Billy Long facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Billy Long
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 7th district
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Roy Blunt
Succeeded by	Eric Burlison
Personal details
Born	William Hollis Long II (1955-08-11) August 11, 1955 (age 69) Springfield, Missouri, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Barbara Long ​ (m. 1984)​
Children	2
Education	University of Missouri (attended)

William Hollis Long II (born August 11, 1955) is an American politician and auctioneer who served as the U.S. representative for Missouri's 7th congressional district from 2011 to 2023. The district includes much of the southwestern quadrant of the state and is anchored in Springfield. It also includes Joplin and Branson.

A member of the Republican Party, Long was elected to fill the district's seat in 2010, succeeding Roy Blunt upon his election to the U.S. Senate. After Blunt announced that he would not run for reelection to the Senate in 2022, Long became a candidate in the 2022 race to succeed him, but lost the Republican primary to Eric Schmitt.

Early life and education

A fourth-generation native of Missouri, Long was born in Springfield in 1955. He attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri and was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity before dropping out. After taking time off from school for three years, Long attended a nine-day training program at the Missouri Auction School in Kansas City. He received his Certified Auctioneer designation via the National Auctioneers Association.

Congressman Billy Long coined the phrase "Trump Train."

Since leaving Congress January 3, 2023, Congressman Long has worked as a certified tax and business advisor for Capitol Edge Strategies / Lifetime Advisors.

Billy Long is a former U.S. Congressman, auctioneer, real estate broker, and radio host with extensive experience creating and leading bipartisan collaborations and legislative victories across energy, commerce, health, and technology. He is skilled at cultivating strategic relationships and working across the aisle to support small businesses, manufacturers, and veterans. Billy is quick-witted and honest with a widely recognized talent for public speaking, including events at the Republican National Convention and Washington Press Club.

From 2011-2023, Billy served 700K+ constituents as the U.S. Representative for the 7th congressional district of Missouri. Demonstrating strategic vision and a sharp ability to assess the economic, social, and political impact of proposed policies, Billy used real-world experience and good-natured humor to connect with colleagues and build consensus. He established a reputation for being accessible and responsive, and fostered bipartisan relationships to achieve legislative goals.

As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Billy served on four key subcommittees: Communications and Technology, Energy and Power, Health, and Oversight and Investigations. Advocating for policies that fostered innovation, broadband expansion, and digital infrastructure development in rural areas, he introduced and co-sponsored bills to improve access to high-speed internet for all. The Mapping Accuracy Promotion Services Act, a bill he introduced with a democratic colleague, tackled the digital divide in rural and underserved areas and was signed into law in 2020 as part of the larger Broadband DATA Act. Billy championed improving healthcare access, affordability, and quality for constituents. As co-author of the Upton-Long amendment, he sought to strengthen the American Health Care Act’s (AHCA) protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions. Collaborating closely with House, Senate, and White House leadership, he successfully negotiated inclusion of the bill into signed law, providing $8 billion in additional resources over five years. In an effort to improve air quality and protect human health, Billy also co-introduced the bipartisan Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA), championing reauthorization of a program supporting emissions-reducing strategies. The president signed DERA into law as part of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Economic development is another area where Billy played a key role, promoting economic growth and job creation through bills supporting small businesses, infrastructure development, and workforce training programs. He demonstrated a commitment to fiscal responsibility by advocating for balanced budgets and responsible government spending, and co-authored legislation focused on reducing unnecessary government expenditures while ensuring adequate funding for essential services.

An expert communicator, Billy fostered personal relationships with foreign leaders, strengthening bilateral ties with Japan as the co-chair of the Congressional Study Group on Japan. His work promoted goodwill abroad and deepened domestic understanding of the strategic value of international alliances. An active supporter of veterans, Billy fought to improve services and benefits for former service members and their families, advocating for improved healthcare programs and facilities.

Known for his out-of-the-box thinking, Billy draws on his experience as a nationally recognized auctioneer, top real estate broker, and interstate radio show host. He understands what motivates individuals and communities, and the importance of connecting with an audience’s priorities. Billy has received numerous awards for his work helping others, including the Spirit of Enterprise Award (U.S. Chamber of Commerce), Guardian of Small Business Award (National Federation of Independent Businesses), Manufacturing Legislative Excellence (National Association of Manufacturers), Tax Fighter Award (National Tax Limitation Committee), and Federal Legislator of the Year Award (Safari Club International). Billy and his wife, Barbara, live in Springfield, Missouri, with their two grown daughters, grandson, and grandpoodle.

Career

Long owned Billy Long Auctions, LLC. He was also a talk radio show host on the Springfield-based station KWTO. He is a member of the National Association of Realtors, National Auctioneers Association, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the National Rifle Association of America, and the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors.

During a September 2018 House Committee on Energy and Commerce hearing on alleged anti-conservative bias on social media, far-right internet personality Laura Loomer interrupted the meeting. Long began a mock auction chant pretending he was selling Loomer's mobile phone until she was escorted out. The incident generated considerable laughter and applause from the audience.

Long also participated in the World Poker Tour, participating in professional sanctioned games including the Southern Poker Championship at the Beau Rivage and the Bellagio Cup.

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U.S. House of Representatives

Long during the 112th Congress

2010

Republican primary

Long joined the race for the 7th Congressional District after incumbent U.S. Representative Roy Blunt chose to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Kit Bond. In the crowded seven-way Republican primary—the de facto election in the state's most Republican district—Long won with 36% of the vote.

General election

2012

2014

In the August 5 Republican primary, Long defeated Marshall Works, 62.4% to 37.6%.

2016

In the August 2 Republican primary, Long defeated Nathan Clay, Christopher Batsche, Matthew Evans, Lyndle Spencer, Matthew Canovi, James Nelson and Mary Byrne.

2018

In the Republican primary, Long defeated Jim Evans, Lance Norris, and Benjamin Holcomb. In the general election, he defeated Democratic nominee Jamie Schoolcraft, who had defeated Kenneth Hatfield, John Farmer de la Torre, and Vincent Jennings in the Democratic primary.

2020

In the August 4 Republican primary, Long defeated Eric Harleman, Kevin VanStory, Steve Chetnik and Camille Lombardi-Olive.

Legislation

Since 2011, Long has sponsored 46 bills, and co-sponsored 1,437 other pieces of legislation. Rose quickly in the ranks on the Energy and Commerce Committee, displaying fortitude for flexibility and relationship building across the aisle that helped modernize the nation’s energy infrastructure. Advocated for manufacturing constituents, collaborating with bipartisan group to sign discharge petition, a rare procedure forcing floor vote on legislation stalled in committee. Reauthorization for U.S. Export- Import Bank passed overwhelmingly on House floor.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Power
  • Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Health
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
• Committee on Homeland Security
• Republican Steering Committee

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Arts Caucus
• Congressional Constitution Caucus
• U.S.-Japan Caucus

Political positions

Immigration

Long supported President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order banning entry to the U.S. to citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries.

Objections to the 2020 election results

After Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election and Donald Trump refused to concede, Long pushed Trump’s claims of fraud in the election.

In December 2020, Long supported an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election based on allegations of fraud.