Anne Meagher Northup served the Third Congressional District of Kentucky, representing the Louisville district in the United States House of Representatives as a Republican from 1997-2006. Before her tenure in Congress, Northup served in the Kentucky House of Representatives for nine years, from 1987-1996.

Soon after taking office in 1997, Northup was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, the committee that considers all federal spending bills. She sat on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; Transportation, Treasury, HUD and Independent Agencies; and Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Subcommittees.

Throughout her tenure in Congress, Northup was recognized for her straightforward, honest style in taking on tough issues. She is a pro-trade, pro-economic expansion Republican focused on issues that create a better environment for competition, growth, and worldwide commerce. She is a proponent of permanent tax relief for all American taxpayers, expanding affordable health insurance, cutting red-tape and making sure government programs are measured based on results.

Congresswoman Northup is the recipient of numerous legislative awards. In 2003, she received the prestigious “Adam Smith Award,” which is presented annually to one federal elected official who exhibits an exemplary commitment to economic freedom.

Congresswoman Northup has been an aggressive advocate for education reform. In March 1998, she founded the House Reading Caucus, a bipartisan caucus that raises awareness about the growing number of children who are failing to learn to read. She introduced legislation commissioning the National Reading Panel, the findings of which were incorporated into the “Reading First Initiative” of the 2001 No Child Left Behind education law.

Additionally, Congresswoman Northup was a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and was an instrumental proponent of legislation promoting adoption. As co-chair of the coalition in 2002, Northup traveled to China to work on eliminating the growing bureaucratic obstacles between the United States and China that were threatening to reduce the number of Chinese orphans available to American families for adoption. In 2003, Northup introduced legislation that resulted in extended paperwork deadlines for families adopting children from China who were impacted by delays due to the SARS epidemic. Northup and her husband are the parents of two adopted children.

In February 2005, Northup was elected by a committee of her Republican House colleagues to chair the GOP’s Retirement Security Public Affairs Team. As chairman of the group, Northup was front and center in the effort to strengthen Social Security for younger generations of American workers.

Congresswoman Northup has been highlighted by the national press for her pragmatic approach to public policy and her ability to effectively communicate the priorities of Congress. She has appeared on such shows as Meet the Press, Fox News Sunday, CBS Evening News with Dan Rather, Larry King Live, CNN & Co., The News Hour with Jim Lehrer and Hardball with Chris Matthews and Lou Dobbs.

Congresswoman Northup graduated from Saint Mary’s College in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business. She has served for years on community boards, is a recipient of numerous civic awards, and is an active community volunteer. She is a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, and has been married to “Woody” Northup, a small business owner, for over 37 years. Together, the Northups have six children.

LEGISLATIVE APPOINTMENTS

Member, U.S. Helsinki Commission

Member, Speaker’s Prescription Drug Action Team

Member, Free Trade Working Group

Member, World Trade Organization Congressional Advisory Group

Chairwoman, Speaker’s Task Force on Education

Member, Speaker’s Drug Free Task Force

CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS/TASK FORCE/ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERSHIPS

House Reading Caucus, Founder and Co-Chair

Congressional Coalition on Adoption

Education Caucus

Republican Israel Caucus

Missing & Exploited Children Caucus

African Trade and Investment Caucus

Medical Malpractice Crisis Task Force

AWARDS

Community Service Recognition Award - Louisville Defender Newspaper

Adam Smith Award - BIPAC

Legislator of the Year - NOISE (National Organization to Insure a Sound-controlled Environment)

Silver Anchor Award - Friends of the Waterfront

Hero of the Taxpayer - Americans for Tax Reform

Super Friend of Seniors - 60 Plus Association

Guardian of Seniors’ Rights Award

Congressional Partnership Award - National Association of Development Organizations

John Thompson Foundation Outstanding Achievement Award

Citizen of the Year Award - Optimist Club of Louisville

Literacy Leadership Award - Kentucky Reading Association

Legislative Achievement in Economic Development - Southern Economic Development Council

Small Business Advocate - Small Business Survival Committee

Defender of Religious Freedom - Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity

Rolapp Award - American Horse Council

Housing Hero Award - National Association of Home Builders

Retail Champion - National Retail Federation

Bulldog Award - Watchdogs of the Treasury

Friend of the Farm Bureau - American Farm Bureau Federation

Jefferson Award - Citizens for a Sound Economy

Senior Legislative Achievement Award - The Seniors Coalition

Guardian of Small Business Award - National Federation of Independent Business

Spirit of Enterprise Award - U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Community Healthcare Champion Award - National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc.

First Gethsemane Baptist Church Leading Ladies Award

Legislator of the Year - Association of Equipment Distributors

Congressional Award - Susan B. Anthony

Public Policy Advocate of the Year - National Association of Women Business Owners

Legislator of the Year - National Beer Wholesalers Association

Advocate for the Education of Blind and Visually Impaired Students - American Printing House for the Blind

Legislator of the Year - The Environmental Industry Association

Outstanding Freshman Member of Congress - National Industries for the Blind