BIOGRAPHY

Representative Michael E. Capuano

Michael Everett Capuano is serving his tenth term as a Representative in Congress for Massachusetts' Seventh District, which includes Chelsea, Everett, Randolph, Somerville, half of Cambridge and Milton and approximately 75% of Boston. He is the senior Massachusetts member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Financial Services Committee.

When Democrats took back a majority in the House, Mike was appointed to head the Transition by Leader Nancy Pelosi. He was also appointed to chair the Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement, which resulted in the establishment of the Office of Congressional Ethics, and what the Washington Post called “a significant improvement over the current process.” In March of 2008, his resolution establishing an Office of Congressional Ethics passed, involving non-Members of the House in ethics matters for the first time in history. An attempt was made by House Republicans early in 2017 to severely weaken the office, but the outcry was so great that the effort was halted.

Mike works for his constituents on local, national and international levels. As a member of the Transportation Committee, he has successfully protected the state’s share of federal transportation dollars. In 2012, Mike’s measure establishing a nationwide tunnel safety inspection program became law. In 2015, the Federal Transit Administration made its nearly $1 billion federal funding commitment to the Green Line Extension official with the signing of a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA), something Mike has been working on for years. He continues working hard to protect that funding and ensure that the GLX advances.

Moved by the story of a young man forced out of school and into hiding after telling authorities of a crime he witnessed, Mike filed the "Young Witness Assistance Act" to create a grant program at the Department of Justice for locally developed juvenile witness assistance initiatives. Mike also succeeded in passing a law to require Medicare coverage for vision rehabilitation services. These services help restore safety and independence to seniors who suffer from vision loss.

Mike co-founded and co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on Sudan and South Sudan. He has emerged as a leading Congressional voice, traveling to the region, securing $50 million for peacekeepers and advocating for a strong response to the humanitarian crises there. He is working with his colleagues to end the violence and suffering, pushing for an arms embargo and working to avert famine with adequate humanitarian relief.

Prior to serving in Congress, Mike was the Mayor of Somerville, MA from January of 1990 through January of 1999. He was born in Somerville to Andrew Capuano of Somerville and Rita Garvey Capuano of Allston-Brighton and Dorchester. He graduated from Somerville High School, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College in 1973, and a law degree from Boston College Law School in 1977. He passed the Massachusetts Bar in 1977.

Mike is married to Barbara Teebagy Capuano. Barbara also graduated from Somerville High School, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston State College in 1974 and earned her MBA from Babson College in 1976. Barbara became a Certified Public Accountant in 1978. They have two sons, Michael and Joseph.

Open printer-friendly page