By Sean J. Miller

New York Rep. Joseph Crowley has been tasked with raising the millions of dollars Democrats will need in their bid to reclaim the House majority.

Rep. Steve Israel (N.Y.), who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, announced Thursday that Crowley would serve as the DCCC's finance chairman for what's expected to be a costly election cycle.

"As the DCCC national chair for national finance, Joe Crowley will provide invaluable expertise to our members and candidates and continue leading our efforts with the business community," Israel said in a statement.

Israel also announced that he was bringing in Rep. Keith Ellison (Minn.) to serve as chairman of outreach. He called Ellison "an inspirational leader to American Muslims."
 
Meanwhile,  Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) and Allyson Schwartz (Pa.) remain in the DCCC fold. 

Wasserman Schultz was appointed chairwoman of member and candidate services, while Schwartz has taken charge of recruiting. Both helped lead the DCCC's Red to Blue program in 2010.

Two notable absences from the leadership team announced Thursday were Reps. Bruce Braley (Iowa) and Donna Edwards (Md.), who also served as 2010 chairmen of Red to Blue, the DCCC's candidate assiatance program.