Since 2013, Joyce Beatty has proudly represented the Third Congressional District of Ohio, which is wholly contained within Franklin County and consists of 29 municipalities including Columbus, Bexley, Whitehall, Reynoldsburg and Gahanna.
As a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Joyce serves on the powerful Financial Services Committee. She is a member of the Subcommittees on Housing and Insurance and Oversight and Investigations. During her time in Congress, Joyce has focused on bringing Central Ohio to Washington, and Washington to Central Ohio.
Joyce is known for connecting people to policy and politics, and for being a bridge-builder. She has dedicated her life to making an impact by delivering results and service, securing millions of dollars for the district in the process. Highlights include $30 million in federal funds to help launch a $225 million revitalization project of Columbus’ Near East Side, the $40 million Smart City Challenge to make Central Ohio a national leader in creating and harnessing the power of innovative transportation technology, $4 million in federal funds to address Columbus’ infant mortality rate, and $45 million to ensure more Ohio students can succeed in- and outside the classroom.
Legislatively, Joyce has had two pieces of legislation signed into law combatting human trafficking, and another that made the tax deduction for out-of-pocket expenses paid by elementary and secondary teachers for supplies and expenses permanent. Most recently, she played a key role in enacting a law to help more stroke victims gain access to fast, high-quality care, as well as a provision empowering college students to make more informed financial decisions.
Joyce is an influential member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Women’s Caucus, Democratic Seniors Task Force, Co-Chair of Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition and the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus, and Deputy Vice-Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. In addition to her committee and numerous caucus memberships, Joyce serves as a regional whip.
Prior to her service in U.S. House of Representatives, Joyce was selected by her peers to serve in the 27th House District of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1999. She served five terms in the Ohio General Assembly, and rose to become the first female Democratic House Leader in Ohio’s history. In the Ohio House, she was instrumental in passing legislation that improved the climate for economic development in the state. She also supported local home ownership, fought foreclosures, championed STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), passed groundbreaking financial literacy legislation, and worked to help women without insurance receive lifesaving cancer screenings.
After leaving the Ohio House in 2008, Joyce joined The Ohio State University as senior vice president of outreach and engagement where she promoted community, business and economic development, advocated for healthcare collaborations, and led the University’s global initiatives.
Joyce graduated with a B.A. from Central State University, received her M.S. degree from Wright State University, and completed all but her dissertation for a doctorate at the University of Cincinnati. She has received two honorary doctorate degrees from Ohio Dominican University and Central State University.
Joyce is a sought after public speaker, and Ebony Magazine named her one of the 150 most powerful African-Americans in the United States. Beatty is active in The Links, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Columbus Urban League, The American Heart Association—where she previously served on the board—and numerous other organizations.
Joyce is married to Otto Beatty, Jr., an attorney, businessman and former Ohio State Representative, and is the proud grandmother of Leah and Spencer.
