McGovern, James P.

James McGovern represents Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district and serves as ranking member of the House Rules Committee, the chamber's procedural powerhouse. As ranking member, McGovern leads the Democratic opposition on a committee that determines which bills reach the House floor, sets debate parameters, and shapes the legislative agenda. The Rules Committee's decisions directly influence what Congress considers and how members debate major legislation.

McGovern's background uniquely positions him for this role overseeing the legislative process. He began his career as a congressional aide, working from 1977 to 1980 for Senator George McGovern before spending 15 years on Representative Joe Moakley's staff, where he gained deep expertise in House operations and procedure. He earned a Master of Public Administration from American University, providing formal training in governance. First elected to Congress in 1996, he has served since 1997 and built a record focused on hunger, food security, and human rights advocacy.

Beyond his Rules Committee responsibilities, McGovern chairs the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and co-chairs the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. He has investigated human rights abuses, including leading a House task force examining the 1989 murder of Jesuit priests in El Salvador. As chairman of the Congressional Hunger Center, he co-architected the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, earning recognition from the James Beard Foundation and World Food Program USA.

McGovern is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and ranks among Congress's most liberal members. His legislative priorities span nutrition policy, international trade, and human rights protections, reflecting decades of advocacy on these issues.