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Dave Obey
Dave Obey
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David Ross Obey (/ˈoʊbiː/ OH-bee; born October 3, 1938) is an American lobbyist and former politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district from 1969 to 2011. The district includes much of the northwestern portion of the state, including Wausau and Superior. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and served as Chairman of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations from 1994 to 1995 and again from 2007 to 2011. Until he was surpassed by Jim Sensenbrenner in 2020, Obey was the longest-serving member ever of the United States House of Representatives from the state of Wisconsin. Obey remains the longest serving Democratic Representative from Wisconsin.

Key Information

Early life and career

[edit]

Obey was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, the son of Mary Jane (née Chellis) and Orville John Obey.[1] In 1941, his family moved back to his parents' native Wisconsin, and Obey was raised in Wausau, Wisconsin, where he has lived since.[1] He graduated from Wausau East High School and initially attended the University of Wisconsin branch campus at Wausau to save money before transferring to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from and did graduate work in Soviet politics at the University of Wisconsin under a National Defense Education Act three-year scholarship. [2][3]

During his youth, Obey identified as a Republican, and helped deliver campaign material for Joseph McCarthy during his electoral campaigns.[3] However, he left the party after seeing one of his teachers falsely branded as a communist by supporters of Senator Joseph McCarthy.[4] Obey also had come to identify with the progressive philosophy of Robert M. La Follette and began working for the electoral campaigns of Democrats such as Gaylord Nelson, Robert Kastenmeier, and William Proxmire, becoming affiliated with the Democratic Party sometime in the mid-1950s during his teenage years.[4][3]

Before serving in Congress, Obey worked as a real estate broker.[5]

Wisconsin State Assembly

[edit]

He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1963 and served there until 1969. During his time in the state legislature he rose to the position of Assistant Majority leader for the Democratic caucus.[3] Obey served in that role from 1967 until 1969, when he left the legislature to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.[5][2]

U.S. House of Representatives

[edit]
David Obey Center for Health Sciences at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau
Dave Obey with former President Bill Clinton and Representative Bill Young in September 2001.

Obey was elected to the House to replace eight-term incumbent Republican Melvin R. Laird, who was appointed Secretary of Defense under President Richard Nixon. Obey, only 30 when he was elected, became the youngest member of Congress upon taking his seat, as well as the first Democrat to represent the district in the 20th century. He was elected to a full term in 1970 and was reelected 18 times. Obey faced his closest race in 1972, during his bid for a second full term, when his district was merged with the neighboring 10th District of Republican Alvin O'Konski, a 15-term incumbent. However, Obey retained 60 percent of his former territory, and was handily reelected in subsequent contests.

In Congress, Obey chaired the commission to write the House's Code of Ethics. Among the reforms he instituted was one requiring members of the House to disclose their personal financial dealings so the public would be made aware of any potential conflicts of interest. Obey served as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee from 2007 to 2011; he briefly chaired this committee from 1994 to 1995 and served as its ranking Democrat from 1995 to 2007. He also chaired its Subcommittee on Labor.

Obey was one of the most liberal members of the House; he considers himself a progressive in the tradition of Robert La Follette.[6] Obey had risen to the position of fifth ranking House Democrat since his party retook control of Congress.

During the 1970s, Obey was the leader of the Democratic Study Group, which was a caucus of liberal Democrats in the House which was intended to "counter" the influence of conservative and southern Democrats.[3]

His "Obey Amendment" has prohibited the export of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor to American allies such as Japan.[7] The amendment was criticized at the time by the U.S. Department of Labor for

Obey also is remembered for being the congressman who intervened when fellow Democrat Harold Ford, Jr. approached Republican Jean Schmidt on the House floor in 2005. Ford was upset because Schmidt had called Congressman John Murtha a coward for advocating a withdrawal of American forces in Iraq.

