The “blue wave” of progressive-democratic victories on election night across the county resulted in democrats retaking the majority in the House of Representatives. Westchester Congressman Eliot Engel, based on his 30 years of seniority in the House, will now chair the Foreign Relations Committee.
For the last six years, Engel has served as the ranking democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, and over his four decades of service has traveled the globe to get a firsthand look at our relations with governments, dictators and allies of the United States.
In addition to reviewing U.S. foreign policy, the Foreign Relations Committee can also make inquiries into Russia, President Vladimir Putin, and their interference with our elections. And, yes, Rep. Engel – Chairman Engel – has a few questions regarding President Donald Trump.
“President Trump and President Putin met many months ago in Helsinki,” said Engel. “We don’t know what they talked about because there was nobody else in the room except the translator. I think this is something to get to the bottom of, and with the Russians systematically trying to undermine our election, I want to know what the President talked about.”
There are other items on Chairman-to-be Engel’s itinerary across the globe.
“I want to know about North Korea,” he said. “There is a lot to explore about Saudi Arabia. Our perpetual involvement in Afghanistan needs to be reviewed. I don’t think it’s the right path. Our NATO alliance is very important. I’m ready to get to work.”
Although Engel has a letter of support from all of the democratic members of the Foreign Relations Committee and the democratic leadership, he stressed that he has not yet been elected chairman.
“I think the role of Congress from the Constitution gives all three branches shared powers to perform checks and balances on one another,” said Engel. “And I feel strongly in oversight and to find out what this administration is doing and what it isn’t doing. I intend to serve in that role and take things in a different direction than when the republicans controlled Congress.”
We asked Engel about the recent elections and his plans in the new Congress. “I think the mid-term elections are a referendum on the president and how he is doing,” he said. “The majority of Americans feel that President Trump has not gone in the right direction and they were hoping for a blue wave and they got it – the House flipped.
“Here in New York, people were rebelling against the administration, and against what I call the ‘Republican Tax Scam,’ where everyone in New York is going to be paying more taxes and we are not going to be able to take deductions we are entitled to. It’s a terrible thing.”
Engel also stressed that he plans on working with a democratic House majority to pass a number of important domestic issues. “Health care remains a big issue,” he said. “My constituents are worried about losing their health care if they lose their jobs. This is something that has to be taken care of with our new majority.
“Sensible gun control is another important domestic issue that we hope to address next year. And we need a plan for our infrastructure – to rebuild our roads and bridges and put people back to work.”
Immigration and the U.S.-Mexico relationship is another issue Engel and the democratic House majority plan to address. “Immigration is another issue that we have to look at, and tie that into what is currently happening at the border,” he said. “I plan on using the power of oversight to scrutinize all police through a wide-ranging number of hearings in conjunction with other House committees. We want our relationship with Mexico to remain strong.”
Engel has served alongside Majority Leader and soon-to-be-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for many years.
“I think she deserves to be speaker again,” he said. “If we lost the election, nobody would be talking about it, and she had a great deal to do with our victory, and in creating the issues we put forward and in raising money for democratic candidates. I have never seen anyone work harder. She is smart and energetic and doesn’t stop working.”
Engel represents two-thirds of Westchester County in Washington. Congresswoman Nita Lowey represents most of the rest of the county. Together, Engel and Lowey have served a combined 60 years in the House.
“Nita is a great friend and a great congresswoman,” said Engel. “We came in together and are co-deans of the New York delegation. Westchester is going to be greatly represented with the both of us taking leadership positions next year. Nita will be the chair of the Appropriations Committee.”
In the end, Trump remains the focus of attention for Engel and House democrats, who now have the power to subpoena and investigate all of the allegations made since November 2016. “Of course, we will be looking into this administration and how this president functions,” said Engel. “A lot of Americans are wondering if Trump uses interacts with leaders and how that affect his business interests. I’m raring to go.”
