Andrew S. Clyde
RepublicanU.S. Representative, GA-9| Age | 62 (b. 1963-11-22) |
| Gender | Male |
| In office since | 2021-01-03 (~5 yrs) |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Education | BBA in accounting and business management (cum laude), Bethel College/University, Mishawaka, Indiana, 1985; commissioned via NROTC at University of Notre Dame, 1985; MBA in corporate finance and entrepreneurship, University of Georgia Terry College of Business, 1999 |
| Prior occupation | Gun shop owner; founder and CEO of Clyde Armory, Inc. (established 1991) |
| Military service | Yes: U.S. Navy (active 1985-1996) and U.S. Navy Reserve (1996-2013) (Commander) |
| Birthplace | Walkerton, Ontario, Canada (foreign-born) |
| Marital status | married — Jennifer Morgan Clyde |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence | Jackson County, Georgia (Athens area) |
Pending research: race / ethnicity · languages · notable relatives · openly lgbtq.
Career & politics
| First elected | 2020 |
| Committees | Committee on Appropriations - Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies · Committee on Appropriations - Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies · Committee on the Budget |
| Caucuses | House Freedom Caucus · Republican Study Committee · Congressional Chicken Caucus |
| Ideology | DW-NOMINATE first dimension score 0.823 (strongly conservative), 117th-119th Congresses, per Voteview |
| Signature legislation | Clyde-Hirsch-Sowers RESPECT Act (enacted as part of the Taxpayer First Act, 2019), restricting IRS structuring-related civil asset seizures · Constitutional Hearing Protection Act (H.R. 3228), to remove firearm suppressors from National Firearms Act regulation · Provisions in the 2025 Republican tax/reconciliation bill eliminating the $200 excise tax on firearm suppressors |
Financial
Net worth: disclosed $6,430,007–$30,950,000 (2023)
| Clyde Armory, Inc. | business_owned · $5,000,001–$25,000,000 · 2023 |
| 4800 Atlanta Hwy, LLC (Athens/Clarke Co., GA) | real_estate · $1,000,001–$5,000,000 · 2023 |
| IRA - Oakmark Fund | fund · $250,001–$500,000 · 2023 |
| Oakmark Select Fund | fund · $50,001–$100,000 · 2023 |
| Rental Home (Fleming Island/Clay, FL) | real_estate · $100,001–$250,000 · 2023 |
| Navy Federal Credit Union (bank account) | other · $15,001–$50,000 · 2023 |
| Robins Financial Credit Union (bank account) | other · $15,001–$50,000 · 2023 |
Scandals & crimes ledger
resolved — IRS Civil Asset Forfeiture of Clyde Armory Bank Account (Structuring) business
In April 2013, the IRS seized approximately $940,000 from the bank account of Clyde Armory Inc., Andrew Clyde's gun store in Athens, Georgia, based on civil asset forfeiture statutes targeting suspected cash-structuring. No criminal charges were ever brought. Clyde refused early settlement offers that would have returned only a fraction of the funds and ultimately forfeited $50,000 while recovering the balance. Clyde later testified before Congress and his case directly inspired the Clyde-Hirsch-Sowers RESPECT Act (2019), which strengthened procedural protections for property owners facing IRS civil seizures.
resolved — House Ethics Committee fines for evading Capitol security screening (magnetometers)
After the House adopted a rule in February 2021 (following the January 6 Capitol attack) requiring members to pass through metal detectors before entering the House floor, Clyde was cited by Capitol Police for deliberately bypassing the screening on February 5 and February 8, 2021. He was fined $5,000 for the first instance and $10,000 for the second, totaling $15,000. The House Committee on Ethics upheld the fines after his appeal. Clyde paid the fines (deducted from his salary) and joined a federal lawsuit challenging them; the courts dismissed the case as a non-justiciable internal legislative matter and the Supreme Court declined review in 2024.
resolved — House Ethics Committee: Metal Detector (Magnetometer) Fines Upheld
Rep. Clyde bypassed Capitol magnetometer security screenings on February 5 and February 8, 2021, receiving fines of $5,000 and $10,000 respectively under House Resolution 73 adopted after the January 6 Capitol riot. The House Ethics Committee denied his appeal in April 2021. He and two colleagues filed a federal lawsuit arguing the fines were unconstitutional, but a D.C. federal judge dismissed the case in August 2022 for lack of jurisdiction.
resolved — House Ethics Committee: House Floor Mask Mandate Fines Upheld
Beginning in September 2021, Rep. Clyde was repeatedly fined for violating the House floor mask mandate established under COVID-19 protocols. Over approximately 28 documented violations, the fines accumulated to approximately $68,000. The House Ethics Committee rejected Clyde's November 2021 appeal and upheld the fines. Clyde reportedly restructured his payroll withholding to a nominal $1 take-home pay to impede collection by wage garnishment.