Obey holds a critical view of the mainstream American news media, as evidenced by his words on June 13, 2008, upon the sudden death of NBC News Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert. Obey said of Russert: "Tim Russert's death is not just a body blow for NBC News; it is a body blow for the nation and for anyone who cherishes newsmen and women who have remained devoted to reporting hard news in an era increasingly consumed by trivia."[8] Dave Obey announced an end to his congressional career on May 5, 2010, with press releases being released on May 6.[9]

On June 30, 2010, Obey proposed an amendment to a supplemental war spending bill that would allocate $10 billion to prevent expected teacher layoffs from school districts nationwide. The amendment, which passed the House on July 1, 2010, proposed siphoning off $500 million from the Race to the Top fund as well as $300 million designated for charter schools and teacher incentive pay.[10] In response, the White House released a statement threatening a veto if the bill is passed by the Senate.[11]

On March 21, 2010, Obey swung the same gavel used to pass Medicare in 1965, but this time to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[12][13]

Retirement

[edit]

Obey was expected to run in 2010, having raised a warchest of $1.4 million. However, Obey was facing tough poll numbers in his district, plus his age and the death of close colleague John Murtha and his frustration with the White House convinced him to bow out of the race.[14][15]

On May 5, 2010, Obey announced that he would not seek reelection to Congress.

Political campaigns

[edit]

In 1994, Obey only won reelection by eight points as the Democrats lost control of the House during the Republican Revolution.[16]

2008

[edit]
See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin § District 7

2010

[edit]

Obey was expected to run in 2010, having raised a warchest of $1.4 million. However, Obey was facing tough poll numbers in his district, plus his age and the death of close colleague John Murtha and his frustration with the White House convinced him to bow out of the race.[14][15]

Upon his retirement, the seat was won by Republican Sean Duffy, who defeated Democratic State Senator Julie Lassa.

Later career

[edit]

Obey left Congress in January 2011, and was succeeded by Republican Sean Duffy. He began working for Gephardt Government Affairs, a lobbying firm founded by former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, in June 2011.[17]

Personal life

[edit]

While Obey was still a graduate student, he married Joan Lepinski. The two remained married until Joan's death in 2023.[3] Obey and his wife had two children together.[18]

Books

[edit]
  • Foreword to Along Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail by Eric Sherman and Andrew Hanson III (2008, University of Wisconsin Press) ISBN 978-0-299-22664-0
  • Raising Hell for Justice: The Washington Battles of a Heartland Progressive (2008, University of Wisconsin Press) ISBN 978-0-299-22540-7

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dave Obey

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
David Ross Obey (born October 3, 1938) is an American former politician and lobbyist who served as a Democratic member of the for from 1969 to 2011. Elected at age 30 as the youngest member of the at the time, Obey held the seat for 21 consecutive terms, representing a rural, manufacturing-heavy district in northern . He rose to prominence as ranking member and twice chairman of the powerful Committee on Appropriations, exerting substantial control over federal from 1994–1995 and 2007–2011. Obey's legislative influence focused on bolstering domestic programs in , care, and worker protections, including expansions of Pell grants, student loan interest rate reductions, and medical research funding. As a key architect of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, he helped steer hundreds of billions in stimulus funds toward , , and initiatives amid the . His career, however, drew criticism for facilitating earmark-driven pork-barrel spending, with congressional pet projects proliferating under his Appropriations leadership despite pledges to curb them. Obey also faced rebuke for partisan clashes, such as berating a constituent opposing funding and threatening to withhold appropriations over policy disputes. Retiring in 2010 amid health concerns, shifting district demographics, and frustration with partisan gridlock, Obey transitioned to lobbying and advisory roles.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Upbringing

David Ross Obey was born on October 3, 1938, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, to Orville John Obey, who had relocated temporarily from Wausau, Wisconsin, to manage a JCPenney shoe department. The family returned to Wausau in 1941, where Obey spent his childhood and formative years in a working-class environment. Raised in Wausau, Obey attended St. James Grade School and graduated from Wausau High School in 1956. As a teenager, he contributed to the family income by working in his father's floor covering business and at a family-owned and , reflecting the entrepreneurial efforts of his parents amid modest circumstances. His father's earlier description as a foreman in some accounts underscores the blue-collar roots of the household before shifting to local business ventures.

