Eric J. J. Massa

Former Hill Aide

After retiring from the Navy, Massa and his family settled in Corning, N.Y., where he worked for a manufacturing company until he was laid off. He took a job at the House  Armed Services Committee, but was forced out in 2003, when he opposed former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s strategy for the planning of the  Iraq war.Massa House web site  Massa then worked on the 2004 presidential campaign of his former Navy boss, Gen. Wesley Clark, overseeing his field operation in New Hampshire.

Running for the House

When George W. Bush was reelected in 2004, Massa took his political frustrations out by running against his congressman, Randy Kuhl (R), in 2006.  He was defeated.  Massa tried again in 2008, and won.

“Ten years ago this month, I completed a course of chemotherapy that saved my life under some of the best and most expert medical care available in the world,” he said when he arrived in the House.  “I believe passionately and I believe strongly and I believe to the core of my soul that all Americans should have access to the same medical care that I had access to 10 years ago.” Eric Massa to the House of Representatives, January 21, 2009; THOMAS (Library of Congress)

Massa serves on the House Agricultural Committee, the House Armed Services Committee, and the House and Homeland Security Committee.Massa House web site 

Ethics Charges

Massa suddenly resigned in March 2010 after allegations surfaced that the House Ethics Committee was probing reports that the lawmaker sexually harrassed a junior member of his staff.

According to Politico, Massa's former deputy chief of staff, Randy Hikel, told the Ethics panel of the charges and was interviewed twice. Massa denied the charges, and said he was leaving because of his health. He is a survivor of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.Bresnahan, John and Kraushaar, Josh, Politico, "Hoyer Knew of Massa allegations," March 4, 2010

The open House seat is a prime pickup opportunity for Republicans. Ex-Rep. Randy Kuhl (R), who Massa beat in 2008, imay run again now that the seat is open.

Health-Care Reform

In September 2009, Massa said supports a public option as part of a health-care plan, but that “Obama has not given one.”  He was undecided over whether to support non-profit health-care co-operatives as an alternative. According to his press secretary, Jerry Kaiser, Massa is “intrigued by the idea but wants to study it more before making a decision.”WhoRunsGov.com Interview with interview with Massa and staff, Sept. 21, 2009

Massa is opposed to individual mandates that would require every American to carry health insurance, and undecided on whether to support “market-driven reforms.”  WhoRunsGov.com Interview with Massa and staff, Sept. 21, 2009  According to Kaiser, “the [Obama] bill is not deficit neutral, which is a big problem for Massa.”

As a cancer survivor, Massa supports universal health care for all Americans.Pasko, Jessica,  Syracuse.com, "The Latest Central NY, Senate & 2008 Presidential Elections Updates", March 20, 2009.  As a veteran, he supports fully-funded health care for U.S. troops and veterans. Pasko, Jessica,Syracuse.com, "The Latest Central NY, Senate & 2008 Presidential Elections Updates", March 20, 2009.

Massa believes that a single-payer plan is the best wayTumulty, Brian, "Where does your lawmaker stand on health care reform?", Democratic chronicle.com, September 14, 2009. to reform the health-care system, but doesn't think such a plan has enough support in Congress, and knows that most voters in his district oppose it.

Furthermore, Massa favors a reform plan that would ban advertising by pharmaceutical companies, because currently, the costs of the advertisements are transferred to consumers, brand-name drugs are promoted over less-expensive generic versions and companies are allowed to deduct the cost of advertising as a business expense. Tumulty, Brian, "Where does your lawmaker stand on health care reform?", Democratic chronicle.com, September 14, 2009.

Afghanistan and Iraq

As a former Naval officer who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, Massa has been vocal in his opposition to funding wars through emergency spending bills known as supplementals.

He was one of 32 Democrats to oppose the fiscal 2009  supplemental funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which passed the House in June 2009.Roll Call Vote on HR 2346

He has said that the Obama administration should approach the Afghan war in a more holistic way. "I have stated that deploying the U.S. military is not enough. We must deploy the entire force of the U.S. government including the Department of Agriculture and all the rest," Massa said in September 2009. "But, we are ill prepped for such an effort and nine months into the new Administration we have not yet seen this effort."Crooks and Liars, Howie Klein Interview with Eric Massa, Sept. 25, 2009

Social Issues

Massa believes that abortion should be "safe, legal and rare."Massa On Abortion. He supports responsible family planning, legislation to help families cope with unwanted pregnancies, access to emergency contraception and formal safe-sex education.

As a cancer survivor, Massa believes strongly in medical research. He says he would never stand in the way of new developments that could possibly give other Americans a new lease on life, as he received.

“I am absolutely “pro-cure,’” he says.  “Stem-cell studies are the most promising area of medical research to come along in decades, offering hope to millions who suffer from chronic diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.  We need this research to save lives – I believe that we must do all we can to find critical cures.  I will vote ‘YES’ on any bill which expands federal support for stem cell research in ethical ways.” Massa, Eric, Campaign Website, Nov. 4, 2008

Tax Reform

Massa would like to see an automatic $1,000 middle-class tax cut for all families that earn less than $250,000 per year, and an automatic homeowner deduction for people who don’t itemize their tax returns.  He also favors greater earmark transparency and accountability, closing the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" as well as corporate off-shore tax shelter loopholes.Massa House web site

“Lowering taxes for working Americans and seniors is a cornerstone of my legislative philosophy,” he said.  “The 111th Congress came into session with a mandate for change, and reforming American’s tax code is one of the most important pieces of our agenda."Massa House web site

Massa opposes taxpayer funding for private schools through vouchers.  Instead, he would like to focus on funding and fixing No Child Left Behind legislation; implementing other programs, such as "Success for All," which seeks to improve reading skills in elementary schools, and increasing Pell Grants to $5,100. Massa, Eric, Campaign Website, Nov. 4, 2008

“Our most at-risk students are trapped in failing, impoverished schools; those who make it to college graduate under a mountain of debt.  Education is the cornerstone of our culture and our economy.  America has made a long-standing promise to educate every child.” Massa, Eric, Campaign Website, Nov. 4, 2008