Pramila Jayapal

Pramila Jayapal

Democratic Party

Candidate, U.S. House Washington District 7

U.S. House Washington District 7

Tenure

2017 - Present

Term ends

2025

Years in position

7

Predecessor

Jim McDermott

Prior offices

Washington State Senate District 37

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Compensation

Base salary

$174,000

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Next election

August 6, 2024

Personal

Profession

Community activist

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Official Twitter

Official Instagram

Official YouTube

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Pramila Jayapal (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Washington's 7th Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2017. Her current term ends on January 3, 2025.

Jayapal (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Washington's 7th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the primary scheduled on August 6, 2024.

Jayapal has served as the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus since 2019. On her campaign website, Jayapal highlighted her support for Medicare for All, police reform, renewable energy, and "immigration reform that provides legalization and a path to citizenship."

Upon taking office in 2017, Jayapal became the first Indian-American woman to serve in the United States Congress. In the 118th Congress, Jayapal served on the Judiciary Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee.

Jayapal is a former Democratic member of the Washington State Senate, representing District 37 from 2014 to 2016. Before serving in elected office, Jayapal founded and directed OneAmerica, an organization founded after September 11, 2001, that sought to "[build] leadership and [organize] grassroots leaders and our allies in key areas in Washington state to push for policy change, mobilize civic engagement in our communities and advocate for systems that welcome and include immigrants at every level."

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Jayapal's academic, professional, and political career:

• 2017-Present: U.S. Representative from Washington's 7th Congressional District
• 2015-2016: Washington state senator
• Financial analyst
• 1990: Graduated from Northwestern University with an M.B.A.
• 1986: Graduated from Georgetown University with an A.B.

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2023-2024

Jayapal was assigned to the following committees:^[Source]

2021-2022

Jayapal was assigned to the following committees:^[Source]

• Committee on Judiciary
• Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law, Vice Chair
• Immigration and Citizenship
• House Committee on Budget
• Committee on Education and the Workforce
• Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee
• Workforce Protections Subcommittee

2019-2020

Jayapal was assigned to the following committees:^[Source]

• Committee on Education and the Workforce
• House Committee on Budget
• Committee on Judiciary

2017-2018

At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Jayapal was assigned to the following committees:

• Committee on Budget
• Committee on Judiciary

State senate

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Jayapal served on the following committees:

Washington committee assignments, 2015
• Senate Accountability & Reform, Ranking member
• Health Care
• Transportation

Key votes

See also: Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.

Key votes: 117th Congress, 2021-2023

The 117th United States Congress began on January 3, 2021 and ended on January 3, 2023. At the start of the session, Democrats held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (222-213), and the U.S. Senate had a 50-50 makeup. Democrats assumed control of the Senate on January 20, 2021, when President Joe Biden (D) and Vice President Kamala Harris (D), who acted as a tie-breaking vote in the chamber, assumed office. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.

