Marlin Stutzman is a Republican Representative serving Indiana's 3rd congressional district, with a career that encompasses extensive involvement in both state and federal politics. Born on August 31, 1976, in Sturgis, Michigan, he attended Lake Area Christian High School and has engaged in farming and business ownership throughout his career. He has had a longstanding presence in Indiana's political landscape, initially serving in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008, followed by a term in the Indiana Senate until 2010.
Stutzman's federal political career commenced when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election on May 3, 2010, to fill the vacancy left by Mark Souder's resignation. He was subsequently re-elected to two additional terms, serving until January 3, 2017. After a brief hiatus, Stutzman returned to Congress as a representative of Indiana's 3rd district in the 119th Congress.
Stutzman is actively engaged in several key congressional committees. He is a member of the Budget Committee, Financial Services Committee, and the National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Subcommittee. His committee assignments highlight a focus on fiscal responsibility and security issues relevant to both the economy and national welfare.
As a legislator, Stutzman has co-sponsored and sponsored several notable bills that reflect his political ideology, which aligns closely with conservative values, particularly regarding taxation and government regulation. Among his co-sponsored bills is the TCJA Permanency Act, aimed at making certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent. This bill underscores his commitment to tax reforms favoring individuals and small businesses without raising their costs.
Additionally, Stutzman is involved with the LASSO Act, which seeks to enhance funding for the Social Security Trust Fund while preventing cost increases for public land activities, indicating an approach to fiscal health that also prioritizes social safety nets.
His sponsorship of the Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts Act demonstrates Stutzman's position on reproductive issues, proposing tighter restrictions on abortion funding through health savings accounts—an aspect that reflects conservative perspectives on family values.
Throughout his tenure, Stutzman has shown a consistent pattern of supporting measures that limit governmental regulatory reach. This can be observed in his support for bills like the Restoring Checks and Balances Act, which proposes to require reauthorization of federal regulations every five years, and the Freedom from Government Competition Act, designed to curb government competition with the private sector.
Stutzman has also addressed the complexities in immigration and funding by co-sponsoring the Build the Wall Act, which aims to create a fund for wall construction along the southern border of the United States. This aligns with the broader Republican agenda focused on stringent border control measures.
In regard to his political leanings, Stutzman exhibits a commitment to both fiscal conservatism and social conservatism. His legislative history demonstrates a strong preference for reduced government intervention in economic affairs, alongside a dedication to upholding traditional values. Overall, Marlin Stutzman's legislative actions indicate a clear alignment with the priorities of the Republican Party, focusing on economic stability, national security, and conservative family policies.