A Decorated Veteran, Seth Moulton’s Presidential Campaign Focuses on Defense and National Security
Candidate: Seth Moulton
State of Residence: Massachusetts
Campaign Website: https://sethmoulton.com
Short Bio: Representative Seth Moulton joined the Marines in 2001, just days after graduating from college and months before the attacks on 9/11. As the leader of an infantry platoon, he was among the first Americans to reach Baghdad in 2003. He served four tours in a war that he didn’t agree with – but he was proud to go, so no one had to go in his place.
After returning home from Iraq, Moulton earned master’s degrees in business and public policy in a dual program at Harvard University. He then worked in the private sector in Texas to build the country’s first high speed rail line. But it wasn’t long before he was called to serve once again – this time in his home district in Massachusetts.
Moulton ran – and won – on a platform of bringing a new generation of leadership to Washington, becoming the only Democrat to unseat an incumbent in a primary in 2014.
In the two terms since he was first sworn in, Moulton has worked tirelessly to uphold his commitment to bipartisanship. He has passed several bipartisan bills, including the Faster Care for Veterans Act and the Modernizing Government Travel Act, and was named the most effective freshman Democrat by the Center for Effective Lawmaking. He has also concentrated on spurring economic development in Massachusetts, creating the first intergovernmental task force focused on growing the economy of Lynn, the biggest city in his district.
Today, as a member of the Budget Committee, Moulton is focused on creating a new economic agenda that will make a difference for American families. He also sits on the House Armed Services Committee and is the top Democrat on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.
Moulton lives in Salem, Massachusetts with his wife Elizabeth. [Official Congressional Bio]
Fun Fact: Moulton chose not to publicly disclose that he was twice decorated — the Bronze Star medal for valor and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal for valor — for heroism until pressed by the Boston Globe. [Boston Globe]
On the Issues
Health Care: Opposes single payer health care system, supports improving the Affordable Care Act. Moulton has said healthcare is a human right and everyone should have access to affordable health care. He does not support Medicare for All, a plan other 2020 Democrats have embraced. As a veteran, Moulton receives medical care from the the Department of Veteran Affairs, but he has pointed out flaws in the VA’s single-payer health care model. He supports the Affordable Care Act, and believes Congress should focus on improving the law by lowering costs and assuring better coverage. [PBS]
Jobs/Economy/Taxes: “We need a new tax code in this country. And it shouldn’t put the rich and powerful ahead of the rest of us,” he tweeted in response to an article on Trump’s 2017 tax bill. [Axios]
Comprehensive tax reform that expands the middle class. Moulton has co-sponsored legislation since joining Congress that would increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 per hour by 2020. He supports comprehensive tax reform, and did not support the Republican tax bill. Moulton said that it “burdens small businesses while providing tax breaks for companies and major corporations that ship jobs overseas.” [PBS]