David Dreier

David Timothy Dreier (born July 5 1952), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1981, representing the 26th District of California.

He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, was educated at Claremont Men’s College (now Claremont McKenna College), and was director of corporate relations for the college before entering the House.

Dreier has served as chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee since 1999. He has also served as chairman of California's Republican Congressional Delegation since 2001.

Attending the 2004 GOP Convention in New York, Dreier refused to confirm or deny rumors that he is gay. Nonetheless he has become the subject of increasing criticism for his voting record on a number of key pieces of anti-gay legislation, including the Defense of Marriage Act and the Federal Marriage Amendment, as well as legislation that would prohibit gays and lesbians from adopting.

In their criticism of Dreier, gay rights groups, who claim to have proof of Dreier's sexuality, including knowledge of a long-time relationship with his Chief of Staff Brad Smith, suggest that Dreier has courted conservative support, especially from the Christian Right, and has adopted an anti-gay posture in order to conceal his sexuality.

In the Bush family biography "The Family," by Kitty Kelley, Barbara Bush is reported to have been upset that her daughter Doro, a divorcee, had made little progress with Dreier even after a year of dating. "Never laid a hand on her," the former first lady complained about Dreier.

Critics point to Dreier?s ability to conceal what some say has been an open secret in California due, in part, to the unwillingness of local newspapers in Dreier?s district to publish stories that allude to his sexuality.

In an attempt to lend credence to the rumors, Hustler magazine claims to have ?struck gold? while conducting an investigation for an upcoming article on Dreier during the recent Republican National Convention.