Rosa DeLauro explained

Rosa DeLauro
Office1:Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee
Term Start1:January 3, 2023
Predecessor1:Kay Granger
Office2:Chair of the House Appropriations Committee
Term Start2:January 3, 2021
Term End2:January 3, 2023
Predecessor2:Nita Lowey
Successor2:Kay Granger
Office3:Co-Chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee
Leader3:Nancy Pelosi
Term Start3:January 3, 2003
Term End3:January 3, 2021
Predecessor3:Steny Hoyer
Successor3:Cheri Bustos
State4:Connecticut
Term Start4:January 3, 1991
Predecessor4:Bruce Morrison
Birth Name:Rosa Luisa DeLauro
Birth Date:2 March 1943
Birth Place:New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Children:3
Education:Marymount College (BA)
London School of Economics
Columbia University (MA)

Rosa Luisa DeLauro[1] [2] (; born March 2, 1943) is an American politician who has been the U.S. representative for 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.[3]

In 2020, DeLauro was selected as chair of the House Appropriations Committee for the 117th Congress, succeeding Nita Lowey[4] and becoming the second woman to hold the position. She co-chaired the House Democratic Steering Committee from 2003 to 2021.

In Congress, DeLauro is known for the bright colors and bold patterns of her fashion, as well as her cropped bob hairstyle.[5] [6]

Early life, education, and early political career

DeLauro was born in New Haven, Connecticut, to an Italian-American family,[7] the daughter of Luisa "Louise" (née Canestri), a New Haven alderwoman,[8] and Theodore J. "Ted" DeLauro, an Italian immigrant.[9] 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[10] Columbia University.[10] 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.[11] [8]

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.[12] [13] 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.[8] [14] [15] [16]

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 56% of the vote.[16]

2006

In 2006, DeLauro was reelected to a ninth term, defeating Republican nominee Joseph Vollano with 76% of the vote.[17]

2008

DeLauro was reelected to a tenth term with 77% of the vote.[18]

2010

DeLauro was reelected to an 11th term with 65% of the vote against Connecticut Republican Party treasurer Jerry Labriola Jr.[19] [20]

2012

DeLauro was reelected to a 12th term with 74.6%[21] of the vote against Republican nominee Wayne Winsley, a former member of the U.S. Navy.

2014

DeLauro was reelected to a 13th term with 67.1% of the vote against Republican nominee James Brown, a high school math teacher.

2016

DeLauro was reelected to a 14th term with 69%[22] of the vote against Republican nominee Angel Cadena, a former candidate for Connecticut State Comptroller.

2018

DeLauro was reelected to a 15th term with 64.6%[23] of the vote against Cadena.

2020

DeLauro was reelected to a 16th term with 58.7%[24] of the vote to Margaret Streicker's 39.8%.

2022

DeLauro was reelected to a 17th term with 56.8%[25] of the vote to Lesley DeNardis's 40.7%.

Tenure

DeLauro is part of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and one of the Congressional Progressive Caucus's founding members.[26]

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.[27]

On October 3, 2008, DeLauro voted a second time for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.[28] She worked to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. She has urged politicians to be "big thinkers" on universal health care.

On December 17, 2008, the Wall Street Journal reported that DeLauro was "a top contender" for Labor Secretary in the Obama administration.[29] Obama nominated Hilda Solis for the position.[30]

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.[31]

DeLauro was a 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.[32] 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."[33] [34] [35]

DeLauro has spoken about 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[36] and on her official website.[37]

DeLauro was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[38]

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:[39]

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Abortion

DeLauro supports abortion rights.[45] As chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, she has opposed the Hyde Amendment based on evidence of its discriminatory impact.[46] [47] [48]

In 2006, she voted against the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act.[49] [50] [51]

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.[52] In 1999 DeLauro voted to increase the amount of time given to perform background checks from 24 hours to 72 hours.[53] In 1998 she voted to increase the minimum gun crime sentence.[54] 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.[55] She has an F rating from the NRA.[56]

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, which required voters to show a government-issued photo ID before voting.[57]

