Charles B. Rangel Quotes

United States, Politician
June 11, 1930

Charles Bernard Rangel is an American politician who was a U.S. Representative for districts in New York from 1971 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the second-longest serving incumbent member of the House of Representatives at the time of his retirement, serving continuously since 1971. As its most senior member, he was also the Dean of New York's congressional delegation. Rangel was the first African-American Chair of the influential House Ways and Means Committee. He is also a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

I'm just glad that my community has faith and confidence in me.
Charles B. Rangel
I feel terrific.
Charles B. Rangel

Living in America means enjoying freedoms that people in many other countries cannot.
Charles B. Rangel
- People
- America
Since the enactment of the War Powers Act in 1973, which I supported then and support now, Congress has been reluctant to assert its authority when presidents decide to send American soldiers into harm's way.
Charles B. Rangel
- American
- War
- Support
The challenges African-Americans are facing today are rooted in the system of slavery.
Charles B. Rangel
- Today
- Slavery
As a veteran, I know firsthand the satisfaction there is in defending the democracy you so strongly believe in, but I can also attest to the trauma encountered from combat on the battlefield.
Charles B. Rangel
Since we replaced the compulsory military draft with an all-volunteer force in 1973, our nation has been making decisions about wars without worry over who fights them. I sincerely believe that reinstating the draft would compel the American public to have a stake in the wars we fight as a nation.
Charles B. Rangel
- Believe
- American
- Worry
The victor will be the one who gets the most voters out.
Charles B. Rangel

If you are spending too much, you cut back on spending and you raise your revenues. And that's it.
Charles B. Rangel
I'm in the kitchen and I'm not walking out.
Charles B. Rangel
- Walking
- Kitchen
No one should go into debt if a family member gets sick or injured.
Charles B. Rangel
- Family
- Sick
The United States is historically a nation of immigrants.
Charles B. Rangel
We owe it to the flood victims of New Orleans to give them truthful answers as to why this event took place and to assure our citizens that tragedies like this will never happen again.
Charles B. Rangel
- Why
In the battle of Kunu-ri, more than 5,000 American soldiers were killed, wounded or taken as prisoners of war. Ninety percent of my unit was killed.
Charles B. Rangel
- American
- War
- Taken

The people who couldn't get out of New Orleans to escape the storm were predominantly Black.
Charles B. Rangel
- People
- Black
- Storm