Academic and Pre-Political Career

Obey attended St. James Grade School and graduated from Wausau East High School in . He then enrolled at the , where he earned a degree in 1960, majoring in Russian studies. To finance his education, he worked part-time as a at Rennebohm's Drug Store on State Street in Madison and installed tile for his landlord. Following graduation, Obey initially planned to teach Russian and Chinese but soon entered elective , winning to the in 1962 at age 24. No records indicate other professional employment between his university graduation and legislative service.

State Legislative Career

Election to Wisconsin Assembly

David Obey, a 24-year-old Democrat and recent University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate working as a real estate broker, was recruited by local party leaders to run for the Wisconsin State Assembly from his hometown of Wausau in Marathon County. In the November 6, 1962, general election, he secured the seat for the 2nd Marathon County district by defeating the incumbent with a margin of 1,100 votes, having spent approximately $1,100 on his low-budget campaign. Obey took office on January 7, 1963, marking the start of his six-year tenure in the state legislature. The 1962 election occurred amid a national Democratic wave following President John F. Kennedy's 1960 victory, which boosted down-ballot candidates in Wisconsin, a state with a traditionally competitive political landscape divided between urban progressives and rural conservatives. Obey's upset win as a political novice highlighted his appeal in a district encompassing parts of Marathon County, including Wausau's working-class voters, where he emphasized local economic issues and party loyalty. No detailed vote tallies beyond the margin are publicly archived in standard historical records, but his victory positioned him as one of the assembly's rising figures from the outset.

Key Activities and Positions

Obey represented north-central in the State Assembly from 1963 to 1969 as a Democrat. During his tenure, he rose through the ranks to become assistant , reflecting his emerging influence within the Democratic amid a legislature often controlled by Republicans. He also held the position of vice-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance, where he contributed to deliberations on state budgeting and . In 1966, Obey was awarded the Legislative Leadership Award, recognizing his effectiveness as a despite the minority status of his . His state-level roles foreshadowed his later emphasis on appropriations and fiscal oversight in , though detailed records of specific bills he sponsored remain primarily in archival collections rather than public summaries. As a protégé of progressive Governor , Obey aligned with Democratic priorities such as supporting rural economies and public services in his district.

Congressional Career

Elections and District Representation

Obey entered Congress via a special election on April 1, 1969, for , succeeding Republican Melvin R. Laird, who resigned to become Secretary of Defense. Running as a Democrat, Obey defeated Republican Walter J. Chilsen by a narrow margin of 3.2 percentage points in a competitive race that highlighted the district's potential swing nature at the time. Following his initial victory, Obey secured re-election to 20 consecutive terms through , typically with substantial margins that reflected the district's evolution into a reliable Democratic bastion under his incumbency. In the 1982 midterm elections, amid national Republican gains, he garnered 67.97% of the vote against Republican Bernard A. Zimmerman's 32.02%. By , Obey won decisively with a plurality over Republican Nick Reid and candidate Mike Miles, continuing a pattern of strong performances where Democratic primaries were often uncontested. His electoral dominance stemmed from effective constituent services, including directing federal appropriations to local infrastructure and , though he faced minimal serious challenges after 1969. Obey announced his retirement in May and did not seek a 21st term in the 112th . Wisconsin's 7th district, which Obey represented for over 41 years, spans northern and northwestern , encompassing approximately 20 counties with a predominantly rural character, including agricultural lands, forests, and small manufacturing centers like Wausau. Boundaries shifted modestly with periodic , but the district retained its focus on resource-dependent economies vulnerable to manufacturing declines and agricultural fluctuations, factors Obey addressed through targeted funding for paper mills, universities, and transportation projects. This representation solidified his local support, enabling consistent victories despite the state's broader political competitiveness.

