Biography
Kimberly Merle Schrier, born on August 23, 1968, in Los Angeles, California, is an American physician and politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Washington's 8th Congressional District since January 3, 2019. She is a member of the Democratic Party and is the first pediatrician to serve in Congress.
Before her political career, Schrier practiced as a pediatrician in Issaquah, Washington, for 17 years, providing care to children across the Puget Sound region. Her personal experience with Type 1 diabetes, diagnosed at age 16, has informed her advocacy for affordable healthcare and prescription drug costs.
In Congress, Schrier has focused on healthcare reform, environmental protection, and supporting agricultural communities. She has been instrumental in passing legislation to lower prescription drug prices, including capping insulin costs for seniors. Additionally, she has worked to secure funding for infrastructure projects and wildfire risk reduction in her district.
Schrier resides in Sammamish, Washington, with her husband, David Gowing, and their son, Sam.
Education and Political Experience
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Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics from the University of California, Berkeley
- Doctor of Medicine from the University of California, Davis School of Medicine
- Completed residency at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University
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Political Experience:
- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, representing Washington's 8th Congressional District
- Re-elected in 2020, 2022, and 2024
- Serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, with subcommittee assignments including Health, Energy, and Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
- Member of the House Agriculture Committee, focusing on issues pertinent to Washington's farming communities
- Co-chair of the Congressional Doctors Caucus and the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition's Climate and Agriculture Task Force
Schrier's background as a physician and her personal health experiences have significantly influenced her legislative priorities, particularly in healthcare and public health policy.
