View source for Debbie Wasserman Schultz

{{Short description|American politician (born 1966)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{family name hatnote|Wasserman Schultz|Schultz}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                =  Debbie Wasserman Schultz
| image               = Debbie Wasserman Schultz official photo.jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2013
| office              = Chair of the [[Steering and Policy Committees of the United States House of Representatives|House Democratic Steering Committee]]
| leader              = [[Hakeem Jeffries]]
| term_start          = January 3, 2023
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Cheri Bustos]]<br>[[Eric Swalwell]]<br>[[Barbara Lee]]
| successor           =
| office1 = Member of the<br>[[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Florida]]
| constituency1 = [[Florida's 20th congressional district|20th district]] {{nowrap|(2005–2013)}}<br>[[Florida's 23rd congressional district|23rd district]] {{nowrap|(2013–2023)}}<br>[[Florida's 25th congressional district|25th district]] {{nowrap|(2023–present)}}
| term_start1 = January 3, 2005
| term_end1 = 
| predecessor1 = [[Peter Deutsch]]
| successor1 = 
| office2 = [[Chair of the Democratic National Committee]]
| term_start2 = May 4, 2011
| term_end2 = July 28, 2016
| predecessor2 = [[Tim Kaine]]
| successor2 = [[Tom Perez]]
| office3 = Member of the [[Florida Senate]]
| term_start3 = November 7, 2000
| term_end3 = November 2, 2004
| constituency3 = 32nd district (2000–2002)<br>34th district (2002–2004)
| predecessor3 = [[Howard Forman (politician)|Howard Forman]]
| successor3 = [[Nan Rich]]
| state_house4 = Florida
| district4 = 97th
| term_start4 = November 3, 1992
| term_end4 = November 7, 2000
| predecessor4 = ''Redistricted''
| successor4 = Nan Rich
| birth_name = Deborah Wasserman
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|9|27}}
| birth_place = {{nowrap|[[New York City]], U.S.}}
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Steve Schultz|1991}}
| children = 3
| education = [[University of Florida]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|AB]], [[Master of Arts|AM]])
| signature = Debbie wasserman schultz signature.jpg
| website = {{URL|https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/|House website}}
| module  = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Breast Cancer Awareness Month.ogg|title=Debbie Wasserman Schultz's voice|type=speech|description=Debbie Wasserman Schultz speaks on [[Breast Cancer Awareness Month]]<br/>Recorded October 30, 2013}}
}}
'''Deborah Wasserman Schultz''' ({{née}} '''Wasserman'''; {{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɑː|s|ər|m|ən}}; born September 27, 1966) is an American politician serving as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|Florida|25|}}, first elected to Congress in [[United States House of Representatives elections, 2004|2004]]. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], she is a former chair of the [[Democratic National Committee]].

Wasserman Schultz served in the [[Florida House of Representatives]] and the [[Florida Senate]] and was a national co-chair<ref>{{cite web |title=Hillary Clinton: 'Press Release – Clinton Names Florida Reps. Wasserman Schultz, Hastings National Campaign Co-Chairs |date=June 7, 2007 |publisher=The American Presidency Project |url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=92357 |access-date=2017-05-26 |quote=Online by Gerard Peters and John T. Woolley |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142218/http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=92357 |url-status=dead }}</ref> of [[Hillary Clinton]]'s [[Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2008|2008 campaign]] for president. Her district covers much of southern [[Broward County]], including a large part of [[Fort Lauderdale]].

Wasserman Schultz was elected [[Chair of the DNC|chair of the Democratic National Committee]] in May 2011, replacing [[Tim Kaine]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.democrats.org/about/our-leaders|title=Our Leaders|website=Democrats.org|access-date=December 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722193304/https://www.democrats.org/about/our-leaders|archive-date=July 22, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="NYT-Martin20160725">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/25/us/politics/debbie-wasserman-schultz-dnc-wikileaks-emails.html|title=Debbie Wasserman Schultz to Resign D.N.C. Post|last1=Martin|first1=Jonathan|date=2016-07-25|last2=Rappeport|first2=Alan|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-07-25}}</ref> On July 28, 2016, she resigned from that position after [[WikiLeaks]] released [[2016 Democratic National Committee email leak|leaked emails]] showing that she and other members of the DNC staff had expressed [[bias]] in preference of [[Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2016|Hillary Clinton]] over [[Bernie Sanders]] in the [[2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries|2016 Democratic primaries]].<ref name="NYT-Martin20160725"/><ref name="All Things Considered">{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/07/24/487264278/debbie-wasserman-schultz-announces-resignation-with-convention-set-to-begin |title=Debbie Wasserman Schultz Announces Resignation With Convention Set To Begin |last1=Elving|first1=Ron|date=2016-07-24|last2=Martin |first2=Michel|publisher=National Public Radio|access-date=2016-07-25}}</ref> The emails showed that some [[Democratic National Committee|DNC]] officials had discussed strategies to weaken Sanders’ campaign, questioning his viability, and even suggesting ways to discredit his supporters. She secured a senior surrogate spot on the Clinton campaign afterwards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-07-25 |title=How Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the 'Jewish mother' of Congress, rose and fell |url=https://www.jta.org/2016/07/25/ny/how-debbie-wasserman-schultz-the-jewish-mother-of-congress-rose-and-fell-2 |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life and education==
Born in [[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills, Queens, New York]], to a [[Jewish]] family,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kurtfstone.typepad.com/kurt_f_stone_speaks_/2011/04/madam-chair.html|title=The Chairwoman Who Carries Crayons|publisher=Kurt F. Stone|access-date=November 2, 2013|quote=Debbie Wasserman, the daughter of Larry and Ann (Oberweger) Wasserman was born in Forest Hills, New York, on September 27, 1966.}}</ref> she is the daughter of Ann and Larry Wasserman. Her father is a [[Certified Public Accountant|certified public accountant]], and her brother, Steven Wasserman, is an assistant [[United States Attorney|United States attorney]] for the District of Columbia.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Wasserman-WHAT? Wikipedia claims Wasserman-Rubin and Wasserman Schultz are mother-daughter|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-mtblog-2012-01-wassermanwhat_wikipedia_claims-story.html|date=January 18, 2012|first=Brittany|last=Wallman|work=[[South Florida Sun-Sentinel]]|location=Fort Lauderdale|access-date=July 24, 2016}}</ref>

From 1968 to 1978, the family lived in [[Lido Beach, New York|Lido Beach]] on [[Long Island]]. In 1978, her family moved to [[Melville, New York|Melville]], also on Long Island, where she graduated from [[Half Hollow Hills Central School District|Half Hollow Hills High School East]] in 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kurtfstone.typepad.com/kurt_f_stone_speaks_/2011/04/madam-chair.html|title=The Chairwoman Who Carries Crayons|publisher=Kurt F. Stone|access-date=November 2, 2013}}</ref> She received a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in 1988 and a [[Master of Arts]] with a certificate in political campaigning in 1990, both in [[political science]], from the [[University of Florida]].<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4032&SessionId=50 |title=Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz|publisher=Florida House of Representatives|access-date=March 27, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Forward">{{cite news|title=Florida Democrat Blazing Her Own Trail on Capitol Hill|url=http://www.forward.com/articles/florida-democrat-blazing-her-own-trail-on-capitol|author=Kessler, E.J.|date=March 4, 2005|work=The Jewish Forward|access-date=January 7, 2007|archive-date=September 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102307/http://www.forward.com/articles/florida-democrat-blazing-her-own-trail-on-capitol/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

At the University of Florida, Wasserman Schultz was active in student government, serving as president of the Student Senate and the founder and president of the Rawlings Area Council Government.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> She was also a member of the [[Omicron Delta Kappa]] [[honor society]], the James C. Grimm chapter of the [[National Residence Hall Honorary]], and the [[graduate student unionization|union]] Graduate Assistants United. She served as president of the Graduate Student Council and vice president of the UF College Democrats.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ufdemocrats.org/posts/debbie-wasserman-schultz-meets-with-ufcd-leadership/|title=Debbie Wasserman Schultz Meets with UFCD Leadership!|date=September 1, 2011|publisher=UF College Democrats|first=Erin|last=Murphy|access-date=January 19, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716152550/http://ufdemocrats.org/posts/debbie-wasserman-schultz-meets-with-ufcd-leadership/|archive-date=July 16, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> She has credited her experience in student politics with developing her "love for politics and the political process."<ref>Schultz, Debbie Wasserman. "Speech to Harvard Model Congress: Youth Participation In Politics". March 4, 2006.</ref>

Wasserman Schultz lives in [[Weston, Florida|Weston]], near Fort Lauderdale. She is married to Steve Schultz; they have three children. She is an active member of the [[National Jewish Democratic Council]], [[Planned Parenthood]], and [[Hadassah Women's Zionist Organization of America|Hadassah]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|url=http://votesmart.org/|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Vote Smart}}</ref>

In March 2009, she revealed that she had undergone seven surgeries related to [[breast cancer]] in 2008 while maintaining her responsibilities as a member of the House. That year, she promoted efforts for early screening for breast cancer.<ref name=Doup2009>{{cite news|first=Liz|last=Doup|title=Debbie Wasserman Schultz shows steely resolve in grueling cancer battle. A hectic workload. A young family. And seven cancer surgeries. But Wasserman Schultz keeps going.|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/health/sfl-wasserman-schultz-cancer-a04.ar0sbapr05,0,2806724.story|work=[[South Florida Sun-Sentinel]]|location=Fort Lauderdale|date=April 5, 2009|access-date=April 25, 2009|quote=For two weeks, she's hit the stump, talking about her breast cancer battle. The seven surgeries, including a double mastectomy. <br />"I remember how she was only half out of anesthesia and she was on the BlackBerry", says her brother, Steve Wasserman, an assistant [[U.S. Attorney]] in Washington.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408082707/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/health/sfl-wasserman-schultz-cancer-a04.ar0sbapr05,0,2806724.story|archive-date=April 8, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Career==

