. [H Res 348, Vote #271, 5/23/17; CQ, 5/23/17; DemocraticLeader.gov, 5/23/17]

2014: While Campaigning For Congress, Brat Said He Wanted To Move “Towards Fairness” In Social Security Spending For Seniors

VIDEO: Brat: “Maybe The Next Ten Years We Have To Grandfather Some Folks In, But Basically We’re Going To Move In A Direct Lien Towards Fairness.” “Currently, seniors are getting about $3 out, of all of the programs, for every dollar they put in. So, in general, you gotta just go to the American people, and be honest with them, and say here’s what fairness would look like. Right? So maybe the next 10 years we have to grandfather some folks in, but basically we’re going to move in a direct line towards fairness. And we have to live within our means… I wouldn’t want that to impact people without being announced, but that’s the downside of - it’s not my fault that we’re there.” [VIDEO: Mechanicsville Tea Party Youtube, 5/7/14] Note: Video saved on drive.

Brat Voted For Jeopardizing Social Security

Brat Voted For Jeopardizing Social Security. In January 2015, Brat voted for a House Rules package that contained a provision that could threaten benefit cuts to Social Security. The provision would block Congress from redirecting payroll tax revenue from Social Security to the Social Security disability program to help keep the program afloat. The provision would block a transfer unless it was part of a larger plan to address Social Security’s finances through benefit cuts or tax increases. The resolution passed, 234-172. [H Res 5, Vote #6, 1/6/15; Politico, 1/20/15]

Eleven Million Recipients Of Disability Benefits Faced A 19 Percent Benefit Cut. “The GOP’s immediate target is Social Security’s sprawling disability insurance program, which has grown at a pace far beyond its revenues and will exhaust its trust fund reserves by December 2016, threatening a 19 percent cut in benefits.” [Politico, 1/20/15]

Eleven Million People Receive Disability Benefits. “About 11 million people get disability benefits, nearly 40 percent more than a decade ago.” [Associated Press, 1/7/15]

2016: 140,949 Residents Of Virginia’s 7th District Received Some Social Security Benefits

2016: 140,949 Residents Of Brat’s District Received Social Security Benefits Worth Nearly $197,717 Per Month. [Social Security Administration, Congressional Statistics, December 2016]

In Brat’s District, Social Security Beneficiaries Include 110,591 Seniors; 103,793 Were Retirees. Of the 140,949 social security beneficiaries in Brat’s district, 110,591 were aged 65 or older; 103,793 were retirees. [Social Security Administration, Congressional Statistics, December 2016]

Medicare

2016: 133,242 Residents Of Virginia’s 7th District Received Some Medicare Benefits

2016: 133,242 Residents Of Brat’s District Received Medicare Benefits. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2016 Congressional District Report]

Brat Voted For A Republican Budget That Would Gut Medicare

Brat Voted For FY16 Republican Budget. [H. Con Res. 27, Vote #142, 3/25/15; New York Times, 3/25/15]

National Committee To Preserve Social Security & Medicare: 2015 House GOP Budget Would Leave “Seniors And The Disabled – Some Of Our Most Vulnerable Americans – Hostage To The Whims Of Private Insurance Companies.” “Once again, the House GOP’s budget would privatize Medicare with a voucher plan, leaving seniors and the disabled – some of our most vulnerable Americans – hostage to the whims of private insurance companies. Over time, this will end traditional Medicare and make it harder for seniors to choose their own doctor. Vouchers will not keep up with the increasing cost of health insurance… that is why seniors will pay more.” [National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, 3/17/15]

New York Times: 2015 House GOP Budget Would Turn Medicare Into A “Voucherlike” Program. “House Budget Committee members previewed their plans in an unusual, campaign-style video on Monday. The plan envisions a remaking of the federal government. Future recipients of Medicare would be offered voucherlike ‘premium support’ to pay for private insurance rather than government-provided health care. Spending on Medicaid would be cut substantially over 10 years, with the money turned into block grants to state governments, which in turn would have much more flexibility in deciding how it is allocated.” [New York Times, 3/17/15]

2017: Brat Voted Against Consideration Of An Amendment Lowering Out-Of-Pocket Drug Costs For Seniors

Brat Voted Against Consideration Of An Amendment Lowering Out-Of-Pocket Drug Costs For Seniors. In January 2017, Brat voted against the “Demings, D-Fla., motion to recommit the bill to the House Judiciary Committee with instructions to report back immediately with an amendment that would exempt regulations that significantly lower seniors’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D. It would remove the bill’s provision that would effectively overturn two Supreme Court decisions that require federal courts to defer to an agency’s interpretation of the underlying law or rule when considering challenges to agency rules.” The motion was rejected by a vote of 190-233. [HR 5, Vote #44, 1/11/17; CQ, 1/11/17]

Bad For Health Care

Brat Voted For The American Health Care Act – The Republican Health Care Repeal Bill

2017: Brat Voted For The American Health Care Act – The Republican Health Care Repeal Bill. In May 2017, Brat voted for “Passage of the bill that would make extensive changes to the 2010 health care overhaul law, by effectively repealing the individual and employer mandates as well as most of the taxes that finance the current system. It would, in 2020, convert Medicaid into a capped entitlement that would provide fixed federal payments to states and end additional federal funding for the 2010 law’s joint federal-state Medicaid expansion. It would prohibit federal funding to any entity, such as Planned Parenthood, that performs abortions and receives more than $350 million a year in Medicaid funds. As amended, it would give states the option of receiving federal Medicaid funding as a block grant with greater state flexibility in how the funds are used, and would require states to establish their own essential health benefits standards. It would allow states to receive waivers to exempt insurers from having to provide certain minimum benefits, would provide $8 billion over five years for individuals with preexisting conditions whose insurance premiums increased because the state was granted a waiver to raise premiums based on an individual’s health status, and would create a $15 billion federal risk sharing program to cover some of the costs of high medical claims.” The bill was passed by a vote of 217-213. [HR 1628, Vote #256, 5/4/17; CQ, 5/4/17]

Brat Voted Against Protecting Coverage For Pre-Existing Conditions In The American Health Care Act…

2017: Brat Voted For Blocking An Amendment That Would Protect Health Care Coverage For Pre-Existing Conditions, Ban Lifetime Insurance Limits, Protect Medicare, Block Tax Increases On The Middle Class, And Would Require A CBO Estimate Prior To Consideration Of Any Health Care Reform Bill. In May 2017, Brat voted for “Collins, R-Ga., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 308) that would provide for House floor consideration of the bill (HR 2192) that would repeal, if the health care marketplace overhaul measure (HR 1628) is enacted” Upon defeat of the motion, Democrats planned to offer an amendment that “The amendment would restrict consideration of legislative provisions relating to health care that would result in: (1) the denial of health insurance on the basis of a preexisting condition or a requirement for individuals with a preexisting condition to pay more for coverage; (2) the elimination of the prohibition on life-time limits on dollar value of health insurance benefits; (3) the termination of the ability of individuals 26 years of age to be included on their parent’s employer or individual health insurance; (4) the reduction in the number of individuals receiving health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; (5) an increased cost to seniors for prescription drugs due to any changes pertaining to closing the Medicare prescription drug ‘donut hole’; (6) the requirement that individuals pay for preventive services such as mammography, health screening, and contraceptive services; (7) reduction of Medicare solvency or any changes to the Medicare guarantee; or (8) the reduction of Federal taxes on the 1% of the population with the highest income or an increase on the 80% of the population with the lowest income. Additionally, the amendment would restrict consideration of legislation relating to health care unless an easily searchable electronic estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office is made available on a publicly available website of

the House.” A vote yes was a vote to block the amendment. The motion was agreed to by a vote of 235-193. [H.Res 308, Vote #252, 5/4/17; CQ, 5/4/17]

2017: Brat Voted To Block An Amendment That Would Protect Health Care Coverage For Pre-Existing Conditions, Ban Lifetime Insurance Limits, Protect Medicare, Block Tax Increases On The Middle Class, And Would Require A CBO Estimate Prior To Consideration Of Any Health Care Reform Bill. In May 2017, Brat voted for “Cole, R-Okla., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 305) that would provide for House floor consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill.” Upon defeat of the motion, Democrats planned to offer an amendment to the bill that would, “restrict consideration of legislative provisions relating to health care that would result in: (1) the denial of health insurance on the basis of a preexisting condition or a requirement for individuals with a preexisting condition to pay more for coverage; (2) the elimination of the prohibition on life-time limits on dollar value of health insurance benefits; (3) the termination of the ability of individuals 26 years of age to be included on their parent’s employer or individual health insurance; (4) the reduction in the number of individuals receiving health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; (5) an increased cost to seniors for prescription drugs due to any changes pertaining to closing the Medicare prescription drug ‘donut hole’; (6) the requirement that individuals pay for preventive services such as mammography, health screening, and contraceptive services; (7) reduction of Medicare solvency or any changes to the Medicare guarantee; or (8) the reduction of Federal taxes on the 1% of the population with the highest income or an increase on the 80% of the population with the lowest income. Additionally, the amendment would restrict consideration of legislation relating to health care unless an easily searchable electronic estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office is made available on a publicly available website of the House.” A vote yes was a vote to block the amendment. The motion was agreed to by a vote of 231-192. [H.Res 305, Vote #246, 5/3/17; CQ, 5/3/17]

