A member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Joe has carved out an early niche around workforce development, manufacturing and economic innovation -­-­ all critical components of the 4th District and Massachusetts economy. Joe Kennedy puts the 4th District first in Washington. •
•
•
•
In 2013, Joe opened two permanent district offices in Newton and Attleboro and personally held open constituent office hours in all 34 cities and towns across the 4th District. The Kennedy Office has taken on over 600 individual cases since last January, helping constituents with everything from Medicare and Social Security to immigration, veterans’ benefits and student loans. Joe created a Veteran’s Advisory Council and Youth Cabinet comprised of representatives across the 4th District to ensure his constituents’ voices are heard in policy decisions. Joe used his first hearing as a member of the Science & Technology Committee to shine light on a local issue: high rates of cancer in former employees of Texas Instruments in Attleboro. Joe also hosted a town hall in Attleboro to help workers access the federal benefits they deserved and continues to work with the Department of Labor to improve outreach to former employees. Joe Kennedy is fighting for economic opportunity, basic fairness, and a system that works for middle class families. •
•
Joe has led efforts to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, viewing it as a critical economic development tool to ensure our workforce has the skills a modern economy requires. He currently serves as honorary chair of Governor Deval Patrick’s STEM Advisory Council in Massachusetts. In Washington, Joe has worked hard to increase access to STEM education across the country. Last year he called on the Administration to include community colleges, vocational schools and certification programs in their long-­‐term STEM plans. He also introduced the STEM Gateways Act with Senator Gillibrand, which would improve STEM efforts for women, minorities and the economically disadvantaged. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
In 2013, Joe introduced major bipartisan manufacturing legislation with Republican Congressman Tom Reed from New York called the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013 (RAMI). RAMI was given a hearing before the House Science & Tech committee and has received broad industry support as well as a growing list of cosponsors on both sides of the aisle. It recently passed committee, and Joe is hopeful that it reaches the floor this fall. One of the first bills Joe co-­‐sponsored in Congress was the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which raises the federal minimum wage to $10.10 over three years, giving working families across the country a raise. Joe has tirelessly defended the critical safety nets that help keep people out of poverty in this country, from food stamps to unemployment insurance, LIHEAP funding and affordable housing. Joe Kennedy is a champion for social justice. In Congress, Joe has become a leading voice for LGBT equality. As a member of the Equality Caucus he has fought for passage of the Employment Non-­‐Discrimination Act (ENDA), the Respect for Marriage Act and the Social Security Equality Act. Joe has continued his family’s strong commitment to those with disabilities. Along with building important partnerships with local organizations serving the disabled community in the 4th District, Joe served as honorary co-­‐chair of the 14th annual Best Buddies Challenge in 2013, hosted a Special Olympics briefing for his colleagues on Capitol Hill, and has encouraged the Administration to renew the Executive Order authorizing the Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Joe is a committed advocate for woman’s equity and a system that supports working families. He co-­‐sponsored the Violence Against Women Act, which was signed into law in early 2013. He is also a co-­‐sponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act and the FAMILY Act which would create a paid leave insurance program for working men and women. MORE FIRST-­TERM HIGHLIGHTS Traveling to Selma, Alabama with Congressman John Lewis for the Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage. Watching his first bill – the Peace Corps Commemoration Act – get signed into law by President Obama. Marching in the Boston Pride Parade with Congressman Barney Frank and professional basketball player Jason Collins – Joe’s college roommate. Visiting Israel, Afghanistan and Honduras with Congressional delegations as part of his Foreign Affairs Committee duties. Giving his first speech on the House Floor in honor of Dr. Irving Fradkin, a 92-­year-­
old education advocate from Fall River, Mass. Completing the Boston Marathon alongside his wife, Lauren. Hosting the premiere of the much talked about documentary, “Underwater Dreams”, at the Boston Museum of Science.