Wasserman Schultz, Debbie

Debbie Wasserman Schultz serves as the ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. As ranking member, she leads the Democratic opposition within this subcommittee, which controls federal funding for military construction projects, veterans' healthcare and benefits, and related agencies. This position gives her significant influence over appropriations decisions affecting military readiness, servicemembers' quality of life, and veterans' services.

Wasserman Schultz was first elected to Congress in 2004 and has represented Florida's 25th congressional district since 2023. Before entering the U.S. House, she served in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate, becoming the youngest female legislator in Florida's history at age 26. She holds degrees in political science from the University of Florida and has worked as an educator. She was the first Jewish congresswoman elected from Florida and previously served as chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2011 to 2016.

In her role as ranking member, Wasserman Schultz has actively shaped appropriations debates on military and veterans issues. She has held hearings on military construction innovation, quality of life for servicemembers, and veterans' healthcare modernization. She has advocated for robust funding for military installation climate resilience, veterans' toxic exposure benefits, and VA healthcare services. She has also opposed provisions in appropriations bills that she views as harmful to veterans, including restrictions on abortion access for veterans and limitations on background check reporting for mental health concerns.

Wasserman Schultz has built a legislative record focused on veterans, military families, and public safety. She authored the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act and the PROTECT Our Children Act. She introduced the EARLY Act to increase breast cancer education and awareness, which became law as part of the Affordable Care Act. Her work on the Appropriations Committee reflects her commitment to ensuring adequate resources for military personnel and veterans' services.