Biography

Congressman Ron Klein, who represents Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, was sworn in to the United States Congress on January 4th, 2007. An experienced leader with a solid record of service, Ron has developed a reputation for working in a bipartisan manner to find common sense solutions that will improve the lives of Florida’s families and businesses.

Ron fought for meaningful homeowner’s insurance reform in the Florida state legislature, and brought his passion for the issue to Congress, where he has become a national leader on insurance reform. Working with his colleagues from Florida, Ron successfully passed H.R. 3355, the Homeowner's Defense Act, in 2007, with broad, bipartisan support. Klein re-introduced a similar bill in the 2009 legislative session, and is committed to seeing it passed by the Senate and signed into law. This bill will provide real relief for Florida, where the cost of homeowners’ insurance has become too often out of reach.

As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, Ron has a fiscally responsible voting record and has authored several tax relief provisions for teachers, families and members of the military. He serves on the subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises and subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.

Ron also serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he is the Vice Chair of the Middle East Subcommittee. In this capacity, he has authored or co-authored several bills to crack down on the current regime in Iran. He is also working to promote our national security by ending our dependence on foreign oil, assessing our Middle East policies and promoting a responsible foreign policy based on mutual cooperation with our international allies. Ron also sits on the subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and the subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade.

In just a few years in Congress, Ron has worked hard to pass several pieces of legislation critical to South Florida families. Ron authored the A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center Act (H.R. 1933), which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, to expand the widely-praised South Florida non-profit A Child is Missing into a national program.

One of Ron’s top priorities is to keep America’s promise to our veterans, and improve their quality of life after service. To continue his fight for those who have fought for our country, Ron introduced the Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps Act (H.R. 3266), new, bipartisan legislation to help train guide dogs and other service animals for wounded veterans. Ron co-sponsored the GI Bill for the 21^st Century, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation makes America’s veterans part of our economic recovery by restoring the promise of a full, four year-college education for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, which can be transferred to their spouse or children. Ron formed and meets regularly with Veterans Advisory Groups in Broward and Palm Beach counties. He also has dedicated specific staff to work with veterans who have served our country and to their families, when their loved ones are overseas and return home.

Ron is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of moderate, pro-business Democrats. He was appointed to co-chair the coalition’s Energy Task Force and is a leading voice on alternative energy legislation as it moves through Congress. He helped to pass landmark legislation that will put our nation on the path to energy independence and aid consumers and families in South Florida.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1957 to a public school teacher and a small business owner, Ron learned early on from his parents that with a good education and solid work ethic, one can accomplish almost anything. Ron graduated from The Ohio State University in 1979, and received his Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University Law School in 1982. That same year, Ron married the former Dori Dragin, and together they moved to Boca Raton, Florida in 1985, where he continued practicing law and involving himself in various community service activities.

Motivated to help improve the quality of life in South Florida, Ron ran for and was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1992. During his tenure in the House, Ron built an impressive reputation for his work improving education, toughening criminal justice laws, providing greater access to healthcare, and expanding use of technology in the public and private sectors. He was elected to the State Senate in 1996, where he earned the positions of Minority Whip and Senate Democratic Leader.

Ron and his wife Dori reside in Boca Raton. They are the proud parents of two children, Brian, 24 and Lauren, 21.