Robert Wexler is a spirited Democratic Congressman who has developed a national reputation as an aggressive proponent of progressive issues and a bitter critic of President George W. Bush and the war in Iraq. Wexler is currently serving his sixth term in the United States House of Representatives, where he has proudly represented Florida's 19th Congressional District since 1996. In the past ten years, he has become one of the most articulate and influential Members of Congress, advocating passionately for issues such as improving removing our troops from Iraq, delivering universal heath care coverage, fighting for a meaningful Medicare prescription drug plan for America's seniors, and working to ensure the safety and security of Israel.

In recent years Wexler has been one of the strongest anti-war voices in the House of Representatives. During General Petreus’ September 10th testimony before Congress, Wexler was one of the only Democrats to challenge Administration claims of success in Iraq while pointedly asking Petreus “how many more men and women will have to be sacrificed?” in this misguided war. Congressman Wexler has voted to deny funding to President Bush for the war in Iraq and in 2005 Wexler was on of only three Members of Congress to vote for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces in Iraq.

Congressman Wexler has introduced legislation on a wide array of issues, ranging from strengthening gun control, freezing President Bush's 2001 tax cuts to pay for a Medicare prescription drug plan, comprehensively reforming Florida's electoral system, ensuring that reservists receive adequate compensation while fighting overseas, and protecting the environment, to calling for an investigation into pre-war intelligence regarding Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

One of Wexler’s recent legislative initiatives is to legalize poker and other skill games on the Internet. In one of the final acts of the GOP controlled Congress, Republicans snuck through legislation that banned many forms of gambling online. Wexler’s legislation would undue part of this ban by allowing Americans to once again play poker – a true national pastime – online safely and legally. Congressman Wexler has advocated his progressive agenda at both the local and national level, including appearances on numerous television programs such as Larry King Live, NBC's Meet the Press and the Today Show and ABC's Nightline. Congressman Wexler's reputation as a "rhetorical warrior" and active lawmaker earned him the title of "50 Most Effective Legislators in Congress" by the influential magazine Congressional Quarterly.

Directly following the aftermath of the 2000 Presidential election, Congressman Wexler initiated comprehensive election reforms nationwide and was a leading sponsor of legislation that would modernize Florida's election system; he helped to increase resources for training poll workers and enhanced voter education. Wexler has worked closely with Florida Governor Charlie Crist to deliver new law in 2007 that guarantees a paper trail for all votes cast in Florida.

Congressman Wexler also serves as Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and is a co-founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkish Relations, the Congressional Taiwan Caucus and the Indonesia Caucus. He is also an active member of the India Caucus and the Serbia Caucus. Congressman Wexler has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East in an effort to deepen America's economic, military and political alliances throughout the world. He also serves on the Taskforce on Anti-Semitism and has been one of the most influential members of Congress in urging the European Union to fight anti-Semitism and promote an atmosphere of religious tolerance in all EU Member States.

Congressman Wexler has also been actively involved in the Middle East and Israel, where he has been a strong supporter of U.S. engagement in the region as a means of finding a lasting and sustainable peace. As the only Member of the House to attend the signing of the Wye River Peace Agreement and one of two U.S. lawmakers to travel to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, Congressman Wexler has been an outspoken advocate of Middle East peace and Israel's right to self-defense.

Congressman Wexler serves on the House Judiciary Committee as well as the Internet and Intellectual Property Subcommittee. He is the co-founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Intellectual Property and Piracy Prevention, and serves as one of the leading voices in Washington for combating piracy and intellectual property violations domestically and abroad. Wexler was also recently appointed by Speaker Pelosi to serve on the House Financial Services Committee where he will focus on finding solutions to the insurance crisis occurring in Florida.

Prior to being elected to Congress, Wexler served as a State Senator in the Florida Legislature for six years. He moved to South Florida with his family at 10 years of age from Queens, New York. Wexler has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida and earned his law degree from George Washington University. Congressman Wexler and his wife, Laurie, have three children.