Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the Republican reconciliation bill. While American families struggle to afford housing, healthcare, and groceries, Republicans are proposing to spend more than $150 billion on immigration enforcement, roughly $59 billion for detention and deportation operations.
2026 MidtermsSafe SeatD+100D shift +62$570K raised
Becca Balint
Representative · Vermont · Democrat
Becca Balint
House Floor
Recent comments in the House
I am very happy to speak here tonight on an issue that is so important to so many Americans. I want to talk about power tonight, Mr. Speaker. Before I came to Congress, I was a public school teacher. I can tell you, when you are a teacher, you have a lot of power over the young people in your classroom. You set the rules. You decide when to speak and when to listen. You can make students feel seen or feel small. I learned very quickly that the more power that you have over someone, the greater responsibility you have to them. This is the lesson that this administration hasn't learned.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in fierce opposition to this harmful attack on public schools. Republicans are losing. Gas prices are skyrocketing. They have no plan to end the illegal and unpopular war in Iran. Rather than doing the work to solve these real problems, Republicans just keep going back to the same old, tired playbook of harassing trans kids and, it turns out, calling us Marxists. This time they want to give the Trump administration broad authority to cut off Federal public school funding if a school teaches or advances anything that the administration deems to be gender ideology. Mr.
Biography
Becca Balint, a former middle school teacher, was elected as the U.S. Representative for Vermont’s at-large district in 2022. She focuses on affordable housing, LGBTQ+ rights, and strengthening public education. In Congress, Balint introduced legislation to expand access to rural broadband and serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Through pragmatic collaboration and community engagement, she works to advance policies that reflect Vermont’s values and needs.
Education
- M.A. in History, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA2000
- Ed.M., Harvard University, Cambridge, MA1994
- A.B., Magna cum laude, Smith College, Northampton, MA1990
Professional History
U.S. Representative
2023–PresentRepresented Vermont (at-large district) for 2 terms.
President Pro Tempore, Vermont Senate
2021–2023Served as president pro tempore of the Vermont Senate, the first woman and openly LGBTQ person to hold the position.
Majority Leader, Vermont Senate
2017–2021Served as majority leader of the Vermont Senate.
State Senator, Vermont Senate (Windham County)
2015–2023Represented Windham County in the Vermont Senate after first being elected in 2014.
Town Meeting Representative, Brattleboro, Vermont
Served as an elected town meeting representative in Brattleboro.
Member, Brattleboro Development Review Board
Served on the Development Review Board in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Policy Focus
Public Lands and Natural Resources15%
Health15%
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues9%
Taxation6%
Notable Legislation
Key legislative actions from Becca Balint's record in Congress.
Affordable Housing Advocacy
Championed increased federal funding for affordable housing initiatives in Vermont.
LGBTQ+ Rights Leadership
Advocated for federal protections and equality for LGBTQ+ individuals in Congress.
Mental Health Funding
Supported legislation to expand mental health resources and funding for Vermont communities.
Gun Violence Prevention
Co-sponsored legislation aimed at strengthening background checks for firearm purchases.
Committee Assignments
View details →- House Committee on the Budget
- House Committee on the Judiciary
Rep. Becca Balint FAQ
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