With the beginning of the 110th Congress, U.S. Representative Thomas M. Reynolds was sworn into his fifth term serving his Western New York constituents in the 26th Congressional District of New York.  Reynolds begins the session as a member of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, taking a seat he first won at the start of the 107th Congress.  The Ways and Means Committee, the oldest standing committee in Congress, is one of the most powerful in the House, with legislative authority over economic policy, trade, Social Security, welfare, and health care policy.  Reynolds will be the committee's only Republican member from New York State.

Priding himself on his strong constituent casework and respected for his work ethic and legislative know-how, Tom has been a leader and champion for his hometown Western New York region for decades.  Since being elected to Congress, the Congressman has secured almost $500 million in federal funding for his district.  His hometown newspaper, The Buffalo News, recently wrote that with "a love of legislating and an old-fashioned backslapping style, Reynolds has built a House career that at this point looks charmed-and limitless."  The paper has also noted that Tom "wields influence on virtually every major state issue."  While the Washington Post wrote that, "Reynolds has quietly become one of the most influential Republicans in the House." 

Whether it's working to create jobs, strengthening Social Security, improving education, or bolstering our national defense, Tom Reynolds is making a difference.  From the constituent casework that he believes is a representative's priority to legislative victories that make a real difference to the lives of residents to fighting for our community's fair share of federal dollars, Tom Reynolds is proving that no problem is too big, and no problem is too small.

First sworn in to Congress in January 1999, Tom's 26th District includes seven Western New York counties, and encompasses parts of Erie, Monroe, Orleans and Niagara Counties, and all of Genesee, Livingston, and Wyoming Counties.  

Tom has had several of his legislative initiatives signed into law, including the Smith-Reynolds bill, which aids in the movement of goods and people over our borders with Canada.  In 2004, he was recognized by Business First Magazine as one of the 10 most influential Western New Yorkers.  Recently Tom also earned the nickname "Mr. Clout" after The Buffalo News Sunday Magazine profiled him and named him as Western New York's most powerful politician.

In the 108th and 109th Congress, Tom was elected by his House colleagues to serve in the Republican leadership as Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). As NRCC Chairman, Tom was one of only eight elected House GOP leaders.

Throughout his career, Tom has been cited for his extensive record with awards and honors ranging from being named a "Champion of the Dairy Farmers" and "Hero of the Taxpayer," to receiving the U.S. Apple Association's "Golden Apple Award", the "Guardian Eagle" award for championing senior issues, and the prestigious "Silver Helmet" award for his work on behalf of Veterans.

Born September 3, 1950, Tom previously served as a member of the New York State Assembly.  Shortly after arriving in the Assembly in 1988, he rose to the post of Assembly Republican Leader in 1995, becoming the first Republican from the eight counties of Western New York to lead an Assembly party conference in more than 60 years.

While in the Assembly, Tom served as Chairman of the Assembly Minority Affordable Housing Task Force, and was honored as Legislator of the Year by the American Legislative Exchange Council for his work championing affordable home ownership initiatives in New York State.

Prior to his service in the State Assembly, Tom was a member of the Erie County Legislature from 1982 - 1988, and was selected by his colleagues as Republican Leader in that house as well.  He also served on the Concord Town Board from 1974-82, where he rose to the position of Deputy Supervisor.

A licensed real estate and insurance broker, Tom was educated at Springville-Griffith Institute and Kent State University.  He served as Erie County Republican Chairman from 1990-1996.

Involved in a range of community, civic and regional activities, he is a former director of the Better Business Bureau, Cooperative Extension, and Central Referral Services.  Tom rose to the rank of sergeant in the New York Air National Guard, which he served in from 1970 - 1976, and is a member of the American Legion.

Among his many awards and accomplishments, Tom has been named to the New York State Farm Bureau's Circle of Friends, was honored by the New York State Sheriff's Association as a Friend of Law Enforcement, was named Legislator of the Year by the Shooters Committee on Political Education (SCOPE), and was inducted into the Kids Escaping Drugs Hall of Fame.  In 1996, he was honored by his hometown Chamber of Commerce with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tom and his wife, Donna, are the parents of four children.  They reside in Clarence.

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