John Barrasso facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Barrasso
Official portrait, 2010
Senate Majority Whip
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2025
Leader	John Thune
Preceded by	Dick Durbin
Senate positions Ranking Member of the Senate Energy Committee In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 Preceded by Joe Manchin Succeeded by Martin Heinrich Chair of the Senate Republican Conference In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2025 Leader Mitch McConnell Vice Chair Joni Ernst Shelley Moore Capito Preceded by John Thune Succeeded by Tom Cotton Chair of the Senate Environment Committee In office January 3, 2017 – February 3, 2021 Preceded by Jim Inhofe Succeeded by Tom Carper Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee In office January 26, 2012 – January 3, 2019 Leader Mitch McConnell Preceded by John Thune Succeeded by Roy Blunt Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017 Preceded by Jon Tester Succeeded by John Hoeven
United States Senator from Wyoming
Incumbent
Assumed office June 22, 2007 Serving with Cynthia Lummis
Preceded by	Craig L. Thomas
Member of the Wyoming Senate from the 27th district
In office January 3, 2003 – June 22, 2007
Preceded by	Bruce Hinchey
Succeeded by	Bill Landen
Personal details
Born	John Anthony Barrasso III (1952-07-21) July 21, 1952 (age 73) Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Linda Nix (divorced) Bobbi Brown ​ ​ (m. 2008; died 2024)​
Children	3
Education	Georgetown University (BS, MD)
Signature
Website

John Anthony Barrasso III (born July 21, 1952) is an American doctor and politician. He is a U.S. Senator for Wyoming. He has held this position since 2007. John Barrasso is a member of the Republican Party. From 2003 to 2007, he served in the Wyoming State Senate. In 2025, he became the Senate Majority Whip. This is the second-highest position for Republicans in the Senate.

John Barrasso was born and grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania. He went to Georgetown University and earned degrees in science and medicine. He completed his medical training at Yale University. After that, he moved to Wyoming. There, he started his own practice as an orthopedic surgeon in Casper. He was also active in different medical groups.

Barrasso first ran for the U.S. Senate in 1996. He lost the Republican primary election by a small amount. In 2002, he was elected to the Wyoming State Senate. He stayed there until 2007. That year, he was chosen to fill a U.S. Senate seat after Senator Craig L. Thomas passed away. He won elections in 2008, 2012, 2018, and 2024 to keep his Senate seat. In 2018, he became the chair of the Senate Republican Conference. Since 2021, he has been the most senior member of Wyoming's group of lawmakers in Congress.

Early Life and Medical Career

John Barrasso was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, on July 21, 1952. His parents were Louise M. and John Anthony Barrasso Jr. His father worked as a cement finisher. John Barrasso is a third-generation Italian-American. His grandparents came from Italy.

He went to Central Catholic High School in Reading. Then he studied at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for two years. He later graduated from Georgetown University in 1974 with a degree in biology. In 1978, he earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He finished his medical training at Yale Medical School in New Haven, Connecticut.

In 1983, after his training, Barrasso moved to Wyoming. He started working as an orthopedic surgeon in Casper. For a time, he was the chief of staff at the Wyoming Medical Center. He was a certified orthopedic surgeon in Casper from 1983 to 2007. He also served as president of the Wyoming Medical Society. Barrasso volunteered as a doctor for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He also helped sports teams at Casper College and local high schools.

Political Journey

Wyoming State Senate Service

In 2002, John Barrasso was elected to the Wyoming Senate. He ran unopposed, meaning no one ran against him. He was reelected in 2006, also unopposed. He represented Wyoming's 27th Senate District, which includes part of Casper. While in the State Senate, he led the Transportation and Highways Committee.

Joining the U.S. Senate

Senator Barrasso with President Donald Trump in 2018

On June 22, 2007, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal chose John Barrasso to become a U.S. Senator. This happened after Senator Craig L. Thomas passed away. State law said the governor could only pick from three people chosen by the Republican Party. Barrasso was one of those three.

U.S. Senate Elections

2008 Special Election

Barrasso won the Republican nomination to finish Senator Thomas's term. He then won the special election easily. He defeated Nick Carter, the Democratic candidate, with 73% of the votes.

2012 Election

Barrasso ran for his first full term in 2012. He won the Republican nomination with 90% of the votes. In the main election, he defeated Democratic candidate Tim Chestnut with 76% of the votes.

