BioU.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is co-chair of the bipartisan 30-member Florida congressional delegation and Vice Chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, international trade, health care, welfare, Social Security and Medicare. Buchanan is the most senior Republican on the committee and currently serves as Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, a key panel that has broad jurisdiction over traditional Medicare, the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage. The subcommittee also oversees issues relating to medical education, private health insurance programs and subsidies delivered through the tax code, consumer-directed health savings tools and issues related to the quality of and access to care.
Buchanan also serves as the Chairman of the House Democracy Partnership (HDP), a historically bipartisan, twenty-member commission of the U.S. House of Representatives that works directly with more than 20 partner countries around the world to support the development of effective, independent, and responsive legislatures.
A self-made businessman, Buchanan understands that America's economic strength flows from its entrepreneurial spirit and pro-growth, free-market policies. He currently sits on the prestigious Joint Committee on Taxation, a small group of the most senior tax-writers in Congress. Buchanan previously served as chairman of the Tax Policy Subcommittee and played a key role in passage of a sweeping tax cut bill. During the tax reform debate, he focused on lowering tax rates for individuals and small businesses and led the Small Business and Passthroughs Working Group. He has worked to enact tax incentives to help small businesses, end burdensome regulations and limit frivolous lawsuits.
Since coming to Congress in 2007, Buchanan has had 29 of his legislative initiatives signed into law. These accomplishments include reforms to military training procedures, supporting our nation's veterans, confronting the drug epidemic, helping Americans save for retirement, strengthening Medicare, improving the U.S. foster care system and measures to stop animal cruelty.
Buchanan has also been ranked one of the most bipartisan and effective members of Congress by two respected non-partisan organizations- the Lugar Center and the Center for Effective Lawmaking. In 2020, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also rated Congressman Vern Buchanan the highest among the 29-member Florida congressional delegation for his record of bipartisanship and creating jobs.
With 220,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Florida's 16th District, Buchanan is committed to preserving Medicare's long-term solvency for senior citizens, as well as bringing down the cost of health care for all Americans. Buchanan was awarded the "Champion for Healthy Seniors" award by a leading advocacy group for protecting Medicare and fighting for lower prescription drug costs. He will continue to be a strong advocate for protecting and strengthening Medicare for both today's seniors and future generations.
A strong fiscal conservative, the Congressman's signature bill is the Buchanan Balanced Budget Amendment Act. He also introduced legislation to stop automatic pay raises for Members of Congress until the budget is balanced. Balancing the budget is an urgent priority as the U.S. national debt has reached $31 trillion and continues to grow.
Buchanan, who represents more than 70,000 veterans in Southwest Florida, has a strong record of fighting for veterans and military families. Last year, his measure to help veterans retain their valuable G.I. Bill credits was signed into law. Additionally, his legislation to reduce training accidents following the death of a Bradenton soldier became law as a part of a sweeping defense policy bill in 2021. In 2015, Buchanan's Veterans Identification Card Act, which allowed millions of veterans across the country to receive a free official identification card from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs was signed into law.
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. The self-made businessman is a respected leader in Florida's business community. Buchanan previously served as chairman of the Florida chapter of the Young Presidents' Organization, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Board of the U.S. Chamber and in 2005 he was inducted into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame.
In addition, Congressman Buchanan is a dedicated philanthropist. He has committed himself 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 of Art.
A husband and father, Congressman Buchanan lives in Longboat Key, Florida with Sandy, his wife of more than 40 years. Vern and Sandy have two grown sons, James and Matt and nine grandchildren.
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