Liz Cheney

Liz Cheney

Elizabeth Lynne Cheney is an American attorney and former politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Wyoming's at-large congressional district from 2017 to 2023. A prominent figure in contemporary conservative politics, she is known for her work on national security issues, her leadership roles within the Republican Party conference, and her public opposition to former President Donald Trump following the 2020 presidential election. Cheney's public profile spans service in the transatlantic policy community, appearances in legal analysis, and participation in investigations of the January 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol.

Early life and education

Cheney was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and raised in McLean, Virginia, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney and educator Lynne Cheney. She attended Holton-Arms School before enrolling at Colorado College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Cheney continued her studies at the University of Chicago, obtaining a Master of Arts in international relations, and later received a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School. During her academic career she focused on international affairs, working in institutions connected to U.S. foreign policy and transatlantic security.

Legal and early political career

After law school, Cheney practiced at the law firm White & Case and worked in the George W. Bush administration, serving at the State Department as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and at the Defense Department in national security roles. She contributed to policy discussions with think tanks such as the American Enterprise Institute and engaged with organizations focused on NATO and transatlantic relations. Cheney also participated in the Coalition Provisional Authority-era advisory processes and testified before congressional committees on subjects relating to Iraq War strategy and reconstruction. Her early career combined litigation, policy advising, and involvement with federal executive-branch policymaking under President George W. Bush.

U.S. House of Representatives

Cheney was elected to represent Wyoming's at-large congressional district in the 115th United States Congress and subsequently reelected to the 116th United States Congress and 117th United States Congress. While in the United States House of Representatives, she served on the House Committee on Armed Services and the House Committee on Natural Resources. Cheney sponsored and supported legislation addressing defense procurement, energy policy in Wyoming, and sanctions measures related to Russia and Iran. She was an active participant in debates over authorization for the use of military force, U.S. troop deployments, and congressional oversight of the Department of Defense.

Leadership roles and policy positions

Within the House Republican Conference, Cheney was elected to leadership as the conference chair, serving as the third-ranking Republican in the House leadership during the 116th United States Congress. She became known for hawkish positions on foreign policy, strong advocacy for robust NATO commitments, and vocal support for efforts to counter influence from Russia and China. Cheney frequently aligned with conservative figures on defense and national security while dissenting from more populist elements on trade and diplomacy. After the 2020 presidential election, Cheney emerged as a leading Republican critic of Donald J. Trump, opposing efforts to overturn the election's results and supporting the impeachment resolution related to the events of January 6. Her stance led to disputes with members of the Republican Party's caucus and debates over party leadership and discipline.

2022 primary defeat, post-congressional activities, and public profile

In the 2022 Republican primary for Wyoming’s at-large seat, Cheney was defeated by challenger Harriet Hageman, in a contest that drew national attention and significant support for Hageman from allies of Donald Trump. After leaving Congress, Cheney continued to participate in public life through media appearances, policy advocacy, and testimony before the United States House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, where she provided public statements and support for the committee’s findings. She joined civic and policy organizations focused on defending democratic institutions, engaged in public speaking on matters of constitutional order and national security, and authored opinion pieces and analyses for national outlets. Cheney has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for future statewide or national office and has appeared in documentary and journalistic projects examining the post-2020 political realignment within the Republican Party and American politics more broadly.

Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives Category:American lawyers Category:1966 births Category:Living people