Robert William Goodlatte is an American politician, attorney, and lobbyist who served as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 6th congressional district from 1993 to 2019. A Republican, he was also the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over legislation affecting the federal courts, administrative agencies, and federal law enforcement entities. Based in the Shenandoah Valley, Goodlatte's district covered the cities of Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Staunton.