Time-proven solutions exist for the problems America currently faces. Stalwart, earnest leadership is needed to develop, articulate and implement these solutions, and Congressman Charles Boustany has a consistent track record doing just that. He looks forward to bringing these principles back to Washington again.

Congressman Charles W. Boustany Jr., MD, a heart surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, was first elected to Congress in December 2004. Serving his third term in office, Boustany represents Louisiana’s Seventh Congressional District, which covers Acadiana and Southwest Louisiana. Boustany has championed health care reform, sound energy policy and hurricane recovery with time-proven solutions for all Americans.

Boustany holds a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.  With jurisdiction over tax, trade, deficit and Medicare policy, the Committee seat positions Boustany to work to solve many of the pressing issues Congress tackles.  Boustany serves as the Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee.

As a physician, Congressman Boustany understands the importance of healthcare and is at the forefront of health care policy debate in Congress. He believes the patient-doctor relationship is the most important part of healthcare and has worked to implement patient-centered healthcare solutions. Increased access to tax-free health savings accounts (HSAs) represents one opportunity for patients to strengthen their control over their healthcare decisions, and Boustany introduced legislation allowing seniors and veterans to participate in these beneficial accounts.

Much of America’s energy flows through Southwest Louisiana, and Congressman Boustany promotes responsible American energy production to help the American economy prosper. Agri-based energy alternatives are a critical part of fulfilling our energy demands. American ingenuity can solve our energy needs, and Congress should allow the marketplace to decide the best innovations and technologies.

Following the hurricanes of 2005, Boustany directed legislation critical to Southwest Louisiana’s recovery effort, including the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that authorized more than $1.7 billion for Louisiana infrastructure projects.  He continues to work to rebuild the Southwest Louisiana coast to protect the way of life so many hold dear.

In addition to his work in Congress, Boustany serves in leadership roles for the House Republican Conference and the National Republican Congressional Committee. He continues to work to elect Republicans both in Louisiana and around the nation, demonstrating the importance of teamwork and leadership to earn a Republican majority back in Congress.

Congressman Boustany was raised in Lafayette, where he graduated from Cathedral Carmel High School, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, where he received his Doctorate of Medicine in 1982. He returned to Lafayette in 1990 and began a successful medical practice. For fourteen years, he ran a small business and committed to helping other by providing the highest quality healthcare to his patients and the community.

In addition to caring for thousands of patients over the course of his practice, Congressman Boustany established himself as one of Southwest Louisiana’s most civic-minded citizens. He served on Board of Directors for the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, and the Executive Board of Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce as Vice President for Government Affairs. He was also an active member of the Lafayette Parish Medical Society, where he served one term as its President. In Congress, Congressman Boustany is committed to serving the people of Southwest Louisiana with the same dedication and care that he provided as a physician and community leader.

Charles and his wife Bridget met while attending the University of Louisiana, Lafayette. They have two children, Erik and Ashley.