Lois Frankel

From Grokipedia

Lois Frankel (born May 16, 1948) is an American attorney and Democratic politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 22nd congressional district since 2013. Prior to Congress, she held office as mayor of West Palm Beach from 2003 to 2011 and represented District 89 in the Florida House of Representatives from 1986 to 2002, including as the first female minority leader from 2000 to 2002. Frankel earned a B.A. from Boston University in 1970 and a J.D. from Georgetown University in 1973 before practicing as a trial attorney.

In the House, Frankel serves on the Appropriations Committee as the ranking Democratic member of the subcommittee overseeing the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs, focusing on national security funding. She has secured appropriations for local infrastructure, health care, education, and workforce programs in her district, while advocating for protections of Social Security, Medicare, and reproductive rights. Frankel also co-chairs the bipartisan Women, Peace, and Security Caucus and served as chair emerita of the Democratic Women's Caucus.

Frankel's political positions include strong support for Israel and opposition to antisemitism, which prompted her departure from the House Progressive Caucus in 2023 amid disagreements over U.S. policy toward Israel's conflict with Hamas. This move highlighted tensions within Democratic ranks on foreign policy, distinguishing her from more left-leaning colleagues despite her long tenure in progressive-leaning roles earlier in her career.

In brief

Lois Frankel learned legislating as Florida House minority leader, then ran a city: West Palm Beach, two terms, the kind of mayoralty measured in streets and payrolls. Congress was the third act, not the first ambition.

She has held a coastal district through map changes, a lawyer who still sounds like a mayor when the subject is beaches, bases, or a crowded calendar. The résumé is a Florida civic loop.