===Florida state legislature===
[[File:Sue Gunzburger, Steve Geller, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.jpg|thumb|right|Wasserman Schultz with [[Suzanne Gunzburger]] and [[Steven Geller]] in April 2002]]
In 1988, Wasserman Schultz became an aide to [[Peter Deutsch]] at the beginning of his state legislative career.<ref name="Forward"/><ref name="JTA 04">{{cite news|title=Election to House caps fast ascent for Florida woman seen as rising star|date=November 8, 2004|publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|url=http://www.jta.org/2004/11/09/archive/election-to-house-caps-fast-ascent-for-florida-woman-seen-as-rising-star|access-date=July 25, 2016}}</ref> In 1992, Deutsch successfully ran for [[United States Representative]] of [[Florida's 20th congressional district]], and suggested to Wasserman Schultz that she run for his vacated seat in the [[Florida House of Representatives]]. Wasserman Schultz won 53% of the vote in a six-way Democratic primary, avoiding a runoff,<ref name="JTA 04"/> and won the general election. At 26, she became the youngest female legislator in the state's history.<ref name="Forward"/><ref>Debbie Wasserman Schultz profile at ''Carroll's Federal Directory''. Carroll Publishing, 2009; reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, MI: [[Gale (Cengage)|Gale]], 2009; Document Number: K2415004095, via [[Fairfax County Public Library]]; retrieved April 25, 2009.</ref>

She served four terms in the Florida State House of Representatives, for eight years, leaving due to state term limits.<ref name="Forward"/> She became an adjunct instructor of political science at [[Broward College|Broward Community College]], as well as a public policy curriculum specialist at [[Nova Southeastern University]].{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Wasserman Schultz was elected to the Florida State Senate in 2000. She supported several bills, including the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act and one creating a Children's Services Council for Broward County. She received an award from the Save the Manatee Club for her commitment as a state senator in the 2002 legislative session to [[manatee]] protection.<ref>[http://www.savethemanatee.org/newsprwassermanschultz.htm Save the Manatee Club honors Senator Debbie Wasserman Schultz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508085734/http://www.savethemanatee.org/newsprwassermanschultz.htm |date=May 8, 2016 }}, Save the Manatee Club, March 18, 2003. Retrieved April 20, 2016.</ref>

===U.S. House of Representatives===
[[File:Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Christina Ricci.jpg|thumb|right|Wasserman Schultz with [[Christina Ricci]] in April 2007]]

====Committee assignments====
For the [[118th United States Congress|118th Congress]]:<ref>{{cite web |title=Debbie Wasserman Schultz |url=https://clerk.house.gov/members/W000797 |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref>
* [[United States House Committee on Appropriations|Committee on Appropriations]]
** [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies]]
** [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies]]
** [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies]] (Ranking Member)
* [[United States House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government|Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government]]

==== Caucus memberships ====

* [[Black Maternal Health Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Caucus Members
|author=|url=https://blackmaternalhealthcaucus-underwood.house.gov/about-caucus/caucus-members|format=|publisher=Black Maternal Health Caucus|date=|accessdate=25 June 2025}}</ref>
* [[Congressional Solar Caucus]]<ref name="DWSCaucuses">{{cite web |url=https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/biography/committees.htm |title=Committees |publisher=Debbie Wasserman Schultz |access-date=February 5, 2019}}</ref>
* [[New Democrat Coalition]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|publisher=New Democrat Coalition|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-date=February 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208100356/https://newdemocratcoalition-himes.house.gov/members|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newdemocratcoalition-kind.house.gov/membership|title=NDC Membership|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821183347/http://newdemocratcoalition-kind.house.gov/membership|archive-date=August 21, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* [[Congressional Arts Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Membership|url=https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|publisher=Congressional Arts Caucus|access-date=March 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140644/https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* [[Afterschool Caucuses|Afterschool Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm|publisher=Afterschool Alliance|access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref>
* [[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Members|url=https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus|access-date=5 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155201/https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|archive-date=August 1, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* [[Rare Disease Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Rare Disease Congressional Caucus|author=|url=https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/|format=|publisher=Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases|date=|accessdate=19 March 2025}}</ref>

====Party leadership====
* [[Chief Deputy Whips of the United States House of Representatives|Chief Deputy Whip]]

Wasserman Schultz was appointed to the [[Democratic Steering and Policy Committee]] in her first term. During the 2006 elections, she raised over $17 million in campaign contributions for her Democratic colleagues (third-most after [[Nancy Pelosi]] and [[Rahm Emanuel]]), was chosen as Chief Deputy Whip, and was appointed to the [[U.S. House Committee on Appropriations|Appropriations Committee]], a plum assignment for a sophomore representative.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1834724_1834723_1834712,00.html|title=The Mother of Three: Debbie Wasserman Schultz|first=Jay|last=Newton-Small|magazine=Time|access-date=2016-07-24|date=August 21, 2008}}</ref>

Wasserman Schultz chairs the committee's [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies]]. Shortly after joining the Appropriations Committee, she received a waiver necessary to sit on an additional committee (Appropriations is typically an exclusive committee), and she is now a member of the [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform|Committee on Oversight and Reform]]. Aside from her committee and leadership roles, she was a member of [[Nancy Pelosi]]'s "30 Something" Working Group, which consists of congressional Democrats mostly under age 40. The group concentrates on issues affecting young people, including [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]]. She joined the bipartisan [[Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus]]. According to the ''Congress.org'' 2008 Power Rankings, she was the 24th-most powerful member of the House, the 22nd-most powerful Democratic representative, and the most powerful Florida representative.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/overall.tt |publisher=Congress.org |title=Power Rankings 2008 |access-date=April 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918155340/http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/overall.tt |archive-date=September 18, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref>

In December 2019, Wasserman Schultz voted to impeach President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-impeachment-vote-results-house-2019-12|title=WHIP COUNT: Here's which members of the House voted for and against impeaching Trump|first=Grace|last=Panetta|website=Business Insider}}</ref>

==Political positions==
Wasserman Schultz is a proponent of [[gun control]] legislation and supporter of LGBT rights.

She initiated the 2007 [[Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act]] to address the safety risks posed by [[Pool suction-drain injury|suction entrapment]].

In 2011, Wasserman Schultz was one of the 23 co-sponsors of H.R. 3261, the [[Stop Online Piracy Act]] (SOPA).<ref name="govtrack">{{cite web|author=Lamar Smith|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-3261|title=Stop Online Piracy Act (2011; 112th Congress H.R. 3261)|publisher=GovTrack.us|date=October 26, 2011|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref>

On April 25, 2018, 57 members of the House of Representatives, including Wasserman Schultz,<ref name="holocaust" /> condemned history-related legislation in [[Ukraine]] and [[Poland]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Congress members urge US stand against Holocaust denial in Ukraine, Poland |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/congress-members-urge-us-stand-against-holocaust-denial-in-ukraine-poland/ |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |date=April 25, 2018}}</ref> They criticized Poland's [[Act on the Institute of National Remembrance|new Holocaust law]], which they claimed would criminalize accusing Poles of complicity in the Holocaust,<ref>{{cite news |title=It's now a crime in Poland to suggest Poles were complicit in the Holocaust |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/its-now-a-crime-in-poland-to-suggest-poles-were-complicit-in-the-holocaust/ |work=Vice News |date=March 1, 2018}}</ref> as well as Ukraine's [[Ukrainian decommunization laws|2015 memory laws]] glorifying [[Ukrainian Insurgent Army]] (UPA) and its pro-Nazi leaders, such as [[Roman Shukhevych]].<ref name="holocaust">{{cite news|url=http://defendinghistory.com/57-members-of-us-house-of-representatives-condemn-holocaust-distortion-in-ukraine-and-poland/94506|title=57 Members of US House of Representatives Condemn Holocaust Distortion in Ukraine and Poland|first=Defending|last=History|newspaper=Defending History |date=April 25, 2018}}</ref>

During the [[117th United States Congress|117th Congress]], Wasserman Schultz voted with President [[Joe Biden]]'s stated position 100% of the time according to a ''[[FiveThirtyEight]]'' analysis.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Aaron |last2=Wiederkehr |first2=Anna |date=2021-04-22 |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210522014239/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 22, 2021 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=FiveThirtyEight |language=en}}</ref>

===Consumer Finance Protection Bureau and payday lending===
In December 2015, Wasserman Schultz was one of 24 co-sponsors of H.R. 4018, authored by Representative [[Dennis A. Ross]], which would delay the implementation of [[CFPB]] regulations.<ref>{{cite news|date= December 2, 2015|title=H.R. 4018: Consumer Protection and Choice Act|author=Ross, Dennis|work=Govtrack US| agency=[[Govtrack]]|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr4018|access-date=March 9, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date= March 1, 2016|title=Wasserman Schultz backs bill to delay payday loan rules|author=Lane, Sylvan|work=The Hill| agency=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|url=https://thehill.com/policy/finance/banking-financial-institutions/271302-dnc-chief-backs-bill-to-hamper-payday-loan/|access-date=March 9, 2016}}</ref> She was among a dozen Florida representatives who cosponsored the legislation that would delay the CFPB's payday lending rules by two years and void a "deferred presentment transaction" in states with laws similar to Florida's. She has drawn criticism for trying to delay those regulations.<ref>{{cite news|date= May 9, 2016|title=Nonprofit group targets Wasserman Schultz over payday lenders|author=MCCASKILL, NOLAN |work=Politico| agency=[[Politico]]|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/debbie-wasserman-schultz-payday-lenders-220527|access-date=March 9, 2016}}</ref>

===Terri Schiavo case===
{{main|Terri Schiavo case}}
The Terri Schiavo case concerned the fate of a young Florida woman who had suffered brain damage after a heart attack in 1990 and was in a coma on life support. Her husband, who was her legal guardian while engaged to another woman, and the medical team wanted to remove her feeding tube, as she was in an irreversible "persistent vegetative state" with no hope of improvement. Her parents opposed this decision for years, appealing to courts, Congress, and ultimately to President [[George W. Bush]] to intervene. Wasserman Schultz was one of the strongest opponents of congressional intervention, supporting the husband's view. The feeding tube was finally removed on 18 March 2005, resulting in Schiavo's death on 31 March.

