Eliot Engel facts for kids

"Representative Engel" redirects here. For the Arizona state representative, see Kirsten Engel.

Quick facts for kids Eliot Engel
Official portrait, 2003

Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021
Preceded by	Ed Royce
Succeeded by	Gregory Meeks
Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2019
Preceded by	Howard Berman
Succeeded by	Michael McCaul
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2021
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
In office March 7, 1977 – January 1, 1989
Preceded by	Alan Hochberg
Succeeded by	Stephen B. Kaufman

Personal details
Born	Eliot Lance Engel (1947-02-18)February 18, 1947 New York City, U.S.
Died	April 10, 2026(2026-04-10) (aged 79) New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Patricia Ennis
Children	3
Education	Lehman College (BA, MS) New York Law School (JD)

Eliot Lance Engel (February 18, 1947 – April 10, 2026) was an American politician. He served as a U.S. representative for New York from 1989 to 2021. As a member of the Democratic Party, he represented an area that included parts of the northern Bronx and southern Westchester County.

Engel first won his election to Congress in 1988. In 2019, he became the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He had been a leading member of this committee since 2013. In 2020, after serving 16 terms, Engel was defeated in the Democratic primary election by Jamaal Bowman.

Early Life and Education

Engel was born in the Bronx on February 18, 1947. His parents were Sylvia and Philip Engel. His grandparents came from the Russian Empire and were of Ukrainian Jewish background.

In 1969, Engel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the Bronx campus of Hunter College. He later received a Master of Science degree in guidance and counseling in 1973 from Lehman College. In 1987, he earned a law degree from New York Law School.

Starting a Career in Public Service

After working as a social studies teacher and guidance counselor, Engel entered politics. In 1977, he won a special election for a seat in the New York State Assembly. He won by a very close margin of just 103 votes.

Serving in the New York State Assembly

Engel served in the New York State Assembly from 1977 to 1988. During this time, he led committees focused on important issues like housing programs.

Representing New York in Congress

In 1988, Engel ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. He won the Democratic primary election. He then won the general election with 56% of the votes.

Key Elections and Challenges

He continued to win elections, including against musician Willie Colón in 1994. In 2000, Engel defeated State Senator Larry Seabrook.

In 2020, Engel faced a challenge from Yonkers school principal Jamaal Bowman. After a close race, Bowman won the primary election. This ended Engel's long career in Congress.

Important Roles in Congress

Engel held several important positions in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Subcommittee on Energy and Power
- Subcommittee on Health
Committee on Foreign Affairs (chair, 116th Congress) (Ranking Member, 113th, 114th, 115th Congress)

He also served as Vice Chair of the Democratic Task Force on Homeland Security and as an Assistant Democratic Whip.

Connecting with Presidents

Engel was known for shaking hands with the President at many televised State of the Union addresses. He would arrive early at the Capitol to get an aisle seat. This allowed him to be seen by his constituents on live television. He believed it was an honor to shake the President's hand, no matter who it was.

This tradition changed in 2017. Engel decided not to shake President Donald Trump's hand that year.

Making a Difference: His Political Views

Engel worked on many important issues during his time in Congress.

Improving Healthcare for Everyone

He strongly supported access to quality healthcare for everyone. Engel was a co-sponsor of the United States National Health Care Act. This act aimed to create a healthcare system where everyone is covered. He also supported the Affordable Care Act in 2010.

Engel wrote several important laws related to health. These included the ALS Registry Act in 2008. This law created a national registry for people with ALS. He also wrote the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Act. This law helped promote research into muscular dystrophy.

In 2010, Engel wrote the Partnering to Improve Maternity Care Quality Act. This bill aimed to improve care for mothers and newborns. He also introduced the Gestational Diabetes Act of 2010. This bill sought better tracking and research for gestational diabetes.

Protecting Global Health

Engel supported improving the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This plan helps fight AIDS around the world. He also included his "Stop Tuberculosis Now Act" within the PEPFAR bill. This measure aimed to increase U.S. support for international efforts to control Tuberculosis. It also promoted research for new treatments.

Working Towards Cleaner Energy

Engel worked to reduce America's reliance on foreign oil. In 2005, he introduced the Fuel Choices for American Security Act. This bill aimed to promote clean alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. Many parts of this bill were included in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This law increased fuel efficiency standards for cars. It also required better energy efficiency for appliances and buildings.

He also introduced the Open Fuel Standards Act. This bill would have required many new cars to be flexible-fuel vehicles. These cars could run on different types of fuel, like ethanol or methanol.

Engel played a key role in negotiating the American Clean Energy and Security Act in 2009. This law aimed to create new jobs, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Supporting Safer Communities

Engel was a supporter of gun control. He worked to pass laws that would make communities safer. He supported measures like universal background checks for gun purchases. He also wanted to prevent guns from being used by unauthorized people.

