Rosa DeLauro
Rosa DeLauro | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chair of the House Appropriations Committee | |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Nita Lowey |
| Co-Chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2021 | |
| Leader | Nancy Pelosi |
| Preceded by | Steny Hoyer |
| Succeeded by | Cheri Bustos |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 3rd district | |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1991 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Morrison |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rosa Luisa DeLauro March 2, 1943 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Stan Greenberg (m. 1978) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Marymount College, Tarrytown (BA) London School of Economics Columbia University (MA) |
| Website | House website |
Rosa Luisa[1] DeLauro[2] (/dɪˈlɔːroʊ/; born March 2, 1943) is an American politician who has been the U.S. Representative for Connecticut's 3rd congressional district since 1991. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is based in New Haven, and includes most of its suburbs. DeLauro is the dean of Connecticut's congressional delegation.
In 2020, DeLauro was selected as the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee for the 117th Congress, succeeding Nita Lowey[3] and becoming the second woman to hold the position. She co-chaired the House Democratic Steering Committee from 2003 to 2021.
Early life, education, and early political career[]
DeLauro was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the daughter of Luisa "Louise" (née Canestri), a New Haven alderwoman,[4] and Theodore J. "Ted" DeLauro. She earned her high school diploma from The Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall in Milford, Connecticut. She earned a bachelor's degree from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, attended the London School of Economics and earned a master's degree in international politics from[5] Columbia University.[6] Before entering the House, DeLauro worked as Senator Chris Dodd's chief of staff and campaign manager, was the executive director of EMILY's List, and coordinated 1988 Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis's tristate area campaign.[7][4]
U.S. House of Representatives[]
Elections[]
In 1990, four-term incumbent U.S. Representative Bruce Morrison of Connecticut's 3rd congressional district retired in order to run for governor of Connecticut. DeLauro sought the open seat and quickly consolidated Democratic support behind her, earning Morrison's endorsement and prompting State Representative Mike Lawlor's withdrawal from the campaign.[8][9] DeLauro defeated Republican State Senator Thomas Scott 52%–48% in a particularly brutal general election, in which Scott said that DeLauro had kept her maiden name only to appeal to the region's Italian voters, and state Republican chair Richard Foley called DeLauro "Walter Mondale in drag". The campaign was equally combative over policy matters, with both candidates' microphones cut off during a radio debate after repeated attacks over abortion and capital punishment.[4][10][11][unreliable source?][12][unreliable source?]
The district has since reverted to form, and DeLauro has never faced another contest nearly as close as her first. She has been reelected 16 times, never with less than 58% of the vote.[12]
2006[]
In 2006, DeLauro was reelected to a ninth term, defeating Republican nominee Joseph Vollano with 76% of the vote.[13]
2008[]
DeLauro was reelected to a tenth term with 77% of the vote.[14][unreliable source?]
2010[]
DeLauro was reelected to an 11th term with 65% of the vote against Connecticut Republican Party treasurer Jerry Labriola Jr.[15][16][unreliable source?]
2012[]
DeLauro was reelected to a 12th term with 74.6%[17] of the vote against Republican nominee Wayne Winsley, a former member of the Navy.
2014[]
DeLauro was reelected to a 13th term with 67.1%[18] of the vote against Republican nominee James Brown, a high school math teacher.
2016[]
DeLauro was reelected to a 14th term with 69.0%[19] of the vote against Republican nominee Angel Cadena, a former candidate for Connecticut State Comptroller in 2014.
2018[]
DeLauro was reelected to a 15th term with 64.6%[20] of the vote against Cadena.
2020[]
DeLauro was reelected to her 16th term with 58.7%[21] of the vote to Margaret Streicker's 39.8%.
Tenure[]
DeLauro is part of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and one of the Congressional Progressive Caucus's founding members.[22]
DeLauro is interested in health policy issues, particularly women's health. She has introduced bills aimed at improving cancer treatment and research and women's health policies. As chair of the appropriations subcommittee that funds the Food and Drug Administration, she has criticized the FDA's failures to protect the public from unsafe foods and medical products.