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.[58] It was not voted on by the Senate.[59]

HR 875

DeLauro introduced HR 875,[60] the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009. 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.[61]

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[62] and other shore communities and many Connecticut residents lost power for days.[63] 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.[64] A Hartford Courant column rated DeLauro's storm response an "F".[65] DeLauro told the New Haven Register she had "no apology for taking a vacation" and being out of state during the storm.[66]

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). "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. 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.[67] It was opposed by the American Beverage Association and the National Automatic Merchandising Association[68] (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."[69]

2020 House Appropriations Committee

After Nita Lowey announced her retirement, DeLauro, Marcy Kaptur and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz were candidates for chair of the Appropriations Committee.[70] DeLauro's caucus chose her to lead the committee in a 148–79 vote in December 2020.

Israel

DeLauro voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[71] [72]

Personal life

DeLauro is married to political strategist Stan Greenberg. DeLauro has three children and is a grandmother of five. At age 80, DeLauro got a tattoo, a purple and red rose design, to celebrate her eldest granddaughter's 18th birthday. As of 2023, she possibly plans to get more tattoos when her four other grandchildren reach age 18, as well.[73]

DeLauro was treated for ovarian cancer in 1985. She continues to support biomedical research, including efforts to develop a reliable screening test for ovarian cancer.[74]

She is an honorary board member of the National Organization of Italian American Women. She is a leader in the group Catholic Democrats.[75]

