He had been targeted by various Democratic Party constituencies , including factions led by his political rival Al Sharpton , and national and local labor unions , who resent his support for passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement , which passed the House of Representatives by a razor-thin margin . In addition , he has been heavily criticized for taking money from telecom PACs and opposing net neutrality . He put particular emphasis on arguing in behalf of underserved Brooklyn communities , and has won recognition from several organizations for his efforts . The National Audubon Society has honored him for his efforts in fighting to secure federal funds for the restoration of Prospect Park . Towns fought to have Environmental Protection Agency testing in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks , including neighborhoods outside of the borough of Manhattan . Towns delayed the investigation into Countrywide Financial 's VIP loan program when he was the House oversight panel 's chairman by refusing to issue a subpoena for Bank of America records . After '' The Wall Street Journal '' reported that public loan documents indicated Towns had received two mortgages from the VIP program , he issued the subpoena and his office denied wrongdoing
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Edolphus Towns