Wasserman Schultz publicly accused Bush of hypocrisy for having signed a 1999 bill as governor of [[Texas]] that allows health care workers to remove life support for terminally ill patients if the patient or family is unable to pay the medical bills.<ref>{{cite news|date= March 22, 2005|title=In Texas, Bush sided with spouses in cases like this|author=Herman, Ken|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer| agency=[[Cox News Service]]|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/national/217023_texas22.html|access-date=January 9, 2007}}</ref>

===Israeli–Palestinian conflict===
Wasserman Schultz is a supporter of [[Israel]].<ref>https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/press-releases/wasserman-schultz-on-israels-independence-day/{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Her predecessor and mentor [[Peter Deutsch]] was "among the most hawkish congressional Democrats on Middle East issues". Wasserman Schultz, who took over his seat for Florida's 20th district, "a heavily Jewish swath of Broward County", has taken a more centrist approach.<ref name="Forward" /> In 2005 she spoke in approval of President Bush's proposals to give financial aid to the [[Palestinian Authority]] in both the proposed supplemental and in the 2006 budgets, praising Bush's greater "engagement and involvement" on the issue.

She has disputed claims that the Democratic Party is anti-Israel, arguing that the [[House Democratic Caucus]] is more supportive of the state than its "far-right" Republican counterparts, and questioning Republican motivations on the issue.[[File:Michal Herzog in Beit HaNassi, March 2024 (MYN 2287).jpg|thumb|Wasserman Schultz and other members of the US congressional delegation with Israeli President [[Isaac Herzog]] in [[Jerusalem]], March 28, 2024]]
Wasserman Schultz supported Israel in the [[2014 Gaza War]] and criticized MSNBC's coverage of it, saying: "Clearly [MSNBC was] highlighting what Israel had done to Gaza and the plight of Palestinians. My first thought was, where is the balance? Where is the spotlight on what Jewish children in Israel go through from being victims of rocket attacks?"<ref>{{cite news|first1=Nia-Malika|last1=Henderson|access-date=2021-04-03|title=The chairwoman of the DNC just bashed MSNBC. What's going on here?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/02/03/the-chairwoman-of-the-dnc-just-bashed-msnbc-whats-going-on-here/|newspaper=Washington Post|issn=0190-8286|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref>

She has continued to defend the state's military action in the [[Gaza Strip]], including the ongoing [[Gaza war]] which has led to tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths. When the [[International Court of Justice]] ruled that Israel's operations in Gaza and the West Bank constitute illegal occupation, Wasserman Schultz claimed on [[Twitter]] that the court “discriminates against Israel.” She voiced support for a [[two-state solution]] to the conflict, although Israel's [[Knesset]] subsequently overwhelmingly rejected such a solution.<ref name=":1" />

Wasserman Schultz supported President Trump's decision to [[United States recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel|recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital]], saying: "We must work toward a day where the entire world recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and that can be achieved through final status negotiations. I remain as committed as ever to safeguarding Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state, at peace with its neighbors, with Jerusalem as its undisputed capital."<ref>{{cite news |title=Florida reaction to Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel |url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/12/06/florida-reaction-to-trumps-recognition-of-jerusalem-as-capital-of-israel/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=December 6, 2017}}</ref>

In November 2023, she voted in favor of a bill that provided an additional [[Israel–United States military relations|$14.3 billion]] to support [[Gaza war|Israeli military operations]] in the [[Gaza Strip]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Debbie Wasserman Schultz Says Strings On Aid Show GOP 'Really Not Committed' To Israel |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wasserman-schultz-israel-republicans_n_654520d4e4b01b2585839136 |work=HuffPost |date=November 3, 2023}}</ref>

===Presidential signing statements===
Wasserman Schultz supports the use of appropriations for future control of presidential signing statements as revealed during questions in a July 26, 2008, House Judiciary Committee hearing on the constitutional limits of executive power.<ref name="House Judiciary Committee hearing on the constitutional limits of executive power 26 July 2008">{{cite web|title= Hearing on Limits of Executive Power: Debbie W. Schultz|website = [[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQScXo7lawQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/pQScXo7lawQ |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|date=July 26, 2008|access-date=July 29, 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
[[File:Representation Debbie Wasserman Schultz.jpg|thumb|Debbie Wasserman Schultz receives award from Plantation Democratic Club President Marvin Quittner, May 5, 2013.]]

'''Support for the Iran Nuclear Deal''' 
In 2015, Rep. Wasserman Schultz announced her support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal. This agreement has been a point of contention, with critics arguing it does not adequately prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.<ref name="U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz backs Iran nuclear deal 6 September 2015" >https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.as</ref>

===Jewish American Heritage Month===

Wasserman Schultz is Florida's first female Jewish member of Congress.<ref name="officialbio">{{cite web|url=http://wassermanschultz.house.gov/about/biography.shtml|title=Biography|publisher=Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (official site)|access-date=May 7, 2013|quote=Debbie Wasserman Schultz was born in 1966 on Long Island, NY.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327004401/http://wassermanschultz.house.gov/about/biography.shtml|archive-date=March 27, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>"Debbie Wasserman Schultz". Carroll's State Directory. Carroll Publishing, 2006. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. [[Farmington Hills, Michigan]]: [[Gale (Cengage)|Gale]], 2009, Document Number: K2416014764; via [[Fairfax County Public Library]]; retrieved April 25, 2009.</ref>

In 2022, Wasserman Schultz convened a congressional hearing to investigate allegations that big tech media companies were not holding instances{{clarify|date=October 2023}} of antisemitism on their respective platforms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/a-capitol-hill-hearing-on-antisemitism-and-big-tech-turned-acrimonious/|title=A Capitol Hill hearing on antisemitism and big tech turned acrimonious &#124; The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle}}</ref>

She and Senator [[Arlen Specter]] were the driving forces behind the resolution that declared May [[Jewish American Heritage Month]]. The annual observance was created to recognize "the accomplishments of American Jews and the important role that members of the Jewish community have played in the development of American culture".<ref name="JAHM May"/> The observance is modeled after Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and Women's History Month. Wasserman Schultz envisioned "classroom instruction, public ceremonies and broadcast announcements", saying, "There's a generation of children growing up with a fading memory of what happened during World War II or even an understanding of anyone who is Jewish or their culture and traditions. Through education comes tolerance."<ref name="Beth R">{{cite news|date=December 16, 2005|publisher=Miami Herald|author=Beth Reinhard|url=http://www.house.gov/list/speech/fl20_schultz/20051216.html|title=Jewish History Month proposal up to president|access-date=January 8, 2007|archive-date=January 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110015209/http://www.house.gov/list/speech/fl20_schultz/20051216.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The bill introducing the observance passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate and was signed by President [[George W. Bush]]. Wasserman Schultz said of the proclamation, "This is an historic occasion. Generations to come will have the chance to live without antisemitism through greater understanding and awareness of the significant role that American Jews have played in U.S. history. Jewish American Heritage Month is a reality because of the people gathered today in this room."<ref name="JAHM May">{{cite web|title=Jewish American Heritage Month Proclaimed as May|url=http://www.house.gov/list/press/fl20_schultz/JAHMeventannouncement.html|date=April 25, 2006|access-date=January 7, 2007|archive-date=January 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110014926/http://www.house.gov/list/press/fl20_schultz/JAHMeventannouncement.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The measure was criticized by Gary Cass, executive director of the now-defunct Center for Reclaiming America for Christ, a conservative Christian organization based in [[Fort Lauderdale]], who objected to "teaching Jewish history without talk of religious practices and values", saying, "We cannot seem to have an honest discussion about the Christian roots of America". He added, "How much tolerance would [Wasserman Schultz] have for a Christian Heritage month?" She replied that the situation is different, that "Judaism is unique, because it is both a culture and a religion", and that she was not in favor of "teaching any religion in public schools".<ref name="Beth R"/> Her father, Larry Wasserman, said that while she had not been particularly active in the Jewish community before entering politics, she has "forged ties with Jewish groups as a lawmaker. She helped to form the [[National Jewish Democratic Council]] and served on the regional board of the American Jewish Congress."<ref name="JTA 04"/>

===2008 financial crisis===
On September 29, 2008, Wasserman Schultz voted for the [[Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008]],<ref name="Bailout Roll Call">{{cite web|title= Bailout Roll Call|url=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/29/bailout.rollcall.0929.pdf|date=September 29, 2008|access-date=September 29, 2008 }}</ref> and on October 3, 2008, for the revised version of that act.<ref name="Amendment Roll Call">{{cite web|title=Bailout Senate Amendment Roll Call|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll681.xml|date=October 3, 2008|access-date=October 3, 2008}}</ref>

===Hate crimes===
During an April 2009 [[United States House Judiciary Committee|House Judiciary Committee]] hearing on the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, Representative [[Tom Rooney (Florida politician)|Tom Rooney]], a former active duty [[Judge Advocate General's Corps, United States Army|U.S. Army JAG Corps]] officer, introduced an amendment that would make attacks against military veterans a hate crime. Wasserman Schultz remarked on the amendment:

{{blockquote|I'm from a state, as Mr. Rooney is, that includes and represents the districts that include real victims. I represent a very large – one of the largest – gay populations in the United States of America. One of the largest Jewish populations in the United States of America. My region – our region – has a very large African-American population. It really is belittling of the respect that we should have for these groups to suggest that members of the armed services have somehow systematically been the victims of hate crimes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/department-of-labor-rolls-back-on-unions|title=Department of Labor Rolls Back on Unions|publisher=Foxnews.com|date=April 28, 2009|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref>}}

===Death of Daniel Wultz===
[[File:Wultz Family with Reps. Eric Cantor and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.jpg|thumb|right|Former House majority leader [[Eric Cantor]], left, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, second from left, listen as Sheryl and Tuly Wultz talk about the impact of prayer in the life of their son, [[Death of Daniel Wultz|Daniel Wultz]] on May 1, 2014, in the Office of the House Majority Leader, Washington, D.C.]]
Wasserman Schultz became a vocal advocate for the family of [[Death of Daniel Wultz|Daniel Wultz]], constituents of hers who were engaged in legal action against the [[Bank of China]]. They alleged it had a role in financing [[2nd Rosh Ha'ir restaurant bombing|the terrorist attack]] that killed the 16-year-old from [[Weston, Florida]], in 2006.<ref name=miamiherald>{{cite web|last=Benn|first=Evan S.|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article1954361.html|title=Weston family faces frustration of court fight after grief of terror bombing|work=Miami Herald|location=Miami, FL|date=August 22, 2013|access-date=July 25, 2016}}</ref>

