Wikipedia

Jodey Arrington

Jodey Cook Arrington (born March 9, 1972) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Texas's 19th congressional district. The district includes a large slice of West Texas, centered around Lubbock and Abilene. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Jodey Arrington
Chair of the House Budget Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byJohn Yarmuth
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Texas's 19th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded byRandy Neugebauer
Personal details
Born
Jodey Cook Arrington

(1972-03-09) March 9, 1972 (age 52)
Plainview, Texas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
Nicole Reilly
​
​
(m. 1995; div. 1999)​
Priscilla Jones
​
​
(m. 2002; div. 2007)​
Anne Meyer
​
(m. 2008)​
Children3
EducationTexas Tech University (BA, MPA)
WebsiteHouse website
Jodey Arrington's voice
Jodey Arrington on his support for Tax Reform 2.0, a set of Republican tax proposals
Recorded September 6, 2018

Arrington was a member of George W. Bush's gubernatorial and presidential administrations.[1] He was named appointments manager for Governor Bush in 1996. In 2000, he was appointed Special Assistant to the President and Associate Director of Presidential Personnel.[2] In December 2001, Donald E. Powell, the 18th chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, hired Arrington as the agency's chief of staff.[3]

Arrington later served as deputy federal coordinator for the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding. In 2006, he left the coastal rebuilding office to return to his alma mater, Texas Tech University, as its system chief of staff and later vice chancellor for research and commercialization. Until his election to Congress, Arrington was the president of Scott Laboratories in Lubbock.

Early life and education

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Arrington, the son of Gene and Betty Arrington, was reared in Plainview. His father played basketball at Texas Tech,[4][5] having lettered in 1958, 1959, and 1960[6] under coach Polk Robison. In high school, Arrington was a multi-sport athlete and a state-ranked tennis player.[7]

After graduating from Plainview High School, Arrington attended Texas Tech, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta men's fraternity. He also walked on to the football team under Spike Dykes. He graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science but remained at Texas Tech to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree, which he completed in 1997.[8] In 2004, he earned a Certificate of International Business Management from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.

White House

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After Bush was elected president in 2000, Arrington joined the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Associate Director of Presidential Personnel,[9] where he served under Clay Johnson III. For the next year, Arrington briefed and made recommendations to the President, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Chief of Staff Andy Card. During his time in the Office of Presidential Personnel, he managed an executive search team that helped the office fill more than 5,000 executive-level, board, and commission positions.[citation needed] He specialized in energy, the environment, and natural resources appointments.[10]

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

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In late December 2001, at age 28, Arrington became one of the youngest chiefs of staff in the history of the FDIC,[11][12] where he served under the 18th chair, Donald E. Powell.[13] As Powell's chief of staff, he managed and oversaw the offices of the Chairman, Policy Development, and Public Affairs, all of which he reorganized to increase efficiency. In 2002, Arrington began chairing the FDIC Board Appeals Committee[13] and served in Powell's place on the Audit Committee.[citation needed]

Gulf Coast rebuilding

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In 2005, in the wake of FEMA's response to Hurricane Katrina, President Bush established by executive order the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding.[14] Bush appointed Don Powell as Federal Coordinator, who, in turn, appointed Arrington as Deputy Federal Coordinator and Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Arrington worked with the governors of the affected states, as well as military officials, local authorities and charitable organizations.[1][3][15] Powell and Arrington were responsible for developing and executing the federal government's recovery efforts, as well as coordinating with local, state and federal officials. By the end of Arrington's first year in the Gulf Coast, he had aided Powell in the procurement and implementation of much of the $120 billion spent on infrastructure and assistance relief.[1]

Texas Tech

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After a year in the Gulf Coast position, Arrington returned to Texas Tech to serve as its system chief of staff.[16] The Tech System includes Texas Tech University, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Midwestern State University, and Angelo State University. He also served as the primary liaison to the vice-chancellors throughout the system.[citation needed]

In 2011, Arrington was named Vice Chancellor for Research and Commercialization at Texas Tech University System. During his seven-year tenure with the Texas Tech University System, Arrington chaired the Task Force for Enrollment Growth and was the chief architect of "Leading the Way", the strategic plan for the universities within the TTU System.[17]

Arrington worked to secure the naming rights to the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health for the university health sciences center.[18] Since securing the naming rights in 2007, the institute has been responsible for raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for women's health care issues.[19]

Scott Laboratories

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In 2014, Arrington became president of Scott Laboratories in Lubbock. As president of a healthcare innovation holding company, which includes a comprehensive health system, Arrington's primary role was to launch and grow new ventures and support new revenue opportunities at the health system.

Until his election to Congress, Arrington focused on developing a telehealth startup, launching an innovative insurance product, and establishing a digital marketing platform for the health system.[20]

U.S House of Representatives

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Elections

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Arrington ran unsuccessfully in 2014 in a special election for the Texas State Senate District 28. He lost to fellow Republican Charles Perry, who still holds the seat.[21]

With Representative Randy Neugebauer of Texas's 19th congressional district retiring in 2016, Arrington ran for his seat. Former Lubbock mayor Glen Robertson led a nine-candidate field in the March 1 primary election with 27,791 votes (26.7%), followed by Arrington's 26,980 (26%). In third place was Michael Bob Starr, the former commander of Dyess Air Force Base, who led handily in Abilene and received 22,256 votes (21.4%). Laredo surgeon Donald R. May finished fourth with 9,592 votes (9.2%).[22][23]

In the May 24 runoff election, Arrington defeated Robertson, 25,214 votes (53.7%) to 21,769 (46.3%).[24][25]

In the November 8 general election, Arrington polled 176,314 votes (86.7%); Libertarian Troy Bonar trailed with 17,376 (8.5%), and the Green candidate, Mark Lawson, polled 9,785 (4.8%).[26] No Democrat had filed to run in the heavily Republican district.

