Assumed congressional office in 2015. Former Career: Businessman. Education: Loras College, University of Dubuque. Currently resides in Dubuque. Blum was born in Dubuque, and later received his BBA, Finance, Loras College, and an MBA, Marketing, from the University of Dubuque. Since 2000 he is the owner, Digital Canal Software. Blum is a member of the Tea Party Movement and the right-wing Republican Freedom Caucus. Assumed congressional office in 2015. In his opinion, “the Tea Party is what the Republican Party should have always been." On the topic of climate change, Rod Blum is a skeptic. He said that "most scientists’ paychecks come from the federal government, and so right away that makes me a bit skeptical." He opposes federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. On the topic of health care, Blum favors "fully repealing" the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). He claimed falsely that, under the Republican American Health Care Act, "If you’re getting your insurance through the group health care marketplace — your employer — nothing changes." In 2015, Blum voted against averting a government shutdown. Discussing the shutdown, Blum said, "I think the Founding Fathers are smiling right now for the first time in a long time". He is married with five children and currently resides in Dubuque. .