Martha Roby

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Martha Roby
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 2nd district
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byBobby Bright
Personal details
Born
Martha Dubina

(1976-07-26) July 26, 1976 (age 47)
Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRiley Roby
Children2
ParentJoel Fredrick Dubina (father)
EducationNew York University (BM)
Samford University (JD)

Martha Roby[1] /ˈroʊbi/ (née Dubina; born July 26, 1976) is the U.S. Representative for Alabama's 2nd congressional district. She is a member of the Republican Party. She defeated incumbent Representative Bobby Bright on November 2 during the United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2010,[2] and assumed office in January 2011. Roby and Terri Sewell are the first women elected to Congress from Alabama in regular elections.[3]

Early life, education, and legal career

Roby was born in Montgomery, Alabama and attended New York University, where she received a bachelor of music degree. She then entered the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, receiving her J.D. in 2001. [citation needed]

She is the daughter of Joel F. Dubina,[4] a Senior Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Before entering politics, she worked at the law firm of Copeland, Franco.[5]

Montgomery City Council

Elections

Roby was elected to the Montgomery City Council in 2003, defeating a total of five opponents, and winning 54.88% of the votes cast in her district.[6][7]

Tenure

In her first term on the Council, Roby joined 3 other council members and then mayor Bobby Bright in opposing the building of a shopping mall in East Montgomery,[8] opposed privatizing the disposal of household garbage,[9] supported a 10 cent cigarette tax increase,[10] and argued for a state sales tax holiday.[11]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2010
Further information: United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2010 § District 2

Roby challenged incumbent Democratic U.S. Congressman and former Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright in Alabama's 2nd congressional district. In the four-candidate Republican primary, Roby ranked first with 49% of the vote, barely missing the 50% threshold needed to win the nomination and avoid a run-off. Rick Barber ranked second with 29% of the vote.[12] In the run-off election, Roby defeated him 60%-40%.[13]

Roby was endorsed by both Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin in the most expensive race in the district's history.[14] Martha Roby spent a total of $1,240,275.64 on her 2010 election. Most of her funds came from large individual contributions. Her top contributor was Jim Wilson and Associates, a Montgomery real estate developer, who contributed $25,300.00.[15] Leadership PACs contributed a total of $106,010.[14]

Roby defeated Bright by 51%-to-49%, a difference of 4,780 votes. Roby won just 7 of the district's 16 counties: Autauga, Elmore, Covington, Coffee, Geneva, Dale, and Houston counties. Bright won Montgomery County with 59% of the vote. Ultimately, Roby's margin in heavily Republican Autauga and Elmore counties proved too much for Bright to overcome.[16]

2012
Further information: United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2012 § District 2

In her run for re-election to her seat, she received the endorsements of 36 mayors in Alabama,[17] the Alabama Farmers Federation,[18] and Susan B. Anthony List.[19]

The 2nd had long been a conservative district, and reverted to form as Roby won a second term, defeating Democrat Therese Ford 64%-36%. She won 11 of the district's 15 counties. However, she lost her home county of Montgomery again, 53%-47%.[20][21]

2014
Further information: United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2014 § District 2

Roby won the election with 67.34% of the vote, defeating Democrat Erick Wright.[22]

2016
Further information: United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2016 § District 2

On March 1, 2016, Roby won the Republican primary with 64% of the vote.[23] Roby won the general election against Nathan Mathis by 55%-45%.[24]

Committee assignments

Political positions

She has voted with her party in 98% of votes so far in the current session of Congress and voted in line with President Trump's position in 100% of the votes.[25][26] Roby self-identifies as a staunch conservative,[27] who explained "true conservative values" thusly: "I believe in the sanctity of life. I believe in the protection of the second amendment. I believe in small, limited government and lower taxes. I believe that we should live within our means and I believe in the central role of faith and family in our lives."[28]

LGBT rights

Roby opposes same-sex marriage.[29]

Regulation reform

In December 2011, Roby voted in support of H.R. 10, the "Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act," which would have required Congressional approval for any "major regulations" issued by the executive branch but, unlike the 1996 Congressional Review Act, would not require the president's signature or override of a probable presidential veto.[30]

