Cindy Hyde-Smith is a Republican Senator from Mississippi, born on May 10, 1959, in Brookhaven, Mississippi. She graduated from Copiah-Lincoln Community College and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1981. Before her tenure in the U.S. Senate, Hyde-Smith served in various capacities in Mississippi politics, including as a member of the Mississippi State Senate from 2000 to 2012 and as the State Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce from 2012 to 2018. In April 2018, she was appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy left by Thad Cochran's resignation and was subsequently elected in a special election in November 2018. Hyde-Smith was re-elected in 2020 for a term that will end on January 3, 2027.

As a senator, Hyde-Smith serves on several key committees, including the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; the Committee on Appropriations; and the Committee on Rules and Administration. These positions allow her to influence a variety of policy areas crucial to her constituents, particularly those related to agriculture and federal funding.

Throughout her congressional career, Hyde-Smith has sponsored and co-sponsored multiple pieces of legislation reflecting her political priorities and positions. Notable among these is the Saving American Workers’ Benefits Act of 2025, aimed at amending tax provisions related to child and earned income tax credits. This legislation emphasizes the importance of taxpayer identification compliance, and although it seeks to preserve tax benefits, it has raised discussions regarding its potential impacts on low-income families who rely on these credits for financial support.

Another significant measure she supported is the Rural Health Focus Act, aimed at addressing healthcare challenges in rural communities by focusing on rural health issues. Additionally, she has co-sponsored the MEAT Act, which aims to boost the meat and poultry sector through regulatory reforms intended to improve food supply chains and inspection processes, further highlighting her commitment to agricultural interests.

Hyde-Smith is also involved in resolutions that reflect her advocacy for education and social issues, including designations for National School Choice Week and National Women in Agriculture Day, demonstrating her support for educational opportunities and the agricultural community.

Her legislative record suggests that Hyde-Smith leans towards conservative principles, particularly on social issues. She has championed bills that aim to restrict abortion access and has been supportive of gun rights legislation. For instance, she co-sponsored the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which aims to prevent transgender athletes from competing on women's sports teams, aligning her with traditional conservative perspectives on gender and sports.

Moreover, Hyde-Smith has expressed a commitment to enhancing national security and immigration policies, sponsoring bills that tighten regulations and control concerning unauthorized cross-border entries. This includes her support for legislation like the Laken Riley Act, which mandates the detention of non-U.S. nationals charged with certain crimes.

Hyde-Smith lives in Mississippi with her husband, and they have one daughter. Her background as a cattle farmer also informs her policy perspectives, particularly in agriculture. She remains an active voice for Mississippi in the Senate, advocating for the interests of her constituents while navigating the complexities of federal legislation.