Prior to entering Congress, Weaver worked for a publishing company. In 1959, he was hired as a staff member for the
Oregon Department of Agriculture. In 1960, Weaver was hired by a real estate development company, eventually becoming a developer of apartment and office buildings. He was a delegate to the 1960 and 1964
Democratic National Conventions. In
1974, Weaver defeated incumbent
Republican congressman
John R. Dellenback to become member of the
United States House of Representatives from
Oregon's 4th congressional district. He was known for conducting the only filibuster in the modern history of the House of Representatives by adding 113 amendments to the
Energy Northwest bill in 1980. After the filibuster, the House passed "The Weaver Rule" to "limit" the use of such tactics. In 1986, Weaver was selected as the Democratic nominee for
United States Senate and was to face incumbent Republican
Bob Packwood. After receiving the nomination, however, Weaver was the subject of a
United States House Committee on Ethics probe into his campaign finances, and withdrew his candidacy when it became apparent that he would lose the general election.
Oregon State Representative Rick Bauman was selected to replace Weaver on the ballot, and lost to Packwood. The House Ethics Committee ruled that Weaver had used campaign money for personal investments, in violation of House rules. Eventually it was discovered that the report had included errors. The House Ethics Committee later stated that Weaver had not violated the law. Weaver served out his term and was succeeded by his aide,
Peter DeFazio. ==Death and legacy==