Who is Elissa Slotkin, the Democrat rebutting Trump's joint address
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Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) speaks to a reporter in the Senate Subway of the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 13 in Washington, DC. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
First-term Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) will deliver the response to President Trump's address to Congress Tuesday as her party has struggled to counter his sweeping agenda, even with respect to this event.
The big picture: Rebuttals have in the past been a tricky gig, but they're also an opportunity for relatively lower-profile lawmakers and officials to take a national stage.
- "I'm looking forward to speaking directly to the American people next week," Slotkin said in a Thursday statement. "The public expects leaders to level with them on what's actually happening in our country.
- Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) will deliver the Spanish language response to the speech.
- Go deeper: What to know about President Trump's joint address to Congress Tuesday
State of play: Top Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have commended Slotkin's reputation and skills.
- Schumer called her a "rising star" in the party, and Jeffries said she "will deliver a comprehensive and clear-eyed response" on issues including cost of living, Social Security and Medicaid.
Here's what to know about Elissa Slotkin:
Slotkin's time in the House
Slotkin won her first House of Representatives bid in 2018, flipping a longtime red-leaning district as part of the pro-Democrat midterm wave during Trump's first term.
- She has cited her mother's struggle to afford healthcare during her battle with ovarian cancer and ensuring insurance protections for people with pre-existing conditions as driving factors behind her runs for office.
- In 2022, she won reelection in a battleground race that saw her earn former Rep. Liz Cheney's (R-Wyo.) first formal endorsement for a Democrat.
While in the House, Slotkin served on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Veterans Affairs Committee, among other panels.
Slotkin's Senate win
Slotkin defeated Republican Mike Rogers in 2024 to keep Michigan's Senate delegation blue in a tough year for Democrats across the map, including the presidential race.
- After her victory, Slotkin stressed focusing on "kitchen table issues," saying, "It's not rocket science."
Slotkin serves on four committees: The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- She had a breakout moment early in her tenure on the Armed Services Committee during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing, where she pressed him on whether he'd support using the U.S. military against American citizens.
Slotkin's military service and early career
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 — on Slotkin's second day of graduate school in New York City — drove her toward a career in national security, according to her campaign website.
- After being recruited as a Middle East analyst by the CIA, she served three tours in Iraq alongside the U.S. military.
She served in national security roles at the White House and Pentagon under both Presidents Bush and Obama.
Go deeper: Fired federal workers to join Democrats at Trump's speech to Congress
