Jahana Hayes

Democrat Representative of Connecticut's 5th district

Representative
Connecticut, district 5
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2021
Representative
Connecticut, district 5
January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2023
Representative
Connecticut, district 5
January 3, 2023 - January 3, 2025

202-225-4476

@RepJahanaHayes

hayes.house.gov

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March 8, 1973 (51 years old)

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American educator and politician serving as a U.S. representative since 2019
First Black woman and Black Democrat to represent Connecticut in Congress
Recognized as the National Teacher of the Year in 2016
Grew up in public housing projects in Waterbury, Connecticut
Earned degrees from Naugatuck Valley Community College, Southern Connecticut State University, University of Saint Joseph, and University of Bridgeport
Taught government and history at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury
Chaired the Kennedy SOAR Review Board and was a co-adviser of HOPE, a student-service club
Ran for Congress in 2018, focusing on her difficult upbringing and support for public education and teachers’ unions
Endorsed by the Connecticut Education Association and the Connecticut Working Families Party in 2018
Re-elected in 2020 and faced a competitive election in 2022
Committee assignments include the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Education and the Workforce
Member of the Congressional Black Caucus and House Pro-Choice Caucus
Voted for both the first and second impeachment of Donald Trump
Opposed placing Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on the House Education Committee due to her claims about school shootings
Was on the shortlist for Secretary of Education in the Biden administration
Voted in line with President Joe Biden’s stated position 98.2% of the time as of June 2022
Voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and against removing U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days in 2023
Criticized a federal trans and intersex sports ban, highlighting the high rates of suicide consideration and attempts among trans youth
Lives in Wolcott, Connecticut, with her husband and four children