About Pete

A lifelong resident of Northwest Indiana, Pete Visclosky represents Indiana's First Congressional District, which includes Lake, Porter, Jasper, Newton and Benton Counties.   Throughout his time in office, Pete has fought for good-paying American jobs, worked to strengthen our nation’s pension and retirement security systems, and advanced efforts to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.  A steadfast supporter of steel and manufacturing jobs in Northwest Indiana, Pete has also worked to create new economic opportunities for everyone throughout the region.

A member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, Visclosky serves as the Chairman of the Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee.  He also serves on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and is the chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus.

Addressing America’s Energy Crisis

Through his position as Chairman of the Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee, Pete has worked in a bi-partisan fashion to boost research and development funding for alternative energy sources and new conservation initiatives.  Working with Senator Richard Lugar, Pete was also able to secure $9.5 million for the construction of a bio-mass ethanol plant in Indiana’s First Congressional District.  

Protecting American Jobs & Retirement Security

Pete has been a leader in Congress to strengthen our nation’s pension system, and has fought against the misguided practice outsourcing good-paying American jobs to foreign countries.  Pete’s work on these important issues comes from growing up in Northwest Indiana, where people worked hard all of their lives for the promise of a pension.  Now, too many good-paying jobs are being shipped overseas, and too many people have lost the pensions they have earned, and Pete will keep fighting for these common-sense policies.

Building a New Economy in Northwest Indiana

In addition to supporting steel and manufacturing jobs in Northwest Indiana, Pete has been a leading advocate for major economic development projects throughout the area, including the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana and the Marquette Plan, Pete’s strategy to invest in Lake Michigan’s shoreline.  Additionally, Visclosky has supported local infrastructure projects that will help build a new economy in Northwest Indiana, such as the South Shore Rail Line and the Gary/Chicago Airport.

Pete was born in Gary and graduated from Andrean High School in Merrillville, He earned a B.S. degree in Accounting from Indiana University Northwest, a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame in 1973, and a Masters degree in International and Comparative Law from Georgetown University.  Pete is married to Joanne Royce, and has two sons, John and Timothy.