Outgoing Rep. Eliot Engel, a New York Democrat, says he wants to explore several avenues on the horizon for his post-Congress life including a potential ambassadorship in the Biden administration.
“There’s lots of different things I could do. I’m thinking about it. I’m not going to make any decisions right now, but, you know, I’m thinking about it,” he told the Washington Examiner. “Maybe do something with the administration or something like that. Some people have suggested perhaps I could be an ambassador.”
The New York Democrat would not give specifics about conversations he’s having related to such a post. However, it appears Engel has been saying such a position was suggested to him for at least a month, as he previously mentioned it during an interview in November.
“I do know one thing. I’m not retiring,” he added.
Engel, 73, is a 32-year incumbent who served as the House Foreign Affairs chairman this Congress. He lost New York’s 16th Congressional District in the Democratic primary this cycle to political newcomer Jamaal Bowman. Bowman was among several Democratic primary candidates that New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her supporters rallied behind.
“Nobody likes to lose, but if you believe in democracy, you got to go with democracy. Sometimes, it doesn’t go your way, but I’m good. It’ll give me an opportunity to do something else,” Engel said, adding that “even working in private industry is a possibility.”
The New York Democrat said it is an honor to serve in Congress but lamented that Republicans and Democrats fail to get to know one another on a personal level these days.
“One thing that I wish is that the members would get together — members of different parties would get together. I make it a point. I have a lot of people, colleagues stopping me, wishing me good luck and saying nice things, half of them are Republicans, because I’ve always treated everybody with respect and dignity,” he explained, noting that Texas Republican Rep. Mike McCaul, the ranking member on his committee, is a close friend.
“I had dinner in his house the other night. That’s what we should have. We should get to know each other, and, unfortunately, the schedule is so difficult that people that come to Washington, they run out, you don’t get to know many of them,” he said. “When I first came here, some people brought their families here.”
He added, “We’ve got to get beyond the politics and get to know each other as people, as friends. You don’t do that. There’s very little opportunity to do that. And that’s what should be changed.”
