Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) was celebrated by the House Rules Committee with a portrait unveiling in the U.S. Capitol, honoring his 22 year legacy in Congress and his service to the 26th Congressional District of Texas.
During the ceremony, Chairman Burgess’ portrait, which was painted by James Tennison, was unveiled by his wife, Laura Burgess, to the public. Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Chairman Tom Cole, Chairman Jodey Arrington, Ranking Member Jim McGovern, honored Congressman Burgess by speaking at the ceremony. Congressman Burgess’ portrait will hang in the U.S. Capitol Rules Committee hearing room.
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“I am beyond grateful and honored for the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as the Representative of the 26th Congressional district for the past 22 years,” said Chairman Burgess. “Reflecting on my time in Congress, I am filled with gratitude and appreciation for the people that surrounded me and the impactful legacy we have created together for North Texans. I have worked diligently to ensure the great state of Texas has had the supplies necessary for it to flourish and make the most of its vast abundance of energy. I have been dedicated to pushing through legislation that establishes price transparency and keeps our government accountable. I have taken my role in Congress very seriously by prioritizing policies that affect everyday Americans. From voting on legislation that decreases health care prices, to securing our border, and unleashing energy independence and dominance. The United States of America is the greatest nation in the world and I am humbled to have played a small role in its success.
Thank you to my fellow members, Rules Committee, Texas Delegation, and my staff for their hard work and commitment to Americans and North Texans.”
“For more than 20 years, Dr. Michael Burgess has been a faithful servant to the people of North Texas. He has been at the forefront of reforming our broken health care system thanks to his encyclopedic knowledge of American health policy and will leave Congress with a legacy of achievement most members would dream of. Our Conference owes Dr. Burgess an enormous debt of gratitude for his leadership of the Rules Committee during this tumultuous year. There’s a Texas-sized hole in Congress tonight,” said Speaker Mike Johnson.
“After more than two decades of dedicated service in the House of Representatives, it is an honor to celebrate the legacy of a strong conservative leader and public servant, Rep. Michael Burgess. Throughout his tenure, Rep. Burgess has fought to ensure transparency, accountability, and responsibility in federal government, and his decades of experience as a doctor have made him a knowledgeable and essential voice in healthcare policy. I saw firsthand how his fierce leadership has been invaluable to the Republican Conference when we served together on the Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as through his service as the Chairman of the Rules Committee in the 118th Congress and the Health Care Task Force on the Budget Committee,” said Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
“Michael will be sorely missed here in the House by his colleagues and the constituents he has faithfully represented. I wish my good friend all the best and know that his service to his country and his community does not end here.”
“There’s not a smarter, more competent, and more committed member of Congress than Dr. Burgess,” said House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington. “His distinguished leadership and uncommon commitment to excellence in service to our country has impacted not only the great state of Texas, but has improved the quality of life for all Americans.”
“Dr. Burgess and I have walked a long journey together - arriving in Congress on the same day and becoming friends from the start. However, it is through the Rules Committee that we became the closest. As Chairman, I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive Vice Chair as we spent hours, night after night, trying to get bills to the Floor. For that reason, there was no better person than Dr. Burgess to take over as Chair of the Rules Committee for the latter half of this Congress,” said Congressman Cole. “Dr. Burgess has outstanding judgement, common sense, and personal decency that he brought to the job every day. He will truly be missed here in D.C. by not only me, but the entire Rules Committee and Institution.”
“While Congressman Burgess and I often find ourselves on opposite sides of the aisle, I have always respected his dedication to this institution and his constituents” said Rules Committee Ranking Member Jim McGovern “From our bipartisan efforts on nutrition education to our thoughtful discussions in the Rules Committee and on the House Floor, his commitment to service and principled leadership will leave a lasting impact. His voice will be missed in Congress.”
Background:
After spending nearly three decades practicing medicine in North Texas, Congressman Burgess has served the constituents of the 26th District since 2003 in the United States House of Representatives.
Congressman Burgess has served on the Rules Committee since 2013 and was appointed as Chairman in 2024. In addition, he chairs the Health Care Task Force on the Budget Committee and serves on the Health, Energy, and Oversight and Investigations subcommittees of Energy and Commerce.
As of the 118th Congress, he is the most senior medical doctor on both sides of the aisle serving in the House of Representatives. Because of his medical background, Congressman Burgess has been a strong advocate for health care legislation aimed at reducing health care costs, improving choices, reforming liability laws to put the needs of patients first, and ensuring there are enough doctors in the public and private sector to care for America’s patients and veterans.
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