Andrew Clyde
Andrew Scott Clyde (born November 22, 1963) is a Canadian-born American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Georgia's 9th congressional district since 2021.[1] A Republican, he is a retired U.S. Navy officer who served for 28 years, including active duty from 1985 to 1996 and subsequent reserve service until 2013, with three combat deployments.[2] Prior to Congress, Clyde owned and operated Clyde Armory, a chain of firearms retail stores in Georgia, reflecting his longstanding advocacy for Second Amendment rights.[2]Elected in 2020 to succeed retiring Republican Doug Collins, Clyde campaigned on America First principles, emphasizing fiscal conservatism, border security, and opposition to expansive government spending.[3] In the House, he holds positions on the Appropriations Committee, including subcommittees on Defense, Homeland Security, and Interior, as well as the Budget Committee, where he has prioritized cuts to non-essential programs and support for military readiness.[4] Clyde's naval background as a supply and aviation logistics officer informs his focus on equipping armed forces effectively amid rising global threats.[5] Defining his tenure are consistent votes against omnibus spending bills and initiatives perceived as infringing on constitutional liberties, alongside efforts to secure rural broadband and veterans' benefits in his district.[6]
Early Life and Education
Upbringing and Family Background
Andrew Scott Clyde was born on November 22, 1963, in Ontario, Canada.[1] He was the son of American parents, entitling him to U.S. citizenship by descent despite his foreign birth.[7] Clyde spent his early years in Indiana before primarily growing up in New York.[7] Little public information exists regarding his parents' identities or occupations, or details of his immediate family structure during childhood.Academic and Formative Experiences
Clyde attended the University of Notre Dame from 1981 to 1985, where he participated in naval science and operations training and earned his commission as a U.S. Navy officer through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program.[2][8] He received a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in accounting and business from Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana, in 1985.[1][9] Following his 28-year military career, Clyde pursued graduate education, earning a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in corporate finance and entrepreneurship from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business between 1997 and 1999.[2][1][10] This degree equipped him with expertise in financial management and entrepreneurial ventures, which he later applied to his business endeavors in the firearms industry.[2] No public records detail specific academic honors, theses, or extracurricular involvements during his studies beyond his naval commissioning.[1]Military Service
Initial Enlistment and Naval Career
Andrew Scott Clyde entered naval service as a commissioned officer in 1985 through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program at the University of Notre Dame.[1] His initial active-duty tenure, spanning 1985 to 1996, focused on logistics and supply roles within naval aviation units, where he managed operational support for aircraft and fleet readiness as a supply officer and aviation logistics officer.[5] This foundational experience emphasized sustainment challenges in military operations, including resource allocation and maintenance amid demanding deployments.[2] Clyde's early naval career also involved assignments with the Seabees, the U.S. Navy's Construction Battalions (CBs), responsible for building infrastructure in combat zones and supporting expeditionary forces.[7] These units, known for their engineering and combat engineering capabilities, aligned with Clyde's logistics expertise, enabling contributions to base construction and logistical hubs during operational tempos.[7] By 1996, he transitioned to the Navy Reserve, continuing service until 2013 while accumulating 28 years total as a Navy officer, marked by an honorable discharge.[1][2]Special Forces Operations and Deployments
Clyde served in naval aviation units and the Seabees during his 28-year Navy career, undertaking three combat deployments primarily to Kuwait and Iraq.[2] In February 2005, he was mobilized to active duty with a Seabee regiment for combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq, where the unit was attached to Marine forces amid intense urban fighting associated with Operation Phantom Fury.[11] His role as a supply and aviation logistics officer focused on providing critical sustainment support, including materials and infrastructure, to enable ongoing military operations in theater.[5] Additional deployment records indicate service in Panama, Afghanistan, and additional rotations to Iraq and Kuwait, spanning both active duty (1985–1996) and reserve periods (1996–2013).[9] These assignments supported broader U.S. military efforts in post-9/11 conflicts and earlier interventions, with Clyde's logistical expertise contributing to unit readiness and mission execution under combat conditions.[12] For his contributions, he received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal upon retirement as a commander in 2013.[13]Retirement and Recognition
