kids encyclopedia robot

Michael McCaul facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Michael McCaul
Rep. Michael McCaul, official portrait, 118th Congress.jpg
Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
In office
January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by Gregory Meeks
Succeeded by Brian Mast
Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
In office
January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by Eliot Engel
Succeeded by Gregory Meeks
Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee
In office
January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2019
Preceded by Peter King
Succeeded by Bennie Thompson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Texas's 10th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2005
Preceded by Lloyd Doggett
Personal details
Born
Michael Thomas McCaul Sr.

(1962-01-14) January 14, 1962 (age 63)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse Linda Mays
Children 5
Education Trinity University (BA)
St. Mary's University, Texas (JD)
Website

Michael Thomas McCaul Sr. (born January 14, 1962) is an American politician and lawyer. He has been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Texas's 10th district since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party.

From 2013 to 2019, he led the House Committee on Homeland Security. Since 2023, he has been the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. His district covers areas from Austin to Houston.

Early Life and Education

Michael McCaul was born in Dallas, Texas, on January 14, 1962. He went to Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Trinity University in San Antonio in 1984. Three years later, he received a law degree from St. Mary's University. He also studied at Harvard Kennedy School.

Legal Career

Before becoming a politician, McCaul worked as a lawyer. He was a federal prosecutor, which means he worked for the government to bring legal cases against people. He was the Chief of Counterterrorism and National Security for the U.S. Attorney's office in Texas. He also worked for the Department of Justice. From 1999 to 2002, McCaul served as a Deputy Attorney General for the Texas Attorney General's Office.

U.S. House of Representatives

Michael McCaul first ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004. He won the election for the newly created 10th District of Texas. This district was considered very supportive of Republican candidates. He has been re-elected several times since then. In 2018, he won his eighth term in a very close election. He was elected for his ninth term in 2020 and his tenth term in 2022.

Key Political Stances

McCaul has taken clear positions on many important issues.

Cybersecurity Efforts

U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul addressing cybersecurity at Rice University
Congressman McCaul discussing cybersecurity at Rice University

In 2013, McCaul introduced a bill to strengthen cybersecurity for the U.S. government. This law would make the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for protecting federal computer systems. It also helps the Department of Homeland Security prevent and respond to cyberattacks. McCaul said this bill was important for dealing with online threats.

Views on Donald Trump

In 2019, Michael McCaul voted against the articles of impeachment for President Donald Trump. He also voted against creating a special group to investigate the events of January 6, 2021.

Foreign Policy

United States Congressional Delegation visit to Israel on November 12, 2023 - 5
McCaul with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, November 12, 2023

McCaul has strong views on foreign policy. In 2019, he spoke against ending U.S. involvement in the Yemeni Civil War. He said it could harm security agreements with other countries. In 2021, he supported President Joe Biden's airstrikes on targets in Syria.

McCaul believes the United States should provide strong military support to Ukraine. He thinks Ukraine needs more weapons, including fighter jets and missiles, to win the Russo-Ukrainian War. In February 2023, he met with Ukraine's President in Kyiv. He pushed for more military aid, especially advanced missiles.

In April 2023, during a meeting with officials from Taiwan, McCaul made strong statements about the Chinese leader, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping. Because of this, the Chinese government announced sanctions against McCaul. This means they put restrictions on him for what they called interference in China's affairs. In November 2024, McCaul announced he would step down as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Immigration Policy

McCaul supports building a wall along the Mexico–United States border. He also supports the "Remain in Mexico" policy. This policy requires certain asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed.

TikTok Concerns

McCaul has been involved in discussions about TikTok. He supported a law aimed at protecting American data from foreign countries, which included a potential ban on TikTok.

Committee Roles

  • Committee on Foreign Affairs (Chair)
  • Committee on Homeland Security

Group Memberships

McCaul is part of several special groups in Congress:

  • Founder and co-chair of the Congressional High Tech Caucus
  • Co-founder and co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus
  • Co-chair of the Congressional Cyber Security Caucus
  • Co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Sudan and South Sudan
  • Co-founder of the Congressional Argentina Caucus
  • Rare Disease Caucus
  • Tuberculosis Elimination Caucus
  • United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
  • Republican Governance Group
  • Republican Study Committee
  • Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans

Personal Life

Michael McCaul is married to Linda Mays McCaul. Her father, Lowry Mays, founded Clear Channel Communications, a large media company. In 2011, a report named McCaul as one of the wealthiest members of the United States Congress. His wealth grew significantly due to financial transfers from his wife's family.

McCaul and his family live in West Lake Hills, Texas, a town near Austin, Texas. He is a Catholic. He has spoken out against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's actions against the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Michael McCaul para niños

kids search engine
Michael McCaul Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.