Congressman Steve Israel represents New York's Second Congressional District, which includes all of the Town of Huntington and large portions of Babylon, Islip, Oyster Bay and Smithtown.

At the outset of the 108th Session of Congress, the Democratic Caucus tapped him for a leadership position, naming Israel Assistant Whip. Newsday recently included Israel among 8 national "Rising Stars" — a list that also included New York City Mayor Bloomberg, Attorney General Spitzer, and General Tommy Franks. Israel's leadership in the House includes organizing and leading the House Democratic Study Group on National Security. The group was founded by three centrist Democrats to explore new technologies and principles leading to a smarter national security capability against changing threats.

Israel was first elected to the House in 2000 with 48% of the vote; and was re-elected in 2002 with nearly 60% of the vote. Throughout his tenure, he has forged a reputation as a bipartisan, independent and highly effective Congressman.

In Israel's first term, he passed more measures in the House than any other new Democratic Member of Congress, including:

The Israel-Johnson Act, which would stop the exodus of Medicare HMOs from Long Island by reforming federal reimbursement rates.

The Israel-DeLauro "Save Our Woman From Ovarian Cancer Act" to accelerate federal research into new technologies to diagnose ovarian cancer;

The Israel Amendment to create an advisory group of fire, rescue and emergency services personnel in the new federal Homeland Security Department.

Additionally, Israel secured over $40 million in appropriations to expand jobs, reduce crime and protect the environment throughout New York's Second Congressional District, this included more than $28 million to protect and create new jobs in Long Island's defense industry.

Israel is also highly regarded for his attention to constituent services. He fought for and secured a record amount of over $400,000 in retroactive benefits for local veterans; and initiated "Supermarket Weekends" where he and his staff visit local markets one weekend every month.

As a result of his demonstrated effectiveness, Israel was selected to address incoming Members of the current Congress at Harvard University's renowned Kennedy School of Government Congressional Freshmen Orientation.

At the outset of his second term, Israel secured a spot on the House Armed Service Committee. The committee oversees all aspects of the United States military, including procurement, transformation and modernization, personnel issues and national defense and security. Despite the strong defense presence on Long Island, it has not been represented on the committee since Rep. George Hochbrueckner left in 1994. As the only New York Democrat on the Committee, Israel will raise important questions about strengthening our ability to deal with changing threats, and to advocate for the contribution that Long Island's skilled workforce has always made to our national defense. This assignment is important for strengthening both our national security, and our local economic security.

Israel also serves on the prestigious House Financial Services Committee, where he plays a leading role in expanding homeownership and the economy, protecting investors, and safeguarding the rights of consumers who utilize banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions. The Committee unanimously passed Israel's amendment to crack-down on financial links between ostensible charities in the U.S. and international terrorist groups. He has played a prominent role on the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, which passed several of his amendments to encourage affordable housing and downtown revitalization.

Congressman Israel serves in the House Blue Dog Caucus - a group of thirty-three independent Democratic Members who are generally moderate on fiscal issues. There, he chairs the Blue Dog Task Force on Foreign Policy. He also serves on the New Democratic Caucus, and was appointed by the House Democratic Leadership to the Homeland Security Task Force, where he took a leading role in advancing new technologies to protect against terrorist attacks. He organized the Suffolk County Task Force on Emergency Preparedness, which worked on coordinated responses to emergencies by fire departments, police forces, emergency medical teams, hospitals, health professionals and school administrators. Three days after the 9/11 attacks, President Bush selected Israel to join him at Ground Zero.

Israel is co-chair of both the Long Island Sound Caucus and the House Cancer Caucus.

Now serving his second term in Congress, Israel's priorities include continuing his vigorously independent voting record as he focuses on four critical areas:

First, strengthening national and homeland security by promoting a vigorous defense agenda as well as energy independence.

Second, expanding economic security by creating a "Long Island Homeland Security Procurement Initiative" to foster collaborations between local universities, defense contractors, technology businesses and manufacturers.

Third, strengthening Medicare to protect tens of thousands of Long Island seniors who cannot afford prescription drugs; and continuing to push the federal government to accelerate research on women's health issues such as ovarian cancer.

Fourth, improving US international programs to more effectively foster modernize economies and schools in Middle East nations; and crack-down on foreign governments which financially support terrorism directly or indirectly.

Israel has two daughters, ages 15 and 12. He was married to Marlene Budd in May of 2003. His two-year-old Miniature Schnauzer is named Max.

Rep. Steve Israel's Official Website

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