Awards

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rosa Luisa DeLauro . . . The Hill . Capitol Hill Publishing Corp. . August 24, 2018 . .
  2. Web site: New Haven to name Wooster Square corner after longtime alderwoman Luisa DeLauro . https://archive.today/20120904094738/http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2011/08/03/news/new_haven/doc4e39df855ab01289974972.txt . dead . September 4, 2012 . Nhregister.com . August 25, 2013 .
  3. News: Putterman . Alex . Who is Rosa DeLauro? 5 things to know about the CT congresswoman . 12 April 2024 . CT Insider . Hearst Media Services Connecticut . 7 March 2024 . en.
  4. Web site: Altimari. Daniela. Rosa DeLauro selected as chair of House Appropriations Committee. 2020-12-03. courant.com. December 3, 2020 .
  5. Web site: Stoeffel . Kat . 2013-07-18 . Meet Rosa DeLauro, the 'Hipster' Congresswoman With a Feminist Agenda . 2023-07-28 . The Cut . en-us.
  6. Web site: 2013-01-03 . PHOTOS: Representative Rosa DeLauro Wore An Awesome Outfit . 2023-07-28 . HuffPost . en.
  7. Web site: Udoma . Ebong . DeLauro Defends Italian Heritage in Election Debate . WSHU . October 23, 2020 . 9 August 2022.
  8. News: Ravo . Nick . In New Haven, 2 Opposites Wage Shrill Fight for Congress . December 12, 2018 . The New York Times . November 1, 1990.
  9. Web site: DeLauro . Rosa . Rosa DeLauro (opinion): Why I supported taking down the Columbus statue in New Haven . New Haven Register . June 25, 2020 . 9 August 2022.
  10. Web site: Rosa DeLauro.
  11. News: Lynn . Frank . Cuomo Shares Optimism of His Area's Democrats . The New York Times . July 25, 1988 . October 1, 2019.
  12. News: CT 03: DEM LAWLOR QUITS RACE . The Hotline . The Hotline . March 20, 1990.
  13. News: CT 03: MORRISON ENDORSES DELAURO . The Hotline . The Hotline . March 28, 1990.
  14. News: Radio Host Pulls Plug on Unruly Candidates . The Associated Press . October 9, 1990.
  15. Web site: CT District 3 Race – Nov 06, 1990 . Our Campaigns . August 25, 2013.
  16. Web site: Candidate – Rosa L. DeLauro . Our Campaigns . August 25, 2013.
  17. Web site: Elections 2006. CNN . February 7, 2019.
  18. Web site: 2009-02-03 . Election results for Representative in Congress . 2023-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090203051504/http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/lib/sots/electionservices/electionresults/2008_election_results/2008_representative_in_congress.pdf . February 3, 2009 .
  19. Web site: CT – District 03 Race – Nov 02, 2010 . Our Campaigns . August 25, 2013.
  20. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2010/general/by_county/us_house/CT.html?SITE=CTHARELN&SECTION=POLITICS AP Election Results – Courant.com
  21. News: Connecticut. The New York Times. 2019-03-27. en-US. 0362-4331.
  22. News: Connecticut U.S. House 3rd District Results: Rosa DeLauro Wins. 2017-08-01. The New York Times. 2019-03-27. en-US. 0362-4331.
  23. News: Connecticut Election Results: Third House District. The New York Times. January 28, 2019 . 2019-03-27. en-US. 0362-4331.
  24. News: Connecticut Election Results: Third Congressional District. The New York Times. November 3, 2020.
  25. News: Connecticut Third Congressional District Election Results 2022: DeLauro Defeats DeNardis. The New York Times. November 29, 2022.
  26. Web site: Caucus Members. Congressional Progressive Caucus. January 30, 2018.
  27. News: Clinton and Obama remain in tough fight as McCain coasts . 5 February 2021 . The New York Times . 4 February 2008.
  28. http://www.newstimes.com/danbury/ci_10601034?source=rss
  29. News: Shaiken Emerges as Top Candidate for Labor Secretary. Susan. Davis. Wall Street Journal. December 17, 2008. February 7, 2019.
  30. News: Anne E. . Kornblut . Obama to Announce Final Cabinet Picks . . A02 . December 19, 2008 . January 25, 2009.
  31. Web site: House Budget Committee shoots down inclusion of Stupak Amendment in reconciliation. 2010-03-17. Catholic News Agency. en. 2010. 2020-05-18.
  32. News: Shields . Mark . A New Whip for Democrats . The Washington Post . July 16, 1991.
  33. News: Feldmann . Linda . Bonior, Hoyer Vie For House 'Whip' . Christian Science Monitor . July 11, 1991.
  34. News: Kenworthy . Tom . Abortion and the House Whip's Race; Bonior's Stand on Sensitive Issue Plays Role in Democratic Contest . The Washington Post . July 3, 1991.
  35. News: Oliphant . Thomas . Abortion subplot in contest for whip . Boston Globe . July 10, 1991.
  36. Web site: The Government Provided Child Care in World War II. We Need It Again. July 5, 2021.
  37. Web site: DeLauro in the American Prospect: The Government Provided Child Care in World War II. We Need It Again. July 6, 2021.
  38. Web site: Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no. https://web.archive.org/web/20230601031919/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4029522-republicans-and-democrats-who-bucked-party-leaders-by-voting-no/. dead. June 1, 2023. Jared. Gans. May 31, 2023. June 6, 2023. The Hill.
  39. Web site: Rosa L. DeLauro . 1 May 2023 . Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
  40. Web site: Membership . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140644/https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership . June 12, 2018 . March 13, 2018 . Congressional Arts Caucus . mdy-all.
