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Alan Grayson

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Alan Grayson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 8th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2009
Preceded byRic Keller
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic Party
SpouseLolita Grayson
ResidenceOrlando, Florida
Alma materHarvard College (A.B.)

John F. Kennedy School of Government (M.P.P.)

Harvard Law School (J.D.)
ProfessionAttorney
Websitewww.Grayson.House.gov

Alan Mark Grayson (born March 13, 1958) is an American attorney who is currently serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 8th congressional district. A progressive Democrat, Grayson defeated Ric Keller, a four-term incumbent Republican in the 2008 congressional election. Recently, Grayson is known for his controversial, and sometimes offensive, remarks made regarding public figures.

Early life and education

Grayson was born in the Bronx, New York and grew up in the tenements. He graduated from Bronx High School of Science and worked his way through Harvard University graduating summa cum laude in three years. He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He worked as an economist for two years and returned to Harvard for graduate studies. Within four years, he earned a law degree with honors from Harvard Law School, a masters in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government and completed the course work and passed the general exams for a Ph.D. in government.[3][4]

Career

Grayson was employed as a law clerk at the Colorado Supreme Court in 1983, and at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals from 1984 to 1985, where he worked with such judges as Abner Mikva, Robert Bork, and two judges who later joined the U.S. Supreme Court: Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia. He was an associate at the Washington D.C. firm of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson for five years, where he specialized in contract law.

Grayson wrote his masters thesis on gerontology and in 1986 founded the Alliance for Aging Research (AAR), and served as an officer of the organization for more than twenty years.[5] AAR is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that was founded to promote medical research to improve the human experience of aging.

In 1991 he founded the law firm Grayson, Kubli which concentrated on government contract law. He was a lecturer at the George Washington University government contracts program and a frequent speaker on the topic.[4] Grayson also was the first President of IDT Corporation, a publicly traded billion-dollar telecommunications company.[5][6] Grayson was ranked as the 12th-wealthiest member of Congress based on financial disclosure forms with a minimum net worth of $31.12 million, according to Roll Call.[7]

In the 2000s he worked as a plaintiffs' attorney specializing in whistleblower fraud cases aimed at Iraq war contractors. One contractor, Custer Battles, employed individuals who were found guilty of making fraudulent statements and submitting fraudulent invoices on two contracts in 2003 the company had with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq.[8][9] On behalf of his clients, Grayson filed suit under the False Claims Act and its qui tam provisions.[8] Grayson disclosed his attorney fees and costs for the case exceeded $4 million.[9][10]

While pursuing the whistleblower cases, Grayson worked from a home office in Orlando where he lived with his wife and five children. In 2006, a Wall Street Journal reporter described Grayson as "waging a one-man war against contractor fraud in Iraq" and as a "fierce critic of the war in Iraq" whose car was "emblazoned" with bumper stickers such as "Bush lied, people died".[10]

Electoral history

In 2006 Grayson his first entered into electoral politics losing the 2006 Democratic primary for Florida's 8th Congressional District to Charlie Stuart, a prominent local businessman and center-right Democrat.[11] Stuart went on to lose the general election to incumbent Republican Congressman Ric Keller.[12] In late 2007, Grayson announced that he would run again for the 8th District seat, and again faced Stuart in the primary. During the primary, his campaign retained the services of Bill Hillsman.

In the August 26, 2008 Democratic primary, Grayson prevailed, receiving 48.5% of the vote. Stuart trailed with 27.5%, with three other candidates splitting the remaining 24%.[13] During the general election campaign, Grayson maintained a consistent lead over Keller, who had barely eked out renomination in the Republican primary over attorney Todd Long. On Election Day, he received 172,854 votes, or 52%, to Keller's 159,490 votes, or 48%.[14] Although Keller won three out of four counties in the district, Grayson won by a margin of 55% to 45% in Orange County, home to Orlando and by far the largest county in the district.[15]

Grayson is only the second Democrat to represent his district since its formation after the 1970 census. Although the Florida 8th district was historically a Republican district, Grayson was elected as a progressive Democrat, and is a Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.[16].

Congressional career and Controversies

Federal Reserve transparency

During his first term in office, Grayson supported Ron Paul's Audit the Fed legislation.[17] Grayson gained attention for exchanges with Federal Reserve System Vice Chairman Donald Kohn[18] and Elizabeth A. Coleman.

