Michael McCaul TX-10

Michael McCaul

Summary

Current:  US Representative of TX District 10 since 2005
Affiliation: Republican

Leadership: Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee 
District: stretches from the northwestern portion of the Greater Houston region to the Greater Austin region.
Next Election

History:  McCaul chaired the House Committee on Homeland Security during the 113th, 114th, and 115th Congresses. 

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from San Antonio’s Trinity University in 1984 and a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University. McCaul also completed a Senior Executive Fellowship at Harvard Kennedy School. McCaul worked as an attorney and federal prosecutor before entering politics. He was the Chief of Counterterrorism and National Security for Texas’s branch of the US Attorney’s office, and also worked under the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section. After he left, McCaul took a position as a Deputy Attorney General in 1999 with the Texas Attorney General’s Office and served in this capacity until 2002.

Featured Quote: 
It’s time for the Texas Dems to get back to Texas and stop their charade. Thanks to @PeteSessions
for standing up for Texans who value truth and transparency in their elections. #txleg

Featured Video:  McCaul joins KXAN’s “State of Texas” to discuss recent cyberattacks & the semiconductor shortage

OnAir Post: Michael McCaul TX-10

News

About

Michael McCaul 1Congressman Michael T. McCaul is currently serving his ninth term representing Texas’ 10th District in the United States Congress. The 10th Congressional District of Texas stretches from the city of Austin to the Houston suburbs and includes Austin, Bastrop, Colorado, Fayette, Harris, Lee, Travis, Washington and Waller Counties.

Republican Leader of the Foreign Affairs Committee

At the start of the 116th Congress, Congressman McCaul became the Republican Leader of the Foreign Affairs Committee. This committee considers legislation that impacts the diplomatic community, which includes the Department of State, the Agency for International Development (USAID), the Peace Corps, the United Nations, and the enforcement of the Arms Export Control Act.

In his capacity as the committee’s Republican Leader, McCaul is committed to ensuring we promote America’s leadership on the global stage. In his view, it is essential the United States bolsters international engagement with our allies, counters the aggressive policies of our adversaries, and advances the common interests of nations in defense of stability and democracy around the globe. He will continue to use his national security expertise to work to counter threats facing the United States, especially the increasing threat we face from nation state actors such as China, Iran, Russia, North Korea, among others.

Former Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security

Prior to being term-limited, Congressman McCaul served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security during the 113th, 115th, and 116th Congresses. As Chairman, McCaul introduced numerous bills to ensure to the Department of Homeland Security has the best policies and resources to carry out its vital mission of protecting the American people.

Personal

Full Name: Michael T. McCaul

Gender: Male

Family: Wife: Linda; 5 Children: Caroline, Jewell, Lauren, Michael, Avery

Birth Date: 01/14/1962

Birth Place: Dallas, TX

Home City: Austin, TX

Religion: Catholic

Source: Vote Smart

Education

Graduated, Senior Executive Fellows Program, School of Government, Harvard University

JD, School of Law, Saint Mary’s University, 1987

BA, Business/History, Trinity University, 1984

Political Experience

Representative, United States House of Representatives, Texas, District 10, 2005-present

Assistant Whip, United States House of Representatives

Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Texas, District 10, 2024

Professional Experience

Former Chief, Counter-Terrorism and National Security Section, Criminal Division, Western Judicial District of Texas, United States Attorney’s Office

Senior Advisor, Homeland Security, Office of the Texas Governor

Former Trial Attorney, Public Integrity Section, Criminal Division, United States Justice Department

Former Deputy Attorney General, State of Texas

Offices

Washington, DC Office
2001 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
phone: 202-225-2401
fax: 202-225-5955
hours: M-F 9-5:30pm

Austin Office
3301 Northland Drive
Suite 212
Austin, TX 78731
Phone: 512-473-2357
Fax: 512-473-0514
Hours: By Appointment Only

Brenham Office
401 S. Austin Street
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: 979-830-8497
Fax: 979-830-1984
Hours: By Appointment Only

Contact

Email: Government

Web Links

Politics

Source: none

Finances

Source: Open Secrets

Committees

during the 117th Congress:

  • Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs
  • Chairman Emeritus, House Committee on Homeland Security

Congressman McCaul serves on the following Caucuses in the 117th Congress:

New Legislation

Issues

Source: Government page

As the Chairman Emeritus of the Homeland Security Committee and a lifelong Texan, I am committed to securing America’s borders. I recently joined with my Texas Republican colleagues to introduce a border security plan. Together, we are working to put an end to the border crisis Texans are facing each day.

