Eliot Engel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eliot Engel
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Official portrait, 2003
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| Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Ed Royce |
| Succeeded by | Gregory Meeks |
| Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Howard Berman |
| Succeeded by | Michael McCaul |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York |
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| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Mario Biaggi |
| Succeeded by | Jamaal Bowman |
| Constituency | 19th district (1989–1993) 17th district (1993–2013) 16th district (2013–2021) |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 81st district |
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| In office March 7, 1977 – January 1, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Alan Hochberg |
| Succeeded by | Stephen B. Kaufman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Eliot Lance Engel
February 18, 1947 New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Patricia Ennis |
| Children | 3 |
| Residences | The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Lehman College (BA, MS) New York Law School (JD) |
Eliot Lance Engel (born February 18, 1947) is an American politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for over 30 years. From 1989 to 2021, he represented parts of New York, including areas in the Bronx and Westchester County.
As a member of the Democratic Party, Engel became a powerful voice on world events. In 2019, he became the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, a group that helps shape America's relationships with other countries. After serving 16 terms, he was defeated in the 2020 Democratic primary election by Jamaal Bowman.
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Early Life and Education
Eliot Engel was born in the Bronx, a borough of New York City. His father, Philip, was an ironworker, and his mother was Sylvia. His grandparents came to the United States from the Russian Empire and were of Ukrainian Jewish heritage.
Engel attended public schools in New York City. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from Hunter College in 1969. He later received a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Lehman College in 1973. In 1987, he also earned a law degree from New York Law School.
Political Career
New York State Assembly
Engel's career in government began in 1977. He won a special election to join the New York State Assembly, which is part of the state government of New York. He served there for 11 years, from 1977 to 1988. During his time, he led committees that worked on important community issues, including housing and public health.
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1988, Engel decided to run for a seat in the U.S. Congress. He won the Democratic primary election against the ten-term representative, Mario Biaggi, who had to leave his position. Engel then won the main election and began serving in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1989.
For many years, Engel was re-elected by the voters in his district. However, in the 2020 Democratic primary, he was challenged by Jamaal Bowman, a middle school principal. Bowman won the election, and Engel's time in Congress ended in January 2021.
State of the Union Handshake
For many years, Engel was known for a special tradition. He would arrive early to the President's yearly State of the Union address to get a seat on the aisle. This allowed him to shake the President's hand as he walked to the podium. Engel said it was an honor to shake the hand of any U.S. president. He kept this tradition going until 2017.
Key Political Issues
As a congressman, Engel worked on many laws and issues. He was known for his strong opinions on healthcare, energy, and foreign policy.
Healthcare
Engel was a big supporter of making sure all Americans have access to good health care. He helped pass the Affordable Care Act in 2010. He also wrote laws to support research for diseases like Muscular Dystrophy and ALS. He wanted to improve healthcare for mothers and babies and raise awareness about gestational diabetes.
Energy and the Environment
Engel was concerned about America's use of foreign oil. He helped write laws to encourage the use of cleaner fuels and more energy-efficient cars. Many of his ideas were included in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This law required cars to get better gas mileage and promoted the use of biofuels made from plants.
Gun Safety
Engel supported stronger gun control laws. He worked to ban certain types of weapons and require background checks for all gun purchases. He also voted against laws that would protect gun makers from being held responsible if their products were used in crimes. Engel wanted to set a national standard for gun safety locks to protect children.
Foreign Policy
As chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Engel had a big impact on U.S. relationships with other countries.
Israel and the Middle East
Engel was a strong supporter of Israel. He believed that Jerusalem should be recognized as Israel's capital. He also wrote the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act, which placed limits on U.S. relations with Syria because of its actions in the region.
Kosovo and the Balkans
Engel was a major advocate for the people of Kosovo. He spoke out against the violence during the Kosovo War in the 1990s. He supported Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008. In the city of Pejë, Kosovo, a street was named in his honor.
Human Rights
Engel was a member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. He worked on issues like ending child labor in other parts of the world. He also supported equal rights for all people, regardless of who they are. In 2018, he spoke out against the poor treatment of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar. He also urged the U.S. government to take action against China for its treatment of the Uyghur people.
See also
- List of Jewish members of the United States Congress
