U.S. House District 8 Elections: Stephen Lynch on the issues

ECONOMY/WALL STREET:

Lynch is committed to strengthening our economy and creating jobs. He is a strong supporter of investing in our nation's critical infrastructure, which will put people back to work while performing much-needed repairs on our roads and bridges.

Stephen Lynch believes we must hold Wall Street executives accountable for their actions, and he’s fighting for hard reforms to the banking system to ensure that we don’t pay for their mistakes again. He opposed the Wall Street bailout, which rewarded bankers and executives for risky behavior that drove our nation into recession. Lynch is a supporter of the Dodd-Frank legislation reforming Wall Street and fought for stronger regulation of the risky derivatives market.

He has opposed Republican efforts to defund regulatory agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodities Future Trading Commission and is working to ensure that these agencies have the tools needed for proper market oversight.

HEALTH CARE:

Stephen Lynch believes that every American should have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their employment status or income level. However, he believes that the health care reform law, passed in 2010, is critically flawed in that it does very little to reform the current fee for service system. Lynch remains committed to true health care reform that not only increases access but contains costs and continues to work to improve the current healthcare law.

EDUCATION:

Stephen Lynch believes that education is the foundation of opportunity in the United States. He supported the renewal of Head Start, the premiere early education program in the United States for more than 40 years. The measure improved program quality, increased teacher qualifications, and provided up to 10,000 more children and families access to the program – allowing more of our nation's children to arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed. Stephen Lynch also supports efforts to make critical investments to modernize, upgrade, and repair school facilities across the country.

LABOR/WORKING FAMILIES:

Stephen Lynch believes that all employees have the right to a safe workplace and a decent so that they can provide for themselves and their families. As a former Ironworker and current union member, Congressman Lynch remains committed to the goal of providing employees with the right to join together and bargain on their own behalf. He believes in equal pay, prevailing wage, and the Employee Free Choice Act. Lynch has opposed recent efforts to weaken existing labor regulations and dismantle the National Labor Relations Board.

COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY:

The rising cost of attending U.S. colleges and universities is a growing concern as many students are finding that their dream of attending an institution of higher education is out of financial reach. Stephen Lynch is committed to ensuring that all qualified students are given the opportunity to achieve their dream by making college more affordable and more accessible for America’s hard-working families and students. He supported changes to the federal student loan program that will produce savings of $61 billion, and increases the maximum annual Pell Grant scholarship for low-income students.

ENERGY:

Stephen Lynch believes that the federal government must take an active role in reducing our energy consumption and dependence on foreign oil, and create a secure and sustainable energy future. He supports the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which moves us toward these goals by promoting renewable, clean energy resources, energy efficiency, reducing global warming pollution, and transitioning to a clean energy economy.

FOREIGN POLICY:

As the United States begins withdrawing its troops, Stephen Lynch supports an orderly transition. As part of his oversight duties, Lynch has visited Afghanistan eight times, meeting with Afghan government officials and U.S. military leaders and soldiers. As a result of his numerous trips to Afghanistan, Lynch has a keen understanding of the conditions on the ground. Stephen Lynch will continue to be actively involved in the oversight of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and orderly drawdown of troops as the United States continues to transition power to the Afghan government.

Stephen Lynch supported the Obama Administration’s removal of U.S. military forces in Iraq. Lynch believes that there is still a role for the U.S. to play as a partner in assisting with Iraq’s continued development. As a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Stephen has been to Iraq 14 times. He will continue to participate in future oversight of reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

VETERANS:

Stephen Lynch believes that one of the most important ways America can show its gratitude to its veterans for their heroic and dedicated service is by providing them with the best possible services and medical care our nation can offer. He has been a champion of health care for veterans, consistently supporting increased funding for VA services to help ensure our veterans receive the quality care that they have earned.

Stephen lynch also believes that men and women returning from military service should have every tool available to help them transition to civilian life. Lynch is a strong supporter of the current GI bill and providing our veterans with job training and placement assistance.