Bill Barrett (Born February 9, 1929) is a Republican politician from Nebraska who served five terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2001 as the congressman for Nebraska's Third District. Before seeking elective office, Barrett was a longtime real estate agent and Republican activist. He served as a member of the Nebraska Republican State Executive Committee in the 1960s and chaired the Nebraska arm of President Gerald Ford's campaign in 1976.
In 1978, Barrett was elected to the Nebraska Legislature, where he served until his election to Congress. He was speaker of the legislature from 1987 to 1991 and generated some controversy in that position after heated state budget negotiations. Barrett was elected to succeed retiring Rep. Virginia Smith in 1990.
In Congress, Barrett was a low-key member who generally supported the priorities of Republican leaders. He served on the House Agriculture Committee, eventually rising to become vice chairman, and the Education/Workforce Committee. Barrett retired from Congress in 2000 and currently resides in Nebraska.
Preceded by: Virginia Smith (R) United States Representative for the 3rd Congressional District of Nebraska 1991 - 2001 Succeeded by: Tom Osborne (R)
