Joe Crowley was first elected to represent New York’s 7^th Congressional District, his hometown community in the United States Congress in 1998. The district spans across Queens and the Bronx and is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the country.

Joe grew up in a working, middle class family and understands the challenges faced by every day Americans. The second of four children, Joe was born to his parents Mary Eileen and Joseph and was raised in Woodside, Queens. Joe’s father, a first-generation American, worked as a New York City police officer while putting himself through law school at night.

Joe attended Power Memorial High School where he was a standout basketball player, musician and student. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Queens College in Political Science and Communications.  Prior to his service in Congress, Joe ran a successful small business and served in the New York State Assembly for 12 years. He met his wife Kasey, a registered nurse, while preparing to participate in the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa bike tour. They married in 1998 and have three young children.

Joe’s parents instilled in him a strong sense of family and community and a firm belief that America is a place of opportunity. He believes the federal government should lay a foundation for Americans to succeed.

Throughout his time in public service, Joe has been on the side of working, middle class families. He has supported initiatives to make child care and higher education more affordable.  Joe has also secured millions of dollars to clean up graffiti, maintain after-school programs and keep cops on the beat throughout Queens and the Bronx.  Joe’s legislative agenda puts children first.  He has spearheaded a range of measures to ensure federal education funds are distributed equitably; to help schools bear the cost of cleaning up PCBs; and to keep physical education as part of a kid’s daily schooling because he wants all children to have bright futures and be prepared for life in the 21^st century.

Joe is also committed to keeping America’s economy strong. He has worked to reduce barriers to investment for small businesses and promote public-private partnerships that will foster American innovation and entrepreneurship. Aside from supporting ways to expand opportunities for American small businesses, Joe believes we must invest in U.S. workers from the start. He supports federal government investments in our public education system as well as maintaining support for job retraining programs to ensure American workers are prepared to compete and succeed in the global marketplace.

A proven leader, Joe’s hard work and effective advocacy have made him a standout member in Congress. In February 2010, National Journal magazine featured Joe on its cover and said he is “in line” to move further up the ranks within the leadership of the party.

Joe sits on the powerful Ways and Means Committee where he is working to protect Social Security and Medicare, make health care more affordable and reduce taxes for middle class Americans and small businesses. He is also a Chief Deputy Whip in the Democratic leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives and the National Finance Chair at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee – both of which are key positions that allow him to help advance the party’s legislative priorities and elect Democrats to office.

Joe is a leading voice against the Republican Party’s agenda.  In November 2010, Joe spearheaded the call for Republicans who support repealing the Affordable Care Act to give up their own tax-payer subsidized health care by declining enrollment in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. He has been tireless in his efforts to bring the focus of the Republican-led House back to jobs and the economy. His “speechless” speech, which marked 100th day of the Republican’s majority in the House, went viral and served as a rallying cry for Republicans to put forward an agenda focused on creating jobs.

Joe is proud of his achievements and is honored to represent Queens and the Bronx in the U.S. Congress. He looks forward to continuing to fight for seniors and middle class families throughout the 7^th District and working to expand and create opportunities for New York small businesses and workers.