Vern Buchanan

Buchanan grew up in Inkster, Michigan, a small town outside Detroit, the son of a factory foreman in a family of six children.Lauren Mayk, [http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/NEWS/610300366 "Buchanan: Big deals led to big riches"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828071121/http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20061030%2FNEWS%2F610300366 |date=August 28, 2018 }}, Herald-Tribune, October 31, 2006{{cite web|title=Vern Buchanan Biography|url=http://buchanan.house.gov/biography/|website=Vern Buchanan Congress|access-date=December 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205233446/http://buchanan.house.gov/biography/|archive-date=December 5, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} His maternal grandparents immigrated to the United States from Finland.{{cite web |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/buchanan.htm |title=Buchanan |website=freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217183752/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/buchanan.htm |archive-date=December 17, 2014 |url-status=}} When he graduated from high school in 1969, he joined the Michigan Air National Guard, serving there for six years. Buchanan got a bachelor's degree in business administration from Cleary University and a master's in business administration from the University of Detroit.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

In his June 2007 financial disclosure filing, Buchanan reported over $100 million in assets, making him among the five wealthiest members of Congress. Most of his wealth is from his automotive empire, which includes several dealerships in Florida. He also reported ownership interests in about 50 other businesses, including offshore reinsurance companies and a charter-jet business. He reported receiving at least $19.5 million in income from these businesses in 2006.Duane Marsteller, [http://www.bradenton.com/280/story/75977.html "One of richest reps in Congress: Vern Buchanan"]{{dead link|date=July 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Bradenton Herald'', June 16, 2007

In May 1976, Buchanan convinced the owner of a Michigan printing company, Jim McDonald, that he could help the business grow. The two founded American Speedy Printing, which grew through franchising to more than 730 stores in 44 states. Later, Buchanan and American Speedy Printing were defendants in a string of lawsuits during the late 1980s and early 1990s by franchisees and master franchisees, who said they were not making the money that Buchanan had said they could expect. After filing for bankruptcy, he was accused by a creditors' committee of taking excessive compensation and actions that resulted in overstated earnings for American Speedy Printing. In a 1995 deposition, he said that he had no personal obligation to repay a large corporate loan from Merrill Lynch. A dispute with the Internal Revenue Service over taxes on the money Buchanan received from Merrill Lynch stretched through the 1990s. Buchanan, his business partner, and Merrill Lynch were sued for violating the Michigan Corporation Act. It ended with Buchanan paying $1.5 million.Lauren Mayk, [http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20051006%2FBUSINESS%2F510060664%2F-1%2FAUTOS&template=printart "A success story that's not so simple: Vern Buchanan's messy departure from American Speedy is a seldom-told tale"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022235311/http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20051006%2FBUSINESS%2F510060664%2F-1%2FAUTOS&template=printart |date=October 22, 2006 }}, Herald Tribune, October 6, 2006

In 1992, Buchanan bought a Honda and Acura dealership in Ocala, Florida. In late 1999, he bought two more dealerships. He continued to acquire dealerships after that, but in 2006 he sold five dealerships and other businesses in order to concentrate on politics. His dealerships had $756 million in sales in 2005.

Buchanan owns two reinsurance companies—Jamat Reinsurance Co. and Buchanan Reinsurance Co., in Turks and Caicos, and part of the Bermuda reinsurance company Greater Atlantic Insurance Co. The three companies offer extended warranty policies to car buyers. Buchanan invests some of the proceeds from his reinsurance companies in real estate developments in the Bahamas.Michael Bragda, [http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/NEWS/610310410 "Use of offshore companies helps Buchanan reduce his tax burden"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044223/http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20061031%2FNEWS%2F610310410 |date=December 1, 2017 }}, Herald-Tribune, October 31, 2006

In 1999, Buchanan was approached to help to finance the Ritz-Carlton condo-hotel development in Sarasota. Buchanan was cut out of the project. The developers, Robert Buford and Kevin Daves, said he lied about his financial means. Buchanan sued, and the parties settled in 2001.Michael Braga, [http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060910/BUSINESS/609101145 "Accountants, others question settlement between Buchanan, wealthy developer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909204142/https://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060910%2FBUSINESS%2F609101145 |date=September 9, 2019 }}, Herald-Tribune, September 10, 2006 Per a structured settlement, Buchanan bought a condo from a nephew of Buford's for $5 million; the nephew had purchased it the day before for $2.368 million. Buchanan owned the unit for a little more than a year and then sold it to another member of Buford's family for $6.35 million. The arrangement resulted in Buchanan paying taxes on his gain at the reduced long-term capital gains rate. Buford benefited from the apartment's increased appraised value and the use of Buchanan's $5 million. In the year he owned the penthouse, Buchanan used it for charity fundraisers.

In 2022, Buchanan had $2.3 million in PPP loans forgiven. Buchanan was criticized for his hypocrisy regarding President Biden's student loan debt forgiveness.{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/08/25/white-house-slams-republicans-who-criticized-student-debt-relief-but-used-ppp-loans/ | title=White House Slams Republicans Who Criticized Student Debt Relief but Received PPP Loans | website=Forbes }}{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/white-house-shines-light-republicans-are-criticizing-student-debt-canc-rcna44904 | title=White House shines light on Republicans criticizing student debt cancellation after their PPP loans were forgiven | website=NBC News | date=August 26, 2022 }}

{{See also|2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida}}

Buchanan ran in the 13th congressional district in Florida to replace incumbent Republican Katherine Harris, who was the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate. Buchanan won the Republican primary with 32% of the vote, against four opponents. His closest challengers were Nancy C. Detert, with 25% of the vote, and Tramm Hudson, with 24%.

