13th District Congressman Vern Buchanan is currently serving his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

During his first term, the Congressman earned a reputation as a thoughtful and independent lawmaker and won accolades from area newspapers for being a tireless advocate on behalf of his constituents.

The Congressman's top legislative priorities are to get the economy moving again, stop irresponsible spending and change the way Washington works by ending partisanship and gridlock and working instead in a bipartisan effort to get things done for the American people.

A strong fiscal conservative, the Congressman introduced the Buchanan Balanced Budget Amendment Act to require a balanced federal budget and the Earmark Accountability and Reform Act to reform the process through which federal funds are "earmarked" for pet projects. He also introduced legislation to stop automatic pay raises for Members of Congress until the budget is balanced.

Congressman Buchanan serves on the House Committee on Small Business and is the Republican Leader of the Subcommittee on Finance and Tax through which he is working to keep taxes low and increase the availability of capital to boost the economy and create jobs.

He is also working as a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to get Florida's fair share of federal transportation dollars. As a member of the Subcommittees on Surface Transportation, the Congressman will play a key role in the reauthorization of the five-year federal highway bill.

The Congressman also serves on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and was honored to win the Veterans of Foreign Wars Legislative Achievement Award for his work on legislation improving the quality of life of active and reserve service members, military retirees, veterans and their families.

Vern Buchanan grew up with five siblings in a blue collar household in a small town near Detroit, Michigan. He served six years in the Air National Guard and worked his way through college.

The self-made businessman is a respected leader in Florida's business community. He chaired both the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Board of the U.S. Chamber.

In addition, Congressman Buchanan has given both time and money to diverse community causes, including the Boys and Girls Club, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Walk to Cure Juvenile Diabetes, the American Heart Walk, the Mote Marine Laboratory, and the Ringling Museum of Art.

A husband and father, Congressman Buchanan lives in Longboat Key, Florida with his wife of more than 30 years. Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan have two grown sons, James and Matt.