Meet Andrew
Andrew's career in the Navy began after he earned his commission as an officer from the University of Notre Dame. He then spent the next 28 years of his life in service to our country including three combat deployments to Kuwait and Iraq. During his service, he earned a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy Commendation Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/Marine Corps Combat Operations Insignia, Iraq Campaign Medal, Expert Rifleman Medal, Expert Pistol Shot Medal, and multiple other medals.
After completing his active military service, Andrew homesteaded in Athens and decided to pursue a master's degree from UGA in Corporate Finance and Entrepreneurship. In 1991 he started a small firearms business called Clyde Armory. What started as a hobby business in his garage has grown into a nationwide company with two brick-and-mortar locations here in Georgia. As a veteran turned small business owner, Andrew was truly living the American dream.
Andrew Clyde was elected to the 117th Congress in November 2020 as an America First Representative. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Budget Committee.
Andrew and his wife Jennifer are residents o f Jackson County. They have two Dobermans, Georgia and Molly, who are a cherished part of the family.
Christmas Day 2007- delivering MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles to Al Asad airbase Iraq
Andrew Clyde was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy.
Images do not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense or any Service Branch.
Andrew's battle with the IRS.
On April 12, 2013, the IRS, without warning, wrongfully confiscated $940,000 from Andrew's business. Come to find out, they had been doing this to small business owners all across the country through an unconstitutional process known as civil asset forfeiture. Unfortunately, most people didn't have the financial resources to stand up for themselves and ultimately would lose their business and livelihood. In his case, the IRS offered a deal to give back $615,000 if Andrew would forfeit $325,000 of his legally-earned money to them as penance. This was extortion and he refused. Andrew challenged the corrupt IRS both in the court and then through the legislature. He eventually won but knew he couldn't stop there.
Andrew decided to make it his mission to ensure this never happened to a fellow American ever again. He went to Washington to work with Congress to pass legislation eliminating the ability of the IRS to seize legally-earned money, saving hundreds of individuals and business owners from wrongful prosecution each year. Three times in three different Congressional terms, Congress unanimously passed the Clyde-Hirsh-Sowers RESPECT Act. In 2019 it passed the Senate and on July 1, 2019, President Donald Trump signed the bill into law as part of the Taxpayer First Act.
"I never intended to run for public office, but this experience showed me there is a very thin line between 'We the People' running our government and our government running us. This is the fight of our lifetime, and I personally experienced the brutality of it so I won't back down."
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives write and vote on federal laws, including the federal budget. Each represents one district and serves a two-year term. Tax bills must start in the House, only the House can impeach federal officials, and members oversee federal agencies through their committees.