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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Rosa Luisa DeLauro (/dɪˈlɔːroʊ/ dih-LOR-oh; born March 2, 1943) is an American politician. She has been a U.S. Representative for Connecticut since 1991. This means she helps make laws for the country. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Her district is based in New Haven and includes many nearby towns.
In 2020, Rosa DeLauro became the chair of the House Appropriations Committee. This committee decides how the government spends money. She was the second woman to hold this important job. From 2003 to 2021, she also helped lead the House Democratic Steering Committee. In Congress, she is known for her colorful clothes and unique hairstyle.
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Early Life and Education
Rosa DeLauro was born in New Haven, Connecticut. Her parents were Luisa "Louise" DeLauro and Theodore J. "Ted" DeLauro. Her mother was a local politician in New Haven. Rosa went to high school at The Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall. She earned her first college degree from Marymount College. She also studied at the London School of Economics. Later, she earned a master's degree from Columbia University.
Before becoming a U.S. Representative, DeLauro worked for Senator Chris Dodd. She also led a group called EMILY's List. She helped with a presidential campaign in 1988.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Rosa DeLauro has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for many years. She represents Connecticut's 3rd congressional district. This district covers New Haven and its surrounding areas.
Becoming a Representative
In 1990, the U.S. Representative for her district decided not to run again. Rosa DeLauro ran for the open seat. She won her first election by a small number of votes. Since then, she has been reelected 16 times. She has always won with more than 56% of the votes.
Key Work in Congress
Rosa DeLauro is part of the progressive group of the Democratic Party. She was one of the first members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. This group works for social and economic fairness.
She cares a lot about health issues, especially for women. She has worked on bills to improve cancer treatment and research. She also focuses on women's health policies. As a leader on the committee that funds the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), she has pushed for better food and medical product safety.
In 2008, she supported Barack Obama for President. She also voted for a law to help the economy during a tough time. She has worked to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. This act aims to ensure equal pay for equal work. She believes everyone should have access to health care.
In December 2024, Rosa DeLauro spoke in the House about a bill to prevent a government shutdown. During her speech, she mentioned Elon Musk and his business dealings. This led to a public exchange between them.
Committee Roles
For the 118th Congress, Rosa DeLauro is the Ranking Member of the Committee on Appropriations. This means she is the top-ranking member of her party on this powerful committee. The committee decides how the government spends money. She also leads the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
Other Groups She Belongs To
Rosa DeLauro is part of several groups in Congress. These include:
- House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee (she was a co-chair for many years)
- Populist Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- Afterschool Caucuses
- Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Congressional Coalition on Adoption
- Rare Disease Caucus
Political Views
Gun Safety
Rosa DeLauro supports stronger rules for firearms. She has voted for laws that require guns to be sold with locks. She also voted to increase the time for background checks when buying a gun. She has an F rating from the NRA, which means she supports more gun control.
Fair Elections and Government Rules
She has worked to make elections fair and government more transparent. In 2010, she voted for a bill that requires more information to be shared about political ads. She also helped pass a bill that set new rules for lobbyists and donations to Congress members.
In 2002, DeLauro voted for the Help America Vote Act. This law provided money to make voting easier for everyone. This included people with disabilities, military members, and first-time voters.
Bills She Has Supported
DeLauro has sponsored important bills. One example is the Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Awareness Act of 2010. This bill aimed to create programs to prevent birth defects.
Health Care Initiatives
In 2014, DeLauro introduced the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax Act, also known as the "SWEET Act." This bill would have added a small tax to sugary drinks. She and others believed this tax could help reduce obesity and diabetes. It would also raise money for health programs and education. However, the bill did not become law.
Hurricane Irene Response
In August 2011, Hurricane Irene caused a lot of damage in Connecticut. Many homes were destroyed, and people lost power. At the time, DeLauro was on vacation in Italy. She said she had "no apology for taking a vacation" during the storm.
Personal Life
Rosa DeLauro is married to Stan Greenberg, who is a political strategist. She has three children and five grandchildren. When her oldest granddaughter turned 18, DeLauro got a tattoo of a purple and red rose to celebrate. She might get more tattoos when her other grandchildren turn 18.
In 1986, DeLauro was treated for ovarian cancer. Because it was found very early, she made a full recovery. She has been cancer-free for over 30 years. She continues to support medical research, especially for ovarian cancer screening.
She is an honorary board member of the National Organization of Italian American Women. She is also a leader in the group Catholic Democrats.
Awards and Recognition
- 2009 Health Policy Hero Award from the National Center for Health Research
- 2019 Foremothers Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Center for Health Research
Images for kids
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DeLauro with Congressman Joe Crowley and President Bill Clinton in 1999
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DeLauro speaking in 2016
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See also
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
