David R. Obey (born 1938), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1969, representing the Seventh Congressional District of Wisconsin. Born in Wausau, Wisconsin, he attended the University of Wisconsin. He became a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1963, and served there until 1969, when he was elected to the House to replace Melvin R. Laird, who was appointed Secretary of Defense under President Richard Nixon. Just thirty years old upon his election, Obey he was the youngest member of Congress at the time.
In Congress, Obey chaired the commission to write the House's Code of Ethics. Among the reforms he instituted was one requiring members of the House to disclose their personal financial dealings so that the public is made aware of any potential conflicts of interests. In addition to serving in Congress, Obey is an avid musician and has played harmonica on three bluegrass albums recorded with his band, the Capitol Offenses.
