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Brendan Boyle

For the Irish Gaelic footballer, see Brendan Boyle (Gaelic footballer).

Brendan Francis Boyle (born February 6, 1977) is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing a district in the Philadelphia area since 2015. Since January 2023, he has served as Ranking Member of United States House Committee on the Budget. He represented the 13th district from 2015 to 2019, serving much of Northeast Philadelphia and most of suburban Montgomery County. Since 2019, he has represented the 2nd district, which is entirely within the City of Philadelphia, including all of Northeast Philadelphia and portions of North Philadelphia and Center City Philadelphia, largely east of Broad Street. Boyle represented the 170th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2009 to 2015.[1][2]

Brendan Boyle
Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byJason Smith
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2015
Preceded byAllyson Schwartz
Constituency13th district (2015–2019)
2nd district (2019–present)
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 170th district
In office
January 6, 2009 – January 3, 2015
Preceded byGeorge T. Kenney
Succeeded byMartina White
Personal details
Born
Brendan Francis Boyle

(1977-02-06) February 6, 1977 (age 47)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJennifer Boyle
Children1
RelativesKevin J. Boyle (brother)
EducationUniversity of Notre Dame (BA)
Harvard University (MPP)
WebsiteHouse website
Brendan Boyle's voice
Brendan Boyle criticizes the outsourcing of jobs at Nabisco to Mexico
Recorded January 15, 2019

Early life and education

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Boyle is the elder of two sons. His father, Francis (Frank), is an Irish immigrant who came to the United States in 1970 from Glencolmcille, a district of County Donegal, and works as a janitor for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). His late mother, Eileen, was the child of Irish immigrants from County Sligo; she worked as a Philadelphia School District crossing guard for over 20 years.[3]

Boyle was born and raised in Philadelphia's Olney neighborhood. He attended Cardinal Dougherty High School before receiving an academic scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1999, completing the Hesburgh Program in Public Service. After working for several years as a consultant with the United States Department of Defense, including Naval Sea Systems Command, he attended graduate school at Harvard Kennedy School, where he earned a Master of Public Policy.[4]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

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Elections

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In 2008, Boyle defeated Republican Matthew Taubenberger, son of 2007 mayoral candidate Al Taubenberger, by a margin of 15,442 (59.2%) to 10,632 (40.8%), to win the election to succeed George T. Kenney,[5] becoming the first Democrat ever elected to represent the 170th district.[4][5][6]

In 2010, Boyle was reelected, defeating Republican Marc Collazzo, 64% to 36%.[5][7]

In 2012, Boyle ran unopposed and was selected as chair of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus.[8]

Boyle ran unopposed again in 2014 resigned his seat on January 2, 2015, before being sworn in as a member of the United States House of Representatives. He was succeeded by Martina White.

Tenure

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As a state lawmaker, Boyle's focus was on greater educational access, healthcare and greater economic equality.

As the first member of his family to attend college, he prioritized greater access to higher education. During his first term in office, he introduced the REACH Scholarship program, which would offer tuition-free public college for qualifying Pennsylvania students.

 
Then state Rep. Boyle speaking at a press conference in the Pennsylvania State Capitol, June 2013

He fought cuts to public K-12 and higher education funding, and supported greater investment in infrastructure, voting in 2013 for legislation (passed into law as Act 89) that provided the first comprehensive transportation funding overhaul in Pennsylvania in nearly 20 years, providing several billion dollars in new funds for roads, bridges and mass transit. He also founded the Eastern Montgomery County-Northeast Philadelphia Legislative Alliance, a group of local and state lawmakers who work across Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County on issues affecting both regions.

Boyle was a founding member of the LGBT Equality Caucus during his first term in office, voting in favor of legislation in 2009 prohibiting discrimination of LGBT Pennsylvanians in work, housing and other areas the only time it passed out of committee.[9] In 2014, he introduced legislation to amend Pennsylvania's hate crimes statutes to include crimes perpetrated based on sexual orientation.[4]

Boyle also introduced legislation in 2011 to make genocide education a required part of Pennsylvania public school curricula, legislation that was eventually passed into law in 2014. In 2013, he introduced legislation to expand access to school counseling services, which resulted in him being selected as recipient of the 2013 Pennsylvania School Counselor Association's "Legislator of the Year" award. In 2014, he introduced the SAFER PA Act, which required timely testing of DNA evidence kits and that backlogged and untested evidence be reported to the state. It would also require that authorities notify victims or surviving family when DNA testing is completed. The SAFER PA Act was reintroduced and signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf in 2015.[10][11][12]

