Overview

U.S. Representative Ed Towns

Edolphus “Ed” Towns, a social worker and long-time community activist in Brooklyn, New York, is a 15-term veteran in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the 112th Congress, he serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Government Organization, Efficiency and Financial Management. He also serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he has seats on the Subcommittee on Health; the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet; and the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade.

Rep. Towns represents the 10th Congressional District of New York, which includes the neighborhoods of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Boreum Hill, Brownsville, Canarsie, Clinton Hill, Cypress Hills, downtown Brooklyn, East New York, Midwood, Mill Basin, as well as parts of Fort Greene and Williamsburg. This area is among one of the most racially, economically and religiously diverse congressional districts in the country, bringing together Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Caribbean, Native American, and Jewish residents.

Leadership Positions

Since being elected to the House of Representatives in 1983, Rep. Towns has served in numerous leadership positions including: 

• Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Government Organization, Efficiency and Financial Management, present
• Chairman, Oversight and Government Reform Committee, 2009 to 2010
• Chairman, Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, 2008
• Chairman, Government Operations Subcommittee on Human Resources and Intergovernmental Relations, 1994-1995
• Chairman, Congressional Black Caucus, 1991

Notable Legislative Accomplishments – Oversight Committee Priorities

In his role as Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the 111th Congress, Rep. Towns implemented a rigorous oversight agenda. He worked with the Obama Administration to improve Recovery.gov and held a field hearing in Brooklyn, New York to assess the Recovery Act’s impact in New York City. Under Rep. Towns’ leadership, the Oversight Committee examined unemployment rates among minorities during the economic downturn and worked with the Transportation Department to ensure that stimulus funds were directed to economically distressed areas.  Rep. Towns also launched an investigation into Recovery Act contracts to ensure adequate representation of small, disadvantaged businesses as well as minority and women-owned businesses.

As Chairman, Rep. Towns led the committee through a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the financial crisis and its impact on the economy.  Rep. Towns’ robust financial oversight agenda included several congressional hearings to examine the federal government’s enforcement of the $700 Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), the Bank of America-Merrill Lynch merger and the federal bailout of AIG.  After intense pressure from Rep. Towns, Bank of America repaid the federal government $425 million for insurance that was provided during the financial crisis.

Rep. Towns is committed to helping Brooklynites stay in their homes.  Concerned by reports that the Treasury Department’s Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) was not meeting its intended goals, Rep. Towns opened an investigation into the HAMP program and held a hearing , where he made recommendations – some of which were later adopted by the Treasury Department– on how best to improve the program.

Notable Legislative Accomplishments – General Priorities

Rep. Towns has introduced important legislation and championed for aggressive federal measures to stimulate economic development in Brooklyn; improve the nation’s healthcare system; maintain affordable housing options; enhance consumer protections; strengthen public education; increase opportunities for minority business development; and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in government.  In recent years, Rep. Towns has been recognized for introducing common sense legislation that has enabled state and local governments to access critical homeland security equipment at a reduced rate, a measure that is helpful during this time when many governments are faced with budget shortfalls and the cost of protecting their citizens; maintained affordability for Starrett City, the largest public housing development in the nation; and increased grant funding for minority serving institutions’ technology infrastructure.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Rep. Towns has secured over a billion dollars in federal funding for the 10th Congressional district to support educational and after school programs; create a state of the art research and education institute; and establish the Telecommunications Development Fund to provide capital for small start up telecommunications businesses. Committed to the revitalization of Brooklyn, Rep. Towns also delivered $153 million for a federal courthouse and a $150 million reconstruction bond for Brooklyn’s Interfaith Hospital.

Education, Previous Career and Family

Rep. Towns earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina.  He later received a Masters degree in Social Work from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. He has also been awarded seven honorary doctorate degrees. In addition to his educational accomplishments, Rep. Towns is a U.S. Army veteran, an ordained Baptist minister and a frequent guest preacher in Brooklyn congregations and churches around the country.

Rep. Towns entered politics through his dedicated work in various civic associations. He has the distinction of being the first African American to serve as Deputy Brooklyn Borough President. He and his son, Darryl, a former New York State Assemblyman, were the first African-American father and son to serve simultaneously in New York public office. Rep. Towns is married to Gwendolyn (Forbes) Towns; the couple has two children, Darryl and Deidra, and five grandchildren.