January 14, 2009
Washington, DC– Today, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) voted for H.R. 2, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization bill, which reauthorizes and strengthens the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. This legislation, which reflected a bipartisan compromise, would provide health insurance for 11 million low-income children across America through FY 2013. H.R. 2 passed by an overwhelming margin, 289-139, and will be sent to the President to be signed into law. — »
January 8, 2009
Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) applauded steps taken by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to restore benefit eligibility to some of the more than 250,000 “Priority 8” Veterans prevented since 2003 from receiving VA care even though their incomes are often too low to purchase private health insurance. In a briefing before the House Appropriations Committee, VA representatives explained that this month the agency will distribute to VA hospitals and clinics $375 million appropriated for Priority 8 Veterans for this year. This funding was a direct result of Congressman Sestak’s second Veterans Summit, held last May at Ridley High School. — »
January 8, 2009
Washington, DC – During his first term, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) worked with his colleagues in the 110th Congress to cut the dollar amount of earmarks by 43 percent – down to $9 billion – and took action to adopt strict rules governing earmarks. As part of his commitment to making the appropriations process fully transparent with regard to accountability for requests made by Members of Congress, in the past, Congressman Sestak has published and placed on his website all approved earmarks. Now, the Congressman will publish on his website all appropriations requests that he submits and, in addition, he supports a number of other key measures to ensure the process is subject to thorough public scrutiny. (See paragraph 4 below.) — »
January 7, 2009
Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) drafted a bill that would prevent him and his fellow Members of Congress their automatically scheduled salary adjustment in 2010. The Congressman co-sponsored legislation last year (H.R. 5087) that would have prevented the 2.8 percent pay increase that went into effect for 2009, but that bill was not brought to the floor for a vote. Since 1975, pay increases for Members of Congress take effect automatically unless disapproved by Congress. In 2007, Congressman Sestak strongly supported, and voted for, the provision that prevented a pay increase for that year. — »
January 6, 2009
Washington, D.C.—Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) was sworn-in to his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives today, joined by nearly 600 of his constituents. Following the ceremony, Congressman Sestak expressed his sincere appreciation to the people of the Seventh Congressional District for their faith in reelecting him to serve as their representative during an especially important period in our nation’s history. — »
January 6, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) voted for H. Res. 5, the House Rules Package for the 111th Congress, which passed by a vote of 242-181. The legislation builds on the reforms implemented by the new Democratic Majority in the 110th Congress and includes a number of changes intended to maintain the integrity of the institution and enable the House to operate more efficiently as Congress works to address the immediate and urgent challenges facing our nation. At the same time, Congressman Sestak announced plans to introduce legislation that will address one provision in the bill that he opposes, which eliminated term limits for the Chairs of House Committees. — »
January 3, 2009
December 22, 2008
Media, PA – In 1944 John H. Simon, 78 of Collegeville, was in the Army Air Corps and being transported to the far east to prepare for the invasion of Japan. Enroute the ship he was aboard, USS Callan, honored a long-standing maritime tradition of 'crossing the line' wherein those embarked on a vessel that is crossing the equator are transformed from 'pollywogs' into 'shellbacks'. Mr. Simon and the rest of his Army colleagues were so honored and presented cards to confirm that fact. Unfortunately, Mr. Simon's wallet, card included, was lost before the war ended. — »
December 22, 2008
Drexel Hill, PA – Taking part in a nationwide effort to give back to the service members and families who have made selfless sacrifices on behalf of our nation, a local landscaper donated his time and resources to decorate the home of a Delaware County Marine injured in combat in Afghanistan. Vince Del Vacchio, a Broomall resident and small businessman who owns Del Vacchio Landscapes Inc. in Edgmont, joined with Christmas Décor, the nation’s largest outdoor lighting and decorating franchise, in an effort to literally brighten the lives of men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families with impressive displays of Christmas lights, wreaths and ornaments. To recognize this admirable effort, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) drafted a Congressional Citation expressing his gratitude to Del Vacchio and honoring Corporal Matthew Sondermann and his family, the recipients of this generous and thoughtful act. — »
December 15, 2008
Washington, D.C. – At a critical time for the health of domestic auto companies, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) brought together representatives from 14 dealerships across the Seventh Congressional District to explain his position on the approach needed to deal with the struggles of an industry vital to a national economic recovery. Attendees had the opportunity to offer their perspectives on ways the government can most effectively intervene to preserve an industry responsible for millions of jobs. The Congressman has made clear that the methods used to assist the auto industry must reflect the fact that dealerships are small businesses, which are responsible for more than 70 percent of job creation. — »
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