In 2001, he introduced a bill to protect families from faulty gun locks. This bill asked the Consumer Product Safety Commission to set quality standards for child safety devices on firearms.

Other Important Domestic Issues

Engel worked on various other issues affecting people at home.

In 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Truth in Caller ID Act into law. Engel had introduced a similar bill. This law helps stop caller ID spoofing, which criminals sometimes use to trick people. It helps law enforcement fight identity theft.

He also worked on the Securing our Borders and Our Data Act. This bill aimed to protect travelers' data and equipment at the border. It ensured agents could not search or seize data without a good reason.

Engel introduced the Calling Card Consumer Protection Act. This bill aimed to stop fraud in the prepaid calling card industry.

In 2012, Engel introduced the SNOPA, or Social Network Online Protection Act. This bill aimed to protect online privacy. It would prevent employers and schools from asking for social media usernames or passwords.

International Relations and Diplomacy

Engel with Nelson Mandela

Engel was a strong supporter of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. He also championed the causes of Albanian-Americans and ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

In 2003, he wrote the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act. This law placed restrictions on U.S. relations with Syria. It was due to Syria's presence in Lebanon and its ties to certain groups. Syria later withdrew its forces from Lebanon in 2005.

In 2020, Engel expressed concern about outside countries getting involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Focus on the Western Hemisphere

As Chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Engel called for stronger U.S. relations with Latin America and the Caribbean. His subcommittee discussed issues like the situation in Haiti and inequality in Latin America.

Engel pushed for more funding for aid in Haiti. He also supported the "Mérida Initiative".

Middle East Diplomacy

Engel before greeting King Salman of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in January 2015

Engel was a leading supporter of Israel in Congress. He supported resolutions that addressed conflicts in the region. He also sponsored a resolution declaring Jerusalem the undivided capital of Israel.

He also wrote the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act. This law authorized restrictions on American relations with Syria for its actions in Lebanon.

In 2017, Engel introduced a House resolution condemning a UN Security Council Resolution. This resolution had criticized Israeli settlement building in certain territories.

Supporting Kosovo and the Balkans

Engel was a strong advocate for the people of Kosovo. He worked to address conflicts during the 1999 Kosovo War. He also supported Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008. A street in Pejë has been named after him. He was also the first foreign dignitary to speak to the Kosovo parliament.

Advocating for Cyprus

Engel called for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus. He also authored a resolution in 1996 calling for its demilitarization. His 1994 law allowed the United States Department of State to investigate Americans who disappeared during the conflict in Cyprus.

Views on the Iraq War

In 2002, Engel voted for the resolution that gave President Bush the authority to use force in Iraq. However, after learning that some information was not reliable, he came to regret his decision. He later consistently voted for a gradual withdrawal of troops. He also publicly called for the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

Irish Affairs and Peace Efforts

In 2007, Engel became a co-chair of the Congressional Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs. He supported the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which brought peace to Northern Ireland. He also helped Irish nationals who faced deportation from the United States.

Championing Human Rights Globally

Engel with Hong Kong activists who have become prominent figures in the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests

As a member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Engel supported Albanian Americans and ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. He co-authored the Harkin–Engel Protocol. This protocol aimed to address child labor in the cocoa fields of West Africa.

In 2008, he wrote a resolution praising the U.S.-Brazil Joint Action Plan to Promote Racial and Ethnic Equality.

Engel sponsored a bill to support the Day of Silence. This event helps bring attention to challenges faced by all students in schools. He also voted against laws that limited equal rights for people. In 2010, he voted to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. This allowed gay and lesbian people to serve openly in the U.S. military.

In 2018, Engel spoke out against the treatment of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar. He called for a stronger response to the situation.

Engel urged the Trump administration to take a tougher stance on China. He raised concerns about human rights in the Xinjiang region. In 2019, he wrote a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about these concerns.

In 2020, Engel expressed concerns about policies in Poland that he believed went against human rights and values.

Stance on the Iran Nuclear Deal

In August 2015, Engel announced that he would oppose the Iran nuclear deal. He stated that he was not convinced the deal would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He also worried it might strengthen Iran's influence in the Middle East.

Awards and Special Recognition

Engel received the National Association of Public Hospitals Safety Net Award in 2007. This was mainly for his work on the Public and Teaching Hospital Preservation Act. He also received The AIDS Institute National HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Award in 2007. In 2008, he was named a Distinguished Community Health Superhero.

He was honored in 2008 by the American Farm Bureau Federation as a Friend of the Farm Bureau. This was for his support of farm issues.

On November 11, 2011, the Municipality of Pejë, Kosovo, gave Engel the title of Honorary Citizen of Peje.

In July 2019, a highway section in Kosovo and Albania was named Eliot Engel Drive by local authorities.

Personal Life

Eliot Engel and his wife, Patricia Ellis Engel, had three children. He passed away from Parkinson’s disease at a hospital in the Bronx, on April 10, 2026, at the age of 79.