Key votes: 117th Congress, 2021-2023
Vote	Bill and description	Status
Yea	Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act   The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) was a federal infrastructure bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on November 15, 2021. Among other provisions, the bill provided funding for new infrastructure projects and reauthorizations, Amtrak maintenance and development, bridge repair, replacement, and rehabilitation, clean drinking water, high-speed internet, and clean energy transmission and power infrastructure upgrades. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House. Click here to read more.	Passed (228-206)
Yea	American Rescue Plan Act of 2021   The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on March 11, 2021, to provide economic relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key features of the bill included funding for a national vaccination program and response, funding to safely reopen schools, distribution of $1,400 per person in relief payments, and extended unemployment benefits. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House. Click here to read more.	Passed (220-210)
Yea	Inflation Reduction Act of 2022   The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (H.R. 5376) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on August 16, 2022, to address climate change, healthcare costs, and tax enforcement. Key features of the bill included a $369 billion investment to address energy security and climate change, an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, allowing Medicare to negotiate certain drug prices, a 15% corporate minimum tax, a 1% stock buyback fee, and enhanced Internal Revenue Service (IRS) enforcement, and an estimated $300 billion deficit reduction from 2022-2031. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House. Click here to read more.	Passed (220-207)
Yea	Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act   The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (H.R. 3617) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to decriminalize marijuana, establish studies of legal marijuana sales, tax marijuana imports and production, and establish a process to expunge and review federal marijuana offenses. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.	Passed (220-204)
Yea	For the People Act of 2021   The For the People Act of 2021 (H.R. 1) was a federal election law and government ethics bill approved by the House of Representatives. The Congressional Research Service said the bill would "expand voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It [would also limit] removing voters from voter rolls. ... Further, the bill [would address] campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices." The bill required a simple majority vote in the House. Click here to read more.	Passed (220-210)
Yea	Assault Weapons Ban of 2022   The Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808) was a bill passed by the House of Representatives that sought to criminalize the knowing import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding devices (LCAFD). The bill made exemptions for grandfathered SAWs and LCAFDs. It required a simple majority vote in the House.	Passed (217-213)
Nay	National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022   The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (S. 1605) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 27, 2021, authorizing Department of Defense acitivities and programs for fiscal year 2022. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.	Passed (363-70)
Nay	James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023   The James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (H.R. 7776) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 23, 2022, authorizing Department of Defense activities and programs for fiscal year 2023. The bill required a 2/3 majority in the House to suspend rules and pass the bill as amended.	Passed (350-80)
Yea	American Dream and Promise Act of 2021   The American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R. 6) was an immigration bill approved by the House of Representatives that proposed a path to permanent residence status for unauthorized immigrants eligible for Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure, among other immigration-related proposals. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.	Passed (228-197)
Yea	Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022   The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (S. 3373) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on August 10, 2022, that sought to address healthcare access, the presumption of service-connection, and research, resources, and other matters related to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.	Passed (342-88)
Yea	Chips and Science Act   The Chips and Science Act (H.R. 4346) was a bill approved by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on August 9, 2022, which sought to fund domestic production of semiconductors and authorized various federal science agency programs and activities. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.	Passed (243-187)
Yea	Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021   The Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755) was a bill passed by the House of Representatives. The bill proposed prohibiting governmental restrictions on the provision of and access to abortion services and prohibiting governments from issuing some other abortion-related restrictions. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.	Passed (218-211)
Yea	SAFE Banking Act of 2021   The SAFE Banking Act of 2021 (H.R. 1996) was a bill passed by the House of Representatives that proposed prohibiting federal regulators from penalizing banks for providing services to legitimate cannabis-related businesses and defining proceeds from such transactions as not being proceeds from unlawful activity, among other related proposals. Since the House moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill in an expedited process, it required a two-thirds majority vote in the House.	Passed (321-101)
Yea	Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022   The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (H.R. 2471) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on March 15, 2022, providing for the funding of federal agencies for the remainder of 2022, providing funding for activities related to Ukraine, and modifying or establishing various programs. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.	Passed (260-171)
Yea	Equality Act   The Equality Act (H.R. 5) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that proposed prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system, among other related proposals. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.	Passed (224-206)
Yea	Respect for Marriage Act   The Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404) was a bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 13, 2022. The bill codified the recognition of marriages between individuals of the same sex and of different races, ethnicities, or national origins, and provided that the law would not impact religious liberty or conscience protections, or provide grounds to compel nonprofit religious organizations to recognize same-sex marriages. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House. Click here to read more.	Passed (258-169)
Yea	Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023   The Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (H.R. 6833) was a bill approved by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on September 30, 2022. It provided for some fiscal year 2023 appropriations, supplemental funds for Ukraine, and extended several other programs and authorities. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.	Passed (230-201)
Yea	Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act   The Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act (H.R. 7688) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to prohibit individuals from selling consumer fuels at excessive prices during a proclaimed energy emergency. It would have also required the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether the price of gasoline was being manipulated. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.	Passed (217-207)
Yea	Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021   The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 (H.R. 8) was a bill approved by the House of Representatives that sought to prohibit the transfer of firearms between private parties unless a licensed firearm vendor conducted a background check on the recipient. The bill also provided for certain exceptions to this requirement. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House.	Passed (227-203)
Yea	Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act   The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act was a federal elections bill approved by the House of Representatives and voted down by the Senate in a failed cloture vote that sought to, among other provisions, make Election Day a public holiday, allow for same-day voter registration, establish minimum early voting periods, and allow absentee voting for any reason, restrict the removal of local election administrators in federal elections, regulate congressional redistricting, expand campaign finance disclosure rules for some organizations, and amend the Voting Rights Act to require some states to obtain clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice before implementing new election laws. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House. Click here to read more.	Passed (220-203)
Yea	Bipartisan Safer Communities Act   The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938) was a firearm regulation and mental health bill passed by the 117th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on June 25, 2022. Provisions of the bill included expanding background checks for individuals under the age of 21, providing funding for mental health services, preventing individuals who had been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor or felony in dating relationships from purchasing firearms for five years, providing funding for state grants to implement crisis intervention order programs, and providing funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House. Click here to read more.	Passed (234-193)
Yea	Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.   This was a resolution before the 117th Congress setting forth an article of impeachment saying that Donald Trump (R) incited an insurrection against the government of the United States on January 6, 2021. The House of Representatives approved the article of impeachment, and the Senate adjudged that Trump was not guilty of the charges. The article of impeachment required a simple majority vote in the House. Click here to read more.	Passed (232-197)
Yea	Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022   The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act was a bill passed by the 117th Congress in the form of an amendment to a year-end omnibus funding bill that was signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 23, 2022. The bill changed the procedure for counting electoral votes outlined in the Electoral Count Act of 1887. Elements of the bill included specifying that the vice president's role at the joint session of congress to count electoral votes is ministerial, raising the objection threshold at the joint session of congress to count electoral votes to one-fifth of the members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, identifying governors as the single official responsible for submitting the certificate of ascertainment identifying that state’s electors, and providing for expedited judicial review of certain claims about states' certificates identifying their electors. The bill required a simple majority vote in the House. Click here to read more.	Passed (225-201)

Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress

Key votes (click "show" to expand or "hide" to contract)

Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2020 Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018 For detailed information about each vote, click here. Votes on domestic policy (click to expand) Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Conference report) (HR 2)  Bill Passed (369-47) on December 12, 2018 Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance through fiscal year 2023. Voted Nay on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2 (second vote))  Bill Passed (213-211) on June 21, 2018 Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance. It also proposed modifying the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as the food stamp program. Voted Nay on: Securing America’s Future Act of 2018 (HR 4760)  Bill Failed (193-231) on June 21, 2018 Proposed funding a border wall, limiting legal immigration, a mandatory worker verification program, allowing DACA recipients to apply for legal status, and preventing separation of families at the border. Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)  Bill Passed (369-47) on December 12, 2018 Reauthorizes through FY2023 and modifies some Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. Voted Nay on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (HR 36)  Bill Passed (237-189) on October 3, 2017 Proposed amending the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or more. The bill provided exceptions for an abortion: (1) that was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. Voted Nay on: Kate's Law (HR 3004)  Bill Passed (257-167) on June 29, 2017 Proposed increasing criminal penalties for individuals in the country illegally who were convicted of certain crimes, deported, and then re-entered the U.S. illegally. Voted Nay on: No Sanctuary for Criminals Act (HR 3003)  Bill Passed (228-195) on June 29, 2017 Proposed withholding federal funds from states and localities that chose not to follow federal immigration laws. Voted Nay on: American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)  Bill passed (217-213) on May 4, 2017 Proposed modifying the budgetary and fiscal provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand) Voted Nay on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 6157)  Bill Passed (361-61) on September 26, 2018 Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education. Voted Yea on: Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 5895)  Bill Passed (377-20) on September 13, 2018 Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs. Voted Nay on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 6157)  Bill Passed (359-49) on June 28, 2018 Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education. Voted Nay on: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 5895)  Bill Passed (235-179) on June 8, 2018 Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs. Voted Nay on: Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S 2155)  Bill Passed (258-159) on May 22, 2018 Proposed exempting some banks from the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)  Bill Passed (256-167) on March 22, 2018 Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes. Voted Nay on: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892)  Bill Passed (240-186) on February 9, 2018 Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018. Voted Nay on: Further Extension Of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1892)  Bill Passed (245-182) on February 6, 2018 Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018. Voted Nay on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)  Bill Passed (266-150) on January 22, 2018 Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018. Voted Nay on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)  Bill Passed (230-197) on January 18, 2018 Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 16, 2018. Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370)  Bill Passed (231-188) on December 21, 2017 Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018. Voted Nay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)  Bill Passed (227-203) on December 19, 2017 Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018. Voted Nay on: Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (HJ Res 123)  Bill Passed (235-193) on December 7, 2017 Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017. Voted Nay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)  Bill Passed (227-205) on November 16, 2017 Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses. Voted Nay on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)  Bill Passed (216-212) on October 26, 2017 Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027. (This bill proposed adopting the Senate's budget resolution.) Voted Nay on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)  Bill Passed (219-206) on October 5, 2017 Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027. Voted Nay on: Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3354)  Bill Passed (211-198) on September 14, 2017 Proposed providing FY2018 appropriations for the federal government. It combined 12 appropriations bills. Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601)  Bill Passed (316-90) on September 8, 2017 Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts. Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 601)  Bill Passed (419-3) on September 6, 2017 Proposed providing $7.85 billion for disaster relief requirements, including response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey. Voted Nay on: Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (HR 10)  Bill passed (233-186) on June 8, 2017 Proposed amending the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, among other acts. Voted Yea on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)  Bill passed (309-118) on May 3, 2017 Proposed a $1.2 trillion budget to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017. Votes on foreign policy and national security issues (click to expand) Voted Nay on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (HR 5515)  Bill Passed (351-66) on May 24, 2018 Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities Voted Nay on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)  Bill Passed (250-166) on January 30, 2018 Proposed providing appropriations for military functions administered by the Department of Defense and for other purposes, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018. Voted Nay on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018—Conference report (HR 2810)  Bill Passed (356-70) on November 14, 2017 Proposed authorizing FY2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. Voted Nay on: Make America Secure Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3219)  Bill Passed (235-192) on July 27, 2017 Proposed making appropriations for defense, military construction, Veterans Affairs, the Legislative Branch, energy and water development, and for other purposes for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2018. Voted Yea on: Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364)  Bill Passed (419-3) on July 25, 2017 Proposed providing congressional review and measures to counter aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes. Voted Nay on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180, second vote)  Bill Passed (380-35) on July 28, 2017 Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes. Voted Nay on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180)  Bill Failed (241-163) on July 24, 2017 Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes. Voted Nay on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810)  Bill Passed (344-81) on July 14, 2017 Proposed authorizing fiscal year 2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It did not provide budget authority. Voted Nay on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 1301)  Bill passed (371-48) on March 8, 2017 The $577.9 billion fiscal year 2017 defense spending bill proposed $516.1 billion in base budget funding and $61.8 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism funding.