2017: Brat Voted Against A Motion To Protect Individuals From Discrimination In The Health Insurance Marketplace Based On Gender Or Pre-Existing Conditions, Protect Seniors From Higher Premiums And Out-Of-Pocket Costs Under Medicare Part D. In January 2017, Brat voted against the “Castor, D-Fla., motion to recommit the bill to the House Judiciary Committee with instructions to report back immediately with an amendment that would add an exemption to the bill for rules that prohibit health insurance companies from discriminating against individuals based on gender or preexisting conditions. The amendment also would exempt from the measure rules that prohibit higher premiums or out-of-pocket costs for seniors for medication under the Medicare Part D prescription drug program.” The motion was rejected by a vote of 183-236. [HR 21, Vote #7, 1/4/17; CQ, 1/4/17]

Brat Voted Against Exempting Any Rule That Prohibited Insurance Companies From Eliminating Coverage For Dependents Younger Than 26

2017: Brat Voted Against Exempting From The Bill Any Rule Prohibiting Insurance From Eliminating Health Coverage For Dependents Younger Than 26. In January 2017, Brat voted against the “Murphy, D-Fla., motion to recommit the bill to the House Judiciary Committee with instructions to report back immediately with an amendment that would exempt from the bill any rule prohibiting an insurance issuer from eliminating health coverage for dependents younger than 26 years old.” The motion was rejected by a vote of 190-235. [HR 26, Vote #22, 1/5/17; CQ, 1/5/17]

The Purpose Of HR 26 Is To Increase Accountability For And Transparency In The Federal Regulatory Process By Requiring Congress To Approve All New Major Regulations. “This bill states that its purpose is to increase accountability for and transparency in the federal regulatory process by requiring Congress to approve all new major regulations. The bill revises provisions relating to congressional review of agency rulemaking to require federal agencies promulgating rules to: (1) identify and repeal or amend existing rules to completely offset any annual costs of new rules to the U.S. economy…” [HR 26, Summary, 1/5/17]

Brat Voted For The Republican Tax Scam Bill – “A Major Victory” For Big Pharma Investors

Brat Voted For The Republican Tax Scam Bill

Brat Voted For The Republican Tax Scam Bill. In November 2017, Brat voted for: “Passage of the bill that would revise the federal income tax system by: lowering individual and corporate tax rates; consolidating the current seven tax income rates into four rates; eliminating the deduction for state and local income taxes; limiting certain deductions for property taxes and home mortgages; and creating a new system of taxing U.S. corporations with foreign subsidiaries. Specifically, it would eliminate personal exemptions and would nearly double the standard deduction. It would raise the child tax credit through 2022, repeal the alternative minimum tax, repeal the estate tax in 2025 and reduce the gift tax rate in 2025. It would establish a new top tax rate for pass-through business income and would modify tax credits related to energy production.” The bill passed by a vote of 227-205. [HRes 616, Vote #637, 11/16/17; CQ, 11/16/17]

The Bill Passed On A Strictly Partisan Vote, With Zero Democrats Voting For The Bill, And 13 Republicans Voting Against. [HRes 616, Vote #637, 11/16/17; CQ, 11/16/17]

Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Included A “Major Victory For Pharma Manufacturers”

Politico: Repatriation Provision In Tax Bill Was A “Major Victory For Pharma Manufacturers.” “Senate Republicans cobbled together enough support to pass what could amount to the biggest rewrite of the tax code in nearly three decades. The bill, H.R. 1 (115), lowers the corporate tax rate and would offer a one-time reduction on profits U.S.-based multinational companies earn and keep abroad. The repatriation provision is seen as a major victory for pharma manufacturers who store boatloads of cash in countries where tax rates are lower. The Senate bill also scaled back the orphan drug tax credit, a definite loss for drugmakers (the House version repealed the credit outright). The Senate’s tax plan now has to be reconciled with the House-passed version in a legislative conference.” [Politico, 12/4/17]

Pharmaceutical Companies Were “One Of The Biggest Beneficiaries” Of The Provision, And Were Seen As Likely To Return Money To Their Shareholders, Rather Than Invest In Research And Innovation. “U.S. drugmakers will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the repatriation portion of the bill. They’ve been sitting on billions of dollars in overseas earnings and can now bring home that cash at a reduced rate. While the tax bill has been promoted by Republicans as a job creator, the reality is that drug companies are more likely to return the money to shareholders, or use it to make acquisitions.” [Bloomberg, 12/20/17]

Tax Bill Was Estimated To Save Top Five Pharmaceutical Companies $42.7 Billion. “The tax proposal supported by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans would give five top pharmaceutical corporations a $42.7 billion tax break.” [Public Citizen and ITEP, 11/20/17]

Pharmaceutical Companies Worked To Benefit Shareholders, Rather Than To Bring Down The Cost Of Drugs Or Invest In New Research And Development

Pharmaceutical Companies Were Predicted To Use Savings From Tax Bill To Invest In Mergers And Acquisitions In An Effort To Preserve Patents And Prevent Competitors From Producing Cheaper, Generic Drugs. “Blue-chip drugmakers holding $200 billion in cash, mostly overseas, will start investing more of it in mergers and acquisitions after President Trump’s tax overhaul slashed the cost of spending the money in the U.S., debt-ratings firm Moody’s predicts. […] Amgen, Pfizer, Gilead, and Celgene are the most likely to seek deals, Moody’s projects, as they grapple with challenges from a shrinking market for some medications to the expiration of patents on others that will enable rivals to produce cheaper generic versions.” [Washington Examiner, 1/9/18]

announced during or after the passage of the Republican tax bill. That money is enriching hedge funds, other Wall Street investors and top drug company executives, but it isn’t necessarily helping patients.” [Axios, 2/22/18]

HEADLINE: Pharma’s $50 billion tax windfall for investors [Axios, 2/22/18]

HEADLINE: Big Pharma investors cash in on Trump’s tax plan [Salon, 2/22/18]

Brat Opposed The ACA

2014: Brat Called The Affordable Care Act “An Unconstitutional Power Grab”

Brat Called The Affordable Care Act “An Unconstitutional Power Grab” And Warned That “We Must Restore The Relationship Between Price And Service In Medicine Or We Will Continue On The Road To Serfdom.” “Obamacare has proven to be an economically disastrous law and an unconstitutional power grab by our Federal Government. The government cannot and should not be permitted to run and regulate nearly 20% of our nation’s economy. We must restore the relationship between doctor and patient. We must restore the relationship between price and service in medicine or we will continue on the Road to Serfdom. I support a plan to defund the law and replace it with free-market solutions that lower costs, improve quality, and increase access to care.” [Dave Brat Campaign Website, accessed 6/10/14]

2014: Brat Said That The Affordable Care Act Should Be Completely Scrapped

Brat Said That The Affordable Care Act Should Be Completely Scrapped. “Dr. Brat believes Obamacare should be completely scrapped. He also believes we need to move away from employer-based health insurance, and give those incentives to individuals to carry their own portable health insurance. The real problems with our health care are the tax breaks, incentives and restrictions that force most of us to get our health insurance from our employers, rather than carrying our own permanent insurance.” [Culpeper Star-Exponent, 2/14/14]

Brat Supported Radically Altering The American Health Care System, Said “‘We Need To Also Scrap Employer-Based Health Insurance.” According to Culpeper Star-Exponent “Of course, the first question I asked him was what should be done with Obamacare? ‘It needs to be scrapped,’ he replied without hesitation. ‘Completely.’ So I asked him what should take Obamacare’s place, and to understand his answer, you have to know some history… When I asked him what should take Obamacare’s place, his answer was, ‘We need to also scrap employer-based health insurance, and give those incentives to individuals to carry their own portable health insurance.’ He went on to say, ‘If we did that, the issue of pre-existing conditions largely goes away.’” [Culpeper Star-Exponent, 3/31/14]

Brat Said Individuals Need to Feel the Full Cost of Their Health Care Decisions. In 2014, on the American Maverick Show, Brat said: “We need to get back to seeing the full cost of all the decisions we each make individually, because if we don’t do that in the aggregate we’re bankrupting the country right now, throwing the debt load on the next generation, and it’s unethical to do that.” [American Maverick Show, 5/19/14, 38:00]

