Harris, Andy

Andy Harris represents Maryland's 1st congressional district and serves as chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. As a subcommittee chair within the broader Appropriations Committee, Harris controls the federal budget process for agriculture, rural development, and food safety programs—giving him significant power to shape spending priorities and influence policy in these areas. He also serves as a member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies subcommittee.

Harris brings substantial medical and scientific expertise to his role. Before entering Congress in 2011, he spent decades as an anesthesiologist at Johns Hopkins University, where he also served as an associate professor and chief of obstetric anesthesiology. He earned both his medical degree and a master's degree in health policy and management from Johns Hopkins, and served as a commander in the Navy Medical Corps during Operation Desert Storm. His background in medicine and health policy informs his work on appropriations affecting federal health and food safety agencies.

In his current role, Harris influences which agricultural programs receive funding, how FDA resources are allocated, and the budget priorities for rural development initiatives. His legislative focus has included bills addressing agricultural spending, border control, and congressional budget procedures. Beyond his appropriations work, Harris became chair of the House Freedom Caucus in September 2024, a position that reflects his standing among conservative House Republicans and his influence in shaping the party's legislative strategy.

As the only Republican in Maryland's congressional delegation, Harris represents a heavily Republican district on the Eastern Shore and eastern Baltimore County exurbs. His career reflects a consistent conservative political identity, having served in the Maryland Senate before his election to Congress.