Gimenez, Carlos A.

Carlos Giménez represents Florida's 28th congressional district and serves as chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security. In this role, he oversees policies and security measures related to transportation systems and maritime infrastructure—areas vital to national security and economic resilience. As subcommittee chair, Giménez controls the agenda, schedules hearings, and determines which legislation advances, giving him significant influence over how the federal government addresses vulnerabilities in these critical sectors.

Giménez brings substantial executive and emergency management experience to the role. He served as fire chief of the Miami Fire-Rescue Department and as mayor of Miami-Dade County from 2011 to 2020, where he managed large-scale operations and public safety challenges in one of the nation's most populous counties. He also served as a county commissioner for eight years. His background in firefighting and municipal leadership provides direct expertise in emergency response and infrastructure management relevant to transportation and maritime security.

Giménez is a member of several other committees addressing national security and defense, including the House Armed Services Committee and the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. He also serves as a Republican assistant whip, indicating his standing within party leadership. His legislative priorities have included measures related to battery supply chain independence and online commerce regulation.

Giménez's political trajectory reflects pragmatism and responsiveness to shifting political winds. He initially opposed Donald Trump in 2016 but became a Trump supporter by 2020, voting against certification of electoral votes and the second impeachment. However, he has demonstrated independence on certain issues, voting with Democrats on the January 6 commission and supporting bipartisan background checks legislation. He has also backed LGBT rights measures, including same-sex marriage protections and expanded protections for transgender individuals, reflecting his earlier support for marriage equality as Miami-Dade mayor.