Joseph Crowley
| Joseph Crowley | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 14th district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Manton |
| Succeeded by | Nydia Velázquez |
| In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2013 |
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| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 30th district |
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| In office 1987–1998 |
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| Preceded by | Ralph Goldstein |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Markey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 16, 1962 New York City, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Kasey Nilson |
| Residence | Queens, New York City, New York |
| Alma mater | Queens College |
| Occupation | Political assistant |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Joseph Crowley (born March 16, 1962) is the U.S. Representative for the New York 14th Congressional District. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He is the Vice-Chair of the Democratic Caucus, Chairman of the Queens County Democratic Party.[1] and Chairman of the conservative New Democrat Coalition.
From 2003 to 2013 the district encompasses 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, Throggs Neck, Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Pelham Bay, Country Club, and City Island in the eastern Bronx.
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Early life, education and career [edit]
Crowley was born in New York City, the son of an Irish-American father and an immigrant Catholic mother from County Armagh, Northern Ireland. A paternal uncle was also a politician. Joseph Crowley attended private New York City Roman Catholic schools, including Power Memorial Academy, and graduated from Queens College with a degree in political science.[2] He worked briefly as a legislative aide.
New York Assembly [edit]
In 1986, aged 24, he was elected to the New York Assembly. Because of his Irish roots, he quickly became involved in Irish politics throughout New York. Crowley would serve in the Assembly until 1998.[3][4]
U.S. House of Representatives [edit]
Committee assignments [edit]
Crowley serves as Democratic Caucus Vice-Chairman of the United States House of Representatives, the fifth 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.[5]
On October 10, 2002, Crowley was among the 81 House Democrats who voted in favor of authorizing the invasion of Iraq.
Crowley joined Bronx Representative Jose Serrano in 2008 when proposing legislation to help clean up PCB-contaminated schools.[6]
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.[7][8]
Policy Positions [edit]
Abortion [edit]
He was, at one time, in between both sides of this debate. In 1999, he received a rating of 52% from NARAL (National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League) Pro-choice America and 53% from the National Right to Life Committee.[9] He voted in favor of the 1999 Abortion Funding Amendment that withheld federal funding to foreign institutions which provided family planning services and promoted abortion.[10] In addition, in 2003, he voted to ban partial-birth abortions (excepting cases which endanger the life of the mother).[11] However, recently, he has shifted his positions strongly in the pro-choice direction. Since 2005, he has consistently received ratings of 100% from NARAL, and 0% from the National Right to Life Committee.[9] In 2011, he opposed a bill which would have banned taxpayer funding for abortions,[11] and, in the 2010 election, he was endorsed by Planned Parenthood.[12]
Healthcare [edit]
Joseph Crowley has been a consistent supporter of The 2010 Affordable Care Act (widely known as “Obamacare”). On March 22, 2010, he stated, “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.” [13] He opposed repealing the act and voted against a repeal on January 19, 2011.[14] In addition, in 2011, he held an event to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the bill’s passage.[15]
Since 2007, he has received a rating of 100% from the American Public Health Association, American Nurses Association, and the National Breast Cancer coalition.[16]
Economy/Budget [edit]
Representative 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” [17] 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.[18]
When dealing with the budget, Representative 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.”[19] He also applauded the 2009 Budget for ending the Alternative Minimum Tax, and ensuring tax cuts for 23 million middle class americans.[20] In addition, in 2011, he opposed a bill which appropriated funds to the defense budget.[21]
Political campaigns [edit]
Crowley was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998. The seat was considered open after incumbent Rep. Thomas Manton retired, but not without controversy. Manton announced his retirement from Congress shortly after the deadline passed for individuals wishing to file for the Democratic primary. (Manton was the only individual who filed for the primary.) As head of the Queens Democratic Party apparatus, Manton was able to handpick his successor - Crowley, a former Manton staffer. Since being elected to Congress, he has yet to face a serious challenge for his seat.
