Representative Daniel David Rostenkowski - Contact Information

Daniel David Rostenkowski served as a Representative from Illinois in the United States Congress from 1959 to 1995. A member of the Democratic Party, Daniel David Rostenkowski contributed to the legislative process during 18 terms in office.

Daniel David Rostenkowski’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Daniel David Rostenkowski participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Daniel David Rostenkowski (January 2, 1928 – August 11, 2010) was an American politician and convicted felon, most known for his 36 year tenure as a U.S. Representative, from 1959 to 1995. He became one of the most powerful legislators in Congress, especially in matters of taxation. He was imprisoned in 1996. A Democrat and son of a Chicago alderman, Rostenkowski was for many years Democratic Committeeman of Chicago’s 32nd Ward, retaining this position while also serving in Congress. In national politics, he rose by virtue of seniority to the rank of Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee in 1981. As Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, he played a critical role in formulating tax policy during the Republican administration of Ronald Reagan, including the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, which cut the top federal bracket to 50%, and the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which further lowered it to 28% and reduced the number of brackets to only two. He was also involved in trade policy, as well as reforms of the welfare system, health care, and Social Security programs. Rostenkowski closed legislative deals between the toughest power brokers in the U.S., from union chiefs to corporate titans to president Reagan and to everyone in between. The book Chicago and the American Century credits Rostenkowski with securing billions of dollars in federal money for projects in Chicago and Illinois. The book named him the sixth most significant politician to come from Chicago in the entire twentieth century. Rostenkowski’s political career, however, ended abruptly in 1994 when he was indicted on corruption charges relating to his role in the Congressional Post Office Scandal, and then narrowly defeated for reelection by Republican Michael Patrick Flanagan. He subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of mail fraud in 1996 and was fined and sentenced to 17 months in prison. In December 2000, President Bill Clinton pardoned Rostenkowski, who had already served-out his sentence.