Julia Brownley

Julia Brownley is a Democratic politician representing California's 26th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. First elected in 2012, she assumed office in January 2013. Brownley was born in Aiken, South Carolina, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from George Washington University and a Master of Business Administration from American University. Before entering public service, she spent several years working in marketing and sales within the private sector. Her political career began in 1994 when she was elected to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education, where she served for 12 years. She later served in the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2012, where she chaired the Assembly Education Committee. In Congress, Brownley has focused on veterans' affairs, transportation infrastructure, and environmental protection. She is a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Committee on Natural Resources.

Julia Brownley advocates for the protection and expansion of the Affordable Care Act and views access to healthcare as a fundamental right. She is a prominent supporter of reproductive rights and has introduced legislation such as the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act to ensure abortion services are available through the VA. On environmental issues, she supports a transition to renewable energy and has held leadership roles on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Her veterans' policy focuses on expanding healthcare access for women veterans, preventing veteran suicide, and ending veteran homelessness. Additionally, she supports gun safety measures including universal background checks and advocates for immigration reform that includes protections for DACA recipients.