Brat Voted 9 Times To Repeal All Or Part Of The Affordable Care Act

 Brat Voted For Republican Conference Report On Budget That Began Process To Repeal Affordable Care Act. [S Con Res 11, Vote #183, 4/30/15; Bloomberg, 4/29/15]  Brat Voted For Repealing Major Pillars Of Affordable Care Act, Including Individual Mandate. [HR 3762, Vote #568, 10/23/15; Los Angeles Times, 10/23/15]  Brat Voted For Repealing The Affordable Care Act. [HR 3762, Vote #6, 1/6/16; CNN, 1/6/16]  Brat Voted For Overturning Obama’s Veto Of Bill That Would Repeal The Affordable Care Act. [HR 3762, Vote #53, 2/2/16; Washington Post, 2/2/16] Note: Reported as 63rd vote  Brat Voted For Beginning Process Of Repealing Affordable Care Act. [S Con Res 3, Vote #58, 1/13/17; CNN, 1/3/17]

Maternal, Infant, And Early Childhood Health Care

Brat Voted Against Authorizing $400 Million A Year For The Maternal, Infant, And Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. In September 2017, Brat voted against: “Passage of the bill that would authorize, through fiscal 2022, $400 million a year for the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program created under the 2010 health care overhaul. The bill would require entities that receive grants under the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program to continue to demonstrate improvements in applicable benchmarks and guidelines.” The bill passed by a vote of 214-209. [H R 2824, Vote #537, 9/26/17; CQ, 9/26/17]

Brat Voted Against Eliminating Requirements For Grantees Of The Maternal, Infant And Early Childhood Home Visiting Program To Demonstrate Improvements In Applicable Benchmarks. In September 2017, Brat voted against: “DelBene, D-Wash., motion to recommit the bill to the House Ways and Means Committee with instructions to report it back immediately with an amendment that would eliminate the bill’s provisions that would require entities that receive grants under the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program to continue to demonstrate improvements in applicable benchmarks and guidelines.” The motion failed by a vote of 191-232. [H R 2824, Vote #536, 9/26/17; CQ, 9/26/17]

Brat Voted Against An Amendment That Would Remove A Requirement That States Track Whether The Home Visit Program Increases Employment And Earnings. In September 2017, Brat voted against: “Pascrell, D-N.J., amendment that would remove the bill’s provision that would require states or other eligible entities to track whether the home visit program increases employment and earnings as a measure of the program goals.” The amendment was rejected by a vote of 191-231. [H R 2824, Vote #536, 9/26/17; CQ, 9/26/17]

Brat Voted For Adopting The Rule That Would Provide For House Floor Consideration Of Authorization For The Maternal, Infant And Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. In September 2017, Brat voted for: “Adoption of the rule (H Res 533) that would provide for House floor consideration of the bill (HR 2824), that would authorize, through fiscal 2022, $400 million a year for the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program created under the 2010 health care overhaul, and for consideration of the bill (HR 2792), that would prohibit, beginning in 2021, the payment of social security benefits to an individual who is the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for committing a felony or for violating a condition of parole or probation. The rule would also provide for the text of the Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act (HR 2792), as passed by the House, if passed by the House, to be incorporated into the text of the Increasing Opportunity through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act (HR 2824) during the engrossment of HR 2824.” The rule was adopted by a vote of 230-190. [H RES 533, Vote #533, 9/26/17; CQ, 9/26/17]

Bad On Taxes

Brat Voted For Final Passage Of The Republican Tax Scam Bill

local deductions to $10,000 through 2025; decreasing the limit on deductible mortgage debt through 2025; and creating a new system of taxing U.S. corporations with foreign subsidiaries. Specifically, it would repeal personal exemptions and would roughly double the standard deduction through 2025. It would raise the child tax credit to $2,000 through 2025, would repeal the alternative minimum tax for corporations and provide for broader exemptions to the tax for individuals through 2025. It would double individual exemptions to the estate tax and gift tax through 2025, and would establish a new top tax rate for “pass-through” business income through 2025.” The conference report was adopted 227-203. [HR 1, Vote #692, 12/19/17; CQ Floor Votes, 12/19/17]

House Was Forced To Vote For A Second Time On The Final Bill After Small Changes Were Made To Comply With Senate Budget Rules. “The House, forced to vote a second time on the $1.5 trillion tax bill, moved swiftly to pass the final version on Wednesday, clearing the way for President Trump to sign into law the most sweeping tax overhaul in decades. House lawmakers approved the tax bill 224 to 201 on Wednesday, after being forced to vote on the bill again after last-minute revisions were made to it in the Senate, which passed the measure 51 to 48 early Wednesday morning. The final House vote was essentially a formality, as the changes, which were made to comply with Senate budget rules, did not significantly alter the overall bill.” [New York Times, 12/20/17]

Which Included A Cap On SALT & Property Tax Deductions That Could Eliminate Savings On $2,004 Worth Of Taxes For VA-07 Homeowners

Final Tax Bill Scaled Back The Cap On State & Local Taxes To $10,000, Which Included SALT, Property Tax Deductions, Or A Combination Of Both. “Under current law, the state and local deduction (R-SALT) is unlimited. In the final GOP plan, people can deduct up to $10,000 (R-married couples are also limited to just $10,000). The House initially restricted the $10,000 deduction to just property taxes, but the final bill allows any state and local taxes to be deducted, whether for property, income or sales taxes. The move is widely viewed as a hit to blue states such as New York, Connecticut and California, and there are concerns it could cause property values to fall in high-tax cities and leave less money for public schools and road repairs.” [Washington Post, 12/15/17]

2015: 39 Percent Of VA-07 Tax Filers Took SALT Deductions, Deducting An Average Of $9,161. [Government Financial Officers Association, 9/20/17]

2015: 69.5 Percent Of VA-07 Tax Filers Deducted An Average Of $2,843 In Property Taxes. [National Association Of Realtors, accessed 2/12/18]

And Could Reduce Health Care Coverage For As Many As 28,200 People In VA-07

Trump and congressional Republicans. The Congressional Budget Office projects the change will increase insurance premiums and lead to 13 million fewer Americans with insurance in a decade, while also cutting government spending by more than $300 billion over that period.” [Washington Post, 12/15/17]

Center For American Progress: Repeal Of Individual Mandate Would Lead To Reduced Health Insurance Coverage For 28,200 People In VA-07 By 2025. According to the Center for American Progress, 28,200 VA-07 residents would see reduced coverage by 2025 with the repeal of the individual mandate: 5,500 on Medicaid; 14,100 on the individual market; and 8,600 on the employer-sponsored insurance market. [Center for American Progress, 12/5/17]

Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Benefitted The Wealthy, Corporations, And Special Interests…

Washington Post: Final Tax Bill Included A “Significant Tax Break For The Very Wealthy” And “A Massive Tax Cut For Corporations.” “A new tax cut for the rich: The final plan lowers the top tax rate for top earners. Under current law, the highest rate is 39.6 percent for married couples earning over $470,700. The GOP bill would drop that to 37 percent and raise the threshold at which that top rate kicks in, to $500,000 for individuals and $600,000 for married couples. This amounts to a significant tax break for the very wealthy, a departure from repeated claims by Trump and his top officials that the bill would not benefit the rich. […] A massive tax cut for corporations “A massive tax cut for corporations: Starting on Jan. 1, 2018, big businesses’ tax rate would fall from 35 percent to just 21 percent, the largest one-time rate cut in U.S. history for the nation’s largest companies.” [Washington Post, 12/15/17]

…While Millions Of Americans Would Pay More In Taxes

Politifact: GOP Tax Bill Would Raise Taxes For The Middle Class After Individual Tax Cut Provisions Expired In 2025. “Gillibrand said the Republican ‘tax [plan] raises middle-class taxes.’ That’s not true during the first years of the new tax provisions. If not for the sunset for the tax changes for individuals, we likely would have rated Gillibrand’s statement False or perhaps Mostly False. Middle-income taxpayers will either benefit or see no change in their tax liability through 2025. But her claim could hold up after the bill’s individual provisions expire that year. There’s no guarantee a future Congress will extend those parts of the bill.” [Politifact, 12/22/17]

Tax Policy Center: In 2018, 5 Percent Of Taxpayers Would Pay More In Taxes Under The GOP Tax Bill, But Would Increase To 53 Percent Of Taxpayers In 2027. “Some taxpayers would pay more in taxes under the proposal in 2018 and 2025 than under current law: about 5 percent of taxpayers in 2018 and 9 percent in 2025. In 2027, however, taxes would increase for 53 percent of taxpayers compared with current law.” [Tax Policy Center, 12/18/17]

Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Included Provision That Would Reduce Taxes For Dozens Of Members Of Congress

HEADLINE: “Dozens Of Lawmakers Stand To Reap A Tax Windfall Due To A GOP Loophole.” [CNBC, 12/20/17]

Four Dozen Members Of Congress Stood To Benefit From Change In Tax Treatment Of Real Estate Income Under GOP Tax Bill. “The provision, which gives favorable tax treatment to a common form of real estate income, would also create generous tax saving for President Donald Trump, who derives much of his personal fortune from real estate. The measure — added late Friday to the $1.5 trillion package of tax cuts — reduces the tax rate on ‘pass-through’ income derived from real estate. Owners of such businesses are allowed to ‘pass through’ the profits from these enterprises to their individual tax returns, which lowers the amount of tax they owe. Those benefits will now go to roughly four dozen Republican House and Senate members who voted for the bill, according to an analysis of personal financial disclosures for CNBC by the Center for Responsive Politics.” [CNBC, 12/20/17]

Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Would Increase Incentives To Move Jobs Overseas

Tax Experts Said The Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Increased Incentives For Companies To Move Jobs Overseas. “What happened to the workers in Clinton, tax experts say, will probably happen to more Americans if the Republican tax overhaul becomes law. The legislation fails to eliminate long-standing incentives for companies to move overseas and, in some cases, may even increase them, they say. ‘This bill is potentially more dangerous than our current system,’ said Stephen Shay, a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School and former Treasury Department international tax expert in the Obama administration. ‘It creates a real incentive to shift real activity offshore.’” [Washington Post, 12/15/17]

Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Would Lead To More Expensive Health Insurance; 13 Million More Uninsured

Final Tax Bill Eliminated Central Affordable Care Act Provision, Leading To 13 Million Fewer Americans With Insurance. “The individual mandate is part of the Affordable Care Act, and removing it was a top priority for Trump and congressional Republicans. The Congressional Budget Office projects the change will increase insurance premiums and lead to 13 million fewer Americans with insurance in a decade, while also cutting government spending by more than $300 billion over that period.” [Washington Post, 12/15/17]

GOP Tax Bill Would Cause Health Insurance Premiums To Rise, And Could Lead Insurers To Drop Out Of Regional Markets. “The final GOP plan will repeal the Affordable Care Act’s individual insurance mandate, which would allow young and healthy people to leave the insurance pool, forcing insurers to compensate by raising prices due to the higher costs of insuring only less-healthy people. Not only would premiums likely rise, but many insurers could drop out of regional markets.” [Newsweek, 12/18/17]

HEADLINE: Republican Tax Plan Will Make Health Insurance More Expensive [Newsweek, 12/18/17]

Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Failed To Live Up To Republican Promises

HEADLINE: “New Tax Code Will Still Be Complicated Despite GOP Promise To Simplify.” [CNN Money, 12/18/17]

CNN Money: Final Tax Bill “Adds Plenty Of Complications, Particularly For Small Businesses.” “But the plan Republicans and Trump came up with almost certainly won’t put tax preparers out of business. The final tax bill, released on Friday, does indeed deliver some simplification, but not as much as promised. And it adds plenty of complications, particularly for small businesses.” [CNN Money, 12/18/17]

Time: Republicans Failed To Follow Through On The “Central Promises” Of Their Tax Bill – To Allow People To File On A Postcard And To Benefit Working And Middle Class Americans. “As they pushed their sweeping tax bill through Congress, Republicans made two central promises. First, that the bill would simplify the U.S. tax code, allowing citizens to file their taxes ‘on the back of a postcard.’ And second, that the overhaul would primarily benefit working Americans and the middle class. The first claim proved false. And economic experts are skeptical about the second, arguing that the bill aids businesses at the expense of middle-class taxpayers.” [Time, 12/19/17]

Bad On Women’s Health

Brat Voted 12 Times To Defund Or Attack Planned Parenthood

 Brat Voted For Reversing Obama Rule Preventing States From Withholding Grants From Planned Parenthood. [HJRes 43, Vote #99, 2/16/17; USA Today, 2/16/17]

 Brat Voted For Doubling The Budget For The Select Committee Targeting Planned Parenthood. [H Res 933, Vote #595, 12/1/16; The Hill, 12/1/16]  Brat Voted For Overriding The President’s Veto Of A Bill To Repeal The Affordable Care Act And Block Funding Of Planned Parenthood For A Year. [HR 3762, Vote #53, 2/2/16, 2/2/16; CQ Floor Votes, 2/2/16]  Brat Voted For Repealing The Affordable Care Act And Defunding Planned Parenthood For One Year. [HR 3762, Vote #6, 1/6/16; The Hill, 1/6/16]  Brat Voted For Reconciliation Bill To Repeal Key Sections Of The Affordable Care Act And Defund Planned Parenthood. [HR 3762, Vote #568, 10/23/15; Washington Post, 10/23/15]  Brat Voted For Establishing Select Committee Targeting Planned Parenthood. [H Res 461, Vote #538, 10/7/15; CQ Floor Votes, 10/7/15]  Brat Voted For Attaching Measure To Defund Planned Parenthood To Spending Measure Necessary To Avert Government Shutdown. [H Con Res 79, Vote #527, 9/30/15; New York Times, 10/1/15]  Brat Voted For Bill Making It Easier For States To Defund Planned Parenthood. [HR 3495, Vote #524, 9/29/15; CQ Floor Votes, 9/29/15]  Brat Voted Against Motion To Protect Women’s Access To Life-Saving Health Services, Including Planned Parenthood. [HR 3495, Vote #523, 9/29/15; Democratic Leader – Motions to Recommit, 9/30/15]  Brat Voted For Blocking Consideration Of Bill Making It Easier For States To Defund Planned Parenthood. [H Res 444, Vote #521, 9/29/15; CQ Floor Votes, 9/29/15]  Brat Voted For Defunding Planned Parenthood. [H.R. 3134, Vote #505, 9/18/15; CQ, 9/23/15]  Brat Voted Against Preventing Attempt To Defund Planned Parenthood. [H.R. 3134, Vote #504, 9/18/15; Democratic Leader – Motions To Recommit, 9/18/15]

20-Week Abortion Ban

October 2017: Brat Voted For A 20-Week Abortion Ban

Brat Voted For A 20-Week Abortion Ban. In October 2017, Brat voted for: “Passage of the bill that would prohibit abortions in cases where the probable age of the fetus is 20 weeks or later and would impose criminal penalties on doctors who violate the ban. It would provide exceptions for cases in which the woman’s life is in danger as well as for pregnancies that are a result of rape for pregnancies that are a result of rape against an adult woman, if the woman received counseling or medical treatment for the rape at least 48 hours prior to the abortion. An exception would be provided for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest against a minor if the rape or incest had been previously reported to law enforcement or another government agency authorized to act on reports of child abuse. The bill would require a second doctor trained in neonatal resuscitation to be present for abortions where the fetus has the ‘potential’ to survive outside the womb.” The rule was adopted, 237-189. [HR 36, Vote #549, 10/3/17; CQ, 10/3/17]

Brat Voted For Consideration Of A 20-Week Abortion Ban. In October 2017, Brat voted for: “Adoption of the rule (H Res 548) that would provide for House floor consideration of the bill (HR 36) that would prohibit abortions in cases where the probable age of the fetus is 20 weeks or later and would impose criminal penalties on doctors who violate the ban, with certain exceptions.” The rule was adopted, 233-187. [HR 36, Vote #547, 10/3/17; CQ, 10/3/17]

May 2015: Brat Voted For A 20-Week Abortion Ban

been previously reported to law enforcement or another government agency authorized to act on reports of child abuse. As amended, the bill would require a second doctor trained in neonatal resuscitation to be present for abortions where the fetus has the “potential” to survive outside the womb, and, if the fetus is born alive, the bill would require that the infant be provided medical care and immediately be transported and admitted to a hospital. As amended, women wishing to have abortions under the bill’s exceptions would need to sign (along with the doctor and a witness) an informed consent authorization form detailing the age of the fetus and stating that, if born alive, would be given medical assistance and transported to a hospital.” The bill passed by a vote of 242-184. [HR 36, Vote #547, 5/13/15; CQ, 5/13/15]

Exceptions

Life Of The Woman

Brat Voted Against An Amendment To The 20-Week Abortion Ban Allowing For An Exception For An Abortion Necessary To Save The Health Of A Pregnant Woman. In October 2017, Brat voted against: “Brownley, D-Calif., motion to recommit the bill to the House Judiciary Committee with instructions to report it back immediately with an amendment that would add an exception to the 20-week abortion ban for abortions necessary to save the health of the pregnant woman.” The motion was rejected, 238-187. [HR 36, Vote #548, 10/3/17; CQ, 10/3/17]

Reporting Requirements For Abortion-Ban Exceptions

Brat Voted For A 20-Week Abortion Ban Imposing Criminal Penalties On Doctors, With Exceptions For Rape And Incest Only If It Had Been Reported To Law Enforcement. In October 2017, Brat voted for: “Passage of the bill that would prohibit abortions in cases where the probable age of the fetus is 20 weeks or later and would impose criminal penalties on doctors who violate the ban. It would provide exceptions for cases in which the woman’s life is in danger as well as for pregnancies that are a result of rape for pregnancies that are a result of rape against an adult woman, if the woman received counseling or medical treatment for the rape at least 48 hours prior to the abortion. An exception would be provided for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest against a minor if the rape or incest had been previously reported to law enforcement or another government agency authorized to act on reports of child abuse. The bill would require a second doctor trained in neonatal resuscitation to be present for abortions where the fetus has the ‘potential’ to survive outside the womb.” The bill passed, 237-189. [HR 36, Vote #549, 10/3/17; CQ, 10/3/17]

