Diana DeGette

Diana DeGette
Born	Diana Louise DeGette 29 7, 1957
Birthplace	Tachikawa, Japan
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Known for	U.S. Representative for Colorado's 1st congressional district; stem cell research advocacy; Colorado Wilderness Act
Education	New York University (JD)
Children	2
Website	[http://degette.house.gov/ Official site]

Diana Louise DeGette (born July 29, 1957) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Colorado's 1st congressional district since January 3, 1997. A member of the Democratic Party and the Congressional Progressive Caucus, DeGette represents a district centered on Denver. Before her election to Congress, she served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives for the 6th district from 1993 to 1997. DeGette succeeded Pat Schroeder, who had held the congressional seat for 24 years, and has since become one of the longest-serving members of Colorado's congressional delegation. She served as a Chief Deputy Whip from 2005 to 2019 and has been the dean of Colorado's congressional delegation since 2007. A senior member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, DeGette has focused her legislative career on issues including stem cell research, public health, gun control, reproductive rights, and wilderness conservation. Her tenure in Congress has spanned more than a quarter century, during which she has established herself as a prominent figure in Democratic Party politics and progressive policymaking.

Early Life

Diana Louise DeGette was born on July 29, 1957, in Tachikawa, Japan. Her birth in Japan is attributable to her family's presence there during that period. DeGette was raised in the Denver area, where she developed an interest in public service and law from an early age.

Details regarding DeGette's parents, siblings, and specific childhood experiences in publicly available sourced material are limited. What is established is that she grew up in Colorado and pursued her education within the state before attending law school on the East Coast. Her upbringing in Denver would later inform her deep connection to the community she represents in Congress, a district she has served continuously since 1997.

Education

DeGette attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She subsequently attended the New York University School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree. After completing her legal education, DeGette returned to Colorado, where she practiced law before entering politics. Her legal training informed her approach to legislation and policy throughout her subsequent career in both the Colorado state legislature and the United States Congress.

Career

Colorado State Legislature

DeGette began her career in elected office when she won a seat in the Colorado House of Representatives, representing the 6th district. She served in the state legislature from January 13, 1993, to January 3, 1997, succeeding Gerald Kopel in the position. Upon her departure from the state house to take her seat in the U.S. Congress, she was succeeded by Dan Grossman. During her time in the Colorado legislature, DeGette gained experience in the legislative process and established a reputation within Democratic Party circles in the state.

United States Congress

Election and Early Terms

DeGette was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1996, winning the seat in Colorado's 1st congressional district that had been held by Pat Schroeder since 1973. She took office on January 3, 1997, and has been reelected in every subsequent election cycle. Her district, based in Denver, has been a reliably Democratic seat, and DeGette has consistently won reelection by substantial margins.

DeGette served as a Chief Deputy Whip from 2005 to 2019, a position that placed her within the Democratic leadership structure in the House. In this role, she was responsible for helping to count votes and ensure party discipline on key legislative measures. She became the dean of Colorado's congressional delegation in 2007, following the retirement of fellow Colorado Representative Joel Hefley, making her the longest-serving member of the state's delegation in the House.

Energy and Commerce Committee

DeGette has served as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, one of the most powerful committees in the House of Representatives due to its broad jurisdiction over energy policy, health care, telecommunications, and consumer protection. As of 2026, she serves as the Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, a position that has given her significant influence over health policy legislation.

Stem Cell Research

One of DeGette's most prominent legislative efforts has been her advocacy for stem cell research. She co-sponsored and championed legislation to expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, working across party lines on the issue. DeGette and Representative Charlie Dent introduced stem cell legislation designed to promote research that proponents argued could lead to treatments and cures for a variety of diseases. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 2043 in the 109th Congress) was one of the key pieces of legislation she championed on this issue. Her work on stem cell research has been a defining element of her legislative career, and her voting record on the issue has been documented by organizations such as Vote Smart.

Reproductive Rights

DeGette has been a consistent advocate for reproductive rights throughout her time in Congress. She has served as a co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, working alongside other members to protect access to family planning services and reproductive health care. In her capacity as co-chair, DeGette applauded the inclusion of family planning funding in President Barack Obama's budget proposals. Her position on reproductive rights has been rated by organizations such as NARAL Pro-Choice America. Her voting record and policy positions on reproductive issues have been consistent throughout her career in Congress.

