Pete Sessions Information

Pete Sessions is a conservative leader whose goal is to empower the free enterprise system to create jobs, advance a pro-employer tax agenda to keep American businesses competitive with the world, rein in government spending, pare down our dizzying debt, and guarantee the retirement security of every generation of Americans. First elected to Congress in 1996, Pete Sessions believes that America's greatest days still lie in our future. However, in order to realize this and ensure the American Dream survives, he believes that government must be focused on its core responsibilities and be both efficient and effective at providing solutions to our problems. A native Texan, Pete Sessions was born on March 22, 1955 and grew up in Waco. After graduating from Southwestern University in 1978, he joined Southwestern Bell Telephone Company where he worked for the next 16 years. Pete's corporate and private sector experiences made him understand the need for a limited government and a Congress that will stand up to fight bureaucracy. In 1993, Pete retired from the private sector to run for Congress against John Bryant (D-TX). In 1994-1995, he served as Vice President, Public Policy at the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), a Dallas-based conservative public policy research institute. In 1996, Pete was elected to represent the 5th Congressional district, which he did until 2000 redistricting. Following the 2000 redistricting, Pete was elected to his 4th term in Congress and his first to represent the newly created 32nd Congressional District. Pete continues to represent the 32nd District and is currently serving his 10th term. In Congress, Pete Sessions proudly serves as the Chairman of the House Rules Committee, making him a member of House leadership. Most known for its role as legislative gatekeeper, assisting in the scheduling of legislation for floor consideration, the Rules Committee also has important oversight responsibilities. These responsibilities include oversight of the rules of the House, the House's internal organization, the Congressional budget process, the ethics process, and relations between Congress and the Executive and Judicial Branches. Additionally, Congressman Sessions serves on the Rules Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process. With the broad reach of the Rules Committee, he is able to influence every piece of legislation before it reaches the House floor. In 2008 and 2010, he was elected by the House Republican Conference as Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. In 2010, Republicans made the greatest expansion in the House since the Eisenhower Administration under Sessions' leadership, and he helped House Republicans hold the majority in the 2012 cycle. Pete is an energetic, hardworking, and straightforward individual who believes there is a solution to every problem in America. Congressman Sessions focuses on those reforms that will lead to a better life for all Americans. Each week Congressman Sessions spends time working in North Texas by visiting schools, meeting with constituents and community leaders, as well as touring local businesses. His constant interaction with his neighbors and all citizens of the 32nd Congressional District helps him better serve the people of North Texas in Washington, D.C. Pete Sessions is an Eagle Scout, a former Scout Master and was honored as a recipient of the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is proud to have been a Scout Master for 13 Eagle Scouts. Pete continues to be active in numerous civic and community organizations in Dallas. Notably, he has served as Chairman of the Northeast Dallas Chamber of Commerce, former District Chairman of the White Rock Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and board member of the East Dallas YMCA. Pete Sessions is married to Karen Sessions, and is the proud father of two sons, Bill and Alex, and three stepsons, Conor, Liam, and Nicholas.