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FAQs
What is Congressman Capuano's travel schedule like?
Where does Mike live?
How did Mike get his start in politics?
What Committees does Mike serve on?
Is Mike a Democrat or a Republican?
What communities are in the 8th Congressional District?
How many members of Congress do we have?
How often are members of Congress up for re-election?
How many bills are introduced during each Congress?
What is the Congressman's travel schedule like?
Typically, the House of Representatives is in session from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday or Friday. Sometimes votes are scheduled on Monday evenings as well. Mike will usually fly to D.C. on a Tuesday afternoon and return on Thursday evening or Friday afternoon. This allows him to schedule meetings and meet with constituents in the district during the week. Congress also schedules periodic District work sessions, which allow members to spend extended time in the communities they represent.
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Where does Mike live?
Mike lives in Somerville, MA. He has a small apartment in Washington that he uses when Congress is in session, but he returns to Massachusetts every weekend.
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How did Mike get his start in politics?
Mike's father was the first Italian-American elected official in the City of Somerville so Mike learned about elective office at a young age. Mike won the Ward 5 Alderman's seat in 1977, the same year he graduated from Boston College Law School. He then ran for Mayor of Somerville in 1979 and again in 1981, losing both times. In 1985 he ran for, and won, Alderman-at-Large, and was re-elected in 1987. Mike was elected Mayor of Somerville in 1989. Mike served as Mayor from 1990 until he stepped down in January, 1999, just prior to being sworn in to Congress.
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What Committees does Mike serve on?
Mike is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
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Is Mike a Democrat or a Republican?
Democrat.
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What communities are in the 8th Congressional District?
Cambridge, Chelsea, Somerville and approximately 70% of Boston.
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How many members of Congress do we have?
There are 535 members of Congress - 100 Senators and 435 Representatives. All states have two Senators while population determines representation in the House. Each Massachusetts House member represents approximately 635,000 people, and the Commonwealth also has 10 members of the House of Representatives.
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How often are members of Congress up for re-election?
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for re-election every two years during even numbered years. Members serve two-year terms. Senators serve six-year terms. Approximately one third of the Senate is up for re-election every two years.
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How many bills are introduced during each Congress?
Each Congress is two years in length, consisting of two sessions. For example, in the 107th Congress (2001-2002), 9,130 bills and joint resolutions were introduced. Only 383 of them became law. If a bill does not become law during a session, a Member must reintroduce the legislation if he or she would like it to remain under consideration.
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Mike's Schedule 
