Discussing Effective Lawmaking with Representative Soto Congressman Darren Soto has built a distinguished career in public service through his dedication to environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and representation for Florida’s communities. A Democrat representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District since 2017, Congressman Soto made history as the first person of Puerto Rican descent elected to Congress from Florida. Before his time in Washington, he served in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, where he championed bipartisan efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, expand access to higher education, and protect…

Discussing Effective Lawmaking with Nevada Speaker Jason Frierson Speaker Jason Frierson has had an expansive career in public service, including his roles as a state legislator, a federal prosector, and as a committed advocate for community engagement.  A Democrat, Speaker Frierson served in the Nevada Assembly from 2011 to 2014 and again from 2016 to 2022, where he served as Speaker of the Assembly from 2017 to 2022. In 2022, Speaker Frierson was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the United States…

Discussing Effective Lawmaking with South Carolina State Senator Katrina Shealy Senator Katrina Shealy has been a trailblazer in South Carolina politics, bringing both grit and compassion to her twelve years of service in the state Senate. First elected in 2012 as a petition candidate—making history as the only woman in the chamber at the time—she went on to become the first Republican woman to chair a standing committee in the Senate. Over the course of her tenure, Shealy shaped policy across a wide range of issues, from family and veterans’…

Discussing Effective Lawmaking With NY Assembly Member Amy Paulin New York Assembly Member Amy Paulin has been a highly effective lawmaker in the New York General Assembly since 2000. She currently chairs the Assembly Committee on Health, and she also serves on the Committee on Rules and the Committee on Education.Throughout her distinguished career, Assembly Member Paulin has pursued a broad and impactful legislative agenda focused on health care, education, reproductive rights, child welfare, family support, domestic violence prevention, the elimination of sex trafficking, government reform, sustainability, animal welfare, and…

Discussing Effective Lawmaking with NM State Senator Mimi Stewart New Mexico State Senator Mimi Stewart has been a leader in New Mexico politics for nearly three decades. First elected to the New Mexico Senate in 2014, she previously served in the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1995 until her Senate appointment. Over the course of her legislative career, she has held several key leadership roles, including Senate Democratic Whip (2018–2021) and President Pro Tempore of the New Mexico Senate, a position she has held since 2021. She currently chairs…

Discussing Effective Lawmaking with Representative Gus Bilirakis Representative Gus Bilirakis has represented Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2007, and currently serves the 12th congressional district. He has been identified by the Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL) as having one of the longest active streaks of being in our prestigious exceeds expectations and lawmaking effectiveness category, and is notably successful at advancing his sponsored bills through the legislative process. He is also regularly recognized as the most effective lawmaker in Florida's Congressional delegation, as well as often as being…