Burton served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1974 to 1983, during which time he was a strong advocate for civil rights, environmental protection, and healthcare reform.

He co-authored the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, which imposed economic sanctions on South Africa in protest of its system of racial segregation known as apartheid.

During his time in the state Legislature, he championed progressive causes such as expanding access to healthcare, protecting the environment, and advancing civil rights.

[2] After graduating from law school, Burton worked as an attorney in San Francisco, and as a lobbyist for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

[16] The Los Angeles Times reported: "After quitting Congress in 1982, Burton cleaned himself up in a rehabilitation center and spent nearly six years in private law practice before returning to where he started in elective office, the California Assembly, in 1988.

As a legislator, Burton was known for expanding the Cal Grant scholarship program, and passing a law (subsequently defeated in a referendum) that would have required California businesses to pay for health coverage for their workers.

[19] In 2008, Burton settled a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment filed by Kathleen Driscoll, then the executive director of his charitable foundation.

She claimed Burton sexually harassed her by making unwanted advances, suggestively raising his eyebrows and commenting on her body.

"[20] On April 26, 2009, Burton was elected chair of the California Democratic Party (a post he had previously held some 35 years earlier), succeeding Art Torres.

When John asked why, Burton recalled, "He put his finger in my face and told me he never ever wanted me to walk past some guy in bad circumstances without leaving something in the cup."

He was applauded for his decades-long leadership, leading protests against the Vietnam War, his support of Central Valley farmworkers, the homeless, and the needy.