Rep. Betty Sutton

Currently serving in the U.S. House of Representatives where she proudly represents Ohio’s 13th District, Congresswoman Betty Sutton has long worked to improve the lives of the people of Northeast Ohio, whether on the Barberton City Council, the Summit County Council, in the State Legislature or in Washington.

A staunch advocate for Ohioans, Congresswoman Sutton brings Midwestern values and common sense to Washington that reflects the region's hard-working families and fighting spirit. She has been a leader in the efforts to provide all Americans with access to quality, affordable health care; improve the environment; provide for the brave men and women who serve and protect our nation; secure the well-being and safety of our families; and spur sustainable economic and job growth in Northeast Ohio.

The Congresswoman sits on the influential House Committee on Energy and Commerce. She is Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Job Creation, as well as a member of the Congressional Automotive Caucus, and the Populist Caucus. She is a member of the Trade Working Group, the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus, the Congressional Fire Caucus, the LGBT Equality Caucus, the House Manufacturing Caucus, the House Steel Caucus, the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, and the House School and Health Safety Caucus.

As co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Job Creation, Rep. Sutton worked with her colleagues in the House to ensure that the Jobs for Main Street Act passed the house last year and included "Buy America" language. The language requires that American-made materials be used for construction, alteration, maintenance or repair of transportation and infrastructure projects funded in the Jobs for Main Street Act.

The bill, which now awaits Senate action, would create or save jobs with targeted investments of $75 billion for highways and transit, school renovations, hiring teachers, police, and fire fighters, small business, job training and affordable housing - key drivers of economic growth.

Last year, Congresswoman Sutton authored the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Act. It was designed to spur auto sales, improve the environment and help consumers purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles. According to a recent Department of Transportation report, the Cash for Clunkers program resulted in an estimated $3.8 billion to $6.8 billion increase in GDP and more than 60,000 jobs created or saved.

Born and raised in Barberton, Ohio, Betty Sutton was the youngest of six children. Her mother was a clerk treasurer for the city library and her father, who worked in the local boiler-maker factory, was a World War II Veteran. Congresswoman Sutton has never forgotten his example of service, and strives in her own service to ensure our nation’s veterans get all the respect, honors and benefits they have earned.

After attending local public schools she graduated from Kent State University and earned her law degree at the University of Akron. She has been using it to serve Ohioans ever since.

In addition to fighting for the issues Northeastern Ohioans care about, the Congresswoman has worked diligently to secure funding for Ohio’s 13th district. This funding has helped to create jobs, spur economic growth, and build a new foundation for a more broadly shared and lasting recovery. Her efforts will help ensure that Ohio leads the way to a prosperous future in clean energy technologies and jobs of the 21st century.