Jodey Arrington

Jodey Arrington
Born	Jodey Cook Arrington 9 3, 1972
Birthplace	Plainview, Texas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Known for	Chair of the House Budget Committee, One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Education	Texas Tech University (BA, MPA)
Children	3

Jodey Cook Arrington (born March 9, 1972) is an American politician and member of the Republican Party who has served as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 19th congressional district since January 2017. The district encompasses a large portion of West Texas, anchored by the cities of Lubbock and Abilene. Born and raised in the small city of Plainview, Texas, Arrington built a career that wound through the highest levels of both state and federal government before he ever stood for elected office himself. He served in the gubernatorial administration of George W. Bush in Texas, followed Bush to the White House as a Special Assistant to the President, and later held the position of chief of staff at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). After a period in federal disaster recovery work following Hurricane Katrina, Arrington returned to his alma mater, Texas Tech University, where he served in senior administrative roles. He entered the private sector as president of Scott Laboratories in Lubbock before winning election to Congress in 2016. In the 118th Congress, Arrington became chair of the House Budget Committee, a position he continued to hold in the 119th Congress. He sponsored the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law on July 4, 2025. On November 11, 2025, Arrington announced that he would not seek re-election in 2026.

Early Life

Jodey Cook Arrington was born on March 9, 1972, in Plainview, Texas, a small city located in the Texas Panhandle region of West Texas. He grew up in Plainview, where he attended local schools and developed an early interest in athletics and public service.

Arrington attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where he was a member of the men's basketball program. He was listed among the university's basketball lettermen, indicating his participation in the varsity program during his undergraduate years. His time at Texas Tech fostered a deep connection to the university and the Lubbock community, a bond that would shape his later career in both public service and academia.

Education

Arrington earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Tech University. He subsequently obtained a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the same institution, providing him with academic preparation for a career in government and public policy. His educational background at Texas Tech established a lifelong relationship with the university, to which he would return in a professional capacity after his years in federal service.

Career

Early Government Service Under George W. Bush

Arrington's career in government began in the mid-1990s when he joined the administration of Texas Governor George W. Bush. In 1996, he was named appointments manager for Governor Bush, a role in which he assisted in the selection and placement of individuals in key state government positions. This position placed the young Arrington at the nexus of Texas state politics and gave him direct access to the governor's inner circle.

When Bush won the 2000 presidential election, Arrington followed him to Washington, D.C. He was appointed Special Assistant to the President and Associate Director of Presidential Personnel. In this capacity, Arrington was involved in the process of staffing the new administration, helping to identify, vet, and recommend candidates for political appointments across the executive branch.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

In December 2001, Arrington transitioned to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), where he was hired by Donald E. Powell, the 18th chairman of the agency, to serve as the FDIC's chief of staff. The FDIC is the independent federal agency responsible for insuring deposits at banks and thrift institutions and for managing receiverships of failed financial institutions. As chief of staff, Arrington served as a senior adviser to Chairman Powell and helped coordinate the agency's operations and policy agenda.

Gulf Coast Rebuilding

Following the devastثيرation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the federal government established the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding to oversee recovery and reconstruction efforts across the affected region. Arrington served as deputy federal coordinator in this office, working on the complex task of coordinating federal resources and programs aimed at rebuilding communities along the Gulf Coast.

The role required Arrington to work with federal, state, and local agencies as well as private organizations in the massive and politically sensitive effort to rebuild infrastructure and restore communities devastated by the hurricane. He served in this capacity until 2006, when he departed to return to Texas.

Texas Tech University

In 2006, Arrington returned to Texas Tech University, his alma mater, to take on a senior administrative role. He initially served as the system chief of staff for the Texas Tech University System. In this position, he worked closely with the chancellor and board of regents on institutional governance and strategic planning.

Arrington was subsequently promoted to vice chancellor for research and commercialization, a position in which he was responsible for overseeing the university system's research enterprise and for fostering the translation of academic research into commercial applications. During his tenure, he was involved in efforts to expand the university's research profile and to develop partnerships between the institution and the private sector. He also played a role in initiatives related to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, including the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health.

A medical facility project in Lubbock, with which Arrington was associated during this period, reflected the broader institutional growth of Texas Tech's presence in the healthcare sector in the region.

In 2014, Arrington departed the Texas Tech University System to enter the private sector. He became president of Scott Laboratories, a Lubbock-based company, a position he held until his election to Congress in 2016.

