Robert Wexler
Encyclopedia
Robert Wexler is the president of the Washington-based S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace
.
Wexler was a Democratic
member of the U.S. House of Representatives
, representing , from 1997 until his resignation on January 3, 2010.
in Hollywood, Florida
and later attended Emory University
for a year. He transferred to the University of Florida
, where he received his Bachelor of Arts
degree
in political science
in 1982. Wexler received his law degree
from The George Washington University Law School
in 1985 and was a lawyer in private practice with Shutts & Bowen
before serving in the House.
from 1990 to 1996 before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1996 election, filling the open seat vacated by fellow Democrat Harry Johnston
. He has been reelected five times, never facing serious opposition in one of the most Democratic districts in Florida. During the 2008 campaign, Wexler agreed to receive JStreetPAC’s endorsement and financial support and lost funding from Washington PAC as a result. Morris Amitay, the head of Washington PAC, made clear to candidates seeking support from his PAC that he does not view favorably those who receive funds from JStreet. Amitay said “There’s a striking resemblance between the people they support and the anti-Israel Hall of Fame,”
In mid December 2007, Congressman Wexler launched a website (Wexlerwantshearings.com) to promote his effort for impeachment hearings. The site included a You Tube video where he explained his position and a petition for like-minded people to sign. Wexler set a goal of getting 50,000 Americans to join his cause. In just two weeks, over 200,000 people signed the petition and over 70,000 people watched his You Tube video.
book What Happened by former White House Press Secretary
Scott McClellan
, Wexler went on record as saying he would like McClellan to testify under oath about the alleged crimes of the Bush Administration. The Bush Administration has claimed that such proceedings would be a violation of executive privilege
. At the time, Wexler was a member of the House Judiciary Committee. The testimony was offered on June 20 by former Bush press secretary Scott McClellan
.
as a candidate for the 2008 Presidential election
. On May 31, 2008, he spoke at the Democratic National Committee
's Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting on behalf of the Obama campaign. He argued for a reinstatement of both pledged and superdelegates from the state of Florida to the 2008 Democratic National Convention
, with both exercising a half vote at the Convention. He called this an "equitable solution", allowing Florida to participate in the Democratic Party's nominating process, and acknowledged that this would result in a net gain of nineteen delegates from Florida for Hillary Rodham Clinton
, who was Barack Obama's chief opponent in the nominating process.
's articles of impeachment
for George W. Bush
. He referred to the Congressional Oath of Office
saying it was the duty of Congress to act, and stated: "President Bush deliberately created a massive propaganda campaign to sell the war in Iraq to the American people and the charges detailed in this impeachment resolution indicate an unprecedented abuse of executive power." Democratic leaders Steny Hoyer
and Nancy Pelosi
have opposed these efforts. Pelosi announced that she "would not support a resolution calling for Bush's impeachment, saying such a move was unlikely to succeed and would be divisive.”
revealed that Wexler claims his mother-in-law's home in Delray Beach as his official residence (though he is listed on the House roll as "D-Boca Raton"), but lives in a Maryland suburb for most of the year. Edward J. Lynch
, a Republican running for Wexler's congressional seat, has been researching Wexler's living arrangements and took his argument to the Fox News program. "The house he lists on his voter registration is his in-laws' house, in a gated 55-and-older community," Lynch said. "Legally, he can't move back with children under 18." After Wexler was confronted about the allegation, he stated that his mother-in-law does own the house in Delray Beach. But he also said he stays there when in Florida which, according to his office is, on average, about twice a month. As a Florida resident, Wexler does not pay personal income tax, and his vehicles are also registered in that state, despite his near-permanent residency in the Washington metropolitan area
.
Wexler, born in 1961, also does not personally meet the age requirements for his mother-in-law's 55-and-older community. However, 55-and-older communities are required, both by Florida law, and federal equal housing laws, to permit a small percentage of younger residents. Wexler later obtained a separate address within Palm Beach County.
, and the 2006 elections
.
From the 1996 election:
From the 2000 election:
From the 2002 election
:
Wexler faced Lynch and independent candidate Ben Graber in the Nov. 4, 2008 election, defeating them both.
From the 2008 election
:
The following is a partial list of Wexler's congressional caucus
memberships:
, Wexler went along with Stephen Colbert
's idea of making jokes about the use of cocaine. Led by Stephen Colbert, he first repeated what Colbert had said, then completed with the following statements (see video):
Good Morning America
, The Today Show (the ABC and NBC morning shows
), and Fox News aired edited versions of the segment. In response, on the July 25, 2006 episode of his show, Colbert castigated those network's morning shows for broadcasting edited versions of the interview in a misleading and negative light. He also told his viewers to "vote Wexler, the man's got a sense of humor, unlike, evidently, journalists."
