Representative Joe Sestak | Representing the 7th District of Pennsylvania

Watch Congressman Sestak Call for Congress to Work until Healthcare is Done

November 6, 2009

MEDIA, PA - With historic healthcare legislation ready to be brought to a vote, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) called on Members of Congress to stay in Washington until passage of a landmark bill that will ensure everyone has health coverage that they can afford and will include the choice of a public option to compete with insurance companies and bring down costs. (Watch his remarks at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuN45p_qFRs) As nothing has been done for the past eight years, more than eight million Americans have lost their health insurance, while costs have skyrocketed -- more than 86 percent during the same period that wages rose only 13 percent. To communicate the urgency with which he and his colleagues must approach this bill, the Congressman spoke on the floor (transcript below) and referred to an experience when his daughter was in the hospital because of a brain tumor and a family with a young boy with leukemia was in the next room, unsure if they could obtain treatment because they could not afford insurance.  »

Congressman Sestak Commends Exelon for Following Principle in Leaving Chamber of Commerce

November 2, 2009

Morrisville, PA— Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) toured the Exelon-Conergy Solar Energy Center in Bucks County today in order to discuss how to best incentivize innovation in green technology here in Pennsylvania with representatives from one of the nation’s largest utility companies.  The Congressman, a leading advocate of the American Clean Energy and Security Act that passed in the House, also commended Exelon for following principle and leaving the Chamber of Commerce due to its lobbying efforts against climate change legislation.  »

Congressman Sestak and Department of Education Host Statewide Student Loan Program

November 2, 2009

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Joined by representatives from dozens of colleges and universities statewide, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) highlighted the benefits and challenges of the transition to direct lending for all government-financed student loans. The Congressman partnered with the Department of Education for a webinar that provided important assistance to schools across the Commonwealth to prepare for all new federal student loans to be originated through the Direct Loan program as of July 1, 2010. The current program includes government subsidies and loan guarantees for private lenders.  »

Congressman Sestak Congratulates Lansdowne on its Designation as a Preserve America Community

October 28, 2009

Media, PA – Today, Congressman Sestak congratulates Lansdowne Borough for its designation as a Preserve America Community.  These designations are issued through the United States Department of the Interior and delivered by Michelle Obama, who serves as the Honorary Chair of the program (letter included below).  This will enable the Borough and local organizations to continue to preserve valuable historic and cultural resources, foster civic engagement, and encourage economic activity in Lansdowne.  Furthermore, participation in the Preserve America program will increase Lansdowne's visibility and help ensure the community's vitality.  Only 30 other communities in Pennsylvania are designated Preserve America Communities.  »

Congressman Sestak Applauds Recovery Act Investment of $3.4 Billion into Transforming Our Country’s Energy Grid

October 27, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07), a long-time supporter of transforming our country’s electrical system to make it more efficient, reliable, and sustainable, was pleased at the announcement today of the awarding of $3.4 billion in economic stimulus money to fund the development and implementation of state-of-the-art smart grid technology. Among four Pennsylvania companies to receive awards, it was announced today that PECO Energy Company will be receiving $200 million in funding to deploy smart meter technology to all 600,000 customers, upgrade communication infrastructure to support a smart meter network, install 7 "intelligent" substations, and accelerate deployment of more reliable and secure smart grid technologies that will reduce peak energy load and increase cost savings. Earlier this year, Congressman Sestak signed a letter supporting a successful submittal by PECO. »

Congressman Sestak Praises The Sierra Club and Reinforces His Support for Meaningful Climate Change Legislation

October 27, 2009

PHILADELPHIA, PA— Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) praised The Sierra Club in a statement today for its past work and for today's rally in front of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) mid-Atlantic office in Philadelphia.  The statement expressed his support for the advancement of climate change legislation.  »

Congressman Sestak Announces Special Payments for Service Members Who Served Under Stop Loss

October 24, 2009

Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) announced that special payments are now available to more than 185,000 service members who have had their enlistments involuntarily extended since September 11, 2001, providing $500 for every month they were held under stop-loss orders.  Congress established this payment in the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act enacted this summer.  »

Congressman Sestak Introduces Legislation to Extend Emergency Healthcare Coverage

October 23, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC— With the unemployment rate remaining high as a result of the recession, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) introduced legislation to ensure necessary assistance for unemployed workers to purchase health insurance. The Extended COBRA Continuation Protection Act of 2009 extends by six months a provision from the Economic Stimulus Bill that provides 65 percent of health insurance premiums to individuals eligible for COBRA benefits who have been involuntarily terminated during the economic recession.  »

Congressman Sestak Helps Pass Legislation to Protect Domestic Security

October 23, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC— Today Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) voted for, and the House passed, H.R. 3619, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010. If the Senate considers the bill, this legislation will be the first full Coast Guard reauthorization enacted since 2006.  »

Congressman Sestak Calls for Justice for Rape Victims

October 22, 2009

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Sestak signed a letter urging Rep. John Murtha, Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, to include Senator Franken’s amendment to the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations Act in the final bill, which is currently in conference. The amendment, which was passed in the Senate by an overwhelming 68-30 votes, would prohibit federal funding from being used to pay defense contractors that force secretly binding arbitration on their employees in cases of sexual violence, sexual harassment, and sex and other unlawful job discrimination under Title VII. »