Congresswoman Julia Brownley was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 to serve California’s 26th District, which includes most of Ventura County and a portion of Los Angeles County. The district encompasses the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Camarillo, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Calabasas, and Agoura Hills.
Since her arrival in Congress, Brownley has been a passionate advocate for veterans, service members, and military families. When she first came to Congress, Brownley’s top committee choice was the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. She wanted to ensure that veterans received the services and care they deserve, and since then, she has been a tireless advocate, working closely with local veterans’ communities and Naval Base Ventura County. In the 119th Congress, Brownley serves as Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, where she focuses on expanding access to quality health care for veterans – especially women veterans – and easing the transition from military service to VA care.
Brownley’s work on behalf of women veterans has been a hallmark of her career. One of her signature accomplishments was passing the Female Veterans Suicide Prevention Act in 2016, which directs the VA to collect critical data on women veterans to improve suicide prevention. She also authored the Deborah Sampson Act, the most comprehensive legislation for women veterans in over a decade, which was signed into law in January 2021. Brownley continued this momentum by championing the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, signed into law in December 2024, which includes two of her bills: the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act and the Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act.
In addition to her advocacy for veterans, Brownley serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where she is a member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, and the Subcommittee on Water Resources. Brownley has been a strong advocate for local infrastructure improvements, particularly for Ventura County’s ports, harbors, and airports. Recognizing the region’s critical role as an economic engine for both the state and the nation, Brownley has fought to secure federal funding for infrastructure projects that support job creation, economic growth, and safety. As a champion for the Port of Hueneme, Channel Islands Harbor, Ventura Harbor, and local airports, she has played a central role in helping secure the resources necessary to modernize these vital transportation hubs. Her work has promoted both job creation and revenue growth for the region, benefiting not only the local economy but also national and international trade.
Following her work on transportation, Brownley has made significant strides in advocating for environmental protections and addressing climate change. As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Brownley has been a vocal advocate for preserving the natural beauty of Ventura County and safeguarding coastal and inland communities from the increasingly severe impacts of climate change. She has worked diligently to push for responsible land management, wildfire prevention, and increased funding for disaster recovery efforts.
Brownley has also been a tireless advocate for climate action, playing a key role on the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. As a committee member, she contributed to the groundbreaking 2020 report that laid out a comprehensive action plan for a clean energy economy and a healthy, just America. Brownley continues to champion forward-thinking climate policies, including legislation to reduce food waste, curb harmful emissions, and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure.
Through her extensive work on key issues, Brownley has earned recognition as one of the most effective members of Congress, exemplifying her ability to turn legislative priorities into meaningful reforms. Her success is evident in her leadership on climate change, veterans’ health care, infrastructure, and women’s issues, creating meaningful policy reforms that have lasting impacts.
Before her time in Congress, Brownley served in the California State Assembly, where she played a key role on the Committee on Natural Resources and in implementing AB 32, California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act. For her environmental leadership, Brownley received the Environmental Champions Award from the Environmental Working Group and the Sierra Club Political Leadership Award.
Brownley’s commitment to public service began in 1994 when she ran for her local school board to advocate for her daughter, who has dyslexia, and other students with special needs. She served on the school board for over a decade, working to improve public education for all students. She was elected to the California State Assembly in 2006, where she chaired the Assembly Education Committee and served on numerous education-focused panels, including the Higher Education Committee, Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, and the State Allocation Board.
Brownley holds a B.A. in Political Science from George Washington University and an M.B.A. from American University. Before entering public service, she worked in private-sector marketing. She currently resides in Thousand Oaks, and is the proud mother of Hannah, who works for an international aid organization, and Fred, a physician at the University of Colorado. Brownley is also a doting grandparent to her granddaughter, Tibby.