In March 2009, following the AIG bonus payments controversy, Grayson joined with fellow freshman Democrat Jim Himes of Connecticut to introduce the Grayson-Himes Pay for Performance Act, legislation to require that all bonuses paid by companies that had received funds under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to be "based on performance".[19] The bill was co-sponsored by eight other members of the House. On March 26, the bill was approved by the House Financial Services Committee by a vote of 38-22 and on April 1, the bill was passed by the full House of Representatives by a vote of 247-171.[20]

Grayson is a co-sponsor of the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009, which would provide addition provisions to audit the Federal Reserve, including removing several key exemptions.[21]

On a September 2009 Alex Jones Show segment Grayson used the term whore when characterizing Federal Chair Bernanke's senior adviser Linda Robertson stating, in part, "I am the only member of Congress who actually worked as an economist, and this lobbyist, this K-Street whore, is trying to teach me about economics!"[22][23][24][25][26][27] Grayson's use of whore was widely criticized as inappropriate including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.[28][29][30] Grayson's congressional spokesman, Todd Jurkowski, clarified that the comment "was on her professional career, not her personal life" and Grayson subsequently apologized.[29][31][32]

2009 Health care comments

In September 2009, during the debates leading to the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which passed two months later, Grayson quipped during a speech that, "The Republican health care plan is this: 'Don't get sick, and if you do get sick, die quickly.'"[33] His remarks were widely condemned by Republican politicians and, according to Grayson, resulted in positive emails from constituents which outweighed negative ones four to one and over five thousand supporting campaign contributions;[34][35][36][37] the comments also generated funds from the DNC towards his upcoming 2010 campaign race.[37][38] Grayson raised $347,000 for his reelection campaign during the third quarter, much of it attributed to his remarks.[39][40]

He defended his comment and in a House Floor speech stated, “I apologize to the dead and their families that we haven't voted sooner to end this holocaust in America." Grayson, who is Jewish by birth, apologized to the Anti-defamation League for those offended by his generic use of "holocaust".[41][42] He also maintained that Congressional Republicans have failed to offer a feasible plan.[43][44] In October 2009 he launched www.NamesOfTheDead.com, a website to "memorialize Americans who die because they don’t have health insurance."[45] He subsequently read stories of the dead submitted through the Names of the Dead site on the House floor.[46][47][48][49]

He supported the 2009 Economic Stimulus Package.[50] Grayson also voted for the FDA Oversight of Tobacco Products, which gives the FDA power to regulate tobacco products.[51] He voted in support of Eliminating Adjustments of Medicare Rates of Payment. He also voted against Republican substitutes for the health care amendment and insurance law amendments.[52]

Civil Rights Positions

Grayson voted in support of the Hate Crimes Expansion Act, which expands the definition of hate crimes and strengthens enforcement of hate crime laws.[53] He also voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.[54] Grayson supported the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that allows victims of wage discrimination to sue for punitive damages.[55]

Dick Cheney comments

On December 9, 2009, whilst on the MSNBC show Hardball, Grayson told former vice president Dick Cheney to "STFU"Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). He also supported the 2009-2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Authorizations, which provided $46.18 billion in appropriations for 2009-2010.[56]

