Representative, United States House of Representatives, Texas, District 37, 2023-present

President Pro Tempore, Texas State Senate

Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Texas, District 37, 2024

Representative, United States House of Representatives, District 35, 1994-2023

Senator, Texas State Senate, 1973-1984

Candidate, United States Senate, 1984

Member, Committee on the Budget

Member, Joint Committee on Taxation

Member, Subcommittee on Health (Ways and Means)

Member, Subcommittee on Tax Policy (Ways and Means)

Member, Ways and Means Committee

Former Member, Human Resources Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Tax Policy Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Trade Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Member, Budget Committee, United States House of Representatives, 2023-Present

Justice, Texas Supreme Court, 1989-1994

Adjunct Professor, University of Texas School of Law, 1989-1994

Member, First United Methodist Church

Member, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity

Associate Editor, Texas Law Review

Former Chair, Texas Supreme Court Task Force on Judicial Ethics

President, Texas Consumers Association, 1972-1973

Astrological Sign:

Libra

Awards:

Friend of the National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, 1996-2002

Friend of the Earth Award, Friends of the Earth, 2002

Award of Appreciation for Outstanding Achievement, Sierra Club, Austin, 2000

Public Interest Champion, United States Public Interest Research Group, 2003

"Congressional Champion for Real and Lasting Change" Award-Save the Children

Legislative Achievement Award, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 2008

James Madison Award, Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

Elected Public Official of the Year, CenTex Chapter, American Society for Public Administration, 2004

Justice Award, American Bar Association, 2011

First Amendment Award, National Society of Professional Journalists

Legislator of the Year, Voices for Adoption, 2011

Award Recipient, Texas Association of Community Health Centers

Award Recipient, National Association of Community Health Centers

Outstanding Judge in Texas Award, Mexican-American Bar of Texas

Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce, Business Advocate of the Year, 2006

Environmental Champion Award, Texas League of Conservation Voters, 2006

Best of Austin Award

Best Elected Official Award, Annual Reader Survey, Austin Chronicle, 2004

Names of Grandchildren:

Ella, Clara, and Zayla, Canyon

Number of Grandchildren:

4

Spouse's Occupation:

Initiative Director, Pew Charitable Trusts
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Early Learning at the U.S. Department of Education