Campaign News

Rangel's Re-Election Bid Gets Boost From Bronx Borough President

campaign — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:08:27 -0400

For the first time in his career, Rep. Charles Rangel of Manhattan is stumping in the Bronx, thanks to a newly redrawn district that extends into the borough and has a majority of Hispanic constituents.

“I’m asking the people of the Bronx: give me a try, give me a chance," he said.

On both counts, he could benefit from Friday's endorsement from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“We need the lion," Diaz Jr. said. "We need a champion.”

The endorsement came the same week his rival, State Sen. Adriano Espaillat of Manhattan, picked up the endorsement of former Bronx borough president Fernando Ferrer, one of the city’s most prominent Hispanic leaders.

The White House also gave a lukewarm response when asked if President Obama was supporting Rangel.

“I’ll have to get back to you on that,” said White House press secretary Jay Carney.

Rangel seemed unconcerned with the president's endorsement.

“I don’t think that question is fair to the president," he said. "Quite frankly, I don’t give a damn.”

Rangel returned to work in Washington this week after missing three months with an ailing back. Supporters say his experience should count for something in next month’s primary.

“In the Bronx, and you know we need help, we’re gonna have the Babe Ruth, we’re going to have the A-Rod, we’re going to have the number one veteran stepping up and supporting us and being a voice for the Bronx as well,” Diaz Jr. said.

But Rangel has at least one aggressive detractor. Curtis Ellis represents a so-called super PAC that’s seeking to oust incumbents of both parties nationwide. He's decided to put six figures worth of ads and direct mail behind Espaillat.

“He’s been there for a long time, but research shows that the people are ready for new representation,” he said. “Adriano Espaillat is a credible challenger. He has a solid record. And he has strong support. So we come in as the equalizer so that people know they have a choice.”

Voters can expect to begin seeing anti-Rangel ads soon, as the primary date is now just more than six weeks away on June 26.

Charlie Rangel condemns House Republicans for gutting aid to poor and elderly

campaign — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:29 -0400

Congressman Charles B. Rangel today harshly rebuked House Republicans for passing a reconciliation bill that would replace deep, across-the-board budget cuts passed as part of last year’s debt ceiling agreement with cuts specifically aimed at programs providing aid for senior citizens, working parents, and children. The bill passed on a 218-199 mostly party-line vote.

“Democrats want to reduce the deficit,” said Rangel. “But we are calling for a balanced approach that asks millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share. Republicans have instead decided to engage in political gamesmanship by choosing to slash funds for cancer screenings, child immunizations, and programs that benefit women and children, the poor and the elderly.”

When House Republicans passed the Ryan Budget it laid out a reconciliation process that included six committees tasked with proposing alternate cuts to the sequestration ordered by the debt ceiling deal.The Republican-majority committees approved cuts for funding to food stamps, the Dodd-Frank financial regulation law, and preventative screenings in the healthcare reform law. Because the cuts are aimed largely at especially vulnerable citizens, many organizations have come out in strong opposition to the reconciliation. Easter Seals, the National Women’s Law Center, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Voices for America’s Children have opposed the bill.

Added Rangel: “There are 1300 elderly men and women in East Harlem alone who depend on Meals-on-Wheels to remain healthy and independent. It’s morally wrong for Republicans to insist on taking away my constituents’ next meal to give tax subsidies to Big Oil. Republicans need to work with Democrats to find a solution to our nation’s debt problem without devastating the most vulnerable Americans. ”

Rangel Returns to Congress, With Cheers From Colleagues

campaign — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:57:02 -0400

Rep. Charles Rangel stepped onto the House floor and into the warm embrace of his colleagues with the help of a walker Monday evening, his first appearance in Washington D.C. since early February.

The 81-year-old Rangel had been sidelined by a back injury as he faces a strong primary challenge for his Harlem congressional district. On Tuesday morning, the Campaign for Primary Accountability, a super PAC targeting incumbents in both parties, said it would spend money to defeat him.

On Monday evening, though, it was all hugs and handshakes for Rangel. He took a seat in the House's front row, where colleagues like Rep. Jerry Nadler from the Upper West Side and Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz from Florida stopped by to chat. Rep. Michael Grimm, a Staten Island Republican, shook Rangel's hand, too.

After voting ended, there was a small reception in the basement of the Rayburn House Office Building to welcome Rangel back, and the longtime lawmaker received applause as he entered on a motorized scooter. He quickly got off it and walked around the room on his own, greeting a few dozen Democratic lawmakers and staffers.