2014 Texas State Senate Special Election

Before running for Congress, Arrington sought elected office in 2014, when he was among the candidates in a special election for the Texas State Senate. The race featured a crowded field of six candidates vying for the open seat. While Arrington did not win the seat, the campaign raised his political profile in West Texas and laid the groundwork for his subsequent successful congressional bid.

2016 Congressional Campaign

In 2016, following the announcement by incumbent U.S. Representative Randy Neugebauer that he would not seek re-election, Arrington entered the race for Texas's 19th congressional district. The heavily Republican district, centered on Lubbock and Abilene, attracted a competitive primary field.

In the March 2016 Republican primary, Arrington advanced to a runoff election against Glen Robertson. Arrington won the runoff, securing the Republican nomination in a district where winning the primary was tantamount to winning the general election.

In the November 2016 general election, Arrington won by a large margin, consistent with the district's strong Republican lean. He succeeded Neugebauer and took office on January 3, 2017.

Service in the U.S. House of Representatives

Arrington has represented Texas's 19th congressional district since January 3, 2017. As a member of the Republican conference, he has focused on fiscal policy, agriculture, and issues affecting West Texas, including energy production and the agricultural economy.

House Budget Committee Chairmanship

Arrington rose to a position of significant influence when he was elected chair of the House Budget Committee at the start of the 118th United States Congress in January 2023, succeeding Democrat John Yarmuth of Kentucky. The Budget Committee plays a central role in the congressional budget process, setting overall spending and revenue targets through the annual budget resolution.

Arrington continued to serve as Budget Committee chairman in the 119th United States Congress, which convened in January 2025. In this capacity, he has been a prominent figure in shaping Republican fiscal policy priorities and in guiding the budget reconciliation process.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Among the most significant legislative achievements associated with Arrington's chairmanship was the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a comprehensive reconciliation measure that he sponsored during the 119th Congress. Arrington introduced the bill on May 20, 2025, and it was signed into law on July 4, 2025. The legislation represented a major legislative effort by the Republican majority, addressing a range of fiscal and policy priorities through the reconciliation process, which allows certain budgetary legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority rather than the 60 votes typically needed to overcome a filibuster.

Tariff Policy and Trade

In February 2026, Arrington spoke on the House floor in defense of President Donald Trump's trade policies, opposing H.J.Res.72, a privileged resolution that sought to challenge the administration's tariff authority.

Following a Supreme Court ruling on tariff authority in late February 2026, Arrington issued a statement responding to the decision, emphasizing congressional prerogatives in trade policy. In a Bloomberg interview, Arrington cast doubt on the feasibility of proposed $2,000 tariff refund checks to American citizens, stating that such payments should be set aside "for now."

As Budget Committee chairman, Arrington also issued a statement supporting the nomination of Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair, describing him as "the right man for the job."

Subsequent Elections

Arrington was re-elected to Congress in subsequent election cycles, consistently winning by large margins in the safely Republican district. In the 2024 Republican primary, he again secured the nomination.

Retirement Announcement

On November 11, 2025, Arrington announced that he would not seek re-election to Congress in 2026. His decision opened the race for the 19th district seat, attracting multiple Republican candidates who competed in a radio debate in early 2026. Arrington continued to serve out his term and fulfill his duties as Budget Committee chairman through the remainder of the 119th Congress.

Personal Life

Arrington was born and raised in Plainview, Texas. He and his wife have three children. The family has been based in the Lubbock area, where Arrington has maintained deep community ties through his work at Texas Tech University and in the private sector.

Arrington's connection to Texas Tech University has been a defining feature of both his personal and professional life. He attended the university as an undergraduate, played on the basketball team, earned two degrees from the institution, and later returned to serve in senior administrative roles.

Recognition

Arrington's election as chair of the House Budget Committee in January 2023 represented one of the most prominent leadership positions attained by a representative from West Texas in recent decades. The chairmanship placed him at the center of Republican efforts to shape federal fiscal policy during a period of significant debate over government spending, the national debt, and tax policy.

His role in sponsoring and shepherding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act through the House in 2025 was noted as a significant legislative accomplishment, as the reconciliation bill addressed multiple policy priorities and required the coordination of various factions within the Republican conference.

Prior to his congressional career, Arrington's service in the Bush administration — spanning the governor's office, the White House, and the FDIC — established him as a figure with extensive executive branch experience, a background that distinguished him from many of his congressional colleagues.