Members
Congressman Steny Hoyer, Chair
Congressman Steny Hoyer has represented the people of Maryland's Fifth District for forty-two years. From supporting Full-Service Community Schools to protecting the pay and benefits of hardworking federal employees, he continues to work tirelessly to advance his constituents' interests in Congress. He has also served in House Democratic leadership as Caucus Vice Chair, Caucus Chair, Minority Whip, and Majority Leader. He remains a leading voice on a variety of issues facing the American people and has played an instrumental role in securing historic pieces of legislation. In the 117th Congress alone, he brought the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act to the House Floor and helped ensure their enactment. Additionally, thirteen years ago, he launched his Make It In America (MIIA) agenda to create new opportunities for American workers, families, and businesses and to help America stay competitive in the twenty-first century global economy. To date, he has helped secure 23 overwhelmingly bipartisan MIIA bills to advance that mission. It was this leadership experience and commitment to Make It In America that led Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to appoint Congressman Hoyer to Chair of the Regional Leadership Council in January 2023. In this new role, Congressman Hoyer continues to help lead House Democrats in their effort to deliver results For The People.
Region 1: Rep. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29)
STATES REPRESENTED: Southern California (Districts 21-53)
Raised by hard-working immigrant parents, Tony Cárdenas was brought up with simple ideals – that integrity and dedication were the keys to success. These are the qualities he has brought to his work as a public servant, and he continues to offer that today as a United States Congressman. Representing the community that raised him, Tony has never stopped working for the San Fernando Valley – from fighting for better jobs to lowering costs. He always puts People over Politics.
Before representing California’s 29th district in Congress, Rep. Cárdenas was first elected to the California State Assembly in 1996. He went on to serve three terms in the assembly and was later elected to the Los Angeles City Council, in 2003. Rep. Cárdenas made history as the first Latino elected to represent the San Fernando Valley in the United States Congress. The very passion and love for the Valley that drove him to run for office 25 years ago fuel his work in Washington today. An engineer by trade and a former small business owner, Rep. Cárdenas’ experience prepared him for a life of problem-solving as a public servant. Now in the 118th Congress (2023-2024), Rep. Cárdenas sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Rep. Cárdenas earned his engineering degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Born in Pacoima, he was raised with ten brothers and sisters and still resides in the San Fernando Valley with his wife, Norma, their children and their grandchildren.
Region 2: Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02)
STATES REPRESENTED: Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Northern California (Districts 1-20), Northern Mariana Islands
Jared Huffman represents California's 2nd Congressional District which spans the North Coast of the state, from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border. He was first elected to Congress in November 2012 and currently serves on the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Jared also founded the Congressional Freethought Caucus, which he co-chairs, to promote sound public policy based on reason, science and moral values, while protecting the secular character of government and championing the value of freedom of thought worldwide. During his time in Congress, Jared has built a reputation as a progressive leader and an environmental expert who focuses on making a difference. Before serving in Congress, Jared represented the North Bay for six years in the California Assembly where he chaired the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, and worked as a Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
Region 3: Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02)
STATES REPRESENTED: Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Rep. Angie Craig represents Minnesota's Second Congressional District. She is fighting for working families - and for a Minnesota where every member of every family gets a fair shot. That means a future with lower health care costs and opportunities for career skills and technical training for 21st century jobs. Rep. Craig learned the value of hard work from her mother, a single mom who raised three children while earning her teaching degree. Angie worked two jobs to help put herself through college. Years later, she moved to Minnesota and fell in love with the strong communities and quality of life. She and her wife Cheryl Greene have four sons. Angie is the former head of Global HR and Corporate Relations for a major Minnesota manufacturer and a former newspaper reporter. In Congress, Rep. Craig is fighting to make sure career skills and technical education is an option for every young person; to lower the cost of healthcare and to work toward a solution that expands health care to many more Americans; for infrastructure investments that benefit our communities – big and small; and for policies that reward people for their hard work – especially family farmers and small business owners.
Region 4: Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02)
STATES REPRESENTED: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma
Congresswoman Robin Kelly has dedicated her career to public service as an advocate for Illinois families. Since being elected to serve the 2nd Congressional District in 2013, she has worked to expand economic opportunity, community wellness, and public safety across the state, championing numerous initiatives to generate job growth, reduce health disparities, and end gun violence. Congresswoman Kelly is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee (the main policy-writing body of the House) and serves on the Health, Communications and Technology, and Innovation, Data, and Commerce subcommittees. Her Energy and Commerce work is focused on expanding access to healthcare, consumer protection for American families, and economic development. She is also a member of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which sets the policy direction of the Democratic Caucus. Committed to improving the health and wellness of vulnerable communities across the country, the Congresswoman serves as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, and Co-Chairs the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls.
Region 5: Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06)
STATES REPRESENTED: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Growing up in Washington state, Representative Derek Kilmer saw firsthand how the regional economy struggled and the impact that had on families and communities in his hometown of Port Angeles. Rep. Kilmer wanted to make a difference at home, so he chose to study public policy and work in economic development after completing his education. Today, Rep. Kilmer focuses on getting our economy and Congress back to work. With over a decade of experience growing Washington state’s economy, Rep. Kilmer is working to create jobs and lower costs for folks across the district he represents.
Region 6: Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)
STATES REPRESENTED: Arizona, Texas, New Mexico
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher represents Texas’ Seventh Congressional District in the greater Houston area. A resident of Houston and Congressional District 7 nearly all of her life, Congresswoman Fletcher was elected to represent the district in 2018. Prior to her election to Congress, she represented Houstonians in the courtroom as a lawyer on a wide range of matters. She is a graduate of Kenyon College and William & Mary Law School, where she was the editor-in-chief of the William and Mary Law Review. In the 118th Congress, Congresswoman Fletcher serves on the House Committee on Energy & Commerce and is a leader of key caucuses, including the New Democrat Coalition, where she Chairs its Trade Task Force; the Pro-Choice Caucus, where she serves as the Whip; and the Equality Caucus, where she is a Vice Chair.
