COLUMBIA, S.C. — John Spratt, a former Democratic congressman from South Carolina who played a significant role in achieving a balanced budget agreement in the 1990s, has passed away at the age of 82. His daughter, Catherine Spratt, announced on Facebook that he died Saturday night at home, surrounded by his family, due to complications related to Parkinson’s disease.
Spratt, who held office in South Carolina’s 5th District for nearly three decades, received numerous tributes following his death. Former President Bill Clinton praised him as a “skilled and deeply principled lawmaker,” noting his willingness to work across party lines to enact legislation that positively influenced people’s lives. President Joe Biden expressed his condolences in a letter to the family, highlighting Spratt’s dedication to uniting people and his understanding of America’s potential, stating that he fought with wisdom and grace to realize that promise.
Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican, described Spratt as possessing “unmatched intellect, integrity, and kindness,” while announcing that flags would be flown at half-staff in his honor on the day of his funeral. Christale Spain, the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, reflected on Spratt’s legacy, stating that he earned respect from both political parties and made substantial contributions to healthcare, military support, and rural community development.
Jaime Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Committee and a native of South Carolina, fondly remembered Spratt, joking that he had forgotten more about the federal budget than most people ever knew. He described him as “brilliant, kind, and beloved by many.” Spratt was first elected to Congress in 1982, ultimately rising to the position of chairman of the House Budget Committee and serving as the second-highest-ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee.
His dedication culminated in one of his most significant accomplishments: the Balanced Budget Agreement of 1997, which resulted in record surpluses. Clinton expressed gratitude for collaborating with Spratt on this critical piece of legislation, calling him a true public servant. During his tenure, despite a growing Republican influence in the South, Spratt managed to maintain his congressional seat until 2010, when he was defeated by Republican Mick Mulvaney after the redrawing of congressional maps.
Mulvaney represented the district for three terms and later served in the Trump administration as the director of the Office of Management and Budget and acting White House chief of staff. Currently, South Carolina’s U.S. House delegation consists of six Republicans and one Democrat, Rep. Jim Clyburn, who recently secured his 17th term.
Clyburn expressed his sentiments in a post, emphasizing that serving alongside Spratt was one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life. He remembered Spratt as a confidant, mentor, and an “inconspicuous genius,” underscoring the remarkable impact Spratt had on those who knew him.
Spratt was a Davidson College graduate, where he served as student body president. He won a Marshall Scholarship to study economics at Oxford and later received a law degree from Yale. Spratt also earned the Meritorious Service Medal for his service as a captain in the Army from 1969 to 1971, before returning to South Carolina to practice law with his father.
Eleven years later, he began his journey in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is survived by his wife, Jane Stacy Spratt, whom he was married to for 56 years, along with three daughters and several grandchildren.
