Donald M. Payne (D-N.J.)

U.S. Representative (1988-2012)

(Payne House site)

Why He Matters

Rep. Donald M. Payne died on March 6, 2012 from complications of colon cancer. He was 77.

A former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Payne had represented New Jersey's 10th Congressional District, which includes Newark, since 1989. The first black congressman from the state, Payne was socially and fiscally liberal. He supported abortion rights, President Obama's health-care reform and tax policies that favor the middle-class.

The low-key lawmaker emerged in the House as a leading voice on African issues. Payne chaired the Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights, and he co-founded the Malaria Caucus. Payne urged U.S. intervention in the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, and pushed for expanded funding to fight malaria and AIDS in African countries.

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: Newark City Council (1982-1988); Essex County Freeholder (1972-1978); Vice President, Urban Data Systems, Inc. (1974-1988); Prudential Insurance Co. (1964-1973); Teacher, N.J. Public Schools (1957-1964)
Birthday: July 16, 1934
Hometown: Newark, N.J.
Alma Mater: Seton Hall University, B.A. 1957
Spouse: Widowed
Religion: Baptist
Committees: Education and Labor , Foreign Affairs

DC Office: 2310 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, District of Columbia 20515, Phone: 202-225-3436
State/District Office: 50 Walnut Street, Suite 1016, Newark, New Jersey 07102, Phone: 973-645-3213
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Path To Power

Donald M. Payne was born in Newark, N.J., on July 16, 1934. He attended Baringer High School in Newark and graduated from Seton Hall University in 1957 with a bachelor's degree in social studies.

Payne went on to teach in New Jersey public schools. He worked at Southside High School, Robert Treat Junior High School and Pulaski elementary before joining Prudential Insurance Co. as a training specialist in 1964. Payne eventually became an executive at the company, and he remained there until 1973.

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From 1974 to 1988, Payne worked as vice president of Urban Data Systems, Inc. He stayed with the company until he was elected to Congress in 1988. During this time, Payne held several local political positions. He was an Essex County freeholder from 1972 to 1978 and a member of the Newark City Council from 1982 to 1988.

Payne is widowed. He lives in Newark, N.J., and has three children.

U.S. House

Payne first ran for Congress in 1980 against incumbent Rep. Peter Rodino (D), who was chair of the House Judiciary Committee when it voted to impeach President Nixon. Even as an African-American in a predominately black district, Payne was unable to win the primary. He tried again in 1986 with no success.

When Rodino retired just two years later, Payne ran for a third time and easily won the Democratic primary with 73 percent of the vote. He went on to win the 1988 general election and became the first black representative from New Jersey.

Payne has represented New Jersey's 10th district since January 1989. He has faced no serious opposition in the strongly Democratic district, and has consistently been reelected by wide margins. From 2004 to 2008, no Republicans challenged him.

A member of the Democratic whip organization, Payne has assumed several leadership roles in the House. In 2002, he was chosen by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to serve on the powerful Democratic Steering Committee, which determines committee assignments.

Ethics Charges

Payne is a member and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. In 2010, he and several members of the caucus were investigated for ethics violations. At issue was whether the Democratic lawmakers had improperly accepted trips to the Caribbean from corporate sponsors in 2007 and 2008.

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), then a 40-year veteran of Congress, was admonished and lost his chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee over that and other charges. But Payne and four other congressmen - Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-Mich.) and Donna Christensen (D-V.I.) - were exonerated. The House ethics committee argued the lawmakers received false information about the sponsorship and ordered the congressmen to repay all costs.

The Issues

Payne is a liberal Democrat who favors abortion rights, opposes the death penalty and is against permanent normalized trade relations with China. He's focused much of his attention in Congress on education and human rights.

A member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Payne is a former chair of the subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights. He has spent considerable time crafting legislation that aids Africa. In 2004, the House passed a resolution he drafted condemning the war in Sudan and labeling it genocide. And in 2006, Payne traveled to Darfur with a delegation led by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and promoted peace and accountability.

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Payne co-founded the House Malaria Caucus. In 2008, he co-sponsored legislation to provide $48 billion in additional funding to the Global Fund to combat AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in developing countries.

In 2003, President George W. Bush named Payne one of two congressmen to serve as a delegate to the United Nations. Payne frequently criticized foreign aid as insufficient to meet the needs of the U.N. peacekeeping operations.

Education

A former public school teacher, Payne has supported No Child Left Behind and Head Start. He's voted for increased education funding and expansion of the G.I. Bill. In 2008 and 2009, he co-sponsored legislation to make higher education more affordable and loans more manageable.

In 2008, Payne joined former Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) to push for federal and grant funding for longer school days. In Massachusetts, students who had longer school days boasted higher reading and math test scores than their peers.

Energy and the Environment

A proponent of energy independence, Payne has voted to limit carbon emissions, increase funding for alternative-fuel development and create tax incentives for alternative energy. He voted against expanding offshore oil drilling and oil exploration in Alaska.

Payne co-sponsored the Energy Act of 2007, which increases motor vehicles' fuel economy and the production of renewable fuels.

Iraq and Afghanistan

Payne has ardently opposed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, he called the Iraq war "ill-conceived" and said it "could have been avoided through diplomacy." Payne has consistently voted against funding for each conflict.

He supports troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and publicly criticized President Bush for starting each conflict. "I have never seen such a misuse of our power," Payne said.

Social Issues

Payne supports abortion rights and is opposed to the Hyde Amendment, which limited federal funding for abortion. He favors embryonic stem-cell research, and in 2005, co-sponsored legislation to expand research and provide additional funding.

Former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Payne has worked toward equal rights for minorities during his time in the House. He has voted for and co-sponsored anti-discrimination employment legislation, an equal-pay bill and legislation to enforce stricter hate-crime sanctions.

Payne voted for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and has consistently voted for same-sex marriage rights.

Taxes and the Economy

Payne supports a graduated income tax and middle-class tax breaks. Backed by the Congressional Black Caucus, Payne voted against President Obama's 2010 compromise tax plan. "We are simply here to say that we want a fair deal," Payne said. "You know, there was the New Deal under Roosevelt, and then there was a Fair Deal under Truman. Every new deal is not necessarily fair, and we see this new deal as not necessarily fair."

Payne voted to extend unemployment benefits in 2010. He voted against TARP legislation, but for the 2009 economic stimulus plan.

Health Care

A proponent of expanded and affordable health care, Payne voted for President Obama's 2010 health-care overhaul legislation. He also co-sponsored the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, supported expansions of children's insurance and voted to give mental health parity with physical health under insurance plans.

Immigration

Payne voted for the 2010 DREAM Act, which would create paths to citizenship for young illegal immigrants who are students or in the military. He has consistently opposed creating a border fence and increasing border security.

The Network

Payne is a member and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, which is headed by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.) in the 112th Congress. Additionally, Payne is the current chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., which conducts research and provides scholarships.

A member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Payne is a former chair of the subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights. He co-founded along with former Rep. John Boozman (R-Ark.) the Congressional Malaria Caucus. In the 112th Congress, Payne co-chairs the caucus with Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.).

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Additional Resources