  41. Web site: Members . March 23, 2018 . Afterschool Alliance.
  42. Web site: Members . June 11, 2018 . Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus . June 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142643/http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus . dead .
  43. Web site: Caucus Members . 2021-03-29 . Congressional Progressive Caucus . en.
  44. Web site: Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. en.
  45. News: Stein . Sam . Rosa DeLauro, Key Pro-Choice Dem, Makes Case For Senate Abortion Language . 12 March 2022 . . May 25, 2011.
  46. Web site: Chair DeLauro Statement at Hearing on Impacts on Women Denied an Abortion Because of an Inability to Pay . House Committee on Appropriations . 12 March 2022 . December 8, 2021.
  47. News: Taylor . Andrew . Democrats press to retain longtime abortion funding ban . 12 March 2022 . . June 10, 2019.
  48. News: Ferris . Sarah . Caygle . Heather . How the House's eccentric liberal icon won a slew of centrist allies . 5 August 2021 . Politico . August 5, 2021.
  49. Web site: Current Issue: Abortion . Vote Smart . 12 March 2022.
  50. News: House Passes Bill Tightening Parental Rule for Abortions . 12 March 2022 . StarNews Online . . April 28, 2005.
  51. News: ACLU slams teen abortion restriction . 12 March 2022 . . March 17, 2005.
  52. http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=8996&can_id=26788
  53. http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=8861&can_id=26788
  54. http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=8175&can_id=26788
  55. Web site: BILLS\H226.IH . May 27, 2017.
  56. Web site: Rosa DeLauro on Gun Control. www.ontheissues.org. 2019-02-28.
  57. http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=26788#20697
  58. https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120404182708/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/111/hr5462
  59. Web site: H.R.5462 – 111th Congress (2009–2010): Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Awareness Act of 2010. Rosa L.. DeLauro. November 15, 2010. www.congress.gov. February 7, 2019.
  60. Web site: Read The Bill: H.R. 875 . GovTrack.us . February 4, 2009 . August 23, 2010.
  61. Web site: Greenberg Quinlan Rosner | Clients . Greenbergresearch.com . August 23, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100824154628/http://www.greenbergresearch.com/index.php?ID=109 . August 24, 2010 .
  62. Web site: Topic Galleries . Ctnow.com . August 25, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927074525/http://www.ctnow.com/weather/hc-irene-east-haven-0830-20110829,0,203340.story . September 27, 2011 .
  63. Web site: It may be days before you have electricity | Irene | WTNH.com Connecticut . WTNH . August 25, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103050257/http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/weather/severe_weather/current-power-outages . November 3, 2012 . dead .
  64. Web site: 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 . August 25, 2013 . dead . https://archive.today/20120707125208/http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2011/08/us-rep-rosa-delauro-monitoring.html . July 7, 2012 .
  65. News: Green . Rick . Grading Public Officials On Irene – Rick Green | CT Confidential . Hartford Courant . August 25, 2013 . dead . https://archive.today/20120709080047/http://blogs.courant.com/rick_green/2011/09/grading-public-officials-on-ir.html . July 9, 2012 .
  66. News: DeLauro tours storm-ravaged Connecticut district; defends her trip to Italy (video) . New Haven Register . August 25, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120321043437/http://www.newhavenregister.com/articles/2011/09/03/news/doc4e6268f76850c051939353.txt?viewmode=2 . March 21, 2012 .
  67. Web site: H.R. 5279 (113th): Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax Act of 2014. www.govtrack.us . March 21, 2015.
  68. Web site: Staff. NAMA Opposes Proposed National Tax On Sugar-Sweetened Beverages. vendingmarketwatch.com. August 2014 . August 1, 2014.
  69. Web site: Zuraw. Lydia. DeLauro Introduces Bill to Tax Sugar-Sweetened Beverages. www.foodsafetynews.com. August 1, 2014. July 31, 2014.
  70. Web site: Emma. Caitlin. House Democrats elect DeLauro as next House Appropriations chair. 2021-01-08. POLITICO. December 3, 2020 . en.
  71. News: Demirjian . Karoun . 2023-10-25 . House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-10-30 . 0362-4331.
  72. Web site: Washington . U. S. Capitol Room H154 . p:225-7000 . DC 20515-6601 . 2023-10-25 . Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session . 2023-10-30 . Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives . en.
  73. Web site: Kurtz . Judy . Rep. Rosa DeLauro gets her first tattoo for granddaughter's 18th birthday . The Hill . July 31, 2023 . 31 July 2023.
  74. Web site: Representative Rosa DeLauro. 2010. United for Medical Research. December 4, 2013.
  75. Web site: Defining Ourselves as Catholic Democrats . Pew Research Center. June 8, 2006. February 7, 2019.
  76. Web site: Foremother and Health Policy Hero Awards Luncheon. May 7, 2018.
  77. Web site: Foremother and Health Policy Hero Awards Luncheon. 2018-05-07. National Center for Health Research. en-US. 2020-05-13.