In the November general election, Buchanan faced Democrat Christine Jennings, a banking executive. There were 216,000 registered Republicans and about 155,000 registered Democrats in the district,Jeremy Wallace, [http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061025/NEWS/610250312/1286/ELECTIONS "President Pitches In at Buchanan Fundraiser: Bush touts GOP principles at Vern Buchanan event in Sarasota"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043001/http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20061025%2FNEWS%2F610250312%2F1286%2FELECTIONS |date=December 1, 2017 }}, The Ledger, October 25, 2006 but Jennings polled ahead of Buchanan up to election day.[http://www.economist.com/printedition/index.cfm?d=20061209 "Another election mess in Florida"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216163624/http://www.economist.com/printedition/index.cfm?d=20061209 |date=February 16, 2007 }}, The Economist, December 9, 2006 Buchanan put more than $5 million of his own money into his campaign.

In October, Vice President Dick Cheney held a fund-raising luncheon for Buchanan;[https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/10/20061006-10.html "Vice President's Remarks at a Luncheon for Vern Buchanan for Congress "] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034838/https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/10/20061006-10.html |date=December 1, 2017 }}, press release, October 6, 2006 later that month, President George W. Bush held a fund-raising reception for him.[https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/10/20061024-2.html "Remarks by the President at Vern Buchanan for Congress Reception"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040211/https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/10/20061024-2.html |date=December 1, 2017 }}, press release, October 24, 2006 Between the two events, Governor Jeb Bush, Senator Mel Martinez, and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney came to the district to campaign for Buchanan.[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15344959 "GOP launches rescue mission in Florida race: Once-secure congressional seat now in jeopardy, polls say"], Associated Press, October 20, 2006

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican primary results{{Cite web|url=http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2006/2006house.pdf|title=Election and voting information|access-date=July 27, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092427/http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2006/2006house.pdf|url-status=live}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Vern Buchanan

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 20,918

| percentage = 32.33

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Nancy Detert

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 15,804

| percentage = 24.43

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Tramm Hudson

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 15,535

| percentage = 24.01

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Mark Flanagan

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 6,465

| percentage = 9.99

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Donna Clarke

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 5,972

| percentage = 9.23

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 64,694

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box end}}

Initial results of the November election showed Buchanan leading by less than 350 votes. Due to the closeness of the race, and a high undervote of 18,000 in Sarasota County, a recount was ordered. Sarasota County voters had given more votes to a hospital board than they had to their Congressional representative—with 13% of voters not voting, compared to an average of 2% in neighboring counties. The touch-screen voting machines used provided no paper record. On November 20, 2006, the Florida Department of State certified the results of the recount, which showed Buchanan winning by 369 votes.

Jennings challenged the results of the election in court, citing "pervasive malfunctioning of electronic voting machines." In December 2006, a Florida circuit judge ruled that her claim that voting machines in Sarasota County lost up to 18,000 votes was "conjecture" and didn't warrant overriding the trade secrets of the voting machine company. In June 2007, a Florida state appellate court ruled that Jennings did not meet the "extraordinary burden" of proving the lower court judge was wrong.[http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_169202530.html "Jennings Dealt Setback In Voting Machine Challenge"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192813/http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_169202530.html |date=September 27, 2007 }}, CBS local news (cbs4.com), June 18, 2007 Another suit, filed by voters represented by Voter Action, People For the American Way Foundation, the ACLU of Florida, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation[https://www.eff.org/press/archives/200611 "Sarasota Voters File Lawsuit for Re-vote in Congressional Race "] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222140225/https://www.eff.org/press/archives/200611 |date=December 22, 2015 }} Electronic Frontier Foundation, November 21, 2006 was also dismissed.

The U.S. House of Representatives had the right to make the final determination as to whether Buchanan would hold the seat for the remainder of the term or be replaced by Jennings. In April, a three-person House task force was created to evaluate the election.Phil Davis,{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/04/17/ap3623464.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070503062936/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/04/17/ap3623464.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 3, 2007 |title="House Panel to Consider Florida Contest" |website=Forbes |access-date=May 3, 2007 }}, Associated Press, April 17, 2007 In early May, the task force voted along party lines to refer an investigation into Florida's 13th district House race to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).Aaron Blake, [http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/fl-13-task-force-will-turn-over-investigation-to-gao-2007-05-02.html "FL-13 task force will turn over investigation to GAO"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509045742/http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/fl-13-task-force-will-turn-over-investigation-to-gao-2007-05-02.html |date=May 9, 2007 }}, The Hill, May 3, 2007 On February 25, 2008, the committee and the House accepted the GAO's findings that no machine error was demonstrated as sufficient to have altered the outcome of the election. The House passed HR 989 affirming the committee's findings, accepting the results of the race, and formally dismissing Jennings's challenge of the election results. Jennings formally dropped her challenge shortly thereafter to focus on a 2008 rematch against Buchanan.{{cite news | title=US House dismisses challenge to Jennings' claim to seat | author=Lesley Clark | date=February 26, 2008 |url=http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/02/its-over-with-b.html | access-date=June 27, 2008 | archive-date=July 20, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720045143/http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/02/its-over-with-b.html | url-status=live }}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = General Election Results, 2006

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Vern Buchanan

| votes = 119,309

| percentage = 50.08

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Christine Jennings

| votes = 118,940

| percentage = 49.92

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 238,249

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{see also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 13}}

Buchanan defeated Jennings with 55% of the vote to her 38%.Larry Copeland,[https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/fl.htm "Florida Election Results"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819141702/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/fl.htm |date=August 19, 2012 }}, "USA Today", November 6, 2008 On election night, he said, "What a difference two years makes."Zac Anderson,[http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20081105/BREAKING/811050293 "Buchanan Breezes to a Win"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605095955/http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20081105/BREAKING/811050293 |date=June 5, 2011 }}, Herald-Tribune", November 5, 2008

{{Election box begin no change

| title = General Elections Results, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Vern Buchanan (incumbent)

|votes = 204,382

|percentage = 55.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Christine Jennings

|votes = 137,967

|percentage = 37.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Jan Schneider

|votes = 20,289

|percentage = 5.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Don Baldauf

|votes = 5,358

|percentage = 1.5

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 367,996

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{See also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 13}}

