I have heard the skeptics and the chattering classes wondering whether I remain committed to representing our congressional district which I have passionately served for more than 40 years. After reflection and speaking with constituents in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx I proudly represent, I am all the more fired up about fighting to advance the unfinished business under the most exciting presidency in my lifetime.
The President needs an ally who commands the attention of Congress when he speaks. Over this past year, I have been one of the most outspoken defenders of the President and Democrats’ agenda. I was there to lead the historic healthcare reform bill into passage and fought hard against Republican obstructionism to repeal it. I am fighting hard against their antics to derail our efforts to implement it and will continue to do so.
In fact, I will not rest until we pass comprehensive immigration reform in Congress. I proudly co-sponsored the DREAM Act when it was first introduced in 2001 and have never stopped raising hell about it. To demonstrate my commitment, I participated in an immigration protest and ended up being arrested with six of my Colleagues, including civil rights leaders Rep. John Lewis and Rep. Luis Gutierrez. It was worth every trouble because I truly believe that immigration reform is critical as a matter of justice. Our country was built on the backs of immigrants who believed in the promise of the American Dream. I don’t want to shrink from the responsibilities I have taken toward immigration reform, not just for my constituents, but to do the right thing.
As one of the most senior members in the House and the Ways and Means Committee, I know how to fight against Congressional Republicans who are playing political games to defeat and discredit the President, so much that they have shut down the government and risked another downgrade of America’s credit. Our economy has been well on its way to recovery under President Obama’s leadership. I will not allow Republicans to derail us as we continue to make progress in putting Americans back to work.
Using my experience and knowledge of how things work in Washington, I can work effectively with colleagues to extend unemployment benefits, enforce and expand existing gun laws, protect food stamps in a farm bill that otherwise extends welfare to agribusiness, increase aid for school construction, and work to ensure the Affordable Care Act is successful.
Most importantly, I will keep bringing Washington to our district. Just this past year, I have hosted events featuring top-level federal agency officials, such as those from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Minority Business Development Agency, to provide invaluable information and help on various topic including small businesses, taxes, social security, Affordable Care Act, technology and innovation, immigration veterans benefits– not to mention an event with Alicia Keys to promote HIV awareness. I want to continue holding my annual job fairs to provide opportunities for my constituents to advance their careers. I will work with Mayor Bill de Blasio to support his new Administration from Washington so that I can keep serving the best interests of our constituents.
President Obama faces unprecedented right-wing opposition trying to turn back a century of progress, even trying to block minority citizens from exercising the right to vote that so many died to protect. I learned during the Korean War that you don’t quit in the middle of the battle.
I may not be a perfect human being, but I believe I am best equipped — by my experience, my knowledge of Washington, my seniority, my passion for serving the people of our district — to help the President achieve his agenda over the next two years. I still have unfinished business. Charlie Rangel is still fired up. That is why I am running for my 23rd term in office.
Rangel, the dean of New York’s congressional delegation, is running for his 23rd term from a district in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx
