Ellen Tauscher

Ellen Tauscher – Life, Career, and Notable Quotes

Explore the life and legacy of Ellen Tauscher (1951–2019), an American politician, diplomat, and centrist leader whose work on arms control, child care policy, and public service left a lasting mark.

Introduction

Ellen O’Kane Tauscher was an accomplished and multifaceted figure in American public life. Born on November 15, 1951, she built a career that spanned Wall Street, Congress, and the U.S. State Department. Known for her centrist stance, her dedication to arms control, and her advocacy for working families, Tauscher left a significant imprint on U.S. domestic policy and international security.

She represented California’s 10th congressional district from 1997 to 2009, then served as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs from 2009 to 2012, and later became a Special Envoy for Strategic Stability and Missile Defense.

Her life story is one of pioneering entry into finance, transforming it into a platform for public service, and navigating complex terrains of diplomacy and negotiation.

Early Life and Family

Ellen Tauscher was born Ellen O’Kane in Newark, New Jersey.

As a young adult, she pursued higher education: in 1974, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education from Seton Hall University in New Jersey.

Early Career and Entry into Public Life

Before entering elective office, Tauscher’s career was unusual for a future politician. She moved into investment banking and finance:

• At age 25, she became one of the youngest—and one of the first women—to hold membership on the New York Stock Exchange.

• She also served as an officer of the American Stock Exchange between 1979 and 1983, and worked at firms such as Bear Stearns and a subsidiary of Drexel Burnham Lambert.

Her move to California in 1989 marked a turning point: she founded ChildCare Registry, Inc., the first national service to help parents verify the credentials of childcare providers. The ChildCare Sourcebook and through the Tauscher Foundation supported elementary schools in acquiring computers and Internet access.

Her early public service also included fundraising and campaign leadership roles within Democratic circles—she chaired Dianne Feinstein’s Senate campaigns in 1992 and 1994.

Congressional Career (1997–2009)

Election and Tenure

In 1996, Tauscher ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in California’s 10th district, challenging incumbent Bill Baker. She won the seat by a narrow margin (about 1.45%) in what was considered a Republican-leaning district. January 3, 1997, and served until June 26, 2009, after being re-elected multiple times.

As a congresswoman, she positioned herself as a moderate Democrat. She chaired the New Democrat Coalition, a caucus of centrist Democrats, and served as vice-chair of the Democratic Leadership Council from 2001 to 2005.

Policy Focus & Achievements

During her time in Congress, Tauscher held key committee assignments and championed several policy areas:

• She sat on the Armed Services Committee and the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

• She notably chaired the Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee, overseeing nuclear weapons, missile defense, and national labs.

• Her Congressional district uniquely housed two national labs—Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and a California campus of Sandia National Laboratories — which gave her a strong stake in national security discussion.

• As a member of the Transportation Committee, she secured $33 million in federal funding for infrastructure projects in her district, including highway expansions.

In terms of voting record and policy stances:

• She supported universal health care coverage, especially focusing on insuring children under programs like SCHIP.

• She backed stricter gun control measures, aiming to balance Americans’ rights to arms with public safety.

• On LGBT rights, she was a strong advocate for same-sex marriage and introduced legislation to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

• Initially, she supported the Iraq War resolution in 2002, but later became more critical of the war’s execution and pushed for troop withdrawal.

Diplomatic & State Department Service

In March 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Ellen Tauscher to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs. She was confirmed unanimously by the Senate on June 25, 2009, and resigned from Congress the next day to assume the new role.

In this capacity, she led negotiations with Russia on the New START treaty, which aimed to limit deployed strategic nuclear weapons. The treaty was signed on April 8, 2010, and the U.S. Senate ratified it on December 22, 2010.

On February 6, 2012, she was appointed Special Envoy for Strategic Stability and Missile Defense, continuing her work on nuclear and security frameworks until her retirement from the State Department on August 31, 2012.

After exiting government, she remained active on various boards and in advisory roles: she served on corporate and non-profit boards, advised legal and defense firms, and took leadership posts in governmental labs and national security institutions.

Later Life and Death

In July 2010, Tauscher was diagnosed with stage-3 esophageal cancer, a serious and aggressive cancer. December 2010, she was declared cancer free.

She continued public service and advocacy, especially in health care and cancer awareness.

Ellen Tauscher passed away on April 29, 2019, at the age of 67, from complications of pneumonia at Stanford University Medical Center in California.

Legacy and Influence

Ellen Tauscher’s legacy is multifold:

• She broke barriers as a woman in finance and politics, bridging sectors often dominated by men.

• In Congress, she was known as a moderate voice—“Tauscherism” was coined by Time magazine to describe her blend of fiscal responsibility and social progressivism.

• Her work on arms control and nuclear nonproliferation—especially negotiating New START—helped advance U.S.–Russia strategic stability.

• Her advocacy for child care transparency, public education, and infrastructure investment demonstrates a consistent concern for families and communities.

• Even after leaving office, she remained engaged in defense, research institutions, and board leadership.

Her passing was widely mourned, with colleagues remembering her as tenacious, graceful, and principled.

Notable Quotes

Here are several quotations attributed to Ellen Tauscher that reflect her views on policy, governance, and values:

“After working for 14 years on Wall Street and growing up in a family with strong roots in small business, I know how important the entrepreneurial spirit is to attaining the American dream.”

“The Constitution is like my old blue dress … it doesn’t fit anymore.”

“Preemption is the right of any nation in order to preserve its National Security; however, preemptive war is a tactic, not a strategy. When used as a strategy preemption dilutes diplomacy, creates an atmosphere of distrust, and promotes regional instability.”

“If a budget is designed to show our values, it’s clear where the majority stands: against opportunity, against education, and against America’s hard-working, tax-paying middle class.”

“Getting our military back on stable footing won’t happen overnight. We must start this process now, since future engagements are likely and allies are scarce.”

These lines highlight her perspectives on national security, fiscal priorities, and the balancing act between principle and pragmatism.

Lessons from Ellen Tauscher’s Life

• Cross-sector experience is powerful. Her shift from finance to public service gave her negotiating savvy and a broader perspective.

• Moderation and principle can coexist. She sought to bridge divides while holding firm on key values.

• Negotiation requires dignity. One obituary recalled a guiding principle of hers: “In order to get a good deal, both (sides) have to leave with grace and class and their dignity preserved.”

• Service endures beyond office. Even after official roles ended, Tauscher stayed engaged in policy, science, and public advocacy.

• Resilience in health and adversity. Surviving cancer and continuing work underscores her dedication and fortitude.

Conclusion

Ellen Tauscher’s life journey—from Wall Street trailblazer to trusted diplomat and congressional leader—speaks to the power of combining skill, conviction, and tenacity. Her contributions to arms control, her centrist approach in a polarized environment, and her advocacy on behalf of children and infrastructure continue to inspire.