Robert A. Brady (born April 7, 1945) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district from 1998 to 2019.

[1] He has served as Chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic Party since 1986[1] and is a registered lobbyist for NBC Universal and Independence Blue Cross.

In April 1991 he was appointed to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission by Governor Bob Casey Sr., a position he held until his election to United States Congress in 1998.

[5] In February 1998, Brady announced he would be running in the special election for Foglietta's vacated seat, despite not living within the district.

"[25] Brady represented a heavily Democratic district and easily won each of his ten full terms, receiving at least 81% of the vote in each race and twice running unopposed.

[29] Legislation that he co-sponsored mostly covered the areas of government operation, crime and law enforcement and transportation and public works.

[32] As a member of the United States House Committee on Armed Services, Brady was one of a select few permitted to view photos of the corpse of Osama bin Laden.

Jones were both convicted of violating federal law and each sentenced to over a year in prison for their role in facilitating and covering up the $90,000 payment to a former Brady primary opponent.

[41] He voted against the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which prohibits health insurance companies from offering abortion coverage in a plan to any citizen.

In his first bid for chair, Brady had the support of Wilson Goode, Lucien Blackwell, and the majority of Philadelphia's 69 Democratic ward leaders, who felt Philadelphia's Democratic Party was suffering from fragmentation, low-morale and financial trouble after losing the District Attorney race to Republican Ron Castille.

[57] The Democratic City Committee holds sway in judicial elections, where candidates will pay the party upwards of $35,000 for placement on a sample ballot.

[65] In June 2020, Northeast Philadelphia ward leader Brian Eddis called on Brady to resign as chair due to "lack of diversity in the party."

Brady called a meeting of clergy members and party officials to discuss how to handle racial justice protests in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the violent confrontations that had occurred near the statue of Christopher Columbus in Marconi Plaza.

[66] In March 2021, Brady reportedly asked the candidate for the Court of Common Pleas Caroline Turner to drop out of the race in exchange for his help in getting her a judicial appointment at a later date.

Brady and the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee disputed the memo's claim through an attorney and asserted no such ask ever took place.

Agre, who also represents Philadelphia's 21st Ward on the city committee, said that Brady said he never asked her, or anyone else, to drop out of the race, nor did he offer support for a judgeship appointment.

[69] On March 6, Brady failed to list his city pension on the financial-interests statement he filed with his nominating petitions.

Within a week Milton Street filed a petition challenge to remove Brady from the ballot for failing to disclose his pension income.

Another challenge was brought by a group of voters, and supported by mayoral candidates Tom Knox and Dwight Evans.

On April 13, 2007, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that Brady's failure to not list part of his income would not keep him off the primary ballot.