A seventh generation Texan, Van Taylor is a family man, businessman, and decorated Iraq War Veteran. Growing up, Van earned the Eagle Scout rank from the future President George Bush.
After high school, Van attended Harvard College from which he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in history. After graduating college, Van volunteered to serve his country and received a commission in the United States Marine Corps.
He attended The Basic School, Infantry Officer Course, and graduated first in his class from Sniper Employment Officer Course. He completed Intelligence School as the Marine Honor Graduate and commanded First Marine Regiment’s Reconnaissance Platoon in Camp Pendleton, CA. After completing that assignment, he served as an intelligence officer for an artillery battalion. Van earned the Navy Achievement Medal for devising a quantitative combat power analysis system.
Today, our national debt stands at more than $26 trillion – that comes out to more than $80,000 for every man, women, and child in America.1 Reckless spending, void of responsible cuts in government expenditures, only damages our economy, hurts families and small businesses, and destroys jobs. Congress must make decisions without burdening the next generation under a mountain of debt. This includes implementing good-government reforms, like a Balanced Budget Amendment, to get our federal spending under control – just like we do in Texas state government. Texas families and small businesses live within their means – Washington must do the same.