As a fiscally conservative “Jeffersonian Republican,” Congressman John Culberson is committed to Thomas Jefferson’s vision of limited government, individual liberty, and states’ rights. Simply put, John Culberson believes in “Letting Texans Run Texas.”

John Culberson was elected in 2000 to represent the 7th District, a seat formerly held by President George H. W. Bush and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer. In Congress, John’s priorities include restoring the 10th amendment; strengthening the economy by cutting taxes, creating jobs, and balancing the budget; securing the border; advancing medical and scientific research; and improving Houston transportation.

John is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for funding the federal government. His position on the committee allows him to rein in federal spending and promote less federal regulation and more local control. His subcommittee assignments include the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Subcommittee, Homeland Security Subcommittee, and the Transportation Housing & Urban Development Subcommittee.

In November 2014, John was selected to lead the CJS Subcommittee, which oversees the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation, and other related agencies. As Chairman, John is committed to ensuring that the Attorney General respects the rule of law and providing America’s law enforcement officers with the resources they need to protect our lives and property.

As a long-time space-enthusiast and NASA advocate, one of John’s top priorities is to see NASA return to its core mission of scientific research so that America remains the world-leader in space exploration. He is also a zealous advocate for increasing national investment in medical and scientific research, and recognizes that breakthroughs in these areas are vital to the economic and technological challenges we face in the 21st century.

He believes the lawlessness on the border requires immediate action, and in close cooperation with the Texas Border Sheriffs’ Coalition, he continues to secure federal funding for the sheriffs to enforce existing law and provide the necessary support for our Border Patrol agents. John also believes in cost-effective transportation projects that reduce congestion on Houston’s busy freeways. His signature transportation project, the Katy Freeway expansion, is the nation’s first combination Interstate highway with locally-owned toll lanes. The project was finished years ahead of schedule, and according to TxDOT has cut travel time in half.

A life-long Texan, John Culberson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1981. After college, he worked for his father’s political consulting and advertising agency before earning a Juris Doctorate degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston. Before his election to Congress, he practiced law as a civil defense attorney with the Houston firm Lorance and Thompson.

In 1986, John was elected to the Texas House of Representatives while he was a law student. He spent 14 years in the Texas House and in his last term in 1999, he was selected by his peers to serve as Minority Whip. He is best remembered in Austin for his successful effort to restore state control of the Texas prison system from a federal judge. After introducing and passing legislation in the Texas House, and drafting key pieces of federal law, John fought in court on behalf of his legislation and the ruling returned full authority over state prisons to the Texas Legislature.

John and his wife, Belinda, have been married over 20 years and have an 18 year old daughter, Caroline. They are members of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church.