Missouri’s 7th Congressional District is represented by Congressman Eric Burlison, a Republican who assumed office in 2023. Below is an overview of his background, legislative activities, policy positions, and notable actions.
Career Path to Congress
Education and Early Career:
Eric Burlison is a sixth-generation Missourian. He graduated from Parkview High School in Springfield in 1995. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Master of Business Administration from Missouri State University.
Private Sector Experience:
Before entering politics, Burlison gained 20 years of experience as an investment advisor and software consultant.
State Legislature:
Burlison was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2008, where he represented District 133 in Greene County until 2016.
U.S. House of Representatives:
In 2022, Burlison was elected to represent Missouri’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Sponsored Bills
As of January 2025, specific details about the bills sponsored by Congressman Burlison are not available in the current sources. Constituents can visit his official House website for the most current information on his legislative activities.
Votes and Stances on Major Social Issues
Second Amendment Rights:
Burlison is a strong advocate for gun ownership rights. He has expressed his intention to introduce legislation to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), citing concerns over potential infringements on the Second Amendment.
LGBTQ+ Issues:
In April 2023, Burlison retweeted a post from blogger Matt Walsh that was perceived as anti-LGBTQ+, resulting in criticism from advocacy groups.
Votes and Stances on Major Economic Issues
Fiscal Responsibility:
In December 2024, Burlison criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for proposing measures that would increase the national debt, highlighting his concern for fiscal responsibility.
Votes and Stances on National Defense Issues
Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP):
In November 2024, following a congressional hearing on UAPs, Burlison expressed skepticism, stating, “I still want to see before I’m going to believe,” indicating a cautious approach to unverified claims.
Demographics of Missouri’s 7th Congressional District
According to data from 2022, Missouri’s 7th Congressional District has a population of approximately 772,000 residents. Key demographic details include:
- Median Age: 38.4 years
- Median Household Income: $57,220
- Ethnic Composition:
- White (Non-Hispanic): 85.6%
- Two or More Races (Non-Hispanic): 4.44%
- White (Hispanic): 2.35%
- Black or African American (Non-Hispanic): 1.84%
- Two or More Races (Hispanic): 1.76%
The district covers 5,775.5 square miles, with a population density of 136.9 people per square mile.
Controversial Statements
Holocaust Reference:
In January 2023, during a House floor speech criticizing DirecTV’s removal of Newsmax from its programming lineup, Burlison invoked the Holocaust, which drew significant attention and criticism.
For more detailed information on Congressman Burlison’s legislative activities and policy positions, constituents are encouraged to visit his official House website.