Joseph Crowley
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| Joseph Crowley | |
|---|---|
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| Chair of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2017 | |
| Leader | Nancy Pelosi |
| Preceded by | Xavier Becerra |
| Vice Chair of the House Democratic Conference | |
| In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2017 | |
| Leader | Nancy Pelosi |
| Preceded by | Xavier Becerra |
| Succeeded by | Linda Sánchez |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas J. Manton |
| Constituency | 7th district (1999–2013) 14th district (2013–present) |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 30th district | |
| In office January 1, 1987 – December 31, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Ralph Goldstein |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Markey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 16, 1962 New York City, New York, U.S |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Kasey Nilson |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Queens College, City University of New York (BA) |
Joseph Crowley (/ˈkraʊli/; born March 16, 1962) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 14th congressional district from 2013, previously representing the 7th district from 1999 to 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party and has been Chair of the House Democratic Caucus since 2017. He also has been Chair of the Queens County Democratic Party since 2006, succeeding Thomas J. Manton.[1][2] He previously served in the New York State Assembly from 1987 to 1998.
He was defeated by Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on June 26, 2018, in the Democratic primary.[3][4]
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Crowley was born in New York City, the son of an Irish-American father and an immigrant mother from County Armagh, Northern Ireland. A paternal uncle was also a politician. Crowley attended private New York City Roman Catholic schools, including Power Memorial Academy, and graduated from Queens College with a degree in political science.[5]
He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1987 to 1998, sitting in the 187th, 188th, 189th, 190th, 191st and 192nd New York State Legislatures. Because of his Irish roots, he quickly became involved in Irish politics throughout New York.[6][7]
Democratic Congressman Thomas J. Manton retired from the Congress in 1999, having already filed for and circulated petitions for reelection. He withdrew on the last day it was legally possible to do so and arranged for Crowley, his chosen successor, to replace him on the ballot. Crowley wasn't aware of this until Manton phoned him to tell him his name would be on the general election ballot.[8]
Since 2013, Crowley has represented New York's 14th congressional district. The district includes the eastern Bronxand part of north-central Queens. The Queens portion includes the neighborhoods of Sunnyside, Astoria, College Point, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona and Woodside. The Bronx portion of the district includes the neighborhoods of Morris Park, Parkchester, Pelham Bay, and Throgs Neck as well as City Island.
Prior to redistricting for the 2012 election, Crowley represented the 7th District, which encompassed portions of Queens and the Bronx. It included neighborhoods such as Woodside, Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, and College Point, in Queens as well as the neighborhoods of Castle Hill, Co-op City, Parkchester, Throgs Neck, Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Pelham Bay, Country Club, and City Island in the eastern Bronx.
On June 26, 2018, Crowley was unexpectedly[9] defeated in the Democratic primary race by democratic socialistAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez.[10]
- Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, Co-Chair[11]
- Rare Disease Congressional Caucus, Co-Chair
- Congressional Musicians Caucus, Founder and Chair
- Bangladesh Caucus, Founder and Chair
- Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, former co-chair
- Animal Protection Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus
- Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus
- Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus
- National Service Caucus
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus[12]
Crowley serves as Democratic Caucus Vice-Chairman of the United States House of Representatives, the fourth highest leadership position in the House Democratic Caucus.
Crowley's cousin, New York City firefighter John Moran, was killed as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Crowley authored a bill that provided the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor to all emergency workers who died as a result of the terrorist acts. He also created the Urban Area Security Initiative, which directs money to prevent terrorism toward regions that are seen as the most threatened.
