Jodey C. Arrington is a Republican Representative serving Texas's 19th congressional district, having been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2017. Born on March 9, 1972, in Plainview, Texas, he pursued his education at Texas Tech University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1994 followed by a Master of Arts in 1997. Prior to his congressional career, Arrington held various roles, including serving as a special assistant to President George W. Bush, and working with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding.
Arrington is currently the chair of the Committee on the Budget for both the 118th and 119th Congresses, where he plays a central role in shaping fiscal policy and government budget allocations. His legislative focus includes promoting financial accountability and efficiency within government spending.
Among the significant bills he has sponsored, Arrington has been an advocate for several initiatives primarily aimed at fiscal responsibility, healthcare access, and agricultural interests. Notably, he introduced the Keeping Texas School Construction Costs Down Act of 2023, which seeks to provide a safe harbor for specific perpetual trust funds. This act emphasizes a commitment to supporting essential governmental functions while easing the financial burdens on educational institutions.
Another important piece of legislation is the Telehealth Expansion Act of 2025, which aims to enhance access to specialty healthcare services, particularly in rural areas. This bill underlines Arrington's advocacy for improving healthcare delivery and accessibility for underserved populations, illustrating a focus on utilizing technology to fill gaps in healthcare services.
Arrington has also co-sponsored the Promoting Local Management of the Lesser Prairie Chicken Act, which aims to prevent the listing of the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered, advocating for local management of wildlife resources. This reflects his interest in promoting state autonomy regarding environmental management while balancing local and federal interests in wildlife conservation.
His legislative agenda indicates a strong alignment with conservative fiscal principles, as showcased in the Fiscal Responsibility Amendment he supports. This proposed amendment calls for a convention aimed at imposing stricter fiscal constraints on federal spending, indicative of a broader Republican commitment to reducing national debt and promoting budgetary restraint. Additionally, his support for bills such as the Estate Tax Rate Reduction Act, which seeks to lower estate tax rates, further emphasizes a leaning towards tax reduction and wealth retention.
Arrington's political leanings are characterized by a conservative approach to economic policies, prioritizing fiscal responsibility, limited government intervention, and enhancing local governance. His engagement with healthcare issues also underscores a commitment to expanding access, albeit through market-based solutions and technological innovations.
In his personal life, Arrington is married and has children, and he often engages in community and educational initiatives within Texas. His background as a business executive adds a practical perspective to his legislative work, promoting policies he believes will benefit his constituents and the broader American economy.