Joe Crowley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Crowley
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Official portrait, 2013
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| Chair of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2019 |
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| Deputy | Linda Sánchez |
| Leader | Nancy Pelosi |
| Preceded by | Xavier Becerra |
| Succeeded by | Hakeem Jeffries |
| Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2017 |
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| Leader | Nancy Pelosi |
| Preceded by | Xavier Becerra |
| Succeeded by | Linda Sánchez |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York |
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| In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas J. Manton |
| Succeeded by | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez |
| Constituency | 7th district (1999–2013) 14th district (2013–2019) |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 30th district |
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| In office January 1, 1987 – December 31, 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Ralph Goldstein |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Markey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 16, 1962 New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations |
Working Families Women's Equality |
| Spouse |
Kasey Nilson
(m. 1998) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Elizabeth Crowley (cousin) |
| Education | Queens College (BA) |
Joseph Crowley (born March 16, 1962) is an American former politician. He served as a U.S. Representative for New York's 14th congressional district from 1999 to 2019.
In 2018, he lost his re-election bid to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. This was seen as a big surprise in the 2018 elections. During his time in Congress, Crowley was the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus from 2017 to 2019. He also led the Democratic Party in Queens County from 2006 to 2019. Before joining Congress, he was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1987 to 1998. After leaving Congress, he started working for law and lobbying firms in Washington, D.C..
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joe Crowley was born in Woodside, Queens, New York City. His father, Joseph F. Crowley Sr., was an Irish American. His mother, Eileen Crowley, came from County Armagh, Northern Ireland. His father served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He later became a lawyer and a police detective in New York City. Joe Crowley is the second of four children. His uncle, Walter H. Crowley, was also a politician in New York City. There's even a playground named after his uncle in Elmhurst, Queens.
Crowley went to private Catholic schools in New York City. He finished high school at Power Memorial Academy in Manhattan in 1981. In 1985, he earned a degree in political science and communications from Queens College.
Serving in the New York State Assembly
Crowley was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1987 to 1998. Because of his Irish background, he became involved in Irish-American politics in New York.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
How He Was Elected
In 1998, Democratic Congressman Thomas J. Manton decided to retire. He had already started his re-election campaign. But on the last day possible, he withdrew and arranged for Joe Crowley to take his place on the ballot. Crowley found out about this when Manton called him.
The 2018 Election
Joe Crowley was considered a possible future leader of the House Democrats. He ran for re-election in 2018.
A new challenger, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, ran against him in the Democratic primary election. She was a bartender and activist. Ocasio-Cortez had worked for Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign in 2016. This was the first time Crowley had faced a primary challenger since 2004. Most people thought Crowley would win easily. He had strong support from other politicians and much more money for his campaign.
Ocasio-Cortez argued that Crowley was not progressive enough for their district. She also said he was using his position as head of the Queens Democratic Party unfairly. Crowley spent a lot more money on his campaign than Ocasio-Cortez did.
On June 26, 2018, Crowley lost the Democratic primary to Ocasio-Cortez. She won with 57% of the votes. This was a huge surprise. Crowley's name still appeared on the general election ballot under the Working Families Party line. In the general election on November 6, Ocasio-Cortez won against Crowley and Republican Anthony Pappas. Crowley received 7% of the vote.
What Committees He Was On
Crowley was a member of important committees in the House of Representatives.
- Committee on Ways and Means (This committee deals with taxes and other money matters.)
- Subcommittee on Social Security
- Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures
Groups He Joined
Crowley was part of many groups in Congress, called caucuses. These groups focus on specific topics or interests.
- Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs (Co-Chair)
- Congressional Musicians Caucus (Founder and Chair)
- Bangladesh Caucus (Founder and Chair)
- Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans (former co-chair)
- Animal Protection Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus
- Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus
- National Service Caucus
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
His Time in Office
Before 2012, Crowley represented New York's 7th District. This district included parts of Queens and the Bronx. After 2013, he represented New York's 14th congressional district. This district covers the eastern Bronx and parts of north-central Queens.
Crowley held the fourth-highest leadership position in the House Democratic Caucus. This role was Democratic Caucus Chairman.
Crowley's cousin, John Michael Moran, was a New York City firefighter. He died during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Crowley wrote a bill to give the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor to all emergency workers who died because of these attacks. He also helped create a program called the Urban Area Security Initiative. This program sends money to areas most at risk of terrorism to help prevent attacks.
