History of Rosa DeLauro in Timeline

Rosa DeLauro is a U.S. Representative for Connecticut's 3rd congressional district, serving since 1991. A Democrat, her district encompasses New Haven and its surrounding suburbs. She became the dean of Connecticut's congressional delegation in 2013. As a Congresswoman, she's been a strong advocate for issues relating to children, families, and workers. She actively participates in the appropriations process, seeking funding for various programs in her district and nationally.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

March 2, 1943: Rosa DeLauro's Birth

On March 2, 1943, Rosa Luisa DeLauro was born. She is an American politician.

Others born on this day/year

1986: Treated for Ovarian Cancer

In 1986, DeLauro was treated for ovarian cancer. Because the cancer was caught at stage 1, she made a full recovery.

1988: Coordinated Dukakis's Campaign

In 1988, DeLauro coordinated Michael Dukakis's tristate area campaign for president.

1990: DeLauro Defeats Scott in Congressional Election

In 1990, Rosa DeLauro defeated Republican State Senator Thomas Scott in the general election for Connecticut's 3rd congressional district after four-term incumbent Bruce Morrison retired to run for governor.

1991: Supported David Bonior for House Majority Whip

In 1991, DeLauro supported David Bonior in his race against Steny Hoyer for House Majority Whip, citing their work together during the Iran-Contra scandal.

1991: Elected as U.S. Representative

In 1991, Rosa DeLauro was elected as the U.S. representative for Connecticut's 3rd congressional district, a position she has held since.

1998: Voted to Increase Minimum Gun Crime Sentence

In 1998, DeLauro voted to increase the minimum sentence for gun crimes.

1999: Voted to Increase Time for Background Checks

In 1999, DeLauro voted to increase the amount of time given to perform background checks for firearms purchases from 24 hours to 72 hours.

2002: Voted for Help America Vote Act of 2002

In 2002, DeLauro voted for the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which provided $3.9 billion to modernize technology and create programs to make voting easier.

2003: Co-Chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee

In 2003, DeLauro became the co-chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee.

2006: Voted Against Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act

In 2006, DeLauro voted against the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act.

2006: Voted Against Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006

In 2006, DeLauro voted against the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 that required voters to show a government-issued photo ID before voting.

2006: Voted Against Trigger Lock Amendment

In 2006, DeLauro 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.

2006: Re-election to Ninth Term

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

February 2, 2008: Endorsed Barack Obama for President

On February 2, 2008, DeLauro publicly endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States.

October 3, 2008: Voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act

On October 3, 2008, DeLauro voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

December 17, 2008: Considered for Labor Secretary

On December 17, 2008, the Wall Street Journal reported that DeLauro was "a top contender" for Labor Secretary in the Obama administration, though Hilda Solis was eventually nominated.

November 2009: Critical of Stupak-Pitts Amendment

In November 2009, DeLauro was critical of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which placed limits on taxpayer-funded abortions in the context of the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

2009: Authored FDA Food Safety Modernization Act

In 2009, DeLauro authored a version of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.

November 2010: Birth Defects Prevention Act referred to Senate Committee

In November 2010, the Birth Defects Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Awareness Act of 2010 (H.R. 5462), sponsored by DeLauro, was received by the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, though it was not voted on by the Senate.

August 2011: Vacation During Hurricane Irene

In August 2011, while the 3rd district suffered damage from Hurricane Irene, DeLauro was vacationing along Italy's Amalfi Coast, leading to criticism of her response.

2011: Enactment of FDA Food Safety Modernization Act

In 2011, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which DeLauro authored a version of, was enacted into law.

January 14, 2013: Introduced Bill on Voluntary Surrender of Assault Weapons

On January 14, 2013, DeLauro introduced a bill allowing for the voluntary surrender of assault-type weapons with compensation in the form of tax credits.

2013: Dean of Connecticut's Congressional Delegation

In 2013, Rosa DeLauro became the dean of Connecticut's congressional delegation upon the retirement of Senator Joe Lieberman.

July 2014: Introduced Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax Act

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 certain beverages. This was intended to discourage excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

2018: Authored Letter to GAO on Cultivated Foods

In 2018, DeLauro authored a letter to the Government Accountability Office requesting a review of the federal regulatory framework for cultivated foods.

2019: Authored Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act

In 2019, DeLauro authored the Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act, which would have granted the FDA authority to investigate concentrated animal feeding operations.

2020: Chair of the House Appropriations Committee

In 2020, DeLauro was selected as chair of the House Appropriations Committee for the 117th Congress, succeeding Nita Lowey, and becoming the second woman to hold the position.

July 2021: Introduced Legislation to Prohibit Mink Farming

In July 2021, DeLauro and Representative Nancy Mace introduced legislation to prohibit the farming of mink for fur, citing concerns about the spread of zoonotic disease during the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 2021: Advocated for Child Care Infrastructure

In July 2021, DeLauro spoke about the need for a permanent child care infrastructure that respects and values women in the workforce in an article published in The American Prospect.

2021: Called for Parity in Federal Research Funding

In 2021, DeLauro called for parity in federal research funding for alternative proteins to maintain U.S. leadership in alternative protein science.

2021: End of term as Co-Chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee

In 2021, DeLauro's term as co-chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee came to an end.

2022: Proposed Restructuring of the FDA

Following the 2022 United States infant formula shortage, DeLauro proposed restructuring the FDA by spinning off its food safety responsibilities into a separate Food Safety Administration.

2023: Got First Tattoo at Age 80

In 2023, at the age of 80, DeLauro got her first tattoo to celebrate her eldest granddaughter's eighteenth birthday.

December 2024: Criticized Elon Musk's Investments

In December 2024, DeLauro criticized Elon Musk's investments in China during a House debate on H.R. 10515, a bill to avert a government shutdown, leading to a public dispute with Musk.

June 2025: Confronted Russell Vought

In June 2025, DeLauro confronted Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought, regarding his testimony about planned cuts to promote government efficiency, accusing him of wanting to break the government to enable privatization.

September 19, 2025: Voted to Honor Charlie Kirk

On September 19, 2025, DeLauro was among the 95 Democrats in Congress who joined all of their Republican colleagues in voting to honor the life and legacy of political activist Charlie Kirk.