Elizabeth Cheney

Elizabeth Cheney
US House Office of Photography · Public domain · source
Name	Cheney
Birth date	28 July 1966
Birth place	Madison, Wisconsin
Nationality	United States
Occupation	politician, attorney
Party	Republican Party
Alma mater	Colorado College; University of Chicago Law School
Relatives	Dick Cheney (father); Lynne Cheney (mother); Mary Cheney (sister)

Elizabeth Cheney

Elizabeth Cheney is an American attorney and politician who served as the U.S. Representative from Wyoming's at-large congressional district from 2017 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, she gained national prominence for her role on the House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol and for her outspoken criticism of former President Donald Trump. Cheney is the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney and author Lynne Cheney and has a background in law, public policy, and national security.

Early life and education

Cheney was born in Madison, Wisconsin and raised in Casper, Wyoming within a political family that included her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and her mother, author Lynne Cheney. She attended Colorado College, where she studied political science and history, and later earned a Juris Doctor from University of Chicago Law School. During her formative years she was exposed to institutions such as The Heritage Foundation through family networks and participated in activities connected to the Republican Party and conservative policy circles.

Legal and private-sector career

After law school, Cheney practiced law in New York City and later worked in the private sector for firms and consultancies that engaged with international clients and energy-sector interests, intersecting with organizations like Halliburton and industry counterparts. She also served on corporate boards and provided legal and policy advice related to energy, trade, and national security, interacting with entities including American Enterprise Institute and international partners. Cheney's professional work connected her with think tanks such as Council on Foreign Relations and policy communities centered in Washington, D.C..

Political career

Cheney's political career includes roles in the George W. Bush administration, serving in positions related to national security and foreign policy at institutions such as the State Department and the Republican National Committee. She worked on issues tied to Iraq War policy debates and congressional oversight, cooperating with lawmakers from committees like the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Cheney later entered electoral politics in Wyoming, running for the state's at-large seat in the United States House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives tenure

Elected to represent Wyoming in the United States House of Representatives in 2016, Cheney served on committees including the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where she focused on defense, security, and international affairs. During her tenure she supported legislation related to sanctions involving entities such as Iran and Russia, and she engaged with allies in NATO and counterparts from countries like Ukraine amid the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Cheney was a senior Republican member involved in oversight of the Department of Defense and debates on U.S. posture toward competitors including China.

Positions and policy stances

Cheney's policy positions combined conservative stances on issues such as energy and defense with interventionist foreign-policy views aligned with neoconservative and hawkish Republican figures like John McCain and groups like Project for the New American Century. She supported strong sanctions against Iran, robust assistance to Ukraine, and maintaining U.S. alliances such as NATO. Cheney opposed the policies and rhetoric of former President Donald Trump on matters of election integrity and democratic norms, supporting the enforcement actions of institutions including the Federal Election Commission and the Justice Department when investigating the January 6 events.

2022 Republican leadership contest and party relationships

Following the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol, Cheney became a central figure in congressional responses and was appointed to the House Select Committee to investigate the events of January 6. Her public criticism of former President Donald Trump and votes to hold certain allies accountable led to a loss of support among the Republican Conference; she was removed from her position as House Republican Conference chair in 2021 by colleagues aligned with figures such as Kevin McCarthy and others. In 2022, Cheney faced a primary challenge supported by pro-Trump groups and was defeated by a candidate endorsed by Donald Trump, reflecting wider tensions within the Republican Party between traditional conservatives and Trump-aligned factions.

Personal life and family background

Cheney is married and has children; her family life is connected to a broader political lineage that includes her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and her mother, Lynne Cheney, an author and former chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Her sister, Mary Cheney, and other relatives have been involved in public affairs and business, and the Cheney family has longstanding ties to institutions such as Brigham Young University alumni networks and multiple conservative policy organizations. Cheney's personal interests include national-security policy, civic institutions, and public service.

Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Wyoming Category:Wyoming Republicans