March 2010

Our efforts both in Washington and here in the 7th District to overcome the economic challenges we face together continue. I am proud to have helped pass historic and long-awaited health care reform that not only fulfills a moral obligation to make quality, affordable care accessible to all Americans, but also addresses the economic necessity of slowing the rise of costs and reducing our deficit. Read More.

October and November 2009

Our efforts both in Washington and here in the 7th District to overcome the economic challenges we face together continue. This month I am proud to have cast my vote to help the House of Representatives pass a healthcare reform bill that addresses our moral imperative to provide access to affordable, quality healthcare, and an economic necessity. If we do not act, America will be spending one fifth of its GDP on health care by 2019. Meanwhile, individuals’ annual health insurance premiums are over $400 more expensive because of costs for the uninsured. Read More.

July and August 2009

Our efforts both in Washington and here in the 7th District to overcome the economic challenges we face together continued throughout the past month and a half. As we rebuild our economy, we must recognize the urgency of addressing our healthcare crisis. If we do not, America will be spending one fifth of its GDP on health care by 2019. In Pennsylvania, from 2001-2007, health insurance premiums increased 86% while wages increased only 13%. All the while, more Americans became uninsured, increasing their risk of medical bankruptcy and lowering their quality of life. Read More.

June 2009

Our efforts both in Washington and here in the 7th District to overcome the economic challenges we face together continued throughout June and into July. Congress took an important step toward building a green economy with the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The Act begins to move the country in the direction of utilizing renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, and creating new green jobs. Earlier in the month, I met with the Chamber of Commerce of Greater West Chester to address the concerns of local small business and industry leaders and to provide an update on the use of stimulus funding. To promote resources available to my constituents in difficult economic times, I am hosting a Working Family Resources Summit where government and non-government experts and organizations will help guide constituents to the options available to them, addressing everything from adult education to credit counseling. I invite you to attend the event on August 1^{s t}at Interboro High School. Read More.

May 2009

Our efforts both in Washington and here in the 7th District to overcome the economic challenges we face together continued throughout May and into June, and were highlighted by the passage of critical credit card legislation to stop unreasonable practices such as retroactive interest rate hikes. In addition, bills to address our housing crisis will curb “predatory” lending and help more families refinance into affordable mortgages. At home, I joined Small Business Administration officials and the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to announce stimulus funding benefiting my District as I continue to closely monitor the accountable and transparent dispersal of funds (a directory of specific information and contacts to the agencies that are administering stimulus funds is accessible on my Web site, www.sestak.house.gov). To require improved accountability of taxpayer dollars used for defense spending, I introduced two key amendments to the Defense Acquisition Reform bill. Read More.

April 2009

Our efforts both in Washington and here in the 7th District to face and overcome the economic challenges we face together continued in April and were highlighted by the passage of the President’s budget by the House and Senate. The budget institutes the key strategic investments in education, energy, and health care needed to retool our economy to be competitive in the future, while continuing the necessary actions already underway to promote recovery from the present global economic challenge. The budget resolution provides a strong framework for overcoming our immediate financial crisis and laying the groundwork for our future prosperity, while also reaffirming Congress’s commitment to PAYGO budgeting by calling for commitments to health care reform, “green” job creation, and college affordability to be completely deficit-neutral. Read More.

March 2009

Our efforts to face and overcome these economic challenges together continued in March, highlighted by the second 7th Congressional District Business Procurement Summit on March 27 at the Springfield Country Club. More than 1,000 people packed the summit, which brought dedicated government and corporate leaders together with local small businesses, community organizations, and municipalities to ensure that our District has the tools, information, and contacts to secure funding and business opportunities through the government contracting process and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). To provide further access to the Recovery Act, each week my staff has continued to update my comprehensive Resource Directory, which provides specific information and contacts to the agencies that will be administering stimulus funds. Read More.

February 2009

As your Representative in Washington, my focus – as it has been for the last year –  is on your economic security. To that purpose, my efforts over the last two months have been targeted at informing constituents and county, municipal, educational, and non-profit organizations about key provisions of the “Economic Stimulus Bill” (H.R. 1: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) – both before and after its passage.  This newsletter contains information on some of the recent events and outreach efforts I and my office have used to keep you informed about the work we are doing to overcome the economic challenges we face. Read More.

January 2009

Congressman Sestak marked his second swearing in by stressing the need for a commitment to transparency, accountability and bipartisanship in all government actions. Keeping our national and local economic security at the top his second term agenda, the Congressman supported a stimulus package our economy needs and legislation to ensure proper execution of Congressional mandates requiring accountability for taxpayer money spent to stabilize our financial markets. In addition, he addressed the announcement of significant layoffs at one of the region’s largest employers. In Washington, the Congressman also worked on bills that expanded healthcare for children and Vet and addressed wage discrimination. In the District, he attended numerous community service sites on Martin Luther King Day to express his appreciation for their work and lend his support. Read More.