John (John) Larson (D-USH01)
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Capitol: 202.225.2265
FAX: 202.225.1031
District: 860.278.8888
Representative
Room 1501 LHOB- Longworth House Office Building 15 Independence Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20515-0701

Residence: East Hartford, CT
Elected: 1998    Next Election: 2024
Spouse: Leslie Best   DOB: 7/22/1948
Committee Assignments
RM MemberHouse Subcommittee on Social Security
Co-ChairCongressional Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus
Co-ChairJoint Strike Fighter Caucus
Co-ChairCongressional History Caucus
Co-ChairCongressional Financial Security and Life Insurance Caucus
FC MemberBipartisan Apprenticeship Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Physical Activity Caucus
FC MemberHouse NIH Caucus
ChairmanNortheast Rail Caucus
Co-ChairCongressional Shellfish Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Musicians Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Friends of Sweden Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Propane Caucus
Co-ChairExpand Social Security Caucus (House)
MemberHouse Subcommittee on Tax
FC MemberCongressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus
FC MemberHouse Democratic Manufacturing Working Group
FC MemberCongressional Lung Cancer Caucus
FC MemberHouse Trails Caucus
FC MemberHouse Diversity and Innovation Caucus
MemberHouse Committee on Ways and Means
FC MemberCongressional Long Island Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Natural Gas Caucus
FC MemberBipartisan Congressional PCOS Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Italian American Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Caucus on Macedonia and Macedonian-Americans
FC MemberCongressional Czech Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Pakistan Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Library of Congress Caucus
FC MemberFriends of Norway
FC MemberCongressional Caucus on Bosnia
FC MemberCongressional Energy Savings Performance Caucus
FC MemberRock and Roll Caucus
FC MemberMunicipal Finance Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Blockchain Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Independent Colleges Caucus
FC MemberState and Local Tax (SALT) Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Portuguese American Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Allergy and Asthma Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus
FC MemberFuture of Transportation Caucus
FC MemberCongressional ALS Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Caucus to End the Youth Vaping Epidemic
FC MemberGerman-American Caucus
FC MemberNextGen 9-1-1 Caucus
FC MemberHouse Aerospace Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Singapore Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Caucus on Poland
FC MemberJob Corps Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Down Syndrome Caucus
FC MemberAuto Care Caucus
FC MemberNational Marine Sanctuary Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Peace Corps Caucus
FC MemberInternational Conservation Caucus (ICC)
FC MemberHouse Baltic Caucus
FC MemberCongressional America 250 Caucus
FC MemberBrain Injury Task Force
FC MemberLaw Enforcement Caucus (House)
FC MemberCongressional Steel Caucus
FC MemberBipartisan Disabilities Caucus (BDC)
FC MemberCommunity College Caucus
FC MemberEndangered Species Act (ESA) Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Army Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Task Force
FC MemberFriends of Australia Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Childhood Cancer Caucus
FC MemberRenewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Native American Caucus
FC MemberHouse Manufacturing Caucus
FC MemberNational Guard and Reserve Components Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues
FC MemberBipartisan Congressional Dyslexia Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus
FC MemberBlue Collar Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Voting Rights Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Primary Care Caucus
FC MemberHouse National Service Caucus
FC MemberArthritis Caucus
FC MemberBipartisan Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism
FC MemberCongressional Historic Preservation Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Humanities Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Bike Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Caucus
FC MemberBicameral Congressional Caucus on Parkinson's Disease
FC MemberCongressional Wine Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Rare Disease Caucus
FC MemberCongressional TRIO Caucus
FC MemberCoalition for Autism Research and Education (CARE)
FC MemberCongressional Caucus on Armenian Issues
FC MemberBipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease
FC MemberCongressional Caucus on Foster Youth
FC MemberCongressional Fire Services Caucus
FC MemberHouse Small Brewers Caucus
FC MemberBlack Maternal Health Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Arts Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Sportsmen's Caucus
FC MemberIndia Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Diabetes Caucus
FC MemberCongressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
FC MemberCongressional Equality Caucus

Bio

Congressman John B. Larson proudly represents Connecticut's First District. Now in his thirteenth term, John sits on the influential House Ways and Means Committee-including the Subcommittee on Tax Policy and the Social Security Subcommittee, where he serves as the Ranking Member. Throughout his time in Congress, John has proven himself a staunch advocate for Connecticut's working families, our manufacturing and small business ecosystem, and commonsense solutions for the problems Americans face everyday.