In August 2013, Wasserman Schultz told the ''[[Miami Herald]]'': "In South Florida, we all know too well of the tragic circumstances surrounding the cowardly terrorist attack that took Daniel Wultz's innocent life. I have been working hand in hand with the Wultz family and the state of Israel to ensure any and all of those involved in this terrorist activity, including the Bank of China, pay for their crimes so that justice can be served."<ref name=miamiherald/>

On May 1, 2014, together with then-House majority leader [[Eric Cantor]], Wasserman Schultz hosted the Wultz family at the U.S. Capitol in a National Prayer Day event.<ref name=timesofisrael>{{cite web|last=Shimoni Stoil|first=Rebecca|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/dc-prayer-event-pays-homage-to-teen-killed-in-tel-aviv-attack|title=DC prayer event pays homage to teen killed in Tel Aviv attack|work=[[The Times of Israel]]|location=Washington, D.C.|date=May 2, 2014|access-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref>

===Identity theft===
On February 15, 2013, Wasserman Schultz introduced the [[Stopping Tax Offenders and Prosecuting Identity Theft Act of 2013 (H.R. 744; 113th Congress)]] into the House.<ref name="744allactions">{{cite web|title=H.R. 744 - All Actions|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/744/all-actions|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=September 8, 2014}}</ref> The bill would increase the penalties on [[identity theft|identity thieves]] and change the definition of identity theft to include businesses and organizations instead of just individuals.<ref name="CBSsouthflorida">{{cite news|title=South Florida Reps File Bills To {{sic|Crac|kdown|nolink=y}} On Identity Theft|url=http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/04/15/south-florida-reps-file-bills-to-crackdown-on-identity-theft|access-date=January 6, 2018|publisher=cbslocal.com|date=April 15, 2013}}</ref>

===Marijuana===
Wasserman Schultz opposed a 2014 [[medical marijuana]] amendment in Florida that narrowly failed to receive the 60% of votes needed to amend the [[Constitution of Florida]]. She angered medical marijuana activists and major Democratic donors over this and her comparisons of medical marijuana dispensaries to "pill mills", which overprescribe and overdispense painkillers to patients with dubious symptoms.<ref name=vowstoblunt>{{cite news|last=Caputo|first=Marc|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/pot-lobby-vows-to-blunt-wasserman-schultz-115308.html|title=Pot lobby vows to blunt Wasserman Schultz|publisher=Politico|date=February 19, 2015|access-date=April 18, 2015}}</ref> After Wasserman Schultz expressed interest in running for the [[United States Senate]] in [[United States Senate election in Florida, 2016|2016]], medical marijuana activists vowed to thwart her ambition. Attorney and donor [[John Morgan (lawyer)|John Morgan]] said that her position on medical marijuana "disqualifies her from the [Democratic Senate] nomination... Her position denies terminally ill and chronically ill people compassion."<ref name=vowstoblunt/>

In response, in February 2015, Wasserman Schultz's staff emailed Morgan, offering to change her position on medical marijuana if Morgan would stop criticizing her. Morgan declined her offer and released the emails to ''[[Politico]]'', calling her a "bully".<ref name=debbiedamage>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/debbie-wasserman-schultz-medical-marijuana-115338.html|title=Debbie's damage control|publisher=Politico|date=February 19, 2015|access-date=April 18, 2015}}</ref> Wasserman Schultz at first declined to comment,<ref name=debbiedamage/> then denied that her office had sent the emails.<ref name=disputesclaim>{{cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-wasserman-schultz-marijuana-20150220-story.html|title=Wasserman Schultz disputes claim she offered to shift position on medical marijuana|publisher=Sun-Sentinel|date=February 20, 2015|access-date=April 18, 2015|archive-date=April 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418221307/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-wasserman-schultz-marijuana-20150220-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Morgan responded: "What Debbie leaves out in her pushback was the crystal clear message that her potential support of the new amendment [that has been proposed for the ballot in 2016] was predicated upon me withdrawing my comments to ''Politico''. I don't know how to view that as anything but an offer of a [[quid pro quo]]."<ref name=disputesclaim/>

===Gun control===
In 2018, Wasserman Schultz co-sponsored a bill to "strengthen school safety and security", which required a two-thirds vote for passage, given it was brought up under an expedited process. The House voted 407–10 to approve the bill, which would "provide $50 million a year for a new federal grant program to train students, teachers and law enforcement on how to spot and report signs of gun violence". Named the STOP (Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing) School Violence Act, it would "develop anonymous telephone and online systems where people could report threats of violence." At the same time, it would authorize $25 million for schools to improve and harden their security, such as installing new locks, lights, metal detectors and panic buttons." A separate spending bill would be required to provide money for the grant program.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zanona|first1=Melanie|title=House passes school safety bill amid gun protests|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/378415-house-passes-school-safety-bill-amid-gun-protests/|website=The Hill|access-date=March 16, 2018|date=March 14, 2018}}</ref>

==Political campaigns==

=== 2004 ===
In 2004, Wasserman Schultz's mentor [[Peter Deutsch]] resigned his congressional seat to make an unsuccessful run for the Senate seat of fellow Democrat [[Bob Graham]]. Wasserman Schultz was unopposed in the Democratic primary election held to fill Deutsch's seat. Her Republican opponent was Margaret Hostetter, a [[realtor]] who had never held public office. The 20th is so heavily Democratic that Hostetter faced nearly impossible odds in November, but she gained notoriety for her attacks on Wasserman Schultz. For example, Hostetter's campaign site criticized Wasserman Schultz for protesting an American flag photograph with a Christian cross on it that was on display in the workstation of a secretary in a government building. Hostetter wrote, "Elect Margaret Hostetter to Congress November 2 and send the clear message that Americans respect and support... the foundational role Christianity has had in the formation of our great nation. Our rights come from [[God]], not the state."{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

Wasserman Schultz won with 70.2% of the vote to Hostetter's 29.8%.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/5030-rules-take-that-mr-jefferson/|date=January 5, 2006|title=Ackerman saves the day|work=The Hill|access-date=July 24, 2009|archive-date=September 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924082229/http://thehill.com/homenews/news/5839-rules-take-that-mr-jefferson|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2006 ===
{{See also|2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 20}}
Wasserman Schultz was unopposed for reelection in 2006.

=== 2008 ===
{{BLP sources section|date=March 2016}}
{{See also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 20}}
In 2008 Wasserman Schultz defeated Independent Margaret Hostetter and Socialist write-in candidate Marc Luzietti.

She supported [[Hillary Clinton]] for [[Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008|her party's 2008 presidential nomination]], and in June 2007 was named one of Clinton's national campaign co-chairs. Once Senator [[Barack Obama]] became the presumptive Democratic nominee, she endorsed him and joined Senator [[Ken Salazar]] and Representative [[Artur Davis]] to second his nomination at the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]].

On [[CBS]]'s ''[[Face the Nation]]'', she called [[Sarah Palin]] unready for the [[Vice President of the United States|vice presidency]]. "She knows nothing...Quite honestly, the interview I saw and that Americans saw on Thursday and Friday was similar to when I didn't read a book in high school and had to read the [[CliffsNotes]] and phone in my report", Wasserman Schultz said of Palin's interview with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s [[Charlie Gibson]] the previous week. "She's Cliff-noted her performance so far."<ref>''Politico''. September 14, 2008.</ref> Wasserman Schultz was also named a co-chair of the Democratic Party's Red to Blue congressional campaign group.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 19, 2008|title=Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz allegiance in question|author=Wayne S. Smith|publisher=South Florida Sun Sentinel|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-forum19wassermansbmar19,0,3730308.story|access-date=March 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320203003/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-forum19wassermansbmar19,0,3730308.story|archive-date=March 20, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Controversy arose in March 2008 when she felt unable to campaign against South Florida Republican representatives [[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]], [[Mario Díaz-Balart]], and the now-retired [[Lincoln Díaz-Balart]] because of her good friendship with them.<ref>[http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_dade/story/449521.html]{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Wasserman Schultz and Ros-Lehtinen are both on the [[LGBT Equality Caucus]] of which Wasserman Schultz was a vice chair. Ros-Lehtinen has been the sole Republican on the 112-member caucus since 2013.

=== 2010 ===
{{See also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 20}}
Wasserman Schultz defeated Republican nominee Karen Harrington, Independents Stanley Blumenthal and Bob Kunst, and Florida Whig Party candidate Clayton Schock with 60.1% of the vote.

=== 2012 ===
{{See also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 23}}

After the 2010 census, Wasserman Schultz's district was renumbered the 23rd and pushed further into Miami-Dade County, taking in most of [[Miami Beach]] and a portion of [[Miami]] itself. Harrington ran again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://plantationjournal.com/index.php?view=article&id=54:karen-harrington-rematch-against-debbie-wasserman-schultz|title=Karen Harrington Rematch Against Debbie Wasserman Schultz|date=March 30, 2011|access-date=May 31, 2011|work=The Plantation Journal|first=Rico|last=Petrocelli|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824142401/http://plantationjournal.com/index.php?view=article&id=54:karen-harrington-rematch-against-debbie-wasserman-schultz|archive-date=August 24, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Wasserman Schultz won with 63.2% of the vote to Harrington's 35.6%. When she was sworn in, she became the first white Democrat to represent a significant portion of Miami since 1993.

=== 2014 ===
{{See also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 23}}
In the general election, Wasserman Schultz defeated Republican Joe Kaufman, 62.7% to 37.3%.

=== 2016 ===
{{See also|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 23}}
After a court-ordered redistricting in 2015, Wasserman Schultz lost much of her share of Miami-Dade County, including her portions of Miami and Miami Beach.

