By Ben Evans, Associated Press
Washington – For the first time in 18 years, Rep. Bud Cramer of Huntsville won't be on the House floor when Congress convenes this week. Neither will Rep. Terry Everett of Rehobeth, who has 16 years under his belt as Alabama's second-longest-serving House member.
Their retirements open a new era for the state's congressional delegation, which will see its clout dip after losing two of its most influential congressmen and nearly 35 years of combined experience.
The new delegation has just two House members with more than a decade of experience; the remaining five have six years or less.
"It is a big deal, and anyone who says it's not is either wishfully thinking or doesn't understand the importance not only of seniority but also of a good reputation," said Rep. Jo Bonner, a Republican from Mobile. "There are some pretty big shoes to fill."
Cramer, a Democrat, and Everett, a Republican, each established specialties during their careers that have helped bring Alabama an outsized share of federal investment.
Cramer was a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, where he often teamed up with Sen. Richard Shelby of Tuscaloosa to direct money to Alabama installations such as the Army's Redstone Arsenal and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. In 2007, Cramer landed a coveted seat on the spending subcommittee for defense, giving him direct oversight of the Pentagon's purse strings and potentially strong leverage on issues such as base closures.
Everett, meanwhile, was the No. 2 Republican on the Agriculture Committee, looking after the state's farming interests. He was poised this year to become the second-ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee, a post that would have brought added influence over military installations in the state.
Both lawmakers also served on the Intelligence Committee, overseeing covert national security programs and helping direct billions of dollars in secret funding.
Neither was considered an ideological warrior, even though Everett is a staunch Republican and Cramer a conservative Democrat.
Cramer and Everett will be replaced by two Democrats: Parker Griffith, a former state senator from Huntsville, and Bobby Bright, the outgoing Montgomery mayor.
That leaves Republican Rep. Spencer Bachus of Vestavia Hills, who had been tied in seniority with Everett, as the state's senior congressman with 16 years of experience. He is followed by Republican Rep. Robert Aderholt of Haleyville, with 12 years, and three relative newcomers elected in 2002: Republican Rep. Bonner, Democratic Rep. Artur Davis of Birmingham and Republican Rep. Mike Rogers of Saks.
The partisan breakdown is three Democrats and four Republicans at a time when Democrats have won the White House and strengthened their control of the House and Senate.