In May 2009, Buchanan announced his candidacy for reelection.Duane Marsteller, [http://bradenton.com/737/story/1433897.html "Buchanan Announces Re-Election Bid"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526110646/http://bradenton.com/737/story/1433897.html |date=May 26, 2009 }}. Bradenton Herald", May 12, 2009 He defeated Don Baldauf in the Republican primary, and Reverend James T. Golden in the general, with 68.9% of the vote.{{cite web|title=FL Dept of State, Division of Elections|url=http://enight.dos.state.fl.us/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/2/2010&DATAMODE|access-date=June 25, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{Election box begin no change

|title = General Election Results, 2010

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Vern Buchanan (incumbent)

|votes = 183,811

|percentage = 68.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = James T. Golden

|votes = 83,123

|percentage = 31.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 266,464

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{See also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 16}}

In 2012, Buchanan defeated Democratic former state representative Keith Fitzgerald with 53.6% of the vote. This is his narrowest victory since 2006.

{{Election box begin no change

|title = General Election Results, 2012

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Vern Buchanan (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 187,147

| percentage = 53.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Keith Fitzgerald

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 161,929

| percentage = 46.4

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 349,076

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{See also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 16}}

In 2014, Buchanan defeated Democratic nominee Henry Lawrence with 61.5% of the vote to Lawrence's 38.4%.

{{Election box begin no change

|title = General Election Results, 2014

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Vern Buchanan (incumbent)

|votes = 169,126

|percentage = 61.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Henry Lawrence

|votes = 105,483

|percentage = 38.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = Joe Newman (write-in)

|votes = 220

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 274,829

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{see also|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 16}}

In 2016, Buchanan defeated Democratic nominee Jan Schneider, an attorney and author, with 59.8% of the vote to Schneider's 40.2%.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = General Election Results, 2016

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Vern Buchanan (incumbent)

|votes = 230,654

|percentage = 59.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Jan Schneider

|votes = 155,262

|percentage = 40.2

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 385,916

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{see also|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 16}}

In 2018, Buchanan defeated the Democratic nominee, attorney David Shapiro, with 54.6% of the vote.

{{Election box begin no change

|title = General Election Results, 2018

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Vern Buchanan (incumbent)

|votes = 197,483

|percentage = 54.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = David Shapiro

|votes = 164,463

|percentage = 45.4

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 361,946

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{see also|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 16}}

In 2020, Buchanan defeated Democratic nominee Margaret Good with 55.5% of the vote. Good defeated Buchanan's son James in a closely watched special election in 2018.

In February 2021, Buchanan announced his candidacy for reelection in 2022.{{Cite web|last=Ogles|first=Jacob|date=February 7, 2021|title=Vern Buchanan launches 2022 campaign with Super Bowl weekend fundraiser|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/401735-vern-buchanan-launches-2022-campaign-with-super-bowl-weekend-fundraiser|access-date=March 13, 2021|website=Florida Politics|language=en-US|archive-date=February 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207144701/https://floridapolitics.com/archives/401735-vern-buchanan-launches-2022-campaign-with-super-bowl-weekend-fundraiser|url-status=live}}

{{Election box begin no change

|title = General Election Results, 2020

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Vern Buchanan (incumbent)

|votes = 269,001

|percentage = 55.50%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Margaret Good

|votes = 215,683

|percentage = 44.49%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 484,684

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{see also|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 16}}

In 2022, Buchanan won a 9th term by defeating Democratic nominee Jan Schneider, who was the previous nominee in 2016, with 62% of the vote. Buchanan's constituency changed as a result of the 2020 redistricting cycle. The new 16th district no longer encompasses Sarasota county.

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Florida's 16th congressional district, 2022{{cite web |title=November 8, 2022 General Election - Official Results |url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/8/2022&DATAMODE= |website=Florida Department of State}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Vern Buchanan (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 189,762

| percentage = 62.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jan Schneider

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 115,575

| percentage = 37.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Ralph E. Hartman (write-in)

| party = Independent

| votes = 21

| percentage = 0.0

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 305,358

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

Buchanan faced his biggest primary challenge to date against Eddie Speir. Buchanan won by 20 points with 60% of the vote to Speir's 40%. Buchanan was endorsed by former President Donald Trump{{cite web | url=https://floridianpress.com/2024/05/buchanan-scores-latest-trump-endorsement-in-chain-of-endorsements/ | title=Buchanan Scores Latest Trump Endorsement in Chain of Endorsements | date=May 29, 2024 }}

{{Election box begin no change| title = Republican primary results

}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Vern Buchanan (incumbent)

| votes = 38,734

| percentage = 60.9

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Eddie Speir

| votes = 24,835

| percentage = 39.1

}}{{Election box total no change

| votes = 63,569

| percentage = 100.0

}}{{Election box end}}

{{POV section|date=October 2018}}

In July 2012, the House Ethics Committee cleared Buchanan of charges that he violated House rules by misleading Congress in his financial disclosure forms.{{cite web|last=Yager|first=Jordy|title=House Ethics panel clears Rep. Buchanan|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/119165-ethics-panel-clears-buchanan-on-charge-of-misleading-congress/|newspaper=The Hill|date=July 10, 2012|access-date=July 10, 2012|archive-date=July 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711213503/http://thehill.com/homenews/house/236975-house-ethics-committee-clears-rep-buchanan|url-status=live}} After the issue was raised, Buchanan submitted revised forms.John Bresnahan, [http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/vern-buchanan-no-ethics-wrongdoing-224778 House Ethics Committee finds no wrongdoing by Rep. Buchanan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407144832/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/vern-buchanan-no-ethics-wrongdoing-224778 |date=April 7, 2017 }}, Politico (June 24, 2016). The committee "found no evidence that the errors were knowing or willful and unanimously determined that the errors were not substantively different from the hundreds or thousands of errors corrected by amendment at the requirement of the Committee every year."

