Biography
Since 2007, Congressman Bob Latta has served the people of Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.
Congressman Latta is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee where he plays an intricate role in crafting the nation’s energy, telecommunications, environment, health care, and interstate commerce policy. Congressman Latta serves as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and is a member of the Subcommittee on Communications & Technology and the Subcommittee on the Environment. Along with his committee positions, Congressman Latta is a Deputy Whip and Co-Chairs the Rural Broadband Caucus and the Congressional Propane Caucus.
Throughout his tenure, Congressman Latta has advocated for the interests of the people of Northwest and Northern Ohio through policies that further economic prosperity and job creation. His top priorities on behalf of his constituents include improving access to broadband capabilities in rural areas, reducing government spending, maintaining a strong national defense, combating the nation’s substance use crisis, fighting for energy independence, and implementing commonsense government reforms.
The Congressman believes that hearing from constituents is essential to representing them in Congress and has held more than 1,500 meetings in Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District since 2012. He also has held more than 130 Courthouse Conference one-on-ones with constituents where he is available to answer questions, discuss issues, and help solve problems with Federal agencies.
Congressman Latta has had 33 bills and provisions signed into law during his Congressional tenure.
As a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Latta worked with his colleagues to pass landmark legislation to combat the opioid crisis. Included in that bill was legislation he authored, the INFO Act, which helps provide needed data and information to those on the front lines of this crisis.
Congressman Latta has also advanced key legislation to bolster the United States’ energy sector. This includes the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act, a law to provide guidance and a licensing framework for the nuclear industry to ensure the United States retains its role as a global energy innovation leader and the Critical Electric Infrastructure Act, a law protecting America’s power grid by providing private entities and the federal government with the tools needed to respond and alleviate grid security emergencies.
Congressman Latta championed efforts in Congress to protect Lake Erie and improve water infrastructure in Ohio. His legislation, the Drinking Water Protection Act, was signed into law, and it assesses and manages the risk of algal toxins in drinking water. In addition, provisions he authored to provide communities more flexibility to fund water projects were signed into law by President Trump in the 115 th Congress.
Congressman Latta also wrote the Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act, a law that established a tracking system for pharmaceutical drugs through the supply chain to prevent adulterated and counterfeit drugs from endangering Americans.
Other laws Congressman Latta authored ensure Ohioans have access to propane during the coldest parts of the winter ( Propane Education and Research Enhancement Act ) and help farmers use cutting-edge technology ( Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act ).
The Congressman is a steadfast advocate for our nation’s veterans, authoring legislation passed by the House to expedite the processing of VA appeals claims and taking action to ensure Ohio veterans that are suffering from cancer can receive health care closer to home. He also wrote legislation to expand access to TRICARE insurance for national guard members.
In previous Congresses, Congressman Latta served on the House Budget Committee, the House Agriculture Committee, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Congressman Latta is an avid sportsman and lifelong resident of Northwest Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Bowling Green State University and his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Toledo College of Law. He and his wife, Marcia, live in Bowling Green, and they have two daughters, Elizabeth and Maria.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives write and vote on federal laws, including the federal budget. Each represents one district and serves a two-year term. Tax bills must start in the House, only the House can impeach federal officials, and members oversee federal agencies through their committees.
