John Carter

John R. Carter, a Republican, has represented the Thirty-First Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2002. At the beginning of the 111th Congress, Carter was elected secretary of the Republican Conference.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Positions on transparency
Carter has refused to publish his appointment calendar from the previous day, citing national security concerns. His comment was in response to the request of one of his constituents that he do so as a part of the Sunlight Foundation's Punch Clock Campaign. 

Bio
Carter was born November 6, 1941 and raised in Houston. He was educated at Texas Tech University (B.A.) and University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1969). In 1981, was appointed the judge of the 277th District Court of Williamson County, Texas and was elected District Judge in 1982. Prior to his time on the bench, Carter was in private practice as an attorney.

Congressional career
Carter was elected to Congress in 2002.

Carter's House biography describes him as a "leader in Congress who has the foresight and courage to author and support numerous pieces of legislation that would increase the protection of U.S. citizens and bring justice to those who threaten our freedom and way of life."

He works for legislation that is "tough on crime" and describes himself as "a true Texan at heart" and has "built a home and raised a family of four on Christian beliefs and strong Texas Values."

2006 elections
In 2006, Democrats nominated Mary Beth Harrell to face Carter in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)  Carter retained his seat. Following the elections, Carter was named secretary of the House Republican Conference for the 110th Congress.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Export Financing and Related Programs
 * Subcommittee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies

Twitter
 John Carter posts on Twitter at http://twitter.com/judgecarter/

Latest posts: http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/judgecarter.rss|title=none| max=3| short See all the members of Congress who Twitter

Articles and resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Eye on Williamson
 * Burnt Orange Report