steve russell Rep
beat 2018<div><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>teven Dane Russell</b> (born May 25, 1963) is a retired American soldier and politician. A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party(United_States)" title="Republican Party (United States)" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Republican</a>, he represents <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma%27s_5th_congressional_district" title="Oklahoma's 5th congressional district" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Oklahoma's 5th congressional district</a> (Oklahoma City) in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_of_Representatives" title="United States House of Representatives" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">United States House of Representatives</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-1" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[1]</a></sup> He was defeated by 2018 Democratic nominee <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendra_Horn" title="Kendra Horn" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Kendra Horn</a> in an upset.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-2" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[2]</a></sup> He is a former member of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_Senate" title="Oklahoma Senate" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Oklahoma Senate</a>.</p><div id="toc" class="toc" style="border: 1px solid rgb(162, 169, 177); background-color: rgb(248, 249, 250); padding: 7px; font-size: 13.3px; display: table; zoom: 1; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><input type="checkbox" role="button" id="toctogglecheckbox" class="toctogglecheckbox" style="direction: ltr; position: absolute; opacity: 0; display: none;" /><div class="toctitle" lang="en" dir="ltr" style="direction: ltr; text-align: center;"><h2 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background: none; margin: 1em 0px 0.25em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 13.3px; display: inline; line-height: 1.3;">Contents</h2><span class="toctogglespan" style="font-size: 12.502px;"><label class="toctogglelabel" for="toctogglecheckbox" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);" /></span></div><ul style="list-style-type: none; margin: 0.3em 0px; padding: 0px; list-style-image: none;"><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1" style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#Early_life" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;"><span class="tocnumber" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0.5em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1</span><span class="toctext" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit;">Early life</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-2" style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#Military_career" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;"><span class="tocnumber" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0.5em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">2</span><span class="toctext" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit;">Military career</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-3" style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#Post-military_career" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;"><span class="tocnumber" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0.5em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">3</span><span class="toctext" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit;">Post-military career</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-4" style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#Political_career" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;"><span class="tocnumber" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0.5em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">4</span><span class="toctext" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit;">Political career</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-5" style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#Committee_assignments" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;"><span class="tocnumber" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0.5em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">5</span><span class="toctext" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit;">Committee assignments</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-6" style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#Personal_life" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;"><span class="tocnumber" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0.5em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">6</span><span class="toctext" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit;">Personal life</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-7" style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#Education" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;"><span class="tocnumber" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0.5em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">7</span><span class="toctext" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit;">Education</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-8" style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#Military_Awards_and_Decorations" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;"><span class="tocnumber" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0.5em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">8</span><span class="toctext" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit;">Military Awards and Decorations</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-9" style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#Electoral_history" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;"><span class="tocnumber" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0.5em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">9</span><span class="toctext" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit;">Electoral history</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-10" style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#References" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;"><span class="tocnumber" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0.5em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">10</span><span class="toctext" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit;">References</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-11" style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#External_links" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;"><span class="tocnumber" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0.5em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">11</span><span class="toctext" style="display: table-cell; text-decoration: inherit;">External links</span></a></li></ul></div><h2 style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; margin: 1em 0px 0.25em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(162, 169, 177); font-family: "Linux Libertine", Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 1.3;"><span class="mw-headline" id="Early_life">Early life</span></h2><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Russell was born in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City,Oklahoma" class="mw-redirect" title="Oklahoma City, Oklahoma" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Oklahoma City, Oklahoma</a> to Clyde E. "Gene" Russell and Donna J. Porter Russell on May 25, 1963. Russell grew up in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_City,Oklahoma" title="Del City, Oklahoma" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Del City, Oklahoma</a>. The youngest of three, Russell nearly died at birth due to an opposite blood type with his mother. After weeks of intensive care, he recovered and would face several other brushes with death. At the age of seven, Russell was nearly killed by the deadly tornado that hit near Lake Eufala, Oklahoma on June 11, 1970 while visiting his grandparents. Later that year, Russell nearly died from a ruptured appendix and underwent two surgeries with weeks of intensive care at Midwest City Hospital.