Charles Rangel, a towering figure in American politics and one of Harlem’s most influential voices, passed away Monday at the age of 94. His family confirmed the news through a statement provided by City College of New York spokesperson Michelle Stent. He died at a hospital in New York.
A Korean War veteran and lifelong public servant, Rangel began his historic congressional career in 1970 by unseating legendary Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Over the next four decades, he became a central figure in U.S. politics. Rangel co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus, rose to become dean of New York’s congressional delegation, and in 2007, made history as the first African American to chair the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.
Despite his accomplishments, his career was not without controversy. In 2010, the House of Representatives censured him following an ethics investigation that found multiple violations, including failure to pay taxes on a vacation property and improper solicitation of donations. Nonetheless, Rangel remained in office until he chose to retire in 2017.
Rangel was also known as one of the “Gang of Four” — a group of influential Black leaders in New York City politics that included David Dinkins, Percy Sutton, and Basil Paterson. With a gravelly voice and sharp wit, Rangel was a memorable orator who championed liberal causes and was especially vocal in his opposition to the Iraq War. He famously introduced a bill to reinstate the military draft as a critique of the war’s impact on poor and minority communities — a move that sparked debate but ultimately failed in Congress.
His outspokenness often led to heated exchanges, including a public feud with then-Vice President Dick Cheney, whom Rangel suggested might be too ill to carry out his duties. Cheney later responded by questioning Rangel’s mental state.
Despite these confrontations, Rangel remained a dedicated advocate for his community. He supported initiatives like empowerment zones offering tax credits to businesses in struggling neighborhoods and incentives for affordable housing development. “I have always been committed to fighting for the little guy,” he said during his 2012 reelection campaign.
Rangel’s journey was one of resilience. A high school dropout, he earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star in the Korean War, later pursuing higher education with help from the G.I. Bill, earning degrees from New York University and St. John’s University School of Law. He often reflected on the war as a turning point in his life, saying in the title of his autobiography: “And I Haven’t Had a Bad Day Since.”