Brat Voted Against Consideration Of An Amendment That Prevented Insurance Plans From Charging Women Higher Premiums Than Men

Brat Voted Against Consideration Of An Amendment That Prevented Insurance Plans From Charging Women Higher Premiums Than Men. In January 2017, Brat voted against the “Schakowsky, D-Ill., motion to recommit the bill to the House Energy and Commerce Committee with instructions to report back immediately with an amendment that would state that the bill could not be interpreted to allow health insurance plans to charge women higher premiums than they charge men.” The motion was rejected by a vote of 187-235. [HR 7, Vote #64, 1/24/17; CQ, 1/24/17]

Bad On Gender Equality

Women In Virginia Made 80 Cents For Every Dollar A Man Made

Women In Virginia Made 80 Cents For Every Dollar A Man Made. [National Women’s Law Center, accessed 4/3/18]

Brat Repeatedly Voted Against Considering The Paycheck Fairness Act

Brat Voted To Block The Paycheck Fairness Act

2015: Brat Voted For Blocking Consideration Of The Paycheck Fairness Act. In April 2015 Brat voted for “Sessions, R-Texas, motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule (H Res 189) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill to exclude insurance paid at closing into escrow, as well as fees paid to lender-affiliated companies, from the three percent limit on points and fees imposed on qualified mortgages by redefining “points and fees” under the Truth in Lending Act. It also would provide for floor consideration of the bill to modify federal rules regarding high-cost-mortgages as they apply to manufactured housing. The rule also would take the fiscal 2016 Senate budget resolution from the Speaker’s table, adopt a substitute amendment consisting of the text of the fiscal 2016 House budget resolution, as adopted by the House, and would adopt the concurrent resolution, as amended.” According to the Democratic Leader’s office, The Democratic Previous Question demands the House vote on a key measure to end the pay gap between men and women and ensure equal pay for equal work: the Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 1619).” The previous question passed 239 to 183. A vote against the previous question would have allowed the bill to be considered. [H. Res. 189, Vote #148, 4/14/15; Bloomberg, 4/14/15; CQ, 4/14/15; Democratic Leader – Previous Questions, 4/14/15]

2015: Brat Voted For Blocking Consideration Of The Paycheck Fairness Act. In April 2015, Brat voted for “Stivers, R-Ohio, motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule (H Res 200) that would provide for House floor consideration of the bill (HR 622) that would make permanent the ability of taxpayers to deduct state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes, the bill (HR 1105) that would repeal the federal estate tax and repeal the generation-skipping transfer tax, and the bill (HR 1195) that would establish a small business advisory board, credit union advisory council and community bank advisory council for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.” According to the Democratic Leader’s office, “The Democratic Previous Question demands the House vote on a key measure to end the pay gap between men and women and ensure equal pay for equal work: the Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 1619).” The previous question passed 240 to 183. A vote against the previous question would have allowed the bill to be considered. [H. Res. 200, Vote #154, 4/15/15; CQ, 4/15/15; Democratic Leader – Previous Questions, 4/15/15]

Bloomberg: The Legislation Protect Workers Who Share Information About Their Wages, Require Employers To Explain Pay Disparities, And Allow Employees To Seek “Unlimited” Punitive Damages In Wage Bias Cases. “The legislation would protect workers from retaliation for sharing information about their wages, require employers to explain any pay disparities among workers performing the same job, and allow employees to seek unlimited punitive damages in wage bias cases.” [Bloomberg, 4/14/15]

Key Visuals

Video

Town Halls

May 2017: Brat Was Continually Shouted At By His Constituents While Holding A Town Hall In Richmond, VA

VIDEO: Brat Was Continually Shouted At By Frustrated Constituents While Holding A Town Hall In Richmond, VA. [YouTube, Channel90Seconds Newscom, 5/9/17]

February 2017: Brat Faced A Hostile Crowd At A Town Hall In Blackstone, VA

VIDEO: Brat Faced A Hostile Crowd At A Town Hall In Blackstone, VA. “Congressman Dave Brat (R-Va.) faced a raucous group of detractors and supporters at a town hall meeting in tiny Blackstone, Va.” [Washington Post, 2/22/17; CNN, 2/21/17;Youtube, Richmond Tea Party, 2/21/17]

February 2017: Brat’s Constituents Confronted Him Over His Answers About Immigration, Global Warming

VIDEO: Brat’s Constituents Confronted Him Over His Answers About Immigration, Global Warming. [Politico, 2/22/17]

January 2017: Brat’s Constituents Post Footage Of Him Giving A Private Talk On Facebook To Pressure Him To Hold An Open Town Hall

VIDEO: A Progressive Group Of Brat’s Constituents Posted Footage Of A Republican Meeting In Which Brat Claimed That Women Were “All Up In My Grill.” “‘When is the next Town Hall meeting?’ is not an accusation, it's a question. Congressman Dave Brat, your constituents would like to hear from you. You ran on a platform that you would be more accessible and we could hold you accountable, right? We would love to hear more about things you talked about in this video. #AskBrat” [Facebook, 7th District Town Hall, 1/28/17]

Images

Brat & Trump

[Facebook, Dave Brat for Congress, 4/26/15]

Brat & Pence

[Twitter, Nicholas Fandos, 11/5/16]

Brat & Attorney General Jeff Sessions

[Facebook, Dave Brat for Congress, 2/8/17]

Brat & Laura Ingraham

[Politico, accessed 3/5/18]

Audio

Front Pages

Headlines

Relation With Tea Party

HEADLINE: Potent Voices of Conservative Media Propelled Cantor Opponent. [New York Times, 6/11/14]

HEADLINE: “Ann Coulter Endorses Dave Brat Against Eric Cantor.” [Bull Elephant, 4/16/14]

Environment

HEADLINE: “GOP Congressman: Getting Rich Will Solve That Whole Environment Thing.” [Huffington Post, 2/22/17]

Trade

HEADLINE: “Rep. Dave Brat: Global Elites Make Trade Deals That Don’t ‘Benefit The Average American.’” [Breitbart, 6/28/16]

Personal & Professional

History

Biography

This section provides background information on Brat’s personal life, including education, personal finances, criminal and civil record, and other areas. Searches were conducted with various local media in Henrico County, media outlets including the Washington Post, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Free Lance-Star, as well as a number of other online resources, including Lexis-Nexis.

Birth Date

July 1964: Brat Was Born

Brat Was Born On July 27th, 1964 In Detroit, Michigan. [Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, accessed 2/22/18]

Brat Grew Up In Alma, A Small City In Michigan. “Brat lives in a well-groomed subdivision in Henrico County with his wife and two children, Jonathan and Sophia. Born in Detroit, Brat grew up in Alma, Mich., a small city of 10,000, and was the oldest of three sons. ‘Dad was a family practice doctor, and I was the answering machine. Our babysitters after school lived on a farm with a huge barn,’ Brat recalls fondly. ‘They were great days with my brothers and other kids. It was just an idyllic childhood, with great people around us.’ Brat’s brother Dan, who is a year and half younger, is vice chairman of the neuro pathology department at Emory University, taking on roles as a scientist and researcher as well as a medical doctor. His brother Jim, who is four years younger, is an attorney at a legal firm in Los Angeles focusing on commercial real estate.” [Richmond Magazine, 5/6/14]

1978: Brat’s Family Moved To Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. “Brat grew up in rural Michigan, but the family moved to Brooklyn Park in 1978, said his dad, Paul Brat, who lives in New Brighton. Dave Brat went to high school at Park Center Senior High School in Brooklyn Park and returned to Michigan for college after graduating in 1982. ‘That really was the only connection he had with Minnesota, his high school years,’ Paul Brat said. Dave Brat didn’t talk politics much as a high-schooler, Paul Brat said, but was mainly into tennis and playing trumpet in the school band. ‘He was always in leadership positions. At Hope College, he was the president of the student body for the last two years while he was there,’ Paul Brat said.” [Twin Cities Pioneer Press, 6/10/14]

Education

1995: Brat Received A Ph.D. In Economics From American University

Unknown-1995: Brat Attended American University In Washington, D.C., And Received A Ph.D. In Economics. [Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, accessed 2/22/18]

Brat Met His Wife In D.C. While Studying For His PhD At American University During The Bush Administration. “‘I took a political semester in D.C. at Wesley [Theological] Seminary and worked in policy. Wesley is right next door to American University, so that led to applying for a Ph.D. there.’ It was in Washington that he met his wife, Laura. He was 28 and she was 24. From the beginning, politics played a part in their lives. But not in the way you might think. ‘I was working for a small interior design firm in Old Town Alexandria,’ Laura says in an email interview. ‘I wasn’t earning enough money to cover my living expenses, so I dog-sat for the Under Secretary of Treasury for George H.W. Bush and his wife, in exchange for a room in their basement.’ When the phone rang, she recalls, it wasn’t unusual for some of the most prominent names in Washington to be on the other end — James Baker, Dick Cheney and Brent Scowcroft. ‘It was surreal,’ Laura says. […] He adds that his wife, a sales representative for a high-end contract furniture company, has been supportive as well, because she also sees the race in higher terms than just politics as usual.” [Richmond Magazine, 5/6/14]

