Share on WeChat
https://www.powervoter.us:443/mike_capuano
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.
Quick Facts
Personal Details

Caucuses/Former Committees

Member, Fourth Amendment Caucus, present

Member, Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus

Member, Alzheimer's Disease Congressional Task Force

Member, Americans Abroad Caucus

Member, Biomedical Research Caucus

Member, Bipartisan Congressional Refugee Caucus

Member, Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus

Member, Bipartisan Pro-Choice Caucus

Member, Cancer Caucus

Member, Coalition on Autism Research and Education

Member, Community College Caucus

Member, Congressional Arts Caucus

Member, Congressional Biotechnology Caucus

Member, Congressional Boating Caucus

Member, Congressional Brain Injury Task Force

Member, Congressional Brazil Caucus

Member, Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues

Member, Congressional Caucus on Central America

Co-Chair/Co-Founder, Congressional Caucus on Community Health Centers

Co-Chair, Congressional Caucus on Empowerment Zones and Empowered Communities

Member, Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues

Member, Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Affairs

Co-Chair/Co-Founder, Congressional Caucus on Korea

Co-Chair/Co-Founder, Congressional Caucus on Sudan

Member, Congressional Caucus on The Netherlands

Member, Congressional Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Caucus

Member, Congressional Climate Caucus

Member, Congressional Coalition on Adoption

Member, Congressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus

Member, Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Member, Congressional Fire Services Caucus

Co-Chair/Co-Founder, Congressional Former Mayors Caucus

Member, Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus

Member, Congressional Humanities Caucus

Member, Congressional Human Rights Caucus

Member, Congressional Internet Caucus

Member, Congressional Kidney Caucus

Member, Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus

Member, Congressional Mental Health Caucus

Member, Congressional Mentoring Caucus

Member, Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus

Member, Congressional Port Security Caucus

Member, Congressional Progressive Caucus

Member, Congressional Task Force on International HIV/AIDS

Member, Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus

Member, Congressional TRIO Caucus

Member, Congressional Vision Caucus

Member, Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus

Former Member, Ethics Committee, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Financial Services Committee, United States House of Representatives

Member, Friends of the Jobs Corps Caucus

Member, Historic Preservation Caucus

Member, House Hunger Caucus

Member, House Nursing Caucus

Member, House Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Caucus

Member, International Workers Rights Caucus

Member, National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus

Member, National Service Congressional Caucus

Member, Navy-Marine Corps Caucus

Member, Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition

Member, Oil and National Security Caucus

Member, Open Space Caucus

Member, Out of Iraq Caucus

Member, Patriot Act Reform Caucus

Member, Public Broadcasting Caucus

Member, Qatari-American Economic Strategic Defense, Culture, and Educational Partnership Caucus

Member, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus

Member, Research and Development Caucus

Member, Revitalizing Older Cities Task Force

Chair, Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement

Former Member, Subcommittee on Aviation, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Financial Services), United States House of Representatives

Former Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, United States House of Representatives

Member, Urban Caucus

Education

  • JD, Boston College Law School, 1977
  • BA, Psychology, Dartmouth College, 1973

Professional Experience

  • JD, Boston College Law School, 1977
  • BA, Psychology, Dartmouth College, 1973
  • Attorney, Joyce and Joyce, 1984-1989
  • Chief Legal Counsel, Joint Committee on Taxation, 1978-1984

Political Experience

  • JD, Boston College Law School, 1977
  • BA, Psychology, Dartmouth College, 1973
  • Attorney, Joyce and Joyce, 1984-1989
  • Chief Legal Counsel, Joint Committee on Taxation, 1978-1984
  • Representative, United States House of Representatives, District 7, 1998-2019
  • Candidate, United States House of Representatives, District 7, 2018
  • Candidate, Special Election, United States Senate, 2009
  • Mayor, City of Somerville, 1990-1999
  • Candidate, Massachusetts Secretary of State, 1994
  • Member, Somerville Board of Aldermen, 1985-1989
  • Candidate, Mayor, City of Somerville, 1979, 1981

