U.S. Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz is currently serving her fourth term representing Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District. The 13th District includes both the close-knit neighborhoods of Northeast Philadelphia and the first ring suburbs of Montgomery County.

Labeled a “rising star” by POLITICO, Schwartz is an increasingly influential figure in Congress, playing a central role in debates on the economy, health care, the federal budget, and tax policy. Congressional Quarterly describes her as “one of the Democrats’ leading health care experts,” and as the sole female member of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation, the Philadelphia Daily News praises her as a “local trailblazer” for women in politics.

As a centrist Member of Congress, Schwartz is recognized for her commitment to finding effective, bipartisan solutions to fix our economy, improve the quality of life for Pennsylvania families and communities, and make our nation more secure.

Schwartz currently serves on two committees in Congress: the Budget Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. In the 110th and 111th Congress, Schwartz served on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over federal tax policy, Medicare, and Social Security.

In 2011, Congresswoman Schwartz was appointed to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over a range of issues including foreign aid, the deployment of armed forces, war powers and treaties, the protection of Americans overseas, and national security developments that affect foreign policy. Schwartz sits on two important subcommittees: the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

As a leader on health care policy, Schwartz has played a significant role in strengthening primary care; improving access to quality, affordable coverage for all Americans; ensuring coverage for children with pre-existing conditions; and strengthening benefits for seniors. Most recently, Schwartz has taken the lead on reforming the Medicare physician payment system to protect seniors’ access to their doctors, provide physicians with stability and certainty, and improve quality and efficiency while driving down costs in Medicare.

Prior to her service in Congress, Schwartz was a leading healthcare executive in Philadelphia. From 1990 to 2004, she served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, where she was considered one of the most accomplished legislators for her ability to forge bipartisanship relationships. She earned a B.A. from Simmons College in Sociology and a Masters of Social Work from Bryn Mawr College. She is married and has two grown sons.

Schwartz cites the influences of her father, a Korean War veteran, and her mother, a Holocaust survivor, as the source of her commitment to public service. These personal family experiences compel her to be a strong advocate for veterans and their families and to fight for foreign and domestic policies that build democracy, security, and opportunity for all Americans.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Sponsored by the Charles C. Leighton, MD Memorial Lecture Fund