Díaz-Balart, Mario, 1961-

<p>Mario Rafael Díaz-Balart Caballero (/bəˈlɑːrt/; born September 25, 1961) is a Republican U.S. Representative for Florida's 25th congressional district. He was elected in 2002, and his current district includes much of southwestern Miami-Dade County, including the city of Hialeah, and much of the northern portion of the Everglades.</p>

<p>During the COVID-19 pandemic, Díaz-Balart became the first member of Congress to test positive for COVID-19 on March 18, 2020.</p>

<p>Following Representative Alcee Hastings's death in April 2021, Díaz-Balart became the dean (or longest-serving member) of Florida's congressional delegation.</p>

<p>Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart is currently fulfilling his 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Florida’s 25th congressional district. Diaz-Balart is a senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations and is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, in addition to serving on the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs and Defense Subcommittees. He passionately serves his constituents, acting tirelessly in defense of individual rights and liberties, promoting economic prosperity, and supporting a strong national defense. He is well known for his advocacy of human rights and democracy around the world, as well as for his staunch support of our global allies.</p>

<p>Diaz-Balart was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002 to represent Florida’s 25th Congressional district. Prior to his time in Congress, Diaz-Balart served 14 years in the Florida State Legislature in both chambers, House and Senate. He chaired a number of different committees, including the Combined Appropriations/Ways and Means/Finance and Tax Committee.</p>

<p>Diaz-Balart was born on September 25, 1961, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Rafael and Hilda Diaz-Balart, and is the youngest of four brothers (Rafael, Lincoln, and Jose). He studied Political Science at the University of South Florida in Tampa.</p>

DIAZ-BALART, Mario, (brother of Lincoln Diaz-Balart), a Representative from Florida; born in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Fla., September 25, 1961; graduated from Miami Shores Preparatory High School, Miami Shores, Fla., 1979; attended the University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla.; marketing executive; member of the Florida state house of representatives, 1988-1992, 2000-2002; member of the Florida state senate, 1992-2000; elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Eighth and to the nine succeeding Congresses (January 3, 2003-present).