Which California representatives talk the most?

December 24, 2015

Congresswoman Lois Capps spoke more often than 47 of California’s 53 House representatives in 2015, but she did not address her colleagues even half as many times as one California congressman. [LA Times]

Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) spoke on the House floor on 72 of the 157 legislative days in 2015. LaMalfa is a farmer who serves on the Agricultural and Natural Resources committees and often speaks about rural or agricultural issues. His family has been growing rice in the Northern California town since the early 1930s.

LaMalfa spoke more often this year than all U.S. representatives other than Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX). Thompson addressed the House on 110 days in 2015, and Lee spoke before her congressional colleagues on 87 days.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who formerly represented parts of San Luis Obispo County, spoke on the House floor the second most often among California representatives. McCarthy spoke on 44 legislative days in 2015.

This year, McCarthy launched a bid to become Speaker of the House, but he withdrew from the race when it appeared he did not have enough support. McCarthy remains the House Majority leader.

Former House Speaker and current House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke the fifth most often among California representatives this year. Pelosi spoke on the House floor 38 times in 2015.

Capps finished just behind Pelosi, placing sixth among California representatives. Capps addressed the House 32 times this year.

In a recent stretch, Capps spoke on the House floor four times over the first nine days of December, CSPAN archives show. In those appearances, Capps spoke about climate change, gun control, recalled vehicle rentals and climate change.