Rep. Paul Kanjorski

Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski was first elected to the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District in 1984. He represents five counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania – most of Luzerne County, more than half of Lackawanna County, and all of Carbon, Columbia and Monroe counties. Congressman Kanjorski is the Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises, which has jurisdiction over securities, exchanges, and most insurance matters, except for health insurance.

As Chairman of the Capital Markets Subcommittee, Congressman Kanjorski has taken many steps to respond to the slowing of the American economy as a result of the turmoil in the subprime mortgage marketplace. Keeping our financial markets globally competitive, improving the housing market, increasing borrower safety, enhancing investor protection, and addressing insurance regulatory reform are some of his top priorities for the Subcommittee.

Congressman Kanjorski is also a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he ranks second in seniority. He has a strong record in leading efforts to streamline and improve the operations of government.

In the 11th Congressional District, Congressman Kanjorski is best known for his efforts to harness federal resources to stimulate economic development and support job creation. He has advanced vital projects such as the $250 million Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project to protect residents from flooding and the $48 million renovation of the VA Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre. Congressman Kanjorski has also continued to increase flood protection throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania by helping to secure federal funding for multiple flood control projects.

Before his election to Congress, Congressman Kanjorski was a successful trial attorney in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Although active in public issues throughout his life, he has held no other elective office. He served in the Army during the early 1960s. He attended Temple University and the Dickinson School of Law. He and his wife, Nancy, have one daughter. They reside in Nanticoke, Pa.