Bryan Cutler | |
|---|---|
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| Minority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office February 8, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Joanna McClinton |
| 141st Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
| In office June 22, 2020 – November 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Turzai |
| Succeeded by | Mark Rozzi |
| Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
| In office December 1, 2022 – February 8, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Kerry A. Benninghoff |
| Succeeded by | Joanna McClinton |
| In office December 1, 2018 – June 22, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Dave L. Reed |
| Succeeded by | Kerry A. Benninghoff |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 100th district | |
| Assumed office January 2, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Gibson C. Armstrong |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bryan Dean Cutler April 2, 1975 Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Jennifer Cutler |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Lebanon Valley College (BA) Widener University (JD) |
| Website | Official website |
Bryan Dean Cutler[1] (born April 2, 1975) is an American politician and former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.[2] A Republican, Cutler represents the 100th legislative district of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.[3] He was first elected in 2006, defeating incumbent Gibson C. Armstrong.[4] He was elected House Majority Leader after the 2018 elections,[5] and he became Speaker on June 22, 2020, after the resignation of Mike Turzai.[6]
Cutler was born in Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania and attended Solanco High School.[7] He graduated from Lancaster School of Radiology in 1995 and earned a bachelor's degree from Lebanon Valley College in 2001.[7] He worked as an X-ray technologist at Lancaster Regional Medical Center and as a Manager of Support Services at Lancaster General Hospital.[8] In 2006, he earned a J.D. degree with a certificate in health care from Widener University School of Law.[7]
He served on the Drumore Township Planning Commission and represented Drumore Township in the Regional Planning Commission.[9]
He was first elected in 2006, defeating incumbent Gibson C. Armstrong, who voted against the controversial 2005 legislative pay raise.[10] Despite his initial vote against the pay raise Armstrong later filed paperwork to receive it angering many of his constituents.[11]
In 2014, in response to paychecks being subject to the state taking union dues from them, Cutler put forth a proposal to have this discontinued.[12] Cutler argued that the state ought to stay out of the handling of union dues because the state is aware that a certain percentage of union dues is used for political purposes including lobbying and paying for ads.[12]
In 2015, Cutler voiced some of the worries he had about Governor Tom Wolf's proposed severance tax.[13] Cutler said, “If we’re gonna stunt the economic growth and future impact I think we have to consider that.”[13]
Later in 2015, following the terror attacks in Paris, Cutler supported keeping Syrian refugees out of Pennsylvania.[14] Governor Tom Wolf's permitting of Syrian refugees into the state was criticized by Cutler and other Pennsylvania Republicans.[14] Cutler has said, “there is a real difference between those that seek peace and security and those that would use this opportunity to advance terrorism.”[14]
In 2016, Cutler co-sponsored a memorandum in support of House Bill 1948, which was put forth by State Representative Kathy Rapp.[15] The bill's purpose was to make it so that abortions in Pennsylvania would only be permitted during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.[15] Cutler, along with Rapp and Representative Bryan Barbin, wrote in the memorandum that the bill would also put a stop to dismemberment being used as an abortion method.[15]
Cutler supports the Atlantic Sunrise natural gas pipeline passing through Lancaster County.[16] Due to concerns involving private property and nature reserves, a request was made to have the pipeline re-routed.[17] However, believing that it would be less of a problem for roads, streams and properties, residents of Conestoga Township and Martic Township petitioned in favor of the first proposed route.[17] Cutler was given these petitions.[17]
Cutler was against legalizing medical cannabis in Pennsylvania and opposed a bill that would do so.[18][19] He cited the illegal federal status under the Controlled Substances Act, the opioid epidemic, and other concerns.[20][21][22]
