Brian Babin

Brian Babin
Born	Brian Philip Babin 23 3, 1948
Birthplace	Port Arthur, Texas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Dentist, politician
Known for	U.S. Representative for Texas's 36th congressional district
Education	Lamar University (BS) University of Texas Dental Branch (DDS)
Children	5
Website	[Official House website Official site]

Brian Philip Babin (born March 23, 1948) is an American dentist, military veteran, and Republican politician who has served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 36th congressional district since 2015. A native of Port Arthur, Texas, Babin built a lengthy career in dentistry and local government before entering the U.S. Congress. He first sought federal office in the 1990s, running twice unsuccessfully for Texas's 2nd congressional district before winning election to the 36th district in 2014. His district encompasses much of southeastern Houston, some of its eastern suburbs, and more rural and exurban areas to the east. In January 2025, Babin assumed the chairmanship of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, succeeding Frank Lucas. Prior to entering Congress, Babin accumulated decades of experience in local and regional governance in East Texas, serving as mayor of Woodville, president of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, and in numerous other civic and governmental roles.

Early Life

Brian Philip Babin was born on March 23, 1948, in Port Arthur, Texas, a city in the southeastern part of the state along the Gulf Coast. Port Arthur, situated in Jefferson County, was at the time a hub of the petrochemical industry, and the region's economy was closely tied to oil refining and related industries.

Details of Babin's childhood and family background in Port Arthur remain limited in published sources. He grew up in the Deep East Texas region, an area that would later form the core of his political base. Babin's roots in this part of Texas informed his later career in both dentistry and public service, as he chose to establish his professional practice and political career in the rural communities of the region rather than in the state's larger metropolitan areas.

Education

Babin attended Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Lamar University, a public institution located approximately 20 miles north of his hometown of Port Arthur, was a natural choice for a student from the region. He subsequently pursued graduate education in dentistry, enrolling at the University of Texas Dental Branch (now part of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston), where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. His dental education prepared him for a career that he would practice for several decades in East Texas, and which became a defining part of his public identity—he was frequently referred to as "Doc Babin" by constituents and colleagues alike.

Career

Military Service

After completing his dental education, Babin served in the United States Air Force from 1975 to 1979. During his time in the Air Force, he served as a dental officer. His military service provided him with experience that he would later reference throughout his political career, and it connected him to the significant veteran population in the East Texas region he would eventually represent in Congress.

Dental Practice

Following his discharge from the Air Force, Babin established a dental practice in Woodville, a small town in Tyler County located south of Lufkin. He operated his dental practice in the community for decades, becoming a well-known figure in the area. His status as a local dentist gave him both community visibility and a professional reputation that served as a foundation for his entry into politics. The practice also provided him with direct exposure to the healthcare challenges facing rural communities in East Texas.

Local and State Government

Babin's involvement in government and civic affairs was extensive before he ever ran for federal office. He held a series of local and regional positions spanning more than three decades:

He served as president of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners from 1981 to 1987, a role that drew on his professional expertise and gave him statewide visibility in healthcare policy. Concurrently, he served on the Deep East Texas Council of Governments from 1982 to 1984, a regional planning body that addressed issues affecting the rural communities of the area.

Babin served as mayor of Woodville from 1982 to 1984, his first elected position in government. After his tenure as mayor, he continued to serve the community on the Woodville City Council from 1984 to 1989.

From 1989 to 1995, Babin served on the Texas Historical Commission, an appointment that reflected his interest in the cultural heritage of the state. During this same period, he was also chairman of the Tyler County Republican Party from 1990 to 1995, helping to build the party's organizational capacity in a region that had historically been dominated by Democrats but was shifting toward the Republican Party.

Babin also served on the Woodville Independent School District Board from 1992 to 1995, giving him experience in education policy at the local level. From 1999 to 2015, he served on the Lower Neches Valley Authority, a regional water management body, a position he held until his entry into Congress.

In addition to holding these positions, Babin was active in Republican Party campaign work at both the state and federal levels, working for various campaigns over the years.

Congressional Campaigns of 1996 and 1998

Babin first sought federal office as the Republican nominee for Texas's 2nd congressional district in 1996. He faced Democratic incumbent Jim Turner in a district that, while increasingly competitive, still leaned Democratic at the time. Babin lost the general election to Turner.

Undeterred, Babin ran again for the same seat in 1998, once more as the Republican nominee against Turner. He was again defeated in the general election. After these two unsuccessful bids, Babin returned to his dental practice and continued his involvement in local and regional government, not seeking federal office again for more than a decade.