</p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Russell attended school at Del City Elementary and Kerr Junior High. He became a Christian reading a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideons_International" title="Gideons International" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Gideon's</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament" title="New Testament" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">New Testament</a> he picked up at Kerr in 1977. In 1980, Russell was an exchange student to Germany, living in Kasseedorf near Eutin in Schleswig-Holstein. Graduating from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_City_High_School" title="Del City High School" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Del City High School</a> in 1981, Russell was President of his senior class and voted most likely to succeed.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-3" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[3]</a></sup> After earning a four-year <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_ROTC" class="mw-redirect" title="Army ROTC" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Army ROTC</a> scholarship, Russell attended <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouachita_Baptist_University" title="Ouachita Baptist University" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Ouachita Baptist University</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkadelphia,Arkansas" title="Arkadelphia, Arkansas" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Arkadelphia, Arkansas</a>. After graduating with a degree in Public Speaking, Russell was commissioned a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Lieutenant" class="mw-redirect" title="Second Lieutenant" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">second lieutenant</a> in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S.Army" class="mw-redirect" title="U.S. Army" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">U.S. Army</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infantry" title="Infantry" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">infantry</a>.</p><h2 style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; margin: 1em 0px 0.25em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(162, 169, 177); font-family: "Linux Libertine", Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 1.3;"><span class="mw-headline" id="Military_career">Military career</span></h2><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Receiving his Infantry training at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Benning" title="Fort Benning" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Fort Benning</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia(U.S.state)" title="Georgia (U.S. state)" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Georgia</a>, Russell married Cindy Myers, whom he met at Ouachita, on December 21, 1985. Russell would graduate from the U.S. Army Infantry Officers' Basic Course, Airborne School, Mortar School and a year later from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S.Army_Ranger_School" class="mw-redirect" title="U.S. Army Ranger School" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">U.S. Army Ranger School</a> in Class 11–87.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-4" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[4]</a></sup></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Russell served 21 years in airborne, light and mechanized assignments in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic" title="Arctic" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Arctic</a>, the desert, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Ocean" title="Pacific Ocean" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">the Pacific</a>, in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe" title="Europe" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Europe</a> and in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_United_States" class="mw-redirect" title="Continental United States" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Continental United States</a>. He served more than seven years overseas and deployed operationally to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo" title="Kosovo" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Kosovo</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" title="Kuwait" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Kuwait</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan" title="Afghanistan" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Afghanistan</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq" title="Iraq" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Iraq</a>.</p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">During <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Iraqi_Freedom" class="mw-redirect" title="Operation Iraqi Freedom" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Operation Iraqi Freedom</a>, Russell commanded the 1st Battalion, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22nd_Infantry_Regiment(United_States)" title="22nd Infantry Regiment (United States)" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">22nd Infantry</a> 'Regulars' and conducted combat in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tikrit,Iraq" class="mw-redirect" title="Tikrit, Iraq" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Tikrit, Iraq</a> from the spring of 2003 to the spring of 2004. His task force was a part of Colonel <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hickey(soldier)" title="James Hickey (soldier)" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">James Hickey</a>'s 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Russell's battalion was broadly covered during the first year of the war by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNN" title="CNN" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">CNN</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_News_Channel" class="mw-redirect" title="Fox News Channel" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Fox News Channel</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_News" title="ABC News" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">ABC</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_News" title="NBC News" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">NBC</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS_News" title="CBS News" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">CBS</a>, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time(magazine)" title="Time (magazine)" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">TIME</a></i>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press" title="Associated Press" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Associated Press</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuters" title="Reuters" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Reuters</a>. His unit was a central player in the hunt and capture of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddam_Hussein" title="Saddam Hussein" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Saddam Hussein</a> and has been featured in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_Channel" title="Discovery Channel" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Discovery Channel</a>'s <i>Ace in the Hole</i><sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-5" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[5]</a></sup> and BBC Panorama's 'Saddam on the Run' documentaries. Russell has also been featured in a documentary highlighting his military life and political transition in the American Patriots Unsung series called 'Sacred Honor.'<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-6" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[6]</a></sup></p><div class="thumb tleft" style="float: left; clear: left; margin: 0.5em 1.4em 1.3em 0px; width: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px;"><div class="thumbinner" style="min-width: 100px; border: 1px solid rgb(200, 204, 209); padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 249, 250); font-size: 13.16px; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; width: 222px;">
