John Martin is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Principal Associate Commissioner for Legislative Affairs. In this role, he advises the FDA's Commissioner and key agency officials on legislative needs, pending legislation, and oversight activities that affect FDA. He heads the Office of Legislation (OL), which is responsible for leading legislative activities at FDA and serving as the primary liaison between FDA, HHS, and other agencies. These activities include developing legislative proposals, position papers, and departmental reports on proposed legislation and providing analyses of the agency's legislative priorities, at the request of the Commissioner. Further, Mr. Martin leads OL in advising and assisting Members of Congress, congressional committees, and their respective staffs on legislative actions and policy development that could affect FDA.
Prior to joining the FDA, Mr. Martin worked for Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, serving most recently as his legislative director where he focused primarily on health care, domestic policy issues, and floor strategy to advance the Senator’s priorities.
Mr. Martin also has experience in state government, serving in the executive branch under Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson as his Senior Health Policy Advisor. In this role, Mr. Martin helped develop, draft, and pass "Arkansas Works," the governor's continuation of the State of Arkansas’ Medicaid Expansion under the Affordable Care Act. He also served as the Governor's point person for the Department of Human Services (DHS), working with DHS to address the challenges they faced in serving the state's most vulnerable populations.
Prior to transitioning to public service, Mr. Martin worked for a private-sector consulting firm helping clients make their business operations more efficient and effective.
Mr. Martin earned his BBA in Supply Chain Management from Texas A&M University.