Political Clout Obey Vs Rangel
... Rangel (D) began his first of seventeen terms as the Representative of the 15th Congressional District of the state of New York . As a black man and one of the few minorities active in the House of Representatives, Congressman Rangel is the ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means, Deputy Democratic Whip of the House of Representatives, a Co-Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Dean of New York State Congressional Delegation. Some of Rangel’s largest issues involve the development of a multi-billion dollar Empowerment Zone program, furthering steps in education and the prevention of drug abuse. ... Obey (D) has gained the deserving reputation as a complex man of undisputed intelligence with a temperamental disposition and very formidable legislating skills. Obey likes to think of himself as a person with the utmost respect for the House of Representatives ideals of civilized debate and collegiality while being the only Democratic Member of the House to have served on the three major economic committees in the Congress: The Budget Committee, The Joint Economic Committee and the Committee on Appropriations. Obey’s most prioritized issues concern the betterment and strengthening of education, doubling federal investments in health care and in affordable tax fairly distributed to all taxpayers. The underlying principles in comparing Congressman Rangel and Congressman Obey may presently seem questionable. Rangel grew up as a liberal on the streets and slums of Manhattan New York, dropped out of high school to join the Army and fought in the Korean War. Obey grew up in a staunchly Republican family from Wausau Wisconsin, graduated high school and went on to receive his B. ... However, both Rangel and Obey would eventually find themselves as significant members in the House of Representatives where they would unwittingly share some of the same priorities among their issues. More important though than the issues they share interest in, and even more so than the manner in which they made it to the House of Representatives, is the effect of clout in their being able to pass legislation. ... Rangel is an African American and because Congressman David R. Obey is a Caucasian American, it is necessary to determine whether or not race has played a significant role in the factoring and playing out their careers and the legislation the two Congressman have pursued passing. In layman terms, how has political clout factored into the careers of two similar congressmen of dissimilar race? The intent of findings this document strives to unfold is the undeniable fact that race has played a significant role in the political clout of Congressmen Charles B. Rangel. Through comparison to Congressman Obey, it will be made apparent that race and clout have factored in the success of Rangel’s career. More specifically, I will be focusing on Rangel’s largest issues: The development of a multi-billion dollar Empowerment Zone program, furthering steps in education and the prevention of drug abuse. I will also compare Obey’s most prioritized issues: The betterment and strengthening of education, doubling federal investments in health care and in affordable tax fairly distributed to all taxpayers. In the summation of this document, the effects of being a minority in the House and its effect on political clout will inevitably be evident. The first of Rangel’s priorities to be discussed in regard to clout and the role it has played in the congressman’s career is the development of a multi-billion dollar Empowerment Zone program. ... Rangel’s vision for the designation of Americas most economically depressed urban and rural communities as Federal Empowerment Zones was, in part, based on his experiences as a high school dropout. ... Because of this, Rangel took it in his own hands and did something about it. ... Empowerment Zones were created by the Budget Act of 1993 in legislation drafted by Congressman Rangel. ... Congressman Rangel’s nine-part plan involves a quite complex, strategic plan of implementation. ... Phase two of Rangel’s plan involved the initiation of a comprehensive program to develop the education and training capacity of community and faith-based organizations within EZ/EC Communities. ... And the ninth and final phase of Rangel’s Empowerment Zone program was to develop the Urban Artisan Program. ’ A second priority of Rangel resides purely on the focus of education. ... Rangel is nothing less than passionate about furthering the development of education in our country. After the House Republican leadership failed to pass an education tax break bill, apparently because it would have to use scarce resources for tax breaks and vouchers rather than aid to America’s public schools, Rangel has this to say: “The Republican party says it cares about education, but it does not put its money where its mouth is. ... ” Congressman Rangel has not only been vocal about his passion for the furthering and betterment of American education, he has also been quite active visually.