<div class="thumbcaption" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 3px; font-size: 12.3704px; text-align: left;"><div class="magnify" style="float: right; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 0px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Peter_Jennings_with_Steve_Russell.png" class="internal" title="Enlarge" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: linear-gradient(transparent, transparent), url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22 viewBox=%220 0 11 15%22 width=%2215%22 height=%2211%22%3E %3Cg id=%22magnify-clip%22 fill=%22%23fff%22 stroke=%22%23000%22%3E %3Cpath id=%22bigbox%22 d=%22M1.509 1.865h10.99v7.919h-10.99z%22/%3E %3Cpath id=%22smallbox%22 d=%22M-1.499 6.868h5.943v4.904h-5.943z%22/%3E %3C/g%3E %3C/svg%3E"); display: block; text-indent: 15px; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; width: 15px; height: 11px; user-select: none;" /></div>Russell with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Jennings" title="Peter Jennings" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Peter Jennings</a> in Tikrit, Iraq in March 2004</div></div></div><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Russell is highly decorated,<sup id="cite_ref-infantry1_7-0" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-infantry1-7" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[7]</a></sup> having received the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legion_of_Merit" title="Legion of Merit" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Legion of Merit</a>, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Star" class="mw-redirect" title="Bronze Star" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Bronze Star</a> Medal with Valor Device<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-8" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[8]</a></sup> and Oak Leaf Cluster, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Infantryman%27s_Badge" class="mw-redirect" title="Combat Infantryman's Badge" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Combat Infantryman's Badge</a> and his unit in Iraq was awarded the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valorous_Unit_Award" title="Valorous Unit Award" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Valorous Unit Award</a> for its role in the hunt and capture of Saddam Hussein.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-9" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[9]</a></sup></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Russell continued in command of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry until June, 2005, when he was selected to become the Chief of Tactics at the US Army Infantry School at Ft. Benning, GA. Turning down a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_University" title="Queen's University" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Queen's University</a> Fellowship to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston,Canada" class="mw-redirect" title="Kingston, Canada" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Kingston, Canada</a> for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S.Army_War_College" class="mw-redirect" title="U.S. Army War College" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">U.S. Army War College</a> and promotion to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel" title="Colonel" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">colonel</a>, Russell retired as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_Colonel" class="mw-redirect" title="Lieutenant Colonel" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">lieutenant colonel</a> in 2006. He returned to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma" title="Oklahoma" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Oklahoma</a> with his wife and five children.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="line-height: 1; font-size: 11.2px; white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (September 2015)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup></p><div class="thumb tright" style="clear: right; float: right; margin: 0.5em 0px 1.3em 1.4em; width: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px;"><div class="thumbinner" style="min-width: 100px; border: 1px solid rgb(200, 204, 209); padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 249, 250); font-size: 13.16px; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; width: 222px;">
<div class="thumbcaption" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 3px; font-size: 12.3704px; text-align: left;"><div class="magnify" style="float: right; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 0px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RussellwUSandSaddamUniforms.png" class="internal" title="Enlarge" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: linear-gradient(transparent, transparent), url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22 viewBox=%220 0 11 15%22 width=%2215%22 height=%2211%22%3E %3Cg id=%22magnify-clip%22 fill=%22%23fff%22 stroke=%22%23000%22%3E %3Cpath id=%22bigbox%22 d=%22M1.509 1.865h10.99v7.919h-10.99z%22/%3E %3Cpath id=%22smallbox%22 d=%22M-1.499 6.868h5.943v4.904h-5.943z%22/%3E %3C/g%3E %3C/svg%3E"); display: block; text-indent: 15px; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; width: 15px; height: 11px; user-select: none;" /></div>Congressman Steve Russell appearing with uniforms on loan to the Oklahoma History Center. The American uniform is one he wore during the hunt for Saddam Hussein and the green uniform was one worn by Saddam Hussein himself while President of Iraq. The uniforms are part of a special collection on display of Saddam related artifacts.</div></div></div><h2 style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; margin: 1em 0px 0.25em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(162, 169, 177); font-family: "Linux Libertine", Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 1.3;"><span class="mw-headline" id="Post-military_career">Post-military career</span></h2><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Russell began an active veterans advocacy career upon retirement and worked closely with other veterans to bolster the soldiers voice in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He formed Vets for Victory with several decorated warriors holding rallies in several states to embolden the public to support the troops.