Congressman Joseph D. Courtney represents the Second District of Connecticut in the United States House of Representatives.

Congressman Courtney was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2006. He serves on the House Education and Labor Committee and House Armed Services Committee. On the Armed Services Committee, Congressman Courtney serves on the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces and the Military Readiness Subcommittees.

Before serving in the House of Representatives, Congressman Courtney represented the citizens of Vernon in the Connecticut General Assembly for four consecutive terms -- from 1987 to 1994. During this tenure, then state-Rep. Courtney served as House Chairman for both the Public Health and Human Services Committees.

As state legislator, Rep. Courtney led the fight for better health care. As Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Universal Health Insurance, he was instrumental in proposing reforms that resulted in increased access and better health care for all Connecticut citizens.

A tireless, hard working, and respected legislator, Rep. Courtney was recognized in a legislative poll in 1994 by Connecticut Magazine for his bi-partisan efforts, and named the "Most Conscientious” and the “Democrat Most Admired by Republicans.”

Courtney is a 1975 graduate of Tufts University in Boston. He earned a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1978.

Courtney lives in Vernon with his wife, Audrey Courtney, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and their two children, Robert and Elizabeth.