Stacey Plaskett

Stacey Elizabeth Plaskett is a Democratic politician and attorney who has served as the Delegate for the United States Virgin Islands' at-large congressional district since 2015. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents from St. Croix, she spent much of her childhood traveling between the mainland and the islands. She earned her undergraduate degree in History and Diplomacy from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and her Juris Doctorate from American University's Washington College of Law. Before her election to Congress, Plaskett had a career in both the public and private sectors, including roles as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx, counsel on the House Ethics Committee, and a political appointee in the Department of Justice under the George W. Bush administration. Plaskett's legislative career is marked by several historical firsts; she was the first member from a U.S. territory to be named a Ranking Member of a Select Committee and the first to serve on the House Committee on Ways and Means. She gained significant national visibility in 2021 when she served as a House Impeachment Manager during the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump, becoming the first non-voting delegate to hold such a position. Throughout her tenure, she has focused on economic development for the Virgin Islands, hurricane recovery efforts following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and addressing the unique legal and climate challenges faced by U.S. territories.

Plaskett's policy positions emphasize economic equity, healthcare accessibility, and territorial rights. She is a staunch advocate for extending full federal benefits to residents of U.S. territories, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and equal Medicaid funding. On healthcare, she supports the Affordable Care Act and initiatives to reduce health disparities in underserved communities. Her environmental platform focuses on climate change resilience, particularly for island communities vulnerable to rising sea levels and intense storms. Regarding immigration, she has been a vocal defender of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals and advocates for policies that reflect humanitarian values. Additionally, as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, she supports tax reforms aimed at poverty reduction and incentivizing investment in developing regions like the Virgin Islands.