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-10" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[10]</a></sup> Russell also toured the country with many distinguished and highly decorated veterans such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bellavia" title="David Bellavia" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">David Bellavia</a>, author of <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_to_House" title="House to House" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">House to House</a></i>; <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Luttrell" title="Marcus Luttrell" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Marcus Luttrell</a>, author of <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lone_Survivor(book)" title="Lone Survivor (book)" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Lone Survivor</a></i>; Jeremiah Workman, author of <i>Shadow of the Sword</i>; and Sean Parnell, author of <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlaw_Platoon" title="Outlaw Platoon" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Outlaw Platoon</a></i>.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-11" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[11]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-12" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[12]</a></sup></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">As a motivational speaker, Russell embarked on a successful speaking career in hundreds of cities since 2007. He has been featured as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keynote" title="Keynote" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">keynote</a> speaker at such notable events as the Ring Banquet at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S.Air_Force_Academy" class="mw-redirect" title="U.S. Air Force Academy" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">U.S. Air Force Academy</a> and was honored as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_R.Smith" class="mw-redirect" title="Paul R. Smith" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Paul R. Smith</a> Award recipient for his distinguished service in Iraq at the American Veterans Center 15th Annual Awards Gala in 2012.<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-13" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[13]</a></sup> He is managed by Premiere Speakers Bureau of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin,Tennessee" title="Franklin, Tennessee" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Franklin, Tennessee</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-14" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[14]</a></sup></p><div class="thumb tright" style="clear: right; float: right; margin: 0.5em 0px 1.3em 1.4em; width: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px;"><div class="thumbinner" style="min-width: 100px; border: 1px solid rgb(200, 204, 209); padding: 3px; background-color: rgb(248, 249, 250); font-size: 13.16px; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; width: 222px;">
<div class="thumbcaption" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 3px; font-size: 12.3704px; text-align: left;"><div class="magnify" style="float: right; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 0px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:We_Got_Him!Display.jpg" class="internal" title="Enlarge" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: linear-gradient(transparent, transparent), url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22 viewBox=%220 0 11 15%22 width=%2215%22 height=%2211%22%3E %3Cg id=%22magnify-clip%22 fill=%22%23fff%22 stroke=%22%23000%22%3E %3Cpath id=%22bigbox%22 d=%22M1.509 1.865h10.99v7.919h-10.99z%22/%3E %3Cpath id=%22smallbox%22 d=%22M-1.499 6.868h5.943v4.904h-5.943z%22/%3E %3C/g%3E %3C/svg%3E"); display: block; text-indent: 15px; white-space: nowrap; overflow: hidden; width: 15px; height: 11px; user-select: none;" /></div>Display of Russell's book We Got Him! published by Simon & Schuster</div></div></div><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Russell has also been a successful writer and author. His opinion pieces have appeared in many major publications, and he is the author of <i>We Got Him!: A Memoir of the Hunt and Capture of Saddam Hussein</i>, published by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon%26_Schuster" title="Simon & Schuster" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Simon & Schuster</a> in December 2011. An earlier version of the work was published by Deeds Publishing that year. The book has received critical acclaim for its vivid portrayal of combat and the events surrounding the hunt for the Iraqi dictator and his capture.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-15" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[15]</a></sup> It received numerous endorsements to include General <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Franks" title="Tommy Franks" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Tommy Franks</a> and the forward was written by General <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Odierno" class="mw-redirect" title="Ray Odierno" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Ray Odierno</a>.</p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Russell also has appeared on many national television and radio shows as a military and foreign affairs commentator. In addition, he has made appearances on Spike TV's <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadliest_Warrior" title="Deadliest Warrior" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Deadliest Warrior</a></i> and four episodes of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outdoor_Channel" title="Outdoor Channel" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Outdoor Channel</a>'s <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gun_Stories&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Gun Stories (page does not exist)" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(165, 88, 88); background: none;">Gun Stories</a></i>.</p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Russell is also the owner and founder of Two Rivers Arms, a small rifle manufacturing business that makes copies of the Iraqi Tabuk AK-47 and Iraqi Tabuk Sniper Rifle.<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-16" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[16]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-17" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[17]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-18" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[18]</a></sup>The company built half a dozen special Iraqi rifle replicas for Clint Eastwood's film <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Sniper(film)" class="mw-redirect" title="American Sniper (film)" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">American Sniper</a></i>.<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-19" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[19]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-20" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[20]</a></sup></p><h2 style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; margin: 1em 0px 0.25em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(162, 169, 177); font-family: "Linux Libertine", Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 1.3;"><span class="mw-headline" id="Political_career">Political career</span></h2><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Russell began his service to the public in 2008 when he defeated four opponents in one of the most contested races in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_State_Senate" class="mw-redirect" title="Oklahoma State Senate" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Oklahoma State Senate</a> that year. Russell won the initial Republican primary with 42% of the vote, leading by 15 points. He won the Republican run off with 67% of the vote.