Gwen Moore
DemocratU.S. Representative, WI-4| Age | 75 (b. 1951-04-18) |
| Gender | Female |
| In office since | 2005-01-04 (~21 yrs) |
| Race / ethnicity | African American |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Education | Graduated North Division High School, Milwaukee; B.A. in Political Science from Marquette University (1978) |
| Prior occupation | AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer/community organizer; founder of Cream City Community Development Credit Union; neighborhood development strategist for the City of Milwaukee (1985-1989); housing officer at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) |
| Military service | No |
| Birthplace | Racine, Wisconsin |
| Marital status | Never married |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Notable relatives | Son Supreme Moore Omokunde, a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly (formerly Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors) |
Pending research: languages · openly lgbtq.
Career & politics
| First elected | 2004 |
| Previous offices | Wisconsin State Assembly, 7th district (1989-1993) · Wisconsin State Senate, 4th district (1993-2005) - first African American woman elected to the Wisconsin State Senate |
| Committees | House Committee on Ways and Means (Vice Ranking Member, 119th Congress) · Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security · Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Policy · Ways and Means Subcommittee on Work and Welfare |
| Caucuses | Congressional Progressive Caucus · Congressional Black Caucus · Congressional Equality Caucus · Black Maternal Health Caucus · Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth (co-chair) |
| Leadership | Vice Ranking Member, House Committee on Ways and Means (119th Congress) · Chair, Democratic Women's Working Group (2010-2013) · Congressional Black Caucus Whip (2016) · Co-chair, Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth |
| Ideology | Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus; consistently votes as a progressive Democrat |
| Signature legislation | RISE Out of Poverty Act (overhaul of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families / TANF welfare program) · Menstrual Equity For All Act |
Financial
Net worth: disclosed $-83,000–$-33,000 (2022) · estimate
| Wisconsin state pension (Wisconsin Retirement System) | fund · $15,001–$50,000 · 2022 |
| Mortgage on personal residence (liability) | real_estate · $50,000–$100,000 · 2022 |
Scandals & crimes ledger
resolved — Arrested and Fined for Disorderly Conduct During Fast-Food Worker Protest
On September 4, 2014, Rep. Moore participated in a sit-in with approximately 75-100 protesters outside a McDonald's in West Milwaukee as part of the national 'Fight for 15' minimum-wage campaign. West Milwaukee police issued three warnings to vacate the road; Moore and 26 others refused and were arrested. She was issued a citation for disorderly conduct and ordered to pay a $691 fine. The House Ethics Committee subsequently reviewed the matter (Report 113-585, 113th Congress, 2nd Session) and issued a statement on September 11, 2014, declining to open a formal investigation.
resolved — Arrest and disorderly conduct citation during Fight for $15 protest (2014)
Representative Gwen Moore participated in a 'Fight for $15' minimum-wage sit-in outside a McDonald's in West Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on September 4, 2014. After police asked protesters three times to clear the road, Moore and roughly two dozen others who refused to leave were arrested; she was charged with disorderly conduct and ordered to pay a $691 fine. Because the arrest of a sitting member triggers a House Committee on Ethics review, the committee examined the matter and on September 11, 2014 concluded that no further review of Moore's case was needed (House Report 113-585). No ethics violation was found.