Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a Democratic politician who has served as a U.S. Representative from Florida since 2005. Born on September 27, 1966, in Queens, New York, she earned both her Bachelor of Arts (1988) and Master of Arts (1990) in political science from the University of Florida, where she was highly active in student government. Her professional career began as an aide to U.S. Representative Peter Deutsch. In 1992, at age 26, she became the youngest woman ever elected to the Florida Legislature, serving in the Florida House of Representatives until 2000 and subsequently in the Florida Senate from 2000 to 2004. Wasserman Schultz was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004, becoming the first Jewish woman elected to Congress from Florida. She has represented several districts due to redistricting, including the 20th, 23rd, and currently the 25th district. She rose to national prominence as the Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) from 2011 to 2016. In Congress, she has held influential roles, including serving as a Ranking Member on the Appropriations Committee and chairing the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee. Throughout her legislative career, she has focused on health, safety, and human rights. Key accomplishments include the passage of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, the PROTECT Our Children Act, and the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act. A breast cancer survivor herself, she authored the EARLY Act to increase awareness and support for young women diagnosed with the disease. She also successfully introduced the resolution that established Jewish American Heritage Month.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz maintains a consistently progressive voting record across a variety of policy areas. In healthcare, she is a staunch supporter of the Affordable Care Act and advocates for expanding access to affordable coverage, with a specific focus on women’s health and cancer research. On environmental issues, she holds a high lifetime rating from the League of Conservation Voters, supporting legislation to curb methane emissions, protect clean air and water, and advance efficiency standards for appliances. Regarding immigration, she supports the protection of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients and has introduced legislation to limit executive authority over TPS designations to prevent their sudden termination. She has publicly criticized the humanitarian conditions at immigrant detention facilities and advocates for comprehensive reform that includes a pathway to citizenship. In foreign policy, she is a vocal supporter of Israel and has been active in addressing the humanitarian and political crises in Venezuela, supporting efforts to restore democracy there. She also emphasizes human rights, global food security, and democratic governance in her foreign policy priorities. On economic matters, she focuses on lowering costs for families, addressing high gas prices, and protecting social safety nets like Social Security and Medicare.