For ads-free news, click here.
Charles Rangel, a prominent figure in American politics and a longtime representative of Harlem, passed away on May 26 at the age of 94.
His family confirmed that he died in a New York hospital, though the cause of death was not disclosed. Rangel’s nearly five-decade tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives began in 1971 after he unseated Adam Clayton Powell Jr. He served until his retirement in 2017, becoming the longest-serving member of the House Ways and Means Committee and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Born on June 11, 1930, in Harlem, Rangel overcame early life challenges, including poverty and dropping out of high school. He served in the Korean War, where he was wounded and received the Bronze Star with Valor and a Purple Heart for his bravery during the Battle of Kunu-ri. After the war, he completed his education, earning degrees from New York University and St. John’s University School of Law.
Throughout his congressional career, Rangel was known for his liberal views and legislative accomplishments. He played a pivotal role in passing President Barack Obama’s 2010 healthcare overhaul and was instrumental in promoting tax and trade policies. In 1987, he championed the “Rangel Amendment,” which restricted tax benefits for U.S. companies investing in apartheid-era South Africa. Rangel also advocated for normalizing trade relations with China and improving U.S.-Cuba relations.
Despite his achievements, Rangel’s career faced challenges. In 2010, he was censured by the House for ethics violations, including failing to disclose rental income and misuse of office resources. He stepped down from his chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee but continued to serve in Congress until his retirement.
After leaving Congress, Rangel served as a statesman-in-residence at the City College of New York, where the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service was established in his honor.
Charles Bernard Rangel, the former congressman from Harlem, and the last remaining founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, has died at age 94, according to his family. Read more here: https://t.co/9ZvaV0kkjW pic.twitter.com/zH4IlTyvOn
— New York Amsterdam News (@NYAmNews) May 26, 2025
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