Gun Control

DeGette has been an active proponent of gun control legislation. She and Representative Carolyn McCarthy introduced legislation aimed at regulating online ammunition sales, seeking to require face-to-face transactions for ammunition purchases and mandate reporting of bulk ammunition sales to law enforcement.

In April 2013, DeGette drew criticism for remarks she made during a gun control forum in Denver regarding ammunition magazines. The Denver Post reported that she made a comment about high-capacity magazines that was criticized as reflecting a misunderstanding of how ammunition magazines function. Despite this incident, she continued to advocate for gun control measures.

In June 2016, DeGette participated in a Democratic sit-in on the House floor to demand a vote on gun control legislation following a series of mass shootings in the United States. Colorado representatives, including DeGette, joined their colleagues in the protest action.

Wilderness Conservation

DeGette has been a prominent advocate for wilderness conservation in Colorado. She has repeatedly introduced the Colorado Wilderness Act, a legislative proposal that would designate significant areas of public land in Colorado as federally protected wilderness. In February 2026, DeGette reintroduced the Colorado Wilderness Act, which would protect approximately 720,000 acres of land in Colorado from development and potential sale. In reintroducing the legislation, DeGette framed it in part as a response to concerns about potential federal land sell-offs under the Trump administration.

Public Health and NIH

In her role as Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, DeGette has focused on protecting federal health research institutions. In January 2026, she introduced legislation to protect the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from political interference, reflecting her concern about the independence of scientific research at the federal level.

In February 2026, DeGette issued a statement regarding staff cuts at the National Lab of the Rockies, expressing concern about the impact of workforce reductions at the federal laboratory located in her state.

National Defense and Homeland Security

DeGette voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in December 2025, issuing a statement explaining her opposition to the legislation. In early 2026, she also voted against funding for the Department of Homeland Security, issuing a statement outlining her objections to the funding measure.

2026 State of the Union

In February 2026, DeGette announced that she would not attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, scheduled for February 25, 2026. Colorado Newsline reported on her decision to skip the address.

2008 Presidential Primary

During the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, DeGette endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination for president.

Public Engagement

In January 2026, DeGette, along with other Colorado lawmakers including Senator Michael Bennet, faced angry crowds at public appearances. Attendees expressed frustration over ICE enforcement actions and the situation in Gaza. Colorado Public Radio reported that DeGette and Bennet were heckled at these events, reflecting the contentious political climate surrounding immigration enforcement and Middle East policy.

Personal Life

DeGette has two children. She resides in Denver, Colorado, the city at the center of the congressional district she represents. DeGette was born in Tachikawa, Japan, but was raised in Colorado, where she has spent most of her life. Beyond these publicly documented details, DeGette has maintained a degree of privacy regarding her personal and family life.

Recognition

DeGette's legislative record has been evaluated and rated by numerous advocacy organizations across the political spectrum. Vote Smart has compiled comprehensive records of her evaluations from interest groups, providing a detailed picture of her policy positions across a range of issues. Her long tenure in Congress — serving continuously since 1997 — and her role as dean of the Colorado congressional delegation since 2007 reflect her durability and influence within the state's political landscape.

Her appearances on media platforms have included C-SPAN, where she has been featured in programming discussing policy and legislative matters.

Legacy

Diana DeGette's career in Congress, spanning nearly three decades, has placed her among the longest-serving members of Colorado's congressional delegation. She succeeded Pat Schroeder, herself a historic figure in Colorado politics, and has maintained the Denver-based seat through numerous election cycles. Her legislative priorities — stem cell research, reproductive rights, gun control, public health, and wilderness conservation — have defined her as a member aligned with progressive policy goals within the Democratic Party.

Her role as Chief Deputy Whip from 2005 to 2019 placed her within the House Democratic leadership for 14 years, giving her influence over legislative strategy and party cohesion on key votes. As dean of the Colorado delegation since 2007, she has served as the senior voice of the state's representation in Washington, D.C.

DeGette's sustained focus on stem cell research legislation represented a significant contribution to the broader national debate over the boundaries of federally funded scientific research. Her work on the Colorado Wilderness Act, a proposal she has introduced multiple times over the course of her career, reflects her commitment to environmental conservation in her home state. Whether or not the legislation is ultimately enacted, the proposal has served to keep the issue of wilderness protection in Colorado on the national legislative agenda.

As of 2026, DeGette continues to serve in Congress, remaining an active participant in debates over health policy, science funding, public lands, and civil liberties. Her tenure places her among the more experienced members of the House of Representatives, and her committee position on Energy and Commerce ensures she retains a substantive role in policy formation.