Commits to Delivering for Vermont Families in Washington
Vermont Business Magazine Today, Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) was officially sworn into the 118th Congress as United States Representative for Vermont. Following 15 roll call votes for Speaker of the House, Balint’s swearing-in makes history as the first woman and first LGBTQ person to represent Vermont in Congress. Balint said she comes to Washington ready to fight for her community as the state’s sole voice in the House of Representatives.
Balint is focused on fighting for working Vermonters: addressing the mental health crisis and the extreme housing shortage in Vermont and across the country. She is committed to protecting our democracy by increasing access to the ballot, expanding reproductive rights, and addressing corruption in Washington.
“I am so very honored to represent the people of Vermont in Congress. I wouldn't be here without the support of my family and all the people back home who believed in me,” said Rep. Balint (VT-AL). “Despite the dysfunction we witnessed this week from the GOP, Democrats are still ready to work with willing partners across the aisle to deliver results for working families and govern on behalf of all our constituents. My sense of purpose has only been reaffirmed through this uncertainty, and I am prepared to take on the challenges this Congress may bring.”
“I decided to run for Congress because working people in Vermont and across this country are struggling and they’re worried that democracy is at risk. I’m excited to work with my colleagues to make life for regular people easier and more affordable. With the rise in right wing extremism, it’s more critical than ever to stand up for democracy. This is a time for courage, and I promise to lead with the honesty, grit, and fight that Vermonters expect from their Representative. I look forward to working alongside House Democrats to defend democracy and essential freedoms for all Americans.”
More on Rep. Becca Balint here:
Representative Becca Balint is a mom, teacher, and progressive leader who comes to Washington ready to fight for working families. Becca is the first woman and openly LGBTQ person to represent her home state of Vermont. As the daughter of immigrants, Becca is deeply committed to defending American democracy and protecting vulnerable communities.
A deep sense of justice, empathy and service has guided Becca’s career from the beginning - first as an educator who taught middle school in Windham County for fourteen years, then as an activist and State Senator and ultimately as the President Pro Tempore in 2021.
During her eight years in the state senate she has served on the Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs, Finance, and Rules committees. While Majority Leader, Becca led the passage of the first gun safety laws in the state’s history, aimed at keeping Vermont children, communities, and survivors of abuse safe. Becca also worked tirelessly in the state senate to secure the largest housing investment in Vermont in decades to rebuild housing stock and expand middle income housing.
This Congress, Becca will serve as Congressional Progressive Caucus Vice Chair for New Members and as a Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus.
She received her BA from Smith College in Northampton, MA, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Becca earned her masters in education from Harvard University in 1995 and her MA in history from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 2001.
She is married to noted attorney and opera singer, Elizabeth Wohl. Together, they have two children – Abe, 15, and Sarah, 12 – and an adorable dog named Wheelie. They live in Brattleboro, Vermont.
1.7.2023. Washington, D.C. – Balint
