Recognition that government's first responsibility is to ensure our national security and to protect and defend the Constitution informed Congressman Tierney's eight years of service on the House Committee on Government Reform, where he concentrated on national security, non-proliferation, and energy oversight. Currently, he is honored to serve as a leadership-appointed member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence where he serves on the Subcommittee On Oversight as well as the Subcommittee On Intelligence Policy.
Representative Tierney believes that we have a right to expect our government to foster policies that reflect core values for a strong and secure nation with a vibrant middle class and opportunity for those aspiring to join that middle class. His service as the only New England member of the House to serve on the Committee on Education and the Workforce is motivated by the intention to pursue policies that expand opportunity and strengthen families and communities. In that context, he has been an active leader in the Committee's and Congress' work to reauthorize the Elementary & Secondary Education Act, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, the Welfare Act, the Workforce Investment Act and the Higher Education Act (HEA), with respect to which he has authored the College Affordability and Accountability Act, currently under consideration in this year's session.
His Alternative Paths to Teaching Act, encouraging America's best and brightest students to enter the teaching profession, has been included in the House version of Title II (teacher training) of the HEA. He has joined in sponsoring measures to keep our schools and communities gang and drug free. His work with other Democratic committee members has advocated defeat of the President's attempts to eliminate the Perkins' Vocational and Technical Education Act, and, instead, to improve and strengthen it so as to provide additional career avenues for young people.
In view of the President’s FY2007 budget proposal that again seeks to eliminate
such educational programs, this effort will be repeated in 2006.
In keeping with his commitment that all Americans share in prosperity, he has been active in Congress' consideration of job creation and job training matters as well as issues of tax fairness and health care. Congressman Tierney is a strong advocate of health care coverage for all families and small businesses as reflected in his sponsorship and authorship of several health care initiatives including the States' Right To Innovate in Health Care Act, which seeks to encourage states to develop pilot systems of health care for their residents that can serve as models for other communities, and the Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act, which would prohibit profitable companies that promised employees retirement coverage from curtailing or eliminating benefits under their retiree health plans after an employee retires.
In keeping with the sense of fairness, the Congressman's office works for policies directed at assuring all Americans a share in prosperity and that government be held accountable. In representing the district, his efforts seek to affirm the core values of his constituents: national security, prosperity, fairness, opportunity, community and accountability.
Born in Salem, Massachusetts, Congressman Tierney attended Salem Public Schools and graduated from Salem State College. He earned a law degree from Suffolk University and, until he took office in January 1997, was partner in the law firm of Tierney, Kalis and Lucas for over 20 years. He and his wife, Patrice, continue to make Salem their home.