Economist and law professor [[Tim Canova]] challenged Wasserman Schultz in the August 30, 2016, Democratic primary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article95614137.html|title=On TV debate, Canova and Wasserman Schultz clash over Middle East|website=[[Miami Herald]]}}</ref> He was endorsed by Senator [[Bernie Sanders]].<ref name="WeigelSandersEndorses">{{cite news|last1=Weigel|first1=David|title=Sanders endorses DNC Chairwoman Wasserman Schultz's primary opponent|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/05/21/sanders-endorses-dnc-chair-wasserman-schultzs-primary-opponent/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_sandersendorse555pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory|access-date=May 22, 2016|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=May 21, 2016}}</ref><ref name="SandersFeud">{{cite news|last1=Alcindor|first1=Yamiche|title=Bernie Sanders's Feud With the Democratic Leadership Heats Up|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/22/us/politics/sanderss-feud-with-the-democratic-leadership-heats-up.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 21, 2016 |access-date=May 24, 2016}}</ref> Wasserman Schultz won the primary with 57% of the vote.<ref name="ShermanRichards">{{Cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article98944892.html|title=Wasserman Schultz puts DNC meltdown behind, defeats Canova.|last1=Sherman|first1=Amy|date=August 30, 2016|last2=Richards|first2=George|newspaper=[[The Miami Herald]]|issn=0898-865X|access-date=September 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Montanaro |first=Domenico |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/08/30/492019226/key-florida-senate-race-is-set-its-rubio-vs-murphy |title=John McCain, Marco Rubio, Patrick Murphy, Debbie Wasserman Schultz Win Contested Primaries : NPR |date=August 30, 2016 |work=NPR |access-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/florida-congressional-23-primary-wasserman-schultz-canova|title=Debbie Wasserman Schultz Wins Congressional Primary in Florida, According to A.P.|date=September 1, 2016|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

On August 8, 2016, in the wake of the [[2016 Democratic National Committee email leak|WikiLeaks]] [[Democratic National Committee]] email disclosures, Canova filed a [[Federal Election Commission]] (FEC) violations of regulations complaint against Wasserman Schultz, alleging "interference" with his campaign, contending that on her behalf "the DNC paid a team of national, senior communications and political professionals significant sums of money for their consulting services and the Wasserman Schultz for Congress Campaign utilized these services free of charge."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/290739-wasserman-schultz-challenger-files-fec-complaint/|title=Wasserman Schultz challenger files FEC complaint|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|first=Jesse|last=Byrnes|date=August 8, 2016|access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref> A spokesman for Wasserman Schultz said that the complaint was without merit and that it was "based on stolen, cherry-picked information".<ref name="Bustos">{{cite web|last=Bustos|first=Perry|title=Noting WikiLeaks of DNC emails, Canova files FEC complaint against Wasserman Schultz|url=https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2016/08/canova-files-fec-complaint-against-wasserman-schultz-104574|work=[[Politico]]|date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=August 8, 2016}}</ref>

In the general election, Wasserman Schultz defeated Republican nominee Joe Kaufman with 56.7% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/florida-house-district-23-wasserman-schultz-kaufman |title=Florida U.S. House 23rd District Results: Debbie Wasserman Schultz Wins
|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=November 12, 2016}}</ref>

=== 2018 ===
{{See also|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 23}}
Wasserman Schultz ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and was challenged by Kaufman and Independent candidates Tim Canova and Don Endriss. She won the general election with 58.48% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web |title=Representative in Congress, District 23 |url=https://floridaelectionwatch.gov/ContestResultsByCounty/140230 |website=Florida Election Watch |publisher=Florida Department of State, Division of Elections |access-date=14 November 2018}}</ref>

=== 2020 ===
{{See also|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida#District 23}}
Wasserman Schultz was challenged by Florida attorney Jen Perelman in the August 2020 Democratic primary.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Javier|last=Manjarres|url=https://floridianpress.com/2019/10/wasserman-schultz-faces-another-primary-election-challenger/|work=Floridian Press|quote=Jen Perelman, an attorney from Davie, Florida, has thrown her hat into the race against Wasserman Schultz and is pushing the same Bernie Sanders political agenda and ideology that Canova first championed.|title=Wasserman Schultz faces another primary election challenger|date=October 23, 2019}}</ref>

On August 16, 2020, Martina Velasquez, a 16-year-old volunteer for Perelman's campaign, filed a police report alleging that Wasserman Schultz had shoved her more than once when both were talking to voters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rep-wasserman-schultz-police-report-rival-campaign-volunteer|title= Rep. Wasserman Schultz accused of shoving rival campaign volunteer, a minor|last= Blitzer|first= Ronn|date=August 18, 2020|website=[[Fox News]]| access-date=August 25, 2020|quote=According to a report Velasquez filed with the Pembroke Pines Police Department on Monday, she and her father told an officer that Wasserman Shultz made contact with her four times by 'shoving with the side of her arm to prevent [her] from handing out flyers to people.'}}</ref> Velasquez declined to press charges but asked for a public apology.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Jessica|last=Lipscomb|title=Teen Campaigning for Perelman Says She Was Shoved by Rep. Wasserman Schultz|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/debbie-wasserman-schultz-accused-of-shoving-rival-volunteer-11682865/|work=[[Miami New Times]]|date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 18, 2020|language=en|quote='The complainant wished it documented that the second party (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) allegedly bumped into/made physical contact with her as they were both handing out flyers...The complainant believed that this contact was intentional.' Because Velasquez does not wish to prosecute, the police department will not investigate further, according to Conwell.}}</ref> In the August 18 primary Perelman won 28% of the vote to Wasserman Schultz's 72%.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.floridadaily.com/debbie-wasserman-schultz-wins-the-primary-looks-ahead-to-november/|title= Debbie Wasserman Schultz Wins the Primary, Looks Ahead to November|last= Derby|first= Kevin|date=August 19, 2020|website=Florida Daily|access-date=August 25, 2020|quote=With all votes counted, Wasserman Schultz took 72 percent while Perelman, a supporter of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., pulled 28.}}</ref>

==Chair of the Democratic National Committee==
 [[File:DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz speaks to College Democrats.jpg|thumb|right|Chair Wasserman Schultz speaking to the College Democrats of America]]
On April 5, 2011, President [[Barack Obama]] chose Wasserman Schultz to succeed [[Tim Kaine]] as the 52nd chair of the [[Democratic National Committee]]. Until she assumed office, [[Donna Brazile]] served as interim DNC chair. Wasserman Schultz was confirmed at a May 4 DNC meeting in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cohen |first=Joshua |url=http://www.democrats.org/news/blog/breaking_news_debbie_wasserman_schultz_elected_dnc_chair |title=Breaking News: Debbie Wasserman Schultz Elected DNC Chair |publisher=Democrats.org |date=May 4, 2011 |access-date=March 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802012123/http://www.democrats.org/news/blog/breaking_news_debbie_wasserman_schultz_elected_dnc_chair |archive-date=August 2, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref>

During an appearance on ''[[Face the Nation]]'', Wasserman Schultz said, "The Republicans have a plan to end Medicare as we know it. What they would do is they would take the people who are younger than 55 years old today and tell them, 'You know what? You're on your own. Go and find private health insurance in the health-care insurance market.'"<ref>{{cite news|last=Kessler|first=Glenn|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/wasserman-schultzs-bogus-claim-that-the-gop-medicare-plan-will-throw-you-to-the-wolves/2011/05/31/AG8y9lFH_blog.html|title=Wasserman Schultz's bogus claim that the GOP Medicare plan will 'throw you to the wolves'|newspaper= [[The Washington Post]]|access-date=March 13, 2016|date=June 1, 2011}}</ref> Four nonpartisan fact-checkers called her claim false.<ref name="Politico">{{cite web |last=Ball |first=Molly |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/06/rocky-start-for-dnc-chairwoman-056666|title=Debbie Wasserman Schultz has rocky DNC start|work=Politico.com|access-date=March 13, 2016|date=June 10, 2011}}</ref> She then came under criticism for saying on ''Washington Watch with Roland Martin'', "You have the Republicans, who want to literally drag us all the way back to Jim Crow laws and literally—and very transparently—block access to the polls to voters who are more likely to vote for Democratic candidates than Republican candidates". The next day, she said that "Jim Crow was the wrong analogy to use".<ref>{{cite news|last=Stewart|first=Rebecca|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/06/dnc-chair-wasserman-schultz-under-fire-for-jim-crow-comments|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609001519/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/06/dnc-chair-wasserman-schultz-under-fire-for-jim-crow-comments/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 9, 2011|title=DNC chair Wasserman Schultz under fire for Jim Crow comments|publisher =CNN|access-date=March 13, 2016|date=June 6, 2011}}</ref>

In 2012, many of Obama's advisers questioned the move to select Wasserman Schultz as DNC chair, feeling she came across as too partisan on television. An internal focus study of the popularity of top Obama campaign surrogates ranked Wasserman Schultz at the bottom.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thrush|first=Glenn|title=POLITICO e-book: Obama campaign roiled by conflict|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/08/obama-drama-079867?o=2|work=Politico|access-date=August 27, 2012|date=August 20, 2012}}</ref> She was ultimately reelected to Chair on January 22, 2013.<ref name="Caldwell 2013">{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=Leigh Ann |title=Debbie Wasserman Schultz reelected chair of Democratic Party |website=CBS News |date=January 22, 2013 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/debbie-wasserman-schultz-reelected-chair-of-democratic-party/ |access-date=February 4, 2025}}</ref> In February 2015, ''[[Politico]]'', citing unnamed sources, reported that Wasserman Schultz had lined up supporters in 2013 to portray any decision by Obama to replace her as DNC chair as "anti-woman and anti-Semitic".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/senate-bid-could-be-solution-for-wasserman-schultz-115373|title=Senate bid could be solution for Wasserman Schultz|work=Politico|date=February 20, 2015|access-date=August 28, 2015}}</ref>

In 2011, she missed 62 votes of Congress, placing her 45th of 535 in missing Congressional votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2012/jan/17/karen-harrington/harrington-says-wasserman-schultz-missed-62-congre|title=Karen Harrington on Debbie Wasserman Schultz|publisher=PolitiFact Florida|date=January 9, 2012|access-date=March 27, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/21/dylan-ratigan-apologizes_n_399953.html|title=Dylan Ratigan Apologizes For 'Very Rude' Debbie Wasserman Schultz Interview|work=The Huffington Post|date=March 18, 2010|access-date=March 27, 2012|first=Danny|last=Shea}}</ref>