Under President Biden’s administration, inflation has skyrocketed — spurred by Democrats’ reckless spending in Washington. House Republicans, including myself, are committed to making meaningful spending cuts in order to fight inflation and lower the cost of living.

Since coming to Congress, I have been an ardent supporter of energy policies that reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and expand domestic production of economically viable sources of energy.

American leadership on the global stage is critical. At the beginning of the 118th Congress, I became the first Texan to ever chair the Foreign Affairs Committee, which dates all the way back to the Continental Congress. This committee is responsible for oversight of State Department policy and promoting a responsible legislative agenda that bolsters international engagement with our allies, counters the aggressive policies of our adversaries, and advances the common interests of nations in defense of stability and democracy around the globe.

Health care reform must ensure that quality coverage is affordable and accessible for every American, regardless of income or pre-existing conditions.


Shortly after I was first elected to the United States House, I formed the Congressional High Tech Caucus. Our goal is to find ways to keep America’s tech sector strong and provide our domestic industry with the support it needs to remain on the cutting edge.

As the proud son of a WWII B-17 bombardier, I am inspired and awestruck by the service of our men and women in uniform. These brave patriots who defend our Constitution, values, and freedoms deserve the very best in healthcare, education, and financial assistance.

More Information

Services

Source: Government page

District

Source: Wikipedia

Texas’s 10th congressional district of the United States House of Representatives stretches from the northwestern portion of the Greater Houston region to the Greater Austin region. It includes Houston suburbs such as Katy, Cypress, Tomball, and Prairie View, cities in east-central Texas including Brenham and Columbus, and northern Austin and some suburbs including Pflugerville, Bastrop, Manor, and Elgin. The current representative is Michael McCaul.

For most of the time from 1903 to 2005, the 10th was centered on Austin. It originally included large portions of the Texas Hill Country. Future President Lyndon B. Johnson represented this district from 1937 to 1949. During the second half of the 20th century, Austin’s dramatic growth resulted in the district becoming more compact over the years. By the 1990s, it was reduced to little more than Austin itself and surrounding suburbs in Travis County.

However, in a mid-decade redistricting conducted in 2003, the 10th was dramatically altered. It lost much of the southern portion of its territory. To make up for the loss in population, it was extended all the way to the outer fringes of Houston, making the new district heavily Republican. Five-term Democratic incumbent Lloyd Doggett was forced to transfer to another district. McCaul won the open seat in 2004, and has held it ever since.

Wikipedia

Michael Thomas McCaul Sr. (born January 14, 1962) is an American attorney, politician and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Texas’s 10th congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, he chaired the House Committee on Homeland Security during the 113th, 114th, and 115th Congresses. His district stretches from Austin to Houston.

McCaul became the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the 118th Congress in 2023.

Born in Dallas, the son of Frances Jane (Lott) and James Addington McCaul, Jr., McCaul has English, Irish, and German ancestry.[1] He graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas and earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from San Antonio‘s Trinity University in 1984 and a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University three years later. McCaul also completed a Senior Executive Fellowship at Harvard Kennedy School.[2][3]

McCaul worked as an attorney and federal prosecutor before entering politics. He was the Chief of Counterterrorism and National Security for Texas’s branch of the US Attorney‘s office, and also worked under the Department of Justice‘s Public Integrity Section. After he left, McCaul took a position as a Deputy Attorney General in 1999 with the Texas Attorney General‘s Office and served in this capacity until 2002.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

McCaul first ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004 and won a crowded Republican primary in the newly created 10th District. The district, which included part of Austin, the western part of Harris County and several rural counties in between, was thought to be so heavily Republican that no Democratic candidate even filed, effectively handing him the seat.

In 2006 he defeated Democratic nominee Ted Ankrum and former Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik with 55% of the vote. McCaul was reelected again in 2008, against Democratic candidate Larry Joe Doherty and Libertarian candidate Matt Finkel,[4] 54% to 43%.

