Biography

In January 2011 Congressman Tim Murphy began serving his fifth term in Congress representing the 18th District of Pennsylvania, encompassing the South Hills of Pittsburgh and portions of Washington and Westmoreland counties. 

 

Congressman Murphy relies on his three decades as a psychologist to advocate for meaningful reforms in the U.S. healthcare system. As one of only a handful of members of Congress with a background in healthcare, Tim quickly established himself as a leader on the issue. He is Co-chair of the Mental Health Caucus and GOP Doctors Caucus, giving him a platform to educate other members of Congress and the public on ways to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all families.

 

Representing Southwestern Pennsylvania, a world leader in the research, development, and transmission of energy, Congressman Murphy is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and serves as the Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Environment and Economy. He sits on two additional subcommittees: Health and Oversight and Investigations. Congressman Murphy also founded the Congressional Natural Gas Caucus to educate and formulate policies focused on the environmentally-friendly, responsible production of natural gas to help meet the country’s energy needs. Representative Murphy has also been appointed the Chair of the Congressional Steel Caucus. In June 2011, Congressman Murphy was appointed to the Speaker’s Select Task Force on Cybersecurity, which was tasked with making recommendations on cybersecurity authorities, information-sharing and public-private partnerships, critical infrastructure, and domestic legal frameworks.

 

Legislation accomplishments include authoring the Seniors Access to Mental Health Act, which ended the discriminatory practice of charging higher co-pays to seniors on Medicare seeking mental healthcare. The legislation became federal law as part of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act on July 15, 2008.

 

He also introduced the Mental Health Security for American Families in Education Act and passed legislation into law to get college students suffering from depression or other mental illnesses the help they need before tragedy strikes. 

 

Congressman Murphy also introduced the Pipeline Safety Emergency Notification Act, better known as “Marc and Chelsea’s Law,” which has improved community emergency notification procedures when a gas pipeline is ruptured.

 

Before coming to Congress, Congressman Murphy served in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1997-2002. There he penned the state’s historic Patient Bill of Rights and increased funding for medical research, while consistently supporting responsible fiscal management of government to promote job creation and reduce the tax burden on families.

 

Congressman Murphy also serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps, working with wounded warriors with Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

 

He and his wife Nan now reside in Upper St. Clair with their daughter, Bevin. They attend St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Bethel Park.

 

He earned a bachelors degree from Wheeling Jesuit University, a master’s degree from Cleveland State University, and his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh.