Rosa DeLauro: A Deep Dive into One of Congress’s Most Influential Progressives

By Hayli Mac

Feb 21, 2025

This one took a while considering I knew very little about her prior…

Rosa DeLauro has represented Connecticut’s Third Congressional District since 1991, making her one of the longest-serving Democratic members in the U.S. House of Representatives. Known for her progressive stance and bold style, DeLauro has certainly left her mark on national policies—particularly on labor rights, healthcare, and government spending. But as we dig into her long career, we’ll explore not just her influence and accomplishments, but also the complexities, controversies, and challenges that come with nearly three decades in power. As she heads into her 18th term this year, DeLauro’s impact remains undeniable—but is it all as rosy as it seems?

(Rosa DeLauro official headshot, Wikipedia)

Born on March 2, 1943, in New Haven, Connecticut, DeLauro grew up in a politically active, working-class family. Her mother served on New Haven’s Board of Alders for 35 years, while her father was an organizer for the American Federation of Labor. DeLauro developed a deep appreciation for traditional Italian cuisine and often credits her family's heritage (Italian) for instilling in her a love of cooking and sharing meals. (Wikipedia).

DeLauro pursued higher education at Marymount College in New York before studying international politics at the London School of Economics. She later earned her master’s degree from Columbia University, solidifying her academic foundation in global policy and governance.

In 1986, DeLauro was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Thanks to early detection and treatment, she made a full recovery and has been cancer-free for decades. This personal battle has fueled her advocacy for increased funding in biomedical research and cancer prevention.

Known for her bold fashion choices, including her signature short bangs, DeLauro’s sense of style earned her the title of 'Congress’s most eccentric dresser' in 2013. In 2023, at 80 years old, she made headlines again, this time for getting a tattoo to mark her granddaughter’s 18th birthday. This unconventional move was just a taste of the rebellious spirit she’s shown throughout her life.

(DeLauro’s Tattoo, 2023, The Washington Times)

Before winning her House seat, DeLauro was deeply involved in Democratic politics. She served as Senator Chris Dodd’s chief of staff and campaign manager, a role that gave her critical experience in legislative affairs. She was also the first executive director of EMILY’s List, a PAC dedicated to electing pro-choice Democratic women, and led Countdown ’87, a campaign against U.S. military intervention in Central America (Wikipedia).

DeLauro made history in 2020 as the second woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, which controls government spending and oversees $1.3 trillion in annual federal spending. She has been demanding in directing funding toward education, healthcare, and economic relief, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She currently serves as the ranking member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, focusing on investments in public health, education, and workers' rights.

Voting Record: Champion of the Working Class or Party Loyalist?

DeLauro positions herself as a fierce advocate for working families, but does her voting record back that up?

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) (signed into law by Obama in 2011) – DeLauro played a leading role in introducing this landmark food safety reform, giving the FDA greater oversight to prevent foodborne illnesses. Critics say that the act “enhanced regulation, had minimal consumer benefit, and zero tolerance levels for naturally-occurring trace pathogens.”
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (signed into law by Bush Jr.) – DeLauro voted multiple times in favor of the controversial bailout package during the financial crisis, arguing that intervention was necessary to stabilize the economy. Opponents of the bill firmly believed it was the wrong approach to reviving the struggling economy, as it handed Wall Street a $700 billion lifeline while millions of Americans faced foreclosure.
Opposition to the Stupak-Pitts Amendment (2009) – She strongly opposed restrictions on taxpayer-funded abortions in the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Polls done during this time suggested that voters opposed public money in the health care bill paying for abortions (Wikipedia). Ultimately, Obama made a deal to sign an executive order barring federal funding of abortion under the bill, a move that was criticized by both advocates and opponents of abortion rights.
Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 – DeLauro was one of 46 House Democrats who voted against the final passage of this debt-ceiling agreement, arguing that it would disproportionately harm lower-income Americans. The bill was primarily intended to suspend the debt ceiling until January 1, 2025, allowing the federal government to borrow more funds to support its programs. Analysts claimed that if passed, the legislation would be expected to slash budget deficits by around $1.5 trillion over the next ten years, plus save about $188 billion on interest for the public debt.

(2020, Politico)

Controversies & Criticism: Scandals, Missteps, and Hypocrisy?

