Laura Rodriguez is the vice president for Government Affairs at American Progress. Most recently, she was the chief of staff for her hometown congresswoman, Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL), where she utilized her broad Capitol Hill experience and her knowledge of the politics of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties to help build the congresswoman’s bold legislative agenda and oversee the operations of the office. Prior to that role, she worked as a senior adviser for U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), advising him on Latino policy, outreach, and media. Before rejoining the senator’s team, Rodriguez spent a year as the chief of staff for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), helping them restructure processes after a major reorganization.
Before her time at CHCI, Rodriguez spent nearly five years at the U.S. State Department Legislative Affairs Bureau under the Obama administration, where she ended her tenure as deputy assistant secretary for House Affairs. Rodriguez began her career in politics in Miami, Florida, working for the City of Miami Commission in 2004.
Rodriguez received her bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Florida International University and her master’s degree in foreign affairs from American University.