U.S. House District 6 Election: John Tierney on the issues

ECONOMY/FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:

John supports reform of the financial industry and has worked to protect consumers and families by voting to break up the “too big to fail” corporate banks. Tierney has also fought to protect consumers against credit card companies’ predatory lending practices and co-sponsored the passage of the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights. Passed by Congress and signed by President Obama, the law curbs unfair, deceptive and anti-competitive practices by credit card companies and puts an end to retroactive rate hikes on existing balances, double-cycle billing and other due date gimmicks.

EDUCATION:

When he was first elected to Congress, John Tierney secured a seat on the Education and Labor Committee where he has worked to improve educational opportunities for Massachusetts families. John is committed to ensuring our children receive a first-rate education and that they are prepared to compete in emerging industries and the new global economy. He supports expanding access to early childhood education, improving elementary and secondary education, improving affordability of higher education, and improving community colleges. He also supports the Ted Kennedy Service Act.

ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT:

Tierney voted to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 on June 26, 2009. This landmark legislation takes steps to revitalize our economy by creating new jobs, increasing our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, preserving our planet and protecting our delicate wildlife by reducing the pollution that causes global warming.

HEALTH CARE REFORM:

Tierney believes every American should have access to quality, affordable health care. He supported the passage of health care reform because it will extend coverage to 32 million more Americans while lowering long term health care costs and providing real security for those who already have insurance.

JOBS:

Tierney voted in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to jumpstart the economy, to create and save 3.5 million jobs, to provide 95% of workers a tax cut and to halt the recession and prevent it from slipping into a depression. ARRA, signed into law February 2009, provides billions of dollars for clean energy jobs, public schools, the rehabilitation of our decaying infrastructure and investing in the innovations that will lead our country forward. Seventy-five percent of this funding is invested within the first 18-months of the bill’s enactment.

NATIONAL SECURITY:

Tierney is a leader in Congress in the areas of national security and foreign affairs, and has developed an international reputation as a guardian of taxpayer funds. Through his service as Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs and as a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, he has the vision and expertise necessary to push sensible national security policy during a time in which we are ensnared in two wars overseas and an economic crunch here at home.

VETERANS:

John is committed to ensuring the nation’s veterans receive the medical care, benefits, and other services that they have earned in exchange for their dedicated service to our country.