About John
John Kline has been an independent voice for the people of Minnesota’s Second Congressional District since he was first elected by the voters in 2002. He has a record of representing the views and values of Minnesotans while challenging Washington to bring about real change.
Refusing to embrace the politics of the past, John continues to challenge the status quo. In an effort to clean up a wasteful Washington spending system abused by Democrats and Republicans, John has led the charge for comprehensive earmark reform. For two consecutive years, John has declared his independence from pork projects by refusing to participate in the broken process and by pushing for a system that establishes spending priorities based on a project’s merit rather than awarding money based on an entirely arbitrary system. John’s position against pork has garnered national support.
John shares with Minnesotans their growing frustrations over skyrocketing costs of everyday items such as food, household products, and gasoline. John believes that Congress can no longer sit idly by as gas and energy prices soar. He supports examining ways to increase domestic production, exploring long-term energy solutions, and advancing a real energy plan that increases American supplies in all forms and encourages conservation.
From pre-k to college, John has consistently stood up for students. After decades of the federal government failing to fulfill its promises, John has repeatedly called for Congress to fully fund special education, so our local school districts from Apple Valley to Zumbrota would be free from shouldering the federal government’s unpaid share. Recently, he was honored by the Minnesota TRiO Association for his unwavering support of low-income, first generation, and disabled students. The TRiO program was created to financially assist students in overcoming class, social, and cultural barriers to higher education.
One of John’s highest priorities is to ensure our government takes care of our troops and our nation's veterans. His record of advocacy and support illustrate this strong commitment. His first bill, the Heroes bill ensures U.S. military reservists called to active duty are not forced to make payments on federal student loans while they serve overseas.
Additionally, he championed legislation making Minnesota’s “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” reintegration program available to soldiers and families across the country. And, when a clerical error denied the education benefits that Minnesota's famed “Red Bulls” deserved, John worked across the aisle to fix it. Most recently, he was instrumental in gaining passage of the new GI bill that modernizes the program and includes a provision to allow service members to transfer education benefits to their dependents after six years of service.
While serving in Congress, John has been recognized by many for his leadership on a variety of issues important to Minnesotans. John’s committed pursuit of economic growth, job creation, and tax relief 
have earned him the “Hero of the Taxpayer,” “Small Business Advocate,” and the “Spirit of Enterprise” Awards. John also has been named a “Star of Education” for his work on the Education and Labor Committee. He has also been honored with the “True Blue Award” from the Family Research Council for his pro-family voting record.
Congressman John Kline was born on September 6th, 1947, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He attended Rice University and graduated in 1969 with a degree in biology. He earned his Masters Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University.
John’s experience includes more than 30 years of public service in the United States Marine Corps and the U.S. House of Representatives. During his successful career in the Marines, John served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, commanded all Marine aviation forces in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, and served as the Program Development Officer at Headquarters Marine Corps where he was responsible for the Program Objective Memorandum – the document used by the U.S. 
Armed Services to submit budgetary and planning proposals.
During his tenure as a Marine, John served as a military aide to Presidents Carter and Reagan. His responsibilities during this time included carrying the “nuclear” football – the package containing the nuclear launch codes and advising the President and our country’s senior civilian and military leadership.
Among his many medals and awards are four Legion of Merit Medals, the Defense Superior Service Award, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, and a Naval Commendation Medal. He retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of Colonel.
Congressman John Kline and his wife, Vicky, live in Lakeville, Minnesota. John is especially proud of his two children and four grandchildren.
