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 who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 30 years, from 1993 to 2023. As a member of the Democratic Party, she represented parts of New York City, including areas of Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn.
Maloney was known for breaking barriers. She was the first woman to represent her New York City Council district and the first woman to chair two important government groups: the Joint Economic Committee and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Carolyn Jane Bosher was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on February 19, 1946. After graduating from Greensboro College, she moved to New York City in 1970.
At first, she worked as a teacher and administrator for the city's schools. Later, she took a job with the New York State Legislature, where she held important staff positions. In 1976, she married Clifton Maloney, and they had two daughters.
New York City Council
In 1982, Maloney was elected to the New York City Council, where she served for 10 years. She was the first council member to have a baby while in office.
On the council, she worked to make government more honest by creating a system to track city contracts. She also introduced laws to support families, such as making child care easier to find and afford.
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1992, Maloney was elected to the U.S. Congress. She represented a district that included the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She was reelected many times over the next 30 years.
Tenure in Congress
During her time in Congress, Maloney was known for being a very active lawmaker. She often proposed more bills than many other representatives. She worked on many important issues, from helping 9/11 survivors to protecting consumers.
Helping 9/11 Responders
After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Maloney fought to get federal money to help New York City recover. She was a key leader in passing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
This important law provides money for medical care and monitoring for the rescue workers, volunteers, and survivors who became sick from the dust and smoke at Ground Zero. Thanks to her work, the fund was made permanent, ensuring that these heroes would be cared for for decades to come.
Protecting Consumers
Maloney was the main author of the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights, which became law in 2009 as the Credit CARD Act of 2009. This law protects people from unfair practices by credit card companies. It helped save consumers billions of dollars by banning sudden interest rate hikes and unclear fees. Money magazine called her the "best friend a credit card user ever had."
Fighting for Women and Families
Throughout her career, Maloney was a champion for women and families. She was a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, which aims to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex.
She also worked for years to create a national museum dedicated to women's history. In 2020, her bill was signed into law, and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum is now being planned for the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Maloney also wrote laws to help victims of crime. She helped pass the Debbie Smith Act, which provided funding to test DNA evidence from crime scenes. This helped solve many cases and bring justice to victims.
Healthcare Issues
Maloney worked on many healthcare topics. She helped pass a law that requires Medicare to cover yearly mammograms to screen for breast cancer.
Early in her career, she raised questions about vaccine safety. However, her views changed over time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked hard to bring testing and vaccination sites to her district. In 2022, she said she regretted her earlier positions on vaccines.
Personal Life
Maloney was married to Clifton Maloney for 33 years. They had two daughters, Christina and Virginia. Her husband was an experienced mountain climber. In 2009, he died after successfully climbing Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest mountain in the world.
See also
In Spanish: Carolyn Maloney para niños
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
