Dave Obey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dave Obey
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| Chair of the House Appropriations Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Jerry Lewis |
| Succeeded by | Hal Rogers |
| In office March 29, 1994 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | William Natcher |
| Succeeded by | Bob Livingston |
| Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph M. McDade |
| Succeeded by | Jerry Lewis |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 7th district |
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| In office April 1, 1969 – January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Melvin Laird |
| Succeeded by | Sean Duffy |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 2nd Marathon County district |
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| In office January 7, 1963 – April 1, 1969 |
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| Preceded by | Paul A. Luedtke |
| Succeeded by | Tony Earl |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
David Ross Obey
October 3, 1938 Okmulgee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
Joan Obey
(m. 1962; |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Wisconsin, Madison (BS, MA) |
David Ross Obey (born October 3, 1938) is an American lobbyist and former politician. He served in the United States House of Representatives for Wisconsin's 7th district from 1969 to 2011. This district covers much of northwestern Wisconsin.
Obey is a member of the Democratic Party. He was the Chairman of the important House Committee on Appropriations. He held this role from 1994 to 1995 and again from 2007 to 2011. For a long time, he was the longest-serving member of the U.S. House from Wisconsin.
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Early Life and Education
David Obey was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In 1941, his family moved to Wausau, Wisconsin. He grew up there and has lived in Wausau ever since. He went to Wausau East High School.
He first attended the University of Wisconsin branch campus at Wausau. Later, he transferred to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. There, he earned a degree in political science. He also did advanced studies in Soviet politics.
When he was young, Obey supported the Republican Party. However, he changed his views after seeing one of his teachers unfairly accused. He then became interested in the progressive ideas of Robert M. La Follette. By his teenage years, he joined the Democratic Party. Before working in Congress, Obey was a real estate broker.
Serving in Wisconsin
Obey was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1963. He served in this state legislature until 1969. During his time there, he became the Assistant Majority Leader for the Democrats. He held this leadership role from 1967 until he left for the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1969, Obey was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He took the place of Melvin R. Laird, who became Secretary of Defense. Obey was only 30 years old when he started. This made him the youngest member of Congress at that time. He was also the first Democrat to represent his district in the 20th century. He was reelected 18 times.
In Congress, Obey led a group that wrote the House's Code of Ethics. One of his important changes required members of the House to share their personal financial information. This helped the public know about any possible conflicts of interest.
Obey was Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. This committee decides how the government spends money. He chaired it from 2007 to 2011. He had also been chairman briefly from 1994 to 1995. From 1995 to 2007, he was the top Democrat on the committee. He also led the subcommittee that handled funding for labor, health, and education.
Obey was known as a progressive politician. He believed in ideas similar to those of Robert La Follette.
In 2010, Obey suggested adding $10 billion to a spending bill. This money would help prevent teacher layoffs across the country. The House approved this idea.
On March 21, 2010, Obey used the same gavel that passed Medicare in 1965. He used it to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Retirement from Congress
On May 5, 2010, Dave Obey announced he would not run for reelection. He had faced challenges in his district. Also, he was getting older and felt frustrated with some political issues.
After his retirement, Sean Duffy, a Republican, won his seat.
Later Career
After leaving Congress in January 2011, Obey began a new career. In June 2011, he started working for Gephardt Government Affairs. This is a lobbying firm started by former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt.
Personal Life
David Obey married Joan Lepinski when he was a graduate student. They were married until Joan passed away in 2023. They had two children together.
Books Written
