Former U.S. Congressman Eliot Engel, a Democrat who represented Westchester and the Bronx in New York’s 16th congressional district, has died. He was 79.
The circumstances surrounding the former congressman’s death were not yet known at the time of this story. Engel is survived by his wife, Patricia, children and numerous family and friends.
“It is with great grief and sadness that our family announces the death of the Honorable Eliot Lance Engel, former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman for New York’s 16th, 17th, and 19th districts, and Assemblyman for New York’s 81st district,” the Engel family said in a statement. “Eliot passed on April 10th, 2026 at the age of 79, surrounded by family and loved ones in the borough that raised him: The Bronx.
“During his over 44 years in public service, Eliot Engel fought tirelessly for his constituents at home and for peace and security around the world,” the statement continues. “We love and miss him dearly.”
Decades in politics
Born Feb. 18, 1947 in the Bronx, Engel attended Bronx public schools, going on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Hunter-Lehman College before graduating with a juris doctorate from New York Law School in 1987.
He began his career in politics as a member of the state assembly, serving from 1977 to 1988. He was first elected to Congress in 1989, and served until 2021, when he conceded the 2020 election to Jamal Bowman.
Engel’s district had at one point included Rockland County as New York’s 17th district, until a redistricting in 2012 reshaped the area, putting him in the present-day 16th district. Since the redistricting, the 17th is now made up of Rockland and Putnam counties, as well as northern Westchester and southern Dutchess counties.
Engel’s work on Foreign Affairs Committee put him at odds with Trump
Near the end of his congressional career, Engel served on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
As chairman of the committee, Engel helped spearhead efforts on a 2019 investigation into Department of State spending at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago private club and Turnberry golf resort in Scotland.
Earlier that year, Engel joined other high-ranking Democrats calling for a formal Trump impeachment inquiry.
Engel believed that Trump had committed obstruction of justice as the late Robert Mueller conducted an investigation into alleged foreign tampering with American elections.
“The American people want, and deserve, the truth,” he said in a statement.
There were multiple instances that put Engel at odds with Trump during Trump’s first term, including denouncing the administration’s exit from the Open Skies Treaty in 2020, proposed cuts to the 2021 International Affairs budget and more.
The Congressman was known to show up for the State of the Union early on the morning of the speech to snag an aisle seat so he could greet the president on the house floor regardless whether the president was a Democrat or Republican. But that changed when Trump entered office in 2017.
On the eve of Trump’s first address to Congress in 2017, Engel told ABC News he would not be shaking the first-term president’s hand that night.
“I have deep respect for the presidency, and I will attend the joint session. But that respect between branches must be mutual,” Engel said.
“This goes beyond ideological and political differences,” he continued. “The president needs to work with all people. And therefore, I will listen to what he has to say today, but I will not greet him and shake his hand.”
Engel remembered as ‘fierce advocate’, ‘true public servant’
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins issued a statement Friday afternoon via the county’s website.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Congressman Eliot Engel, a tireless public servant who devoted more than three decades to representing the people of New York,” Jenkins said. “Throughout his career, Congressman Engel was a fierce advocate for his constituents in Westchester and the Bronx. He was a champion of human rights and as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he helped shape U.S. policy on the global stage while never losing sight of the needs of the communities he represented at home.
“His legacy is one of commitment, conviction and service. He understood that public office is a responsibility to speak up, to stand firm and to deliver for the people who entrusted him with their voice.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Engel was a “true public servant” who worked for the people of the Bronx and Westchester County for 30 years, calling him a “dear friend going back to when I first met him as a district leader in the Bronx.”
“Eliot was rarely the loudest in the room, but he knew how to do the hard work of legislating. He led the Foreign Affairs Committee with a rare blend of conviction, effectiveness, and kindness that has cemented him as one of the great diplomatic leaders of the 21st century,” Schumer said in his statement. “His work to safeguard democracies and protect human rights for millions across the globe will leave a lasting mark on the world.
“Even as he took on the weight of global challenges, he carried the Bronx and Westchester with him. From building Mitchell-Lama affordable housing, to expanding health care coverage, to improving maternity care, to fighting for sensible gun control laws, he leaves behind a rich legacy of advocacy and impact,” Schumer continued, noting that Engel’s impact will be felt for generations to come.
“He was my friend and partner in public service, and I am mourning alongside his family and amazing wife Pat, who was always his fiercest champion. I will miss him very much.”
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said in a Facebook post Friday he was “deeply saddened” to hear of Engel’s death, noting that he had worked closely with the congressman on issues close to home,
“From protecting the Hudson River to addressing local concerns, I was proud to stand with him in his continued service. My thoughts are with his family and all that knew and admired him.
“His legacy of commitment and leadership will not be forgotten.”
Congressman George Latimer, who now represents Engel’s former 16th district of New York, issued a statement Friday afternoon on Engel’s “lifetime” devotion to public service, as both a teacher and an elected official in Albany and Washington.
“His legacy consists of hard work on issues and kindness to all. His work in helping bring peace to the Balkans in the 1990s was a major accomplishment, among many others,” Latimer said. “We mourn with his family, and extend to them our deepest condolences. We intend to honor Eliot on the floor of the House. May he rest in peace.”
American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch, who served with Engel in the House for more than a decade, also issued a statement on the former congressman’s passing.
“Serving alongside Eliot Engel was one of the great privileges of my time in Congress. Eliot combined deep moral clarity with an unwavering commitment to America’s alliances, especially the U.S.–Israel relationship,” Deutch said. “He led the Foreign Affairs Committee with principle, steadiness, and a genuine respect for colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I was proud to call him not only a colleague, but a friend.”
New York State Senator Shelley Mayer also spoke out about Engel’s legacy Friday, offering heartfelt condolences to his wife, family and friends.
“It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Congressman Eliot Engel. Congressman Engel was a personal friend and mentor, a lifelong, dedicated public servant who led with an unwavering commitment to his constituents and community,” Mayer’s statement reads. “For many years, Congressman Engel represented Westchester, Rockland and the Bronx with courage, leadership and compassion. We are particularly indebted to him for his leadership as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
“Our community is stronger because of his leadership, and we will continue to honor the lasting impact of his work. May his memory be a blessing.”
Rockland County Legislators Paul Cleary, Beth Davidson, Thomas F. Diviny, Toney L. Earl, Joel Friedman, Lon M. Hofstein, Moshe Hopstein, Jay Hood Jr., Douglas J. Jobson, Will J. Kennelly, Jesse M. Malowitz, Aney Paul, Raymond W. Sheridan, Philip Soskin, Dana G. Stilley, Alden H. Wolfe and Itamar Yeger issued the following statement following Engel’s death:
“Rep. Engel earned a reputation as a strong advocate for his constituents, working to strengthen communities through his support of healthcare reform, consumer protections, and many other issues,” the group wrote in their statement. “He was a staunch supporter of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and authored legislation prohibiting employers in Northern Ireland and Ireland from receiving U.S. funds unless they complied with fair employment and non-discrimination principles.
“Congressman Engel was a familiar presence to the people of Rockland County, which he represented from 1993 to 2013. He made frequent visits to listen to the concerns of residents, and follow-up results became a trademark of his many years of public service.”
The legislators extended condolences to the family and friends of Engel, adding: “May his memory always be a blessing.”
Contributing: lohud’s Chris McKenna, Matt Richter and Nancy Cutler
(This story was updated with new quotes.)
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: ‘Fierce advocate’, Trump opponent Eliot Engel dies at 79
Reporting by Ashley Catherine Fontones, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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