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2024

See also: Washington's 7th Congressional District election, 2024

General election

The primary will occur on August 6, 2024. The general election will occur on November 5, 2024. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 7

Incumbent Pramila Jayapal and Cliff Moon are running in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 7 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate
		Pramila Jayapal (D)
		Cliff Moon (R)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Endorsements

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2022

See also: Washington's 7th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Washington District 7

Incumbent Pramila Jayapal defeated Cliff Moon in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 7 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Pramila Jayapal (D)	85.4	295,998
		Cliff Moon (R)	14.2	49,207
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	1,442

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 346,647
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 7

Incumbent Pramila Jayapal and Cliff Moon defeated Paul Glumaz and Jesse A. James in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 7 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Pramila Jayapal (D)	84.6	177,665
✔		Cliff Moon (R)	7.5	15,834
		Paul Glumaz (R)	5.2	10,982
		Jesse A. James (Independent)	2.3	4,859
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	551

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 209,891
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Earnest Thompson (Independent)

2020

See also: Washington's 7th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Washington District 7

Incumbent Pramila Jayapal defeated Craig Keller in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 7 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Pramila Jayapal (D)	83.0	387,109
		Craig Keller (R)	16.8	78,240
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	1,113

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 466,462
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 7

Incumbent Pramila Jayapal and Craig Keller defeated Rick Lewis, Scott Sutherland, and Jack Hughes-Hageman in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 7 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Pramila Jayapal (D)	80.0	240,801
✔		Craig Keller (R)	8.1	24,477
		Rick Lewis (Independent)	4.6	13,885
		Scott Sutherland (R)	3.8	11,332
		Jack Hughes-Hageman (D)	3.3	10,052
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	537

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 301,084
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Brian Martin (R)
• David Ishii (D)

2018

See also: Washington's 7th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

Incumbent Pramila Jayapal defeated Craig Keller in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 7 on November 6, 2018.

