NewDEAL Legislators By the Numbers

With chaos reigning in Washington, the actions and achievements of state and local leaders can easily get overshadowed. Yet the work of 95 NewDEAL state legislators continues, with representatives and senators working each day to bring about positive changes in their states.

These public servants are focused on issues that matter most to American families, including healthcare; education; clean air and water; and safe roads and bridges. Across the country, NewDEAL Leaders are participating in the work to build safe, prosperous, and healthy communities.

To do so, NewDEAL Leaders serve as chair, vice chair, or another leadership position on 69 committees or subcommittees in 25 states. These leadership positions are in addition to 36 members across 20 states elected by their peers to guide their caucuses in key legislative roles in the 2025 legislative session. Overall, 69% of NewDEAL state legislators hold one or more leadership roles in their caucuses and/or committees.

Here is a breakdown of NewDEAL legislators based on committee assignments:

Education: Covering issues ranging from pre-k to post-secondary education, this is a topic parents and constituents care about deeply. There are 18 NewDEALers on education committees, including 3 in leadership positions:

• Rep. Meghan Lukens (CO-26), Chair of the Education Committee
• Sen. Vin Gopal (NJ-11), Chair of the Education Committee
• Sen. Raumesh Akbari (TN-29), Second Vice Chair, Education Committee

Appropriations: These committees typically serve to determine how and where funding is allocated across the state. There are 20 NewDEALers on appropriations committees and subcommittees, including 6 in leadership positions:

• Sen. Jeff Bridges (CO-26), Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee
• Rep. Megan Srinivas (IA-30), Ranking Member of the Administration and Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee
• Sen. Sam Singh (MI-28), Vice Chair of the Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Appropriations Subcommittee
• Sen. Darrin Camilleri (MI-4), Chair of the PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee
• Rep. Jordan Harris (PA-186), Chair of the Appropriations Committee
• Del. Mark Sickles (VA-43), Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee

Transportation: From building roads to repairing bridges, 11 NewDEALers serve on on transportation committees or subcommittees, including 3 in leadership positions:

• Sen. Christine Cohen (CT-12), Chair of the Transportation Committee
• Sen. Raj Mukherji (NJ-32), Vice Chair of the Transportation Committee
• Sen. Marko Liias (WA-21), Chair of the Transportation Committee

Health: Healthcare continues to be a major priority for families across the nation, and 16 NewDEALers serve on committees related to health and healthcare, including 4 in leadership positions:

• Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey (CT-133), Chair of the Public Health Committee
• Rep. John Bucy III (TX-136), Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Disease Prevention & Women’s & Children’s Health
• Del. Mark Sickles (VA-43), Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee
• Del. Kathy Tran (VA-42), Vice Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee

Energy and Environment: Whether on committees focused on energy, natural resources, or specifically the environment, NewDEAL Leaders approach their job with a commitment toward addressing the climate crisis. There are 26 NewDEAL Leaders serving on committees with an environmental mandate including 6 in leadership positions:

• Rep. Kristine Reeves (WA-30), Chair of Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
• Sen. Dylan Roberts (CO-8), Chair of Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
• Sen. Ben Allen (CA-24), Chair of the Environmental Quality Committee
• Sen. Sam Singh (MI-28), Vice Chair of the Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Appropriations Subcommittee
• Sen. Stanley Chang (HI-9), Vice Chair of the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
• Sen. James Moroney (CT-14), Vice Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee

Oversight: Good government does not happen without appropriate oversight from the legislative branch. This year, 10 NewDEAL Leaders are on oversight committees or subcommittees, including 2 in leadership positions:

• Sen. Sam Singh (MI-28), Chair of the Oversight Committee
• Sen. Mallory McMorrow (MI-8), Vice Chair of the Oversight Committee

Economy: From creating good jobs to protecting workers, there are 21 NewDEAL Leaders on committees or subcommittees focused on business and growing an economy that works for everyone, including 2 in leadership positions:

• Rep. Daniel Nguyen (OR-38), Chair of the Economic Development, Small Business, and Trade Committee
• Sen. Mallory McMorrow (MI-8), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee

Technology: New technologies like artificial intelligence are continually emerging and growing, bringing with them new opportunities and challenges. There are 14 NewDEAL Leaders serving on committees or subcommittees, including 3 in leadership positions, who are working on policies related to new technology that could improve the public and private sectors in ways that benefit everyone.

• Sen. Barry Finegold (MA-Essex Middlesex-2), Chair of the Joint Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Committee
• Del. Irene Shin (VA-8), Chair of the Communications, Technology and Innovation Committee
• Sen. James Moroney (CT-14), Vice Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee

Interested in learning more about NewDEAL Leaders? Check out our award-winning podcast, An Honorable Profession, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Thank you to NewDEAL Fellow Declan O’Shea for his contributions to this article.