John Tierney

John F. Tierney has been a  Democratic member of the House of Representatives, representing the 6th District of Massachusetts, since 1997. The district is north of Boston, and includes the cities of Amesbury, Beverly, Gloucester, Lynn, Newburyport, Peabody, Salem, and Salisbury.

Iraq War
Tierney voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Taxes
Tierney has little faith in the favoritism of the current tax system. He favors reforms in the tax code to “create a system that is simple, fair, equitable, and responsible toward future generations.”

Election Reform
Tierney believes the government should aim to please the American public, not interest groups or lobbyists. He has made strides towards election reform in his Clean Money, Clean Elections Act. He aims to create “a public financing system for congressional elections.”

United States Energy Policy
Tierney recognizes the existence of global warming caused by “the burning of fossil fuels, industrial production, deforestation, and increased levels of carbon dioxide emissions.” He is a standing member of the Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus and seeks alternative, safe energy sources for a more energy efficient America. He supports the Climate Stewardship Act, which aims to “accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and lessen our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels.” He also seeks to cut back greenhouse gas emissions with the Safe Climate Act (H.R. 1590).

Health Care
Tierney hopes to one day create a universal health care system. He advocates the Health Partnership through Creative Federalism Act (H.R. 506), a bipartisan legislature that would give states the opportunity to devise plans offering healthcare to all residents. He would also like to reform our system in order to “lower administrative costs, make better use of technology, and establish standards of care that will eliminate costly errors and redundant practices.”. He supported legislation (H.R. 4) which would offer drugs to elderly and disabled individuals at a reduced cost. He is also aware of the number of prescription drug users in America, and would like to better monitor the drug market. He has introduced bipartisan legislature, the FDA Safety Act (H.R. 788). This would create a self-regulating unit within the FDA to “review prescription drugs once they are on the market.”

National Security Subcommittee Meeting
On October 30, 2007, Tierney announced the House’s Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs will host several oversight hearings about the United States policies regarding Iran. The first segment was titled “Part 1 – Iranian People and Attitudes”. The larger series is titled “Iran: Reality, Options, and Consequences.”

Background
Tierney was born September 18, 1951 in Salem, Massachusetts. He was educated at Salem State College and earned a law degree at Suffolk University. Before entering the house, he was a partner in the Tierney, Kalis, and Lucas law firm for over twenty years. He and his wife, Patrice, reside in Salem.

2006 elections
In 2006, Republicans nominated Rick Barton to face Tierney in his November 2006 bid for reelection. Tierney retained his seat.(See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

2008 superdelegate

 * Dem Con Watch
 * Tierney's district went for Clinton by 78,161 to 49,938 in the Massachusetts primary.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee
 * House Committee on Education and Labor
 * Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
 * Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness
 * House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
 * House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
 * Subcommittee on Domestic Policy
 * Subcommittee on National Security and International Relations -Chair

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Education and the Workforce
 * Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness
 * Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations
 * House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
 * Subcommittee on Intelligence Policy
 * Subcommittee on Oversight

Caucuses and Coalitions

 * Democratic Steering Committee
 * Democratic Study Group
 * National Guard & Reserve Components Congressional Members Organization

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Trustee, Salem State College, 1992-1997
 * Member/President, Salem Chamber of Commerce, 1976-1996
 * Federal District Court of Boston Bars
 * Massachusetts State Bar
 * United States Supreme Court Bar

Articles and Resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Mass Revolution Now
 * St. Kermit
 * Ryan's Take