Congressman Rodriguez was raised and educated in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from Harlandale High Schoool, Congressman Rodriguez went on to receive his B.A. at St. Mary's University, and earned his MSW from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.

In 1987 Ciro Rodriguez launched his legislative career when he was elected to the Texas State Legislature. While in the Texas House of Representatives, he drew from his experience as a social worker and educator to fight for improved high school graduation rates.

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. While he represented the 28th Congressional District from 1997 to 2005, as a result of re-districting Congressman Rodriguez became a resident of the 23rd Congressional District, the largest district in the state, in 2005. He was later elected to his fifth and sixth terms in Congress in 2006 and 2008.

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.