Vernon G. Buchanan

Republican Representative of Florida's 16th district

  • Representative

    Florida, district 16

    January 3, 2023 - January 3, 2025

202-225-5015

@VernBuchanan

buchanan.house.gov

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9

Congresses Served

9

House Terms

January 1, 1951 (74 years old)

Birthday

  • Served as U.S. representative for Florida’s 16th congressional district since 2013, previously representing the 13th district from 2007.
  • Member of the Republican Party.
  • Only Republican member from Florida on the House Ways and Means Committee.
  • Before Congress, was a businessman for over 30 years and chaired the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Florida Chamber of Commerce.
  • Served on the board and executive committee of the United States Chamber of Commerce.
  • Net worth reported as $157.2 million, making him the 6th-wealthiest member of Congress.
  • Received over $2.3 million in forgiven PPP loans.
  • Grew up in Inkster, Michigan, and served in the Michigan Air National Guard for six years.
  • Holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cleary University and an MBA from the University of Detroit.
  • Reported over $100 million in assets in 2007, with wealth largely from automotive empire and ownership interests in about 50 other businesses.
  • Involved in several legal disputes related to his business practices, including lawsuits from franchisees and a dispute over taxes with the IRS.
  • Entered politics by running for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, winning a closely contested race.
  • Has been re-elected multiple times, with his campaigns often involving significant personal financial contributions.
  • Cleared by the House Ethics Committee in 2012 of charges related to misleading Congress in financial disclosure forms.
  • Has been investigated for campaign finance misconduct but no criminal charges were filed.
  • Supported legislation for balanced budget amendment, veterans’ benefits, and anti-gang initiatives.
  • Voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and supports lowering corporate tax rates.
  • Opposes abortion and has a “C” rating from NORML for his voting history on cannabis-related issues.
  • Describes himself as a strong defender of the Second Amendment and has received varying ratings from the NRA over the years.
  • Co-sponsored the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018.
  • Voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.
  • Lives in Longboat Key, Florida, with his wife, Sandy, and has two sons, including James, who was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2018.
  • Received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of Enterprise award and the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Legislative Achievement Award.
  • Tested positive for COVID-19 in July 2021 despite being fully vaccinated.