On November 7, 2006, Wexler returned to The Colbert Report during the show's "Midterm Midtacular" special and joked about what he said in the earlier interview. When Colbert asked him if he would "reach across the aisle" if the Democrats took back the House (video clip), Wexler was cautious and joked that he learned from the last interview he had to watch what he said.
, a six-part documentary on the Sundance Channel.
.
The middle child, Zachary, is currently attending George Washington University
as a freshman.
Center for Middle East Peace & Economic Cooperation
The S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace is an American non-profit organization that works with leaders and policymakers in the United States and the Middle East to help reach a just and comprehensive peace that will bring an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict...
.
Wexler was a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the U.S. House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, representing , from 1997 until his resignation on January 3, 2010.
Early life
Wexler was born in Queens, New York to Sonny and Sandra Wexler. He and his family moved to South Florida when he was ten. Wexler graduated from Hollywood Hills High SchoolHollywood Hills High School
Hollywood Hills High School is a secondary school located in Hollywood, Florida, that teaches grades 9–12.-Small Learning Communities:Hollywood Hills High School Contains Small Learning Communities*The School of Business and Human Services...
in Hollywood, Florida
Hollywood, Florida
-Demographics:As of 2000, there were 59,673 households out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of...
and later attended Emory University
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
for a year. He transferred to the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
, where he received his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
in 1982. Wexler received his law degree
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from The George Washington University Law School
The George Washington University Law School
The George Washington University Law School, commonly referred to as GW Law, is the law school of The George Washington University. It was founded in 1825 and is the oldest law school in Washington, D.C. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a charter member of the...
in 1985 and was a lawyer in private practice with Shutts & Bowen
Shutts & Bowen
Shutts & Bowen LLP is a Florida-based law firm with over 230 attorneys in six offices in the State of Florida and one office in Europe. Shutts & Bowen was founded in 1910. Frank B. Shutts came to Miami in 1909 and became the legal representative of Henry M. Flagler and the Florida East Coast...
before serving in the House.
Political career
Wexler served in the Florida SenateFlorida Senate
The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Senate is composed of 40 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 470,032....
from 1990 to 1996 before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1996 election, filling the open seat vacated by fellow Democrat Harry Johnston
Harry Johnston (politician)
Harry A. Johnston II is a former member of the United States House of Representatives from Florida. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
. He has been reelected five times, never facing serious opposition in one of the most Democratic districts in Florida. During the 2008 campaign, Wexler agreed to receive JStreetPAC’s endorsement and financial support and lost funding from Washington PAC as a result. Morris Amitay, the head of Washington PAC, made clear to candidates seeking support from his PAC that he does not view favorably those who receive funds from JStreet. Amitay said “There’s a striking resemblance between the people they support and the anti-Israel Hall of Fame,”
Wexler announces support for impeachment hearings
In an e-mail to supporters on November 7, 2007, Representative Robert Wexler, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, stated about H.Res. 333:In mid December 2007, Congressman Wexler launched a website (Wexlerwantshearings.com) to promote his effort for impeachment hearings. The site included a You Tube video where he explained his position and a petition for like-minded people to sign. Wexler set a goal of getting 50,000 Americans to join his cause. In just two weeks, over 200,000 people signed the petition and over 70,000 people watched his You Tube video.
Call for McClellan testimony
After the release of the controversialControversy
Controversy is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of opinion. The word was coined from the Latin controversia, as a composite of controversus – "turned in an opposite direction," from contra – "against" – and vertere – to turn, or versus , hence, "to turn...
book What Happened by former White House Press Secretary
White House Press Secretary
The White House Press Secretary is a senior White House official whose primary responsibility is to act as spokesperson for the government administration....
Scott McClellan
Scott McClellan
Scott McClellan is a former White House Press Secretary for President George W. Bush, and author of a controversial No. 1 New York Times bestseller about the Bush Administration titled What Happened. He replaced Ari Fleischer as press secretary in July 2003 and served until May 10, 2006...
, Wexler went on record as saying he would like McClellan to testify under oath about the alleged crimes of the Bush Administration. The Bush Administration has claimed that such proceedings would be a violation of executive privilege
Executive privilege
In the United States government, executive privilege is the power claimed by the President of the United States and other members of the executive branch to resist certain subpoenas and other interventions by the legislative and judicial branches of government...
. At the time, Wexler was a member of the House Judiciary Committee. The testimony was offered on June 20 by former Bush press secretary Scott McClellan
Scott McClellan
Scott McClellan is a former White House Press Secretary for President George W. Bush, and author of a controversial No. 1 New York Times bestseller about the Bush Administration titled What Happened. He replaced Ari Fleischer as press secretary in July 2003 and served until May 10, 2006...
.