Committee Roles and Appropriations Leadership

David Obey joined the House Appropriations Committee shortly after his election to Congress in 1969, establishing it as the foundation of his legislative influence. Over his four-decade tenure, he advanced through various subcommittee roles, including chairmanships of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee for ten years and the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Subcommittee, where he directed funding priorities in foreign aid, education, health care, and social services. Obey ascended to the position of full committee chair during the Democratic-controlled (1993–1995), overseeing the allocation of federal amid debates over fiscal restraint following the 1994 midterm elections. After Republicans gained the House majority, he served as the ranking Democratic member from 1995 until 2007, countering Republican-led budgets while advocating for increased domestic program funding. With the Democratic recapture of the in 2006, Obey resumed the chairmanship in the 110th (2007–2009) and continued through the 111th (2009–2011), guiding major appropriations measures including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which allocated approximately $800 billion in economic stimulus funds. His leadership emphasized protecting entitlements and on and , often clashing with efforts to curb deficits.

Major Legislative Contributions

Obey served as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee from 2007 to 2011, overseeing the allocation of trillions in federal and steering key fiscal responses to economic challenges. During this period, he prioritized investments in domestic programs, including , , and , while maintaining significant funding for foreign operations and through subcommittee leadership. His tenure emphasized counter-cyclical spending to mitigate recessionary impacts, often amid partisan disputes over earmarks and deficit levels. A cornerstone of Obey's legislative record was his role as the primary sponsor and architect of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, H.R. 1), a $787 billion economic stimulus package enacted on February 17, 2009, to address the . Introduced on January 26, 2009, the bill allocated funds for infrastructure projects ($48 billion for transportation and broadband), education ($53 billion for K-12 and higher education stabilization), health initiatives ($19 billion for health IT and $87 billion for ), and tax relief ($288 billion), aiming to create or save 3.5 million jobs according to estimates. Obey defended the measure as essential fiscal intervention, stating it targeted "victims of the recession" through job creation and state aid, though critics later contested its long-term efficacy and cost. Obey also led the passage of multiple omnibus appropriations measures, including the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2009 (H.R. 1105), a $410 billion package signed February 13, 2009, that funded unfinished fiscal year 2009 priorities across 12 subcommittees, with increases for education ($5 billion more for Pell Grants) and health research. As chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education subcommittee, he secured annual boosts in federal education outlays, such as expanded Pell Grant eligibility and student loan interest rate reductions, contributing to higher education access for low-income students. In foreign operations, Obey advocated for aid emphasizing human dignity and development, sustaining funding for global health and peacekeeping despite cuts proposed by some Republicans. Later contributions included sponsoring the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act of 2010 (H.R. 4899), which extended and provided $1 billion for summer youth employment amid persistent economic weakness. Obey's work on the Economic , where he chaired twice, informed these efforts by highlighting income disparities and pushing for targeted fiscal policies, though enactment often occurred via appropriations vehicles rather than standalone reforms.

Fiscal Policy and Spending Priorities

As Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee from 2007 to 2011, David Obey directed the allocation of discretionary federal spending, prioritizing investments in domestic programs such as , , and amid economic downturns. In crafting the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Obey advocated for substantial funding in , , and unemployment assistance, viewing these as essential counter-cyclical measures to stimulate demand and avert deeper . He defended the bill's structure, which included fast-spending components like middle-class tax cuts alongside direct aid, arguing they addressed immediate fiscal distress without undue long-term burdens. Obey's votes consistently supported anti-recession stimulus, including a YES on $192 billion in additional spending in 2008 and modifications to rules to mitigate foreclosures. Obey's spending priorities emphasized education and social services, as evidenced by his 2010 amendment to a supplemental war funding bill proposing $10 billion to avert teacher layoffs, redirecting resources from military to domestic stabilization. He sustained funding levels for programs like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at $5.1 billion in FY2010 appropriations and increased allocations for senior nutrition services by $22 million, framing these as protections against austerity-driven cuts. In FY2011 funding debates, Obey endorsed freezing discretionary spending at 2010 levels—totaling $46 billion below the president's request—while resisting deeper reductions to non-defense accounts. Critics, including conservative analysts, contended such priorities inflated deficits without sufficient offsets, with Obey's approach contributing to a national debt trajectory exceeding $1.5 trillion annually by 2010. Obey staunchly defended congressional earmarks as tools for local project funding and checks on executive overreach, warning in 2010 that a ban would cede budgetary to the administration, potentially enabling unchecked agency discretion. Under his leadership, however, earmark totals rose, with a 2009 incorporating thousands of member-requested projects amid public backlash against pork-barrel practices. Watchdog groups highlighted maneuvers like the "Earmark Protection Program," where Obey consolidated projects into committee-controlled slush funds totaling $23 billion, limiting scrutiny and transparency until final passage. Such tactics drew bipartisan criticism for fostering inefficiency and favoritism, though Obey countered that earmarks comprised a minor fraction of the budget and enabled targeted investments over bureaucratic defaults.

