A somber pall was cast over Memorial Day when news broke that former New York Congressman Charles Rangel had passed away. Rangel represented several New York districts during his 46 years in Congress, and throughout that time, he forged a legislative legacy that showcased his commitment to improving the lives of Black and low-income Americans.
Charles Rangel was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1971, representing New York’s 18th district, and wasted no time making an impact in Congress. The Democratic Select Committee (DSC) was founded in 1969 by Rep. Charles Diggs as a way for Black lawmakers to “seize the moment, to fight for justice, to raise issues too long ignored and too little debated.” When Rangel took office, one of his first moves was filing a motion to rename the group the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and he would eventually become the chair of the Caucus in 1975.
The CBC was created to advocate and push forward legislation that would empower Black Americans and address their issues in ways Congress historically hadn’t. They had an understandably contentious relationship with President Nixon, who initially refused to meet with the caucus. The group made national headlines when they boycotted his 1971 State of the Union address. The headlines generated and public support would result in Nixon eventually agreeing to meet with the group, where they presented 61 recommendations on actions that could improve the lives of Black Americans.
Throughout Rangel’s time in Congress, he consistently sponsored and supported legislation that would improve the lives of Black and lower-income Americans. During Rangel’s time on the Ways and Means Committee, he would author the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit in the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which greatly expanded access to affordable housing in low-income communities. He built on this legislation seven years later with the introduction of Empowerment Zones, which created tax incentives for companies to create jobs and invest in lower-income communities.
What was impressive about Rangel’s tenure in Congress was his ability to use something as dry as tax code to enact meaningful change both domestically and abroad.
He played no small part in ending apartheid in South Africa through the Rangel Amendment, which changed the tax code to deny tax credits to any U.S. business operating in the country. This resulted in U.S. companies withdrawing from the region, dealing a serious economic blow that ultimately led to the collapse of the apartheid government.
In 2006, Rangel would make history by becoming the first Black member of Congress to lead the Ways and Means committee, the oldest tax-writing body in the House of Representatives.
During Rangel’s tenure as head of the committee, he would accomplish some of his most impactful pieces of legislative work.
As chair, he played a pivotal role in shaping the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was essential in fixing the American economy after the 2008 financial crisis. The law put federal funds to use in creating jobs, providing financial relief for American families, and is credited for preventing what could’ve been an even deeper recession.
Helping fix the American economy wouldn’t be the only massive impact Rangel made on American life in 2009. He was also the primary sponsor of H.R. 3590, more commonly known as the Affordable Care Act. The bill, which became law in March 2010, lowered the cost of healthcare and expanded access to Medicaid for low-income and Black communities. Rangel was essential in overseeing markups on the bill and meeting with fellow legislators to get the bill past the finish line.
By the time he retired from Congress in 2017, he was the primary sponsor of 48 bills that were enacted.
Even after leaving office, his commitment to serving the people in his community never wavered. In 2022, he launched the Charles B. Rangel Infrastructure Workforce Initiative at the City College of New York. The program is aimed at helping New Yorkers from underrepresented communities gain the skills and training needed to work in critical infrastructure jobs.
When you look at the body of work Charles Rangel accomplished, it tells the story of a man who consistently sought ways to use his legislative power to improve the lives of Black people and low-income Americans. Rangel once said he was committed to “fighting for the little guy.” From affordable housing, affordable healthcare, to doing his part to rebuild a collapsing American economy, his legislative record was proof of that commitment.
SEE ALSO:
Analysis: Nearly Half Of Chicago Mayor’s Appointees Are Black