Paulsen is a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over health care, economic and trade policy and is the chief tax writing committee in the House. He supports pro-growth initiatives and believes that open markets are the key to a strong economy. And is also a member of the Free Trade Working Group and the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Working Group. The Free Trade Working Group was formed nearly 20 years ago to educate Members and promote policies that would open foreign markets to U.S. goods.

Erik serves as co-chair of the House Medical Technology Caucusand is a leader in advocating for the medical technology industry, the life-saving technologies it provides to patients, and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports.

In the 111th Congress, Paulsen served as a member of the House Financial Services Committee, Erik has been a champion of fiscal responsibility, and bringing greater transparency and accountability to overseeing taxpayer dollars. He authored legislation and numerous amendments to eliminate the TARP program to protect taxpayers.

Prior to his election to Congress, Erik served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1995 to 2008, including four years as the Majority Leader. He is a longtime champion of lower taxes, pro-growth economic policies and the elimination of burdensome and duplicative regulations. Erik strongly believes in the power of small businesses, their ability to create jobs, drive innovation and act as the backbone of the U.S. economy.

Erik has 16 years of business experience, including working as a business analyst at Target Corporation. He received his B.A. in mathematics from St. Olaf College and resides in Eden Prairie with his wife, Kelly, and four daughters, Cassie, Briana, Tayler and Liesl.

Erik’s commitment to his community does not end with his service in elected office. He has served as a Board Trustee of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts as well as a board member of the Southdale YMCA, the Eden Prairie A Brighter Day Foundation, and Habitat for Global Learning. He is also a member of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce.