Eliot Engel, a 16-Term Bronx Liberal in Congress, Dies at 79
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Eliot Engel, a 16-term Democratic congressman from the Bronx and former chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, died at age 79 due to Parkinson’s disease.
- Engel’s political career was notably impacted in 2020 after a live microphone incident following the killing of George Floyd.
- He was first elected to Congress in 1988 by defeating 10-term incumbent Mario Biaggi, who had resigned amid a corruption scandal but remained on the ballot.
- Throughout his tenure, Engel was a strong advocate for liberal policies, including support for the Affordable Care Act, a single-payer health care system, improved maternity care, tuberculosis prevention, and reducing reliance on imported oil.
