14. Steve Israel

Now in his seventh term, Israel is a heavyweight in the Democratic Party. His role expanded recently with his appointment as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the official campaign arm of House Democrats, making him a powerhouse in party politics. In March, Israel was also appointed to the U.S. Military Academy board of visitors, which provides advice to the president regarding USMA matters. A staunch advocate for the middle class, Israel played a lead role in the lobbying effort to pass a Hurricane Sandy aid bill to allocate federal funding to Long Island and other areas crushed by the Oct. 29 storm. Israel has also dedicated much of this time to veteran affairs—successfully securing $5 million in overdue benefits for LI’s military vets.