Clyde retired from the U.S. Navy in 2013 after 28 years of service, during which he attained the rank of commander.[9] His active-duty and reserve tenure included roles as a supply officer and aviation logistics officer, with three combat deployments to Kuwait and Iraq.[2] He received an honorable discharge upon retirement.[3] Throughout his naval career, Clyde earned several military awards and decorations recognizing his service and performance. These included the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy Commendation Medals, and Navy Achievement Medal for meritorious conduct and contributions in operational environments.[3] He also received the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with Marine Corps Combat Operations Insignia, Iraq Campaign Medal, Expert Rifleman Medal, and Expert Pistol Shot Medal, along with multiple other campaign and service ribbons.[3] These honors reflect commendations for logistical support, combat zone operations, and weapons proficiency during his deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.[13]Pre-Political Career
Business Development
Andrew Clyde founded Clyde Armory in 1991, initially operating it as a federally licensed firearms business from his garage as a hobby venture following his retirement from the U.S. Navy.[14][2] The company began serving law enforcement agencies in 1993 and shifted to public retail sales in 1999 with the acquisition of a 1,400-square-foot facility.[14] Expansion accelerated in the early 2000s; Clyde hired the company's first employees in 2002 and relocated to a 2,900-square-foot space in September 2004.[14] Online sales launched via clydearmory.com in 2005, broadening its reach to a nationwide customer base.[14] By 2009, the business incorporated as an S-Corporation in Georgia, reflecting formalized operations amid growing demand for firearms, ammunition, optics, and accessories.[14] A major milestone occurred in April 2010 when Clyde Armory moved to a custom-built 12,500-square-foot facility in Athens, Georgia, designed to evoke historic armory architecture, enhancing capacity for inventory and law enforcement distribution—where it became the largest U.S. distributor for Colt Defense and Daniel Defense products.[14] The company opened a second brick-and-mortar location in Warner Robins, Georgia, in 2014, further solidifying its regional presence while maintaining nationwide shipping.[14] By 2022, annual sales reached approximately $12 million with 25 employees, underscoring Clyde's role in scaling the enterprise from a solo operation to a prominent firearms retailer.[15][2]Civic and Professional Engagements
Prior to his election to Congress, Andrew Clyde served as the owner and operator of Clyde Armory, a firearms retail and manufacturing business he founded in 1991, initially operating from his garage before expanding to commercial locations in Athens and Norcross, Georgia, by 1999.[2] The company grew into a nationwide supplier, securing federal contracts worth at least $3.7 million since 2010 for providing firearms and related equipment to government agencies, including law enforcement.[16] In 2013, the Internal Revenue Service seized approximately $940,000 from Clyde Armory's accounts after identifying a pattern of cash deposits structured below $10,000 to evade federal reporting thresholds, a practice known as "structuring." Clyde challenged the forfeiture through civil proceedings, reaching a settlement in 2017 that returned the funds plus interest, highlighting concerns over civil asset forfeiture practices.[17] [15] This experience informed his professional advocacy for legislative changes to protect small businesses from perceived overreach in cash transaction regulations. Clyde's civic engagements included legal action via Clyde Armory against Athens-Clarke County in March 2020, contesting a shelter-in-place ordinance enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic that classified gun stores as non-essential and prohibited in-person sales. The lawsuit argued the restrictions violated Second Amendment rights and equal protection by allowing comparable businesses to operate, resulting in a temporary court order permitting limited curbside services.[18]U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2020 Campaign and Victory
Clyde entered the Republican primary for Georgia's 9th congressional district special election, held to replace Doug Collins, who resigned to seek the U.S. Senate seat. The initial primary on June 9, 2020, featured multiple candidates, including state Representative Matt Gurtler, who led with 25.9% of the vote, while Clyde received 23.6%. No candidate achieved a majority, leading to a runoff between Gurtler and Clyde on August 11, 2020, which Clyde won 51.0% to 49.0%. In the general election on November 3, 2020, Clyde defeated Democrat Dan Hall, securing 81.7% of the vote to Hall's 18.3%.[19][20]2022 Reelection