Controversies and Criticisms

Obey faced significant criticism for his role in facilitating earmarks and pork-barrel spending during his tenure as Appropriations Committee chairman. In 2007, he proposed passing multiple spending bills without publicly disclosing individual earmarks, prompting Republicans to stall proceedings and accuse Democrats of evading transparency reforms promised during the 2006 elections. Critics, including the Heritage Foundation, highlighted a $23 billion "slush fund" in the 2007 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill, arguing it enabled unchecked allocation of funds for pet projects without competitive bidding or public scrutiny. Obey defended earmarks as essential congressional prerogatives, claiming a ban would shift excessive power to the executive branch, though fiscal watchdogs like Taxpayers for Common Sense contended his approach perpetuated wasteful spending hidden from voters. In March 2007, a covertly recorded video captured Obey in a heated hallway confrontation with anti-war activist Tina Richards, whose son was a Marine deployed in . Richards pressed Obey on his failure to defund the war, to which he responded defensively, stating she was "shooting at the wrong target" and abruptly closing his office door as she pursued the discussion. The incident, which spread widely online, drew rebukes for Obey's brusque demeanor toward a constituent voicing concerns over military appropriations, amplifying perceptions of his temperamental style amid ongoing debates over Iraq funding. Obey also encountered backlash over congressional compensation practices. As a supporter of the 1989 Government Ethics Reform Act, he backed salary hikes from $89,500 to $125,100 by 1991, coupled with automatic cost-of-living adjustments that reached $174,000 by his retirement, which critics decried as secretive and self-serving mechanisms insulated from public votes. His estimated $125,000 annual pension drew further ire from taxpayer advocates and constituents, who viewed it as emblematic of elite privileges amid broader economic strains, with one Wisconsin voter labeling the combined benefits "obscene." His pro-choice voting record provoked criticism from leaders despite his personal faith. In 2004, Bishop Raymond L. Burke of , publicly accused Obey of "manifest grave " for supporting abortion rights legislation, warning of potential denial of Holy Communion under , though no formal followed. Obey maintained his positions aligned with a nuanced , defending votes like opposition to the restricting foreign aid for abortion-related services while supporting partial-birth abortion bans.

Retirement and Post-Congressional Activities

Decision to Retire

On May 5, 2010, David Obey, the Democratic chairman of the House Appropriations Committee representing since 1969, announced he would not seek an 11th full term in the , effective at the end of the 111th in January 2011. Obey, then 72 years old and having served 21 terms, described the decision as personal, stating, "There is a time to stay and a time to go, and this is my time to go," amid a politically challenging environment ahead of the 2010 midterm elections. Obey cited exhaustion from decades of legislative battles as the primary factor, repeatedly emphasizing that he was "bone tired" from the demands of , including wrangling appropriations bills through a divided and navigating obstacles. He also expressed frustration with intensifying partisan polarization, a hostile media environment, and the broader dysfunction in addressing systemic issues like income inequality, despite his role in advancing Democratic priorities such as earlier that year. Obey had contemplated twice before—after the 2000 election, deterred by opposition to George W. Bush's policies, and more recently, but stayed to help pass the —indicating the cumulative toll of prolonged service influenced his final choice. While some Republican critics attributed the announcement to vulnerability in a potentially competitive race amid the Tea Party surge, Obey rejected this, insisting his district remained solidly Democratic and that fatigue, not electoral pressure, drove the decision. The retirement created an open seat in a district that had not changed parties since 1966, contributing to Democratic anxieties in the 2010 cycle, though his successor, , ultimately won it for Republicans.

