Early Life and Education of Don Bacon: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Don Bacon. A timeline of key moments.

Don Bacon is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, a position he has held since 2017. Prior to his political career, Bacon served for 29 years in the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of Brigadier General. He commanded wings at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. His congressional district encompasses the city of Omaha and the area surrounding Offutt Air Force Base.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

August 16, 1963: Donald John Bacon Born

On August 16, 1963, Donald John Bacon was born. He is now a U.S. Representative for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district.

Others born on this day/year

1980: Graduated from Grace Baptist Academy

In 1980, Don Bacon graduated from Grace Baptist Academy in Kankakee.

1984: Interned in Washington D.C. Office

In 1984, Don Bacon interned in Representative Ed Madigan's Washington D.C. office during his senior year at Northern Illinois University.

May 2017: Voted for the American Health Care Act

In May 2017, Bacon voted for the American Health Care Act of 2017, which aimed to repeal significant portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

August 2017: Urged Trump to Preserve DACA

In August 2017, Bacon, along with five House colleagues, urged President Trump to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

2017: Voted for legislation to ban abortion

In 2017, Bacon voted for legislation to ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and to repeal a rule requiring state and local governments to distribute federal funds to Federally Qualified Health Centers even if they perform abortions, a measure aimed at defunding Planned Parenthood.

2017: Voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

In 2017, Bacon voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and expressed support for raising the full retirement age for Social Security eligibility for Americans under age 40.

December 2018: Voted Against Legislation to End Government Shutdown

In December 2018, Bacon voted against legislation aimed at ending the government shutdown by appropriating funds without money for the U.S.-Mexico border wall.

2018: Supported Ban on Bump Stocks

In 2018, Bacon expressed his support for a ban on bump stocks.

2018: Opposed Marijuana Legalization

In 2018, Bacon stated his opposition to marijuana legalization as a personal matter, but supported decriminalization at the federal level and the right of states to make their own decisions; he also supported the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized industrial hemp production.

January 2019: Voted Against Legislation to End Government Shutdown

In January 2019, Bacon voted against legislation aimed at ending the government shutdown by appropriating funds without money for the U.S.-Mexico border wall.

2019: Voted Against Impeachment Articles Against Donald Trump

In 2019, Bacon voted against both articles of impeachment against Donald Trump in the House.

2019: Voted for Pathway to Citizenship for Undocumented Youth

In 2019, Bacon voted for legislation to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth.

December 2020: Acknowledged Joe Biden as President-Elect

In December 2020, Bacon acknowledged Joe Biden as the legitimate President-elect in a Washington Post survey.

2020: Did Not Side With Trump Campaign to Overturn Election

In 2020, Bacon did not join congressional Republicans who sided with the Trump campaign's attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election.

2020: Expressed Support for George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

In 2020, Bacon expressed support for parts of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, including mandatory body cameras and a national registry for police misconduct, but opposed ending qualified immunity and the Department of Defense 1033 program; he ultimately voted against the legislation.

2020: Biden Carried Bacon's District

In 2020, Joe Biden carried Don Bacon's congressional district in the presidential election, marking it as a swing district.

May 19, 2021: Voted to Approve January 6 Commission

On May 19, 2021, Bacon was one of 35 Republicans who joined Democrats in voting to approve legislation to establish the January 6 commission to investigate the January 6 United States Capitol attack.

2021: Voted Against Impeachment Article Against Trump

In 2021, Bacon voted against the article of impeachment against Donald Trump for incitement of insurrection after the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

2021: Voted to Certify Electoral College Votes

In 2021, Bacon voted to certify both Arizona's and Pennsylvania's votes in the United States Electoral College vote count.

July 19, 2022: Voted for the Respect for Marriage Act

On July 19, 2022, Bacon voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified the right to same-sex marriage in federal law.

2022: Voted against the MORE Act

In 2022, Bacon voted against the MORE Act, which would have removed cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

2023: Voted for Impeachment Inquiry into Joe Biden

In 2023, Bacon voted for the impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden but expressed skepticism, stating impeachments are bad for the nation.

2023: Supported Israel Following Hamas Attack

In 2023, Bacon voted to provide Israel with support following the Hamas attack on Israel.

September 13, 2024: Pledged to Respect 2024 Election Results

On September 13, 2024, Bacon and Representative Josh Gottheimer released a bipartisan letter in which they pledged to respect the results of the 2024 presidential election, with five other Republicans signing the letter.

September 18, 2024: Signed Letter Supporting Change to Winner-Takes-All Election System

On September 18, 2024, Bacon and the entire Nebraska delegation signed a letter to Governor Pillen supporting changing Nebraska's presidential election system to a winner-takes-all method.

2024: Supported Federal Abortion Ban

In 2024, Bacon supported a federal ban on abortion after 15 weeks with exceptions for the life of the mother and opposed the Nebraska Right to Abortion Initiative.

2024: Harris Carried Bacon's District

In 2024, Kamala Harris carried Don Bacon's congressional district in the presidential election, marking it as a swing district.

June 2025: Bacon To Not Seek Re-election

In June 2025, it was reported that Don Bacon would not seek re-election in 2026 due to dysfunction in Washington, divisions in the Republican Party, and a desire to spend time with family.

2025: Cosponsored American Families United Act

In 2025, Bacon cosponsored the American Families United Act.

2026: Chose not to run for reelection

In 2026, Bacon chose not to run for re-election so he could spend more time with his grand-kids.

2026: Bacon To Not Seek Re-election

In June 2025, it was reported that Don Bacon would not seek re-election in 2026 due to dysfunction in Washington, divisions in the Republican Party, and a desire to spend time with family.