A firm believer in the importance and power of education, Ciro Rodriguez began his career in public service as a board member of the Harlandale Independent School District in 1974. Meanwhile he worked as a social worker with the Bexar County Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation and later became a trainer for the Intercultural Development Research Association. In 1987 Ciro Rodriguez launched his legislative career when he was elected to the Texas State Legislature.  He also assumed teaching duties at his alma mater, Our Lady of the Lake University.

While in the Texas House of Representatives, Representative Rodriguez drew from his experience as a social worker and educator to fight for improved high school graduation rates.  As a state Representative he drafted the landmark Texas law guaranteeing acceptance for the top ten percent of Texas high school graduates to any public four-year Texas university. Representative Rodriguez was also responsible for the development of the "dual-credit" program, which allows high school students to earn college credit for advanced courses.

In April 1997, Ciro Rodriguez was elected to Congress.  During his first four terms in Congress, Congressman Rodriguez served with distinction as a member of the House Veterans Affairs, Armed Services, and Natural Resources Committees.  He served on four Subcommittees: Military Readiness, Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, Research and Development, and Military Installations and Facilities. On the House Veterans Affairs Committee he was the Ranking Member of the Veterans Health Subcommittee.  Congressman Rodriguez also served as Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.  While he represented the 28^th Congressional District from 1997 to 2005, as a result of re-districting Congressman Rodriguez became a resident of the 23^rd Congressional District in 2005.  He was later elected to his fifth and sixth terms in Congress in 2006 and 2008.

The 23rd Congressional District is the largest district in the state, covering most of West Texas from San Antonio to El Paso. It includes portions of Bexar (San Antonio), El Paso and Sutton counties, as well as Brewster, Dimmit, Maverick, Presidio, Zavala, Crockett, Culberson, Edwards, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Medina, Pecos, Reeves, Terrell, Uvalde and Val Verde Counties.  With 785 miles of border and 7 National Park Sites, the 23^rd District is renowned for both its beauty and diversity.

Today Congressman Rodriguez serves on the House Committee on Appropriations where he sits on the Homeland Security; Transportation, Housing & Urban Development & Related Agencies; and Legislative Branch Subcommittees. He also sits on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs where he is a member of the Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Assistance & Memorial Affairs. Congressman Rodriguez remains a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) where he serves as the Chair of the Taskforce on Agriculture and Rural Communities.

Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez and his wife, Carolina Peña, have been married for thirty-five years. Their daughter Xochil received her bachelor's degree from Rice University, and a law degree from the University of Texas.