Vanderburgh is a Democrat and member of the United States House of Representatives. Referred to as "the left wing of the left wing" by Frank Underwood, Vanderburgh held very liberal views and often voted against measures put forth by his own party as well as the Republicans. In 2013, he along with fellow Congressman Abrams opposed the Watershed Act authored by the Underwoods as an attempt to promote Peter Russo for Governor of Pennsylvania. In their opinion, the environmental protection standards in the bill did not go far enough. Underwood intimidated both men by telling them to vote their consciences, their districts and not to surprise him. He then set up a meeting between both men and Claire to go over the specifics of the bill.
During the meeting with Claire, who had become disgruntled at the fact that her husband's priorities had taken precedence over her own, she disregarded Frank's wishes and gave them permission to vote against the bill. After the Watershed Act failed, Underwood summoned both Vanderburgh abd Abrams to his office where they informed him what Claire had told them. Shook, Underwood left the meeting ordering them never to repeat a word of what had just been discussed.