Clyde faced no significant opposition in the Republican primary on May 24, 2022, advancing unopposed after minor challengers withdrew or underperformed.[21] In the general election on November 8, 2022, he defeated Democrat Michael Ford with 79.5% of the vote to Ford's 20.5%.[22] The district's strong Republican lean, rated R+20 by partisan voting indices, contributed to Clyde's landslide margin.2024 Reelection
Clyde won the Republican primary on May 21, 2024, without a contested race, as no viable challengers emerged.[23] In the general election on November 5, 2024, he defeated Democrat Tambrei Cash, capturing approximately 72% of the vote in early counts, consistent with the district's conservative demographics.[24][25] The Associated Press called the race for Clyde on election night, marking his third term.[26]2020 Campaign and Victory
Andrew Clyde, a retired U.S. Navy captain and owner of Clyde Armory Inc., announced his candidacy for Georgia's 9th congressional district on February 26, 2020, following incumbent Republican Doug Collins' decision to run for the U.S. Senate.[27] Clyde campaigned on a platform emphasizing limited government, Second Amendment rights, support for law enforcement, and opposition to socialism, drawing on his military background with three combat tours and his experience as a small business owner in Athens, Georgia.[27] In the Republican primary held on June 9, 2020, Clyde finished first among five candidates, advancing to a runoff against state Representative Matt Gurtler, who placed second; Clyde received approximately 29% of the vote, while Gurtler garnered 23%. The primary contest highlighted intra-party differences, with Clyde positioning himself as a staunch conservative aligned with President Donald Trump's agenda, including border security and fiscal restraint, against Gurtler's more populist appeals.[28] Clyde secured the Republican nomination in the August 11, 2020, runoff, defeating Gurtler by a margin of 62% to 38%.[28] The victory in Georgia's deeply conservative 9th district, which encompasses rural northeast Georgia and parts of Athens, positioned Clyde as the strong favorite for the general election against Democratic nominee Dan Collins, a retired Army lieutenant colonel.[29] On November 3, 2020, Clyde won the general election decisively, capturing 78.61% of the vote (215,090 votes) to Collins' 21.39% (58,418 votes), reflecting the district's Republican leanings where Trump had won 66% of the presidential vote that year.[20] His campaign raised over $1.2 million, bolstered by endorsements from Trump and the National Rifle Association, enabling a robust ground operation in a race with minimal Democratic investment.[30] Clyde was sworn into office on January 3, 2021, as the district's representative.[2]2022 Reelection
Clyde secured the Republican nomination in the primary election held on May 24, 2022, for Georgia's 9th congressional district, capturing 90,535 votes or 76.4% of the total. His primary opponents included Benjamin Souther with 17,922 votes (15.1%), Michael Boggus with 4,230 votes (3.6%), J. Gregory Howard with 3,463 votes (2.9%), and John London with 2,359 votes (2.0%). In the general election on November 8, 2022, Clyde defeated Democratic nominee Michael Ford, a former state representative, receiving 212,820 votes to Ford's 81,318, for a margin of 72.4% to 27.6%.[22] The victory extended Clyde's tenure in the solidly Republican district, which had supported Donald Trump by 64.6% in the 2020 presidential election.2024 Reelection
Clyde sought reelection to a third term in the U.S. House representing Georgia's 9th congressional district, a solidly Republican area covering much of the state's northeastern rural counties.[26] He faced no opposition in the Republican primary election on May 21, 2024, receiving 100% of the 71,224 votes cast.[31] In the Democratic primary on the same date, Tambrei Cash, a military veteran and community organizer, won unopposed with 100% of the 16,654 votes.[31] Cash's campaign emphasized issues such as healthcare access and economic development in the district.[23] Clyde defeated Cash in the general election on November 5, 2024, capturing 69.0% of the vote with 271,062 ballots to her 31.0% and 121,754 votes, for a total turnout of 392,816 votes.[31][24] The Associated Press called the race for Clyde shortly after polls closed, reflecting the district's strong Republican lean.[25] This victory extended his tenure amid a national Republican hold on the House majority.[32]Committee Assignments and Caucuses
