Feb. 19, 2019 By Nathaly Pesantez
Former Congressman Joe Crowley, who represented Queens and the Bronx for 10-terms until he was unseated last year by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has moved on to a new position at a Washington, D.C.-based law and lobbying firm.
Squire Patton Boggs, the international firm and one of the largest in the D.C. area, announced on Tuesday that Crowley would join the global public policy practice effective immediately. Former Rep. Bull Shuster (R-PA), who decided not to seek re-election for the post, was also hired by the firm.
Squire Patton Boggs described the former politicians as “two of the most sought after former members of the U.S. House of Representatives.”
“Joe Crowley and Bill Shuster have been leaders in their respective parties and are two of the most effective legislators of their generation,” said Senators Breaux and Lott, who co-chair Squire Patton Boggs’ public policy practice, in a statement. “The skills and experience Bill and Joe bring will be an asset for clients all over the world who are seeking to navigate the challenges of modern-day Washington. They are a blockbuster addition to our global, bipartisan public policy practice.”
“Policy is a fundamental part of our global practice and differentiates how we are able to solve complex problems for clients. These additions continue our tradition as a ‘first and one stop’ for senior executives seeking both a legal and legislative solution,” said Ed Newberry, global managing partner for the firm’s public policy branch.
The former NY-14 congressman was also a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
“Serving in Congress was an honor of a lifetime and I look forward to working on many of the same issues in this new role,” Crowley said. “It’s exciting to be joining a firm with such a storied history, great people and to be doing so with a dear friend.”
The former congressman was among the most powerful Democrats in Congress, and was thought to be in line for House speaker before his stunning defeat to Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive newcomer, in a June primary.
Crowley, according to reports, has also stepped down from his position as chair of the Queens County Democratic Party, a role he held since 2006. He handed in his resignation letter on Tuesday, the same day he began working for the firm.
“It’s time to move on,” he told the Daily News. “It’s the right choice for my life.”
Crowley told the Wall Street Journal that he wanted to fully focus on his new role as a lobbyist. “It was time,” he said. “These jobs don’t go on forever, and I don’t think they should.
26 Comments
A Greedy Man who has found his true calling.
Why did he let the party vote him in as chair then? Damn. Feeling abandoned.
Crowley forced local Queens pols to vote him in again as Boss of Queens Dems because he actually thought he was popular and would beat AOC on the Workers Party Line – he only got 2 percent !! Go back to Virginia Joe – you pretending to wish AOC “your very best “ but no one believes you – everyone knows you and your minions undermining her behind the scenes . Stop pretending to be a “class act” . Lobbyists are not class acts !
Lobbying is a disgusting profession . Crowley basically being paid for access to the powerful “connections” he made while he was ripping off his constituents. Crowley neglected district , that’s why AOC won- not her fault he is corrupt and greedy .
But she was right – Crowley worked for special interests , not his constituents – lobby firm knows that – otherwise they would not have hired him.
What a sleazy move by Crowley. He spent 20 years working in his own career – corruption , living in Virginia – his queens Machine appointed him to seat in Congress and , they intimidated away all viable opposition to run against him- he was illegitimate in office the entire time -and now he is using those connections he made , on our dime – to work as a sleazy lobbyist ??
He lied and said he lived in Woodsiee – so convenient he can now take a full time job in DC?
Sleaze til the end .
Now we got a nut to represent us.
At least AOC was democratically elected . Crowley’s Queens Machine appointed him 20 years ago to his seat in Congress and his Queens Machine kept all potential opponents off ballot by intimidation. He was never legitimate. Corrupt Crowley spent 20 years , in Virginia , using his office office to get gaming rich , and now he wants a piece of the pie. Lobbyist is all he is capable of . He was never talented or passionate about helping people – he is doing only things he knows how to be- greedy, lackey of wealthy corporations, at our expense.
So little do you know, John
the woman who took your place sounds like an idiot every time she opens her mouth and in less than two months on the job she cost this area 25,000 – 40,000 jobs.
queens is doomed with her, we made a big mistake
Why would anyone want that greedy Virginia man back ? He lied about living in Queens for decades ? All his “donors” were corporations , not people – he served them, not us. That is why a lobbying firm hired him. He is a sell out – always was.
Speak for yourself!!!
I feel sorry for sorry for anyone who pays for that losers advice. I’d rather have AOC’s advice.
To use his connections and push through another contender to oppose AOC in two years, already in the works. What an embarrassment to our community having AOC represent us in Congress and I voted for her. After the Amazon debacle we need to clean house in the local democratic party
I’m embarrassed about her representing the area. Hilary hates her as does Cuomo and Deblasio is not happy either.
Easy Alice, those are he good points. Her only good points.
Good for Mr. Crowley, now he work closer to where he actually lives. Question: does Mr. Crowley remain as the head of the Queens Democrat Party?
Straight from the House to the lobbyists. Why we as citizens tolerate it anyone’s guess. Good riddance.
Well, at least he doesn’t have to pretend to live in Woodside anymore.
I wish him the very best, but then he should resign as the Chair of the Queens Democratic Party. In fact the Queens County (most diverse county in perhaps the whole world) party’s top 4 leadership positions are all white men who live outside the County. That just isn’t right. Queens Democrats need to take back their party, and make it transparent and accountable.
Of course he would seek a lobbying position!
“Skills and experience” are marketable. Good move for him.
All the best Joe. Thanks for your service in the Woodside community.
Wish you were still here Joe ,
We would have 50.000 jobs in LIC for our Constuction Workers and young Entrepreneurs and Students. The lunitics did not take long to attack the Neighborhoods Residents and Future.
Most of the jobs would have been filled by imports not locals.
Nice try Mr. LandLord
Grumpy is Grumpy.
Crowley has always worked for the special interest machine and is now just making it official.