Carolyn Maloney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carolyn Maloney
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| Chair of the House Oversight Committee | |
| In office November 20, 2019 – January 3, 2023 Acting: October 17, 2019 – November 20, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Elijah Cummings |
| Succeeded by | James Comer |
| Vice Chair of the Joint Economic Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – January 16, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Mike Lee |
| Succeeded by | Don Beyer |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York |
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| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Green (redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | Jerry Nadler (redistricting) |
| Constituency | 14th district (1993–2013) 12th district (2013–2023) |
| Member of the New York City Council | |
| In office January 1, 1983 – January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Rodriguez |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff |
| Constituency | 8th district (1983–1991) 4th district (1992–1993) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Carolyn Jane Bosher
February 19, 1946 Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Clifton Maloney
(m. 1976; died 2009) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Greensboro College (BA) |
Carolyn Jane Maloney (born February 19, 1946) is an American politician. She served as a U.S. Representative for New York from 1993 to 2023. Her district included parts of Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Maloney made history several times during her career. She was the first woman to represent New York City's 7th Council district. She was also the first woman to give birth while serving in that office. Later, she became the first woman to lead the Joint Economic Committee. In 2019, she became the first woman to chair the important House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Carolyn Jane Bosher was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on February 19, 1946. She went to Greensboro College. After college, she moved to New York City in 1970 and decided to stay.
For several years, she worked as a teacher and an administrator for the New York City Board of Education. In 1977, she started working for the New York State Legislature. She held important staff jobs in both the State Assembly and the State Senate. In 1976, she married Clifton Maloney, who was an investment banker.
New York City Council
Maloney was elected to the New York City Council in 1982. She served as a council member for 10 years. While on the council, she was the first person to lead the Committee on Contracts. This committee looked into contracts given out by New York City.
She also created the city's Vendex program. This program used computers to track information about city contracts and companies. Maloney also introduced the first measure in New York to recognize domestic partnerships. This included partnerships for same-sex couples. She was the first council member to give birth while in office. She also worked to make day care more available and affordable.
U.S. House of Representatives
Serving in Congress
Carolyn Maloney served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 30 years, from 1993 to 2023. She represented different districts in New York during this time. She won many elections, often by a large number of votes. In 2022, due to changes in district maps, she ran against another long-time representative, Jerry Nadler, and lost the primary election.
Maloney was known for being a very active member of Congress. She often introduced many bills and worked hard to get them passed. In 2011, a newspaper survey found she had proposed more bills, resolutions, and changes than any other New York representative. She was also recognized for working well with other members of Congress and with the Senate.
Important Issues
Helping 9/11 Victims
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Maloney worked hard to get federal help for New York. She pushed for money for recovery and security efforts. She introduced the Never Forget the Heroes Act. This bill made sure that the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund would be permanent. This fund helps people who got sick or injured because of the attacks.
National Security
After the 9/11 attacks, Maloney helped create the House 9/11 Commission Caucus. This group worked to put the 9/11 Commission's ideas into law. These ideas aimed to make the nation's intelligence agencies better. She also helped pass a bill to improve how foreign investments in the U.S. are checked.
Gun Control
Maloney has worked on laws to address gun violence. She sponsored a bill called the Gun Trafficking Prevention Act of 2013. This bill would make gun trafficking a federal crime. It would also make penalties tougher for people who buy guns for others who are not allowed to have them. She also asked President Barack Obama to fund research on gun violence prevention. In 2022, she held a hearing to look into how gun manufacturers market and sell their products.
Government Transparency
Maloney has worked to make the government more open and honest. She introduced a bill in 2003 to make military contracts in Iraq more transparent. In 2008, she helped create a database to track all federal contracts. This helps monitor how government money is spent. In 2010, she received an award for her work on government transparency.
Healthcare Efforts
Maloney has worked on many healthcare issues. She helped get Medicare to cover yearly mammograms. She also fought for federal support for 9/11 rescue and recovery workers. These workers were exposed to toxic dust and smoke. She wrote the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. This law provides money for treatment and help for 9/11 responders and survivors. She also supports international women's health programs. Maloney later supported efforts to bring COVID-19 vaccine sites to her district.
Financial and Economic Issues
Maloney was the first woman to chair the Joint Economic Committee. She also wrote the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights, which became the Credit CARD Act of 2009. This law protects consumers from unfair credit card practices. It has saved consumers billions of dollars each year.
Women's and Family Issues
Maloney has been very active on issues for women, children, and families. She worked to create a national DNA database for unsolved crimes. She also introduced a bill to provide tax credits to make child care more affordable. Her efforts helped secure money for programs for Afghan women and girls. She is a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, which aims to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. After many years of work, her bill to establish a Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum was signed into law in 2020.
District Projects
Maloney helped get funding for big public transportation projects in New York. She was a strong supporter of the Second Avenue Subway project.
Committee Roles
Maloney served on several important committees in Congress:
- Committee on Financial Services
- Committee on Oversight and Reform (she was the chair of this committee)
- Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis
- Joint Economic Committee (she was the Vice Chair)
Groups She Joined
Maloney was part of many groups in Congress, called caucuses. These groups focus on specific issues. Some of them include:
- House 9/11 Commission Caucus
- House Caucus on Women's Issues
- United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- Americans Abroad Caucus (she helped start this group)
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- House Baltic Caucus
- Congressional Hellenic Caucus (she was a co-chair)
- Afterschool Caucuses
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
- U.S.-Japan Caucus
- Medicare for All Caucus
- Congressional Skin Cancer Caucus (she helped start this group)
How Interest Groups Rated Her
Many groups that care about specific issues rate how politicians vote. Here are some of Maloney's ratings:
- The American Association of University Women (AAUW): 100 (meaning she strongly supported their goals)
- The Human Rights Campaign: 100 (for LGBTQ+ rights)
- The Alliance for Retired Americans: 100 (for supporting seniors)
- The League of Conservation Voters: 95 lifetime (for environmental protection)
- The Children's Defense Fund: 90 (for children's issues)
- The National Education Association: A (for education)
- The American Public Health Association: 100 (for public health)
- The AFL–CIO: 97% lifetime (for workers' rights)
- The Humane Society: 100+ (for animal welfare)
- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence: 100 (for gun control)
- The NRA (National Rifle Association): F (meaning she did not support their views on guns)
Personal Life
Carolyn Maloney and her husband, Clifton Maloney, had two daughters. Her husband passed away in 2009 during a climbing trip in Tibet.
See also
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