Donors [edit]
In the 2012 election cycle, his top 5 donors were:
| Contributor | Donated |
|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs | $27,350 |
| Guardian Life Insurance | $18,250 |
| Getco LLC | $17,000 |
| Ernst & Young | $15,000 |
| Plaza College | $14,500 |
He also received $1,500,741 in PAC money. 89% came from business, 8% from labor, and 2% from ideological PACs. [22]
Personal life [edit]
Joe has been married to his wife, Kasey Crowley, for over a decade and they have three young children – Cullen, Kenzie and Liam. He lives in his family's longtime home on 65th Street in the Woodside neighborhood in Queens;[23] however, his children go to school in Virginia, and his car is registered there as well.[24]
References [edit]
- ^ Haberman, Maggie (2011-03-03) Lobbyists join redistricting in N.Y., Politico
- ^ Joseph Crowley (D). The Washington Post.
- ^ "Crowley Votes". The U.S. Congress Votes Database (Washington Post). Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ Kane, Paul (21 December 2011). "Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.)". Who Runs Gov (Washington Post). Retrieved 1 May 2012.
- ^ Kane, Paul (21 December 2011). "Joseph Crowley (D - NY)". Washington Post. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
- ^ Egbert, Bill. Reps. Joseph Crowley and Jose Serrano urge federal aid for PCB cleanup. Daily News. June 5, 2008.
- ^ "Rep. Joe Crowley ‘Speechless’ Speech on the House Floor". ABC. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
- ^ "Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley Gives Speechless Performance Art Presentation On House Floor". Mediaite. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
- ^ a b http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/4295/joe-crowley#.UKmNkG_7Jkl/
- ^ http://votesmart.org/bill/3605/8862/4295/abortion-funding-amendment#.UKmQBG_7Jkk
- ^ a b http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Joseph_Crowley_Abortion.htm
- ^ http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/4295/joe-crowley/#.UKmUQm_7Jkk
- ^ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/495035/#.UKmV6m_7Jkk
- ^ http://votesmart.org/bill/12465/33026/4295/33026/4295/#.UKmXcW_7Jkk
- ^ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/598157/#.UKmY5G_7Jkk
- ^ http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/4295/joe-crowley/38#.UKmYHm_7Jkk
- ^ http://crowley.house.gov/issue/economy
- ^ http://votesmart.org/bill/6356/22467/4295/22467/4295/#.UKnAD2_7Jkk
- ^ http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2083&Itemid=165
- ^ http://votesmart.org/public-statement/358653/#.UKnCZm_7Jkk
- ^ http://votesmart.org/bill/13056/34387/4295/34387/4295/#.UKnEBm_7Jkk
- ^ http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cycle=2012&cid=N00001127&type=I
- ^ [1]
- ^ Campanile, Carl (8 July 2011). "Queens Democratic Party boss lives in northern Virginia". New York Post.
External links [edit]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Joseph Crowley |
- U.S. Congressman Joseph Crowley official U.S. House site
- Crowley for Congress official campaign site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Profile at Ballotpedia
- Congressional profile at GovTrack
- Congressional profile at OpenCongress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Financial information (federal office) at OpenSecrets.org
- Staff salaries, trips and personal finance (federal office) at LegiStorm.com
- Financial information (state office) at the National Institute for Money in State Politics
- Issue positions and quotes at On the Issues
- Voting record at The Washington Post
- Appearances on C-SPAN programs
- Collected news and commentary at The New York Times
- Collected news and commentary at The Washington Post
| New York Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ralph Goldstein |
New York State Assembly, 30th District 1987–1998 |
Succeeded by Margaret Markey |
| United States House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by Thomas J. Manton |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 7th congressional district 1999–2013 |
Succeeded by Nydia Velázquez |
| United States House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by Carolyn B. Maloney |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 14th congressional district 2013–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Xavier Becerra |
Democratic Caucus Vice-Chairman of the United States House of Representatives 2013-present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| United States order of precedence | ||
| Preceded by Mike Capuano D-Massachusetts |
United States Representatives by seniority 113th |
Succeeded by Rush D. Holt, Jr. D-New Jersey |
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