John Yarmuth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Yarmuth
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| Chair of the House Budget Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Womack |
| Succeeded by | Jodey Arrington |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 3rd district |
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| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Anne Northup |
| Succeeded by | Morgan McGarvey |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Allan Yarmuth
November 4, 1947 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (since 1985) |
| Other political affiliations |
Republican (until 1985) |
| Spouse |
Catherine Creedon
(m. 1981) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Yale University (BA) |
| Signature |  |
John Allan Yarmuth (born November 4, 1947) is an American politician and newspaper editor who is now retired. He served as a U.S. representative for Kentucky's 3rd district from 2007 to 2023. This district covers most of the Louisville Metro Area. From 2013 on, he was the only member of the Democratic party in Kentucky's group of lawmakers in Congress. Yarmuth was the leader (chair) of the House Budget Committee from 2019 to 2023. He announced in 2021 that he would not run for reelection in 2022.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Yarmuth was born in Louisville, Kentucky. His parents were Edna and Stanley Yarmuth. His family came from Jewish immigrants from Russia and Austria. He went to Atherton High School. After high school, he studied American studies at Yale University.
Early Career and Newspaper Work
Yarmuth started his career working for a Republican U.S. Senator, Marlow Cook, from 1971 to 1974. After that, he returned to Louisville and started his own magazine called Louisville Today. It was published from 1976 to 1982. He also worked at the University of Louisville for a few years.
Yarmuth used to be a member of the Republican Party. However, he left the party during Ronald Reagan's time as president. He felt the party was moving away from moderate ideas.
In 1990, Yarmuth started a weekly newspaper called the Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO). He wrote a political column for the paper that often appeared on the front page. In 2003, he sold LEO but continued to write for it until 2006, when he decided to run for Congress.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Winning Elections
John Yarmuth first ran for Congress in 2006 to represent Kentucky's 3rd district. He won the Democratic primary election in May. Then, in November, he defeated the person who was already in office, Anne Northup. This was a very closely watched election. Yarmuth won with 51% of the votes.
After his first win, Yarmuth ran for reelection many times. He won against Anne Northup again in 2008. He was reelected in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020. He served a total of eight terms in the House of Representatives.
Key Actions and Roles
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John Yarmuth started his work in Congress on January 3, 2007. After his first year, he donated his entire congressional salary, which was over $120,000, to different charities in Louisville.
In 2008, he supported Barack Obama to become the Democratic candidate for President. Yarmuth voted against the first version of a plan to help the economy during a financial crisis, but he voted for the second version.
After winning reelection in 2008, Yarmuth joined the important Ways and Means Committee. On this committee, he worked on important issues like Social Security, pensions, Medicare, and Medicaid. These are programs that help people with retirement, healthcare, and financial support.
Yarmuth supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a law about healthcare. He also worked to change campaign finance laws. In 2011, he introduced a bill to overturn parts of a court case called Citizens United v. FEC. This case allowed more money in politics. He also proposed the Fair Elections Now Act in 2013, which would create a public way to pay for Congressional campaigns. In 2015, he tried again with the Keeping our Campaigns Honest Act.
In 2018, Yarmuth supported a "Medicare for All" bill, which would create a single-payer healthcare system. He was the only member from Kentucky in the Congressional Progressive Caucus, a group of lawmakers who support progressive policies.
In 2019, Yarmuth voted to impeach President Donald Trump. He was the only House member from Kentucky to do so. For his work as the chairman of the House Budget Committee, he received a high grade for how well he oversaw government spending.
In 2021, Yarmuth introduced the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to the House. This was a major law proposed by President Joe Biden. On October 12, 2021, he announced he would retire from Congress in 2023.
Committee Assignments
- Committee on the Budget (chair)
- Committee on Education and Labor
Party Leadership
- Regional Whip
Caucus Memberships
Yarmuth was part of several groups in Congress, including:
- Ohio River Basin Congressional Caucus (Co-chair)
- Populist Caucus
- Congressional Steel Caucus
- Congressional Bike Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Climate Solutions Caucus
- Medicare for All Caucus
- Blue Collar Caucus
Television Appearances
John Yarmuth also appeared on television. In 2003, he debated political issues on a weekly TV show called Yarmuth & Ziegler. He represented the liberal viewpoint.
He also appeared on The Colbert Report in 2007. On the show, the host, Stephen Colbert, joked that Yarmuth was like a real-life Bruce Wayne (Batman's secret identity). Colbert even gave him a picture of his congressional photo with a Batman mask added to it!
Personal Life
Yarmuth has served on many community boards, including the Bingham Child Guidance Center. He is Kentucky's first Jewish congressman. John Yarmuth and his wife, Cathy Yarmuth, have one son named Aaron. Aaron later became the owner of the Louisville Eccentric Observer newspaper, which his father had founded.
See also
- List of Jewish members of the United States Congress
