Espaillat, Adriano

Adriano Espaillat represents New York's 13th congressional district and serves as ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee's Legislative Branch Subcommittee. As the ranking member of the minority party, he leads Democratic opposition and scrutiny within this subcommittee, which controls appropriations for Congress itself and related legislative operations. This position gives him significant influence over how federal dollars are allocated to the legislative branch and allows him to shape Democratic priorities during budget negotiations and oversight activities.

Espaillat's background uniquely positions him for this role overseeing government operations and spending. Before entering Congress in 2017, he spent decades working in criminal justice reform, victim services, and community conflict resolution in New York. He served in the New York State Senate and Assembly, where he was ranking member of the Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee and chaired the Senate Latino Caucus. His career has centered on serving underserved communities and addressing systemic issues affecting vulnerable populations, experience that informs his approach to federal spending priorities.

As ranking member, Espaillat participates in shaping appropriations bills and holds the majority accountable on how legislative branch funds are spent. He also serves on the full House Appropriations Committee and its Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee, allowing him to influence spending across multiple policy areas. His legislative record reflects his longstanding focus on housing, veterans' services, and social justice, with over 120 sponsored bills addressing issues from affordable housing to voting rights.

Espaillat holds historic significance as the first Dominican American and first formerly undocumented immigrant to serve in Congress. He represents one of the nation's most Democratic districts and has built his political career on advocacy for immigrant communities and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Manhattan, including Washington Heights, East Harlem, and the Upper West Side.