Committee assignments

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  • Appropriations
  • Insurance
  • Labor Relations
  • Liquor Control
  • Policy

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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Congressman Boyle speaking with a constituent at his annual Senior Expo in North Philadelphia, June 2019

2014

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See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania § District 13

In April 2013, Boyle announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district, which stretched from Montgomery County to northeast Philadelphia. The incumbent, Allyson Schwartz, gave up the seat to run for governor. Boyle had the support of nearly 30 labor unions across the Philadelphia region.[6]

Boyle ran against former Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies, then state Senator Daylin Leach and current Montgomery County Commissioner Valerie Arkoosh for the Democratic nomination. Despite Margolies entering the race with a 32-point lead over Boyle in early polling, and having the endorsement of former President Bill Clinton, as well as support from former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and Congressman and Philadelphia Democratic Chair Bob Brady,[13][14] Boyle won the primary with 41% of the vote to Margolies's 27%.[15][16]

Boyle won the general election on November 4, 2014, defeating Republican nominee Carson "Dee" Adcock with 67% of the vote.[17][18]

2016

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See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania § District 13

No Republican or other party candidate filed to run against Boyle in 2016, so he was reelected unopposed.

2018

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See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania § District 2
 
Congressman Boyle speaking at a rally to support U.S. Postal Service workers, August 2020

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania imposed a new map for Pennsylvania's congressional districts in February 2018.[19] Boyle then announced that he would run for reelection in the new 2nd district.[20] This district had previously been the 1st district, represented by retiring fellow Democrat Bob Brady. But the new 2nd absorbed all of the Philadelphia portion of the old 13th, including Boyle's home.[21] PoliticsPA rated Boyle's district as not vulnerable (a safe seat).[22]

2020

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See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania § District 2

In 2020, Boyle won a fourth term, defeating Republican nominee David Torres.[23]

2022

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See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania § District 2

Tenure

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As a member of Congress, Boyle has prioritized legislative measures to address national income inequality, while expanding access to healthcare and education. He has supported legislation to raise the federal hourly minimum wage to $12 and measures to revise the way Social Security benefits are calculated to keep them from being reduced over time.[weasel words]

As of 2022, Boyle has voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight.[24]

After Mondelez International announced that it would close a Philadelphia factory, Boyle announced his support for the Oreo Boycott by appearing with a poster featuring an Oreo cookie red circle and line through it, accompanied by the message, "Say no to Oreo".[25][26] He noted that Mondelez's CEO had received a pay increase.[25][26]

Along with Representative Marc Veasey, Boyle is co-founder and chair of the Blue Collar Caucus, which aims to promote discussion and develop legislation to help "addressing wage stagnation, job insecurity, trade, offshoring, and dwindling career opportunities for those in the manufacturing and building trades".[27]

Boyle filed the Standardizing Testing and Accountability Before Large Elections Giving Electors Necessary Information for Unobstructed Selection Act (Stable Genius Act) in 2018. The measure would compel "nominees of each political party to file a report with the Federal Election Commission certifying that he or she underwent a medical exam by the Secretary of the Navy" containing the exam's results.[28][29]

 
Boyle (far right) with President Joe Biden in October 2023.

Boyle and other members of Congress' Philadelphia delegation sought federal funding to remove asbestos, mold, lead paint, and other environmental toxins from schools.[30]

Boyle was one of the first members of Congress to endorse Joe Biden for president in 2020, doing so the day Biden declared his candidacy.[31]

Boyle was selected as one of 17 speakers to jointly deliver the keynote address at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.[32]

On immigration, Boyle was one of 36 Democrats to vote in favor of the POLICE Act of 2023, which would make assaulting a first responder a deportable offense.[33] He also voted in favor of making Social Security fraud or identification fraud grounds for inadmissibility and deportation.[34] He joined the majority of House Democrats in opposing the Laken Riley Act, a bill to require immigration authorities to detain migrants suspected of burglary and theft.[35][36]

Boyle was one of 74 Democrats who voted to classify fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I controlled substance.[37][38]

Boyle voted to provide support to Israel following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[39][40]

Boyle voted in favor of three military aid package supplementals for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan respectively in April 2024, along with most Democrats.[41][42][43] He stated that "This critical funding will protect our national security by supporting our democratic allies around the world. It will ensure that Ukraine has the support it needs to fight back against Vladimir Putin, and that Israel can continue to defend itself against Hamas while delivering vital humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza."[44]

