Chairman Rogers and Ranking member Smith reflect on the passing of former Congressman John Pratt

December 17, 2024 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers (R-AL03) and Adam Smith (D-Washington), Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in remembrance of former U.S. Congressman and HASC Member John Spratt of South Carolina, who died over the weekend at the age of 82.

"John was a true public servant who took his responsibilities as an elected official to heart. His gift for finding common ground-no matter how contested an issue-made him an incredibly effective and trusted Member of the House Armed Services Committee for friends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

"Those fortunate enough to have worked with John know that a large part of his success was due to John treating everyone with the same respect and kindness. He used his intelligence and warm wit to build bridges and advance policy that benefited his community, his state, his country, and the armed forces.

"We are deeply saddened by the news of John's passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones at this difficult time. We hope that they may take some solace in knowing that John's enduring legacy on the House Armed Services Committee and in Congress lives on."

Congressman John Spratt (D) represented South Carolina's 5th congressional district from 1983 to 2011.

Spratt was the chairman of the U.S. House Committee on the Budget, and the second ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, where he served on three subcommittees: Oversight and Investigations, Strategic Forces, and Air and Land Forces.

Spratt was a captain in the Army from 1969 to 1971, He was an attorney.

In Congress he co-authored the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. This put the federal budget in surplus. That lasted until 2001. The government has been spending more than it takes in for the last 23 years since. Spratt was a yes vote for the Affordable Care Act He subsequently lost his 2010 re-election to Republican Mick Mulvaney 55 percent to 45 percent.

That same year he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He died from Parkison's on Friday.