When he was 19, won $5,000 in the lottery, which he used to open a deli.
U.S. Representative (R) from California (2007 - present), representing part of Bakersfield and nearby areas generally to the east; since 2013 his district has extended north to Sequoia National Park and areas near Fresno.
U.S. House of Representatives Chief Deputy Minority Whip (2009-2011), Majority Whip (2011-2014).
Graduate of California State University at Bakersfield.
U.S. House Financial Services Committee member.
Co-chairman, U.S. House Energy Action Team.
U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader (2014-2019), Minority Leader (2019-2023).
Father was a fireman.
He was elected speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023 after 15 rounds of balloting, the first election to require multiple rounds since 1923. This was primarily due to opposition from the conservative "Freedom Caucus".
Removed as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in October 2023, after all Democrats and eight Republicans voted to vacate the office (it was just 51% of the vote). He is the first speaker in American history to be removed from office.