OPINION: Political climate change for LI Democrats in D.C.

Lawrence C. Levy, a former Newsday columnist, heads the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University.

Republicans are celebrating, and who can blame them? More than half a century has passed since any party won more House seats, an unambiguous rebuke of President Barack Obama and the Democratic congressional leadership.

But if "all politics is local," as a famous practitioner once said, then it's fair to ask what GOP control of the House means for Long Island.

After all, four of Long Island's five congressional members are Democrats who, come January, no longer will enjoy the perks and privileges of being in the majority. The shift means they will lose some considerable advantage in "bringing home the bacon" for local businesses, municipalities, school districts, social service providers and universities (including my employer). Beyond federal funds, being in the minority also means a reduction in the ability to influence legislation that could promote or punish the region.

So it would be simple to make the case that Election Day was a disaster for Long Island. Even without getting into a debate over whether Nassau and Suffolk would be helped or hurt by Republican policies - from extending tax cuts for the wealthy and middle class to rolling back environmental and financial regulations - it would be easy to bemoan the loss of collective clout. But it would also be simplistic, and perhaps even a cop-out.

Long Island's four Democrats - Carolyn McCarthy, Gary Ackerman, Steve Israel and Tim Bishop (who has a 3,400-vote lead in his race, although absentee ballots have yet to be counted) - can still do their jobs effectively for constituents. The region's delegation can be at least as much of a force as it has been, and possibly even more so. And that goes beyond the obvious benefit of Rep. Peter King returning to the chairmanship of the critical Homeland Security committee as a senior and respected member of the new Republican majority.

The key is cooperation within the delegation and with Republicans. It's also hard work: Minority-party lawmakers have to hustle harder and maneuver more adroitly to get things done. Even while he was in the minority, King was able to bring home as much in earmarks as any Long Island member of the majority. He did it by working the system tirelessly and smartly, forging relationships with leaders on both sides of the aisle and especially with key Democrats, from Bill Clinton to his Long Island delegation-mates.

If all politics is local, it's also personal. And the good news is that Long Island's four Democrats have worked well with King, and vice versa. They've helped one another during the cycles when King was in the majority, as well as when he wasn't. McCarthy and King joined forces on legislation and funding to benefit the oceanfront communities they both represent. The entire delegation, led by Israel and Bishop, made sure that Brookhaven National Laboratory got an immense boost in funding that created construction jobs and research opportunities.

McCarthy also enjoyed a positive relationship with the presumptive House speaker, John Boehner, when he was both chair and ranking member on the Financial Services Committee. Each called on the other for help crafting legislation that would be more palatable to both parties. For his part, Israel has proved especially adept at cultivating the middle ground, occasionally earning the ire of fellow Democrats. He has friends on both sides of the aisle, as do the other Long Islanders.

There's even somewhat of a silver lining in the storm clouds that swept away Speaker Nancy Pelosi's gavel. With so many Democrats losing on Tuesday, Long Island's four Democrats will see a quantum leap in their seniority. Israel could move up 10 slots on the influential appropriations committee, as well as ascending to a minority leadership position. McCarthy, currently 118th out of 435 members of the House, could enter the top 75. While being in the majority is the biggest factor in congressional clout, how long a member has served still counts for something in Washington.

If they're smart, they'll treat their Republican colleagues well.