In 2008, the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a Federal Election Commission (FEC) complaint alleging "straw donors" to Buchanan's campaign (campaign contributions from Buchanan's employees for which they were then reimbursed); in 2011, CREW requested a U.S. Department of Justice investigation. (The group also named Buchanan to its annual "most corrupt members of Congress" list in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012).{{cite web|title=Vern Buchanan|work=CREW'S Most Corrupt|url=http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/mostcorrupt/entry/vern-buchanan|publisher=Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington|access-date=December 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031043001/http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/mostcorrupt/entry/vern-buchanan|archive-date=October 31, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

By 2012, Buchanan was being investigated by the House Ethics Committee, the FEC, the Justice Department, and the Office of Congressional Ethics over two separate allegations of campaign finance misconduct: that he had violated federal law and House rules by coercing a former business partner to sign a false affidavit to the FEC, and that he had illegally reimbursed car-dealership employees for campaign contributions.Rema Rahman, [http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/house-ethics-committee-clears-vern-buchanan-florida-fec-chaka-fattah House Ethics Committee Clears Vern Buchanan: Panel cites insufficient evidence against Florida congressman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801145242/http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/house-ethics-committee-clears-vern-buchanan-florida-fec-chaka-fattah |date=August 1, 2016 }}, Roll Call (June 24, 2016).{{cite web|author1=Scott Bronstein |author2=Drew Griffin |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/22/politics/congress-buchanan-allegations/|title=Powerful congressman accused of campaign finance violations|publisher=CNN|date=June 23, 2012|access-date=April 7, 2017|archive-date=April 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407145700/http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/22/politics/congress-buchanan-allegations/|url-status=live}} The latter allegation was also raised in a legal dispute with Sam Kazran, Buchanan's former business partner, who alleged that Buchanan engaged in a "cash swap scheme" in which employees were directed to write checks to Buchanan's campaign fund, then reimbursed by the company.

In 2012, the Justice Department ended its 11-month investigation with no criminal charges.Jeremy Wallace, [http://politics.heraldtribune.com/2012/09/11/buchanan-campaign-says-hes-been-cleared-by-justice-department/ Buchanan campaign says he's been cleared by Justice Department] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407151448/http://politics.heraldtribune.com/2012/09/11/buchanan-campaign-says-hes-been-cleared-by-justice-department/ |date=April 7, 2017 }}, Sarasota Herald-Tribune (September 11, 2012). The FEC also ended its investigation by 2012. Kazran agreed to pay $5,500 in fines "for improperly funneling money to Buchanan's campaign committee", and in May 2013 three men and two Tampa companies were fined a total of $16,000 by the FEC for illegal campaign contributions to Buchanan.Susan Taylor Martin, [https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/fec-fines-3-men-2-tampa-companies-for-illegal-contributions-to-rep-vern/2119605/ FEC fines 3 men, 2 Tampa companies for illegal contributions to Rep. Vern Buchanan] ,Tampa Bay Times (May 7, 2013).Kent Cooper, [http://www.rollcall.com/news/fec-follows-doj-with-another-fine-for-buchanan-contributions FEC Follows DOJ With Another Fine for Buchanan Contributions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407143645/http://www.rollcall.com/news/fec-follows-doj-with-another-fine-for-buchanan-contributions |date=April 7, 2017 }}, Roll Call (May 6, 2013). In 2016, after a four-year inquiry, the House Ethics Committee ended its investigation, finding "insufficient evidence" of wrongdoing on Buchanan's part.

Kazran filed a separate breach of contract lawsuit against Buchanan in Florida state court; Buchanan prevailed in that litigation.Sara Kennedy, [http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article34748217.html Vern Buchanan scores big legal win in fight with former business partner] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407145454/http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article34748217.html |date=April 7, 2017 }}, Bradenton Herald (November 14, 2014).Jeremy Wallace, [http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article34748217.html Jury sides with Buchanan against former business partner] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407145454/http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article34748217.html |date=April 7, 2017 }}, Sarasota Herald-Tribune (November 13, 2014).

Beginning in 2008, Buchanan faced lawsuits by six former employees, who alleged "conspiracy, fraud, and retaliatory personnel actions" as well as the hiring of undocumented immigrants and consumer fraud.{{cite web|last=Friedman|first=John|title=Exclusive: Florida GOP Congressman Vern Buchanan Facing Seven Legal Complaints, Accusations Of Wrongdoing From Employees|work=Huffington Post|date=August 19, 2008|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/19/exclusive-florida-gop-con_n_119907.html|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=April 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407144803/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/19/exclusive-florida-gop-con_n_119907.html|url-status=live}} None of those cases made it to trial and by 2011 most had been "dismissed with no judgments against Buchanan."Jeremy Wallace, [http://politics.heraldtribune.com/2011/07/03/buchanan-sheds-car-dealerships-fueling-speculation-he-may-run-for-u-s-senate/ Buchanan sheds car dealerships, fueling speculation he may run for U.S. Senate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407151446/http://politics.heraldtribune.com/2011/07/03/buchanan-sheds-car-dealerships-fueling-speculation-he-may-run-for-u-s-senate/ |date=April 7, 2017 }}, Sarasota Herald-Tribune (July 3, 2011).

