Hoyas on the Hill

Georgetown alumni have long been drawn to public service; 168 alone have served in the United States Congress, including such notables as William B. Bankhead, who graduated in 1895, became the Speaker of the House during the New Deal, and was the father of actress Tallulah Bankhead.

Many have attributed a call to service to the Jesuit tradition of living in service to others—instilled and embodied at Georgetown. The 117th Congress swore in 28 Hoyas, including seven senators and 21 representatives. As the longest-serving senator in the Democratic majority, Patrick Leahy (L’64, H’94) became president pro tempore in January 2021, and presides over the Senate in the absence of the vice president. Senator Leahy also chairs the Appropriations Committee and serves on the Judiciary and Agriculture committees.

Patrick Leahy — Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

“My education at Georgetown Law prepared me for all that has followed in my career in the law and in public policy. It also deepened my passion for the majesty of the law, and for the Constitution. I could not have hoped for or received any better grounding.”

Senator Patrick Leahy (L’64, H’94) (D-Vt.), President Pro Tempore of the Senate

Alumni in the 117th Congress represent eight of the nine schools at the university with nearly half graduating from Georgetown Law. Alumni in the new Congress include:

Alaska
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (C’80) – R
Sen. Dan Sullivan (G’93, L’93) – R

California
Rep. Michael Garcia (G’98) – R
Rep. Ted Lieu (L’94) – D

Florida
Rep. Lois Frankel (L’73) – D
Rep. Stephanie Murphy (G’04) – D

Georgia
Sen. Jon Ossoff (SFS’09) – D

Hawaii
Sen. Mazie Hirono (L’78) – D

Illinois
Sen. Richard Durbin (SFS’66, L’69) – D

Indiana
Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (G’14) – R

Maryland
Rep. Steny Hoyer (L’66) – D
Sen. Christopher Van Hollen (L’90) – D

Massachusetts
Rep. Lori Trahan (SFS’95) – D

Michigan
Rep. Debbie Dingell (SFS’75, G’98) – D

Nebraska
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (G’86) – R

New Hampshire
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (L’84) – D

New Jersey
Rep. Mikie Sherrill (L’07) – D

New York
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (G’94) – D

Rhode Island
Rep. David Cicilline (L’86) – D

Texas
Rep. Henry Cuellar (SFS’78) – D
Rep. August Pfluger (G’19) – R
Rep. Filemon Vela (C’85) – D

Vermont
Sen. Patrick Leahy (L’64) – D

Virgin Islands
Rep. Stacey Plaskett (SFS’88) – D

Washington
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (C’86) – D

Wisconsin
Rep. Mike Gallagher (G’12, ’13, ’15) – R
Rep. Bryan Steil (B’03) – R

Wyoming
Sen. John Barrasso (C’75, M’78) – R

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