in 2008 while maintaining her responsibilities as a member of the House. That year, she promoted efforts for early screening for breast cancer. Career Florida state legislature In 1988, Wasserman Schultz became an aide to Peter Deutsch at the beginning of his state legislative career. In 1992, Deutsch successfully ran for United States Representative of Florida's 20th congressional district, and suggested to Wasserman Schultz that she run for his vacated seat in the Florida House of Representatives. Wasserman Schultz won 53% of the vote in a six-way Democratic primary, avoiding a runoff, and won the general election. At 26, she became the youngest female legislator in the state's history. She served four terms in the Florida State House of Representatives, for eight years, leaving due to state term limits. She became an adjunct instructor of political science at Broward Community College, as well as a public policy curriculum specialist at Nova Southeastern University. Wasserman Schultz was elected to the Florida State Senate in 2000. She supported several bills, including the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act and one creating a Children's Services Council for Broward County. She received an award from the Save The Manatee Club for her commitment as a state senator in the 2002 legislative session to manatee protection. U.S. House of Representatives Committee assignments United States House Committee on Appropriations United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (Chairwoman) United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform United States House Oversight Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties United States House Oversight Subcommittee on National Security Caucus memberships Congressional Solar Caucus New Democrat Coalition Congressional Arts Caucus Afterschool Caucus United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus Party leadership Chief Deputy Whip Wasserman Schultz was appointed to the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee in her first term. During the 2006 elections, she raised over $17 million in campaign contributions for her Democratic colleagues (third-most after Nancy Pelosi and Rahm Emanuel), was chosen as Chief Deputy Whip, and was appointed to the Appropriations Committee, a plum assignment for a sophomore representative. Wasserman Schultz chairs the committee's Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. Shortly after joining the Appropriations Committee, she received a waiver necessary to sit on an additional committee (Appropriations is typically an exclusive committee), and she is now a member of