Immigration

Roby is an opponent of "amnesty" policy for immigrants, and said in a 2010 debate, "I will never support any legislation with the word 'amnesty' in it."[31]

Abortion rights

Roby opposes abortion. She supported legislation prohibiting taxpayer money from paying for individual abortions.[32] She has introduced legislation to defund Planned Parenthood, saying "the more taxpayer dollars awarded to Planned Parenthood, the more abortions the group will perform".[33]

Agriculture and environment

Roby is a member of the subcommittee for agriculture, energy, and forestry, and believes that federal agencies need to be "reign[ed] [sic] in".[34] She believes that the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) should be limited.[35] Roby believes CRP is causing a loss of farming production. She stated that CRP is no longer helping the environment.[36] She has spoken out against many Environmental Protection Agency decisions and actions, specifically the MACT ruling.[37]

She has voted in favor of barring the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases.[38] She opposes the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan, which sets a national limit on carbon dioxide pollution produced from power plants.[39] She has said that the Clean Power Plan is an attempt by Obama to protect his legacy at a cost to the American public: "It’s disappointing, but not surprising, to see the president is once again more focused on his “legacy” than he is on the priorities and needs of the American people."[39] The League of Conservation Voters gives her a lifetime score of 5%.[40]

Balanced Budget Amendment

She supports a Balance Budget Amendment.[41]

Debt ceiling and government shutdown

In 2011, Roby voted against raising the debt ceiling.[42]

In 2013, she again voted against raising the debt ceiling, which led to the 2013 Government Shutdown.[43] She voted against the legislation that re-opened the Government sixteen days later.[44]

Disaster relief

In 2013, she voted against disaster relief aid for victims of Hurricane Sandy.[45]

Education

She wants to abolish the Department of Education.[41]

Federal funds for NASCAR sponsorships

In 2011, Roby voted against legislation that would have prohibited federal funds from going towards NASCAR sponsorships.[46]

Health care

Roby has repeatedly voted to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).[47][48] In March 2012, she said, "I have taken 26 votes since I took office to completely repeal President Obama’s health care law, block its provisions, or defund its programs. I remain committed to dismantling this costly expansion of government."[48]

On May 4, 2017, she voted in favor of repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and pass the American Health Care Act.[49][50]

Roby stated that the Affordable Care Act was a "failed law" and that the American Health Care Act put in place a "patient-centered system that lowers costs, increases choices, and isn’t run by the government". The precise impact of the bill has yet to be assessed, as the House of Representatives voted for it before it had been scored by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.[51]

Roby supported Paul Ryan's “Roadmap for America’s Future”, which would privatize portions of Medicare, but she has also stated publicly that she specifically opposes privatization of Medicare.[52][53]

Foreign and Defense Policy

Representative Roby has consistently voted to prevent any defense spending cuts. She has also voted against a reduction in Navy and Aircraft Procurement[54] as well as voting "yea" for various extension of the armed forces budgets. She has only focused on cutting "non-defense" spending.[55] She has pledged to maintain defense spending at a minimum of 4% of GDP.[41]

Roby voted "Nay" to remove American forces from Afghanistan by December 31, 2011.[56]

Food stamps

Roby voted in September 2013 to cut $39 billion from the food stamp program; the Montgomery Advertiser noted that "About 41,000 households in Roby's southeastern congressional district received food stamps in 2011".[57]

National Public Radio

She has voted to cut funding to National Public Radio.[58]

Social Security

Roby supported Paul Ryan's “Roadmap for America’s Future”, which would privatize portions of Social Security, but she has also stated publicly that she specifically opposes privatization of Social Security.[53]

Roby has a score of 0% with the Alliance for Retired Americans, which indicates a pro-privatization stance on Social Security.[59]

Taxes

Roby is a signer of Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge.[60] In 2010, Roby signed a pledge sponsored by Americans for Prosperity to not vote for any Global Warming legislation that would raise taxes.[61] She has pledged to abolish the inheritance tax, which applies to inheritances valued above $5 million.[41]