On February 2, 2008, DeLauro endorsed Barack Obama for President.[23]
On October 3, 2008, DeLauro voted a second time for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.[24] She worked to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. She has urged politicians to be "big thinkers" on universal health care.[citation needed]
The Wall Street Journal reported on December 17, 2008, that DeLauro was "a top contender" for Labor Secretary in the Obama administration.[25] Obama nominated Hilda Solis for the position.[26]
DeLauro was critical of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which places limits on taxpayer-funded abortions in the context of the November 2009 Affordable Health Care for America Act.[27]
Despite DeLauro's strong pro-choice stance, she was a noted supporter of David Bonior in his race against Steny Hoyer for House Majority Whip in 1991, seconding his nomination at a meeting of the Democratic caucus.[28] DeLauro cited their work together during the Iran-Contra scandal, and said that Bonior's "position as whip will not impact the momentum the choice issue has in Congress right now."[29][30][31]
DeLauro has also been outspoken on child care, arguing, "It is time to build a permanent child care infrastructure that respects and values women in the workforce" in a July 2021 article published in The American Prospect[32] and on her official website.[33]
Abortion[]
DeLauro supports the availability of abortion in all cases[clarification needed], along with the use of federal subsidies for abortion procedures. In 2006 she voted against HR 6099, a bill that would require abortion providers to follow specific procedures and formalities before performing abortions. In 2006 she voted against a bill that makes it illegal to transport pregnant girls under age 18 across state lines in order to obtain an abortion.[34] DeLauro has been criticized by the Roman Catholic Church, of which she is a member, for her support of abortion rights.[35]
Guns[]
DeLauro has voted for stronger regulation of firearms. In 2006 she voted against the Trigger Lock Amendment that ends the use of funds from the Commerce Department FY2007 Appropriation bill to enforce laws requiring guns to be sold with locks.[36] In 1999 DeLauro voted to increase the amount of time given to perform background checks from 24 hours to 72 hours.[37] In 1998 she voted to increase the minimum gun crime sentence.[38] On January 14, 2013, she introduced a bill allowing for the voluntary surrender of assault-type weapons with compensation in the form of tax credits.[39] She has an F rating from the NRA.[40]
Campaign finance and government reform[]
In 2010, DeLauro voted for a bill mandating new disclosure requirements for political advertising. She voted against the 527 Reform Act of 2005, an act that put an end to party spending limits for candidates during general elections, and against the 527 Reform Act of 2006. DeLauro also helped to pass the Lobbying and Donation Regulations bill that put in place new regulations on lobbyists and donations to Congress members.
In 2002 DeLauro voted for the Help America Vote Act of 2002. This act provided $3.9 billion to modernize technology and create new programs to reach a higher standard and to make voting an easier process for disabled citizens, military personnel, citizens living abroad, and first-time voters without valid identification. In 2006 DeLauro voted against the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 that required voters to show a government-issued photo identification before voting.[41]
Sponsored bills[]
DeLauro sponsored the Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Awareness Act of 2010 (H.R. 5462). This bill allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a birth defects prevention, risk reduction, and awareness program. The program aims to increase awareness of pregnancy and breastfeeding by starting a nationwide media campaign and provides grants for research on certain exposures that affect pregnancy and breastfed infants. In November 2010, it was received by the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.[42] The bill was not voted on by the Senate.[43]
HR 875[]
DeLauro introduced HR 875,[44] the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009.[needs update] This legislation is aimed at reforming the food safety responsibilities handled by the FDA. The introduction of this bill represents a potential conflict of interest, because of her husband Stanley Greenberg's connection to agricultural biotechnology corporation Monsanto.[45]
Hurricane Irene[]
In August 2011, the 3rd district suffered extreme damage when Hurricane Irene made landfall along the Connecticut coastline. Many homes were destroyed in East Haven[46] and other shore communities and many Connecticut residents lost power for days.[47] When Irene hit the state and during the immediate aftermath, DeLauro was vacationing along Italy's Amalfi Coast and was not anticipated to return until five days after the storm had passed.[48] A Hartford Courant column rated DeLauro's storm response an "F".[49] DeLauro told the New Haven Register she had "no apology for taking a vacation" and being out of state during the storm.[50]
Health care[]