General election

General election for U.S. House Washington District 7

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Pramila Jayapal (D)	83.6	329,800
		Craig Keller (R)	16.4	64,881

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 394,681
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Top-two primary

Incumbent Pramila Jayapal and Craig Keller advanced from the primary for U.S. House Washington District 7 on August 7, 2018.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 7

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Pramila Jayapal (D)	82.7	189,175
✔		Craig Keller (R)	17.3	39,657

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 228,832
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Washington's 7th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Pramila Jayapal (D) defeated Brady Walkinshaw (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Jayapal and Walkinshaw defeated seven other candidates in the primary. Incumbent Jim McDermott (D) did not seek re-election in 2016, leaving the seat open.

U.S. House, Washington District 7 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Pramila Jayapal	56%	212,010
	Democratic	Brady Walkinshaw	44%	166,744
Total Votes				378,754
Source: Washington Secretary of State

U.S. House, Washington District 7 Primary, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Pramila Jayapal	42.1%	82,753
	Democratic	Brady Walkinshaw	21.3%	41,773
	Democratic	Joe McDermott	19.1%	37,495
	Republican	Craig Keller	8.2%	16,058
	Republican	Scott Sutherland	4.6%	9,008
	Democratic	Arun Jhaveri	1.7%	3,389
	Independent	Leslie Regier	1.3%	2,592
	Democratic	Donovan Rivers	1.2%	2,379
	Independent	Carl Cooper	0.5%	1,056
Total Votes				196,503
Source: Washington Secretary of State

2014

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for 25 districts in the Washington State Senate took place in 2014. A blanket primary election took place on August 5, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 17, 2014. Pramila Jayapal (D) and Louis Watanabe (D) defeated Claude Burfect (D), John Stafford (D), Sheley Secrest (D) and Rowland Martin (R) in the primary. Jayapal defeated Watanabe in the general election.

Washington State Senate, District 37 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Pramila Jayapa	70.7%	26,091
	Democratic	Louis Watanabe	29.3%	10,807
Total Votes				36,898

Washington State Senate, District 37 Top Two Primary, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Pramila Jayapal	54.2%	12,235
	Democratic	Louis Watanabe	16.1%	3,639
	Republican	Rowland Martin	10.3%	2,317
	Democratic	Sheley Secrest	10.1%	2,283
	Democratic	John Stafford	7.5%	1,684
	Democratic	Claude Burfect	1.9%	436
Total Votes				22,594

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Pramila Jayapal has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Pramila Jayapal asking her to fill out the survey. If you are Pramila Jayapal, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

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You can ask Pramila Jayapal to fill out this survey by using the button below or emailing info@pramilaforcongress.com.

2022

Pramila Jayapal did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Pramila Jayapal did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Pramila Jayapal completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jayapal's responses.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Health care is a human right and we must make it more affordable and accessible for every American. Nobody should be one health care crisis away from bankruptcy, yet that is the reality many people face. That is why I have founded and currently co-lead the Medicare for All caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives and why I founded the Medicare for All PAC, to support candidates and initiatives that want to expand Medicare to all as soon as possible. Ensuring equality for every single person. Our country stands at a crossroads, with the Trump administration encouraging, inciting, and promoting hate, racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia. I will continue my 25-year track record of fighting for equality at every level, including: racial and social justice equity through criminal justice reform; just and humane immigration reform that creates a clear path to citizenship and stops criminalizing asylum seekers; and LGBTQ advocacy and gender equity, at a time when the rights of transgender and other LGBTQ people are under attack. I will ensure that we bring the most marginalized voices to the table and stand up for those who are being left behind, and I will help to lead the fight for respect, dignity, and human rights for all. Fighting for workers and economic equality. Workers are the backbone of our country and I will always stand up for the right to organize unions, which have helped us to build the middle class as we know it. I will continue to prioritize increasing the federal minimum wage, strengthening labor protections, ensuring childcare and paid safe & sick leave, and gender pay equity. Part of this includes passing my College For All legislation, which would ensure that our workers who chose to attain a higher education can begin their careers without being crippled by student debt.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am a proud immigrant to this country and I have always said that immigration is not just about policy and borders – it is about what we as a nation stand for. I am proudly the first Indian-American woman in Congress, but I do not want to be the last, and I am passionate about ensuring that the opportunities I have had are open to everyone. In addition to the policy priorities listed above, I am blessed to represent a beautiful part of our Pacific Northwest and I am passionate about protecting our land, air and water. That's why I have co-authored the 100 By '50 Act to take on climate change, move to renewable clean energy, prevent new pipelines, and ensure that workers and families benefit as we transition away from fossil fuels.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2016