On June 23, 2016, the House Ethics Committee released this statement, concluding its investigation into Buchanan: "Because the evidence is insufficient to conclude that Representative Buchanan himself was aware of the unlawful reimbursements at the time they occurred, or had any role in directing or approving of them, and the evidence is insufficient to find that Representative Buchanan attempted to improperly influence the testimony of Mr. Kazran before the FEC, the Committee has determined to take no further action in this matter, and upon publication of this Report, considers the matter closed."{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}

Buchanan was sworn in as Representative for Florida's 13th Congressional District on January 3, 2007. Congressional Quarterly noted that Buchanan voted in support of President Bush's legislative agenda 66% of the time in 2007, the third-lowest rate of the 16 members of Florida's Republican congressional delegation.{{cite news | title=2007 Presidential support ratings | author=Congressional Quarterly |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=57&title=2007 | access-date=July 31, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031000531/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=57&title=2007 | archive-date=October 31, 2008 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}

Buchanan secured federal funding of $2 million for reimbursement for cleanup efforts in Anna Maria Island and $4 million for cleaning up Wares Creek in Manatee County.{{cite news | title=Feds finally pay for '02 renourishing | author=Nicholas Azzara | date=April 8, 2008}}{{cite news | title=A fix on flooding at Wares Creek | author=Editorial, Bradenton Herald | date=February 5, 2008}}

Buchanan introduced a constitutional amendment in January 2007 that would require Congress to pass a balanced budget if ratified.[https://archive.today/20120715165633/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.J.RES.21: "H.J. RES 21, Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States"], Sponsored by Rep. Vern Buchanan, January 31, 2007. He introduced legislation to create a postage stamp honoring and assisting disabled veterans, and secured funding for the construction of a national veterans' cemetery in Sarasota County.{{Cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.CON.RES.176: |title="H.J. CON. RES. 176, Expressing the sense of the Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued to honor our Nation's disabled veterans." |access-date=July 31, 2008 |archive-date=July 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704104006/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.CON.RES.176: |url-status=dead }}{{cite news | title=Cash for vet cemetery | author=Bradenton Herald staff | date=September 6, 2007}} He also introduced a bill to increase federal assistance for fighting gang crime and secured grant funding for local anti-gang efforts in Manatee County.{{Cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.3922: |title="H.R. 3922, Gang Reduction, Investment, and Prevention Act" |access-date=July 31, 2008 |archive-date=July 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703203916/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.3922: |url-status=dead }}{{cite news | title=Violent crime grant awarded | author=Bradenton Herald | date=September 14, 2007}}

As of July 2008, Buchanan had voted to override five of Bush's vetoes of legislation passed by the 110th Congress. These override votes included a vote in support of expanding the coverage range of the SCHIP program, the 2008 farm bill, and the Water Resources Development Act.{{cite news | title=Buchanan votes to override another Bush veto | author=Jeremy Wallace | date=July 17, 2008 |url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080717/BLOG01/380139045/2364/BLOG01&title=Buchanan_votes_to_override_another_Bush_veto | access-date=December 9, 2021 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070256/http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080717/BLOG01/380139045/2364/BLOG01%26title%3DBuchanan_votes_to_override_another_Bush_veto | url-status=live }}

On September 29, 2008, Buchanan voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008,{{cite web |title= Bailout Roll Call |url=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/29/bailout.rollcall.0929.pdf |date= September 29, 2008 |access-date= September 29, 2008 |archive-date= October 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001173852/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/29/bailout.rollcall.0929.pdf |url-status= live }} but changed his vote to support the bill in the October 3 second House vote.{{cite news|author=MarketWatch|title=MarketWatch's top stories of the week Sept. 29 – Oct. 3, 2008|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/marketwatchs-top-stories-week-sept/story.aspx?guid={38B05691-4BB1-4D09-B8B2-765FDCF42CFD}&dist=msr_2}}

Buchanan sponsored several bills in the 111th Congress, including House Resolution 1839, a Bill to Amend the Small Business Act to Improve SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), which was introduced on April 1, 2009c. House Resolution 1839 would require the administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure that SCORE increases the proportion of small business mentors from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds, establish benchmarks for evaluating its activities and volunteers, and establish a mentoring program of one-on-one advice to small businesses from qualified counselors.A project of the Sunlight Foundation and PPF, [http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h1839/show "H.R.1839 To Amend the Small Business Act to improve SCORE, and for other purposes, House Joint Resolution 43 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, H.Con.Res. 114 Expressing the Sense of the Congress that A Commemorative Postage Stamp Should Be Issued to Honor Our Nation's Disabled Veterans"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121104931/http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h1839/show |date=November 21, 2009 }}, April 1, April 22, April 29, 2009,

In the 112th Congress, Buchanan was named to a seat on the Ways and Means Committee, the only member from Florida serving on that committee.{{cite news|last=Wallace|first=Jeremy|title=Buchanan scores seat on Ways and Means committee|url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101210/article/12101047|access-date=June 18, 2012|newspaper=Sarasota Herald Tribune|date=December 10, 2010}} He was also asked by NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions to serve as vice chair of the committee.{{cite news|last=Derby|first=Kevin|title=NRCC Names Vern Buchanan Part of Leadership Team|url=http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/nrcc-names-vern-buchanan-part-leadership-team|access-date=June 18, 2012|newspaper=Sunshine State News|date=January 14, 2011|archive-date=January 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116073059/http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/nrcc-names-vern-buchanan-part-leadership-team|url-status=live}}

In January 2011, Buchanan helped secure the construction of Sarasota National Cemetery through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The cemetery plans include 11,500 grave sites, 16,000 cremated remains sites, and other buildings and structures necessary for funerals for veterans and their families.{{cite news|last=Herald Staff Report|title=Contract awarded for VA cemetery|url=http://www.bradenton.com/2011/01/12/2869496/contract-awarded-for-va-cemetery.html#storylink=misearch|access-date=June 18, 2012|newspaper=Bradenton Herald|date=January 12, 2011}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In June 2011, the House passed Buchanan's Military Tribunals for Terrorists Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. The amendment, approved by a largely party-line vote of 246–173, would "require all foreign terrorism suspects to be tried only in military tribunals and never in civilian courts."{{cite news|title=House wrestles over war on terror|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2011/05/house-wrestles-over-war-on-terror-055737|author1=Charles Hoskinson |author2=Josh Gerstein |date=May 26, 2011|access-date=April 7, 2017|archive-date=April 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407145323/http://www.politico.com/story/2011/05/house-wrestles-over-war-on-terror-055737|url-status=live}}