In July 2014, DeLauro introduced the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax Act, also known as the "SWEET Act", which would impose a one-cent excise tax per teaspoon of caloric sweetener in soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sweet teas (roughly nine cents on a 12-ounce soda).[citation needed] "This act is intended to discourage excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages by increasing the price of these products", according to the text of the legislation. DeLauro and other supporters of the act argued that it could help address the national epidemics of obesity and diabetes by discouraging consumers from consuming the products and also raise money to fund prevention, treatment programs, research and dietary education to help reduce the costs of related health problems.[51] The bill was co-sponsored by several House members and progressed on to the House Energy and Commerce committee for Health and the House Ways and Means committee, but went no further.[52] It was opposed by the American Beverage Association and the National Automatic Merchandising Association[53] (NAMA), which said, "People don't support taxes and bans on common grocery items, like soft drinks" and that sweetened beverages "are not the main source of added sugars for children and teens and that a tax on sugary drinks unfairly singles out the industry."[51]
2020 House Appropriations Committee[]
After Nita Lowey signaled that she would resign, DeLauro, Marcy Kaptur and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz were candidates to become chair of the Appropriations Committee.[54] DeLauro was chosen by her caucus to lead the committee in a 148-79 caucus-wide vote in December 2020.[54] During her tenure, she decided to remove the limitation on Medicaid funding for abortion, known as the Hyde Amendment, and her decision later received support from all Democrats.[55]
Committee assignments[]
- Committee on Appropriations (Chair)
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Chair)
Caucus memberships[]
- House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee (Co-Chair for Steering) from 2003 to 2021
- Populist Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus[56]
- Afterschool Caucuses[57]
- Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus[58]
- Congressional Progressive Caucus[59]
Personal life[]
DeLauro is married to political strategist Stan Greenberg.
DeLauro celebrated 25 years as an ovarian cancer survivor in 2010. She continues to support biomedical research, including efforts to develop a reliable screening test for ovarian cancer.[60]
She is an honorary board member of the National Organization of Italian American Women. She is a leader in the group Catholic Democrats.[61]
Awards[]
- 2009 Health Policy Hero Award from the National Center for Health Research[62]
- 2019 Foremothers Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Center for Health Research[63]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "Rosa Luisa DeLauro". The Hill. Capitol Hill Publishing Corp. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
- ^ "New Haven to name Wooster Square corner after longtime alderwoman Luisa DeLauro". Nhregister.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Altimari, Daniela. "Rosa DeLauro selected as chair of House Appropriations Committee". courant.com. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Ravo, Nick (November 1, 1990). "In New Haven, 2 Opposites Wage Shrill Fight for Congress". The New York Times. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
- ^ "Rosa DeLauro".
- ^ "Rosa DeLauro".
- ^ Lynn, Frank (July 25, 1988). "Cuomo Shares Optimism of His Area's Democrats". The New York Times. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ "CT 03: DEM LAWLOR QUITS RACE". The Hotline. The Hotline. March 20, 1990.
- ^ "CT 03: MORRISON ENDORSES DELAURO". The Hotline. The Hotline. March 28, 1990.
- ^ "Radio Host Pulls Plug on Unruly Candidates". The Associated Press. The Associated Press. The Associated Press. October 9, 1990.
- ^ "CT District 3 Race – Nov 06, 1990". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Candidate – Rosa L. DeLauro". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "CNN.com – Elections 2006". www.cnn.com. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ "CT – District 03 Race – Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "CT – District 03 Race – Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ AP Election Results – Courant.com
- ^ "Connecticut". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
- ^ "Connecticut Election Results", The New York Times, ISSN 0362-4331
- ^ "Connecticut U.S. House 3rd District Results: Rosa DeLauro Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
- ^ "Connecticut Election Results: Third House District". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
- ^ "Connecticut Election Results: Third Congressional District". The New York Times. November 3, 2020.
- ^ "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- ^ "Clinton and Obama remain in tough fight as McCain coasts". The New York Times. February 4, 2008. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ [1] Archived March 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Davis, Susan (December 17, 2008). "Shaiken Emerges as Top Candidate for Labor Secretary". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ Kornblut, Anne E. (December 19, 2008). "Obama to Announce Final Cabinet Picks". The Washington Post. p. A02. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
- ^ "House Budget Committee shoots down inclusion of Stupak Amendment in reconciliation". Catholic News Agency. Catholic News Agency. March 17, 2010 [2010]. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- ^ Shields, Mark (July 16, 1991). "A New Whip for Democrats". The Washington Post.
