Congressman Stephen Lynch joined WCVB's "On the Record" to discuss the war in Iran, the latest developments in the Epstein files, and the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, among other topics.
Rep. Lynch, a Democrat, was first sworn in to the United States Congress in Oct. 2001 and represents Massachusetts's 8th Congressional District.
He discussed whether the ceasefire in Iran will hold and whether it amounts to a victory for the United States, as both countries claimed success after the announcement."Right now it appears to be sketchy," said Rep. Lynch. "It looks like there are some individual units that didn't get the message [and] I know there are very few oil tankers that have been able to pass through the Gulf, so it's still a problem."
He also addressed the growing number of Democratic lawmakers who say President Donald Trump should be removed from office after he threatened that the Iranian civilization would "die" if it did not meet his demands.First Lady Melania Trump delivered a rare public statement at the White House pushing back on any association with Jeffrey Epstein, a statement Rep. Lynch called "odd."
Rep. Lynch serves on the House Oversight Committee, and was asked if the timing of the first lady's message carried any significance.
"The first lady has been very reluctant, very reticent, you know, making public statements in general," he said. "I think she felt she had been implicated in some sense and she was trying to exonerate herself and at the same time, say, 'Give justice to these women.' So as someone on the committee... it was very interesting to hear her say that."Congress returns this week as the partial government shutdown continues.
TSA agents are receiving pay after a directive from the president, but while congressional leaders announced a deal at the beginning of April, the shutdown may not end until Congress goes back into session.
"Speaker [Mike] Johnson," he said. "Every single senator... voted for this compromise bill. It gets sent over to the house and Speaker Johnson refused to bring it up. That would've passed, it would've been over with."
Democrats face headwinds ahead of the fall midterms, with just 28% of Americans viewing the party favorably and 56% seeing it in an unfavorable light, according to a CNN poll.
Rep. Lynch discussed why the numbers are so low and whether Democrats are focused on the right priorities.Democrats this past week tried passing a War Powers Resolution, which ultimately failed. They're going to try again, a move which Rep. Lynch supports.He faces a primary challenger for reelection in Patrick Roath and discusses why he believes he deserves another term.
Democratic analyst Mary Anne Marsh and Republican analyst Ginny Buckingham join "On the Record" to debate the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, Rachael Rollins' bid to reclaim the Suffolk County DA seat and the fight over releasing Boston Police body camera footage.
The analysts debate a Massachusetts push to ban social media for kids and who had the best and worst week politically.