In October 2011, Buchanan "played a large role" in the passage of free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. The treaties were backed by the White House and a bipartisan majority in Congress.{{cite news|last=Derby|first=Kevin|title=Congress Passes Free Trade Agreements With Colombia, Panama and South Korea|url=http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/congress-passes-free-trade-agreements-colombia-panama-and-south-korea|access-date=June 18, 2012|newspaper=Sunshine State News|date=October 13, 2011|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053520/http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/congress-passes-free-trade-agreements-colombia-panama-and-south-korea|url-status=live}}

In December 2011, the House passed H.R. 527, a Buchanan-backed measure to close "loopholes in current law to ensure regulatory agencies will fully account for the effect of new regulations on small businesses before regulations are adopted."{{cite news|last=Eubanks|first=Pam|title=Provision in Buchanan jobs plan passes house|url=http://www.yourobserver.com/news/east-county/Front-Page/1202201115812/Provision-in-Buchanan-jobs-plan-passes-house|access-date=June 18, 2012|newspaper=East County Observer|date=December 2, 2011|archive-date=July 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729115101/http://www.yourobserver.com/news/east-county/Front-Page/1202201115812/Provision-in-Buchanan-jobs-plan-passes-house|url-status=live}}

In February 2012, Buchanan supported President Obama's proposal to lower the corporate tax rate from 35% to 28%. In a statement, Buchanan said, "I appreciate the president's willingness to engage on such an important issue."{{cite news|last=Derby|first=Kevin|title=Vern Buchanan Backs Obama's Call to Lower Corporate Tax Rate|url=http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/vern-buchanan-backs-obamas-call-lower-corporate-tax-rate|access-date=June 18, 2012|newspaper=Sunshine State News|date=February 24, 2012|archive-date=February 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226014853/http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/vern-buchanan-backs-obamas-call-lower-corporate-tax-rate|url-status=live}}

In 2011, Buchanan and Representative Ed Markey introduced the Pill Mill Crackdown Act of 2011, legislation that would require money seized from so-called pill mills to be directed to drug treatment programs; "increase fines and sentences for those convicted of running pill mills"; and make hydrocodone drugs such as Vicodin more difficult to obtain.{{cite news|last=Derby|first=Kevin|title=Vern Buchanan's Pill Mill Bill Gets Senate Sponsors|url=http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/vern-buchanans-pill-mill-bill-gets-senate-sponsors|publisher=Sunshine State News|date=November 2, 2011|access-date=June 25, 2012|archive-date=June 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618023846/http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/vern-buchanans-pill-mill-bill-gets-senate-sponsors|url-status=live}} The bill received bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate (where introduced companion bill was introduced), but never made it out of committee.[https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/1065 H.R.1065 – Pill Mill Crackdown Act of 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407144618/https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/1065 |date=April 7, 2017 }}, 112th Congress (2011–2012).

For the 118th Congress:{{cite web |title=Vern Buchanan |url=https://clerk.house.gov/members/B001260 |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |access-date=3 May 2023}}

• Committee on Ways and Means
• Subcommittee on Health (Chair)
• Subcommittee on Trade
• Joint Committee on Taxation

• Republican Study Committee{{cite web|title=Member List|url=https://rsc-walker.house.gov/|access-date=November 6, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222002744/http://rsc-walker.house.gov/|url-status=live}}
• Congressional Arts Caucus{{cite web|title=Membership|url=https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|publisher=Congressional Arts Caucus|access-date=March 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140644/https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
• Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus|publisher=Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus|access-date=30 May 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142643/http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus|url-status=live}}
• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus.{{cite web|title=Our Members|url=https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus|access-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155201/https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|archive-date=August 1, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
• Rare Disease Caucus{{cite web|title=Rare Disease Congressional Caucus|author=|url=https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/|format=|publisher=Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases|date=|accessdate=14 March 2025}}

Buchanan voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.{{cite web|last1=Almukhtar|first1=Sarah|title=How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=0|website=The New York Times|access-date=December 24, 2017|date=December 19, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053322/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=0|url-status=live}} With an estimated $55 million in real estate assets, Buchanan directly benefits from the loophole that lowers the tax rate on pass-through income from real estate.{{cite web|last1=Schoen|first1=John W.|title=Dozens of lawmakers stand to reap a tax windfall due to a GOP loophole|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/20/dozens-of-lawmakers-to-reap-tax-windfall-from-last-minute-gop-loophole.html|website=CNBC|access-date=December 24, 2017|date=December 20, 2017|archive-date=December 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223214705/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/20/dozens-of-lawmakers-to-reap-tax-windfall-from-last-minute-gop-loophole.html|url-status=live}} After the act passed, Buchanan said the changes were what "Floridians have needed for a long time." The bill also includes a measure, created by Buchanan, to provide tax relief to citrus growers impacted by Hurricane Irma.{{cite web|last1=Callihan|first1=Ryan|title=Passage of GOP tax plan will aid Florida citrus farmers, Rep. Buchanan says|url=http://www.bradenton.com/news/politics-government/article190610354.html|website=Bradenton Herald|access-date=December 24, 2017|language=en|archive-date=December 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224101635/http://www.bradenton.com/news/politics-government/article190610354.html|url-status=live}}

Buchanan supported President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order to bar entry to the U.S. to citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries and also supported Trump's executive order to bar federal funding to so-called sanctuary cities, saying "LONG OVERDUE ... Time to protect Americans."{{cite web|last1=Blake|first1=Aaron|title=Coffman, Gardner join Republicans against President Trump's travel ban; here's where the rest stand|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/01/29/heres-where-republicans-stand-on-president-trumps-controversial-travel-ban|newspaper=Washington Post|date=January 31, 2017|access-date=April 7, 2017|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116193256/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/01/29/heres-where-republicans-stand-on-president-trumps-controversial-travel-ban|url-status=live}}

