Political Career

 

When and why did you decide to go into politics?

Congressman Lynch decided to go into politics when he was the president of the Local 7 Iron Workers Union. He thought he was going to run it, but he needed legal consultation. For this reason, he went to law school to get a law degree so he could make the legal decisions. He worked as an intern at Dupont and Morris for 30 hours a week. While in school at Boston College law school he was required to do 20 hours of pro bono legal work. Lynch fulfilled this by working with families in public housing. Issues he dealt with included elderly residents who couldn’t walk being placed in units up several flights of stairs, families with asbestos insulation, and helping families deal with overcrowding in their apartments. During this time the people he worked with suggested that he run for State Representative so he could get paid for the work he was already doing for them.

 

How has your previous career affected your political beliefs or agenda?

Coming first from a career first as a structural iron worker Lynch knows how to handle stress. Upon entering the union leadership Lynch returned to school where he was an engineering student. This led him to be very detailed oriented, which became an important skill once applied to his current career where he needs to understand bills because “laws are blueprints for society.” Lynch went to law school so he could better understand how laws affect the entity or individual but in the process explored how laws are made and how they work. He believes that lawmakers are charged with maintaining societal harmony. Laws form the core of society, and for legislators to create them, they have to first understand them.

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Lynch see's himself still in politics, but he wants to run for something bigger if the opportunity arises,  because the Congressman believes in the job he is doing. He loves helping people. It was a great feeling of accomplishment knowing that he could make a difference in society.

Political Profile

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Elected to Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1994

Elected to U.S. House of Representatives in 2001

Serves District 8 of Massachusetts

Serves on:

Chaired the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia 2009-2010

  • Subcommittee of National Security

  • Anti-Terrorism and Proliferation Task Force

  • House Financial Services Committee

  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee

 Snapshot of Political Efforts

Supports Education bills that increase funding for schools and teachers

Supports Homeland Security efforts in increased funding for security measures

Supports Labor efforts for fair treatment of American workers through fair wages and preferable working conditions, and is against outsourcing of jobs

Combats organized terror groups through attempt to cut off financial support

Has made over a dozen trips to various countries in the Middle East

 Foreign Relations

Stephen Lynch came to Congress in the fall of 2001. He has served on various committees in Congress, taking a particular interest in anti-terrorism efforts. Although unmentioned in the interview, Lynch has had an active role in the “Anti-Terrorism and Proliferation Task Force in Congress”. He has sought the release for confidential files and information regarding the September 11th terrorist attacks. Lynch came into Congress a month after the terror attacks and has since worked to defund terror groups; primarily coming from the Middle East. He has travelled many times to the Middle East. Congressmen Lynch has not only committed to fighting terrorist groups through the special congressional task force but is also involved in the Subcommittee for National Security. He has supported actions to ensure adequate funding for security and protection of American citizens against terrorist based threats.

 Labor

Lynch is a proponent for American working families and against the outsourcing of jobs. Lynch, throughout his career, has worked to assist struggling families and has pressed employers to embody fair treatment of their employees. Protecting the largest portion of the American population is important to Lynch. He believes in the protection of workers rights and the investment in the citizens of America. To have a strong economy, he believes it best to invest domestically and create favorable work environments that ensure the labor force be compensated appropriately.

 The following link is a video in which Congressman Lynch discusses his view on Labor and the importance of unions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5-gy5Ip-VY&noredirect=1

 The following link is a video is regarding trade agreements, the outsourcing of jobs, and the effect it has on Americans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tqvosFXH2Q

 Health Care

Lynch supports Medicare and Medicaid. Accessibility to health care regardless of insurance coverage is something he supports. As with other social issues, he believes that people should have equal opportunity and access to health services within a reasonable and affordable way.

 The following video Congressman Lynch discusses his opinion on Healthcare and the proposed reforms and actions Congress has passed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjEbKKVrzcA

 Education

Lynch believes access to a good education and an affordable college education is fundamental to American society,  Lynch discusses one of his crowning achievements in his career was co-founding the Boston Collegiate Charter School. The charter school has grown tremendously and has proved to be an extremely successful school for college prep. Lynch’s career advancements were based off of his ability to attend college. Earning three different degrees enabled his advancements from an Ironworker to a Congressmen. His personal experience gives him credibility in Congress when discussing the hardships many Americans face in terms of access to educational institutions, the financial burden, and the benefits that come from being able to attend a higher learning institute.

 The following video link Lynch discusses Education.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9oitVSGLJY

 Stances on social issues:

Lynch is conservative Democratic. Early in his political career, he was more conservative than he is today. His shifting beliefs on social issues is reflected in his belief on marriage equality and rights for the homosexual population.

