Jahana Hayes

Jahana Hayes was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, representing Connecticut's 5th Congressional District as a member of the Democratic Party. Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, she overcame significant personal obstacles to pursue a career in education, earning an associate degree from Naugatuck Valley Community College, a bachelor's from Southern Connecticut State University, a master's from the University of Saint Joseph, and a sixth-year diploma from the University of Bridgeport. Before entering public office, she spent 15 years as a history teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury and was named the 2016 National Teacher of the Year for her dedication to her students and community. In Congress, Hayes serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Committee on Agriculture, where she holds the role of Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture. She has been a prominent advocate for nutrition assistance, food security, and veteran services, successfully passing legislation such as the Access to Baby Formula Act. Her legislative work frequently focuses on removing systemic barriers to opportunity, particularly in education and public health.

Hayes supports expanding and stabilizing the Affordable Care Act with a focus on lowering prescription drug costs and achieving universal healthcare coverage. She advocates for environmental protection through the transition to a clean energy economy and has supported various climate-focused legislative initiatives. On education, she promotes increased federal funding for Title I schools and supports student loan debt relief and workforce development programs. Her stance on gun safety includes supporting universal background checks and federal bans on certain types of semi-automatic firearms. Additionally, she is a vocal supporter of reproductive rights, consistently voting for the Women’s Health Protection Act to codify abortion access into federal law. As a leader on agricultural policy, she prioritizes strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and supporting local farmers through federal aid and infrastructure investment.