Region 7: Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02)
STATES REPRESENTED: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. is an elected member of the United States House of Representative from Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District. Congressman Carter currently serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, one of the largest committees in Congress that has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation & infrastructure, and the Homeland Security Committee, which works to protect civil rights by ensuring the homeland is secure from foreign and domestic threats.
Congressman Carter is a staunch advocate for criminal justice reform, women’s health care, and civil rights and equality on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community and environmental justice reform. Congressman Carter serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Congressional Black Caucus where he works feverishly to hold true to the mission of the organization by fighting for African Americans and other marginalized communities in the United States to have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
Region 8: Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09)
STATES REPRESENTED: Georgia, Florida
Darren Soto was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016 to represent Florida's Ninth Congressional District, which includes all of Osceola and parts of Orange and Polk Counties. Born to a Puerto Rican father and an Italian American mother, Darren's upbringing influenced his passion for public service and helping those in need. After learning the value of hard work from his parents, Darren graduated from Rutgers University and the George Washington University School of Law. With a desire to further help the men and women he advocated for as a lawyer, Darren entered public service in 2006 when he was appointed to serve on the Orlando Civil Service Board and as the Treasurer and the Vice President of Communications for the Orange County Young Democrats. Soon thereafter, he was elected to the State House and later to the State Senate. In 2016, he took his public service to a national level after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He currently serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Agriculture. Additionally, Darren is the Co-Chair of Policy of the Future Forum Caucus, Vice Chair of Policy of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and a proud member of the New Democrat Coalition, Problem Solvers Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus, and LGBTQ Equality Caucus.
Region 9: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL)
STATES REPRESENTED: Delaware, Maryland, DC, New Jersey, Virginia
Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) is serving her fourth term as Delaware's sole representative in the United States House of Representatives. Rep. Blunt Rochester sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee where she leverages her career experience to advocate and author legislation in the areas of health, environment, and innovation. She is the founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Future of Work Caucus which focuses on defining how work will evolve over time and how to best prepare our workforce for the jobs of today and the jobs of tomorrow. A proud member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Blunt Rochester is committed to working with her colleagues to deliver results for the American people. With deep roots in the First State, Lisa grew up in Wilmington, DE and served as the former Delaware Secretary of Labor, Head of State Personnel, and CEO of the Wilmington Metropolitan Urban League.
Region 10: Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04)
STATES REPRESENTED: Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Born and raised in Glenside, Pennsylvania, to Bob and Mary Dean, Madeleine got her start in politics around the dinner table with her five older brothers and one older sister. She was graduated from Abington High School, and at age 18 won election to serve as a local committee-person. Madeleine completed her undergraduate studies at La Salle University in Philadelphia, and earned her law degree at Delaware Law School of Widener University. She returned home, practicing law in a small Philadelphia firm and with the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association and eventually serving as executive director. Madeleine then opened a small, three-woman law practice in Glenside. While she and her husband PJ were raising three young sons, Madeleine changed careers. From 2001 until 2011 she was a member of the English Department at her alma mater – LaSalle University — teaching composition, persuasive writing and rhetoric, business writing, legal writing, and ethics. Once her children were grown, Madeleine took the chance to enter public service after studying politics and public service at Penn’s Fels School of Government. In 2011, Madeleine ran for and served as Abington Township commissioner, before winning a special election to the Pennsylvania State House in 2012 – serving their for six years before running for Congress in 2018. In Congress she has worked to build a more compassionate society while working to make smart, humane policy choices with a firm believe in public service being for the common good. She was an impeachment manager in Donald Trump’s second impeachment in 2021, and is now serving on the House Judiciary Committee and was recently appointed to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Madeleine is a lifelong parishioner of St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Glenside, and has served as a board member for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She and her husband PJ Cunnane live in Bala Cynwd, Montgomery County and have three grown sons – Patrick, Harry and Alex; two daughters-in-law – Stephanie and Juliet; and three granddaughters and one grandson – Aubrey, Ella, Sawyer, and Scottie.
Region 11: Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06)
STATES REPRESENTED: New York
Congresswoman Grace Meng is serving her sixth term in the House of Representatives where she represents New York’s Sixth Congressional District located in the New York City borough of Queens. She is the first and only Asian American Member of Congress from New York State and the first female Congressmember from Queens since former Vice Presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro. Grace serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where she is New York’s senior member, and the committee’s Vice Ranking Member. She has passed numerous pieces of legislation into law and has secured millions for her congressional district. Prior to Congress, she served in the New York State Assembly. Grace graduated from Stuyvesant High School, the University of Michigan and Yeshiva University’s Benjamin Cardozo School of Law.
Region 12: Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-03)
STATES REPRESENTED: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Congresswoman Lori Trahan proudly represents Massachusetts’ Third Congressional District, made up of 35 cities and towns including her hometown of Lowell. The granddaughter of immigrants, Lori grew up in a working-class family with her dad working long, hard hours as a union ironworker and her mom juggling part-time jobs while caring for her and her three sisters. She earned a volleyball scholarship to Georgetown University where she became the first person in her family to graduate from college. Lori decided to run for Congress in 2018 – the first time she had ever sought public office – because she wanted to expand economic opportunities for families like the one she grew up in. Lori serves as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and in leadership as a Senior Whip and a member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.