The "Lion Killer" who challenged the presidency and redefined New York politics

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1972, Elizabeth Holtzman was a political outsider running a campaign from her parents' basement. She went on to become the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at age 31, famously challenging the legality of presidential war powers and toppling a long-serving incumbent.

Elizabeth Holtzman's rise began with a stunning upset in New York's 16th congressional district. Facing incumbent Emanuel Celler—the dean of the House and chair of the Judiciary Committee—Holtzman ran as a reformer. Despite being told she needed $100,000, she raised approximately $32,000 and won the primary, earning the nickname "Liz the Lion Killer."

Her legislative impact was defined by a fierce commitment to oversight and civil rights. In 1973, she filed a landmark lawsuit against President Richard Nixon, arguing that Operation Menu violated the law by conducting bombings without Congressional approval. While the Supreme Court's involvement was complex, her efforts highlighted the tension between executive power and the War Powers Clause.

Holtzman held various prominent positions: she was in the House until 1981, acted as Kings County's district attorney between 1982 and 1989, and held the office of New York City's 40th comptroller from 1990 to 1993. Beyond her elected offices, she has been a consistent voice in national policy, from searching for Josef Mengele in Paraguay in 1984 to resigning from the Homeland Security Advisory Council in 2014 to protest the family separation policy at the Mexico–United States border.

Throughout her career, Holtzman has navigated the complexities of party politics and judicial scrutiny. A founding member of the Congresswomen's Caucus, she was among the initial Judiciary Committee representatives to back Nixon's impeachment. Her legacy is one of challenging established power, whether in the halls of Congress or the streets of Brooklyn.

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