Biography

The State has called John Spratt "a bridge-builder who can reach across party lines."

National Journal featured him on its cover as "a stand-out" in Congress, comparing his legislative skills to the "best infielders in baseball."

In a Washingtonian magazine survey, Congressional staff voted him a "Workhorse" and "House Member I'd Like to See Win the Presidency in 2008."

John Spratt grew up in York, South Carolina, where he still lives. He graduated from York High School and Davidson College. At both schools, he was president of the student body. He won a Marshall Scholarship to Oxford, where he studied economics, and earned a law degree from Yale. He served as a captain in the Army from 1969-71, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. In 1971, he came home to practice law. He was county and school district attorney, president of the Bank of Fort Mill, owner of a farm and small insurance agency. Active in his community, he was an elder at First Presbyterian Church, president of the Chamber of Commerce and United Way, and chairman of the Board of Divine Saviour Hospital.

First elected to Congress in 1982, John Spratt is Chairman of the House Budget Committee and has been a leader in shaping the federal budget. He first served on the Budget Committee from 1990-1992 and was the committee's Ranking Member from 1997-2006. One of his proudest accomplishments is the Balanced Budget Agreement of 1997, which put the federal budget in surplus for the first time in thirty years.

John is also the second ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. He serves on three subcommittees: Oversight and Investigations, Strategic Forces, and Air and Land Forces.

In addition to his committee work, John co-chairs the Textile Caucus, the Bearing Caucus, and the Nuclear Energy Caucus.

John is married to Jane Stacy of Filbert, South Carolina, a graduate of Winthrop University and Smith College, and a former school teacher. They have three daughters and five grandchildren.