Bob Goodlatte began his ninth term representing the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in 2009. Bob’s service to the people of the Sixth District began in 1977 when he became District Director for former Congressman Caldwell Butler. He served in this position for two years until 1979, and was responsible for helping folks across the District seeking assistance with or encountering problems from various federal agencies. In 1979, he founded his own private law practice in Roanoke. He was a partner in the law firm of Bird, Kinder and Huffman, working there from 1981 until taking office. During his time in Congress, Bob has made a name for himself as a leader on Internet and high-tech issues. He is Co-Chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus, and Chairman of the House Republican High Technology Working Group.

In January 2009, Bob was elected to serve as the Vice Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee. He has been an active member of the House Judiciary Committee since arriving in Congress. The Judiciary Committee is well-suited to many of Bob’s legislative priorities including ensuring the Internet is free from regulatory burdens, combating spyware, protecting private property rights and reining in wasteful spending by requiring the government to have a balanced budget.

In addition to serving on the House Judiciary Committee, Bob serves on the House Agriculture Committee where he is the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research. This important subcommittee has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues including water conservation, energy production, rural electrification, agricultural credit and agricultural research and education. Bob also serves on the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, which is of particular importance to the Sixth District since it is one of the leading turkey and poultry producing districts in the nation. Bob has served the Agriculture Committee in a variety of leadership roles including Chairman of the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee (1996-2002), Chairman of the Agriculture Committee (2003-2006), and Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee (2007-2008).

Bob, age 56, is a graduate of Washington and Lee University School of Law, and his undergraduate degree in Government was earned at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. He and Maryellen, his wife of 34 years, live in Roanoke and have two children, Jennifer and Rob.