About Andy Harris
Dr. Andy Harris has a proven record of courage and common sense. Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus and Chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee to Appropriations, he's fighting to restore fiscal responsibility to Washington and protect your hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Unafraid to stand up and speak out on your priorities and interests, he is fighting for the residents of Maryland's 1st Congressional District in Washington.
Meet Andy
The son of immigrants who fled communist Eastern Europe immediately after World War II, Dr. Andy Harris has made a lifetime commitment to serving his neighbors, country, and community. Whether it was as a physician at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital (or currently at Memorial Hospital of Easton), as a veteran of the Naval Reserve, as a hard-working state Senator, or now as Congressman, Andy has always been committed to serving others. He is dedicated to making sure every constituent in the 1st Congressional District receives the highest quality assistance and is well represented in the halls of Congress.
Beginning career & service...
Andy is the proud father of five children (Joe, Becky, Irene, Jessica, and Daniel), grandfather of fourteen, and was husband to his late wife Cookie for 34 years. Born in working-class Brooklyn in 1957, Andy found his calling studying medicine at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he lived in a one-room apartment and worked nights and weekends as a blood bank technician to help pay the tuition. Dr. Harris graduated near the top of his class and continued to practice medicine at Johns Hopkins for almost three decades. Dr. Harris has been voted by his peers to receive the esteemed “Top Doc” award from Baltimore Magazine numerous times. For the last few years Andy had practiced at Memorial Hospital in Easton and Peninsula Regional Medical Center on the Eastern Shore.
Serving his country...
Filling a critical need for anesthesiologists in the Naval Reserve during the Reagan administration, Andy volunteered for the Medical Corps, and later established and commanded the Johns Hopkins Medical Naval Reserve Unit P0605C. In 1990, his unit was recalled to assist with Operation Desert Shield (and later Operation Desert Storm), during which they took care of active duty personnel, veterans, and returning POWs at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Harris reached the rank of Commander (O-5). He served for over 16 years.
Serving the 1st Congressional District in DC...
Unhappy with the status-quo in Annapolis, Harris decided to take on the establishment and run for the Maryland State Senate in 1998. After being elected Andy continued to serve as a physician – epitomizing our Founding Fathers’ belief in a part-time, citizen legislature. His innovative thinking, devotion to efficient government, and dedication to his constituents earned him the “Hero of the Taxpayer” award from the Maryland Taxpayers Association.
Andy started his 8th term in January 2025 as the Congressman from the beautiful 1st Congressional District of Maryland. He serves on the Appropriations Committee. He also serves on two sub-committees: Agriculture and the Labor, HHS and Education. He serves in the important and influential role as the Chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee. In September 2024, Dr. Harris was elected Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus which is influential in calling for fiscal responsibility in the 119th Congress and President Trump's second term.
Serving his family...
Remarried in 2017, Andy continues to commute to DC from the District allowing him time with his wife Nicole, children (including his step-son David), and grandchildren. More important, the frequent return home to the District enables him to be actively connected to the community and the issues facing the families and businesses of the district. He enjoys spending time at home in Dorchester County, on the Bay with his family, gardening, and fixing up cars with his sons & step-son. He's known for being thrifty, repairing things whenever possible, and recycling everything eligible to be recycled.
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.