Becca Balint

Becca Balint is a Democratic politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Vermont's at-large congressional district since 2023. She is the first woman and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent Vermont in Congress. Born in Heidelberg, West Germany, at a U.S. Army hospital, she was raised in Peekskill, New York. Balint earned her bachelor's degree from Smith College in 1990, followed by a master's degree in education from Harvard University in 1994 and a master's degree in history from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2000. Before entering politics, Balint worked for over a decade as a middle school teacher, teaching history and social studies in rural Vermont schools. Her political career began in 2014 when she was elected to the Vermont State Senate representing Windham County. In the state legislature, she held significant leadership roles, serving as Majority Leader from 2017 to 2021 and as President Pro Tempore from 2021 until her election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022. During her time in state government, she focused on legislative efforts related to reproductive rights, housing, and gun safety.

Balint aligns with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and has publicly advocated for several key policy platforms. She supports 'Medicare for All' and is a proponent of codifying reproductive rights into federal law, having previously championed such legislation in the Vermont Senate. On environmental issues, she supports the Green New Deal and aggressive climate action to transition toward renewable energy. Her economic priorities include strengthening labor unions, increasing the federal minimum wage, and addressing corporate consolidation. She is also a vocal supporter of gun safety measures, including universal background checks and a federal ban on assault weapons. As a co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, she is a lead sponsor of the Equality Act and an advocate for federal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and gender-affirming care. Additionally, she supports affordable housing initiatives and democratic reforms such as the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and Supreme Court ethics oversight.