Jobs & Economic Opportunity
From his very first days in Congress, Stephen has focused on ensuring that residents from the 8th have access to good paying jobs and he’s working every day to create and expand opportunities for all to succeed.
Stephen knows that our working families face great challenges. Wages are stagnant, there are constant attacks on collective bargaining, efforts to weaken retirement security and a system that favors corporations over the working people that ensure their success. Stephen believes that our economy should strengthen our country for every American, not just those at the top.
He has fought against unfair trade deals that hurt American workers and will work to crack down on companies that ship profits and jobs overseas. He has worked to ensure that the terms of trade deals are designed to create American jobs and raise wages here, while also ensuring that critical domestic environmental, consumer, and other public interest safeguards would not be undermined by the terms of any trade deals. He is fighting for equal pay and paid leave, increasing the minimum wage and working to ensure that the wealthiest citizens and largest corporations pay their fair share.
Bringing to Congress the perspective of someone who worked for nearly 20 years as an Ironworker, Stephen knows that strong worker protections and fair labor practices created America’s middle class.
Ensuring that workers are not forgotten in the Halls of Congress, Stephen founded and continues to co-chair the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus to work with his colleagues on issues that are important to American’s working men and women.
In Congress, Stephen worked to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that created more than 2 million jobs, invested in our infrastructure, and cut tax rates for 95% of American families. As a member of the Financial Services Committee, Stephen helped to craft the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to create consumer protections, end government bail-outs of the financial system and introduce transparency and accountability for shadowy financial markets.
Stephen voted against the massive bank bail-out that rewarded unscrupulous banking executives and failed to hold any one of them accountable.
He has worked with his colleagues on numerous bills to help working families succeed and has also co-sponsored legislation to assist struggling pension plans for Americans who face financial uncertainty at a time when they cannot return to work.
Stephen understands that critical improvements to our infrastructure will not only create and support good paying jobs, but will also strengthen the climate change resiliency of our infrastructure and help our economy. As New England’s senior member of the Transportation Committee, he’s working hard on a transportation and infrastructure bill which will create millions of good-paying jobs.
As your Congressman, Stephen will continue to support policies that strengthen our economy, grow our middle class and help America’s working families.
Money talks: The MBTA walks back service cuts
It’s a good thing that Congressman Lynch’s threat to the state worked. Boston Globe Editorial After the MBTA went ahead with planned cuts to train and bus services, US Representative Stephen Lynch issued a stern warning to state transportation leaders: Use...
MBTA GM Poftak Sends Letter to Rep. Lynch Committing to No Layoffs or Furloughs
Boston, MA - Last week, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak sent U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) a letter finalizing the agreement they made in their discussions about the MBTA's proposed layoffs, furloughs and service cuts. In conclusion,...
Commuter Rail conductors will not be furloughed after all, Rep. Stephen Lynch says “They have reconsidered their decision.”
Boston Globe By Christopher Gavin The MBTA has opted not to proceed with the indefinite furlough of 40 commuter rail conductors and assistant conductors as previously planned, Congressman Stephen Lynch says. The reversal came after Lynch, earlier this week,...
MBTA is rethinking service cuts and scraps layoffs after criticism from lawmakers
T indicates it is also considering restoring service earlier than planned Boston Globe By Adam Vaccaro The MBTA is backtracking on planned budget cuts in the face of criticism from the state’s congressional delegation over the agency’s decision to reduce...
Mass. congressional delegation wants explanation on MBTA service cuts
"We hope you can reassure us that the federal assistance Congress has provided will be used to completely restore any and all service cuts as soon as possible." Boston Globe By Christopher Gavin The Massachusetts congressional delegation called on MBTA leaders...
Rep. Lynch Slams MBTA’s Latest Round Of Service Cuts
WBUR By Tiziana Dearing and Walter Wuthmann Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch is criticizing the MBTA's latest round of service cuts, arguing they aren't necessary. In a letter to MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak, Lynch and the entire Massachusetts...
Lynch: Commuter Rail Operator Will Hold Off On Furloughs
WBUR Dozens of commuter rail conductors will stay on the job after being told they'd be furloughed, according to U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch. The South Boston Democrat told WBUR's Radio Boston that Keolis, the company that runs the commuter rail for the MBTA, has had...
Fed money allows T to reverse transit cuts, insists Lynch
Dorchester Reporter/ State House News Service By Katie Lannan, State House News Service The state’s congressional delegation is “furious” about service reductions at the MBTA and plans to have “hard conversations” with transit officials and Gov. Baker about reversing...
Gov’s MBTA cuts draw fire from elected officials
Agency looks to cut service despite federal aid Bay State Banner By Morgan C Mullings n December, the MBTA announced planned cuts to service, and the cuts went into effect on Sunday, March 14. Though the changes to more than 35 bus lines, along with reduced frequency...
Mass. congressional delegation calls on MBTA to justify service cuts
By Matt Berg The Massachusetts congressional delegation on Wednesday called on MBTA officials to justify service cuts amid increased federal transit funding, saying the reductions disproportionately affect essential workers from low-income communities. In a letter,...