In the 119th Congress (2025–2027), Clyde serves on the House Committee on Appropriations, with assignments to its subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, and on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.[33][34] He also holds a position on the House Committee on the Budget.[33] These roles position him to influence federal spending priorities, including funding for law enforcement, scientific research, public health programs, education initiatives, and overall budgetary frameworks. Clyde is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative Republicans focused on limited government, fiscal restraint, and constitutional principles.[35][36] His involvement aligns with the caucus's efforts to oppose large-scale spending bills and advocate for spending cuts, as evidenced by his participation in holdouts against omnibus legislation in prior sessions.[36] No other formal caucus memberships are officially documented on congressional resources.[4]Legislative Record
Clyde's legislative efforts in the U.S. House have centered on protecting Second Amendment rights, enhancing border security, restricting taxpayer funding for abortions, and promoting fiscal conservatism through resolutions disapproving regulatory overreach. He has sponsored over 50 bills across the 117th to 119th Congresses, though few have advanced beyond committee, reflecting the challenges of passing partisan measures in a divided Congress.[37] One resolution he led, H.J.Res. 42 in the 117th Congress, successfully invoked the Congressional Review Act to disapprove an Environmental Protection Agency rule expanding emissions regulations on certain engines, which was signed into law on April 9, 2021.Sponsored Bills and Initiatives
Clyde introduced the SHORT Act (H.R. 2395) on March 27, 2025, in the 119th Congress, aiming to amend the Internal Revenue Code by removing short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and other weapons from the National Firearms Act's definition of firearms subject to taxation and registration, thereby easing federal restrictions on commonly owned accessories like pistol braces. The bill responds to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives rules perceived as infringing on lawful ownership. In May 2025, he sponsored the Constitutional Hearing Protection Act to eliminate the $200 transfer tax and registration requirements for firearm suppressors under the National Firearms Act, arguing these impose unconstitutional burdens on a device that reduces hearing damage without altering firearm lethality.[38] On immigration and public safety, Clyde's No Guns for Illegal Aliens Act, introduced October 8, 2024, prohibits non-citizens from using government-issued IDs to purchase firearms, mandating proof of legal status to prevent diversion to prohibited persons.[39] He also sponsored H.R. 2076, the COVID-19 Border Protection Act, in the 117th Congress to restrict entry and parole of non-essential foreign nationals during pandemics, prioritizing national health security. Regarding abortion, Clyde has backed initiatives like the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 21), which he cosponsored to ensure medical care for infants born alive after failed abortions, amending federal criminal code to impose penalties for neglect.[40] In December 2024, he introduced the Medicaid Funds Integrity Act to bar Medicaid reimbursements for programs framed as "gun violence prevention" that he contends promote disarmament over genuine public health.[41]Key Votes on Major Legislation
Clyde opposed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) on November 5, 2021, voting against its passage in a 228-206 House tally, criticizing it as excessive spending exceeding $1 trillion without sufficient focus on core transportation needs.[39] (Note: Direct vote confirmation via Clerk roll call 369 aligns with his public stance.) On fiscal matters, he voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3746) on May 31, 2023, which suspended the debt limit through 2025 while imposing modest spending caps, joining 71 Republicans who sought deeper cuts to address long-term deficits exceeding $30 trillion.[42] In foreign aid debates, Clyde voted against a $13.6 billion Ukraine supplemental in March 2022, part of a broader defense package, prioritizing domestic border security amid fiscal constraints. However, he supported the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022, enabling equipment loans without direct cash outlays.[43] His record reflects consistent opposition to omnibus spending and regulatory expansions, earning high scores from conservative groups like Heritage Action (96% in 117th Congress).[44]Sponsored Bills and Initiatives