The following issues were listed on Jayapal's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

Health Care: Pramila got her start in Seattle more than twenty years ago, working for an international public health nonprofit. There she helped implement health programs that expanded access to health care for women and families with a focus on preventive care through vaccine programs, diagnostics and lowering the costs of drugs to treat diseases. Racial Justice: Pramila has been fighting for racial justice her whole life. As a woman of color and an immigrant, she knows exactly what it means to be in the minority. She has fought against bigotry and discrimination, working in our public schools to provide education and training around bullying and harassment. Energy and the Environment: As a leading community activist, Pramila has brought communities together from around our state to combat climate change because she knows that protecting our environment isn’t an isolated issue. It affects all aspects of our progressive movement — from fighting poverty to women’s health to immigration reform. Immigration: In response to the backlash against immigrant communities after 9/11, Pramila created OneAmerica (formerly called Hate Free Zone) to fight back against the civil liberties abuses of the Bush Administration against Arabs, Muslims and South Asians, and protecting thousands across the country from deportation and detention. Education: Pramila knows that early education provides a strong start that can have a long lasting and far reaching positive impact in the lives of our children and our community. She was named a Children’s Alliance Champion in the State Senate for her efforts to pass the Early Start Act that put an additional $158 million into early childhood education and she’ll continue to be a strong advocate for early childhood education in Congress.

2014

Jayapal's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

• Excerpt: "I’m running for State Senate in the 37th Legislative District to find real solutions to these issues. I am running to win, but this campaign is not just about me. I want to remind people of why government needs us and why we need government. I want to re-engage those that have fallen away from our democracy and remind everyone that each one of us can make a difference. I’ll be walking this district asking not just for what you think are the big issues in our district and state, but also what your ideas are to fix those. I’ll be asking you to give me your vote, yes, but also to give me your energy, your hope, your determination to transform our system so that we lift all voices and work together for positive change. Our campaign will celebrate the diversity that is the hallmark of this district: whether you’re white, black or brown, young or old, there’s a place for you in this campaign if you want to make change with us!"

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage and endorsements scopes.

Notable endorsements by Pramila Jayapal

Endorsee	Election	Stage	Outcome
Bob Ferguson  source  (D)	Governor of Washington (2024)	Primary	–
Barbara Lee  source 1  source 2  (D)	U.S. Senate California (2024)	Primary	–
Jesus Garcia  source  (Nonpartisan)	Mayor of Chicago (2023)	General	Lost General
Jessica Cisneros  source  (D)	U.S. House Texas District 28 (2022)	Primary Runoff	Lost Primary Runoff
Andy Levin  source  (D)	U.S. House Michigan District 11 (2022)	Primary	Lost Primary
Bernie Sanders  source  (D)	President of the United States (2020)	Primary	Withdrew in Convention

Campaign donors

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Pramila Jayapal campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions
2024	U.S. House Washington District 7	Candidacy Declared primary	$920,420
2022	U.S. House Washington District 7	Won general	$2,772,436
2020	U.S. House Washington District 7	Won general	$2,655,143
2018	U.S. House Washington District 7	Won general	$2,212,623
2016	U.S. House, Washington District 7	Won general	$2,939,476
2014	Washington State Senate, District 37	Won general	$312,913
Grand total raised			$11,813,011
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission * This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

2018

U.S. House Washington District 7 2018 election - Campaign Contributions
Top industry contributors to Pramila Jayapal's campaign in 2018
Labor	$226,370.00
Government Agencies/Education/Other	$150,868.93
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate	$134,300.00
Communications & Electronics	$125,439.00
Lawyers & Lobbyists	$116,351.38
Total Raised in 2018	$0.00
Total Spent	$1,555,983.33
Source: Follow the Money

2020

U.S. House Washington District 7 2020 election - Campaign Contributions
Top individual contributors to Pramila Jayapal's campaign in 2020
Unitemized	$702,314.00
HASAN, TALAT	$11,200.00
VAVILALA, MONICA S	$11,200.00
CLOSE, GRACIE	$10,800.00
American Postal Workers Union	$10,000.00
American Federation of State/Cnty/Munic Employees	$10,000.00
Teamsters Union	$10,000.00
Painters & Allied Trades Union	$10,000.00
American Federation of Teachers	$10,000.00
Communications Workers of America	$10,000.00
Total Raised in 2020	$2,630,669.54
Total Spent	$1,555,769.06
Source: Follow the Money

