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Robert A. Brady (D-Pa.)

U.S. Representative (since 1998)

(Congress Bio Directory)

Why He Matters

Bob Brady's resume reads like a Democratic organizer from the Tammany Hall era: son of an Irish policeman and an Italian mother, politically-minded tradesman turned union leader, boss of a big-city party machine, national politician with strong local ties.

Some politicians would try to downplay involvement in - or even the existence of - such powerful throwback political machines, but not Brady, who has always taken pride in his role running perhaps the largest urban Democratic organization still remaining in America. It's allowed Brady to become an immensely influential character in Philadelphia politics. It's also made Brady a rare white congressmen to represent a largely minority urban district.

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: Legislative representative/union leader, Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters and Joiners (1987-98); Member, Philadelphia Turnpike Commission (1991-1998; Lecturer, University of Pennsylvania, 1997-present
Birthday: April 7, 1945
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.
Alma Mater: St. Thomas More High School
Spouse: Debra Brady
Religion: Catholic

Committees: Ranking member, House Administration Committee (since January 2011); Chairman, Joint Committee on the Library; Chairman, Joint Committee on Printing
DC Office: 206 Cannon House Office Building Phone: 202-225-4731
District Office: Chester, 610-874-7094; Philadelphia (Memphis St.), 215-426-4616; Philadelphia (S. Broad St.), 215-389-4627
Email
Web site

Path to Power

Born in Philadelphia, Brady received his high-school diploma from St. Thomas More High School and went into carpentry. Joining a union, he spent the following four years rising rapidly up through union ranks and making connections with important Democratic Party leaders; at age 22, he was elected to the party's district committee. In 1980, when Philadelphia ward leader George X. Schwartz was convicted and imprisoned after being nabbed in the FBI's "Abscam" corruption probe, Brady was elected to replace him.

Brady quickly widened his network as a consultant to countless state and city politicians and legislative bodies, working as a staff aide to both the Philadelphia City Council and the state Senate. He also joined the board of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and, in 1986, became a member of the Philadelphia Turnpike Commission. That same year, Brady solidified his increasingly central role in city politics when he was named chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic Party.

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The Issues

Brady's never been able to tear his heart away from Philadelphia, and most of the issues in which he expends efforts pertain directly to local matters. Although he holds a generally liberal voting record, he doesn't tend to take partisan stands on high-profile national issues- except where union interests are involved. On those topics, Brady can be counted on as one of the House's most dedicated advocates. For example, he helped lead the charge for government-funded health care in 2009.

The Environment

Brady bucks the Democratic leadership on some environmental preservation issues, citing concerns about job losses and the effects on labor.

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The Philadelphia Democrat voted to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but he does back proposals to expand government support for technological development that can have positive environmental effects, particularly on climate change. He also has followed his party's lead on other climate-change initiatives, voting for the summer 2009 House cap-and-trade bill.

Ethics

Brady has been a solid supporter of open government, and has backed ethics investigations of top Philadelphia Democratic officials, although he was accused of trying in vain to spin former mayor John Street's 2003 corruption scandal as a Republican plot.

Opponents, however, are quick to point to a history of association with more than a few disgraced figures and tarnished reputations, starting with Brady's one-time mentor, former state Sen. Henry J. Cianfrani, who was imprisoned on corruption charges in 1977

Crime

In elections, Brady has positioned himself as an anti-crime candidate, a role he has bolstered as a dependable voter on bills to strengthen the criminal justice system. In his 2007 mayoral campaign, for example, he spoke of the need to install citywide surveillance cameras to assist police officers . He also pledged to place 1,000 new police officers on the streets .

Taxes

Although Brady has supported many big increases in government spending, he's just as quick to loudly advocate lower taxes. Brady is at least selective in his tax proposals: In his run for Philadelphia mayor, he advocated the elimination of some business taxes and a decrease in wage taxes. In general, Brady reconciles his support for lower taxes and spendthrift voting record by keeping his focus local, advocating lower taxes in ways that encourage business growth in large urban centers so as to re-establish them as economic focal points.

The Military

A member of the House Armed Services Committee, Brady is a steady ally of bills that bolster current military efforts - even when his party isn't necessarily on board.

He's long advocated increasing funding for the Iraq war effort, regardless of the size of the spending increase. But he has also advocated the military on smaller levels: For example, in 2008, Brady introduced a successful bill allowing military personnel to use the House gym, saying, "These men and women are responsible for protecting our nation and we want them to have every opportunity to stay fit." Brady has been notably unwavering in his urging Congress to close the Guantanamo Bay prison.

The Network

Most of Brady's closest allies remain and Pennsylvanians both notable and notorious. He had a close connection with state Sen. Vincent Fumo (D), who was convicted in 2009 on federal corruption charges. The list of his friends in Philly Democratic politics runs long, and includes Jonathan Saidel, a candidate for state lieutenant governor in 2010; Sharif Street, a candidate for the state House in 2010; and city Councilman Andy Toy .

He's also got good friends in the legal industry, perhaps none more than lawyer Steve Cozen, whose firm is still owed $448,000 from Brady's failed mayoral campaign but isn't suing to get it back.

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Additional Resources