José Guimarães

José Nobre Guimarães was born on February 13, 1959, in Quixeramobim, in the central hinterland of Ceará. The son of farmers, he earned his law degree from the Federal University of Ceará and began his political activism in the labor movement and on the left at a young age.

Political career

He joined the PT (Workers' Party) in 1985, actively participated in the Diretas Já (Direct Elections Now) campaign, presided over the PT in Ceará from 1991 to 2000, and in 2000 was elected state deputy in Ceará, being re-elected in 2002. In 2006, he won his first term as a federal deputy with a large number of votes; since then he has been successively re-elected to the House of Representatives, currently being one of the main figures of the national PT.

Performance in the National Congress

As a member of parliament, José Guimarães consolidated his leadership positions: he was the leader of Dilma Rousseff's government in the House of Representatives, elected national vice-president of the PT (Workers' Party), and currently holds the position of leader of Lula's government in the House of Representatives. He also plays an influential role in coordinating the government's allied base, taking responsibility for important legislative negotiations such as adjustments to the federal budget, positions on issues such as tax and federal reform, and decisions regarding oil royalties.

In his recent legislative work, he authored bills that have already become law, such as PL 363/2025 , which amends the Aldir Blanc Federal Law for Cultural Promotion, and PL 3469/2024 , which modifies the Brazilian Aeronautical Code and other laws to strengthen the public authorities' response capacity to forest fires. Both proposals were sanctioned, although with vetoes in the case of the second bill. He also proposed PL 1956/2024 , which amends multiple laws (the Fire Department Law, among others) to provide new legal provisions on public safety, undergoing expedited procedures.

José Guimarães stands out on the national stage for his advocacy for culture, the environment, public safety, and social justice. He has actively participated in debates on exemptions or adjustments to Personal Income Tax, building support within Congress, and strengthening federal mechanisms that benefit states and municipalities. His position as government leader reinforces his role as a bridge between the House of Representatives and the Executive branch, playing a central role in the voting on priority legislative packages from the federal government.