Biography

Yvette Diane Clarke, born on November 21, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York, is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving New York's 9th Congressional District since 2013. She previously represented the 11th District from 2007 to 2013. Clarke is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants and has been deeply involved in her Brooklyn community throughout her career. In December 2024, she was elected as the 29th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, a position she began in January 2025.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Attended Oberlin College from 1982 to 1986, studying Public Policy and Political Science.

• Political Experience:

  • Member of the New York City Council, representing the 40th District .
  • U.S. Representative for New York's 11th Congressional District .
  • U.S. Representative for New York's 9th Congressional District .

Notable Achievements and Positions

• Congressional Black Caucus: Elected Chair in December 2024, focusing on voting rights, education, criminal justice reform, women's rights, healthcare equity, and economic equality.

• Committee Assignments:

  • Senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
  • Member of the Committee on Homeland Security.

• Caucus Memberships:

  • Co-Chair of the Congressional Caribbean Caucus.
  • Co-Chair of the Multicultural Media Caucus.
  • Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls.
  • Co-Chair of the Medicare for All Caucus.
  • Co-Chair of the Smart Cities Caucus.

• Legislative Initiatives:

  • Introduced the DEEPFAKES Accountability Act to combat malicious deepfakes.
  • Introduced the REAL Political Ads Act to increase transparency in political AI-generated advertisements.
  • Advocated for the Affordable Connectivity Program to provide reliable and affordable broadband access.

Clarke continues to reside in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, where she remains actively engaged with her constituents.