Lobbying and Consulting Work

Upon retiring from Congress in January 2011, Obey joined Gephardt Government Affairs, a bipartisan and government relations firm founded by former , in June 2011. In this role, he served as a senior advisor, offering clients strategic guidance on federal legislative processes and issue advocacy based on his decades of experience chairing the Appropriations Committee. Obey did not register as a lobbyist himself, adhering to the one-year cooling-off period for former members of under House rules, which barred direct contact with former colleagues until January 2012; instead, his contributions focused on behind-the-scenes counsel rather than formal filings. Concurrently, Obey took on a senior congressional position at the Institute for and Service (WIPPS), a nonpartisan and affiliated with the University of , starting in June 2011. This consulting role involved mentoring emerging leaders, sharing insights on congressional operations, and contributing to analysis, particularly in areas like appropriations and economic committees where he had served. His work at WIPPS emphasized educational and advisory functions over direct influence on , aligning with his post-retirement interest in institutional . Obey's engagements at Gephardt Government Affairs and WIPPS represented a transition to advisory consulting, leveraging his expertise in and appropriations matters without active participation in registered activities, as evidenced by the absence of his name in federal disclosure databases post-2012. This arrangement allowed him to provide high-level strategic input to clients navigating Washington while maintaining separation from direct advocacy subject to disclosure requirements.

Personal Life and Legacy

Family and Personal Interests

Obey married Joan Lepinski in 1962 while completing graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The couple had two sons, Craig and . They remained married until Joan's death in October 2023. Obey pursued personal interests in music, forming and performing with the bluegrass band The Capitol Offenses, in which he played harmonica alongside congressional colleagues and friends. The group recorded tracks emphasizing themes of faith, family, and friendship.

Publications and Reflections

David R. Obey authored the autobiography Raising Hell for Justice: The Washington Battles of a Heartland Progressive, published on September 24, 2007, by the University of Wisconsin Press. The 448-page volume details his entry into politics via the in 1963 and his subsequent 41 years in the U.S. , spanning service under eight presidents from to . Organized into seven parts, including "Foundation Years" and "Priorities and Presidents," the book emphasizes Obey's advocacy for economic and initiatives targeted at working families, such as expansions in affordable healthcare, funding, and environmental protections. Obey uses the memoir to reflect critically on congressional dynamics, including ethics reforms he pursued since and the increasing partisanship that hindered bipartisan deal-making. He critiques the fiscal policies of the Bush administration, particularly on foreign aid and domestic spending priorities, while highlighting his role as Appropriations Committee and chair in steering bills toward progressive goals like and infrastructure investment. The work also covers his early fights against escalation and for programs, framing his career as a defense of heartland interests against elite-driven agendas. Beyond the autobiography, Obey contributed essays to collections such as The Changing American Economy: Essays from the Fortieth Anniversary Colloquium of the Department of Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (1991), addressing shifts in U.S. and labor markets. In a July 2010 Huffington Post piece, he reflected on the House's transformation over four decades, observing a decline in , with members increasingly viewing opponents as enemies rather than adversaries, and a rise in media-driven posturing over substantive . These writings underscore Obey's view of as an eroded by polarization, yet essential for advancing evidence-based fiscal restraint and targeted spending.

