Laura Gillen is a Democratic Representative serving New York's 4th congressional district since January 3, 2025. Born on July 10, 1969, Gillen completed her A.B. at Georgetown University in 1991 and earned her J.D. from New York University in 2000. Prior to her congressional career, she practiced law and was a faculty member at Hofstra University, and served as the town supervisor of Hempstead, New York, from 2018 to 2019. Gillen was also an unsuccessful candidate in the 2022 congressional elections before successfully winning her seat in 2024.

Gillen's congressional work is reflected in her active participation in several committees, notably the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and their respective subcommittees on Space and Aeronautics and Aviation.

Throughout her tenure, Gillen has sponsored and co-sponsored a range of legislative proposals, focusing primarily on health and social issues. Some of her notable sponsored bills include:

1. Youth Suicide Prevention Research Act (HB2630): This legislation seeks to enhance research initiatives aimed at understanding youth suicide, particularly addressing the impact of adverse childhood experiences.
2. Access to Family Building Act (HB2049): Introduced to ensure unrestricted access to assisted reproductive technology and related medical care, this bill reflects Gillen's commitment to reproductive rights.
3. Temporary Protected Status for Haiti (HB1689): This proposed legislation aims to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status, underscoring her focus on humanitarian issues.

Gillen has also co-sponsored significant bills, including the HALT Fentanyl Act (HB27), which seeks to address the trafficking of fentanyl, and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HB14), which aims to enhance voting rights and accessibility across the United States.

In analyzing her legislative activity, it becomes evident that Gillen leans towards progressive values, particularly on issues of health care access and social justice. Her commitment to enhancing research on youth mental health and advocating for reproductive rights indicates a strong alignment with Democratic priorities aimed at supporting marginalized communities. Additionally, her support for voting rights legislation reflects a focus on civic engagement and protection of democratic processes, which has become a central theme among many legislators in her party.

Beyond her legislative agenda, personal details about Gillen that may be pertinent to constituents and lobbyists include her professional background as a lawyer and her connections to academia through her teaching role at Hofstra University. These experiences contribute to her understanding of the complexities surrounding legislation related to education, labor, and community welfare.

Gillen continues to build a reputation as a proactive member of Congress, striving to address both the immediate and long-term needs of her constituents through her legislative efforts. As she progresses in her career, her engagement with issues at the forefront of American political discourse will likely shape the direction of her initiatives in the future.