Four years later, he was reelected to a fourth term with 76% of the vote against Ankrum (22%) and Libertarian candidate Jeremiah “JP” Perkins (1%). McCaul won a seventh term in 2016 with 179,221 votes (57.3%) to Democratic nominee Tawana W. Cadien’s 120,170 (38.4%). Libertarian Bill Kelsey received 13,209 (4.2%).[5]

In 2018, McCaul won an eighth term in the House with 157,166 votes (51.1%) to Democratic nominee Mike Siegel’s 144,034 (46.8%) and Libertarian Mike Ryan’s 6,627 votes (2.5%). It was the closest race of McCaul’s career.[6]

He was elected to a ninth term in 2020, defeating Siegel again.[7]

Political positions

Cybersecurity

Congressman McCaul addressing cybersecurity at Rice University

On December 11, 2013, McCaul introduced legislation to require the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct cybersecurity activities on behalf of the federal government and codify DHS’s role in preventing and responding to cybersecurity incidents involving the information technology (IT) systems of federal civilian agencies and critical infrastructure in the U.S.[8][9] McCaul said the bill was “an important step toward addressing the cyber threat.”[10]

Donald Trump

On December 18, 2019, McCaul voted against both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Of the 195 Republicans who voted, all voted against both impeachment articles. He also voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the January 6 attack encouraged by Trump’s false claims of electoral fraud. However, unlike Trump and most Republican legislators, McCaul did not sign the Texas v. Pennsylvania amicus brief to file a motion in support of the case.[11]

Congressman McCaul led House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security to visit ISAF Headquarters

Foreign affairs

McCaul with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, November 12, 2023

McCaul chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee.[12]

In April 2019, McCaul spoke out against a resolution that would end U.S. involvement in the Yemeni Civil War, saying it would “disrupt US security cooperation agreements with more than 100 countries.”[13]

In 2021, McCaul strongly supported President Joe Biden‘s airstrikes on Iranian targets in Syria.[14]

McCaul said he supports heavily arming Ukraine with the weapons they need to win the Russo-Ukrainian War.[15] He believes the United States should send fighter jets and more missiles to Ukraine.[16] In February 2023, McCaul met the President of Ukraine in Kyiv and advocated for the United States to send more military aid to Ukraine, especially ATACMS.[12]

In April 2023, during a meeting with Taiwanese officials, McCaul compared Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hitler.[17]

On April 23, 2023, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions over McCaul , alleging his frequent interference in China’s “internal affairs.”[18] In 2024, McCaul was targeted by the Chinese government‘s Spamouflage influence operation.[19]

In November 2024, McCaul announced he was stepping down as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.[20]

Immigration

McCaul supported President Donald Trump‘s proposals to build a wall along the Mexico–United States border.[21] He supports the Remain in Mexico policy.[22]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Personal life

McCaul is married to Linda Mays McCaul, the daughter of Clear Channel Communications founder and former chairman Lowry Mays and sister of its former CEO Mark Mays. In 2011, Roll Call named McCaul as one of the wealthiest members of the United States Congress, surpassing then U.S. senator John Kerry. His net worth was estimated at $294 million, up from $74 million the previous year.[27] In 2004, the same publication estimated his net worth at $12 million. His wealth increase was due to large monetary transfers from his wife’s family.[28]

McCaul and his family live in West Lake Hills, Texas, a wealthy suburb of Austin, Texas.[29]

McCaul is a devout Catholic and is a noted critic of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega due to Ortega’s stance against the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.[30][31]

On November 4, 2024, McCaul was charged with being drunk in public by Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority police.[32] McCaul was briefly detained at Dulles International Airport, explaining to police he had drunk alcohol after taking Ambien. A family member arrived to drive him to his destination, and McCaul expressed gratitude for law enforcement, while emphasizing his commitment to learn from the mistake.[33]

