Virginia Ann Foxx, born on June 29, 1943, in New York City, is a Republican politician representing North Carolina's 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2005. She has held several leadership positions, including Chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee. Before her congressional tenure, Foxx served in the North Carolina State Senate from 1995 to 2004 and was a member of the Watauga County Board of Education from 1976 to 1988. An educator by profession, she has been an assistant dean at Appalachian State University and president of Mayland Community College.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in English, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1968
• Master of Arts in College Teaching in Sociology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1972
• Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Teaching/Higher Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1985

Political Experience

• U.S. House of Representatives : Representing North Carolina's 5th District, Foxx has been re-elected multiple times, most recently in 2024.
• Chairwoman, House Committee on Education and the Workforce: Led efforts to modernize workforce development, including the passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in 2014.
• Chairwoman, House Rules Committee: Assumed this role in 2025, becoming the only woman leading a committee in the 119th Congress.
• North Carolina State Senate : Served for a decade, focusing on education and fiscal responsibility.
• Watauga County Board of Education : Engaged in local educational governance.

Throughout her career, Foxx has been recognized for her conservative values and commitment to education and workforce development.