<sup id="cite_ref-infantry1_7-1" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-infantry1-7" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[7]</a></sup></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">As a state senator Russell authored the Soldiers Relief Act that made Oklahoma’s serving military tax exempt, affecting over 50,000 soldiers and their families.<sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-21" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[21]</a></sup> He also authored the Soldiers Credentialing Act, a law allowing credit for soldiers skills through direct certification rather than additional schooling allowing them to quickly enter the work force. Additionally, Russell authored a number of bills that became law related to the 2nd Amendment. Shortly after the publication of his book, Russell announced he would not seek reelection and he decided to focus on his business, public speaking and veterans advocacy.<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-22" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[22]</a></sup></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">In January 2014, Russell announced he would seek the seat of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_of_Representatives" title="United States House of Representatives" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">United States House of Representatives</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma%27s_5th_congressional_district" title="Oklahoma's 5th congressional district" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Oklahoma's 5th congressional district</a>, which was being vacated by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Lankford" title="James Lankford" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">James Lankford</a> in his US Senate bid.<sup id="cite_ref-autogenerated1_23-0" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-autogenerated1-23" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[23]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-24" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[24]</a></sup> On June 24, 2014, Russell led the field in the six-way Republican Primary.<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-25" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[25]</a></sup> On Tuesday, August 26, 2014, Russell won the run-off despite being heavily outspent to win the Republican nomination.<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-26" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[26]</a></sup> On November 4, 2014, Russell was elected to Congress with 60.1% of the vote, defeating Democratic State Senator <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_McCaffrey" class="mw-redirect" title="Al McCaffrey" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Al McCaffrey</a> and three Independent candidates, Buddy Ray, Tom Boggs and Robert Murphy.<sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-27" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[27]</a></sup></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">On June 28, 2016, Russell won the Republican Primary in his bid for re-election to Congress with more than 80% of the vote, defeating Frank Volpe.<sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-28" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[28]</a></sup> On November 8, 2016, Russell was elected to a second term in Congress.<sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-29" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[29]</a></sup> On June 26, 2018, Russell won his second re-elect Republican Primary with nearly 84% of the vote.<sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-30" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[30]</a></sup> He failed to win reelection against Democratic opponent <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendra_Horn" title="Kendra Horn" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Kendra Horn</a> on November 6, 2018 by a narrow margin.</p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>Tenure</b></p><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Rep. Russell was the main sponsor of H.R. 194, Federal Agency Mail Management Act of 2017, which became law on November 21, 2017 during the 115th Congress, 1st Session (2017). This bill would require the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide guidance and assistance to federal agencies for effective mail processing, leading to a more efficient, cost-saving system.<sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference" style="line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap; font-size: 11.2px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Russell(politician)#cite_note-31" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">[31]</a></sup></p><h2 style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; margin: 1em 0px 0.25em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(162, 169, 177); font-family: "Linux Libertine", Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 1.3;"><span class="mw-headline" id="Committee_assignments">Committee assignments</span></h2><ul style="margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 1.6em; padding: 0px; list-style-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22 width=%225%22 height=%2213%22%3E %3Ccircle cx=%222.5%22 cy=%229.5%22 r=%222.5%22 fill=%22%2300528c%22/%3E %3C/svg%3E"); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_Committee_on_Armed_Services" title="United States House Committee on Armed Services" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">United States House Committee on Armed Services</a></b></li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_Committee_on_Oversight_and_Government_Reform" title="United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Committee on Oversight and Government Reform</a></b>—serves as Vice Chairman of Committee<ul style="list-style-type: disc; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 1.6em; padding: 0px; list-style-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22 width=%225%22 height=%2213%22%3E %3Ccircle cx=%222.5%22 cy=%229.5%22 r=%222.5%22 fill=%22%2300528c%22/%3E %3C/svg%3E");"><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_Oversight_Subcommittee_on_National_Security" title="United States House Oversight Subcommittee on National Security" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">United States House Oversight Subcommittee on National Security</a>—serves as Chairman of Subcommittee</li></ul></li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_Republican_Steering_Committee" class="mw-redirect" title="House Republican Steering Committee" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">House Republican Steering Committee</a></b></li></ul><h2 style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; margin: 1em 0px 0.25em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(162, 169, 177); font-family: "Linux Libertine", Georgia, Times, serif; line-height: 1.3;"><span class="mw-headline" id="Personal_life">Personal life</span></h2><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Russell is a fifth-generation Oklahoman. His hobbies include teaching Sunday school, reading and studying history, playing the guitar and singing, as well as collecting military antiques and firearms. Russell has been married to the former Cindy Myers of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus,_Arkansas" title="Columbus, Arkansas" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Columbus, Arkansas</a> since 1985. They have five grown children, three of whom were adopted from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungary" title="Hungary" style="text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(11, 0, 128); background: none;">Hungary</a>. They are members of First Southern Baptist Church in Del C</p></div>