No long-serving politician escapes scrutiny, and DeLauro is certainly no exception. Critics have pointed out some glaring contradictions in her record, particularly around her ties to big industries…

The Monsanto Connection
One of the biggest criticisms of DeLauro revolves around the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the bill mentioned above that she introduced to restructure FDA oversight. Sounded good in theory, right? Well, some noted an eyebrow-raising conflict of interest—her husband, Stan Greenberg, a high-profile political consultant, had past business ties to Monsanto, one of the largest agricultural biotech firms on the planet. Critics saw this as a glaring case of regulatory capture, though DeLauro dismissed concerns, claiming her legislation was purely in the interest of public health. [I linked some more Monsanto resources at the bottom of this post].
Wall Street vs. Main Street
Despite her branding as a working-class champion, DeLauro’s support for financial industry bailouts has drawn criticism. She has received campaign donations from big banks, which raises the question—how much of her policymaking is influenced by Wall Street interests?
The “Pay Raise” Debacle
In 2023, she stirred up controversy by claiming that House Republicans attempted to give themselves a pay raise, a claim that was widely criticized for being misleading. While lawmakers’ salaries remained unchanged, the controversy underscored the hyper-partisan spin that often dominates congressional debates.
Net Worth and the “Out-of-Touch” Factor
With an estimated net worth exceeding $15 million, DeLauro isn’t exactly living paycheck to paycheck like many of her constituents. Much of this wealth comes from investments and her husband’s lucrative consulting business, which presents a classic case of "do as I say, not as I do"—This financial standing has occasionally drawn scrutiny, particularly as she advocates for working-class families.

Rosa vs. Elon: The Musk Meltdown

One of DeLauro’s most viral moments came when she went toe-to-toe with Elon Musk during a fiery House floor speech. She mockingly dubbed Musk "President Musk" and accused him of “dictating government funding decisions from his Twitter throne.” DeLauro wasn’t shy about dragging the billionaire, claiming his influence had strong-armed Republicans into derailing a bipartisan spending agreement.

Her frustration boiled over as she blasted Musk’s cozy relationship with GOP lawmakers, painting him as a tech oligarch playing puppet master in Washington. The clip exploded online, with some hailing her as a champion of democracy while others dismissed her as unhinged and performative. (Watch her remarks here)

In my opinion, DeLauro’s confrontation with Musk came off as the latter, leaning too heavily into a performance that felt more like theatrics than a productive, bipartisan exchange. She played right into the main stream media’s narrative and instead of fostering constructive dialogue, it reinforced division and alienated potential allies. Don’t get me wrong, both “sides” do this, the Democrats just seem to be louder about it as of late…

(DeLauro remarks, 2024, Mediaite)

The "Power of the Purse"—And Why Rosa Really Matters
(for Better or Worse)

As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rosa DeLauro holds a power position that’s practically government royalty—controlling over $1.3 trillion in discretionary spending. That’s everything from military funding to education grants.

Why does this matter? Because DeLauro has become the ultimate gatekeeper, constantly playing the role of Congress’s watchdog against any and all administrations, regardless of party. While she says she’s all about defending the Constitution, sometimes it may feel like she’s more focused on being the obstructionist in the spotlight than actually pushing for meaningful progress.

In short: if the government’s checkbook had a password, Rosa DeLauro would be the one who changes it every time someone gets too comfortable.
(More on her role in Appropriations).

(Receiving the Champion of Science award, 2012, Science Coalition)

Love her or hate her, DeLauro’s staying power speaks for itself—her constituents keep sending her back to Washington, and that’s no small feat. Clearly, she’s hitting the right notes with Connecticut’s Third District.

And let’s be real—she’s not your typical, stiff politician. Whether it’s getting a [visible] tattoo with her granddaughter or rocking a style that’s a little less "Congress member" and a lot more "I do what I want," DeLauro shows there’s room for personality in politics. It’s a small but important way of showing that you don’t have to fit into a box to make a difference—something that makes her relatable to voters who might feel disconnected from the political elite.

(Examples of DeLauro’s fashion, 2013, The Cut)

With a political career spanning more than three decades, DeLauro has built a formidable legacy, but as she enters her 18th term, the question remains: will she pass the torch to a new generation of progressive leaders, or continue to shape the political landscape in the years to come?

For more on Rosa DeLauro’s work, visit her official website or read her biography.