2014 Congressional Campaign

In 2014, the political landscape shifted in a way that created an opening for Babin. The incumbent in Texas's 36th congressional district, Steve Stockman, chose to vacate the seat to run for the U.S. Senate against John Cornyn, leaving the district without an incumbent.

Babin entered the Republican primary for the open seat, joining a crowded field of candidates. During the primary campaign, he emphasized his decades of local government experience, his military service, and his roots in the region. His campaign drew on the network of relationships he had built over decades of civic involvement in East Texas.

Babin won the Republican primary and subsequently won the general election in November 2014, securing the seat in a district that was heavily Republican. He succeeded Stockman as the representative for the 36th district, beginning his service in the 114th United States Congress on January 3, 2015.

Congressional Tenure

Early Terms and Committee Assignments

Upon taking office in January 2015, Babin secured committee assignments relevant to his district's interests. He obtained positions on key subcommittees that allowed him to address issues important to the southeastern Texas region, including energy, transportation, and science policy.

In one of his earliest actions in Congress, Babin attracted attention for voting "present" rather than supporting John Boehner in the Speaker election at the start of the 114th Congress, signaling his alignment with more conservative factions within the Republican caucus.

Immigration and Refugee Policy

Babin took a prominent stance on immigration and refugee policy early in his congressional career. In 2015, he called for a suspension of the United States refugee resettlement program, arguing that the existing screening processes were inadequate to ensure national security. This position placed him among the more vocal members of Congress on the issue during the period of heightened debate over refugee admissions.

Space Policy

As a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Babin became involved in oversight of NASA and U.S. space exploration policy. He participated in subcommittee discussions regarding NASA's planned human missions to Mars and broader space exploration priorities. His involvement in space policy grew over subsequent terms and positioned him for a leadership role on the committee.

2016 Presidential Primary

During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Babin endorsed fellow Texan Ted Cruz for president. He was identified as the fifth Texas congressman to endorse Cruz during that campaign cycle.

Re-election Campaigns

Babin has been re-elected to Congress in each subsequent cycle since his initial victory in 2014. He announced his re-election bid for the 2016 cycle in November 2015. In subsequent primary and general elections, he has faced various challengers but has consistently won re-election in the heavily Republican district. The Houston Chronicle endorsed Babin in the Republican primary for the 36th Congressional District, noting that while he was "at times more interested in partisan battles than public service," he "delivers for his constituents."

Chairmanship of the House Science Committee

In January 2025, Babin became chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, succeeding Frank Lucas of Oklahoma. As chairman, Babin has presided over hearings and initiatives covering a broad range of topics related to federal science policy, technology development, and research funding.

In September 2025, Babin issued a public statement warning about the risks that a potential government shutdown posed to U.S. scientific research, highlighting the disruptions that funding lapses cause to ongoing research projects and the broader scientific enterprise.

In December 2025, he chaired a hearing titled "The Genesis Mission: Prioritizing American Science and Technology Leadership," in which he emphasized the importance of maintaining U.S. competitiveness in science and technology on the global stage.

In January 2026, Babin chaired a hearing on chemical safety and competitiveness, focused on streamlining regulatory processes while ensuring safety and security in the chemical industry.

In February 2026, Babin applauded a White House decision to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding, a regulatory determination related to greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. Under his chairmanship, the committee also took up the issue of data center permitting, examining barriers that could slow the development of infrastructure needed for artificial intelligence.

In July 2025, Babin participated in a public conversation at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University titled "The Future of American Science," in which he discussed changes to federal funding for scientific research and development.

Trade Policy

In February 2026, Babin commented on a U.S. Supreme Court decision related to presidential trade authority, arguing that trade policy leadership should rest with the president and the elected branches of government rather than with the judiciary.

Personal Life

Babin resides in the Woodville, Texas, area, where he established his dental practice and built his career in local government. He has five children, including a son named Lucas. Babin is closely identified with the rural communities of East Texas, having lived and worked in the region for the majority of his adult life.

His military service in the United States Air Force from 1975 to 1979 is a part of his personal background that he has referenced throughout his public career.

Recognition

Babin's elevation to the chairmanship of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee in 2025 represented the most prominent recognition of his standing within the Republican conference and the U.S. House of Representatives. The chairmanship gave him oversight authority over federal agencies and programs related to science, space exploration, energy research, and technology policy.

The Houston Chronicle endorsed Babin in the Republican primary for the 36th Congressional District, acknowledging his effectiveness in delivering results for constituents in the district.

His participation in the Baker Institute for Public Policy's discussion on the future of American science in July 2025 further underscored his role as a leading congressional voice on science and technology policy.