Mike grew up in Calhoun County, Alabama, in the small mill village of Blue Mountain. His mother worked in the local textile mill and his father was a firefighter. Mike learned the values of family, hard work and sacrifice from his parents.

Mike graduated from Saks High School and earned both his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Masters of Public Administration at Jacksonville State University (http-//www.jsu.edu/). Later he graduated with honors from the Birmingham School of Law (http-//www.bsol.com/). He was previously a practicing attorney and small business owner in Calhoun County.

Since he was first elected in 2002, Mike has been known for his tireless advocacy for the people and interests of Alabama's Third Congressional District. He currently serves as Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee (https-//republicans-armedservices.house.gov/) and served as the Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security in the 116th Congress (https-//republicans-homeland.house.gov/) both vital to Alabama's interests.

Mike's district in East Alabama is home to the Anniston Army Depot (http-//www.anad.army.mil/) and the Fort Benning (http-//www.benning.army.mil/) community. Mike has long advocated for these installations in his role on the Armed Services Committee. He has worked tirelessly to ensure our warfighters have the very best equipment, including the vehicles and small arms that are repaired at the Anniston Army Depot, known as the 'Pit Crew of America's Warfighters.' Nationally, he has built a reputation as a recognized leader on national security and a strong advocate for national defense. As Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, Mike works to ensure that our military is properly funded, that our warfighters have the resources and weapons they need to succeed on current and future battlefields, and that the military is focused on deterring and combatting threats coming from China and our other adversaries.

During his tenure on the House Armed Services Committee, Mike saw a need to realign our resources and efforts toward countering our adversaries in space. With bipartisan support in Congress - Mike initiated and oversaw the creation of the U.S. Space Force.

In Congress, Mike works to defend Alabama's interests and pushes for policies that will boost our national security and protect our homeland.