Electoral history

2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas: Texas District 10
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanMichael McCaul 182,113 78.6 +78.6
LibertarianRobert Fritsche35,56915.4−0.3
Write-InLorenzo Sadun13,9616.0+6.0
Majority146,54463.3
Turnout231,643
Republican gain from DemocraticSwing+81.5
2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas: Texas District 10
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanMichael McCaul (Incumbent) 97,618 55.32 −23.29
DemocraticTed Ankrum71,23240.37+40.37
LibertarianMichael Badnarik7,6034.31−11.04
Majority26,68614.95
Turnout176,453
Republican holdSwing-48.31
2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas: Texas District 10
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMichael McCaul (Incumbent) 179,493 53.9
DemocraticLarry Joe Doherty143,71943.1
LibertarianMatt Finkel9,8712.96
Republican hold
2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas: Texas District 10[34]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMichael McCaul (Incumbent) 144,980 64.67
DemocraticTed Ankrum74,08633.05
LibertarianJeremiah “JP” Perkins5,1052.28
Total votes224,171 100.00
Republican hold
2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas: Texas District 10[35]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMichael McCaul (Incumbent) 159,783 60.52
DemocraticTawana Walter-Cadien95,71036.25
LibertarianRichard Priest8,5263.23
Republican hold
2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas: Texas’s 10th district[34]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMichael McCaul (Incumbent) 109,726 62.2
DemocraticTawana Walter-Cadien60,24334.1
LibertarianBill Kelsey6,4913.7
Total votes176,460 100.0
Republican hold
2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas: Texas’s 10th district[34]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMichael McCaul (Incumbent) 179,221 57.3
DemocraticTawana W. Cadien120,17038.5
LibertarianBill Kelsey13,2094.2
Total votes312,600 100.0
Republican hold

Incumbent Michael McCaul faced Assistant Attorney of Austin Mike Siegel in the 2018 general election, winning by 4.3 percent of the vote. This is the closest contest McCaul has faced.[36] The outcome was notable in a district that political experts rated as “Heavily Republican.”[37][38]

2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas: Texas’s 10th district[39]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMichael McCaul (Incumbent) 157,166 51.1
DemocraticMike Siegel144,03446.8
LibertarianMike Ryan6,6272.1
Total votes307,827 100.0
Republican hold

In the November 3, 2020 general election, incumbent Michael McCaul again defeated Austin Assistant Attorney Mike Siegel.

Texas’s 10th congressional district, 2020
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMichael McCaul (Incumbent) 217,216 52.5
DemocraticMike Siegel187,68645.3
LibertarianRoy Eriksen8,9922.2
Total votes413,894 100.0
Republican hold
Texas’s 10th congressional district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMichael McCaul (incumbent) 159,469 63.30
DemocraticLinda Nuno86,40434.30
LibertarianBill Kelsey6,0642.41
Total votes251,937 100.0
Republican hold

