17. Steve Israel

This four-term Democratic representative has several distinctions that make him stand out from the Long Island delegation. He is the Assistant Democratic Whip, serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, chairs the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Defense and Military, and co-chairs both the House Cancer Caucus and the Long Island Sound Task Force. Committee membership aside, he also earned the distinction of passing the most legislation as a first-term congressman after first being elected in 2000. Politically, he’s aligned himself as a Blue Dog Democrat, emphasizing fiscal conservancy and accountability, and is a part of the New Democrat Coalition, whose members consider themselves moderate and pro-business. And he is considered a legislative leader on the issues of energy security, professional military education and global nuclear challenges. He’s no empty suit. In 2005, Israel formed the House Center Aisle Caucus, a group of nearly 50 House Democrats and Republicans working to establish a respectful dialogue—instead of partisan attacks and insults—on contentious issues.