1990: Brat Received A M.Div. From Princeton Theological Seminary

1988-1990: Brat Attended Princeton Theological Seminary In Princeton, NJ, And Received A Masters Of Divinity. [Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, accessed 2/22/18]

1986: Brat Received A B.A. In Business Administration From Hope College

1982-1986: Brat Attended Hope College In Holland, Michigan, And Earned A Bachelor Of Arts In Business Administration. [Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, accessed 2/22/18]

Hope College Was A Small Liberal Arts University “With A Christian Conservative Atmosphere.” “Brat earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Hope College, a small liberal arts university in his native Michigan with a conservative Christian atmosphere. The college slogan is ‘Hope in God.’” [Richmond Magazine, 5/6/14]

1982: Brat Graduated From Park Center Senior High School In Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

1978-1982: Brat Attended Park Center Senior High School In Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. [Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, accessed 2/22/18]

Career

The following provides a brief overview of Brat’s professional career:

Political  2014-Current: U.S. Representative, Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.  2005-2011: Special legislative assistant to Virginia State Senator Walter Stosch.  2006-2011: Member, Virginia Joint Advisory Board of Economists.

Professional  1998-2014: Chair, Economics and Business Department, Randolph-Macon College.  1996-2014: Professor of Economics, Randolph-Macon College.  1993-1995: Economic Consultant, World Bank.  1986-1988: Information Consultant, Arthur Andersen & Co.

Education  Unknown-1995: Ph.D. Economics, American University.  1988-1990: M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary.  1982-1986: B.A. Business Administration, Hope College.  1978-1982: High School Diploma, Park Center Senior High School.

Brat Had Been An Economics Professor At Rudolph-Macon College

1996-2014: Brat Was An Economics Professor At Rudolph-Macon College

1996-2014: Brat Worked As An Economics Professor At Rudolph-Macon College. [Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, accessed 1/30/18]

Brat Held A Masters In Divinity From The Princeton Theological Seminary

Brat Held A Masters In Divinity From The Princeton Theological Seminary. “Mr. Brat holds a masters in divinity from the Princeton Theological Seminary, and religion, particularly the importance of Christianity, is a

theme in his work, including his thesis, ‘Human Capital, Religion and Economic Growth’ and a presentation to the Virginia Association of Community Banks titled: ‘The Moral Foundations of Capitalism, From the Great Generation to Financial Crisis ... What Went Wrong?’” [New York Times, 6/11/14]

2014: Brat Inflated Campaign Bio To Imply He Attended Princeton, Rather Than Princeton Theological Seminary. “One of his ‘About Dave’ selling points: ‘that he tested his rural values against the intellectual elite while at Princeton.’ But Brat never attended Princeton University, home to just the type of elites – we’re looking at you, Paul Krugman – some conservatives love to bash. ‘We have no record under that name,’ said Princeton University spokesman Martin Mbugua. Alas, Brat’s full 17-page CV lays out the facts: His Master of Divinity, Brat writes, came from Princeton Theological Seminary – a well-regarded institution, but far from the hotbed of Krugman-like liberal excess some conservatives may have imagined.” [Washington Post, 6/11/14]

Brat Wrote An Article On How Hitler’s Rise “Could All Happen Again”

David Brat’s Writings: Hitler’s Rise ‘Could All Happen Again.’ “David Brat, the Virginia Republican who shocked House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R., Va.) Tuesday, wrote in 2011 that Hitler’s rise ‘could all happen again, quite easily.’ Mr. Brat’s remarks, in a 2011 issue of Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, came three years before he defeated the only Jewish Republican in Congress.” [Wall Street Journal, 6/11/14]

Criminal Record

Brat Was Not Associated With Any Criminal Or Traffic Violations

As Of February 2018, Brat Was Not Associated With Any Criminal Or Traffic Violations. [Nexis Criminal Records search, accessed, 2/20/18; Henrico County Circuit Court Search, Criminal and Civil Divisions, accessed 2/20/18]

Judgments, Liens, Or Bankruptcy Filings

Brat Was Not Associated With Any Bankruptcy, Judgments, Or Liens

As Of February 2018, Brat Was Not Associated With Any Bankruptcy, Judgments, Or Liens. [Nexis Bankruptcy, Judgments, & Liens search, accessed 2/20/18]

Voter Registration & History

Voter Activity

Brat Was Registered To Vote At His Home In Glen Allen, VA

Brat Was Registered To Vote In Glen Allen, VA. [VoteBuilder, accessed 9/14/17]

1996-2017: Brat Voted In Every On-Year General Election

Wallace Voting History (1996-2017) Year Description 2017 Voted in the Republican primary 2016 Voted in the general election and the Republican primary 2015 Voted in the general election and the Republican primary 2014 Voted in the general election and the Republican primary 2013 Voted in the general election

2012 Voted in the general election and the Republican primary 2011 Voted in the general election 2010 Voted in the general election 2009 Voted in the general election 2008 Voted in the general election and the Republican primary 2007 Voted in the general election and the Republican primary 2006 Voted in the general election 2005 Voted in the general election and the Republican primary 2004 Voted in the general election 2003 Did not vote 2002 Did not vote 2001 Did not vote 2000 Voted in the general election 1999 Did not vote 1998 Did not vote 1997 Voted in the general election 1996 Voted in the general election [VoteBuilder, Virginia, accessed 9/14/17]

Political Donations

Personal Political Donations

According To The National Institute On Money In State Politics, Brat Donated $400 To State-Level Candidates. [National Institute for Money in State Politics, accessed 1/25/18]

Brat Political Giving History – State-Level Date Candidate/Committee Party Amount 10/10/09 Robert F. McDonnell (Governor of Virginia) R $50 5/30/07 Walter Stosch (Virginia State Senator, District 12) R $125 3/23/07 Walter Stosch (Virginia State Senator, District 12) R $225 Total: $400 [National Institute on Money in State Politics, accessed 2/22/18]

According To An FEC Individual Contribution Search, Brat Has Given $2,580.42 To Federal Political Candidates, Including $1,730.42 In Donations And Reimbursements To His Own Campaigns.

Brat Political Giving History - Federal Date Candidate/Committee Party Amount 9/13/17 David Brat via Friends of Dave Brat Inc. R $100 10/7/16 David Brat via Friends of Dave Brat Inc. R $250 8/1/16 David Brat via Friends of Dave Brat Inc. R $200 7/6/15 David Brat via Friends of Dave Brat Inc. R $105.42 5/15/14 David Brat via Friends of Dave Brat Inc. R $25 3/29/14 David Brat via Friends of Dave Brat Inc. R $500 2/3/14 David Brat via Friends of Dave Brat Inc. R $50 12/31/13 David Brat via Friends of Dave Brat Inc. R $500

9/27/07 Fred Thompson via Fred Thompson PAC R $250 7/28/06 Robert Corker, Jr. via Bob Corker for Senate R $300 3/16/01 National Republican Congressional Committee R $300 Total: $2,580.42 [FEC, individual contribution, accessed 1/25/18]

Personal Finance

In 2016, Brat had an estimated net worth of between $599,999 and -$179,989.

According to Brat’s federal personal financial disclosures, his 2016 annual unearned income was included an undisclosed amount of spousal salary. Brat also earned $174,000 in salary from the U.S. House of Representatives. Brat’s assets totaled between $320,011 And $850,000. Brat had between $250,001 And $500,000 in liabilities.

NOTE: For detailed descriptions of Brat’s personal financial disclosures by year, see Appendix I – Personal Financial Disclosures. For primary documents, see PFD folder in Supporting Research.

Brat’s Federal Personal Financial Disclosure Summary

NOTE: For detailed descriptions of Brat’s personal financial disclosures by year, see Appendix [#] – Personal Financial Disclosures. For primary documents, see PFD Folder in Supporting Research.

Brat PFD Toplines Year Earned Asset Value Unearned Transactions Liabilities Income Income MIN MAX MIN MAX MIN MAX MIN MAX 2016 Unknown $320,011 $850,000 None None $1,001 $15,000 $250,001 $500,000 2015 $174,000 $350,014 $895,000 None None $1,001 $15,000 $250,001 $500,000 2014 $50,672 $323,014 $895,000 None None Unknown Unknown $250,001 $500,000 2013 $79,625 $323,014 $895,000 None None Unknown Unknown >$10,000 >$10,000 [Brat 2016 Member Public Financial Disclosure Report, filed 5/15/17; Brat 2015 Member Public Financial Disclosure Report, filed 5/16/16; Brat 2014 Member Public Financial Disclosure Report, filed 5/5/15; Brat 2013 Candidate Public Financial Disclosure Report, filed 5/15/14]

Taxpayer Funded Salaries

2014-2018: Brat Will Have Earned $723,172 In Salary As A Member Of Congress

Brat Voted At Least Once For Congressional Pay Increases

Brat cast 3 votes that can be interpreted as votes in favor of a pay raise:

CAREFUL: For votes below, a “yes” vote on the roll call is a vote against a pay raise.