Crowley, who has spent much time in India, created a Bangladesh caucus and was formerly the chair of the India Caucus.[13]
On October 10, 2002, Crowley was among the 81 House Democrats who voted in favor of authorizing the invasion of Iraq.[14]
Crowley joined Bronx Representative José E. Serrano in 2008 in proposing legislation to help clean up PCB-contaminated schools.[15]
In April 2011, Crowley received media attention for an angry "speech" he gave without actually speaking. Crowley ripped pieces of paper with words to deliver his message.[16][17]
Since 2005, he has consistently received ratings of 100% from NARAL,[18] and 0% from the National Right to Life Committee.[19] In 2011, he opposed a bill that would have banned taxpayer funding for abortions, and in the 2010 election he was endorsed by Planned Parenthood. In 2018, Crowley received a voting record of 100% from Planned Parenthood.[20]
Since 2007, he has received a rating of 100% from the American Public Health Association, American Nurses Association, and the National Breast Cancer Coalition.[21]
Crowley has fought against the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) both abroad and in the United States. In 2010, he introduced the Girls Protection Act of 2010, which would criminalize the transport of a female under the age of 18 years old to undergo FGM.[22]
Crowley has been a consistent supporter of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (known as "Obamacare" or "ACA"). On March 22, 2010, he said, "I... support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a historic measure that will put families first when it comes to accessing health care coverage."[23] He opposed repealing the act and voted against a repeal on January 19, 2011.[24] Also in 2011, he held an event to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the bill's passage.[25]
In 2015, he proposed a bill with Representative Sheila Jackson Lee encouraging the collection of data on the prevalence of FGM and create a plan to better prevent the practice, which is illegal in the United States.[26]
In 2017, Crowley signed on to H.R. 676, The Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act in the House of Representatives. This bill was introduced by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in September 2017.[27]
Crowley is a harsh critic of President Trump's plan to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and his decision to end DACA and Temporary Protected Status protection for qualifying immigrants in 2017. In 2017, Crowley introduced a bill that would grant green cards to undocumented workers who helped to recover and clean up New York City after the terrorist attacks on September 11.[28]
Crowley holds the view "that reducing barriers to investment, creating opportunities for small businesses, and providing equitable working conditions for all Americans can and should be part of our national economic policy" [29] He has supported federal spending as a way to increase economic growth. In 2008, he endorsed the Financial Asset Purchase Authority and Tax Law Amendments which established the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) and allowed the Secretary of the Treasury to buy assets from troubled financial institutions.[30]
Crowley has advocated tax increases on the highest tax brackets, tax cuts for the middle class, and reduced defense spending. When serving on the Ways and Means Committee he stated, "I really don't see how it's justifiable or sensible to give a tax cut to the wealthiest among us, but at the same time increase taxes on U.S. soldiers."[31] He also applauded the 2009 Budget for ending the Alternative Minimum Tax, and ensuring tax cuts for 23 million middle class Americans.[32] In 2011, he opposed a bill that appropriated funds to the defense budget.[33]
In 2017, Crowley opposed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, saying its only goal was to give more tax cuts to America's top 1% than the working class. In December 2017, Crowley said in a floor speech, "It's a scam and the American people know it. Is this a bill that helps people who are living paycheck to paycheck? Hell no."[34]
Crowley has proposed legislation to improve conditions for renters in his district. In September 2017, he introduced the Rent Relief Act, which would give a refundable tax credits to renters.[35]
Crowley has a 2016 score of 95% from the League of Conservation Voters.[36]
Crowley's Irish roots have influenced his policy decisions in Congress as a member of the Friends of Ireland Caucus. He has worked on peace efforts for those involved in the conflict in Northern Ireland and securing refuge for those affected by the conflict.[37] Crowley spoke out against President Trump's effort to eliminate the position of United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland.[38] Eventually, Trump reversed this decision.[39] Crowley was named Irish-American of the year by the Irish Echo in 2018.[40]
Crowley was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998. The seat was considered open after incumbent Thomas J. Manton retired, but not without controversy: Manton announced his retirement from Congress shortly after the deadline passed for filing for the Democratic primary. As head of the Queens Democratic Party apparatus, Manton was able to handpick his successor: Crowley, a former Manton staffer.
He was challenged by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the 2018 Democratic primary for New York's 14th Congressional district. Ocasio-Cortez won with 57% of the vote, removing Crowley from his position of leadership in the Democratic Party from 2019.[41][42] [43]
Crowley has been married to his wife, Kasey, for over a decade and they have three children: Cullen, Kenzie, and Liam.[44]
Crowley would easily fit into the 19th ward and like most of our local politicians, was as far to the left as the median line down Western Ave. But he put on a good show as most people thought he was a liberal extremist. It just doesn't matter, these people want radicalism, bomb throwing and posturing via threats of violence. Nothing short of that will suffice. The only long-term solution is to embrace the conservative values of Trumpism and work toward realistic goals.
You have to be a black bisexual Muslim who hates whitey and cops to survive in this New Democratic party
ReplyDeleteBeginning of the end.
ReplyDeleteThis ain't your fathers Democrat party anymore. The party is becoming full on Socialist,
ReplyDeleteWe Democrats are losing our party.
ReplyDeletewho/what the hell are these OUR REVOLUTION whackdoo Socalists? they openly call for free everything and for ANYONE US citizen or not! but us blue collar folks have to pay for it.
The 19th ward will send money to this socialist. ! The brain dead Irish zombies will follow anything their leaders tell him to do.
ReplyDeleteCall me socialist but I remember when my grandfather retired from Illinois Bell in 1984 he had a pension with COLA and company paid health insurance PPO through retirement once common benefits what happened? CEOs should not be paid tens of millions while common workers get less and less. How can you retire with a 401scam?
ReplyDeleteun sustainable.. thats what happened
Delete