Robert B. Aderholt
RepublicanU.S. Representative, AL-4| Age | 60 (b. 1965-07-22) |
| Gender | Male |
| In office since | 1997-01-07 (~29 yrs) |
| Race / ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Congregationalist |
| Education | B.A. in history and political science, Birmingham-Southern College (1987); J.D., Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (1990); also attended University of North Alabama |
| Prior occupation | Attorney; Municipal Judge, Haleyville (1992); Legal Assistant to Governor Fob James (1995–1996) |
| Military service | No |
| Birthplace | Haleyville, Alabama |
| Marital status | Married — Caroline McDonald Aderholt |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Haleyville, Alabama |
| Notable relatives | Father-in-law Albert McDonald served in Alabama State Senate (6th district, 1974–1982) and as Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries (1983–1991); father Bobby Ray Aderholt served as circuit judge for 30+ years |
Pending research: languages · openly lgbtq.
Career & politics
| First elected | 1996 |
| Previous offices | Municipal Judge, Haleyville, Alabama (1992) · Legal Assistant to Governor Fob James, State of Alabama (1995–1996) |
| Committees | House Committee on Appropriations · Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Chair) · Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies · Subcommittee on Defense |
| Caucuses | Republican Study Committee · Tea Party Caucus · Congressional Coalition on Adoption (Co-Chair) · House Values Action Team (VAT) (Chairman) · Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus · International Conservation Caucus |
| Leadership | Chairman, Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (119th Congress) · Chairman, House Values Action Team (VAT) |
| Ideology | Strongly conservative; 83% lifetime ACU rating; 78% Heritage Action scorecard (119th Congress); opposes same-sex marriage, abortion; supports gun rights (NRA-endorsed); backed Ten Commandments public display legislation |
| Signature legislation | Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act (H.R. 3808, 111th Congress) — passed House and Senate but vetoed by President Obama · Ten Commandments Defense Act (introduced 1998, 2002, 2003) — did not pass |
Financial
Net worth: disclosed + (2023) · estimate
| Real property at 6207 30th Street North, Arlington, VA | real_estate · $1,000,001–$5,000,000 · 2023 |
| abrdn Healthcare Investors (HQH) | fund · $1,001–$15,000 · 2023 |
Top donors: See OpenSecrets career contributors page
Top industries: Health · Defense · Agriculture · Finance/Insurance/Real Estate · Lawyers/Lobbyists
Scandals & crimes ledger
resolved — FEC MUR 6466: Campaign Finance Reporting Violations and Civil Penalty
The FEC found that the Robert Aderholt for Congress committee and its treasurer Jeff Mobley inaccurately disclosed the committee's receipts, disbursements, and cash on hand in reports filed from 2006 to 2010, in violation of 2 U.S.C. § 434(b). More than $58,000 in receipts were misstated, records for how $129,600 was spent were inaccurate, and approximately $273,000 in contributions were not deposited within the required 10-day window under 11 C.F.R. § 103.3(a). The committee entered a conciliation agreement on August 3, 2012, paid $13,000 in civil penalties, replaced its bookkeeper with an FEC-trained individual, and hired an accountant for regular financial oversight.
resolved — FEC Campaign Finance Violation — Inaccurate Reporting (2006–2010)
The FEC found that Robert Aderholt for Congress filed multiple years of inaccurate campaign finance reports for the 2006–2010 period. Violations included misstatements of more than $58,000 in campaign receipts, inaccurate records for how $129,600 was spent, some undisclosed or mis-timed expenditures, and $273,000 in contributions not deposited within the required 10-day window. In August 2012, the FEC and Aderholt's campaign entered a conciliation agreement; the campaign paid a $13,000 civil penalty and adopted corrective measures.