She pledged in 2010 to abolish the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).[41]

President Trump

In October 2016, Roby withdrew her endorsement of Trump: "Donald Trump's behavior makes him unacceptable as a candidate for president, and I won't vote for him".[62][63]

In February 2017, she voted against a resolution that would have directed the House to request 10 years of Trump's tax returns, which would then have been reviewed by the House Ways and Means Committee in a closed session.[64]

Electoral history

Alabama 2nd Congressional District Republican Primary Election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Martha Roby 36,295 48.55
Republican Rick Barber 21,313 28.51
Republican Stephanie Bell 13,797 18.46
Republican John Beau McKinney, III 3,349 4.48
Alabama 2nd Congressional District Republican Primary Runoff Election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Martha Roby 39,169 60.02
Republican Rick Barber 26,091 39.98
Alabama 2nd Congressional District Election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Martha Roby 111,645 50.97
Democratic Bobby Bright 106,865 48.79
Write-ins Write-ins 518 0.24
Alabama 2nd Congressional District Election, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Martha Roby (inc.) 180,591 63.60
Democratic Therese Ford 103,092 36.31
Write-ins Write-ins 270 0.10
Alabama 2nd Congressional District Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Martha Roby (inc.) 113,103 67.34
Democratic Erick Wright 54,692 32.56
Write-ins Write-ins 157 0.09
Alabama 2nd Congressional District Republican Primary Election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Martha Roby (inc.) 78,689 66.37
Republican Becky Gerritson 33,015 27.85
Republican Robert "Bob" Rogers 6,856 5.78
Alabama 2nd Congressional District General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Martha Roby (inc.) 134,886 49
Democratic Nathan Mathis 112,089 41
No Party Write Ins 29,609 10

