Congressman Vern Buchanan was elected to represent Florida’s 13th Congressional District on November 7, 2006.

Consistent with his priorities of lower taxes, less spending and a strong economy, Buchanan immediately introduced bills to balance the budget, reform the federal earmark process and make permanent across-the-board tax cuts.

He quickly rolled up his sleeves and established himself as an effective advocate for his constituents, fighting for policies to address the skyrocketing cost of homeowners insurance, gang violence and veterans’ health care.

In his first year in office, Buchanan also secured in federal funding for important public improvement projects in the region, including $28.8 million for the construction of a veterans’ cemetery in Sarasota and $4.7 million to help alleviate flooding by dredging Wares Creek in Bradenton. The Republican Congressman also worked in a bipartisan effort to authorize an additional $90 million over three years to address Red Tide.

As a member of the House Committees on Veterans Affairs and Small Business, Buchanan passed legislation in his first term to improve health care for wounded soldiers and increase job opportunities for our nation’s veterans. The Florida lawmaker is also a member of the House Transportation Committee, on which he is fighting to get Florida and the region its fair share of federal transportation funding.

Buchanan is not a career politician. He is a businessman who is working to bring a common-sense approach to Congress. He has worked to control wasteful spending, eliminate special interest earmarks and strengthen our borders.

The first bill introduced by the Congressman was the Buchanan Balanced Budget Amendment Act to require a balanced federal budget by 2012. Understanding the need to change the way they do business in Washington, Buchanan also introduced the Earmark Accountability and Reform Act to increase transparency and reform the process through which federal funds are earmarked for pet projects.

The freshman lawmaker has won high praise for his leadership. The Observer Newspapers wrote, “Freshman Congressman Vern Buchanan has earned kudos for reaching out to constituents and is winning respect in Washington.” The Venice Gondolier Sun wrote, “He has impressed us with some good ideas and his independent streak.”

Prior to entering Congress, Buchanan was a self-made businessman and a respected leader in Florida’s business community. He chaired both the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He has also given time and money to diverse community causes, including the Boys and Girls Club, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Walk to Cure Juvenile Diabetes, the American Heart Walk, the Mote Marine Laboratory, and the Ringling Museum.

Buchanan grew up with five siblings in a blue collar household in a small town near Detroit, Michigan. He served six years in the Air National Guard and worked his way through college, where he met his wife of 31 years, Sandy. The Buchanan’s live in Longboat Key, Florida, and have two grown sons, James and Matt.