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Scott Rigell (“RIDGE-ull”) was elected to represent Virginia’s Second Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives in November 2010 and is serving in his third term. He currently serves on the influential House Committee on Appropriations. Scott has previously served on two committees important to our district and our nation: House Armed Services and the Budget Committee.
Since taking office in January 2011, Congressman Rigell has made creating jobs, strengthening our military, controlling federal spending, and changing Congress his most urgent priorities.
Representing the nation’s largest military district, Rigell is working to preserve our region’s unique military assets and support our men and women in uniform. Rigell was instrumental in the successful effort to keep all East Coast aircraft carriers based in Norfolk. Rigell also introduced language improving the maintenance of military housing, later included in the FY2013 National Defense Authorization Act, which the President signed into law in early 2013.
As a congressional reformer and co-founder of the Fix Congress Now Caucus, Rigell is leading by example. He declined federal health care and pension benefits and will return more than $200,000 of his three consecutive two-year salaries back to the U.S. Treasury. Additionally, he introduced the Lead by Example Act that would prevent Members of Congress from receiving taxpayer-funded matches to their retirement plans unless Congress passes a budget and reduces the deficit. He has also committed to serve no more than six terms in the United States House of Representatives.
Rigell has been proud to see such uncommon success as a new legislator. With strong bipartisan support, the House and Senate passed Rigell’s Drywall Safety Act of 2012, which was signed into law by the President in early 2013. This legislation sets chemical standards for domestic and imported drywall; establishes remediation guidelines for disposal of all drywall; and expresses a Sense of Congress that China must be held accountable for the damage this product has already caused in our community and across America.
Consistent with his efforts to create jobs for Virginia through energy independent policies, Congressman Rigell introduced legislation, passed by the House of Representatives, which would create more than 25,000 jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Rigell is deeply concerned about maintaining a clear separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government and introduced legislation that protects Congress’ war powers and prevents current and future presidents from overreaching into legislative business.
Prior to his election to Congress, Rigell was a successful entrepreneur, business owner, and community leader. The founder of Freedom Automotive, Rigell and his wife, Teri, previously owned automobile dealerships in Chesapeake, Hampton, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Rigell served six years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, rising to the rank of Sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge. He earned his B.B.A. from Mercer University and his M.B.A. from Regent University.
Rigell and his wife are the proud parents of four grown children: Lindsey, Mallory, Justus and Shannon. They are delighted to have three sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren, Parks, Reese, Cade, and O.E. IV.
Updated November 2015
See Rigell's bio in the Almanac of American Politics.
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