===2016 presidential election===

Clinton's opponents [[Martin O'Malley]] and [[Bernie Sanders]] both criticized Wasserman Schultz's decision to schedule only six debates in the 2016 presidential primary, fewer than in previous election cycles, as well as the timing of the debates.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rappeport|first1=Alan|title=Martin O'Malley and Bernie Sanders Bristle at Holding Debates on Weekends|url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/12/18/martin-omalley-and-bernie-sanders-bristle-at-holding-debates-on-weekends/?_r=0|website=The New York Times|date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=January 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rucker |first1=Philip |last2=Gearan |first2=Anne |last3=Balz |first3=Dan |date=August 28, 2015 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democratic-challengers-launch-attacks-against-clinton-party-leadership/2015/08/28/722bc1c6-4d9b-11e5-84df-923b3ef1a64b_story.html |title=Democratic challengers launch attacks against Clinton, party leadership |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 28, 2015 }}</ref>

Ultimately, there were nine debates that both Clinton and Sanders participated in during the primaries, as well as a number of town halls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrFurUjvXRU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/YrFurUjvXRU |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Ninth Democratic Primary Debate - April 14 2016 on CNN (SEE DESCRIPTION)|last=2016 US Presidential Debates|date=April 17, 2016 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Some of Wasserman Schultz's actions that the news covered during the primaries were reducing the debate schedule;<ref name="frizell">{{cite news|last1=Frizell|first1=Sam|title=Democratic Party Head Stands Firm on Debate Schedule Amid Controversy|url=https://time.com/4029311/democratic-debate-schedule/|access-date=July 28, 2017|publisher=Time|date=September 10, 2015}}</ref><ref name="sherman">{{cite news|last1=Sherman|first1=Amy|title=Democratic debates set to 'maximize' exposure, Wasserman Schultz claims, but evidence is dubious|url=http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2016/jan/20/debbie-wasserman-schultz/democratic-debates-maximize-exposure-debbie-wasser/|access-date=July 28, 2017|publisher=PolitiFact|date=January 20, 2016}}</ref><ref name="bordelon">{{cite news|last1=Bordelon|first1=Brendan|title=Why Democrats Buried Their Debates at Times No One Will Watch|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/article/427026/why-democrats-buried-their-debates-times-no-one-will-watch-brendan-bordelon|access-date=July 28, 2017|publisher=National Review|date=November 13, 2015}}</ref> uninviting former DNC vice chair [[Tulsi Gabbard]] to the first primary debate;<ref name="hagerman">{{cite news|last1=Hagerman|first1=Maggie|title=D.N.C. Officer Says She Was Disinvited From Debate After Calling for More of Them|url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/10/12/d-n-c-officer-says-she-was-disinvited-from-debate-after-calling-for-more-of-them/|access-date=July 28, 2017|publisher=NY Times|date=November 12, 2015}}</ref><ref name="miller">{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=S.A.|title=Top Democratic Party officials publicly feud ahead of presidential debate|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/oct/13/tulsi-gabbard-debbie-wasserman-schultz-feud-ahead-/|access-date=July 28, 2017|work=Washington Times|date=October 13, 2015}}</ref> halting the Sanders campaign's access to DNC databases after a staffer from his campaign attempted to exploit a security breach;<ref name="treyz">{{cite news|last1=Treyz|first1=Catherine|title=Sanders campaign sues DNC after database breach|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/18/politics/bernie-sanders-campaign-dnc-suspension/index.html|access-date=July 28, 2017|publisher=CNN|date=December 21, 2015}}</ref><ref name="robertsjacobs">{{cite news|last1=Roberts|first1=Dan|last2=Jacobs|first2=Ben|title=Bernie Sanders sues DNC for $600,000 a day over removal of data access|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/18/bernie-sanders-set-to-sue-democratic-national-committee-over-data-access|access-date=July 28, 2017|work=The Guardian|date=December 19, 2015}}</ref> defending the superdelegate system used in the Democratic primaries;<ref name="norton">{{cite news|last=Norton|first=Ben|title=Un-Democratic Party: DNC chair says superdelegates ensure elites don't have to run "against grassroots activists"|url=http://www.salon.com/2016/02/13/un_democratic_party_dnc_chair_says_superdelegates_ensure_elites_dont_have_to_run_against_grassroots_activists/|access-date=July 28, 2017|work=Salon|date=February 14, 2016}}</ref> rescinding a prior ban on corporate donations;<ref name="epstein">{{cite news|last1=Epstein|first1=Jennifer|title=Obama's No-Money-From-Lobbyists Policy? Democratic Party Says Fuggedaboutit|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-23/obama-s-no-money-from-lobbyists-policy-democratic-party-says-fuggedaboutit|access-date=July 28, 2017|publisher=Bloomberg|date=July 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227081437/http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-07-23/obama-s-no-money-from-lobbyists-policy-democratic-party-says-fuggedaboutit|archive-date=December 27, 2015}}</ref><ref name="hagerman2">{{cite news|last1=Hagerman|first1=Maggie|title=D.N.C. Lifts Ban on Convention Fund-Raising|url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/07/23/d-n-c-lifts-ban-on-convention-fund-raising/|access-date=July 28, 2017|publisher=NY Times|date=July 23, 2015}}</ref> and accusing Sanders supporters of violence at the Nevada Convention.<ref name="lobianco">{{cite news|last1=LoBianco|first1=Tom|title=DNC chair rips Sanders response to Nevada chaos|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/17/politics/bernie-sanders-nevada-democrats/index.html|access-date=July 28, 2017|publisher=CNN|date=May 17, 2016}}</ref><ref name="jensen">{{cite news|last1=Jensen|first1=Elizabeth|title=Fact-Checking NPR's Reports On Vegas 'Violence'|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/ombudsman/2016/05/18/478579787/fact-checking-nprs-reports-on-vegas-violence|access-date=July 28, 2017|publisher=NPR|date=May 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name="sainato">{{cite news|last1=Sainato|first1=Michael|title=Hearing Set for Class Action Lawsuit Against DNC|url=http://observer.com/2017/04/hearing-set-dnc-class-action-lawsuit-bernie-sanders/|access-date=July 16, 2017|work=Observer|date=April 27, 2017}}</ref>

===Resignation/controversies===
{{see also|2016 Democratic National Committee email leak}}
After [[WikiLeaks]] published DNC emails that showed that some DNC staffers had expressed strong preference for Clinton against Sanders in the primary,<ref name="Emails offer insights">{{cite web|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/sfl-emails-offer-insights-into-wasserman-schultz-at-dnc-20160724-story.html|title=Emails offer insights into Wasserman Schultz at DNC|last=Man|first=Anthony|date=July 23, 2016|website=[[Sun-Sentinel]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/288904-wasserman-schultz-sanders-aide-a-damn-liar/|title=Wasserman Schultz called top Sanders aide a 'damn liar' in leaked email|last=Carney|first=Jordain|date=July 22, 2016|website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|access-date=July 30, 2016}}</ref><ref name="blake">{{cite news|last1=Blake|first1=Aaron|title=The Fix Here are the latest, most damaging things in the DNC's leaked emails|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/24/here-are-the-latest-most-damaging-things-in-the-dncs-leaked-emails/|access-date=July 16, 2017|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=July 25, 2016}}</ref> Wasserman Schultz tendered her resignation as head of the DNC, to become effective as of the close of the nominating convention in Philadelphia. According to reports in ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Wasserman Schultz strongly resisted suggestions she resign until a phone call from Obama persuaded her.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/hacked-emails-cast-doubt-on-hopes-for-party-unity-at-democratic-convention/2016/07/24/a446c260-51a9-11e6-b7de-dfe509430c39_story.html|title=DNC chairwoman will resign in aftermath of committee email controversy|last1=Gearan|first1=Anne|last2=Rucker|first2=Philip|date=July 24, 2016|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|last3=Phillip|first3=Abby}}</ref>

After a speech at the convention before the Florida delegation during which Wasserman Schultz was "booed off stage" by Sanders supporters, the DNC decided that she would not open the convention.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/25/debbie-wasserman-schultz-booed-dnc-fbi-email-hack|title=DNC apologizes to Bernie Sanders amid convention chaos in wake of email leak|first1=Sabrina|last1=Siddiqui|first2=Lauren|last2=Gambino|first3=Dan|last3=Roberts|date=July 25, 2016|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/u-s-election-2016/1.733180|title=DNC Day One: All the highlights from the night Sanders endorsed Clinton|newspaper=[[Haaretz]]|date=July 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/07/25/debbiewasserman-schultz-draws-boos-cheers-florida-delegation-breakfast/87523924/|title=Debbie Wasserman Schultz draws boos, cheers at Florida delegation breakfast|website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref>

==2017 House IT staff accused==
{{main|Imran Awan}}

In February 2017 ''[[Politico]]'' and ''[[BuzzFeed]]'' reported Capitol Police accused five IT staffers (who worked for more than 30 House Democrats including Wasserman Schultz) of trying to steal House computer equipment and violating House security policies.<ref name="Polit170202">{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/house-staff-criminal-investigation-234714 |title=House staffers under criminal investigation for alleged equipment theft |last=Caygle |first=Heather |work=[[Politico]] |quote=Five House employees are under criminal investigation amid allegations that they stole equipment from more than 20 member offices and accessed House IT systems without lawmakers' knowledge...House sources stressed the investigation, which has been ongoing since late 2016, is focused on equipment theft and not a network hacking issue. |date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Buzz170202">{{Cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/johnstanton/feds-arrest-five-congressional-it-contractors-at-the-capitol |title=Congressional IT Staff Under Investigation In Alleged Procurement Scam |last=Stanton |first=John |work=[[BuzzFeed News]]|quote=Although the lawmaker said House officials had told staff from affected offices that contractors had been arrested, late Thursday night US Capitol Police spokesperson Eva Malecki told BuzzFeed News that no arrests had been made, but that USCP was investigating members of the House IT support staff. |date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref><ref name="WaPo170808">{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/08/08/the-story-of-debbie-wasserman-schultz-and-an-it-staffer-thats-lighting-up-the-right/ |title=The story of Debbie Wasserman Schultz and an indicted IT staffer that's lighting up the right, explained |last=Phillips |first=Amber |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |quote=February: They are shared employees who work for 30 or so members of Congress. Capitol Police ban the five from access to the House of Representatives network while it investigates. Investigators tell lawmakers that it's up to them to decide whether to fire the accused staffers. Awan is one of those staffers accused. Most of the others are related to him, including his wife, Hina Alvi. |date=August 8, 2017 |access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref>

As of February 6, 2017, ''Politico'' noted that Wasserman Schultz was one of several House members who did not terminate the suspected staffers after the criminal complaints.<ref name="Polit170206">{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/house-staff-criminal-investigation-234714 |title=House staffers under criminal investigation still employed |last=Caygle |first=Heather |work=Politico |quote=Imran Awan, a longtime House staffer who worked for more than two dozen Democrats since 2004, is still employed by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, though his access to the House IT network has been blocked since last week. |date=February 6, 2017 |access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref> In July 2017, one of the accused staffers, [[Imran Awan]], was arrested for making a false statement on a bank loan application.<ref name="WaPo180703">{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/congressional-it-staffer-reaches-plea-deal-that-debunks-conspiracy-theories-about-illegal-information-access/2018/07/03/3f22786a-7e30-11e8-b0ef-fffcabeff946_story.html |title=Ex-congressional IT staffer reaches plea deal that debunks conspiracy theories about illegal information access |first1=Shawn|last1=Boburg |first2=Spencer S.|last2=Hsu |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |quote=Federal prosecutors concluded an 18-month investigation into a former congressional technology staffer on Tuesday by publicly debunking allegations — promoted by conservative media and President Trump — suggesting he was a Pakistani operative who stole government secrets with cover from House Democrats. As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Imran Awan pleaded guilty to a relatively minor offense unrelated to his work on Capitol Hill: making a false statement on a bank loan application. U.S. prosecutors said they would not recommend jail time. |date=July 3, 2018 |access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref><ref name="CNN180703">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/03/politics/imran-awan-debbie-wasserman-schultz-bank-fraud/index.html |title=Ex-House staffer, subject of conspiracy theories, pleads guilty to bank fraud charge |last=Schneider |first=Jessica |work=[[CNN]] |quote=While Awan's year-long court case revolved solely around bank fraud charges pertaining to an application for a home equity loan, conspiracy theorists have speculated wildly about the case. Blogs and conservative websites have circulated allegations that Awan was involved in the hack of the DNC computer systems in the run-up to the 2016 election and that he had stolen the Democrats' server and distributed sensitive information to the Pakistani government. |date=July 3, 2018 |access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref> After his arrest, Wasserman Schultz's office fired Awan.<ref name="Buzz170726">{{Cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/amberjamieson/imran-awan-arrest |title=Here's The Deal With The Democratic IT Staffer Who Was Arrested For Bank Fraud |last=Jamieson |first=Amber |work=[[BuzzFeed News]] |quote=Awan was fired by Wasserman Schultz's office after Tuesday's arrest. 'Mr. Awan previously served as an employee in our office, but his services have been terminated,' said David Damron, her spokesperson. |date=July 26, 2017 |access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref> Wasserman Schultz later defended her decision not to fire Awan earlier, saying, "I believe that I did the right thing, and I would do it again."<ref name="USAT_170803">{{Cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/08/03/debbie-wasserman-schultz-imran-awan-decision/538821001/ |title=Wasserman Schultz explains why she didn't fire IT worker sooner |last=Ventura |first=Charles |work=USA Today |quote='I believe that I did the right thing, and I would do it again...When their investigation was reviewed with me, I was presented with no evidence of anything that they were being investigated for. That there were racial and ethnic profiling concerns that I had.' |date=August 3, 2017 |access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref>

In 2018, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported:<ref name="WaPo180703"/>
<blockquote>Federal prosecutors concluded an 18-month investigation into a former congressional technology staffer on Tuesday by publicly debunking allegations — promoted by conservative media and President Trump — suggesting he was a Pakistani operative who stole government secrets with cover from House Democrats. As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Imran Awan pleaded guilty to a relatively minor offense unrelated to his work on Capitol Hill: making a false statement on a bank loan application. U.S. prosecutors said they would not recommend jail time.</blockquote>

According to ''[[The New York Times]]'':<ref name="NYT180703">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/us/politics/imran-awan-congress-bank-fraud.html |title=Imran Awan, Ex-Congressional I.T. Worker, Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud |last=Zraick |first=Karen |work=[[The New York Times]] |quote=In the plea agreement, federal prosecutors debunked conspiracy theories about the case that had circulated online. They said that the government had interviewed about 40 witnesses, examined the House Democratic Caucus server and other data and devices, reviewed electronic communications and interviewed Mr. Awan on numerous occasions. They found no evidence that Mr. Awan had engaged in illegal conduct involving House computer systems.|date=July 3, 2018 |access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref><blockquote>In the plea agreement, federal prosecutors debunked conspiracy theories about the case that had circulated online. They said that the government had interviewed about 40 witnesses, examined the House Democratic Caucus server and other data and devices, reviewed electronic communications and interviewed Mr. Awan on numerous occasions. They found no evidence that Mr. Awan had engaged in illegal conduct involving House computer systems.</blockquote>

==October 2018 mail bomb attempt==
{{Main|October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts}}
On October 24, 2018, a [[pipe bomb]] device sent to former U.S. attorney general [[Eric Holder]], which had the wrong address, was instead delivered to the Florida office of Wasserman Schultz, whose name and address was on the return labels of all the packages.<ref name="ABC">{{cite news|author1=Josh Margolin|author2=Bill Hutchinson|author3=Aaron Katersky|author4=Meghan Keneally|author5=Jack Date|author6=Tara Palmeri|author7=Mike Levine|author8=Pierre Thomas|author9=Julia Jacobo|author10=Karma Allen|title=Explosive devices sent to Clinton, Obama, other Democrats, and CNN|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/suspicious-package-found-clintons-home-north-york-city/story?id=58713254|date=October 24, 2018|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|language=en|access-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024152425/https://abcnews.go.com/US/suspicious-package-found-clintons-home-north-york-city/story?id=58713254|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> During this time, [[October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts|similar pipe bomb devices]] had been sent to various influential Democratic politicians.<ref name="ABC" /> The packages containing the devices, as well as envelopes containing mysterious white powder, also labeled Schultz's office in [[Sunrise, Florida]], as the sender,<ref name="ABC" /> but the person who sent these devices and envelopes misspelled her name as "Shultz."<ref name="ABC" /> The same day, a similar device was found at Wasserman Schultz's office in [[Aventura, Florida]], as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Police-Investigating-Suspicious-Package-at-Sunrise-Office-of-Congresswoman-Debbie-Wasserman-Schultz-498423081.html|title=Suspicious Package Found at Wasserman Schultz Office|first1=Dan|last1=Grossman|first2=Brian|last2=Hamacher|website=NBC 6 South Florida|date=October 24, 2018 }}</ref> Fingerprint DNA helped identify the suspect as Florida resident and [[right-wing]] [[conspiracy theories|conspiracist]] [[Cesar Sayoc]],<ref name=miaminewtimes2018-10-26>{{cite news|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/cesar-sayocs-social-media-posts-show-florida-bomber-cesar-sayoc-held-extremist-views-10859874| title=Social Media Posts Show Florida Bomber Cesar Sayoc Held Extremist Views|work=[[Miami New Times]]|author1=Meg O'Connor|author2=Jessica Lipscomb|date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026185236/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/cesar-sayocs-social-media-posts-show-florida-bomber-cesar-sayoc-held-extremist-views-10859874|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Kevin Roose, [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/technology/cesar-sayoc-facebook-twitter.html Cesar Sayoc's Path on Social Media: From Food Photos to Partisan Fury] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320235824/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/technology/cesar-sayoc-facebook-twitter.html |date=March 20, 2019 }}, ''New York Times'' (October 27, 2019).</ref> who was arrested in a parking lot, in [[Plantation, Florida]], on October 26, 2018.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/suspicious-packages-arrest/index.html|title=Bomb suspect arrest: What we know about Cesar Sayoc|author1=Jason Hanna |author2=Evan Perez |author3=Scott Glover|work=CNN|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026165125/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/suspicious-packages-arrest/index.html|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Stock trading==
In 2022 Schultz's stock portfolio was up 50.8%, the second-highest gain in Congress that fiscal year<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2023/01/06/dozens-in-congress-beat-stock-market-in-2022-analysis/ | title=Dozens in Congress beat stock market in 2022: Analysis | date=January 7, 2023 }}</ref> following Rep. Patrick Fallon. Schultz made a large portion of this gain from trading energy stocks including a $45,000 purchase of Patterson-UTI Energy. Schultz did all this while on the House Natural Resources Committee.