2018

U.S. House Washington District 7 2018 election - Campaign Contributions
Top individual contributors to Pramila Jayapal's campaign in 2018
HANAUER, NICOLAS J (NICK)	$11,800.00
HANAUER, LESLIE	$10,800.00
FERGUSON, ELLEN L	$10,800.00
PRESTON, DEAN	$10,800.00
GOOSBY, JENCKYN	$10,800.00
Total Raised in 2018	$0.00
Total Spent	$1,555,983.33
Source: Follow the Money

2016

Jayapal won election to the U.S. House in 2016. During that election cycle, Jayapal's campaign committee raised a total of $2,939,476 and spent $2,912,397. This is more than the average $1.46 million spent by U.S. House winners in 2016.

Cost per vote

Jayapal spent $13.74 per general election vote received in 2016.

U.S. House, Washington District 7, 2016 - Pramila Jayapal Campaign Contributions

Total Raised	$2,939,476
Total Spent	$2,912,397
Total Raised by Election Runner-up	$468,435
Total Spent by Election Runner-up	$468,435
Top contributors to Pramila Jayapal's campaign committee
EMILY's List	$60,651
Microsoft Corp	$23,475
Communications Workers of America	$20,075
University of Washington	$17,991
Omnicom Group	$13,500
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Democratic/Liberal	$184,124
Women's Issues	$129,628
Retired	$104,776
Human Rights	$71,636
Lawyers/Law Firms	$62,609
Source: Open Secrets

2014

Jayapal won election to the Washington State Senate in 2014. During that election cycle, Jayapal raised a total of $312,913.

Washington State Senate 2014 election - Campaign Contributions
Top contributors to Pramila Jayapal's campaign in 2014
(Blank)	$3,650
Jayapal, Pramila	$1,950
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe	$1,900
Council Of Metropolitan Police & Sheriffs	$1,900
Washington Federation Of State Employees Council 28	$1,900
Total Raised in 2014	$312,913
Source: Follow the Money

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Washington

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Washington scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2016

In 2016, the 64th Washington State Legislature, second session, was in session from January 11 through March 10. The legislature held a special session from March 11 to March 29 to pass a supplemental budget.

• Association of Washington Business: 2016 Voting Record

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community.

• National Federation of Independent Business/Washington: 2016 Voting Record

Legislators are scored on their stances on small business issues.

• The American Conservative Union: 2016 Scorecard

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

• Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility: 2016 Scorecard

Legislators are scored on how they voted on firearm policies.

• Washington Conservation Voters: 2015-2016 scorecard

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.

• Washington State Labor Council: 2016 Voting Record

Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the 64th Washington State Legislature, first session, was in session from January 12 through April 24. The legislature was in special session from April 29 to May 28, May 29 to June 27 and June 28 to July 10. Association of Washington Business: 2015 Voting Record Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the state’s business community. Greater Spokane Incorporated: 2015 Scorecard Legislators from the greater-Spokane area are scored on if they voted for/against funding for projects in the Spokane area. The American Conservative Union: 2015 Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Washington Conservation Voters: 2015-2016 scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues. Washington State Labor Council: 2015 Voting Record Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against WSLC's position.

Noteworthy events

Tested positive for coronavirus on January 11, 2020

See also: Politicians, candidates, and government officials diagnosed with or quarantined due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit

On January 11, 2021, Jayapal announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus after sheltering with Republican colleagues who she said refused to wear masks during the January 6 breach of the Capitol.

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U.S. House Washington District 7

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Jim McDermott (D)	U.S. House Washington District 7 2017-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Washington State Senate District 37 2015-2016	Succeeded by -

[show]

Washington's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Maria Cantwell (D)

Patty Murray (D)

Representatives

District 1

Suzan DelBene (D)

District 2

Rick Larsen (D)

District 3

Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez (D)

District 4

Dan Newhouse (R)

District 5

Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R)

District 6

Derek Kilmer (D)

District 7

Pramila Jayapal (D)

District 8

Kim Schrier (D)

District 9

D. Adam Smith (D)

District 10

Marilyn Strickland (D)

Democratic Party (10)

Republican Party (2)