Christopher Shays
U.S. Congress (R-4th/CT)

Congressman Shays represents the 4th District of Connecticut. Shays was elected to Congress in 1987 promising to "get our financial house in order" and has worked hard to reduce deficit spending and stimulate the economy with selected tax cuts.

Shays serves as Vice Chairman of the Government Reform Committee. The Government Reform Committee is the main investigative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Shays has been the driving force behind such landmark legislation as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, which regulates campaign contributions, and the Congressional Accountability Act, which requires Congress to live by the laws it writes.
A leader among centrist Republicans, Shays is an advocate of socially moderate views. He has led the charge to end racial profiling and sexual discrimination in the workplace. He helped author the 1993 Gun Control Act and advocates a sensible assault weapons ban reauthorization bill. A former Peace Corps volunteer, Shays helped establish the AmeriCorps national service program.

Background Information
Party: Republican
Term: 9th
First Elected: 1987
Committees: Budget, Financial Services, Government Reform , Vice Chair, Select Committee on Homeland Security
Prev. Occupation: Public Official
Prev. Political Exp.: CT House, 1974-87
Education: BA Principia College, 1968; MBA New York University, 1974; MPA New York University, 1978CT House, 1974-87