See also

References

  1. ^ “michael mccaul”. RootsWeb.com. Ancestry. September 22, 2008. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  2. ^ “U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul ’80 Named Jesuit Dallas Distinguished Alumnus”. Jesuit Dallas News. October 16, 2014. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  3. ^ “U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul ’80 Named Jesuit Dallas Distinguished Alumnus”. jesuitdallas.org. Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas. October 15, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  4. ^ “State of Texas 2008 General Election Returns”. Texas Secretary of State. November 5, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ “Election Results”. Texas Secretary of State. November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  6. ^ “Our Campaigns – Candidate – Michael McCaul”. www.ourcampaigns.com.
  7. ^ “Texas Election Results: 10th Congressional District (2020)”. The New York Times. November 29, 2020.
  8. ^ “CBO – H.R. 3696” (PDF). Congressional Budget Office. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  9. ^ “H.R. 3696 – Summary”. United States Congress. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  10. ^ Waddell, Melanie (July 29, 2014). “House Panel Passes Cybersecurity Bills”. ThinkAdvisor.com. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  11. ^ “Rep. Michael McCaul”. Republican Accountability. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Laco, Kelly (February 21, 2023). “House Foreign Affairs Chair McCaul leads GOP delegation to Kyiv”. Fox News. Retrieved February 21, 2023. Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul traveled to Kyiv Tuesday with a congressional delegation to see ‘first-hand’ what is happening on the ground in Ukraine and conduct oversight to gain better insight on the Russia-Ukraine war. ‘It’s good President Biden visited Ukraine, but a photo op isn’t enough,’ said McCaul. ‘He needs to get Ukraine the weapons they need to win now, especially ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System), instead of slow-rolling them.’
  13. ^ George, Susannah (April 4, 2019). “House votes to end support for Yemen war; Trump expected to veto”. The Times of Israel. Associated Press. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  14. ^ Keene, Houston (February 26, 2021). “Biden’s Syria airstrike earns applause from prominent Republicans”. Fox News.
  15. ^ Herridge, Catherine; Kazarian, Grace (December 9, 2022). “Incoming House Foreign Affairs chairman favors heavily arming Ukraine ‘100%’. CBS News. Retrieved December 10, 2022. I think going with the amount of investment we’ve had is very small relative to destroying the Russian military,” he told CBS News in an interview Friday. “And that’s what we’ve done without one American soldier being attacked, killed or in country. To me, that’s a pretty good investment.” Asked if he would favor more heavily arming the Ukrainians to bring the war to a faster conclusion, McCaul responded, “100% because the longer you drag this out, the more bloodshed.”
  16. ^ Mueller, Julia (February 19, 2023). “Top GOP lawmaker urges US to send fighter jets, missiles to Ukraine”. The Hill. Retrieved February 21, 2023. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) on Sunday said he’s hopeful the U.S. will send more missiles and move to supply fighter jets to Kyiv as Russia’s war with Ukraine approaches its one-year mark.
  17. ^ “US Lawmaker Compares Xi to Hitler in Meeting With Taiwan’s VP” Bloomberg News. April 6, 2023. Accessed 15 April 2023.
  18. ^ China sanctions senior US lawmaker for visiting Taiwan
  19. ^ Myers, Steven Lee (October 23, 2024). “Bots Linked to China Target Republican House and Senate Candidates, Microsoft Says”. The New York Times. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  20. ^ Brufke, Juliegrace (November 15, 2024). “Scoop: McCaul’s exit from Foreign Affairs leadership sets up succession race”. axios.com.
  21. ^ McCaul, Michael (December 2, 2016). “Rep. McCaul: Yes, We Will Build a Wall, Put Mexico on a “Payment Plan” and Enforce the Law”. Fox News. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  22. ^ Fox, Lauren; Alvarez, Priscilla (April 27, 2022). “Republican lawmakers slam Homeland Security secretary over the border”. CNN. Retrieved December 10, 2022. McCaul cited the “remain in Mexico” policy, a program launched under the Trump administration that required non-Mexican migrants to stay in Mexico until their US immigration court date. “Don’t rescind what was working,” he said.
  23. ^ “Committees and Caucuses”. Congressman Michael McCaul. December 13, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  24. ^ “Our Members”. U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  25. ^ “Kinzinger, Republican Governance Group Members Call on President Biden to Reject Partisan Efforts and Advance Bipartisan COVID Relief”. Congressman Adam Kinzinger. February 3, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  26. ^ “Member List”. Republican Study Committee. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  27. ^ “The 50 Richest Members of Congress (2011)”. Roll Call. 2011. Archived from the original on September 17, 2011.
  28. ^ Yachnin, Jennifer (August 18, 2011). “McCaul Leaps to Top of 50 Richest Members of Congress : Roll Call News”. Roll Call.
  29. ^ Oppel, Rich (September 26, 2018). “Meet the Texas Republican Going After the House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairmanship (2018)”. Texas Monthly.
  30. ^ “Michael McCaul’s Biography”. Vote Smart. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  31. ^ “McCaul, Green, Sires Condemn Imprisonment of Religious Leaders by Nicaragua’s Ortega”. House Foreign Affairs Committee. August 24, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  32. ^ Nobles, Ryan; Allen, Jonathan; Marquez, Alexandra (November 13, 2024). “House Foreign Affairs Chair McCaul ‘briefly detained’ by police after appearing drunk at airport”. nbcnews.com.
  33. ^ Timotija, Filip (November 13, 2024). “McCaul detained at Dulles, acknowledges mistake in mixing alcohol, Ambien”. The Hill. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  34. ^ a b c “2010 General Election, 11/2/2010”. Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  35. ^ “2012 State-wide Election Results”. Secretary of State, State of Texas. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  36. ^ Downey, Renzo (January 21, 2019). “Mike Siegel running again in North Austin congressional district”. Austin American Statesman. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  37. ^ “Texas’ 10th Congressional District election, 2020”. Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  38. ^ Adams-Heard, Rachel (August 13, 2020). “A Bernie Democrat Will Again Try to Flip Texas’ 10th District”. Bloomberg.com. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  39. ^ “Texas Election Results”. Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Texas’s 10th congressional district

2005–present
Incumbent
Preceded by

Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee
2013–2019
Succeeded by

Preceded by

Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
2023–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by

United States representatives by seniority
59th
Succeeded by


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