Senator John Barrasso

Senator John Barrasso is the senior United States Senator from Wyoming, serving since his appointment in 2007. A member of the Republican Party, he is a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. Prior to his political career, Barrasso was a practicing orthopedic surgeon in Casper, Wyoming.

Early life and education

John Anthony Barrasso III was born on July 21, 1952, in Reading, Pennsylvania. He attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1974. He continued his education at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1978. Barrasso completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital and a fellowship in trauma at the UCSF-San Francisco General Hospital.

Medical career

Following his medical training, Barrasso moved to Wyoming and established a successful practice in Casper, specializing in orthopedic surgery. He served as president of the Wyoming Medical Society and was chief of staff at the Wyoming Medical Center. His medical background earned him the nickname "Wyoming’s Doctor" and informed his later policy work on healthcare issues. He also served as a medical contributor for NBC's WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., and hosted a statewide television program on health topics.

U.S. Senate career

Barrasso was appointed to the United States Senate on June 25, 2007, by Governor Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Republican Senator Craig L. Thomas. He won a special election in 2008 to complete the term and has since been re-elected in 2012, 2018, and 2024. In the Senate, Barrasso has held several leadership roles, including Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee from 2019 to 2023. He served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works from 2017 to 2021, where he focused on energy policy, infrastructure, and regulatory reform. In January 2023, he was elected Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, the third-ranking position in the Senate Republican leadership.

Political positions

Barrasso is a staunch conservative with a voting record aligned with the Republican platform. He is a strong advocate for the fossil fuel industry, supporting expanded drilling on public land and opposing regulations like the Clean Power Plan. He has been a vocal critic of the Affordable Care Act and supports market-based healthcare reforms. On foreign policy, he is a foreign policy hawk, supporting a strong military, and has been a leading voice against the foreign policies of the Biden administration, particularly regarding Russia and China. He voted to acquit Donald Trump in both impeachment trials and has supported conservative nominees to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Personal life

Barrasso married Bobbi Brown in 2008. He has three adult children from a previous marriage. His wife, Bobbi, served as a Wyoming state senator and was the Republican National Committeewoman for Wyoming. In 2023, Barrasso was diagnosed with lymphoma and underwent successful treatment. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hiking and skiing in Wyoming. He is a member of the Saint Anthony's Catholic Church in Casper, Wyoming.

Category:United States senators from Wyoming Category:Republican Party United States senators Category:1952 births