The actions of the attorney general and the Department of Justice have been criticized for infringing on our fundamental freedoms as Americans. It seems that the security of our freedoms has been questioned several times in the last few months, and "scandal" seems to be the Republican theme of the...

Memorial Day is a unique and special holiday for many reasons. However, unlike others, the American flag is lowered to half-staff until noon, when it is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day.

Tradition holds that the half-staff flag honors our fallen, while the full-staff flag shows...

I am pleased that the president's FY14 budget addresses the student loan crisis in our country. From leading the world into the age of democracy to spearheading the technological revolution, America has always been at the forefront of greatness. This has not been the result of luck or destiny, but...

On April 4, we remember the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose leadership and valor during the Civil Rights Movement continue to inspire many Americans to fight for justice and equality. Today we owe it to Dr. King and future generations to keep moving forward and demanding...

Ten years ago on February 15, 2003, an estimated 15 million people across 800 cities protested the invasion of Iraq, making it the largest antiwar rally in history. There is no condition or situation where violence is justified as anything but a last resort. Both on the streets and in...

Lately in American politics there has been a lot of talk about taxes. This conversation has been mostly about who should pay more (or less) and there has been some heated discussion, to say the least, on all sides. One thing I think we can all agree on, however, is...

Today, many scientific advances have been made in the medical treatments for HIV/AIDS. There are also widespread efforts to understand the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Despite this, stigma and discrimination remain a reality for people living with HIV/AIDS. Many are still unaware about how to prevent infection. World AIDS Day (December 1)...

Last Sunday, as NATO members met to discuss their upcoming plans for the war in Afghanistan, some members of the Iraq and Afghanistan Vets Against the War (IAVW) publicly returned their medals in protest of the repeated decision to continue putting Americans in harm's way. Their message highlights the sharp...

In the April 20 Wall Street Journal article, "Obama's Misplaced Sympathies," Jason Riley comments on my role as chairman of the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control and enactment of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. Yes, the bill did include enhanced criminal penalties for crack...

When I was growing up in Harlem, college was a remote possibility even for the most fortunate black and Hispanic students. But times have changed for the better, and today's young minority men and women should expect nothing less from themselves than a college degree. Moreover, they should demand nothing...

After Republicans in the House of Representatives voted to pass the so-called "Ryan Budget," Committee Chairman Paul Ryan proclaimed that he was "happy to say we have taken another step on the path to prosperity." But given that this budget makes across-the-board slashes to social safety net programs...

It has been widely reported that the presumptive Republican candidate for President, Gov. Mitt Romney, recently suggested that in order to pay for his proposed income tax cuts, he would tinker with federal tax deductions. While there has been a lot of coverage of his proposal to eliminate...

Republicans call it "Obamacare," and Democrats call it the Affordable Care Act. Whatever you call it, healthcare works. Rather than trying to repeal the healthcare law that that has bettered the lives of Americans young and old, Republicans should join Democrats in finding ways to expand it so that no...

The collapse of the American housing market that began in late 2006 has brought our economy to its knees and left Americans from all walks of life without a home or struggling to keep a roof over their head.

A culture of deregulation and irresponsible consumer lending that was widespread...

The recent payroll tax deal struck by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama will keep an average of $1,000 in the pockets of 160 million American families through 2012 in addition to enabling tens of millions of seniors to continue seeing the doctor of their choice under...

In August of 1963, the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a heartwarming speech that called for racial equality and social justice for all Americans, a speech that envisioned a greater America and a more unified people. Dr. King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and preached...

In the midst of the holidays and the season of giving, Congress remains unable to give the American people what they're calling for. I am deeply troubled by our government's inability to extend the payroll tax cut for 160 million working Americans and extend unemployment benefits for 2.1 million who...

Home ownership has been one of the greatest pillars of the American Dream. Every day, people all over America take comfort in knowing that they have a place to call home. For many others however, that piece of security is out of reach. Now, as thousands of Americans take to...

As we gathered around the table with our loved ones for Thanksgiving, we counted our blessings despite the many challenges we are facing as a nation. We have experienced many economic and social plights in our history but have always prevailed. This indomitable spirit can be traced back to the...

Hundreds of people braved the November morning chill to wait in line as early as 6 a.m. before the doors for the Rangel Career Fair at the City College of New York on November 14, 2011, where I invited nearly 90 companies and organizations who had jobs available for my...