2008 presidential election
On March 2, 2007, Congressman Wexler endorsed Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
as a candidate for the 2008 Presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
. On May 31, 2008, he spoke at the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
's Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting on behalf of the Obama campaign. He argued for a reinstatement of both pledged and superdelegates from the state of Florida to the 2008 Democratic National Convention
2008 Democratic National Convention
The United States 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The convention was held in Denver,...
, with both exercising a half vote at the Convention. He called this an "equitable solution", allowing Florida to participate in the Democratic Party's nominating process, and acknowledged that this would result in a net gain of nineteen delegates from Florida for Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
, who was Barack Obama's chief opponent in the nominating process.
Articles of impeachment
On June 10, 2008 Wexler co-sponsored and signed Dennis KucinichDennis Kucinich
Dennis John Kucinich is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He was furthermore a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections....
's articles of impeachment
Movement to impeach George W. Bush
During the presidency of George W. Bush, several American politicians sought to either investigate Bush for allegedly impeachable offenses, or to bring actual impeachment charges on the floor of the United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee...
for George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. He referred to the Congressional Oath of Office
Oath of office
An oath of office is an oath or affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations...
saying it was the duty of Congress to act, and stated: "President Bush deliberately created a massive propaganda campaign to sell the war in Iraq to the American people and the charges detailed in this impeachment resolution indicate an unprecedented abuse of executive power." Democratic leaders Steny Hoyer
Steny Hoyer
Steny Hamilton Hoyer is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1981. The district includes a large swath of rural and suburban territory southeast of Washington, D.C.. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
and Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi is the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives and served as the 60th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011...
have opposed these efforts. Pelosi announced that she "would not support a resolution calling for Bush's impeachment, saying such a move was unlikely to succeed and would be divisive.”
Residency dispute
In July 2008, Fox news host Bill O'ReillyBill O'Reilly (political commentator)
William James "Bill" O'Reilly, Jr. is an American television host, author, syndicated columnist and political commentator. He is the host of the political commentary program The O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel, which is the most watched cable news television program on American television...
revealed that Wexler claims his mother-in-law's home in Delray Beach as his official residence (though he is listed on the House roll as "D-Boca Raton"), but lives in a Maryland suburb for most of the year. Edward J. Lynch
Edward J. Lynch
Edward J. "Ed" Lynch, Sr. is an American politician and two-time Republican Party candidate for the United States House of Representatives from Florida's 19th congressional district....
, a Republican running for Wexler's congressional seat, has been researching Wexler's living arrangements and took his argument to the Fox News program. "The house he lists on his voter registration is his in-laws' house, in a gated 55-and-older community," Lynch said. "Legally, he can't move back with children under 18." After Wexler was confronted about the allegation, he stated that his mother-in-law does own the house in Delray Beach. But he also said he stays there when in Florida which, according to his office is, on average, about twice a month. As a Florida resident, Wexler does not pay personal income tax, and his vehicles are also registered in that state, despite his near-permanent residency in the Washington metropolitan area
Washington Metropolitan Area
The Washington Metropolitan Area is the metropolitan area centered on Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The area includes all of the federal district and parts of the U.S...
.
Wexler, born in 1961, also does not personally meet the age requirements for his mother-in-law's 55-and-older community. However, 55-and-older communities are required, both by Florida law, and federal equal housing laws, to permit a small percentage of younger residents. Wexler later obtained a separate address within Palm Beach County.
Election results
Wexler ran unopposed in the 1998, 2004United States House elections, 2004
Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 109th Congress were held on November 2, 2004. The House of Representatives has 435 seats. It coincided with the reelection of President George W. Bush. In the 108th Congress, Republicans held 227 seats, Democrats held 205, with two...
, and the 2006 elections
United States House elections, 2006
- House of Representatives prior to the election :As of November 7, 2006, the U.S. House of the 109th Congress was composed of 229 Republicans, 201 Democrats and 1 Independent . There were also four vacancies...
.
From the 1996 election:
| Beverly Kennedy | Robert Wexler | |
|---|---|---|
| Party | Republican | Democratic |
| Subtotal | 99,073 | 188,745 |
| Absentee ballots | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 99,073 | 188,745 |
| Percentage | 34.4% | 65.6% |
From the 2000 election:
| Morris Thompson | Robert Wexler | |
|---|---|---|
| Party | Republican | Democratic |
| Subtotal | 67,782 | 171,068 |
| Absentee ballots | 7 | 12 |
| Totals | 67,789 | 171,080 |
| Percentage | 28.4% | 71.6% |
From the 2002 election
United States House elections, 2002
The Elections for the United States House of Representatives on 5 November 2002 was in the middle of President George W. Bush's first term. Although it was a midterm election, the Republican Party gained a net eight seats, solidifying their majority...
:
| Jack Merkl | Robert Wexler | |
|---|---|---|
| Party | Republican | Democratic |
| Total | 60,477 | 156,747 |
| Percentage | 27.8% | 72.2% |
Wexler faced Lynch and independent candidate Ben Graber in the Nov. 4, 2008 election, defeating them both.
