Rosa DeLauro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rosa DeLauro
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Official portrait, 2023
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| Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Kay Granger |
| Chair of the House Appropriations Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Nita Lowey |
| Succeeded by | Kay Granger |
| Co-Chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2021 |
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| Leader | Nancy Pelosi |
| Preceded by | Steny Hoyer |
| Succeeded by | Cheri Bustos |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 3rd district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Bruce Morrison |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Rosa Luisa DeLauro
March 2, 1943 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Stan Greenberg
(m. 1978) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education |
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| Website | |
Rosa Luisa DeLauro (born March 2, 1943) is an American politician. She has served as a U.S. representative for Connecticut's 3rd congressional district since 1991. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Her district is located in New Haven and many of its suburbs.
Since 2013, DeLauro has been the dean, or most senior member, of Connecticut's group of representatives in Congress. This happened after Senator Joe Lieberman retired. In 2021, she became the chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which decides how the U.S. government spends money.
In Congress, DeLauro is known for her unique fashion sense and colorful, short hairstyle.
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Early Life and Education
DeLauro was born in New Haven, Connecticut, to an Italian-American family. Her mother, Luisa "Louise" DeLauro, was an alderwoman in New Haven. Her father, Theodore J. "Ted" DeLauro, was an immigrant from Italy.
She graduated from The Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall in Milford, Connecticut. She later earned a bachelor's degree from Marymount College. She also studied at the London School of Economics and earned a master's degree from Columbia University.
Before being elected to Congress, DeLauro worked for Senator Chris Dodd as his chief of staff. She was also the executive director of EMILY's List, a group that helps women run for office.
U.S. House of Representatives
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How She Got Elected
In 1990, the U.S. Representative for her district, Bruce Morrison, decided to run for governor instead of for reelection. DeLauro ran for his open seat. Her first election was tough and involved personal attacks from her opponent. Still, she won with 52% of the vote.
Since that first race, DeLauro has won her elections by larger margins. She has been reelected seventeen times, always with more than half of the vote.
Her Work in Congress
DeLauro is known as a progressive Democrat. She was one of the first members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
She is very interested in health issues, especially for women and children. She has introduced laws to improve cancer research and treatment. As a leader on the committee that oversees the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), she has pushed for better food safety.
In 2008, DeLauro supported Barack Obama in his run for president. She also voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to help the U.S. economy. She has worked to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, a law aimed at ensuring men and women are paid equally for the same work.
DeLauro has been a strong voice for making child care more affordable and available. In July 2021, she said, "It is time to build a permanent child care infrastructure that respects and values women in the workforce."
Committee Work
For the 118th Congress, DeLauro's main role is:
- Committee on Appropriations (Ranking Member)
- As the Ranking Member, she can attend all subcommittee meetings.
- Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Ranking Member)
Caucus Memberships
A caucus is a group of members of Congress who share a common interest. DeLauro is a member of many caucuses, including:
- Black Maternal Health Caucus
- Populist Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- Afterschool Caucuses
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Rare Disease Caucus
Political Views
Food and Health
DeLauro is a co-chair of the Congressional Food Safety Caucus. She has often been critical of the food industry's safety practices. She helped write the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which became law in 2011 to help prevent foodborne illnesses.
She is also a supporter of alternative proteins, like cultivated meat. She believes the U.S. should be a leader in this new food science.
In 2014, DeLauro introduced the "SWEET Act." This bill would have put a small tax on sugary drinks like soda. The goal was to reduce how much sugar people consume and to fight health problems like obesity and diabetes. The bill did not pass.
Gun Laws
DeLauro supports stronger gun regulations. She has voted for laws that would require more time for background checks before someone can buy a gun. She also introduced a bill to let people voluntarily turn in certain types of weapons in exchange for a tax credit. The NRA has given her a low rating because of her views on gun control.
Hurricane Irene Response
In August 2011, Hurricane Irene caused major damage in DeLauro's district. Many homes were destroyed along the coast. At the time, DeLauro was on vacation in Italy. Some people criticized her for being away during the storm. DeLauro said she did not need to apologize for taking a vacation.
Personal Life
DeLauro is married to Stan Greenberg, a political strategist. They have three children and five grandchildren. In 2023, at age 80, she got a rose tattoo to celebrate her oldest granddaughter's 18th birthday.
In 1986, DeLauro was treated for ovarian cancer. Her cancer was found very early, and she made a full recovery. She has been cancer-free for over 30 years. This experience led her to support more funding for medical research, especially for finding a good screening test for ovarian cancer.
She is an honorary board member of the National Organization of Italian American Women and a leader in the group Catholic Democrats.
Awards
- 2009 Health Policy Hero Award from the National Center for Health Research
- 2019 Foremothers Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Center for Health Research
See also
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
