Video:Profile of Eric Cantor

Transcript:Profile of Eric Cantor

Hey I'm Jim Flink for About.com, and we're profiling American politician and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.

Eric Cantor's Background

Born in Virginia, Cantor is a member of the Republican Party, and became House Majority Leader in January 2011.

In that position, he's the highest-ranking Jewish member in Congressional history. He's also the only Jewish Republican in the U.S. Congress. As House Majority Leader, Cantor's job is to keep his party united on legislative business. That means he:

Cantor's Duties as House Majority Leader

• Schedules legislation for consideration on the House floor
• Plans legislative agendas
• Keeps a pulse on House party members' sentiment

Cantor's Background

Before becoming Majority Leader, Cantor was House Minority Whip, when Republicans were out of power in the House from 2009 to 2011. Cantor has spent much of his professional life in politics. Before going to the U.S. House in 2001, he:

• Was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
• He interned for House House Rep. Tom Bliley

But before that he worked for his father's real estate company. He was a lawyer and a real estate developer before starting a mortgage company.

Cantor's Political Stances

Cantor is staunchly anti-abortion rights, opposes same-sex marriage and gun control, and supports free trade. He backed the Iraq War and many of the policies of George W. Bush. He's also been an outspoken critic of former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In his co-authored book “Young Guns,” he lays out the case for conservative ideology.

Cantor's Education

Cantor graduated from George Washington University and William & Mary Law School, and he also has a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.

And that's your look at House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. Thanks for watching. For more information go to About.com