 2015: Brat voted against passage of an appropriations bill that banned a COLA for members of Congress. [CQ, 12/18/15; HR 2029, Vote #705, 12/18/15]

Brat Voted At Least Two Other Times To Block Automatic Pay Increases For Congress

2015: Brat Voted For Legislative Branch Appropriations That Blocked COLA For Members. In May 2015, Brat Voted For: “Passage of the bill that would provide $3.3 billion for legislative branch operations, excluding Senate operations, in fiscal 2016. The total would include $1.2 billion for House operations, $591 million in net appropriations for the Library of Congress, $522 million for the Government Accountability Office, $492 million for the Architect of the Capitol and $369 million for the Capitol Police. As amended, the bill would provide no funding for the Open World Leadership Center.” According to the Congressional Research Service, “The House- passed and Senate-reported versions of the FY2016 legislative branch appropriations bill (H.R. 2250) both contained a provision prohibiting this adjustment. The pay adjustment prohibition was subsequently included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-113).” A vote yes was a vote to block pay increases. The bill passed, 357-67. [CRS, 6/21/16; CQ, 5/19/15; HR2250, Vote #247, 5/19/15]

2013-2016: Brat’s Net Worth Remained Virtually Unchanged

Brat Yearly Assets Value Asset Value Liabilities Year MIN MAX MIN MAX 2013 $323,014 $895,000 >$10,000 >$10,000 2014 $323,014 $895,000 $250,001 $500,000 2015 $350,014 $895,000 $250,001 $500,000 2016 $320,011 $850,000 $250,001 $500,000

Political Career

This section provides an overview of Brat’s political career, from 2013 to 2018.

Significant Findings

 Brat said that he slept in his Congressional office “Paul Ryan style.”

 Brat supported Donald Trump for president.

 Brat did not call for Trump to step down as nominee after the Access Hollywood tape came out.

 In June 2014, Brat pulled off a surprise win in the Republican primary against House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, the first time a Majority Leader had been voted out of office.

 Brat’s campaign was bolstered by right-wing figures such Laura Ingraham, Stephen Miller, and Ann Coulter.

 Cantor outspent Brat more than 40 to 1.

 During the campaign, Brat promised not to raise taxes or the debt ceiling.

 One of Brat’s main campaign platforms was criticizing Eric Cantor’s support of amnesty.

 Cantor resigned from Congress and Brat won simultaneous elections in November 2014 for the 114th Congress and to finish the remainder of Cantor’s term in the 113th Congress.

 In January 2014, Brat announced his campaign for the Republican nomination in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.

 In 2011, Brat attempted to make a bid for the 56th Virginia House of Delegates seat. However, another Republican nominee was chosen, reportedly by allies of Cantor.

Partisanship

In Congress, Brat Has Voted With Donald Trump 89% Of The Time

FiveThirtyEight: Brat Voted In Line With Trump’s Position 88.7 Percent Of The Time. [FiveThirtyEight, accessed 5/14/18]

In Congress, Brat Has Voted With His Party 97% Of The Time

Brat Has Voted With The Republican Party 97% Of The Time. According to CQ, over the course of his career, Brat has voted with other members of the Republican Caucus 97% of the time. [CQ Vote Study, accessed 6/5/18]

Party Unity Year Support Oppose 2017 99% 1% 2016 99% 1% 2015 97% 3% 2014 92% 8% Lifetime Average 97% 3% [CQ Vote Study, accessed 6/5/18]

Brat Voted With Paul Ryan 85% Of The Time

Brat Voted With Ryan 85% Of The Time. According to ProPublica, over the course of his career, Brat had voted with Speaker Ryan 85% of the time. [ProPublica, accessed 6/5/18]

Vote Comparison Votes Percent Congress Total Votes Disagreeing Agreement 115th 22 6 73% 114th 568 50 91% 113th 47 4 91% Lifetime Average 637 60 85% [ProPublica, accessed 6/5/18]

Brat’s Campaigns Received Funding From Republican Leadership, Receiving $15,000 From Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy And Steve Scalise

Over his career, Brat has received $15,000 in donations from Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise and their associated entities:

Donations From Paul Ryan Date Candidate/Committee Amount 9/30/2014 CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP FUND $1,000 9/18/2014 MAJORITY COMMITTEE PAC $5,000.00 9/30/2014 MAJORITY COMMITTEE PAC $5,000.00 8/19/2014 SCALISE FOR CONGRESS $2,000.00 11/3/2014 EYE OF THE TIGER PAC $2,500.00 Total $15,000 [FEC, accessed 9/15/17]

Speakership Votes

Voted For Paul Ryan, Daniel Webster, And Jeff Duncan For Speakers Of The House

January 2017: Brat Voted To Elect Paul Ryan Speaker Of The House. In January 2017, Brat voted for the Nomination of Paul D. Ryan, D-Wis., and Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for Speaker of House of Representatives for the 115th Congress.” Ryan was elected by a vote of 239-189. [Vote #2, 1/3/17; CQ, 1/3/17]

October 2015: Brat Voted To Elect Daniel Webster Speaker Of The House. In October 2015, Brat voted for Daniel Webster to be Speaker of the House. Paul Ryan received 236 votes, Nancy Pelosi received 184 votes, and Daniel Webster received 9 votes. [Election to the Speaker, Vote #581, 10/29/15]

January 2015: Brat Voted To Elect Jeff Duncan Speaker Of The House. In January 2015, Brat voted for Jeff Duncan to be Speaker of the House. John Boehner received 216 votes, and Nancy Pelosi received 164 votes. [Election to the Speaker, Vote #2, 1/6/15]

Attendance Record

Brat Voting Attendance Record – GovTrack.US

Time Period Votes Eligible Missed Votes Percent Percentile 2014 Nov-Dec 48 1 2.1% 75th 2015 Jan-Mar 144 1 0.7% 26th 2015 Apr-Jun 244 1 0.4% 27th 2015 Jul-Sep 139 5 3.6% 76th 2015 Oct-Dec 177 1 0.6% 31st 2016 Jan-Mar 137 2 1.5% 32nd 2016 Apr-Jun 204 31 15.2% 95th 2016 Jul-Sep 232 4 1.7% 63rd 2016 Nov-Dec 48 1 2.1% 61st 2017 Jan-Mar 208 2 1.0% 36th 2017 Apr-Jun 136 3 2.2% 59th 2017 Jul-Sep 199 3 1.5% 63rd 2017 Oct-Dec 167 3 1.8% 48th 2018 Jan-Feb 91 0 0.0% 0th Total: 2,174 58 2.7% [GovTrack.us, Brat, accessed 2/28/18]

Committees

Note: Committees and subcommittees listed in italics represent chairmanships.

U.S. Congress Years Committees Subcommittees 2017-2019 Small Business Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access, Chair Health and Technology 2017-2019 Budget 2017-2019 Education and the Workforce Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Workforce Protections 2015-2017 Small Business Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access Agriculture, Energy, and Trade 2015-2017 Budget 2015-2017 Education and the Workforce Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Workforce Protections [Rep. Dave Brat, 2016 Website accessed via Internet Archive 4/30/16]

Note: Brat took office on November 4th, 2014, serving briefly in the 113th Congress after the resignation of Eric Cantor. As House Majority Leader, Cantor did not serve on any committees and thus neither did Brat.

