John Cornyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Cornyn
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Official portrait, 2017
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| Chair of the Senate Narcotics Caucus | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Sheldon Whitehouse |
| In office January 3, 2019 – January 20, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Chuck Grassley |
| Succeeded by | Sheldon Whitehouse |
| Ranking Member of the Senate Narcotics Caucus | |
| In office January 20, 2021 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Dianne Feinstein |
| Succeeded by | Chuck Grassley |
| Senate Majority Whip | |
| In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2019 |
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| Leader | Mitch McConnell |
| Preceded by | Dick Durbin |
| Succeeded by | John Thune |
| Senate Minority Whip | |
| In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015 |
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| Leader | Mitch McConnell |
| Preceded by | Jon Kyl |
| Succeeded by | Dick Durbin |
| Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | John Ensign |
| Succeeded by | Jerry Moran |
| United States Senator from Texas |
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| Assumed office December 2, 2002 Serving with Ted Cruz
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| Preceded by | Phil Gramm |
| 49th Attorney General of Texas | |
| In office January 13, 1999 – December 1, 2002 |
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| Governor | George W. Bush Rick Perry |
| Preceded by | Dan Morales |
| Succeeded by | Greg Abbott |
| Justice of the Texas Supreme Court | |
| In office January 2, 1991 – October 18, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Franklin Spears |
| Succeeded by | Deborah Hankinson |
| Judge of the Texas 37th Judicial District Court | |
| In office January 1, 1985 – January 1, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Woods |
| Succeeded by | Ann-Marie Aaron |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Cornyn III
February 2, 1952 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Sandy Hansen
(m. 1979) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Trinity University (BA) St. Mary's University, Texas (JD) University of Virginia (LLM) |
John Cornyn III (born February 2, 1952) is an American politician and lawyer. He has been a U.S. Senator for Texas since 2002. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Before becoming a senator, Cornyn served as a judge on the Texas Supreme Court. He was also the attorney general of Texas.
Cornyn was born in Houston, Texas. He studied at Trinity University and St. Mary's University School of Law. He also earned a master's degree in law from the University of Virginia School of Law.
In the U.S. Senate, he has held important leadership roles. He was the Senate Majority Whip for two terms. This means he helped gather votes for his party's laws.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Cornyn was born in Houston, Texas. He was the second child of Atholene Gale Cornyn and John Cornyn II. His father was a colonel in the U.S. Air Force.
In 1968, his family moved to Tokyo, Japan. He went to the American School in Japan and graduated in 1969.
In 1973, he finished his studies at Trinity University. He studied journalism there. Later, he earned a law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law in 1977. He also got another law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1995.
Becoming a Lawyer and Judge
Before becoming a senator, Cornyn worked as a judge. He was a district judge in San Antonio for six years.
In 1990, he was elected as a Republican to the Texas Supreme Court. He served on this court for seven years.
Serving as Texas Attorney General
His Election as Attorney General
In 1998, Cornyn ran to become the Texas Attorney General. This job involves being the chief legal officer for the state. He won the election and became the first Republican to be elected to this role in Texas since the Reconstruction era.
What He Did as Attorney General
As Attorney General, Cornyn worked to fight crime. In 2000, he created the Texas Internet Bureau. This group investigated illegal activities online. Its goal was to fight cybercrime, including fraud and online child exploitation. He also looked into false claims made for Medicare and Medicaid.
Becoming a U.S. Senator
Winning Senate Elections
In 2002, Cornyn ran for a seat in the United States Senate. He won the election and became a U.S. Senator for Texas. He has been reelected three times since then: in 2008, 2014, and 2020.
His 2020 election was the closest Senate race he had. However, he still received more votes than any Republican Senate candidate in Texas history.
What a Senator Does
As a U.S. Senator, John Cornyn helps make laws for the country. He represents the people of Texas in Washington, D.C.
In 2004, he helped start the U.S. Senate India Caucus. This group works to improve relations between the U.S. and India.
Leading in the Senate
Cornyn has held important leadership roles in the Senate. From 2009 to 2013, he led the National Republican Senatorial Committee. This group helps elect Republican senators.
After the 2014 election, Republicans gained control of the Senate. Cornyn was then chosen to be the Senate Majority Whip. This is a key role where he helped organize votes and make sure his party's goals were met.
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Cornyn has voted to confirm several Supreme Court Justices. These include Samuel Alito and John Roberts. He also supported the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch.
In 2024, Cornyn ran to become the next Senate Majority Leader. This is the top leadership position for the Republican Party in the Senate. He lost the election to Senator John Thune.
Committee Assignments
Senator Cornyn serves on several important committees in the Senate. These committees help review and create laws.
- United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
- Committee on Finance
- Committee on the Judiciary
- Caucus on International Narcotics Control
What Are His Political Views?
Civil Rights and Law Enforcement
Cornyn has supported laws that allow law enforcement to collect DNA samples from people who are arrested. He also voted for a ban on flag desecration. He supported a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman. He also voted to continue the Patriot Act, which gives the government more power to investigate.
The Economy
Cornyn has voted to make tax cuts permanent. He supported a large tax cut plan in 2003. He voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which was a bailout for banks. However, he voted against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was a plan to boost the economy.
The Environment
Cornyn has voted against measures that say climate change is caused by humans. He was one of many senators who asked President Trump to leave the Paris Agreement. This agreement aims to reduce global warming.
He has also voted against including oil and gas pollution in mercury rules. He has generally opposed policies that would limit drilling for oil and gas. The League of Conservation Voters has given him a low score for his environmental voting record.
Health Care
Cornyn does not support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. He voted against it in 2009. He also played a big role in trying to cancel Obamacare in 2017.
Gun Laws
Cornyn introduced a bill in 2014 to allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry their guns in other states. He has received high ratings from the National Rifle Association.
In 2017, he helped pass a law to help federal agencies share information about gun purchases. In 2022, he supported a bipartisan agreement on gun control. This agreement included stronger background checks for young buyers and funding for school safety.
His Family Life
John Cornyn is married to Sandy Hansen. They have two daughters.
He receives pensions from three different state and local governments. This is in addition to his salary as a senator.
Images for kids
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Cornyn during the 115th Congress
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Cornyn and Trump in El Paso, Texas, on August 7, 2019
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See also
In Spanish: John Cornyn para niños
