APAICS | Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies

Congressman Steve Austria is currently serving his first term in the United States House of Representatives and represents the 7th Congressional District of Ohio. The district is comprised of Clark, Fairfield, Greene, Fayette, Pickaway and Perry counties, as well as parts of Ross and Franklin counties. Austria is only the 35th person to represent this portion of Ohio.

Austria serves on both the House Budget and Homeland Security Committees. The House Budget Committee is primarily responsible for setting the overall spending and tax priorities for the federal government and will give Austria the opportunity to work on the important issues of creating jobs and restoring economic growth.

The House Homeland Security Committee was created in 2002 after the tragic events of September 11. Serving on the committee will allow him to address head-on issues such as global counterterrorism, intelligence, cyber security and immigration reform.

Upon his election to Congress, Austria was elected president of his incoming Congressional class by his Republican colleagues, where he is working with both Republican and Democrat freshmen to promote the legislative priorities of the new class.

Previous to serving in U.S. Congress, Austria served eight years in the Ohio Senate and two years in the Ohio House of Representatives. While in the Ohio Senate, Austria was elected to the post of majority whip, where he helped advance legislation such as tax reform and tort reform. He also championed legislation to protect Ohio's children and families by introducing and passing into law Jessica's Law and the Adam Walsh Child Protection Safety Act. Prior to his time in public service he was a small businessman and financial advisor.

The oldest of nine children, Austria grew up in Xenia, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University. The Congressman has resided in Beavercreek for the past 20 years, where he currently lives with his wife, Eileen and their three sons Brian, Kevin and Eric.

[Official Bio from Representative Austria's Congressional Website]