Political positions

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National security

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Arrington supported President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order curtailing Middle Eastern immigration, saying: "It is important that our commander in chief puts the safety of Americans first. Given concerns about the inadequate vetting of refugees and problems with our immigration system, this temporary pause is intended to ensure the safety of our citizens."[27]

Unemployment benefits

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In defending a proposal to cut access to the SNAP program (food stamps), Arrington cited the biblical passage Thessalonians 3:10, saying: "He says even when we were with you we give you this rule, 'If a man will not work he shall not eat.' And he goes on to say, 'We heard that some of you are idle.' I think that every American, Republican or Democrat wants to help the needy among us. And I think it's a reasonable expectation that we have work requirements. I think that gives more credibility, frankly, to SNAP."[28]

Texas v. Pennsylvania

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In December 2020, Arrington was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated[29] Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.[30][31][32]

Immigration

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Arrington voted against the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, which authorizes DHS to nearly double the available H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2020.[33][34]

Arrington voted against the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1158),[35] which effectively prohibits Immigration and Customs Enforcement from cooperating with the Department of Health and Human Services to detain or remove illegal alien sponsors of Unaccompanied Alien Children.[citation needed]

Israel

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Arrington voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[36][37]

2020 election certification

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Arrington opposed certifying the electoral vote count in the 2020 presidential election,[38] citing "millions of American voters" who felt that the election "was not conducted in an equitable or accurate manner." He later condemned the attack on the United States Capitol that occurred on January 6, 2021.[39] In the weeks that followed, Arrington voted against the second impeachment of President Trump.

Big Tech

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In 2022, Arrington was one of 39 Republicans to vote for the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package that would crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior.[40][41]

Committee assignment

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Caucus membership

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Awards and honors

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Arrington received the 2003 Distinguished Public Service Award as part of the 22nd annual Center for Public Service Symposium in Lubbock.[43]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Tech leader looks back on Katrina". Lubbock Online - Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  2. ^ "OnPolitics (washingtonpost.com)". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "New Golf Coast Recovery Chief is a Friend to HOPE". The John Hope Bryant Blog. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  4. ^ "TEXASTECH.COM - Texas Tech University Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  5. ^ "TEXASTECH.COM - Texas Tech University Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  6. ^ "1960 Texas Tech Red Raiders Basketball Roster, Where Are They Now?, Record, Stats, News, Photos, College Basketball, LostLettermen.com". Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  7. ^ "Back in Time 03-31-09". MyPlainview.com. March 31, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  8. ^ "Jodey's Story". Jodey Arrington. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  9. ^ "The White House Staff of George W. Bush (Bush II) (2001-)". Archived from the original (DOC) on April 1, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  10. ^ "Three area people receive White House staff appointments | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal". Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  11. ^ "Washington People". Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  12. ^ "FDIC: Who is the FDIC?". Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Minutes of The Meeting of the FDIC Advisory Committee on Banking Policy". Archived from the original on December 3, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  14. ^ "Executive Order: Creation of the Gulf Coast Recovery and Rebuilding Council". November 1, 2005. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  15. ^ "Ala. Gov. Riley Tours Shrimping Community One Year After Katrina". Insurance Journal. August 24, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  16. ^ University, State of Texas and Texas Tech. "Institutional Research - Institutional Research - TTU" (PDF). www.irs.ttu.edu. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  17. ^ "Arrington Leaves TTU System for Private Sector | Texas Tech University System". www.texastech.edu. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  18. ^ "Laura Bush Institute". Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  19. ^ "Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health Home". www.angelo.edu. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  20. ^ "New Medical Facility Coming to Lubbock". www.kcbd.com. November 17, 2004. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  21. ^ "Perry Wins Special Election for Senate Seat". The Texas Tribune. September 9, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  22. ^ "Republican primary returns". Texas Secretary of State. March 1, 2016. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  23. ^ Dotray, Matt (March 2, 2016). "Robertson and Arrington make runoff election in Congressional race". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  24. ^ "Election Returns". Texas Secretary of State. May 24, 2016. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  25. ^ "Arrington grabs big early lead, cruises to Congress win". Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  26. ^ "Election Results". Texas Secretary of State. November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  27. ^ Blake, Aaron (January 29, 2017). "Coffman, Gardner join Republicans against President Trump's travel ban; here's where the rest stand". Denver Post. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  28. ^ Dewey, Caitlin (March 31, 2017). "Analysis - GOP lawmaker: The Bible says 'if a man will not work, he shall not eat'". Retrieved April 16, 2018 – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  29. ^ Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  30. ^ Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  31. ^ "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  32. ^ Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  33. ^ "Text - H.R.1865 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". Congress.gov. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  34. ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". clerk.house.gov. December 17, 2019.
  35. ^ "H.R. 1158: DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act … -- House Vote #690 -- Dec 17, 2019".
  36. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  37. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ "Congressman Jodey Arrington criticizes Pelosi, says he will oppose electoral vote count". U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington. January 5, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  39. ^ Snyder, Rob (January 14, 2021). "Congressman Jodey Arrington Speaks Out Against President Trump's 2nd Impeachment". News/Talk 95.1 & 790 KFYO. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  40. ^ "House passes antitrust bill that hikes M&A fees as larger efforts targeting tech have stalled". CNBC. September 29, 2022.
  41. ^ "H.R. 3843: Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022 -- House Vote #460 -- Sep 29, 2022".
  42. ^ "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  43. ^ "Business Today | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal". Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Texas's 19th congressional district
2017–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by Chair of the House Budget Committee
2023–present
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
185th 		Succeeded by
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