Queens' Congress Delegation Expected To Help Boro More As Majority Party
BY JOHN TOSCANO

Of the five-member delegation from Queens- Congressmembers Gary Ackerman, Carolyn Maloney, Gregory Meeks, Joseph Crowley and Anthony Weiner-the 2007-08 House organization will find only Ackerman (Bayside-Long Island) rewarded with a subcommittee chairmanship, that of the International Relations Subcommittee on the Middle East.

Congressmembers from Queens were frustrated and endured far more defeats than successes during the dozen or so years that Republicans held the majority and controlled the House of Representatives.

But the local lawmakers struggled and persevered and managed some victories and brought many millions back home for projects around the city.

Now the Democrats are back on top, so Queens Congressmembers, like their colleagues throughout the country, can look forward, for the next two years anyway, to a little more joy in their work as victories emerge from the legislative mill.

Of the five-member delegation from Queens- Congressmembers Gary Ackerman, Carolyn Maloney, Gregory Meeks, Joseph Crowley and Anthony Weiner-the 2007-08 House organization will find only Ackerman (Bayside- Long Island) rewarded with a subcommittee chairmanship, that of the International Relations Subcommittee on the Middle East.

Ackerman, nearing 64 and a 23-year lawmaker, will land the appointment due to his seniority. He headed the same panel 12 years ago when the Dems last controlled the House.

Ackerman also has enough seniority on the Financial Services Committee to chair it, but the rules only allow for one committee chairmanship for any member.

Congressmember Carolyn Maloney (Queens-Manhattan), in discussing the outlook for herself in the new Congress, noted, "The exact makeup of the committees for the next session of Congress has yet to be determined and those discussions are private. I can say that from whatever position I hold I will help our government work for all Americans, instead of just a select few."

Maloney added, "Many of the items on the agenda for the next Congress could truly benefit Queens residents. By modifying the Medicare prescription drug plan to allow the government to negotiate drug prices, by limiting tax breaks for the oil industry and by expanding student loans, I hope to see a move toward lower costs for health, energy and education."

She continued: "Many in the New York delegation will hold positions of power in the new Congress and I am hopeful that this will mean that our city and state will receive more federal funding."

One member of the New York delegation to whom Maloney could be referring would be Congessmember Charles Rangel, like Maloney, a Manhattan Democrat and expected to head the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

Congressmember Gregory Meeks is a member of the Queens delegation whose district covers Southeast Queens. He is a member of the Black Caucus, which could possibly land him a helpful post from his membership on the caucus.

Congressmember Joseph Crowley, who is presently the Chief Deputy Whip in the House Democratic hierarchy, is expected to keep that position when the Dems organize under the expected Speaker, Congressmember Nancy Pelosi (California).

Crowley, like Maloney, presently sits on the Financial Services Committee. There's a good chance both will land membership posts there. The committee deals with insurance companies and U.S. service industries, which are very important in the New York City area.

Crowley (Queens-The Bronx) presently sits on the International Relations Committee and might also continue as a member there.

Lastly, Weiner (Queens- Brooklyn) will be trying extra hard to win funding for his district and New York City as a whole because he's expected to run for mayor of New York City again in 2009. His funding efforts could help his candidacy.