Former Committees/Caucuses

Member, Fourth Amendment Caucus, present

Member, Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus

Member, Alzheimer's Disease Congressional Task Force

Member, Americans Abroad Caucus

Member, Biomedical Research Caucus

Member, Bipartisan Congressional Refugee Caucus

Member, Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus

Member, Bipartisan Pro-Choice Caucus

Member, Cancer Caucus

Member, Coalition on Autism Research and Education

Member, Community College Caucus

Member, Congressional Arts Caucus

Member, Congressional Biotechnology Caucus

Member, Congressional Boating Caucus

Member, Congressional Brain Injury Task Force

Member, Congressional Brazil Caucus

Member, Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues

Member, Congressional Caucus on Central America

Co-Chair/Co-Founder, Congressional Caucus on Community Health Centers

Co-Chair, Congressional Caucus on Empowerment Zones and Empowered Communities

Member, Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues

Member, Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Affairs

Co-Chair/Co-Founder, Congressional Caucus on Korea

Co-Chair/Co-Founder, Congressional Caucus on Sudan

Member, Congressional Caucus on The Netherlands

Member, Congressional Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Caucus

Member, Congressional Climate Caucus

Member, Congressional Coalition on Adoption

Member, Congressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus

Member, Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Member, Congressional Fire Services Caucus

Co-Chair/Co-Founder, Congressional Former Mayors Caucus

Member, Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus

Member, Congressional Humanities Caucus

Member, Congressional Human Rights Caucus

Member, Congressional Internet Caucus

Member, Congressional Kidney Caucus

Member, Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus

Member, Congressional Mental Health Caucus

Member, Congressional Mentoring Caucus

Member, Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus

Member, Congressional Port Security Caucus

Member, Congressional Progressive Caucus

Member, Congressional Task Force on International HIV/AIDS

Member, Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus

Member, Congressional TRIO Caucus

Member, Congressional Vision Caucus

Member, Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus

Former Member, Ethics Committee, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Financial Services Committee, United States House of Representatives

Member, Friends of the Jobs Corps Caucus

Member, Historic Preservation Caucus

Member, House Hunger Caucus

Member, House Nursing Caucus

Member, House Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Caucus

Member, International Workers Rights Caucus

Member, National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus

Member, National Service Congressional Caucus

Member, Navy-Marine Corps Caucus

Member, Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition

Member, Oil and National Security Caucus

Member, Open Space Caucus

Member, Out of Iraq Caucus

Member, Patriot Act Reform Caucus

Member, Public Broadcasting Caucus

Member, Qatari-American Economic Strategic Defense, Culture, and Educational Partnership Caucus

Member, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus

Member, Research and Development Caucus

Member, Revitalizing Older Cities Task Force

Chair, Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement

Former Member, Subcommittee on Aviation, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Financial Services), United States House of Representatives

Former Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, United States House of Representatives

Member, Urban Caucus

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • JD, Boston College Law School, 1977
  • BA, Psychology, Dartmouth College, 1973
  • Attorney, Joyce and Joyce, 1984-1989
  • Chief Legal Counsel, Joint Committee on Taxation, 1978-1984
  • Representative, United States House of Representatives, District 7, 1998-2019
  • Candidate, United States House of Representatives, District 7, 2018
  • Candidate, Special Election, United States Senate, 2009
  • Mayor, City of Somerville, 1990-1999
  • Candidate, Massachusetts Secretary of State, 1994
  • Member, Somerville Board of Aldermen, 1985-1989
  • Candidate, Mayor, City of Somerville, 1979, 1981
  • Former President, Massachusetts Mayors' Association
  • President, Massachusetts Municipal Association, 1998
  • Member, Massachusetts State Bar Association, 1977

Other Info

Astrological Sign:

Capricorn

  • Andrew Capuano

  • Rita Garvey

Spouse's Occupation:

Certified Public Accountant

Policy Positions

Massachusetts Congressional Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Other or expanded principles
- I support Roe v. Wade. Women's rights are human rights, and perhaps the most consequential decision a woman makes is whether or not to become a mother. I oppose the Hyde Act and so-called "Mexico City" policy which limits funding for family planning as part of foreign aid and has led to needless maternal and neo-natal deaths in Third World

Budget

1. In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

2. In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- I would consider increasing taxes on upper tax brackets and closing loopholes. I would also consider raising cap on FICA payroll deductions to assure the solvency of Social Security and Medicare trust funds. With regard to defense spending, I believe savings can be identified in a thoughtful review of almost any federal program. That said, I would support good pay and benefits for armed forces, investments in human intelligence and capital, and DOD research and development. I oppose spending proposed by the Trump Administration on weapons systems the Joint Chiefs themselves do not endorse or request.