2018 Election

In 2018, Barrasso faced several challengers in the Republican primary. He won with 65% of the votes. He then defeated Democrat Gary Trauner and Libertarian Joseph Porambo in the general election, getting 67% of the votes.

2024 Election

In the 2024 primary election, Barrasso won against Reid Rasner. He received 67.9% of the votes. He then won the general election against Democratic candidate Scott Morrow with 75.1% of the votes.

Time in the Senate

Secretary of State John Kerry meeting with Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and John Barrasso in Jerusalem in 2014

When he was appointed to the Senate in 2007, Barrasso stated his beliefs. He said he believed in a smaller government, lower taxes, and less spending. He also supported traditional family values and a strong national defense. He mentioned voting for prayer in schools and protecting unborn life.

In 2018, Barrasso was chosen to lead the Senate Republican Conference. In 2024, he decided to run for Republican Whip instead of Republican leader. He became the Senate Whip for the Republican Party in the 119th United States Congress.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Barrasso voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. However, he voted for the PPP Extension Act and the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.

Senate Committees

As of the 119th United States Congress, Senator Barrasso serves on several important committees:

• Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
• Committee on Finance
• Committee on Foreign Relations

Caucus Memberships

He is also a member of the Rare Disease Caucus. This group focuses on issues related to rare diseases.

Political Views

Healthcare

Barrasso voted against the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, in 2009. He also voted against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. He was part of a group of senators who worked on a bill to replace Obamacare in 2017. However, that bill did not pass.

Environment and Energy

In 2014, Barrasso said that the role human activity plays in climate change was "not known." But in 2021, he stated that "mankind is certainly contributing" to climate change.

He was a strong opponent of President Barack Obama's policies on climate change. In 2009, he opposed the CIA creating a center for climate change and national security. In 2011, he introduced a bill to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from limiting carbon dioxide emissions.

Barrasso and other senators introduced a bill to remove tax credits for electric cars. He has received significant support from the oil and gas industry. In 2019, he said that the Green New Deal would lead to livestock being banned. He claimed that American favorites like cheeseburgers and milkshakes would disappear.

In September 2020, Barrasso supported a plan to limit the use of hydrofluorocarbons. These are chemicals used in refrigerants that contribute to global warming. In November 2022, he criticized China's "developing country advantage" in climate agreements. He argued that China gets unfair benefits that do not match its economic growth.

In November 2024, after Chris Wright was nominated for Secretary of Energy, Barrasso called him an "energy innovator." In July 2024, Barrasso and Senator Joe Manchin introduced a bill called the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024. This bill aims to make it faster to get permits for energy projects. This includes projects for fossil fuels and electric power transmission.

Criminal Justice

Barrasso voted against the FIRST STEP Act. This law aimed to change the federal prison system. The bill passed in December 2018.

Foreign Policy

Barrasso opposed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. This pipeline was designed to bring natural gas from Russia to Germany. He supported bills that would allow the U.S. to place sanctions on companies working with Russia's main gas company, Gazprom.

In May 2022, during the Russo-Ukrainian War, Barrasso visited Kyiv. He met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This visit was part of a U.S. Senate group showing support for Ukraine. The group also visited Finland to meet with its president and prime minister. They expressed support for Finland joining NATO.

Donald Trump

In November 2018, it was revealed that Donald Trump had business dealings with Russia during his 2016 presidential campaign. Barrasso said that since Trump was an international businessman, he was not surprised. He also said it was hard to know what influenced voters in the 2016 election.

In November 2019, Trump visited American troops in Afghanistan. Barrasso joined him on this surprise visit. In December 2019, Barrasso seemed to support views about Ukrainian involvement in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

In February 2021, Barrasso opposed the second impeachment of Donald Trump. He called it a "partisan crusade." On February 13, 2021, Barrasso voted to clear Trump of charges related to the 2021 United States Capitol attack. In May 2021, Barrasso voted against creating a special commission to investigate the January 6 events.

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

Barrasso was one of 31 Republican senators who voted against the final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

Personal Life

John Barrasso has three children. He was previously married to Linda Nix. On August 11, 2007, he announced his engagement to Bobbi Brown. She was a breast cancer survivor and had worked in his state senate office. They married on January 1, 2008. Bobbi Brown passed away from brain cancer on January 25, 2024. She was known for her work in mental health and suicide prevention.

Barrasso is on the board of directors for Presidential Classroom. He is also a member of the Casper Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Images for kids

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  John Barrasso's signature

See also

In Spanish: John Barrasso para niños

• Physicians in the United States Congress
• List of United States senators from Wyoming