Biography

Beth Van Duyne, born on November 16, 1970, in Albany, New York, is a Republican politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 24th Congressional District since January 3, 2021. She is the second Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to her congressional tenure, Van Duyne was the first woman elected as Mayor of Irving, Texas, serving from 2011 to 2017. Under her leadership, Irving experienced significant economic growth, adding 40,000 jobs and approximately $3 billion in new developments. She also served as a board member for the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. In 2017, she was appointed as the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Southwest Region, overseeing operations in five states.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts in city and regional planning, government, and law.

• Political Experience:

  • Elected to the Irving City Council in 2004, serving until 2010.
  • Served as Mayor of Irving from 2011 to 2017.
  • Appointed as Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Southwest Region in 2017.
  • Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Texas's 24th Congressional District in 2020; re-elected in 2022 and 2024.

Notable Achievements and Positions

• Committee Assignments:

  • Appointed to the House Ways and Means Committee in January 2023, focusing on tax and financial policies.
  • Served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, bringing her experience as a former mayor and HUD administrator to the role.
  • Appointed to the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress in February 2021, aiming to make Congress more effective and efficient.

• Legislative Focus:

  • Advocates for policies that promote economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure development.
  • Emphasizes the importance of energy independence and affordable energy solutions.
  • Supports initiatives to modernize Congress and improve its efficiency.

Van Duyne's diverse experience in local government, federal administration, and the private sector informs her approach to governance, emphasizing economic development, infrastructure, and modernization.