Campaign Finance

1. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- I have proposed legislation, The Shareholders' Protection Act, that would require a majority of shareholders to approve any political expenditure of a public company. I have also supported Constitutional amendments seeking to remedy the harm done by the Citizens' United decision.

Economy

1. Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- As a now senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have consistently fought for investment in infrastructure. It would create good jobs and promote sustainable growth.

Education

1. Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- But, I believe state and local authorities should have wide latitude in implementing these standards.I voted against No Child Left Behind because I thought it too rigid.

Energy & Environment

1. Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Guns

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- The time for common-sense gun control legislation is long past. Too many have died needlessly, and I welcome the energy and passion of student activists to the struggle.

Health Care

1. Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- No

2. Other or expanded principles
- I Have long supported "Health Care for All," a public option. I regret this was not achieved with the ACA and I will continue to fight for it. I am one of the original members of the "Heathcare for All" Caucus in the House.

Immigration

1. Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
- No

2. Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- I support Comprehensive Immigration Reform and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented aliens. In most cases, I would see no reason to require an alien, long resident, employed, parent of U.S. citizen children, with no criminal convictions -- and I believe this describes the vast majority of the 11 or 12 million undocumented -- to return to country of origin

Marijuana

1. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

National Security

1. Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
- Yes

2. Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- I supported the Iran Deal and I continue to believe that diplomacy should always be attempted to prevent nuclear proliferation. I am a co-sponsor of the Markey-Liu bill to prohibit a first strike. That said, I would never take force off the table in dealing with reckless despots. I insist on the authority the Constitution vests in Congress to declare war. I joined other Members in a bi-partisan suit against President Obama for attacking Libya without consulting Congress. Ico-sponsored legislation to prohibit the deployment of US combat troops to Syrian without authorization for use of military force.

Administrative Priorities

Please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- We must fight against economic inequality. Persistent divisions, based on all too real disparities in education and opportunity, threaten our common future. We must fight racism and sexism. We must recognize all Americans as fellow citizens, worthy of respect even when we do not agree. We must resist President Trump who has fostered enmity at home and abroad. Our country should be a beacon of hope to the world. We can have secure borders without tearing children from their mothers' arms and putting them in cages. We can defend our national sovereignty without insulting democratic allies and fawning on despots.

Congress Bills
Endorsements
Boston Carmen's Union Local 589 of the Amalgamated Transit Union
American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts
Boston Teachers Union
Speeches
Articles

Boston Herald - Capuano: Trump's Judge Pick Fatally Flawed

Jul. 17, 2018

By Rep. Michael E. Capuano The day many of us feared when Donald Trump was elected president arrived July 9. He has nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the Supreme Court. If confirmed by the Senate, Judge Kavanaugh will be in a position to reshape the direction of our country for generations. Sure, Judge Kavanaugh should get a fair hearing, but everything I know about his record leads me to conclude he is a bad choice for our country -- one that needs to be vigorously fought. I may not have a vote in the Senate but I have an obligation to raise my voice on behalf of my constituents to speak out against this terrible nominee. Why is this nomination so concerning? Too many ways to count. Name an issue you care about and it is at risk with this nomination. The Trump administration won't defend the Affordable Care Act in court anymore even though it is the responsibility of the Department of Justice to defend federal laws. There is a good chance this case, which challenges many of the protections of the ACA, will make it to the Supreme Court and access to health care in this country will be in serious jeopardy. If you have a pre-existing condition like asthma, high blood pressure or a past cancer diagnosis, you should be worried. If you support reproductive freedom and believe that Roe v. Wade is settled law, you should be very concerned. Candidate Trump promised he would only nominate judges who would overturn Roe v. Wade. We know Judge Kavanaugh voted to deny an immigrant in ICE custody access to an abortion. That gives us much more than a hint about how he views women's rights in these matters. Civil rights, voting rights, LGBTQ­ rights, the right to privacy and so many victories won with so much struggle in past decades are at stake with this nomination. We have made too much important progress on these issues to turn back now. Judge Kavanaugh's deep political ties concern me too. He was the main author of the Starr report on President Clinton and deeply involved in efforts to stop the 2000 Florida recount. In 2009, Judge Kavanaugh opined that a sitting president shouldn't be subject to indictment because it would pose too much of a distraction from governing and moreover, shouldn't even have to answer questions from law enforcement. That must have been music to Trump's ears. His nominee to the highest court in the land thinks it's the indictment of Trump that would be the distraction. Kavanaugh has predetermined that a valid indictment should go nowhere regardless of what illegal acts an indictment might uncover. That's astonishing. The buck stops at the Supreme Court. If Trump gets to choose someone who has already decided he shouldn't be indicted or subject to questioning, isn't that as good as saying Trump is above the law? The Supreme Court will almost certainly have a role in deciding at least some of the issues concerning the Trump family's ethics violations and conflicts of interest and issues involving Russian interference in our elections. Given that reality, and for all the reasons laid out, this nominee should not be confirmed.

