Pou, Nellie

Nellie Pou is a Democratic Congresswoman representing New Jersey's 9th Congressional District. Sworn into office in January 2025, she made history as the first Latina from New Jersey to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before her election to Congress, she spent nearly three decades in the New Jersey Legislature, serving in the General Assembly from 1997 to 2012 and the State Senate from 2012 to 2025. Her professional background also includes over 40 years of service to the City of Paterson, where she held roles as Business Administrator and Director of Human Services.

In the House, Pou serves on the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. She holds a leadership role as the Vice Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Aviation and is a member of subcommittees focused on Highways and Transit, Water Resources and Environment, and Counterterrorism and Intelligence. Additionally, she serves as the Ranking Member of a bipartisan task force overseeing security for major upcoming events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Her legislative priorities often center on public safety, infrastructure, and social justice. She has sponsored the Save the World Cup Act, which seeks to limit civil immigration enforcement near tournament venues, and the CLEAN-UP Act to expedite the remediation of contaminated waterways. During her tenure in the New Jersey Senate, she was known for championing human rights, juvenile justice reform, and expanding access to higher education for undocumented students. She continues to advocate for federal funding to improve North Jersey's transit systems and water infrastructure.