Tim Walberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tim Walberg
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| Chair of the House Education Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Virginia Foxx |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Mark Schauer |
| Constituency | 7th district (2011–2023) 5th district (2023–present) |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Joe Schwarz |
| Succeeded by | Mark Schauer |
| Constituency | 7th district |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives | |
| In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1999 |
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| Preceded by | James Hadden |
| Succeeded by | Doug Spade |
| Constituency | 40th district (1983–1992) 57th House of Representatives district|57th district (1992–1999) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Timothy Lee Walberg
April 12, 1951 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Susan Walberg
(m. 1974) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Western Illinois University Moody Bible Institute Taylor University (BA) Wheaton College (MA) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | |
Timothy Lee Walberg (born April 12, 1951) is an American politician. He has served as a U.S. representative for Michigan since 2011. Since 2023, he has represented Michigan's 5th congressional district. He is a member of the Republican Party. Before 2023, he represented Michigan's 7th district from 2007 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2023. He has been the longest-serving member from Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Early Life and Education
Tim Walberg was born and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. His grandparents on his father's side were from Sweden. In 1964, when he was young, Walberg volunteered for the Barry Goldwater 1964 presidential campaign. He finished high school at Thornton Fractional North High School in 1969. For a short time, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service. From 1973 to 1977, Walberg worked as a pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in New Haven, Indiana.
Michigan State Legislature
Walberg was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1983 to 1998. During this time, he also worked as a pastor and a manager for the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He continued to live in Michigan.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Tim Walberg has been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives several times. He first won a seat in 2006.
Key Elections
- 2006 Election: Walberg won the Republican primary election. He then defeated Sharon Renier in the general election.
- 2008 Election: In a close race, Mark Schauer defeated Walberg. This was one of the most expensive House races that year.
- 2010 Election: Walberg ran against Mark Schauer again and won, returning to Congress.
- Later Elections: Walberg was re-elected in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024. In 2022, due to changes in district maps, he ran and won in Michigan's 5th congressional district.
Committee Work
As a U.S. Representative, Walberg works on different committees. These committees study important topics and help create laws.
- Committee on Education and the Workforce: This committee deals with schools, jobs, and workers' rights.
- Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
- Committee on Energy and Commerce: This committee focuses on energy, technology, and business.
- Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
- Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security
- Vice Chair, Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce
Groups He Belongs To
Walberg is also part of several groups in Congress, called caucuses. These groups bring together members of Congress who share similar interests or goals.
- Republican Study Committee
- House Baltic Caucus
- Congressional Constitution Caucus
- Congressional Coalition on Adoption
- Congressional Western Caucus
Political Views
Tim Walberg has clear views on many important issues.
Environment
Walberg has expressed his views on climate change. He believes that a higher power can handle environmental issues.
Healthcare
Walberg has voted many times to end the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This law aimed to make healthcare more affordable for Americans.
Foreign Policy
In March 2024, Walberg made comments about the conflict in Gaza. He suggested that the U.S. should not spend money on humanitarian aid there. He also said the conflict should end quickly, comparing it to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These comments caused strong reactions from various groups. Walberg later clarified that he used a metaphor to express the need for quick resolutions to conflicts.
Walberg also opposes humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian War. He has stated that aid should focus on military efforts rather than humanitarian purposes. He voted against aid to Ukraine in 2022.
Personal Life
Tim Walberg and his wife, Sue, have been married since 1974. They have three grown children named Matthew, Heidi, and Caleb. Walberg is an ordained pastor. He was ordained as a Baptist minister. Today, he identifies as nondenominational and attends a church connected with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.
