Former US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Engel Dies; Visited Taiwan Multiple Times, Long Advocated Pro-Taiwan Legislation
Eliot Engel, former US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, has passed away due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. He had a distinguished career of over 44 years in public service, playing significant roles in Balkan affairs and the impeachment of President Trump. Engel was a strong supporter of Kosovo and Albanian communities, contributed to an international protocol against child labor, and was known for his multiple visits to Taiwan and long-standing advocacy for pro-Taiwan legislation.
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- 📰 Published: April 11, 2026 at 10:29
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Associated Press reported that the New York Democrat had a significant influence on various issues, including Balkan affairs and Washington politics, as well as the first impeachment of President Trump during his initial term.
According to his family, Engel passed away today in a Bronx hospital in New York City due to complications from Parkinson's Disease.
His family stated: "Engel tirelessly fought for his constituents at home and dedicated himself to promoting global peace and security throughout his more than 44 years of public service."
Engel was first elected to Congress in 1988, defeating a 10-term incumbent as a reformer. More than 30 years later, he lost to a political newcomer in the 2020 party primary, an election seen as a progressive upset against party pragmatists.
Engel, a former teacher and New York State Assembly member, rose through the ranks of the House Foreign Affairs Committee after entering Congress, becoming chairman in 2019. He was a staunch supporter of Israel and one of the first lawmakers to call for military intervention in Kosovo.
Bronx Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres said in a statement today that Engel "steadfastly advocated for Kosovo and the Albanian community during a period when they received little attention from the outside world."
Additionally, Engel helped negotiate the Harkin–Engel Protocol, an international agreement aimed at eliminating the "worst forms of child labor" in West African cocoa plantations.
Engel's tenure as Foreign Affairs Committee chairman coincided with the 2019-2020 impeachment inquiry into Trump, who was accused of attempting to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate Democratic political rival Joe Biden.
While the House impeached Trump at the end of 2019, the Senate acquitted him in February 2020. Engel then vowed to continue the investigation, emphasizing that "there are many unanswered questions, and the American people have a right to know the answers."
Engel left Congress after his term ended in 2021. The current Democratic Congressman for his district, George Latimer, said: "His legacy includes diligent involvement in various issues and kindness to others."
Engel was a member of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, repeatedly proposed and co-sponsored pro-Taiwan legislation, and visited Taiwan multiple times. (Compiled by Lu Ying-Tzu) 1150411
According to his family, Engel passed away today in a Bronx hospital in New York City due to complications from Parkinson's Disease.
His family stated: "Engel tirelessly fought for his constituents at home and dedicated himself to promoting global peace and security throughout his more than 44 years of public service."
Engel was first elected to Congress in 1988, defeating a 10-term incumbent as a reformer. More than 30 years later, he lost to a political newcomer in the 2020 party primary, an election seen as a progressive upset against party pragmatists.
Engel, a former teacher and New York State Assembly member, rose through the ranks of the House Foreign Affairs Committee after entering Congress, becoming chairman in 2019. He was a staunch supporter of Israel and one of the first lawmakers to call for military intervention in Kosovo.
Bronx Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres said in a statement today that Engel "steadfastly advocated for Kosovo and the Albanian community during a period when they received little attention from the outside world."
Additionally, Engel helped negotiate the Harkin–Engel Protocol, an international agreement aimed at eliminating the "worst forms of child labor" in West African cocoa plantations.
Engel's tenure as Foreign Affairs Committee chairman coincided with the 2019-2020 impeachment inquiry into Trump, who was accused of attempting to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate Democratic political rival Joe Biden.
While the House impeached Trump at the end of 2019, the Senate acquitted him in February 2020. Engel then vowed to continue the investigation, emphasizing that "there are many unanswered questions, and the American people have a right to know the answers."
Engel left Congress after his term ended in 2021. The current Democratic Congressman for his district, George Latimer, said: "His legacy includes diligent involvement in various issues and kindness to others."
Engel was a member of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, repeatedly proposed and co-sponsored pro-Taiwan legislation, and visited Taiwan multiple times. (Compiled by Lu Ying-Tzu) 1150411