Thomas Downey

Thomas Joseph Downey (born January 28, 1949) is an American attorney, lobbyist and former politician who served as a U.S. Representative for New York's 2nd congressional district from 1975 to 1993.

As a member of the Budget and Ways and Means Committees, he advocated for welfare reform and child care legislation.

[6] In March 1985, Downey was involved in a physical scuffle in the House chamber with Republican Congressman Bob Dornan.

[7] Dornan, a veteran of the United States Air Force,[8] had earlier described Downey in a public speech as "a draft dodging wimp.

"[7] During the Vietnam War, Downey protested U.S. involvement and was medically exempt from military service because of a perforated eardrum.

[12] He has served on the advisory board for Council for a Livable World, a non-partisan advocacy organization dedicated to reducing the danger of nuclear weapons.