From the 2008 election
United States House elections, 2008
Infobox Election| election_name = United States House of Representatives elections, 2008| country = United States| type = legislative| ongoing = no...
:
| Edward Lynch | Robert Wexler | Ben Graber | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Republican | Democratic | NPA |
| Total | 83,357 | 202,465 | 20,214 |
| Percentage | 27.2% | 66.2% | 6.6% |
Committee assignments and caucus memberships
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Subcommittee on Europe (Chairman)
- Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight
- Subcommittee on the Middle East and South AsiaUnited States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South AsiaThe U.S. House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia is a subcommittee within the House Foreign Affairs Committee.-Jurisdiction:The subcommittee is one of five with what the committees calls "regional jurisdiction" over a specific area of the globe...
- Committee on the JudiciaryUnited States House Committee on the JudiciaryThe U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, also called the House Judiciary Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is charged with overseeing the administration of justice within the federal courts, administrative agencies and Federal law enforcement...
- Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy
Caucus memberships
The following is a partial list of Wexler's congressional caucus
Congressional caucus
A congressional caucus is a group of members of the United States Congress that meets to pursue common legislative objectives. Formally, caucuses are formed as congressional member organizations through the United States House of Representatives and governed under the rules of that chamber...
memberships:
- Congressional Caucus on Global Road SafetyCongressional Caucus on Global Road SafetyCongressional Caucus on Global Road Safety is a congressional caucus that aims to increase awareness of road safety issues within the House of Representatives. The caucus holds educational briefings to increase knowledge of the pressing matters of road safety, including the effects of...
(co-founder and co-chairman) - Caucus on U.S.-Turkish Relations (co-founder)
- Taiwan Caucus (co-founder)
- Caucus on Intellectual Property Promotion and Piracy Prevention (co-founder/co-chairman)
- Indonesia Caucus (co-founder/co-chairman)
- Congressional Study Group on Turkey (co-chair)
- Congressional Progressive CaucusCongressional Progressive CaucusThe Congressional Progressive Caucus is the largest caucus within the Democratic caucus in the United States Congress with 83 declared members, and works to advance progressive issues and positions....
- India Caucus
- Serbia Caucus
Colbert Report interview
Congressman Wexler's multiple appearances on The Colbert Report have elevated him to status of being a bona fide "friend of the show." On the July 20, 2006 episode, during an interview for the segment Better Know a DistrictBetter Know A District
Better Know a District is a recurring segment on The Colbert Report. It offers a humorous explanation of a different United States Congressional district in each segment and generally includes an interview with that district's member of Congress.- Structure :Each segment begins with basic...
, Wexler went along with Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert (character)
The Reverend / Sir / Dr. / Stephen T. Colbert, D.F.A., brain-child of Google, is the persona of political satirist Stephen Colbert, as portrayed on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report. Described as a "well-intentioned, poorly informed high-status idiot", the character is a self-obsessed right-wing...
's idea of making jokes about the use of cocaine. Led by Stephen Colbert, he first repeated what Colbert had said, then completed with the following statements (see video):
Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
, The Today Show (the ABC and NBC morning shows
Breakfast television
Breakfast television or morning show , is a type of infotainment television program, broadcast live in the morning...
), and Fox News aired edited versions of the segment. In response, on the July 25, 2006 episode of his show, Colbert castigated those network's morning shows for broadcasting edited versions of the interview in a misleading and negative light. He also told his viewers to "vote Wexler, the man's got a sense of humor, unlike, evidently, journalists."
On November 7, 2006, Wexler returned to The Colbert Report during the show's "Midterm Midtacular" special and joked about what he said in the earlier interview. When Colbert asked him if he would "reach across the aisle" if the Democrats took back the House (video clip), Wexler was cautious and joked that he learned from the last interview he had to watch what he said.
The Hill
In August and September 2006, Wexler and his office staff were featured on The HillThe Hill (TV series)
The Hill is a documentary series on the Sundance Channel. In the show Florida Congressman Robert Wexler opens his office doors to the cameras to expose the heated matters facing his constituents today...
, a six-part documentary on the Sundance Channel.
Family
Wexler is married to the former Laurie Cohen. They have three children Rachel, Zachary, and Hannah. The eldest, Rachel, is currently pursuing a degree in English at Brown UniversityBrown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
.
The middle child, Zachary, is currently attending George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
as a freshman.
External links
- S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace
- Congressman Robert Wexler, bio on Center website
- Congressman Robert Wexler, official U.S. House site
- Robert Wexler for Congress, official campaign website
- Fire Breathing Liberal, Wexler's book page at Amazon.comAmazon.comAmazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
- Biography and issue positions at Votimus.com