Rep. Maloney started her career as an ESL *English as a Second Language) teacher in East Harlem. When her program was cut, her colleagues elected her as their advocate to restore funding - and she succeeded, setting an example that has extended throughout her career, first working with the NYC Department of Education and then as a legislative staffer in Albany. After gaining that experience, in 1982 she ran a long-shot challenge to an incumbent City Council Member in a district that spanned East Harlem, South Bronx, Manhattan Valley, and Carnegie Hill - and she won an improbably upset.
Throughout her Congressional career, Congresswoman Maloney has been a vocal proponent for a close relationship between the United States and Israel. Israel is a strong American ally and the only real democracy in the Middle East. Congresswoman Maloney has stood with her constituents to support Israel at rallies in her district, as well as on the floor of the House. She is committed to fighting hate in all its forms, including antisemitism, wherever and whenever is appears. Believing that we should take a proactive approach to prevent antisemitism, Congresswoman Maloney introduced the Never Again Education Act, signed into law in 2020, to provide educators with the tools they need to teach about the Holocaust.
Standing with the Jewish Community
Never Again Education Act: The Holocaust was one of the darkest points in world history. Congresswoman Maloney believes it is important that current and future generations have an opportunity to study and better understand the Holocaust so that the country and world truly never forget. She believes that by taking a proactive approach through education, we can stop antisemitism before it starts. Our children are not born with hate in their hearts, and it is up to us to ensure they never learn it. Learn more about the Never Again Education Act here.
Combatting antisemitism: Congresswoman Maloney, a member of the task force against antisemitism, is the author of the Never Again Education Act, legislation to provide educators with the tools they need to teach about the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism and hate. She stands with the Jewish community in NY-12 and all across the country against all acts of antisemitism and continues to seek policy solutions to protect the Jewish community from these acts.
Additional Select Highlights
Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Disclosure Act: Congresswoman Maloney’s Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Disclosure Act was signed into law on March 25, 2005. This law opened sealed government files that had remained closed for more than 50 years after World War II, in an attempt to create more transparency for Holocaust victims or their surviving family members and hold war criminals accountable. These files showed what the United States knew about these criminals and contained details of the United States’ relationships with former war criminals from Nazi Germany and Japan.
SNCF Compensation for U.S. Holocaust Victims: In 2011, Congresswoman Maloney introduced the Holocaust Rail Justice Act. This legislation allowed Holocaust survivors and their families, who suffered death or injury while being transported to concentration camps on the national French-owned Rail line (SNCF) between 1942 and 1944, to seek justice from SNCF in U.S. courts. This important legislation sparked negotiations in 2015 between France and the U.S. State Department, which led to a historic settlement for these Holocaust victims. You can read more here.
Ensuring Nazi war criminals do not receive Social Security benefits: Dozens of known Nazi war criminals have received millions of dollars in Social Security benefits since the Holocaust from the United States. Congresswoman Maloney has championed the effort to ensure the government ends all of these payments and holds these criminals accountable for their horrific human rights violations.
Standing with Israel
Maintaining a strong US-Israel relationship: Congresswoman Maloney has always stood with her constituents in support of Israel. Israel has withstood decades of attacks from its neighbors, and yet has managed to maintain a flourishing, free and open, multi-cultural society that is at the forefront of many technological and medical breakthroughs. It is imperative that the United States maintains a strong relationship with the nation.
Facilitating a two-state solution: Congresswoman Maloney believes that the United States should use its diplomatic and development tools to encourage direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. As part of this approach, she believes that Palestinian leaders must recognize Israel as a Jewish State and end terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians.
Foreign aid: Every year, Congresswoman Maloney votes in support of maintaining $3.1 billion in annual aid to Israel. In the summer of 2014, Congresswoman Maloney also supported increased funding for the Iron Dome.