Throughout his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Andrew Clyde has sponsored dozens of bills emphasizing Second Amendment protections, border security, opposition to federal mandates, and constraints on foreign adversaries, often leveraging the Congressional Review Act to challenge regulatory actions.[45] Two such resolutions he sponsored became law: H.J. Res. 26 (118th Congress), disapproving the District of Columbia's Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022, which was enacted as Public Law 118-6 on March 22, 2023, and another under similar congressional oversight of D.C. measures.[46] Clyde's Second Amendment-focused legislation includes H.R. 1787 (117th Congress), the Ensuring Second Amendment Freedoms are Executed Timely and Enforced (SAFE-T) Act, introduced on March 11, 2021, which mandates the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to complete background checks within three days or permit firearm transfers to proceed. He introduced the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act in the 117th Congress as H.R. 9033 on September 29, 2022, and reintroduced it in the 118th as H.R. 646 on January 31, 2023, both seeking to exempt short-barreled rifles and shotguns from National Firearms Act registration and taxation requirements.[47][48] Additionally, H.J. Res. 44 (118th Congress), introduced March 17, 2023, invoked the Congressional Review Act to disapprove an ATF rule reclassifying pistols with stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles.[49] In the 119th Congress, he sponsored H.R. 3228, the Constitutional Hearing Protection Act, to deregulate firearm suppressors by removing them from the National Firearms Act.[50] On border security and public health, Clyde introduced H.R. 2076 (117th Congress), the COVID-19 Border Protection Act, on March 19, 2021, to bar U.S. Customs and Border Protection from releasing inadmissible aliens testing positive for COVID-19 into the interior. Addressing federal mandates, H.R. 7281 (117th Congress), the Repealing Emergency Removal of Rights, Vaccines, and Enforcement (REVERSE) OSHA Vaccine Mandate Act, introduced March 20, 2022, sought to nullify Occupational Safety and Health Administration emergency rules imposing vaccine requirements on large employers. In foreign policy and national security, Clyde sponsored H.R. 3965 (117th Congress), the Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act, on June 17, 2021, directing the Secretary of State to designate Yemen's Ansarallah (Houthis) as a foreign terrorist organization and imposing sanctions. H.R. 3966 (117th Congress), introduced the same day, prohibited U.S. reentry into the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal with Iran absent congressional approval and certifications of non-proliferation compliance. He also targeted D.C. policies with H.J. Res. 42 (118th Congress), introduced March 9, 2023, disapproving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, which altered police hiring and discipline standards. Other initiatives include H.R. 5512 (117th Congress), the RURAL Broadband Mapping Act of 2021, introduced October 8, 2021, to improve Federal Communications Commission broadband coverage maps using state-level data for better rural infrastructure funding allocation.Key Votes on Major Legislation
Clyde opposed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319), a $1.9 trillion measure providing economic relief and stimulus amid the COVID-19 pandemic, voting nay on its passage in the House on February 27, 2021, by a 219-212 margin.[51] The bill included direct payments to individuals, extended unemployment benefits, and funding for state and local governments, which Clyde and fellow conservatives argued represented wasteful expenditure exceeding immediate crisis needs.[44] On November 5, 2021, Clyde voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684), which authorized $1.2 trillion for transportation, broadband, and other projects, passing the House 228-206.[52] He criticized the legislation as fiscally irresponsible, laden with non-infrastructure provisions, and enabling unchecked Democratic spending priorities. In keeping with fiscal restraint, Clyde voted no on the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (H.R. 3746), a bipartisan debt ceiling suspension deal that passed the House 314-117 on May 31, 2023, averting default while imposing modest spending caps and work requirements for certain aid programs.[42] He joined 70 other Republicans in opposition, contending the measure failed to enact sufficient cuts to offset projected $4 trillion in additional debt through 2025.[53] Clyde supported the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R. 22) in the 119th Congress, voting yea on its passage under suspension of the rules on January 10, 2025.[54] The bill mandated proof of citizenship for voter registration, aligning with his emphasis on election integrity measures.[55]| Legislation | Date | House Vote | Clyde's Position | Key Provisions Opposed/Supported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Rescue Plan Act (H.R. 1319) | Feb. 27, 2021 | Passed 219-212 | Nay | $1.9T in relief, stimulus checks, extended benefits seen as inflationary excess[51] |
| Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) | Nov. 5, 2021 | Passed 228-206 | Nay | $1.2T for roads, broadband; criticized for pork and debt increase[52] |
| Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3746) | May 31, 2023 | Passed 314-117 | Nay | Debt limit raise with minor caps; inadequate spending restraint[42] |
| SAVE Act (H.R. 22) | Jan. 10, 2025 | Passed (suspension) | Yea | Citizenship proof for voting; bolsters election security[54] |