About John

U.S. Representative John F. Tierney is serving his sixth term representing the Sixth Congressional District of Massachusetts. In the 110th Congress, John became Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. 
 
John is still the only Member from Massachusetts to serve on the House Committee on Education and Labor where he sits on the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness and the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions. He also serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, a leadership-appointed position. 
 
In addition to security, people are continually concerned with job stability, educational opportunities and the health and retirement of family members. John’s committee assignments thus closely track issues important to the district. Additionally, through his second sub-committee assignment on Oversight and Government Reform, John is engaged in energy and environmental matters, among others. 
 
John’s leadership has been evident as Congress considered (and in some instances continues to consider) bills reauthorizing the Higher Education Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), Head Start, Older Americans Act, Workforce Investment Act and other literacy and job training measures. 
 
He has long been an advocate for “universal healthcare” (affordable and accessible care for all) and has authored and co-sponsored a number of initiatives. While still pressing for more immediate universal coverage, he is the author of proposed legislation which would encourage states to develop their own systems of medical coverage for all residents as well as a bill which would protect retirees from cutbacks or elimination of their health benefits. 
 
Seniors and veterans in the 6th District have witnessed John’s tireless advocacy for retirees’ health care (his Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act – “H.R. 1322” as it is now commonly known by national advocate groups – seeks to prohibit profitable corporations for breaking their promises to provide health care to retirees). Sixth District veterans enjoy three Community-Based Outreach Clinics for care that they and John advocated and worked for, and together they have stopped Administration efforts to close or consolidate the Bedford Hospital. As Chairman of the Oversight subcommittee, he led the “Walter Reed” hearings that are forcing more and better attention to care of our returning injured active-duty soldiers. 
 
Local accomplishments include winning approval for the long-awaited North Shore mass transit system, as well as increased funding for transportation projects in the Merrimack Valley and on Cape Ann; gaining funding for much-needed water and sewer projects in Essex County; securing the strength of the Regional Employment Board to the North Shore; and making sure that district manufacturers – from builders of jet engines to makers of microchips – can successfully bid on government contracts and compete for research and development grants. Such efforts help the district maintain jobs locally while encouraging growth for the region in the new economy. 
 
Whether it is supporting safe and drug free schools, ensuring that teachers have proper resources to become and continue as fully qualified classroom leaders, or advocating for uniform standards of communication among all homeland security first responders so communities will be fully prepared for crises response management, John is focused on issues that matter here at home. 
 
Born in Salem, Massachusetts on September 18, 1951, Congressman Tierney attended public schools in Salem and graduated from Salem State College. He earned a law degree from Suffolk University, and, until his election to Congress in 1996, was a partner in the North Shore community law firm of Tierney, Kalis and Lucas for over 20 years. He and his wife Patrice continue to make Salem their home.