 He supports pro-life, the following link is regarding his view on abortion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRvVZaO_i9E

 Lynch is a voice for the average and struggling American population. His strong suit is in his advocacy for people he represents. By increasing domestic investment in the business world, supporting the betterment of the public education sector and increasing accessibility to higher education it will be an investment in the future and will ultimately better the entire country. As stated on his official website,

Lynch has a strong belief that government should work for the people it serves. He has an outstanding record of responding to the needs of his constituents and helping them to navigate through the red tape of government agencies.  Whether it’s a missing social security check or assistance with housing, his office has earned a reputation as the place to go when you need help.  Because of his reputation for standing up for people, his constituents have sent him back to Congress in overwhelming numbers, earning him the highest number of votes of any Congressman in Massachusetts – and 6th best in the nation.”

"Stephen F. Lynch for U.S. Senate." Stephen F. Lynch U.S. Congressman. Accessed April 1, 2015. http://www.stephenflynch.com/about/Meet-Stephen.  

 Proponent for Veteran Rights

The following video is a message from Lynch in regards to Veterans and the importance of taking care of the people who served our country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUUtqMD7fxE

 Recently, in 2014, he sponsored the following legislation regarding paid leave and federal employees who are veterans with injuries:

H.R.5229 : Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2014”

 “Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2014 - Entitles any federal employee who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 30% or more, during the 12-month period beginning on the first day of employment, to up to 104 hours of leave, without loss or reduction in pay, for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for such disability for which sick leave could regularly be used. Requires the forfeiture of any such leave that is not used during such 12-month period.

Requires such employee to submit to the head of the employing agency certification that such employee used such leave for purposes of being furnished treatment for such disability by a health care provider.”

 “Bill Summary & Status 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) H.R.5229All Information." Bill Summary & Status. Accessed April 1, 2015.

(http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d113:16:./temp/~bdhH6o:@@@L&summ2=m&)

 



Sources

 McGowan, Amanda. "Rep. Stephen Lynch Continues Push To Declassify Full 9/11 Report." Rep. Stephen Lynch Continues Push To Declassify Full 9/11 Report. January 8, 2015. http://wgbhnews.org/post/rep-stephen-lynch-continues-push-declassify-full-911-report.  

 Levenson, Michael. "Lynch, a Fighter in His District, Cuts a Lower Profile in Washington - The Boston Globe." BostonGlobe.com. April 8, 2013. Accessed May 3, 2015. http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/04/07/lynch-fighter-his-district-cuts-lower-profile-washington/JA8NXZx9EGH76Hj3c0267K/story.html.  

 "Bill Summary & Status 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) H.R.5229All Information." Bill Summary & Status. Accessed April 1, 2015.  

 "Stephen F. Lynch for U.S. Senate." Stephen F. Lynch U.S. Congressman. Accessed April 1, 2015. http://www.stephenflynch.com/about/Meet-Stephen.  

 Staff. "Anti-Terrorist Financing." Anti-Terrorist Financing. Accessed April 1, 2015. http://lynch.house.gov/issue/anti-terrorist-financing.  

 Staff. "Economy." Economy. Accessed April 1, 2015. http://lynch.house.gov/issue/economy.  

 Staff. "Education." Education. Accessed April 1, 2015. http://lynch.house.gov/issue/education.  

 Staff. "Health Care." Health Care. Accessed April 1, 2015. http://lynch.house.gov/issue/health-care.  

 Staff. "Homeland Security." Homeland Security. Accessed April 1, 2015. http://lynch.house.gov/issue/homeland-security.  

 Staff. "Labor and Working Families." Labor and Working Families. Accessed April 1, 2015. http://lynch.house.gov/issue/labor-working-families.  

 Staff. "Veterans." Veterans. Accessed April 1, 2015. http://lynch.house.gov/issue/veterans.  

 Staff. Lynch, Stephen. "Full Biography." Full Biography. Accessed April 1, 2015. http://lynch.house.gov/about-me/full-biography.  

Videos

 Lynch, Stephen. "Veterans - Stephen F. Lynch." YouTube. March 18, 2013. Accessed April 1, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUUtqMD7fxE.  

 Lynch, Stephen. "Reproductive Health - Stephen F. Lynch." YouTube. March 4, 2013. Accessed April 1, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRvVZaO_i9E.  

 Lynch, Stephen. "Healthcare - Stephen F. Lynch." YouTube. March 4, 2013. Accessed April 1, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjEbKKVrzcA.  

 Lynch, Stephen. "Trade Agreements - Stephen F. Lynch." YouTube. March 4, 2013. Accessed April 1, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tqvosFXH2Q.  

 Lynch, Stephen. "Labor - Stephen F. Lynch." YouTube. March 4, 2013. Accessed April 1, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5-gy5Ip-VY&noredirect=1.

 Lynch, Stephen. "Education - Stephen F. Lynch." YouTube. March 7, 2013. Accessed April 1, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9oitVSGLJY.