There were tributes from colleagues like Michigan Democratic Rep. Sander Levin, who made reference to Congress's gridlock. "We miss you in terms of our day to day work, but because we're not working very much - we miss you in terms of your friendship," he said.

Rep. Yvette Clarke, a Brooklyn Democrat, called Rangel "a role model for someone like me."

Rangel later took the stage to cheers. Rep. Joseph Crowley, the chairman of the Queens Democratic party, whistled.

Rangel told the crowd about his health troubles and thanked his wife Alma, who had taken care of him and was in attendance. About the "in sickness and in health" bit of his marriage vows, he said: "Damn it, I'm glad that part was put into them."

Later, he told reporters more about his injuries, which were exacerbated by a virus. He said the pain was intense. "I can't think of a Republican that I would wish this on," Rangel said.

And when talking about his primary campaign, in which he faces a stiff challenge from state Sen. Adriano Espaillat and City Councilman Charles Barron, Rangel said the country's troubles demand experience legislators.

"None of my opponents have said anything unpleasant about me," he said. "I just can't imagine what they would say."

Later, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi walked in. "You look wonderful!" she told Rangel.

After speaking to Rangel and his wife, she said she's backing the dean of the New York delegation. "He has my support," Pelosi said. "He's a winner and he has my endorsement."

As Pelosi munched on asparagus - which she pronounced delicious - she said she empathized with Rangel, having had back problems herself. She also said she's glad to have him back.

"He is a dear member of Congress," she said. "I'm pleased to have him back in good health and, apparently, ready to go."

Congressman Charles B. Rangel Announces He Is Running For Re-Election

campaign — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:27:04 -0400

The Court has spoken. I have full confidence that those who have made the decision did the best they could for my constituents and the people of New York to protect their voice and representation, as guaranteed by the Voting Rights Act. I am formally announcing, again, and after talking with my county leaders, political and community leaders, that I will seek re-election in the new 13^th Congressional District (formerly known as the 15th Congressional District).

Over the years I have been privileged to receive the broad-based support of so many friends and neighbors in our Congressional District. I am proud of the resources that I have been able to bring to Harlem and our community. I hope to continue representing the people I have been honored to serve, in Congress, and earn the support of my new constituents in the newly drawn district.

A little over forty years ago, I ran for Congress, because I believed I could make a difference in our community and country. Since then, much has changed -- technology is making the world smaller, we are competing in a global economy, and America is still in recovery, which is more reason why I have decided to continue using my experience and influence to help improve the lives of people in our district and America. Whether securing hundreds of millions of dollars for the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) or expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for millions of American families, I have always been committed to fight for the little guy.

As the third most senior Member in the House and Chairman Emeritus of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, I will be able to maintain my strong track record of passing significant legislation: for our community, I have been able to secure millions of dollars from the Recovery Act Fund, and millions more in grants to revive the Taino Towers, W. 125th Street Corridor, Harlem Pier, La Marqueta, El Museo del Barrio, Borinquen Health Care Center, Renaissance Ballroom, Small's Paradise, Frederick Douglass Memorial Circle, East River Plaza Mall, New York Presbyterian Hospital, The Harlem Hospital Center Modernization Project and the Apollo Theater -- just to name a few. In addition, I spearheaded the Low Income Housing Tax Credit that generates investments in low and moderate-income housing construction and rehabilitation. This permanent program is responsible for most affordable housing construction nationwide in the last decade, including more than 5,000 apartment units in Upper Manhattan.

I have never lost my conviction to leave this world a better place than when I entered it -- in life and in Congress. One of my most recent accomplishments was as a major contributor to the new healthcare law: as Chairman, I was able to push the bill out of the Ways & Means Committee. Also under my chairmanship I oversaw the increase of the federal minimum wage as well as small business tax cuts, and authored the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act and the Haiti Relief bill. I have always been the leading supporter of improving U.S. trade preference programs, including the General System of Preferences (GSP), the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) programs, Andean trade preference programs and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

While I am very proud of the many positive contributions I have made, there is more work for me to do. In addition to helping President Obama pass his jobs bill, improve our healthcare system, provide affordable housing for working families and offer quality education for our students, there are numerous services I would like to keep providing my constituents, such as: Rangel Career Fair and the Social Security Fair which I recently hosted in our district. I will stand up with President Obama to push against Republican threats to cut valuable programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, not to mention unemployment insurance. I will keep working hard to make my new constituents proud. Just as President Obama needs more time to get our country back on track, my job in Congress is not done. I will continue to fight hard for what's at stake -- the very fabric of our community and the future of our country.

It has been an honor to serve you over the past 41 years, and I look forward to continuing to work to promote the future of this district and our great country.