Biography

Rodney Alexander is currently serving his fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, proudly representing the families living in nearly one-third of the parishes in the Bayou State.  Extending from Iberville Parish in South Central Louisiana all the way north to the Arkansas border, the 5th Congressional District includes the piney hills of Northeast Louisiana, the rich Delta farmland along the Mississippi River, and the sugar cane fields of South Louisiana. 

Rodney is truly a man emblematic of his district.  As a family man and an active member of his community, Rodney brings the strong values and ideals of Louisiana's 5th District to Capitol Hill where he fights for the families and businesses he represents. 

Rodney is a veteran public servant. Prior to being elected to office, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1965 to 1971.  He cut his political teeth at the age of 25 on the Jackson Parish Police Jury serving alongside his father, James Earl Alexander.  Rodney went on to serve for 15 years as a Louisiana State Representative where he was the chairman of the House Health and Welfare Committee.  In this position, Rodney shepherded through the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP) legislation, which assists mothers and children with basic health care and insurance needs.

First elected to Congress in 2002, Rodney is thankful to continue the work he began in the state legislature, which earned him the reputation of being a highly effective lawmaker.  This experience gave him the ability to work with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get things done and make life better for all Americans.  He has and will continue to support legislation and programs aimed at solving America’s energy crisis, making tax cuts permanent, protecting the rights of the unborn, and defending Second Amendment rights.  Rodney is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.  From critical issues ranging from health care to tax reform, he has a proven track record of working for the best interests of the people of the 5th District and is not concerned with who gets credit.

Rodney's committee assignment on the powerful House Appropriations Committee allows him to influence matters of great importance to the 5th District and Louisiana.  Rodney has been a catalyst for positive change by returning the people’s tax dollars back home for worthy projects, such as designating the funding for improvements to the Monroe and Alexandria airports, as well as advocating the needs of Louisiana’s farmers.  He has worked to secure funding for educational programs in Louisiana universities and communities to ensure that the educational system is providing our children and grandchildren with the best opportunities for the future.

When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravaged South Louisiana, Rodney used his role as a member of the House Appropriations Committee to work with the Louisiana delegation to secure the funding needed for Louisiana to rebuild.  Rodney’s leadership helped to save the dedication of $4.2 billion in federal aid to fund housing rescue efforts and $3.7 billion for levee improvements – a massive total vital to jump-start the state’s recovery.  Rodney is known for standing not only by his constituents but all residents of Louisiana by believing that what affects South Louisiana affects North Louisiana. 

At the commencement of the 112th Congress, Rodney gained one new subcommittee assignment that will advance his service to the 5th District, and the rest of Louisiana.  He is now seated on the Subcommittee on Financial Services, and will retain his seats on the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) and the Subcommittee on Energy and Water.

Having graduated from Jonesboro-Hodge High School and University of Louisiana-Monroe, Rodney is a proud product of Louisiana's public schools. Due to his own educational experience and being married to a lifelong educator, Rodney is a firm supporter of our public schools and all forms of public education. 

Rodney and his wife, the former Nancy Sutton, reside in Quitman.  Rodney and Nancy are the proud parents of three children – Ginger Robinson, married to Jeff, Rod Alexander, and Lisa Lowe – and have been blessed with six grandchildren.

Official Portrait

Committee Assignments

Caucus Memberships