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Over the first 100 legislative hours, the Democratic Congress has taken steps to lead the country in a new direction, passing several bills that will provide short-term relief and long-term benefits to local residents.
We took swift action to expand economic opportunities for millions of Americans by passing a long overdue increase in the federal minimum wage. In New York, it’s a measure that according to the Department of Labor will affect 661,000 residents statewide. We have taken steps to help students tackle the rising cost of education by cutting interest rates on student loans for undergraduates, saving the average college student in New York close to $4,750 by 2011. These legislative accomplishments – many which passed with strong bipartisan support – show that the Democratic leadership is focused on moving beyond the political gridlock that has plagued Washington, in order to work on the issues facing our great nation.
Just as important as what has been passed is the way that 23 New York leaders have been embraced by the Democratic Party. Members of the local delegation who have served government ably for years now head key panels on Congressional committees. Some of our newer members, particularly the freshmen representatives whose victories led to a Democratic majority, are now serving in critical leadership posts.
We now have a Congress that will conduct oversight and restore checks and balances to our government. At a time when so many are questioning where this country is headed, it is our duty to stand up and get the answers that the public is seeking from this President and his Administration.
Our New York delegation will be leading this charge. When our youth and the elderly programs need an advocate, they will find one in Education and Labor Subcommittee Chairwoman Rep. Carolyn McCarthy. If small business owners are looking for new opportunities, they can turn to Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez. I am honored to Chair the Ways and Means Committee – including fellow New Yorker Joe Crowley – which has jurisdiction over our nation’s tax, trade, healthcare, Social Security and welfare policies. You can be assured our city will be in good hands. If an issue comes up in the Foreign Relations Committee, you can be sure that all eyes will be on legislators like Reps. Gregory Meeks or Gary Ackerman. The same can be said in the Judiciary Committee, with Rep. Jerold Nadler.
It goes without saying that the strength of our delegation is amplified by our representation in the Senate, with Senators Schumer and Clinton taking the lead on key issues.
America faces some real challenges ahead. Far too many people are without healthcare, affordable homes or a secure job. Far too much money is locked up in tax code regulations that benefit the very few. Far too many schools are failing both urban and rural students, creating an educational crisis that threatens to not only shrivel the dreams of a generation, but also this country’s ability to compete in the global marketplace.
Democrats, with the help of our local delegation, will meet those challenges head on. They will do so with the combined experiences that we’ve amassed in our multicultural, multilingual state, including that of a former high school dropout that was born and raised on the streets of Lenox Ave. They will do so knowing that what is right for New York will be good for the nation.
Charles Rangel is a Democrat who represents parts of Manhattan in Congress. He is the chair of the House Ways & Means Committee.