Joe Crowley

Committee assignments

• Committee on Ways and Means
  • Subcommittee on Social Security
  • Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures

Caucus memberships

• Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, Co-Chair^[10]
• Rare Disease Congressional Caucus, 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
• Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus
• National Service Caucus
• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus^[11]

Crowley serves as Democratic Caucus Chairman of the United States House of Representatives, the fourth highest leadership position in the House Democratic Caucus.

Crowley's cousin, New York City firefighter John Moran, was killed as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Crowley authored a bill that provided the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor to all emergency workers who died as a result of the terrorist acts. He also created the Urban Area Security Initiative, which directs money to prevent terrorism toward regions that are seen as the most threatened.

Crowley, who has spent much time in India, created a Bangladesh caucus and was formerly the chair of the India Caucus.^[12]

On October 10, 2002, Crowley was among the 81 House Democrats who voted in favor of authorizing the invasion of Iraq.^[13]

Crowley joined Bronx Representative José E. Serrano in 2008 in proposing legislation to help clean up PCB-contaminated schools.^[14]

In April 2011, Crowley received media attention for an angry "speech" he gave without actually speaking. Crowley ripped pieces of paper with words to deliver his message.^[15][16]

Healthcare

Since 2005, he has consistently received ratings of 100% from NARAL,^[17] and 0% from the National Right to Life Committee.^[18] In 2011, he opposed a bill that would have banned taxpayer funding for abortions, and in the 2010 election he was endorsed by Planned Parenthood. In 2018, Crowley received a voting record of 100% from Planned Parenthood.^[19] Since 2007, he has received a rating of 100% from the American Public Health Association, American Nurses Association, and the National Breast Cancer Coalition.^[20]

Crowley has fought against the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) both abroad and in the United States. In 2010, he introduced the Girls Protection Act of 2010, which would criminalize the transport of a female under the age of 18 years old to undergo FGM.^[21]

Crowley has been a consistent supporter of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (known as "Obamacare" or "ACA"). On March 22, 2010, he said, "I... support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a historic measure that will put families first when it comes to accessing health care coverage."^[22] He opposed repealing the act and voted against a repeal on January 19, 2011.^[23] Also in 2011, he held an event to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the bill's passage.^[24]

In 2015, he proposed a bill with Representative Sheila Jackson Lee encouraging the collection of data on the prevalence of FGM and create a plan to better prevent the practice, which is illegal in the United States.^[25]

In 2017, Crowley signed on to H.R. 676, The Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act in the House of Representatives. This bill was introduced by former Michigan Congressman John Conyers in January 2017.^[26]

Immigration

Crowley is a heavy critic of President Trump's plan to build a wall on the U.S.–Mexico border and his decision to end DACA and Temporary Protected Status protection for qualifying immigrants in 2017. In 2017, Crowley introduced a bill that would grant green cards to undocumented workers who helped to recover and clean up New York City after the terrorist attacks on September 11.^[27]

Economy and budget

Crowley holds the view "that reducing barriers to investment, creating opportunities for small businesses, and providing equitable working conditions for all Americans can and should be part of our national economic policy" ^[28] He has supported federal spending as a way to increase economic growth. In 2008, he endorsed the Financial Asset Purchase Authority and Tax Law Amendments which established the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) and allowed the Secretary of the Treasury to buy assets from troubled financial institutions.^[29]

Crowley has advocated tax increases on the highest tax brackets, tax cuts for the middle class, and reduced defense spending. When serving on the Ways and Means Committee he stated, "I really don't see how it's justifiable or sensible to give a tax cut to the wealthiest among us, but at the same time increase taxes on U.S. soldiers."^[30] He also applauded the 2009 Budget for ending the Alternative Minimum Tax, and ensuring tax cuts for 23 million middle class Americans.^[31] In 2011, he opposed a bill that appropriated funds to the defense budget.^[32]

In 2017, Crowley opposed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, saying its only goal was to give more tax cuts to America's top 1% than the working class. In December 2017, Crowley said in a floor speech, "It's a scam and the American people know it. Is this a bill that helps people who are living paycheck to paycheck? Hell no."^[33]

Other positions

Crowley has proposed legislation to improve conditions for renters in his district. In September 2017, he introduced the Rent Relief Act, which would give a refundable tax credits to renters.^[34]

Crowley has a 2016 score of 95% from the League of Conservation Voters.^[35]

Crowley's Irish roots have influenced his policy decisions in Congress as a member of the Friends of Ireland Caucus. He has worked on peace efforts for those involved in the conflict in Northern Ireland and securing refuge for those affected by the conflict.^[36] Crowley spoke out against President Trump's effort to eliminate the position of United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland.^[37] Eventually, Trump reversed this decision.^[38] Crowley was named Irish-American of the year by the Irish Echo in 2018.^[39]

Crowley voted in favor of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.^[40]

2018 primary loss

In the June 26, 2018 Democratic primary for his seat, Crowley was defeated by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who received 57% of the vote.^[41] Crowley remains on the general election ballot under the Working Families Party line. Ocasio-Cortez has called on Crowley to take his name off the ballot, but he has responded that he cannot unless he moves, dies, is convicted of a felony, or files to run for another office in November as a paper candidate (which he claims would be a form of electoral fraud).^[42]