Spencer Bachus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Spencer Bachus
Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2024
President	Joe Biden
In office May 9, 2019 – July 20, 2023
President	Donald Trump Joe Biden
Preceded by	Patricia Loui
Chair of the House Financial Services Committee
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Barney Frank
Succeeded by	Jeb Hensarling
Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Barney Frank
Succeeded by	Barney Frank
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 6th district
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Ben Erdreich
Succeeded by	Gary Palmer
Chair of the Alabama Republican Party
In office 1991–1992
Preceded by	Elbert Peters
Succeeded by	Elbert Peters
Member of the Alabama State Board of Education from the 6th District
In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1991
Preceded by	Howard Martin
Succeeded by	Bettye Fine Collins
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 46th district
In office January 3, 1984 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	Bryant Melton
Succeeded by	William Slaughter
Member of the Alabama Senate from the 17th district
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1984
Preceded by	Doug Cook
Succeeded by	Mac Parsons
Personal details
Born	Spencer Thomas Bachus III (1947-12-28) December 28, 1947 (age 77) Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Linda Bachus
Children	5
Education	Auburn University (BA) University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (JD)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army Alabama Army National Guard
Years of service	1969–1971

Spencer Thomas Bachus III (born December 28, 1947) is an American politician. He used to be a U.S. Representative for Alabama. He served in this role from 1993 to 2015.

Mr. Bachus is a member of the Republican Party. He was a key leader on the House Financial Services Committee. He served as its top Republican member from 2007 to 2011. Then, he became the chairman from 2011 to 2013. He announced his retirement from Congress in 2013. His time in office ended in 2015.

Early Life and Education

Spencer Bachus was born in Birmingham, Alabama. His parents were Edith and Jim Bachus Jr. He went to Auburn University and graduated in 1969. While there, he joined the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.

He served in the Alabama National Guard. This was from 1969 to 1971, during the Vietnam War. He also went to law school at this time. He earned his law degree from the University of Alabama Law School in 1972. Before becoming a politician, he owned a sawmill. He also worked as a lawyer until 1992.

Starting in Politics

Mr. Bachus began his political career in Alabama. In 1982, he was elected to the Alabama Senate. He served for one year. In 1983, he was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives.

In 1986, he made history. He was the first Republican elected to the Alabama State Board of Education. He represented the 6th District for one four-year term. In 1991, he became the Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. He held this position until he ran for Congress.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Key Roles and Retirement

From 2006 to 2012, Spencer Bachus was a top Republican. He worked on the House Financial Services Committee. He became the committee's chairman when his party had the most members in the House. This was during the 112th Congress.

House rules limit how long someone can lead a committee. Because of this, Mr. Bachus became "Chairman Emeritus" of the committee. He then rejoined the Judiciary Committee. He had left this committee when he became Financial Services Chair.

On September 30, 2013, Mr. Bachus shared his plans. He announced he would retire from Congress. His last day in office was in January 2015.

Winning Elections

Spencer Bachus was first elected to the U.S. House in 1992. He won against the person who held the seat before him, Ben Erdreich. The area he represented, Alabama's 6th congressional district, had been changed. This made it more likely for a Republican to win.

After his first win, Mr. Bachus was re-elected many times. He often won by a large number of votes. From 2000 to 2010, no Democrat even ran against him. When he did face challengers, he won with more than 70 percent of the votes.

In 2012, he ran for re-election again. He faced a few challengers in his own party. He spent a lot of money on his campaign. He won the primary election with 59% of the votes. He then won the general election with 71% of the votes.

Important Work in Congress

Spencer Bachus was known for his conservative voting record. He worked on many important issues. He helped change the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This law helps prevent identity theft. It also makes it easier for people to get their credit reports. He was also known for helping people in his district.

• Fighting Identity Theft: He helped pass a law in 2003. It gave people free yearly credit reports. This helped protect them from identity theft.
• Modernizing Banking: He helped pass the Check Clearing for the 21st Century (CHECK) Act in 2003. This law allowed banks to use digital versions of checks. This saved money and time.
• Protecting Bank Deposits: In 2005, he helped reform the federal deposit insurance system. This increased the amount of money protected in retirement accounts.
• Creating Homeland Security: In 2002, he voted to create the United States Department of Homeland Security. This department helps keep the country safe.
• Supporting Veterans: In 2012, he asked the Veterans Affairs Secretary to speed up processing claims. This was to help veterans get their benefits faster.
• Protecting the Flag: In 2013, he supported a change to the U.S. Constitution. This change would protect the American flag from being disrespected.
• Computer Forensics: He helped establish the National Computer Forensics Institute in Hoover, Alabama. This center trains law enforcement officers. They learn how to investigate computer crimes.

Spencer Bachus as Chair of the House Financial Services Committee

Committee Assignments

Mr. Bachus served on important committees in the House of Representatives:

• Committee on Financial Services (Chairman Emeritus)
• Committee on the Judiciary
  • Chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial, and Antitrust Law.
  • Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Other Groups He Joined

Mr. Bachus was also a member of several groups in Congress:

• Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus
• Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans
• Congressional Cement Caucus
• Congressional China Caucus
• Congressional Constitution Caucus
• Congressional Fire Services Caucus
• Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus
• Congressional Steel Caucus
• Friends of Switzerland Caucus
• House Cancer Caucus
• International Conservation Caucus
• Passenger Rail Caucus
• Republican Study Committee

Supporting Medical Care

Spencer Bachus and his wife, Linda, have been recognized for their support of medical research. They are known for helping people with serious illnesses.

• They received an award for their work in fighting cancer. This was from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
• Mr. Bachus was part of a group working on Alzheimer's disease.
• In 2014, they were honored for their efforts with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
• Linda Bachus received an award for her leadership. She was the first director of a program for cancer prevention.
• Mr. Bachus also supported laws to help people with serious illnesses get comfort care.

Work at the U.S. Export-Import Bank

Mr. Bachus was chosen by President Donald Trump to join the board of directors. This was for the U.S. Export-Import Bank. The U.S. Senate approved his nomination in May 2019. He served until July 2023.

He was nominated for a second term by President Joe Biden. He was confirmed in December 2023.

Personal Life

Spencer Bachus is married to Linda Bachus. They have five children together.

Images for kids

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  Official photo of Spencer Bachus.

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  Spencer Bachus as Chair of the House Financial Services Committee.