Tenure
Cantwell's work in the Legislature spanned a variety of issues,including cybersecurity [10] and supporting expanded "buffer zones" [11] for veterans' funerals protested by the Westboro Baptist Church. [12]
Coastal Issues
Cantwell was recognized as a leader for coastal communities,serving as co-chair of the Legislature's Coastal Caucus, [13] a board member of the National Institute for Coastal and Harbor Infrastructure (NICHI) [14] and representing Massachusetts at the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference [15] as part of the America's Pledge efforts to reaffirm American commitment to the Paris Climate Accords. [16]
Cantwell's persistent [17] pursuit of coastal resiliency solutions led to the passage of a multi-million dollar coastal infrastructure bond bill, [18] later expanded upon with a $1.4 Billion environmental bond bill to support climate adaptation. [19]
Cantwell's advocacy [20] [21] [22] also placed pressure on Federal authorities (primarily FEMA) to make updates to disputed maps of flood zones and provide disaster funding under the National Flood Insurance Program, [23] [24] informing debate around the passage of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. [25]
His advocacy for coastal communities also includes helping to create the Seafood-Marketing Committee. [26] For his work on coastal issues,Cantwell was recognized as the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association's 2016 Legislator of the Year. [27]
Healthcare
Cantwell is noted for his work to combat the opioid epidemic,pushing for increased access to recovery coaches [28] [29] and co-chairing the Promote Prevent Commission [30] created by his legislation. [31]
The Promote Prevent Commission's work also included suicide prevention,serving as one of several forums where Cantwell sought to advocate for evidence-based solutions [32] and promote awareness [33] and destigmatization. [34] He was recognized for these efforts by the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention. [35]
Cantwell fought [36] to mandate insurance coverage for long-term impacts of Lyme disease. [37]
Committee assignments
In his final term,Cantwell served as the Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary,a member of the Joint Committee on Education,and a member of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. [47]
In prior sessions,Cantwell sat on the Joint Committee on Ways and Means,the Joint Committee on Environment,Natural Resources,and Agriculture;the Joint Committee on Financial Services,the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, [48] the House Committee on Bonding,Capital Expenditures and State Assets,the Joint Committee on Revenue,the Joint Committee on Financial Services, [4] and the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business. [49]
