Brett Guthrie

Steven Brett Guthrie (born February 18, 1964) is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for KY's 2nd congressional district since 2009. The district is in central Kentucky and includes Fort Knox, Owensboro, Bowling Green, and a portion of eastern Louisville. Guthrie previously served as a Republican member of the Kentucky Senate.

Early life, education, and career
Guthrie was born in Florence, Alabama, the son of Carolyn P. (née Holt) and Lowell M. Guthrie. He earned his Bachelor of Science in mathematical economics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1987 and his Master's of Public and Private Management at the Yale School of Management in 1997.

Guthrie is a former vice president of Trace Die Cast, Inc., an automotive parts supplier based in Bowling Green. He previously served as a field artillery officer in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Kentucky Senate
Guthrie represented the 32nd district in the Kentucky Senate from 1999 to 2008, serving as vice chair of the Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee and chairing the Transportation Committee.

Elections

 * 2008

In the 2008 congressional general election, Guthrie defeated Democratic nominee State Senator David Boswell for the right to succeed the retiring U.S. Representative Ron Lewis. Lewis announced his retirement on the last day for candidates to file for the seat in 2008, in hopes of steering the Republican nomination to his chief of staff, Daniel London. Guthrie defeated London for the nomination. This set up the closest race in the 2nd in 14 years. Democrats had a large advantage in registration, but voters had been very conservative on social issues. This was a major reason Lewis had been able to hold the district with little trouble since winning it in a 1994 special election. Guthrie prevailed by 15,500 votes, mostly on the strength of rural voters. He may have been boosted by voters being more motivated to come to the polls due to the presidential and Senate election held at the same time. Republican presidential nominee John McCain carried the district with 60% of the vote and won all but one county entirely within the district. Incumbent Republican Senator Mitch McConnell also carried the 2nd district easily.


 * 2010

The 2nd reverted to form in 2010, and Guthrie defeated Democratic nominee Ed Marksberry by a large margin.


 * 2012

Guthrie won reelection in 2012 with over 64% of the vote.


 * 2018

Guthrie filed for reelection on November 27, 2017. Two Democratic challengers filed against Guthrie: Grant Short and Brian Pedigo, both of whom ultimately lost to Democratic candidate Hank Linderman in the primary.

Tenure
In 2011, Guthrie voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 as part of a controversial provision that allows the government and the military to indefinitely detain American citizens and others without trial. In July 2013, he voted against defunding the National Security Agency due to the alleged privacy violations reported by whistleblower Edward Snowden.
 * 2011

Guthrie voted in favor of ending the 2013 United States federal government shutdown.
 * 2013

In September, Guthrie introduced the Missing Children's Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2013, authorizing the continued funding of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through fiscal year 2018 and to strengthen additional programs that prevent the abduction and sexual exploitation of children.


 * 2017

Guthrie and Virginia Foxx introduced the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act, an act that would eliminate Public Service Loan Forgiveness and reduce federal funding made available to for-profit colleges.

On December 19, Guthrie voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Before his vote, he said he was "willing to accept" criticism about the bill making American businesses more competitive on a global scale.


 * 2022

In August 2022, Guthrie criticized President Joe Biden for forgiving up to $10,000 of student loan debt for eligible borrowers. Guthrie was criticized for hypocrisy because he had $4.3 million of debt from his PPP loan forgiven.

Committee assignments
For the 118th Congress:
 * Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security
 * Subcommittee on Health (Chair)
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

Caucus memberships

 * Congressional Arts Caucus
 * Republican Study Committee
 * Climate Solutions Caucus
 * U.S.–Japan Caucus

Interest group ratings
Guthrie has an "A" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund for his gun rights voting record.

In 2016, Guthrie received a "D" rating from marijuana legalization advocacy group NORML for his voting record on cannabis-related causes.

Health care
Guthrie supports the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"). He also co-sponsored, along with Representatives Greg Murphy and Don Davis, a bill to reduce the power of Medicare to negotiate drug prices.

Abortion
Guthrie opposes abortion. In 2008, Kentucky Right for Life endorsed him. He has a 100% rating from the National Right to Life Committee for his voting record on abortion-related matters.