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Home   /   Biography   /   Biography

 
 
Congressman Scott Garrett represents New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. Sworn in to the 108th Congress on January 7, 2003, Scott serves as a member of the House Financial Services and Budget Committees. He is a member of both the Financial Services Oversight and Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittees.

Serving in his second term in Congress, Scott is working to strengthen America's future. Faced with unprecedented challenges around the world and here at home, Scott is fighting to strengthen our economy, win the war on terrorism, secure our homeland and improve the quality of life for every New Jerseyan.

To stimulate our economy, Scott worked with President Bush and House leadership in 2003 to pass a robust tax relief package to create jobs and spur economic expansion. This important legislation will help ensure our nation has an economy strong enough to employ everyone willing to work, and to meet the emerging needs of the American people. These policies have successfully transformed the job climate; since May 2003 the United States has gained 3.5 million jobs.

A member of the Congressional Homeland Security and Port Security Caucuses, Scott has also delivered more than $50 million in new homeland security dollars to further safeguard New Jersey against terrorist attacks. To support the needs of our first responders, ensure greater port security and provide defense against nuclear or dirty bomb attacks, this new funding builds upon the other significant steps Congressman Garrett and his fellow members in Congress are taking to protect our communities and neighborhoods. Scott has also been a strong advocate of distributing homeland security funding to areas deemed to be at greatest risk of an attack, which would lead to more funding for New Jersey.

A strong supporter of preserving our open spaces, Scott cosponsored and helped pass a law to protect the Highlands region and ensure that quality of life continues to improve for the 20 million people who are living, working and visiting the region. Testifying before a House Resources Subcommittee, Scott stated he wants to ensure that New Jersey's most beautiful natural treasure is enjoyed by our future generations.

As a member of the House Budget Committee, Scott is working to reduce the federal deficit, and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in government. For his efforts to control runaway federal spending, Scott has been named a “Taxpayer’s Friend” by the National Taxpayers Union.

From 1990-2002, Scott served in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he was the senior Assemblyman for the 24th legislative district as well as the Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee. During his tenure he also served on the Assembly Education, Transportation, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committees, and Joint Committee on Public Schools.

During his tenure in the Assembly, Scott was also a member of the Task Force on Business Retention-Expansion-Export, the Legislative Bi-Partisan Auto Insurance Study Panel, the Governor's Property Tax Study Task Force and the Women's Advisory Committee. Scott has been recognized both nationally and statewide for his leadership. He received the "Proactive Policy of the Year Award" from the New Jersey Business and Industry Association for auto insurance reform that was described as "the most important legislation of the decade." He also earned the "Legislative Leadership Visionary Award" from the National Association of the Self-Employed, and was named "Legislator of the Year" by both the Building Officials Association of New Jersey and the National Association of Small Business Owners.

Scott is a dedicated family man, legislator, and leader in our community. He participates in numerous volunteer and charitable organizations. He is past president of Big Brothers, Big Sisters and sat on the Sussex County Board of Agriculture.

Scott was born in Bergen County on July 9, 1959. After graduating from High Point Regional High School, Scott went on to graduate cum laude from Montclair State University. He earned his J.D. from Rutgers University Law School.

Scott now resides in Wantage Township in Sussex County with his wife, Mary Ellen and their two daughters, Jennifer and Brittany.
     
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