Because he spent a lot of time in India, Crowley started a Bangladesh caucus. He also used to lead the India Caucus.
In October 2002, Crowley was one of 81 House Democrats who voted to allow the invasion of Iraq.
In 2008, Crowley worked with Representative José E. Serrano to propose a law. This law aimed to help clean up schools contaminated with PCBs.
In April 2011, Crowley got attention for a "speech" he gave without speaking. He ripped pieces of paper with words on them to share his message.
Crowley was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998. The seat became open when the person holding it, Thomas J. Manton, retired.
In 2017, Crowley gave the graduation speech at Touro Law Center. He also received an honorary degree from the school.
His Political Views
Health Care
..... In 2010, he introduced a bill called the Girls Protection Act. This bill would make it a crime to transport a girl under 18 to have FGM.
In 2015, he proposed another bill with Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. This bill encouraged collecting information on how common FGM is. It also aimed to create a plan to better prevent this practice, which is illegal in the U.S.
Crowley always supported the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as "Obamacare" or "ACA"). On March 22, 2010, he said he supported this law. He called it a "historic measure" that would help families get health care. He was against repealing the law and voted against it in 2011. He also held an event in 2011 to celebrate the law's one-year anniversary.
In 2017, Crowley supported H.R. 676, the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act. This bill was introduced by former Michigan Congressman John Conyers.
Immigration
Crowley strongly disagreed with President Trump's plan to build a wall on the U.S.–Mexico border. He also criticized Trump's decision to end DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and Temporary Protected Status for immigrants in 2017. In 2017, Crowley introduced a bill to give green cards to undocumented workers. These workers helped clean up New York City after the September 11 attacks.
Economy and Budget
Crowley believed that helping businesses, creating chances for small companies, and ensuring fair working conditions should be part of the national economic plan. He supported government spending to help the economy grow. In 2008, he supported a law that created the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). This program allowed the government to buy assets from struggling financial institutions.
Crowley wanted to increase taxes for the wealthiest people. He also wanted to cut taxes for the middle class and reduce military spending. When he was on the Ways and Means Committee, he said it didn't make sense to give tax cuts to the rich while increasing taxes on U.S. soldiers. He also praised the 2009 Budget for helping middle-class Americans with tax cuts. In 2011, he voted against a bill that would have increased the defense budget.
In 2017, Crowley was against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He said its only goal was to give more tax cuts to the richest 1% of Americans, not the working class. In December 2017, Crowley said in a speech that the bill was a "scam" and that Americans knew it.
Other Views
Crowley proposed laws to make living conditions better for renters in his district. In September 2017, he introduced the Rent Relief Act. This act would give tax credits to renters.
Crowley's Irish background influenced his work in Congress. He was a member of the Friends of Ireland Caucus. He worked on peace efforts for the conflict in Northern Ireland. He also helped people affected by the conflict find safety. Crowley spoke out when President Trump tried to remove the position of United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. Trump later changed his mind. In 2018, the Irish Echo newspaper named Crowley "Irish-American of the year."
In January 2017, Crowley voted for a House resolution that criticized a UN Security Council Resolution. This UN resolution stated that Israeli settlement building in Palestinian territories was against international law.
Life After Congress
After leaving Congress in 2019, Crowley joined a lobbying and law firm in Washington, D. C..
In February 2019, he stepped down as the head of the Queens Democratic Party.
..... Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle also joined the board.
Crowley became a fellow at the Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service. He is also a member of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. This group is planning the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Crowley is an honorary co-chair of the Pass USMCA Coalition. This group works to pass the USMCA, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement.
In 2022, Crowley left his first firm to join Dentons Law Firm, also in Washington, D.C.
Personal Life
Joe Crowley is married to Kasey Crowley, who is a registered nurse. They have three children: Cullen, Kenzie, and Liam. His cousin, Elizabeth Crowley, was a former New York City Councilwoman.
Crowley is on the board of directors for All Hallows High School in the Bronx, New York.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2013
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Crowley greeting President Bill Clinton in 1999
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Crowley with Vice President Al Gore in 1999
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Crowley with Nancy Pelosi and Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in September 2016
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Crowley speaking at the 2018 Tax March
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Crowley, Nancy Pelosi, and Mark Warner meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, New Delhi, January 26, 2015