From December 2023 to December 2024 Schultz's stock portfolio saw an increase of 142.3%, the second-highest gain in Congress that fiscal year. In this same span of time the S&P500 saw an increase of 24.9%

==Electoral history==
===Florida House of Representatives===
{{Election box open primary begin no change
  | title = 1992 Florida House of Representatives election, 97th district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=9/1/1992&DATAMODE=|title=September 1, 1992 Primary Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/3/1992&DATAMODE=|title=November 3, 1992 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz
  | votes = 4,260
  | percentage = 53.38
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Pat Ernst
  | votes = 1,748
  | percentage = 21.90
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = John Scism
  | votes = 679
  | percentage = 8.51
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Andrew Salvage
  | votes = 570
  | percentage = 7.14
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Carmen Diaz Fabian
  | votes = 366
  | percentage = 4.59
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Norris H. Barr
  | votes = 358
  | percentage = 4.49
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 7,981
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz
  | votes = 31,345
  | percentage = 64.11
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Mark W. Casteel
  | votes = 17,550
  | percentage = 35.89
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 48,895
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
  | title = 1996 Florida House of Representatives election, 97th district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/5/1996&DATAMODE=|title=November 5, 1996 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 38,971
  | percentage = 66.19
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = George W. Gardner
  | votes = 19,909
  | percentage = 33.81
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 58,880
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
  | title = 1998 Florida House of Representatives election, 97th district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/3/1998&DATAMODE=|title=November 3, 1998 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 32,725
  | percentage = 72.31
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Peter "Pete" Ierardi
  | votes = 12,534
  | percentage = 27.69
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 45,259
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Florida Senate===
{{Election box begin no change
  | title = 2000 Florida Senate election, 32nd district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/7/2000&DATAMODE=|title=November 7, 2000 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz
  | votes = 107,052
  | percentage = 66.39
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Ken Jennings
  | votes = 54,191
  | percentage = 33.61
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 161,243
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
  | title = 2002 Florida Senate election, 34th district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/5/2002&DATAMODE=|title=November 5, 2002 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz
  | votes = 65,311
  | percentage = 63.63
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Art Waganheim
  | votes = 37,323
  | percentage = 36.37
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 102,634
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no swing
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
  | loser = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

===U.S. House of Representatives===
{{Election box begin no change
  | title = 2004 U.S. House of Representatives election, Florida's 20th district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/2/2004&DATAMODE=|title=November 2, 2004 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz
  | votes = 191,195
  | percentage = 70.19
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Art Waganheim
  | votes = 81,213
  | percentage = 29.81
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 272,408
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
  | title = 2006 U.S. House of Representatives election, Florida's 20th district
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz
  | votes = 124,554
  | percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 124,554
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
  | title = 2008 U.S. House of Representatives election, Florida's 20th district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/4/2008&DATAMODE=|title=November 4, 2008 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 202,832
  | percentage = 77.48
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = independent (politician)
  | candidate = Margaret Hostetter
  | votes = 58,958
  | percentage = 22.52
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = write-in
  | candidate = Marc Luzietti
  | votes = 9
  | percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 261,799
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
  | title = 2010 U.S. House of Representatives election, Florida's 20th district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/2/2010&DATAMODE=|title=November 2, 2010 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 100,787
  | percentage = 60.15
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Karen Harrington
  | votes = 63,845
  | percentage = 38.10
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = independent (politician)
  | candidate = Stanley Blumenthal
  | votes = 1,663
  | percentage = 0.99
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = independent (politician)
  | candidate = [[Robert Kunst]]
  | votes = 1,272
  | percentage = 0.76
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = write-in
  | candidate = Clayton Schock
  | votes = 3
  | percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 167,570
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
  | title = 2012 U.S. House of Representatives election, Florida's 23rd district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/6/2012&DATAMODE=|title=November 6, 2012 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz
  | votes = 174,205
  | percentage = 63.25
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Karen Harrington
  | votes = 98,096
  | percentage = 35.62
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = independent (politician)
  | candidate = Ilya Katz
  | votes = 3,129
  | percentage = 1.14
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 275,430
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
  | title = 2014 U.S. House of Representatives election, Florida's 23rd district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/4/2014&DATAMODE=|title=November 4, 2014 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 103,269
  | percentage = 62.67
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Joseph "Joe" Kaufman
  | votes = 61,519
  | percentage = 37.33
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 164,788
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change
  | title = 2016 U.S. House of Representatives election, Florida's 23rd district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=8/30/2016&DATAMODE=|title=August 30, 2016 Primary Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/8/2016&DATAMODE=|title=November 8, 2016 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 28,809
  | percentage = 56.80
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = [[Tim Canova]]
  | votes = 21,907
  | percentage = 43.20
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 50,716
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz
  | votes = 183,225
  | percentage = 56.70
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Joseph "Joe" Kaufman
  | votes = 130,818
  | percentage = 40.49
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = independent (politician)
  | candidate = Don Endriss
  | votes = 5,180
  | percentage = 1.60
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = independent (politician)
  | candidate = Lyle Milstein
  | votes = 3,897
  | percentage = 1.21
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 323,120
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change
  | title = 2018 U.S. House of Representatives election, Florida's 23rd district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/6/2018&DATAMODE=|title=November 6, 2018 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 161,611
  | percentage = 58.48
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Joseph "Joe" Kaufman
  | votes = 99,446
  | percentage = 35.98
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = independent (politician)
  | candidate = [[Tim Canova]]
  | votes = 13,697
  | percentage = 4.96
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = independent (politician)
  | candidate = Don Endriss
  | votes = 1,612
  | percentage = 0.58
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 276,366
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change
  | title = 2020 U.S. House of Representatives election, Florida's 23rd district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=8/18/2020&DATAMODE=|title=August 18, 2020 Primary Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/3/2020&DATAMODE=|title=November 3, 2020 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=10 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 55,729
  | percentage = 72.04
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Jennifer "Jen" Perelman
  | votes = 21,631
  | percentage = 27.96
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 77,360
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 221,239
  | percentage = 58.19
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Carla Spalding
  | votes = 158,874
  | percentage = 41.79
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = write-in
  | candidate = Jeff Olson
  | votes = 46
  | percentage = 0.01
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = write-in
  | candidate = Demetrius "DB" Fugate
  | votes = 37
  | percentage = 0.01
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 380,196
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change
  | title = 2022 U.S. House of Representatives election, Florida's 25th district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=8/23/2022&DATAMODE=|title=August 23, 2022 Primary Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=23 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/8/2022&DATAMODE=|title=November 8, 2022 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=23 June 2023}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 50,554
  | percentage = 89.01
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Robert Millwee
  | votes = 6,241
  | percentage = 10.99
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 56,795
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 129,113
  | percentage = 55.09
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Carla Spalding
  | votes = 105,239
  | percentage = 44.91
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 234,352
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change
  | title = 2024 U.S. House of Representatives election, Florida's 25th district<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=8/20/2024&DATAMODE=|title=August 20, 2024 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/Index.asp?ElectionDate=11/5/2024&DATAMODE=|title=November 5, 2024 General Election|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 36,479
  | percentage = 83.23
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Jennifer "Jen" Perelman
  | votes = 7,349
  | percentage = 16.77
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 43,828
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  | party = Democratic Party (United States)
  | candidate = Debbie Wasserman Schultz ([[incumbent]])
  | votes = 186,942
  | percentage = 54.47
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = Republican Party (United States)
  | candidate = Chris Eddy
  | votes = 156,208
  | percentage = 45.52
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  | party = write-in
  | candidate = Eric Goldfarb
  | votes = 41
  | percentage = 0.01
}}
{{Election box total no change
  | votes = 343,191
  | percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

== Awards ==
* Crime Fighter of the Year Award, Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), 2008<ref>{{cite web|author=Scott Berkowitz|url=http://www.rainn.org/public-policy/RAINN-crime-fighter-awards|title=Crime Fighter Awards|publisher=Rainn.org|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref>
* Giraffe Award, Women's Advocacy Majority Minority (WAMM), 1993
* Outstanding Family Advocacy award, Dade County Psychol. Assn., 1993
* Rosemary Barkett award, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1995
* Woman of the Year, [[AMIT]], 1994
* Outstanding Legislator of the year, Florida Federation of Business & Professional Women, 1994
* Quality Floridian, Florida League of Cities, 1994
* Woman of Vision, [[Weizmann Institute of Science]]
* One of Six Most Unstoppable Women, ''South Florida Magazine'', 1994.<ref>"Debbie Wasserman Schultz". ''[[Marquis Who's Who]]'', 2009. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. [[Farmington Hills, Michigan]]: [[Gale (Cengage)|Gale]], 2009. Via [[Fairfax County Public Library]], Retrieved April 25, 2009. Document Number: K2014090239.</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Jewish members of the United States Congress]]
* [[Women in the United States House of Representatives]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Debbie Wasserman Schultz}}
* [https://wassermanschultz.house.gov Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz] official U.S. House website
* [https://www.dwsforcongress.com/ Debbie Wasserman Schultz for Congress]
{{CongLinks | congbio=w000797 | votesmart=24301 | fec=H4FL20023 | congress=debbie-wasserman-schultz/W000797 }}
* {{C-SPAN|86882}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-fl-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Fred Lippman]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member from the 97th district|years=1992–2000}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Nan Rich]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-par|us-fl-sen}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Howard Forman (politician)|Howard Forman]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member from the 32nd district|years=2000–2002}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Skip Campbell]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Alex Díaz de la Portilla]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member from the 34th district|years=2002–2004}}
{{s-aft|after=Nan Rich}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Peter Deutsch]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member from [[Florida's 20th congressional district]]|years=2005–2013}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Alcee Hastings]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=Alcee Hastings}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member from [[Florida's 23rd congressional district]]|years=2013–2023}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jared Moskowitz]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Mario Díaz-Balart]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member from [[Florida's 25th congressional district]]|years=2023–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=Gwen Moore<br>[[Jan Schakowsky]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Democratic Women's Working Group|years=2011–2013|alongside=Gwen Moore}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Donna Edwards]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Donna Brazile]]<br>Acting}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Democratic National Committee]]|years=2011–2016}}
{{s-aft|after=Donna Brazile<br>Acting}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Gwen Moore]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of current members of the United States House of Representatives by seniority|United States representatives by seniority]]|years=52nd}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Doris Matsui]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{US House leaders}}
{{FL-FedRep}}
{{Current members of the U.S. House of Representatives}}
{{U.S. Florida Representatives}}
{{Democratic Party (United States)}}
{{USCongRep-start|congresses= 109th–present [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[Florida]]}}
{{USCongRep/FL/109}}
{{USCongRep/FL/110}}
{{USCongRep/FL/111}}
{{USCongRep/FL/112}}
{{USCongRep/FL/113}}
{{USCongRep/FL/114}}
{{USCongRep/FL/115}}
{{USCongRep/FL/116}}
{{USCongRep/FL/117}}
{{USCongRep/FL/118}}
{{USCongRep/FL/119}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wasserman Schultz, Debbie}}
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American women politicians]]
[[Category:Democratic National Committee chairs]]
[[Category:Female members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Democratic Party Florida state senators]]
[[Category:Jewish members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Jewish American women in politics]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the Florida House of Representatives]]
[[Category:People from Forest Hills, Queens]]
[[Category:People from Lido Beach, New York]]
[[Category:People from Weston, Florida]]
[[Category:University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences alumni]]
[[Category:Women state legislators in Florida]]
[[Category:Jewish state legislators in Florida]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]
[[Category:Politicians from Queens, New York]]
[[Category:People associated with the 2016 United States presidential election]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Florida Legislature]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Florida Legislature]]