Buchanan believes that abortion should be illegal.{{cite news|last1=Milbank|first1=Dana|title=For Republicans in Congress, does 'pro-life' extend to fighting Zika?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/for-republicans-in-congress-does-pro-life-extend-to-fighting-zika/2016/05/10/43b4bfac-16ed-11e6-9e16-2e5a123aac62_story.html|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=December 24, 2017|date=May 10, 2016|archive-date=January 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110174941/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/for-republicans-in-congress-does-pro-life-extend-to-fighting-zika/2016/05/10/43b4bfac-16ed-11e6-9e16-2e5a123aac62_story.html|url-status=live}}

Vern Buchanan has an "F" rating from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) for his voting history regarding cannabis-related causes.https://vote.norml.org/politicians/66247

Buchanan voted against the Equality Act.{{cite web |title=Vote Question: On Passage - Equality Act. Bill Number: H. R. 5 |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202139 |website=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |access-date=5 February 2025 |date=Feb 25, 2021}}

Buchanan characterizes himself as "a strong defender of the Second Amendment, a Life Member of the NRA, and a gun owner and hunter."{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/public-statement/197629/defend-the-second-amendment#.Wp7hpudG1PZ| title=Defend the Second Amendment| last=Buchanan| first=Vern| website=ISPY| publisher=Vote Smart| access-date=March 6, 2018| archive-date=March 7, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307023129/https://votesmart.org/public-statement/197629/defend-the-second-amendment#.Wp7hpudG1PZ| url-status=live}}

As of 2020, Buchanan had a rating of B− from the NRA Political Victory Fund.{{cite web |title=NRA-PVF {{!}} Florida |url=https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/florida |website=nrapvf.org |publisher=NRA-PVF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103170623/https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/florida |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |language=en-US |url-status=usurped}} This was down from an "A−" in 2017,{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/66247/vern-buchanan?categoryId=37&type=V,S,R,E,F,P#.Wp7abedG1PZ| title=Vern Buchanan's Political Summary on Issue: Guns| website=ISPY| publisher=Vote Smart| access-date=March 6, 2018| archive-date=March 7, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307150945/https://votesmart.org/candidate/66247/vern-buchanan?categoryId=37&type=V,S,R,E,F,P#.Wp7abedG1PZ| url-status=live}} and an "A" rating in 2014, indicating a voting record that is generally pro-gun rights.{{cite web |title=NRA-PVF {{!}} Florida |url=https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/florida/ |website=nrapvf.org |publisher=NRA-PVF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104210222/https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/florida/ |archive-date=November 4, 2014 |language=en-US |url-status=usurped}} The Florida Center for Investigative Reporting reported that Buchanan received a total of $25,830 for his campaigns in 2010 and 2012 in the form of direct contributions or independent expenditures from NRA-affiliated PACs.{{cite web|url=https://fcir.org/2018/02/20/thoughts-prayers-and-nra-dollars-how-the-gun-lobby-supports-and-opposes-members-of-floridas-congressional-delegation/| title=Thoughts, Prayers and NRA Dollars: How the Gun Lobby Supports and Opposes Members of Florida's Congressional Delegation| date=February 20, 2018| website=Florida Center for Investigative Reporting| last=Aaronson| first=Trevor| access-date=March 6, 2018| archive-date=March 7, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307150835/https://fcir.org/2018/02/20/thoughts-prayers-and-nra-dollars-how-the-gun-lobby-supports-and-opposes-members-of-floridas-congressional-delegation/| url-status=live}}

After the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Buchanan indicated support for regulation of bump stocks, saying, "Bump stocks generating automatic rates of fire should face the same restrictions as automatic weapons."{{cite web|url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/246140-vern-buchanan-indicates-preliminary-support-restricting-bump-stocks| title=Vern Buchanan indicates preliminary support for restricting 'bump stocks'| last=Perry| first=Mitch| date=October 5, 2017| website=Florida Politics| publisher=Peter Schorsch| access-date=March 6, 2018| archive-date=March 7, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307082237/http://floridapolitics.com/archives/246140-vern-buchanan-indicates-preliminary-support-restricting-bump-stocks| url-status=live}} After the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Giffords, an organization helmed by Gabby Giffords, announced that Buchanan was on its "incumbent-defeat priority list" in response to the organization's perception that Republican Congress members are blocking efforts to reduce gun violence.{{cite news|url=http://www.wisconsingazette.com/news/giffords-gun-control-group-focuses-on-defeating-ryan-other-high/article_c24c0ea8-1e37-11e8-8bce-3341ccdf84ef.html| last=Peoples| first=Steve| date=March 2, 2018| website=Wisconsin Gazette| location=Milwaukee, Wisconsin| title=Giffords gun control group focuses on defeating Ryan, other high-profile Republicans| access-date=March 6, 2018| archive-date=November 16, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116055910/https://www.wisconsingazette.com/news/giffords-gun-control-group-focuses-on-defeating-ryan-other-high/article_c24c0ea8-1e37-11e8-8bce-3341ccdf84ef.html| url-status=live}}

In March 2021, Buchanan was one of eight Republicans to join the House majority in passing the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/542773-the-eight-republicans-who-voted-to-tighten-background-checks-on-guns/|title=The eight Republicans who voted to tighten background checks on guns|author=Juliegrace Brufke|date=2021-03-11|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=March 12, 2021|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110011854/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/542773-the-eight-republicans-who-voted-to-tighten-background-checks-on-guns|url-status=live}}

In 2022, however, Buchanan would vote against S. 2938: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a bipartisan gun control bill which was sponsored by Republican Senator John Cornyn.{{cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/117-2022/h299 | title=S. 2938: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act -- House Vote #299 -- Jun 24, 2022 }}