On July 20, 2024, Boyle called on U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign in the wake of an assassination attempt against former President Trump, making him the first Congressional Democrat to do so.[1]

Ratings

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Boyle has received the following ratings from advocacy organizations:[45]

Committee assignments

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Caucus memberships

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Personal life

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Boyle and his wife Jennifer, a teacher, have one daughter. As of 2015, they reside in Philadelphia's Somerton neighborhood.[52]

Boyle is a Roman Catholic.[53] He is known for his dedication to social justice, and was honored by the left-wing Catholic Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice in April 2023 for his voting record.[54] Boyle's religion comes from his working-class Irish-American family; he was described as an Irish-Catholic Democrat who "married his economic populism with the defense and foreign policy preferences of an old-school Democrat".[55]

Boyle's brother Kevin serves as a representative of Pennsylvania's 172nd House district, having been elected in 2010 by defeating former Speaker of the House John M. Perzel.[56] The Boyles were the first brothers to serve simultaneously in the Pennsylvania House.[57]

Awards and honors

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In August 2008, Boyle was named "one of top 10 rising stars" in politics by the Philadelphia Daily News.[58]

In 2011, the Aspen Institute chose Boyle as one of its Rodel Fellows,[59] a program that "seeks to enhance our democracy by identifying and bringing together the nation's most promising young political leaders."[60]

