Doris Matsui facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doris Matsui
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Matsui in 2022
|
|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California |
|
| Assumed office March 10, 2005 |
|
| Preceded by | Bob Matsui |
| Constituency | 5th district (2005–2013) 6th district (2013–2023) 7th district (2023–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Doris Kazue Okada
September 25, 1944 Poston, Arizona, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley (BA) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | |
Doris Okada Matsui (born September 25, 1944) is an American politician. She has been a member of the United States House of Representatives for California since 2005. She took over the role after her husband, Bob Matsui, passed away. Her district, which has changed numbers over the years, is mainly based in Sacramento.
As a member of Congress, Matsui works on important issues like making healthcare better, protecting the environment, and supporting new technology. She is part of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. On this committee, she helps lead the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.
Before becoming a representative, Matsui advised the government. She also worked for President Bill Clinton, helping to create a special program for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in 1999. She also served on the boards of several non-profit groups.
Early Life and Career
Doris Okada Matsui was born in a special camp called the Poston War Relocation Center in Poston, Arizona. This camp was for Japanese Americans during World War II. She grew up in Dinuba, California, in California's Central Valley. She studied psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, where she met her husband. They had one son named Brian.
Matsui volunteered for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in 1992. After he won, she joined his team to help him start his presidency. She worked in the White House from 1993 to 1998. One of her jobs was to work with the Asian American community. Later, she worked as a lobbyist, representing different companies, until she decided to run for Congress in 2005.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Doris Matsui's husband, Representative Bob Matsui, passed away on January 1, 2005. He had just been elected for his 14th term. A few days after his funeral, Doris Matsui announced she would run for his open seat. In a special election held on March 8, 2005, she won with 68% of the votes. She was then sworn in to finish her husband's term.
Since then, Matsui has been re-elected many times without much trouble. Her district is known for strongly supporting the Democratic Party.
Key Issues and Actions
Matsui has worked on many important issues during her time in Congress.
Supporting Women's Rights
Matsui believes women should have the right to make their own choices about their health. She supports government funding for healthcare. Matsui has voted to continue stem cell research. She was very upset when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, calling the decision "devastating."
In 2021, Matsui helped introduce a bill called the GOALS Act. This act aims to make sure the U.S. women's national soccer team gets paid fairly, just like the men's team. The bill even suggests cutting federal money for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if the U.S. Soccer Federation does not pay women equally.
Advancing Technology
Matsui is known for her work on technology and new ideas. She helps lead the Congressional Spectrum Caucus. This group works to make sure there's enough wireless space for new technologies. She also works on policies to help families and students get reliable and affordable high-speed internet. She has written laws to help close the gap in digital access for everyone.
Protecting the Environment
Matsui is part of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. She also helps lead a group called the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. She wants the U.S. to use more renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power. She does not support expanding oil production or drilling in the ocean. She has voted to give tax breaks for investing in clean energy.
Matsui supports projects that build sustainable infrastructure and reduce harmful pollution. She has spoken in favor of tax incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act, which helps with clean energy. She also supports the Clean Water Act to keep beaches and lakes clean. Matsui has voted to allow the EPA to control greenhouse gases and set strict limits on pollution from industries. She also supports strong rules for vehicle emissions.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights
Matsui is a strong supporter of gay rights. She has a perfect rating from the Human Rights Campaign, a group that works for LGBTQ+ equality. She is against discrimination in workplaces and schools based on sexual orientation. She supported ending the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which prevented gay people from serving openly in the military.
Working for Gun Control
Matsui wants to expand gun control laws. She supports stricter rules for buying and selling guns. She also wants to stop large purchases of ammunition and close loopholes that allow gun sales without background checks. Matsui believes gun makers should be held responsible if their products are misused.
Improving Health Care
Matsui believes that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has helped many Americans. She has opposed efforts to undo or privatize Medicare or Medicaid, which are government health programs. She also wants to expand medical coverage for children and people with mental health issues.
Matsui has worked to improve mental and behavioral health services. She wrote the Excellence in Mental Health Act, which became law in 2014. This law created a network of special clinics across the country for mental health care. She also helps lead the Rare Disease Congressional Caucus, which works to help patients with rare illnesses. Matsui supports expanding telehealth, which allows people to get medical care remotely.
Taxes and Pensions
Matsui supports a progressive tax system, meaning people with higher incomes pay a larger percentage in taxes. She wants to close loopholes that allow businesses to avoid taxes by moving money offshore. She has voted against continuing tax breaks for capital gains and dividends.
Matsui wants to keep Social Security as it is now. This program provides money for retired people and others. She is against privatizing it or raising the retirement age.
Committee Roles
For the current Congress, Doris Matsui is on the:
- Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Subcommittee on Communications and Technology (She is the lead Democrat on this subcommittee)
- Subcommittee on Energy
Other Groups and Memberships
Matsui is part of many groups in Congress, including:
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
- Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus
- Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (Co-Chair)
- Congressional Food Allergy Research Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Rare Disease Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Congressional High-Tech Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Congressional Spectrum Caucus (Co-Chair)
- National Service Congressional Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Congressional Caucus to Cure Blood Cancers and Other Blood Disorders (Co-Chair)
- House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families (Co-Chair)
- Smithsonian Board of Regents
- Congressional Mental Health Caucus
- Democratic Women's Caucus
- Congressional Equality Caucus
- Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
Personal Life
Doris Matsui has one son, Brian, and two grandchildren. In April 2020, she married Roger Sant, who helped start a company called AES Corporation.
See also
- List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