Buchanan and Alcee Hastings co-sponsored the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018, a bill outlawing the consumption of cats and dogs. It passed the House in September 2018.{{cite web |last1=Anapol |first1=Avery |title=House passes bill outlawing the eating of cats and dogs |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/406366-house-passes-bill-outlawing-the-eating-of-cats-and-dogs/ |website=The Hill |date=September 12, 2018 |access-date=19 September 2018 |archive-date=September 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920011317/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/406366-house-passes-bill-outlawing-the-eating-of-cats-and-dogs |url-status=live }}

Buchanan was among the 71 Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4029522-republicans-and-democrats-who-bucked-party-leaders-by-voting-no/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601031919/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4029522-republicans-and-democrats-who-bucked-party-leaders-by-voting-no/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 1, 2023|title=Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no|first=Jared|last=Gans|date=May 31, 2023|access-date=June 6, 2023|work=The Hill}}

Buchanan’s positions on cannabis put him in direct opposition to the efforts of VSO’s such as the DAV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qgdigitalpublishing.com/publication/?i=795007&p=7&view=issueViewer&pp=1|title=DAV Magazine July/August 2023 Page 5|website=www.qgdigitalpublishing.com}}

Buchanan lives in Longboat Key, Florida, with his wife, Sandy, whom he met in college. The Buchanans have two sons.GOP.Gov., [https://www.gop.gov/member/vern-buchanan "Official Biography Rep. Vern Buchanan – FL 13"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716022553/http://www.gop.gov/member/vern-buchanan/ |date=July 16, 2017 }} "GOP.gov" His son James was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2018.{{cite web |author=Earle Kimel |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20181106/buchanan-wins-state-house-district-74-seat |title=Buchanan wins State House District 74 seat |publisher=Heraldtribune.com |date=November 6, 2018 |access-date=November 20, 2018 |archive-date=November 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121161734/https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20181106/buchanan-wins-state-house-district-74-seat |url-status=live }} Buchanan is a Baptist.{{cite web |title=Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/PF_2023.01.03_congress_LIST.pdf |publisher=PEW Research Center |access-date=23 July 2023}}

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce gave Buchanan its Spirit of Enterprise award in 2009. Buchanan is a former board member of the chamber, which endorsed him in his 2006 and 2008 campaigns for the 13th Congressional District seat.Herald Staff Reports [http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/story/1323514.html "U.S. Chamber Honors Vern Buchanan"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329232325/http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/story/1323514.html |date=March 29, 2009 }}, "Bradenton Herald", March 27, 2009

Also in 2009, the Veterans of Foreign Wars gave Buchanan their Legislative Achievement Award for his work on legislation improving the quality of life of active and reserve service members, military retirees, veterans and their families.[http://www.zimbio.com/Florida+Politics/articles/198/BUCHANAN+RECEIVES+VFW+LEGISLATIVE+ACHIEVEMENT "Buchanan Receives VFW Legislative Achievement Award"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401090933/http://www.zimbio.com/Florida+Politics/articles/198/BUCHANAN+RECEIVES+VFW+LEGISLATIVE+ACHIEVEMENT |date=April 1, 2012 }}, "Zimbio.com", January 21, 2009

On July 19, 2021, Buchanan announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated, becoming the first member of Congress to do so.{{Cite web|last=Sheehey|first=Maeve|title=Lindsey Graham tests positive for Covid-19 after being vaccinated|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/02/lindsey-graham-coronavirus-502165|access-date=2021-08-07|website=POLITICO|date=August 2, 2021 |language=en|archive-date=August 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807040446/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/02/lindsey-graham-coronavirus-502165|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2021-07-19|title=Fully Vaccinated Florida Congressman Vern Buchanan Tests Positive For COVID-19|url=https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/07/19/florida-congressman-vern-buchanan-positive-covid19/|access-date=2021-08-07|language=en-US|archive-date=August 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807040443/https://miami.cbslocal.com/2021/07/19/florida-congressman-vern-buchanan-positive-covid19/|url-status=live}} He began quarantining at home and urged Americans to remain vigilant despite the vaccines' efficacy.{{cite news |author= |title=Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan tests positive for Covid despite being fully vaccinated |url=https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2021/07/19/florida-rep-vern-buchanan-tests-positive-for-covid-despite-being-fully-vaccinated-1388623 |work=Politico Florida |agency=POLITICO |date=July 19, 2021 |access-date=July 19, 2021 |archive-date=July 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719152552/https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2021/07/19/florida-rep-vern-buchanan-tests-positive-for-covid-despite-being-fully-vaccinated-1388623 |url-status=live }}

With a net worth of $157.2 million, Buchanan is the 6th-wealthiest member of Congress.{{cite news|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2020/04/majority-of-lawmakers-millionaires/|title=Majority of lawmakers in 116th Congress are millionaires|newspaper=OpenSecrets News |date=April 23, 2020|access-date=April 23, 2020|archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620174522/https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2020/04/majority-of-lawmakers-millionaires/|url-status=live}}

{{reflist}}

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• [https://buchanan.house.gov/ Congressman Vern Buchanan] official U.S. House website
• [https://vernbuchanan.com Vern Buchanan for Congress]
• {{C-SPAN|1021626}}
• {{CongLinks | congbio=b001260 | votesmart=66247 | fec=H6FL13148 | congress=vern-buchanan/B001260 }}

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Category:1951 births

Category:20th-century American businesspeople

Category:21st-century American businesspeople

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:American financial businesspeople

Category:American people of Finnish descent

Category:Baptists from Florida

Category:Businesspeople from Florida

Category:Businesspeople from Michigan

Category:Cannabis prohibition

Category:Cleary University alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Michigan National Guard personnel

Category:Michigan Republicans

Category:People from Longboat Key, Florida

Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida

Category:University of Detroit Mercy alumni