References

  1. https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/19079
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  3. https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS11285
  4. https://www.congress.gov/member/david-obey/O000007
  5. https://www3.uwsp.edu/ucm/news/Pages/ObeyHonoraryDoctorate15.aspx
  6. https://politicalsciencenow.com/meet-the-new-council-members-congressman-dave-obey-ret/
  7. https://www.alumnipark.com/exhibits/featured/david-obey/
  8. https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-a-budget/25914-rep-dave-obey-chief-architect-of-plan-for-americas-recovery-gov-jim-doyle/
  9. https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/report/pork-barrel-spending-republicans-win-transparency-23-billion-slush-fund
  10. https://thehill.com/homenews/house/54775-pork-barrel-spending-increases-in-2009/
  11. https://thehill.com/homenews/news/11263-obey-berates-woman-over-war-funding-later-apologizes/
  12. https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Dave_Obey
  13. https://www.politico.com/story/2010/05/bone-tired-obey-ready-for-final-fight-036840
  14. https://www.npr.org/2010/05/20/126989952/as-rep-obey-retires-wisconsin-voters-revisit-values
  15. https://thehill.com/capital-living/bookshelf/20753-the-conscience-of-a-wisconsin-progressive/
  16. https://www.milwaukeemag.com/TheInsider_/
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  18. https://www.nytimes.com/1979/03/01/archives/democratic-study-group-names-obey-of-wisconsin-as-chairman.html
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  20. https://www.pinecountynews.com/congressman-dave-obey-announces-retirement/article_1bfc16a9-b077-5560-b586-9248f2560593.html
  21. https://www.badgerinstitute.org/wisconsin_interest/dave-obeys-big-payoff/
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  25. https://www.npr.org/2010/05/05/126531638/rep-obey-house-appropriations-chairman-to-retire
  26. https://smartpolitics.lib.umn.edu/2010/05/06/david-obeys-exit-and-the-badge/
  27. https://www.nytimes.com/1969/04/02/archives/wisconsin-house-race-is-close-laird-seat-at-stake-wisconsin-picks.html
  28. https://www.wpr.org/politics/gop-congressman-sean-duffy-resign-office
  29. https://www.politico.com/story/2009/07/appropriations-rules-break-traditions-025167
  30. https://democrats-appropriations.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-appropriations.house.gov/files/migrated/images/user_images/gt/stories/pdf/ObeyStatement02-13-09.pdf
  31. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/legislative_letters/obey_012709.pdf
  32. https://democrats-appropriations.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-appropriations.house.gov/files/migrated/images/user_images/gt/stories/pdf/ConsolidatedRelease02-23-09.pdf
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  42. https://www.taxpayer.net/budget-appropriations-tax/earmark-protection-program/
  43. https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/House-grinds-to-a-halt-in-rift-over-earmarks-2586950.php
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  46. https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/28820-video-captures-confrontation-with-rep-obey/
  47. https://www.npr.org/2007/03/12/7854315/tina-richards-reacts-to-obey-comments
  48. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dave-obey-and-the-debacle-of-second-base
  49. http://natcath.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2004a/021304/021304c.htm
  50. https://www.politico.com/story/2010/05/obey-wont-seek-reelection-036812
  51. https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eenews/2010/05/05/obey-says-being-bone-tired-led-to-retirement-decision-174979
  52. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/us/politics/06obey.html
  53. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/david-obey-bone-tired-to-retire-from-congress/
  54. http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/05/05/obey.retirement/index.html
  55. https://rollcall.com/2010/05/05/obey-formally-announces-retirement-says-hes-%25C2%2591bone-tired/
  56. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna36967165
  57. https://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2011/06/obey-to-join-gephardts-firm-ketchum-catches-four-new-strategists-bridge-to-nowhere-town-needs-a-lobbyist-008961
  58. https://rollcall.com/2011/06/03/obey-joins-gephardts-lobbying-team/
  59. https://www.thehill.com/policy/finance/164683-former-rep-david-obey-joins-lobby-firm/
  60. https://wipps.org/fellow/david-r-obey/
  61. https://www.fox21online.com/2023/10/10/former-wi-congressman-dave-obey-announces-wifes-passing/
  62. https://www.nafsa.org/blog/congressman-david-obey-unique-leader-and-inspiration-next-generation
  63. https://history.house.gov/Collection/Detail/29731?ret=True
  64. https://books.google.com/books/about/Raising_Hell_for_Justice.html?id=3p4vDDU8Br8C
  65. https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/david-obey/556461/
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