Long Island has two juggernaut politicians in the House of Representatives. One has been immersed in controversy, the other has not been in the spotlight, but to some people she is just as controversial.
Representative Peter King of NY's 3rd district: Central Nassau and Suffolk is the Chairmen of the Committee on Homeland Security and a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
King's campaign financing is available here.
Over the past few months, King has fallen out of favor with a portion of the American public because of his controversial hearings on Islam.
As Chairmen of the Committee on Homeland Security, King has asserted it is both in his jurisdiction and with the best intentions of the American people for him to hold these hearings. He has stood by claims that Muslims are being recruited as terrorists in America.
He is walking quite a fine line however. Past support of the terrorist group the IRA in Northern Ireland creates a confusing track record for the Representative. While he has openly supported a terrorist organization in the past, he is to many classifying an entire religion as potential terrorists.
Criticism from Russell Simmons as well as many others, both Democrat and Republican, Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Jewish have expressed an outrage at singling out a religion as a threat. During the hearing Representative Keith Ellison, the only Muslim member of the House of Representatives emotionally broke down at what he compared to a religious persecution.
While King has been immersed in both controversy and praise for his actions, he has a strong hold on his constituency and has become a major player in national politics. For better or worse (probably better) King will likely remain the Congressperson for the 3rd district for years to come. While this hearing has brought plenty of publicity to King, he has served his district for years and has earned both the respect of his community and the seniority that he has amassed.
(Photo of Rep. Carolyn McCarthy(D) courtesy of commons.wikipedia.org)
Representative Carolyn McCarthy of NY's 4th district comprised of Western-Central Nassau County is a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Financial Services. She also serves as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade.
McCarthy's campaign financing is available here.
While McCarthy has not been in the National News too much of late, it has not been for a lack of trying.
McCarthy pushed gun control legislation in the house in mid January. She was one of if not the strongest proponents of gun control. Along with NYC Mayor Bloomberg as well as Senators Schumer and Gillabrand, McCarthy has been an extremely vocal presence in the gun control debate.
This dedication to curbing gun violence stems from McCarthy's personal experience with gun violence. She was a survivor of the LIRR massacre at Merillon Station at which her husband was murdered and her son suffered severe injuries. In response to her personal experience, she entered politics and was elected on a strong platform that included major gun control reforms.
McCarthy has served her community for over 10 years and has been moving up the ranks of seniority within the House. Though she has not been as controversial as Rep. King as of late, McCarthy is a fearless proponent of gun control that members of the National Rifle Association would consider a top political opposition.
