News from Congressman Joe Sestak

E-Newsletter - January 2008

During the last weeks of 2007, Congressman Sestak voted in Washington on key legislation regarding defense appropriations, the fiscal year budget and the AMT patch. He kicked off 2008 with numerous visits around the district, a series of meetings with local municipal leaders, and with continued opposition to the FAA’s severely flawed airspace redesign plan. Here, read more about these and other events and initiatives undertaken by Congressman Sestak.

*For the most complete and up-to-date information on Congressman Sestak’s work in Washington and in the 7th Congressional District, please visit http://sestak.house.gov

Around the 7th

  • Grants and Appropriations Meetings: In early January, Congressman Sestak held four meetings that were open to all municipal leaders in the 7th Congressional District. At the forums, Congressman Sestak provided an overview of the appropriations process and discussed the importance of applying for federal, state and private grants. In addition, he gave each level of government a copy of The Pennsylvania 7th Congressional District Grant and Resource Directory, which was compiled by his office and provides basic guidance in the grant process along with an extensive list of state and federal grant opportunities.
  • College Affordability: Congressman Sestak spoke at Delaware County Community College’s Financial Aid Information Night, where he focused on the role of the federal government in helping students fund their education in an era of rising college costs. Congressman Sestak noted that nearly 7 million students annually take out need-based federal loans, and that the cost of college has risen by 40 percent over the past five years. “I firmly believe that our government should do everything possible to help make college affordable for all those seeking to attend,” said the Congressman. “Fostering an educated and talented workforce is essential to maintaining America’s global economic competitiveness.”
  • Events Around the District: Congressman Sestak visited with citizens of the district this winter at many events, meetings, and ceremonies. He stopped by the USW’s “Get the Lead Out,” event, attended swearing-in ceremonies of local government leaders, visited numerous VFW posts, watched the Lulu Shrine Legion of Honor Change of Command Ceremony, and spoke at the Unitarian Church of West Chester.
  • Summits: Congressman Sestak continued to spread the news about two upcoming summits in the district. The 7th Congressional District College Affordability Summit will take place at Neumann College on January 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and will feature experts from the local, state and federal level who will discuss the rising cost of a college education, the accessibility of student loans, scholarships and grants, and the ins and outs of the financial aid process. The Religious Anti-Violence Summit will be held on February 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Collenbrook United Church and will bring together leaders of all faiths as well as law enforcement and other civic leaders to address topics ranging from gun crime and school violence to issues centered on religious and ethnic tolerance. For more information or to pre-register for either of these important summits, please email joesestakevents@gmail.com.

In Legislation

  • Securing National Defense:Congressman Sestak voted for and Congress passed the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1585) for Fiscal Year 2008. This legislation represents a compilation of numerous vital provisions to protect our troops, support our returning veterans, develop military readiness domestically, and strengthen our security abroad. The Defense Authorization Act authorizes $696.3 billion for military spending including $189.3 billion in supplemental funds for FY08. Twenty-three percent of such funds directly support military operations in Iraq, while the other 77 percent supports the effort in Afghanistan, repairs damages caused by Iraq, and reduces the strategic risk caused by having a military tied down in Iraq. In addition, the legislation included two priorities introduced by Congressman Sestak to: 1) Give greater contracting opportunities to small businesses by requiring market research for Department of Defense contracts greater than $1 million, and 2) have the Secretary of Defense develop a comprehensive policy to address traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health conditions similar psychopathologies. To learn more about this legislation, visit http://sestak.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa07_sestak/071213_Defense.shtml
  • Bringing Middle-Class Tax Relief: Congressman Sestak voted for, and Congress passed, the AMT Relief Act of 2007 (H.R. 4351), which will provide $50 billion in alternative minimum tax relief to 23 million families and expands the child tax credit to help 12 million children. The AMT was initially intended in 1968 to increase tax payments for the very rich that used tax loopholes to avoid federal taxes. The current AMT, not adjusted for inflation, has strayed far from those original goals. “Last year, there were 16,500 taxpayers in my District with an AMT liability. Without this patch, there would be 93,100 taxpayers with a total of $51 million tax liability. I cannot, and will not, allow hard-working and honest middle class taxpayers to be burdened with this tax liability that was never intended for them,” said the Congressman. To read more about the AMT patch, visit http://sestak.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa07_sestak/071219_AMT.shtml

  • Funding American Priorities:

    Congressman Sestak voted for the Omnibus Appropriations bill (H.R. 2764), which would appropriate $555 billion to fund programs covered by the 11 appropriation bills that have not been yet been enacted this year. This will include $70 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, the bill appropriates $3.7 billion more than the president’s request to allow our Veterans to access the quality healthcare they deserve; $1.7 billion above the President’s request for Pell Grants and other student aid programs designed to make college more affordable; and $1.2 billion above the President’s request to help local communities fund state and local law enforcement across the country. “While I wish the Omnibus Appropriations package would have gone further in funding the priorities that we passed in all 12 of the House appropriation bills this year, I believe that this bill represents an important step towards shifting towards the priorities important to the American people” said Congressman Sestak. “Congress began its work this year having to fill unacceptable holes in our President’s budget, where he froze domestic spending programs leading to cuts in health care, education, homeland security, energy, and transportation infrastructure. Today, we will restore and make new investments in these key areas.” To read more about the designation of funds included in the omnibus bill, visit: http://sestak.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa07_sestak/071219_Omnibus.shtml