Born and raised in the federal housing project of Mayberry Village in East Hartford, John is fond of saying he is the product of public housing, public education, and public service. His father, Raymond, worked for Pratt & Whitney, while his mother, Pauline, served on the Town Council. John graduated from East Hartford High School in 1967 and from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) in 1971.

Before entering Congress, John taught history and coached football at George J. Penney High School. He was also an owner of Larson & Lysik insurance agency, where he saw firsthand the challenges many small business owners must overcome. Following in his mother's footsteps, serving on the East Hartford Board of Education and the East Hartford Town Council. In 1982, he was elected to the Connecticut State Senate, beginning a 12-year tenure representing the 3rd Senate District until 1995. Larson served as Senate President Pro Tempore for eight years from 1987 to 1995.

During his tenure in the Connecticut State Senate, John authored and passed the nation's first Family Medical Leave Act. It would later serve as the model for a national law. As one of eight children raised by working parents, John knew how critical it was for working families to get the support they needed. No parent should ever have to choose between their job and their child. That's why John supports expanding his original vision and providing paid family leave.

First elected to Congress in 1998, John swiftly established himself as a leader and consensus builder. As the Hartford Courant has said, "in a badly polarized Congress, [John] is more than willing to work with Republicans to get something done.

In 2013, John was named Co-Chairman of the Congressional Joint Strike Fighter Caucus- a bipartisan group charged with keeping members informed on issues related to the development, testing, and deployment of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Ever a champion for Connecticut manufacturing, John led the effort to secure Pratt & Whitney as the sole producer of engines for the F35 Joint Strike Fighter as well as the Aerial Tanker, Presidential Helicopter, and second submarine in Groton. His legislation created the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, and he has worked tirelessly to bring academia, labor, private industry, and government together to develop next generation manufacturing programs in Connecticut.

John knows manufacturing is the lifeblood of Connecticut's First District-thanks in large part to the historic Colt Factory. For more than a decade, John fought to preserve the legacy of American innovation and manufacturing that is Coltsville, and in 2014 bill to establish Coltsville as a National Park was signed into law.

John formerly served on the Armed Services Committee, Science Committee, and as Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee. As a senior leader in the House Democratic Caucus, John was named chairman of the Task Force on Election Reform-created to develop reforms to take big money out of politics and address flaws in the electoral system. He continues to champion much-needed reforms to address the impact of Citizens United and the gutting of the Voting Rights Act.

Taking a Stand Change doesn't come swiftly to Washington, but John knows some things are too important to delay. As the nation continues to battle an epidemic of gun violence, John has called on Congress to vote on bipartisan reforms most Americans overwhelmingly support. In the light of tragedies like Sandy Hook and the high levels of gun violence in urban centers like Hartford, John helped organize the historic sit-in on the floor of the House of Representatives John has been a leader throughout his tenure in Congress, on every issue he tackles. He has championed the effort to end U.S. dependence of foreign oil through advancing domestic fuel cell technology. He knows these initiatives will do more than keep our planet clean, they will spark new growth for our economy and launch thousands of exciting new jobs. That's why John introduced the Energy Independence Act, the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Authorization Act, and the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Infrastructure for America Act to fund and promote fuel cell and hydrogen energy technology. He is also a founder and co-chair of the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Coalition.

Over the years, John has opposed the policies of preemption and unilateralism. He voted against the war in Iraq and has focused his concerns on the threats of terrorism, protecting the homeland, and supporting first responders. A vigorous supporter of our troops, John visited Iraq three times, and succeeded in passing legislation to reimburse family members who purchased body armor for soldiers who had not been adequately equipped by the military. John also won a key victory for military families with children on the autism spectrum, ensuring their kids receive the care they need.

He is a lifelong resident of East Hartford, where he lives with his wife Leslie. They have three children- Carolyn, Laura, and Raymond.