Biography

John Rice Carter, born on November 6, 1941, in Houston, Texas, has been serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 31st congressional district since 2003. A member of the Republican Party, Carter's district encompasses the northern suburbs of Austin and includes Fort Cavazos. Prior to his congressional tenure, he served as the judge of the 277th District Court in Williamson County from 1981 until his retirement in 2001. Carter is married to Erika, with whom he has four children and seven grandchildren. The family resides in Round Rock, Texas.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas Tech University
  • Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law

• Political Experience:

  • Appointed as judge of the 277th District Court of Williamson County in 1981; elected to the position in 1982, becoming the first Republican elected countywide in Williamson County.
  • Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002; has been re-elected in subsequent terms, including the 2024 election.
  • Served as Secretary of the House Republican Conference from 2007 to 2013.
  • Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Appropriations during the 115th Congress.
  • Co-chair of the bipartisan House Army Caucus.

Notable Achievements

• Authored the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act, signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2004, which established penalties for aggravated identity theft.
• Sponsored the Veterans Transplant Coverage Act, ensuring that the Department of Veterans Affairs covers live-donor transplants for veterans.
• Advocated for military personnel and their families, particularly those stationed at Fort Cavazos, through his roles on the Appropriations Committee and the House Army Caucus.
• Recognized for his leadership abilities, being named one of the "Top Five Freshmen" in Congress during his first term.