Chu, Judy, 1953-

Judy May Chu (born July 7, 1953) is an American politician serving. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served as the U.S. Representative for California's 27th congressional district since 2013. She represented California's 32nd congressional district until redistricting. Chu is the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress.

Born in Los Angeles, she grew up there and in the Bay Area. In 1974, Chu earned a B.A. degree in mathematics from UCLA. In 1979, she earned a Ph.D. degree in psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology of Alliant International University's Los Angeles campus. Chu taught psychology in the Los Angeles Community College District for 20 years, including 13 years at East Los Angeles College. Chu was first elected to the Board of Education for Garvey School District in 1985. From there, she was elected to the Monterey Park City Council, where she served as Mayor three times. She then was elected to the State Assembly and then California’s elected tax board, known as the State Board of Equalization. In 2009, Chu was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative Hilda Solis.

Chu believes that the immigration system is outdated and in need of reform. She has worked to pass the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (H.R. 15). She strongly supports the DREAM Act and has worked for its passage. Chu cosponsored the Global Sexual and Reproductive Health Act of 2010, which authorizes the President of the United States to support measures providing abortions and other reproduction assistance to women in developing countries. In 2010, she voted against measures proposed by the House to strip government funding to Planned Parenthood, and opposed restricting federal funding of abortions. Some of Rep. Chu’s proudest accomplishments in Congress include: introducing and passing a Congressional resolution of regret for the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882; working with President Obama to declare the San Gabriel Mountains a national monument; requiring the Department of Defense to address military hazing; helping entrepreneurs by establishing two new Small Business Development Centers in the San Gabriel Valley; and helping small businesses refinance old, expensive real estate loans by reviving the Small Business Administration’s 504 loan refinance program.