See also

References

  1. ^ "Representative Martha Dubina Roby (R-Alabama, 2nd) - Biography from LegiStorm". Legistorm.com. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  2. ^ GOP's Roby defeats Bright in Alabama's 2nd District Montgomery Advertiser, November 2, 2010.
  3. ^ Elizabeth B. Andrews was elected to fill an unexpired term in the House, while Senators Dixie Bibb Graves and Maryon Pittman Allen were appointed and never elected.
  4. ^ McCutcheon, Michael; Barone, Chuck (2013). 2014 Almanac of American Politics. The University of Chicago Press.
  5. ^ "Biographical Information for 2nd Congressional District GOP runoff candidates". Associated Press Newswires. July 8, 2010.
  6. ^ Lance Griffin (June 26, 2009). "Montgomery Republican plans to challenge Bright in 2010". The Dothan Eagle.
  7. ^ "Municipal Election Results-2003". Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  8. ^ "Montgomery Alabama Shopping Mall to Go Up Against Protests, Mayor's Advice". The Montgomery Advertiser. February 19, 2004.
  9. ^ Sebastian Kitchen (March 30, 2005). "Trash Service Change Opposed". The Montgomery Advertiser.
  10. ^ William F. West (May 14, 2004). "Montgomery, Ala., Cigarette Tax Jumps 10 Cents". The Montgomery Advertiser.
  11. ^ William F. West (August 10, 2004). "Montgomery, Ala., council's tax idea might go statewide". Montgomery Advertiser.
  12. ^ "Our Campaigns - AL District 02 - R Primary Race". Ourcampaigns.com. June 1, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  13. ^ "Our Campaigns - AL District 2 - R Runoff Race". Ourcampaigns.com. July 13, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  14. ^ a b "Alabama 2nd District Profile". The New York Times. Retrieved July 4, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Open Secrets". Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  16. ^ "Our Campaigns - AL - District 02 Race". Ourcampaigns.com. November 2, 2010.
  17. ^ "36 mayors endorse Martha Roby re-election". al.com. October 27, 2015.
  18. ^ "Martha Roby endorsed by Alabama Farmers Federation". Al.com. October 20, 2014.
  19. ^ "Pro-life Susan B. Anthony List endorses Martha Roby for reelection". January 22, 2016.
  20. ^ "AL - District 02 Race - Nov 06, 2012". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  21. ^ Kitchen, Sebastian (January 14, 2012). "Candidates qualify for elections". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  22. ^ "Certified General Election Results" (PDF). Alabama Secretary of State. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  23. ^ "U.S. Rep. Martha Roby wins GOP primary". Montgomery Advertiser. March 1, 2016.
  24. ^ "Alabama U.S. House 2nd District Results: Martha Roby Wins". Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  25. ^ Bycoffe, Aaron (2017-01-30). "Tracking Martha Roby In The Age Of Trump". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
  26. ^ Willis, Derek. "Represent". ProPublica. Retrieved 2017-02-18.
  27. ^ "Martha Roby for Congress".
  28. ^ Blessing, Kelly. "Martha Roby". Washington Post.
  29. ^ Fausset, Richard (2015-02-13). "In Alabama City, Gay Couple Try to Wed, Early and Often". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  30. ^ Sonmez, Felicia (December 7, 2011). "REINS bill to expand congressional power over executive regulations passed by House". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  31. ^ Blessing, Kelly. "The Issues". Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  32. ^ "Martha Roby's Voting Records on Issue: - The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  33. ^ Roby, Martha; Diane Black (April 12, 2011). "Press release". Retrieved May 11, 2017. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  34. ^ "Ag Committee Republicans Stress the Negative Impact of Federal Regs on Production Agriculture & Rural Economies - Public Statements - The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. 2011-02-15. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  35. ^ Griffin, Lance. "CRP". Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  36. ^ "Roby Brings Alabama Farmers' Concerns to Farm Bill Hearing". Retrieved July 4, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ "Ag Committee Republicans Stress the Negative Impact of Federal Regs on Production Agriculture & Rural Economies". Retrieved July 4, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ "Martha Roby on Energy & Oil". Ontheissues.org. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  39. ^ a b "What Obama's 'Clean Power Plan' Really Means". roby.house.gov. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  40. ^ "Check out Representative Martha Roby's Environmental Voting Record". League of Conservation Voters Scorecard. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  41. ^ a b c d e Staff, Anniston Star Staff/Dothan Eagle. "Martha Roby: Abolish IRS, no changes to Social Security". The Anniston Star. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  42. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 379". Cler.house.gov. Retrieved 2017-07-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  43. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  44. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  45. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  46. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  47. ^ "Votes". Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  48. ^ a b "Repeal Obamacare". roby.house.gov. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  49. ^ "How the House voted to pass the GOP health-care bill". Washington Post. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  50. ^ "Health care vote puts pressure on dozens of vulnerable GOP reps". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  51. ^ "AHCA concerns Alabama health care providers, advocates". The Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  52. ^ "Martha Roby and health care reform". Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  53. ^ a b Griffin, Lance. "Fact Check: Does Martha Roby want to privatize Medicare?". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  54. ^ "bill".
  55. ^ "Spending Cuts and Debt". Archived from the original on 2011-01-06. Retrieved 4 July 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  56. ^ "H Con Res 28 - Removing Troops from Afghanistan - Key Vote". Retrieved 4 July 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  57. ^ "House cuts $39B in food stamps; Alabama delegation split on vote". Montgomery Advertiser. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  58. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  59. ^ "Martha Roby on Social Security". Ontheissues.org. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  60. ^ "The Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers 112th Congressional List" (PDF). Americans for Tax Reform. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  61. ^ [1] [dead link]
  62. ^ "Republican Members of Congress Withdraw Trump Support (Updated)". Weekly Standard. 2016-10-08. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  63. ^ "Martha Roby, who condemned Trump, ekes out re-election win to Congress". AL.com. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  64. ^ "These are all the Republicans who don't want you to see Donald Trump's tax returns". indy100. 2017-02-28. Retrieved 2017-03-01.

External links

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 2nd congressional district
2011–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Representatives by seniority
233rd 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Martha_Roby&oldid=811048094"