Committee assignments

See also

References

  1. ^ "Grayson regrets use of term 'holocaust'". The Jewish Chronicle. 2009-10-06. Retrieved 2009-11-30. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ "Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL 8th District)". Congress.org. Retrieved 2009-11-30. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ About Alan Grayson, graysonforcongress.com, accessed 2009-09-30
  4. ^ a b An Oversight Hearing on Waste, Fraud and Abuse in U.S. Government Contracting in Iraq - Witness Biographies, U.S. Senate Democratic Policy Committee, 2005-02-14, accessed 2009-09-30.
  5. ^ a b Congressman Alan Grayson Biography, graysonhouse.gov, accessed 2009-10-04.
  6. ^ SEC Info - Idt Corp - 10-Q/A - For 4/30/03 - EX-10.69, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 2000-10-10, accessed 2009-09-30
  7. ^ Who is Alan Grayson Anyway, Wall Street Journal blogs, 2009-10-01
  8. ^ a b Contractor Faces False Claims Act Liability for Payments Made by Iraq’s Coalition Provisional Authority, Construction WebLinks, Howrey LLP, April 20, 2009>
  9. ^ a b Lone War Profiteer Case Wins on Appeal: U.S. Appeals Court Reverses Lower Court Decision, grayson.house.gov, April 10, 2009>
  10. ^ a b Dreazen, Yochi Attorney Pursues Iraq Contractor Fraud, Wall Street Journal., 2006-04-19, accessed 2009-10-03.
  11. ^ Florida Election Results, 2006 Democratic Primary, Florida Dept of State, 2006-09-05
  12. ^ Florida Election Results 2006 General Election, Florida Dept of State, 2006-11-07
  13. ^ D Primary Race Detail, ourcampaigns.com
  14. ^ 2008 General Election Results, Florida Dept of State, 2008-11-04
  15. ^ Fl District 8 General Election Race Detail, ourcampaigns.com
  16. ^ Member List, Website of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, 2009-02-20, accessed 2009-10-03
  17. ^ [1]
  18. ^ Greenwald, Glenn Salon Radio: Rep. Alan Grayson on bailout transparency, (transcript and audio), Salon.com, 2009-01-26
  19. ^ A Better Way For Wall Street, grayson.house.gov, 2009-03-24
  20. ^ Grayson gets his bill through the House, Orlando Sentinel, 2009-04-01
  21. ^ "Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009". 2009-10-22.
  22. ^ "Congressman Alan Grayson-K Street Whore is Going to Teach Me about Economics". [[Alex Jones (radio host)|]]. September 24, 2009.
  23. ^ Alan Grayson, the Liberals’ Problem Child David M. Herszenhorn, New York Times, October 31, 2009.
  24. ^ [2]
  25. ^ HuffPo's Misogyny: The NSFW Path to Liberal Journalism Success Mary Katharine Ham, Weekly Standard, November 24, 2009.
  26. ^ [3]
  27. ^ [4]
  28. ^ Anthony Weiner; Joe Sestak (2009-10-27). "Weiner Fights for Health Reform on the O'Rielly Factor".
  29. ^ a b [5]
  30. ^ "The O'Reilly Factor, Interview with Joe Sestak, October 27, 2009". Fox News Channel. Retrieved November 4th, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  31. ^ A Statement from Congressman Alan Grayson, grayson.house.gov, 2009-10-27
  32. ^ [6]
  33. ^ "Alan Grayson on the GOP Health Care Plan: 'Don't Get Sick! And if You Do Get Sick, Die Quickly!'", YouTube.com, 2009-09-29
  34. ^ Jonathan Allen Grayson: GOP wants 'you to die', Politico.com, 2009-09-29, accessed 2009-09-30
  35. ^ Is Alan Grayson the Democrats' Joe Wilson?, Yahoo newsroom blog, 2009-10-01
  36. ^ Jonathan Alter Grayson likens health crisis, holocaust, Politico.com, 2009-09-30, accessed 2009-10-01
  37. ^ a b Rep Alan Grayson on Hardball: We can't run this country based on Republican hissy fits,YouTube.com, 2009-10-02.
  38. ^ Alan Grayson (October 20, 2009). "Rep. Alan Grayson on Rachel Maddow: No One Cares About Bipartisanship".
  39. ^ "Cha-ching! Campaign cash tops and flops", Politico.com, 2009-10-16
  40. ^ GOP looks to cash in on Grayson's comments, 2009-10-01, USA Today blogs
  41. ^ Alan Grayson (2009-10-29). "Alan Grayson Enters Rebel Headquarters!". The Young Turks.
  42. ^ "Alan Grayson Unlikely to Face GOP Reprimand", CBSNews Blogs, 2009-10-06
  43. ^ Grayson calls Republicans knuckle dragging Neanderthals,CNN.com, 2009-09-30, accessed 2009-10-01
  44. ^ House Republicans Offer Health Care Plan,CBS News, 2009-06-17, accessed 2009-10-02
  45. ^ "Alan Grayson Honors Those Who Died for Lack of Health Insurance, Launches NamesOfTheDead.com". October 21, 2009.
  46. ^ "Rep. Alan Grayson Honors the Dead: Part One". October 28, 2009.
  47. ^ "Rep. Alan Grayson Honors the Dead: Part Two". October 28, 2009.
  48. ^ "Rep. Alan Grayson Honors the Dead: Part Three". October 28, 2009.
  49. ^ "Rep. Alan Grayson Honors the Dead: Part Four". October 28, 2009.
  50. ^ [7]
  51. ^ [8]
  52. ^ [9]
  53. ^ [10]
  54. ^ [11]
  55. ^ [12]
  56. ^ [13]
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 8th congressional district
2009–present 		Incumbent
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