- ^ Feldmann, Linda (July 11, 1991). "Bonior, Hoyer Vie For House 'Whip'". Christian Science Monitor.
- ^ Kenworthy, Tom (July 3, 1991). "Abortion and the House Whip's Race; Bonior's Stand on Sensitive Issue Plays Role in Democratic Contest". The Washington Post.
- ^ Oliphant, Thomas (July 10, 1991). "Abortion subplot in contest for whip". Boston Globe.
- ^ "The Government Provided Child Care in World War II. We Need It Again". July 5, 2021.
- ^ "DeLauro in the American Prospect: The Government Provided Child Care in World War II. We Need It Again". July 6, 2021.
- ^ [2], Issue Position: Abortion.
- ^ "Congresswoman DeLauro: Ryan Budget Contrary to Catholic Teaching". Christianpost.com. April 17, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
- ^ [3], Key Vote: Trigger Lock Amendment.
- ^ [4], Key Vote: 72 Hour Background Check Amendment.
- ^ [5], Key Vote: 72 Hour Background Check Amendment.
- ^ "BILLS\H226.IH" (PDF). Retrieved May 27, 2017.
- ^ "Rosa DeLauro on Gun Control". www.ontheissues.org. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- ^ [6], Issue Position: Campaign Finance and Government Reform.
- ^ [7], Sponsored Bill.
- ^ DeLauro, Rosa L. (November 15, 2010). "H.R.5462 – 111th Congress (2009–2010): Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Awareness Act of 2010". www.congress.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ "Read The Bill: H.R. 875". GovTrack.us. February 4, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
- ^ "Greenberg Quinlan Rosner | Clients". Greenbergresearch.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2010. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
- ^ "Topic Galleries". Ctnow.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "It may be days before you have electricity | Irene | WTNH.com Connecticut". WTNH. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Obrian, Harry. "U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, monitored storm recovery efforts from vacation on the Amalfi coast – Capitol Watch". Blogs.courant.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Green, Rick. "Grading Public Officials On Irene – Rick Green | CT Confidential". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ "DeLauro tours storm-ravaged Connecticut district; defends her trip to Italy (video)". New Haven Register. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Zuraw, Lydia (July 31, 2014). "DeLauro Introduces Bill to Tax Sugar-Sweetened Beverages". www.foodsafetynews.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ^ "H.R. 5279 (113th): Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax Act of 2014". www.govtrack.us. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
- ^ Staff. "NAMA Opposes Proposed National Tax On Sugar-Sweetened Beverages". vendingmarketwatch.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Emma, Caitlin. "House Democrats elect DeLauro as next House Appropriations chair". POLITICO. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ Ferris, Sarah; Caygle, Heather (August 5, 2021). "How the House's eccentric liberal icon won a slew of centrist allies". Politico. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
- ^ "Members". Afterschool Alliance. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ "Members". Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
- ^ "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ^ "Representative Rosa DeLauro". United for Medical Research. 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ^ "Defining Ourselves as Catholic Democrats". Pew Research Center. June 8, 2006. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ "Foremother and Health Policy Hero Awards Luncheon". May 7, 2018.
- ^ "Foremother and Health Policy Hero Awards Luncheon". National Center for Health Research. May 7, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
Further reading[]
- Statement of the Hon. Rosa DeLauro on $10 Billion Accenture Government Contract, June 1, 2004, original link
- Wymard, Ellie (1999). Conversations with uncommon women insights from women who've risen above life's challenges to achieve extraordinary success. New York: AMACOM. ISBN 0585119872. OCLC 77354855.
External links[]
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Wikisource has original works written by or about: Rosa DeLauro |
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- Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro official U.S. House website
- Rosa DeLauro for Congress
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Appearances on C-SPAN
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- 1943 births
- 20th-century American politicians
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- Alumni of the London School of Economics
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- Connecticut Democrats
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives
- Female members of the United States House of Representatives
- Living people
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut
- Politicians from New Haven, Connecticut
- Women in Connecticut politics
- American gun control activists