The Bay State Banner - It's Long Past Time to Act on Gun Control

Mar. 8, 2018

By Rep. Michael Capuano In the aftermath of the Parkland school shooting, after more precious lives were stolen, I struggled a little to find appropriate words. As a nation, we have experienced so many of these mass murders, in churches and theatres, at concerts and nightclubs, that the "thoughts and prayers" we all offer start to lose their meaning. They seem hollow -- like something one says because lack of action is the real problem and everybody knows it. With each tragedy, my heart breaks a little more for the loved ones left behind. But my anger grows too with each new senseless loss. Reasonable people accept the reality that there is no magic wand we can wave to prevent every gun death. I accept that there is no law Congress can pass that will keep a gun out of the hands of every person who shouldn't have one. But that doesn't mean Congress should do nothing. If Congress treated every issue as they have gun control, nothing would ever get done. There would be no health care reform, no road systems, no education, and the federal government would shut down. That is of course absurd. When it comes to gun control, too many so-called leaders refuse to accept any progress. Instead, they throw up their hands and say we can't stop all tragedies. Bump stocks are a good example of this. Even President Trump says these devices should not be readily available. Yet months after the massacre in Las Vegas where the shooter used a bump stock, these devices are still easily bought online. This is unconscionable. In the aftermath of Parkland, the national debate over gun control has started to feel different. Student activists have begun raising their voices demanding change. Young women and men from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are leading the way as students all across the country stand up and insist that their elected officials take action. Last week in Somerville, over 200 high school students walked out of their classrooms to protest the paralysis on gun control. I talked with some of these students, who spoke with authority and conviction about what they are working to achieve. This time, I have real hope that finally, common-sense gun control will land on the president's desk. I think Capitol Hill will get there in large part because of determined students everywhere. I know I am fighting even harder to strengthen gun laws. Here are some of the measures I am advancing. Let's start by renewing the assault weapons ban. I flatly reject the argument that an assault weapon should be available to civilians. No one needs a gun that powerful to hunt or protect themselves. Bump stocks, which essentially modify a gun to make it easier to fire multiple rounds, must be outlawed. A person must be 21 to legally buy a beer. Most companies require licensed drivers to be 21 in order to rent a car. The minimum age to buy a gun should be raised to 21. There should be a waiting period before a gun purchase is finalized. In California, the waiting period is 10 days. This isn't a magic number but it's a good place to start. If someone is on the federal no-fly list they should be prohibited from purchasing a gun. If you're considered too dangerous to get on a plane then you should be prohibited from purchasing a gun. Most private gun sales don't require a background check. Anyone who wishes to own a gun, whether they obtain it through a private sale or at a retail outlet or a gun show, should be subject to a background check. There is a federal restriction in place that keeps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from researching health aspects of gun violence. There is simply no logical reason why the CDC should not be free to study this. More information about some of the root causes of gun violence will help develop policies that address them. None of these actions I suggest will prevent every gun tragedy, but we cannot let that be an excuse to do nothing. Congress and the president owe it to all those who have been affected by gun violence to stand up and seek meaningful reform. The students, survivors and all who have lost loved ones must live with those scars for life. It's long past time for their federal government to strengthen gun laws, which won't prevent every tragedy, but will certainly save lives.