Caucuses

As of February 2018, Brat is a member of, but not limited to, the following caucuses:

U.S. Congress Name House Freedom Caucus Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus Chesapeake Bay Watershed Caucus Congressional Border Security Caucus

Congressional Coal Caucus Constitution Caucus Franchise Caucus House General Aviation Caucus House Liberty Caucus House Small Brewers Caucus Israel Allies Caucus Law Enforcement Caucus School Choice Caucus Second Amendment Caucus Small Business Caucus Sportsmen’s Caucus Tea Party Caucus Travel and Tourism Caucus [Dave Brat Official House Website, accessed 2/28/18]

Tenure In Congress

2015: Brat Said That He Slept In His Office While In Washington

Campaigns

Election History

2016 Virginia’s 7th Congressional District General Election Results Candidate Vote Total Vote Percentage David A. Brat (R) 218,057 42.24% Eileen M. Bedell (D) 160,159 57.51% Write-In 947 .25% [Virginia Department of Elections, 2016 November General Official Results, 11/8/16]

2014 Virginia’s 7th Congressional District General Election Results Candidate Vote Total Vote Percentage David A. Brat (R) 148,026 60.8% John Kent Trammell (D) 89,914 36.9% James Avarett Carr, Jr. (L) 5,086 2.1% Others 332 .1% [Virginia Department of Elections, 2014 General Election Results, 11/4/14]

2014 Virginia’s 7th Congressional District Special Election Results Candidate Vote Total Vote Percentage David A. Brat (R) 148,841 61.7% John Kent Trammell (D) 91,236 37.8% Others 1,263 .5% [Virginia Department of Elections, 2014 Special General Election Results, 11/4/14]

Note: Cantor resigned from the House on August 18th, 2014, and asked Governor McAuliffe to call a special election (to fill the remaining two months of Cantor’s term) that would coincide with the general election. [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 8/1/14]

2014 Virginia’s 7th Congressional District Republican Primary Election Results Candidate Vote Total Vote Percentage David A. Brat (R) 36,105 55.5% Eric Ivan Cantor (R) 28,912 44.5% [Virginia Department of Elections, 2014 Republican Primary Election Results, 6/10/14]

2014: Brat Won The Republican Primary For Virginia’s 7th Congressional District In A Surprising Upset Against House Majority Leader Eric Cantor

Brat Won The Republican Primary Over House Majority Leader Eric Cantor In A Major Upset

HEADLINE: “Once Snubbed, David Brat Turns The Tables.” [New York Times, 6/11/14]

HEADLINE: “Dave Brat Was Mostly Ignored By Political Reporters.” [Washington Post, 6/11/14]

Said Winning Election Was “Obviously” The Happiest Moment of His Life. “Beating Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the Virginia Republican primary yesterday was ‘the happiest moment, obviously, of my life,’ said Dave Brat, a married father of two.” [Gawker, 6/11/14]

Brat Campaign Overwhelmed on Day After Primary. “The Brat campaign spent Tuesday trying to formulate a new message, an effort that appeared in slight disarray. The campaign scheduled a press conference, then abruptly cancelled 30 minutes before it was scheduled to begin. “Sorry, we’re kind of flying by the seat-of-our pants today,” a staffer said, explaining that the campaign decided to develop a media strategy before talking again to the press.” [Washington Post, 6/11/14]

Brat Had Been Underestimated By The Media

Washington Post: Brat an “Effective Speaker” with a “Folksy, Conversational Style” “David Brat, the political novice who toppled House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, is an effective speaker, an economics professor who channels the anti-Washington sentiment of the tea party in a folksy, conversational style… he candidate masked his fiery rhetoric with an engaging, confident speaking style that mixed academic references with self- deprecating humor… Brat also barely mentioned the tea party, while voicing strong adherence to its principles of limited government and fiscal restraint. He spoke in mostly generalities about what he would do differently if elected…” [Washington Post, 6/11/14]

Salon: Brat “Slightly Goofy and Thoroughly Unpolished.” “Brat is slightly goofy and thoroughly unpolished as a candidate. His campaign website features a video of Brat explaining what he calls ‘The Republican Creed,’ six principles that tick all the boxes needed to run for office as a Republican (free markets, liberty, God, Reagan, etc.). He’s also produced a candidate comparison that seeks to portray Cantor as a big government crony capitalist.” [Salon, 5/15/14]

Cantor Outspent Brat In His Campaign More Than 40 To 1

Cantor Spent Nearly $2 Million On His Reelection Campaign And Brat Spent Around $124,000. ”The campaign finance gap between the two candidates is of David vs. Goliath proportions. Cantor has spent nearly $2 million dollars and Brat has spent around $124,000. Even so, Brat is getting support from nationally known Tea Party and conservative talk radio icons Mark Levin and Laura Ingraham.” [Communities Digital News, 6/9/14]

HEADLINE: “Rare Feat: Cantor Spent More At Steakhouses Than Opponent Did On Campaign.” [Politifact, 6/11/14]

Early In The Race, Brat Gained Notoriety After Cantor Called Him A “Liberal Professor”

Early In The Race, Brat Gained Notoriety After Cantor Attacked Him As A “Liberal Professor.” “Mr. Brat may have remained largely unknown were it not for Mr. Cantor himself, who attacked him early in the race as a ‘liberal professor.’” [New York Times, 6/11/14]

January 2014: Brat Announced His Run For Congress

January 2014: Brat Announced Challenge to Rep. Cantor. In January 2014, Brat announced he could challenge Rep. Eric Cantor in the Republican Primary. ‘I teach economics to college students every day. The major issue, in dollar terms, that affect the average person is the debt,’ Bratt said. “The power figures in D.C. are busy catering to their Rolodexes instead of solving that debt problem.” [WTVR, 1/9/14]

Brat Was Not A Full Time Candidate And Used That Fact To Claim That He Was Not A Professional Politician Like Cantor. “Brat’s ambitious itinerary, however, fell apart Tuesday afternoon, and he was forced to cancel his appearances, campaign manager Zachary Werrell said. Aides sent apologetic e-mails to Norquist’s staff and the hosts of the Weyrich lunch. […] Werrell acknowledged that the campaign missed a rare opportunity to win friends and showcase Brat, and he said that Brat often has to adjust his schedule because he is not a full-time candidate. ‘I wish Dave could do this full time, but that’s not the reality of the situation,’ Werrell said. ‘We have a full-time operation but he has a job. Professional politicians like Eric Cantor can campaign all the time; we’re lay people.’” [Washington Post, 5/16/14]

2011: Brat Attempted To Run For The Virginia House Of Delegates 56th District Seat

Brat Ran For The Republican Nomination For A House Of Delegates Seat; The Party Chose Another Candidate. “He ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in 2011. In August 2011, Brat announced that he would run for the Republican nomination for a House of Delegates seat. The party chose to run someone else in the general election.” [Washington Post, 6/10/14]

The Ultimate Candidate Was Chosen By Allies Of Cantor. “Three years ago, David Brat, a conservative economics professor, decided to have a go at politics, making a run for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. But the back-room deal makers of his Republican Party snubbed him for someone chosen by allies of Representative Eric Cantor, the majority leader.” [New York Times, 6/11/14]

Brat Claimed That His “Background In Economics And Ethics Is Particularly Well Suited To Many Of The Conservative Principles And Ideas Which I Will Share With The Voters And In My Campaign.” “I am running because I believe that I am prepared personally and professionally to serve the citizens of the 56th House District in the General Assembly. My background in economics and ethics in [sic] particularly well suited to many of the conservative principles and ideas which I will share with the voters and in my campaign.” [Virginia Right, 8/18/11]

Ethics

Significant Findings

 In 2014, Brat campaigned against cronyism and criticized Eric Cantor as a crony capitalist.

 In February 2017, Brat held a town hall and faced an angry crowd of constituents. He claimed that they were angry that Trump had won and were taking it out on him.

 In May 2017, Brat held a contentious town hall after voting to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.

Cronyism

2014: Brat Campaigned Against Cronyism And Said Cantor Had A “Crony Capitalist Mentality”

Brat Spoke Out Against Corruption and Cronyism During Campaign. “Brat certainly made immigration a visible topic in his race, but… that issue came up far less what Brat called the main problem in government: corruption and cronyism… Brat went on to explain, ‘Eric Cantor and the Republican leadership do not know what a free market is at all, and the clearest evidence of that is the financial crisis … When I say free markets, I mean no favoritism to K Street lobbyists.’ Banks like Goldman Sachs were not fined for their role in the financial crisis — rather, they were rewarded with bailouts, Brat has said.” [Republic Report, 6/11/14]

Brat: Cantor Has a “Crony Capitalist Mentality.” “Brat complained that Cantor, 50, has a “crony-capitalist mentality” to take care of the corporate sector ahead of the interests of small businesses. “On the conservative scorecard, on the free market votes, he’s doing everything wrong,” Brat said. “He’s not following what folks in his district want him to do and it’s hurting the country.”“ [WFIN 1330 AM, 5/15/14]

Brat: Republican Leadership Cozied Up to the “Comfy Nexus of Mega-Big-Business with Mega-Big- Government.” “This insatiable desire for control, coupled with a sincere disdain for the conservative grassroots, explains why our ‘leadership’ continues to take mind-boggling positions on issues long cherished by the left, such as amnesty, and why opposition to additional bloated government programs often seems contrived. The unfortunate truth is that control for Eric Cantor and establishment Republicans means cozying up to the comfy nexus of mega- big-business with mega-big-government.” [Daily Caller, Brat Op-Ed, 2/19/14]

Brat: Republican Leadership Perfected System That Rewards Policy Failure. “These “leaders” have perfected a system that rewards Republican electoral and policy failure, and embraces betraying those who elected them in return for wealth and status — perpetuating a status quo which sacrifices principle but never their personal power. The only accomplishment of my opponent Eric Cantor, and other members of the establishment, has been to barely slow down the pace of Obama-era malaise and decline.” [Brat op-ed, Daily Caller, 2/19/14]

Revolving Door

Three Of Brat’s Staffers Worked As Lobbyists Either Before Or After Working For Him