References

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  1. ^ "Session of 2009 – 193D oF the General Assembly – No. 1" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. January 6, 2009. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  2. ^ "Rep. Brendan Boyle". PA House of Representatives Official Website. PA House of Representatives. Retrieved January 29, 2015. Rep. Brendan Boyle resigned his PA House District 170 seat to serve as a member of the U.S. Congress.
  3. ^ "Brendan Boyle, son of Donegal emigrant, wins seat in Congress". The Irish Times. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Brendan Boyle biodata, voteboyle.com; accessed November 9, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Pennsylvania election returns Archived December 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine (2008); accessed November 9, 2014.
  6. ^ a b Joe Shaheeli (May 30, 2013). "Pols on the Street: Brendan Boyle Says He's In!". The Philadelphia Public Record. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  7. ^ "Pennsylvania Department of State, 2010 General Election". November 2, 2010. Archived from the original on November 6, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  8. ^ Keegan Gibson (June 21, 2011). "Exclusive: Boyle to Chair HDCC". PoliticsPA. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  9. ^ "House Committee Roll Call Votes - 2009 RCS# 88". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  10. ^ "Bill Information - House Bill 2396; Regular Session 2011-2012". Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  11. ^ "Bill Information - House Bill 1844; Regular Session 2013-2014". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  12. ^ "House passes Boyle evidence registry bill | Broad Street Media". www.bsmphilly.com. October 23, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  13. ^ Simon, Van Zuylen-Wood (May 5, 2014). "The Bizarre, Mysterious Campaign of Marjorie Margolies". Archived from the original on May 8, 2014.
  14. ^ Nick, Field (February 13, 2014). "PA-13: Margolies Fundraises with Rendell, Hoyer". Archived from the original on March 6, 2014.
  15. ^ Rotenberg, Carl (May 20, 2014). "ELECTION 2014: Boyle, Adcock the apparent winners in 13th Congressional primary election". Montgomery News. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  16. ^ Otterbien, Holly (January 21, 2017). "Can Kevin and Brendan Boyle Save the Democratic Party?". Archived from the original on January 24, 2017.
  17. ^ Gibbons, Margaret (November 4, 2014). "Boyle trounces Adcock in 13th Congressional District". www.theintell.com. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  18. ^ "Democrat Boyle Beats Adcock For Open US House Seat". November 4, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  19. ^ Cohn, Nate; Bloch, Matthew; Quealy, Kevin (February 19, 2018). "The New Pennsylvania Congressional Map, District by District". The New York Times. New York. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  20. ^ Kopp, John (February 22, 2018). "Brendan Boyle to seek re-election in redrawn Philly congressional district". Philly Voice. Philadelphia, PA. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  21. ^ Cohn, Nate; Bloch, Matthew; Quealy, Kevin (February 19, 2018). "The New Pennsylvania House Districts Are In. We Review the Mapmakers' Choices". The Upshot. The New York Times. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  22. ^ "PoliticsPA". Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  23. ^ "Democrat Brendan Boyle wins re-election".
  24. ^ Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  25. ^ a b Northeast Times Staff (July 15, 2015). "Boyle calls for Nabisco boycott". Northeast Times. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  26. ^ a b Joseph N. DiStefano (August 12, 2015). "Oreo sees support, but also backlash and boycott, for gay pride rainbow cookie". Philly.com. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  27. ^ "PA-13: Boyle Announces "Blue Collar Caucus"". December 20, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  28. ^ Olson, Laura. "Philly congressman introduces 'Stable Genius' bill after Trump mental health tweets". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  29. ^ Shabad, Rebecca (January 10, 2018). "Democratic congressman introduces "Stable Genius Act"". CBS News. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  30. ^ Tamari, Jonathan. "Philly congressmen seek federal help to fix 'unconscionable' condition of city schools". Philly.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  31. ^ Kassel, Matthew (December 2, 2020). "Rep. Brendan Boyle bet on Biden from the very beginning". Jewish Insider. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  32. ^ "Democrats Unveil A New Kind of Convention Keynote". 2020 Democratic National Convention. August 16, 2020. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  33. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (May 17, 2023). "Roll Call 225 Roll Call 225, Bill Number: H. R. 2494, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (January 31, 2024). "Roll Call 27 Roll Call 27, Bill Number: H. R. 6678, 118th Congress, 2nd Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  35. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (March 7, 2024). "Roll Call 66 Roll Call 66, Bill Number: H. R. 7511, 118th Congress, 2nd Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ Talbot, Haley; CNN (March 7, 2024). "House passes Laken Riley Act | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved April 22, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  37. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (May 25, 2023). "Roll Call 237 Roll Call 237, Bill Number: H. R. 467, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ IV, Antonio Pequeño. "Why A Bill Called The 'HALT Fentanyl Act' Has Some Lawmakers Split". Forbes. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  39. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  40. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  41. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (April 20, 2024). "Roll Call 152 Roll Call 152, Bill Number: H. R. 8034, 118th Congress, 2nd Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  42. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (April 20, 2024). "Roll Call 151 Roll Call 151, Bill Number: H. R. 8035, 118th Congress, 2nd Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (April 20, 2024). "Roll Call 146 Roll Call 146, Bill Number: H. R. 8036, 118th Congress, 2nd Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ @CongBoyle (April 20, 2024). ".Today's action sends a clear message that the United States will continue to support Ukraine's right to self-determination and that America will always stand for peace, stability, and the principles of democracy" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  45. ^ "Brendan Boyle, Representative for Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District - GovTrack.us". GovTrack.us. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  46. ^ "Ways and Means (117th Congress)".
  47. ^ "House Budget Committee (117th Congress)".
  48. ^ "Members". Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  49. ^ "90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members". Citizen´s Climate Lobby. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  50. ^ "Caucus Membrs". US House of Representatives. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  51. ^ "Members". New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  52. ^ "Boyle sworn into Congress". Northeast Times. January 15, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  53. ^ "Representative Brendan Boyle on Pope Francis Visit to the U.S." boyle.house.gov. September 22, 2015.
  54. ^ Tom Waring (April 5, 2023). "Social justice nuns honor Boyle". northeasttimes.com.
  55. ^ Daniel Newhauser (March 22, 2021). "The Mod Squad". persuasion.community.
  56. ^ Catherine Lucey (November 3, 2010). "Kevin Boyle trips Perzel for Pa. House seat". Philly.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012.
  57. ^ Monica Yant Kinney (November 14, 2010). "Philadelphia's Brothers Boyle: Outsiders who made it in". Philly.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  58. ^ "Here are 10 under 40 who are moving into position". Philly.com. August 4, 2008. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012.
  59. ^ "Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellowship Class of 2011". The Aspen Institute. Archived from the original on August 10, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  60. ^ "The Aspen Institute Selects "Rising Stars" in Governance for its Rodel Fellowships in Public Leadership Program". Retrieved November 9, 2014.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brendan Boyle.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 170th district
2009–2015 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district
2015–2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district
2019–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Keynote Speaker of the Democratic National Convention
2020
Served alongside: Stacey Abrams, Raumesh Akbari, Colin Allred, Yvanna Cancela, Kathleen Clyde, Nikki Fried, Robert Garcia, Malcolm Kenyatta, Marlon Kimpson, Conor Lamb, Mari Manoogian, Victoria Neave, Jonathan Nez, Sam Park, Denny Ruprecht, Randall Woodfin 		Most recent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
157th 		Succeeded by
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