Toomey In The News
News and updates regarding Pat Toomey's US Senate Campaign.
Updated: 1 year 5 weeks ago
Pat Toomey on KDKA radio in Pittsburgh with Larry Richert
Listen to Pat Toomey on KDKA radio in Pittsburgh with Larry Richert
Categories: Berks Political News
Pat Toomey on WHP radio in Harrisburg with RJ Harris
Listen to Pat Toomey on WHP radio in Harrisburg with RJ Harris
Categories: Berks Political News
Pat Toomey on WPHT radio in Philadelphia with Dom Giordano
Listen to Pat Toomey on WPHT radio in Philadelphia with Dom Giordano.
Categories: Berks Political News
Pat Toomey on WSBA Radio in York with Gary Sutton
Listen to Pat Toomey on WSBA Radio
in York with Gary Sutton
in York with Gary Sutton
Categories: Berks Political News
Extremeism Watch - Joe Sestak Contributes to Washington Extremism Supports Economically Disastrous Health Care Plan
Allentown, PA – Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Sestak (PA-07) aligned himself with the most extreme left-wing portion of the Democratic Party when he voted for the House Democratic government-run health care plan in the Education and Labor Committee last week (July 17, 2009).
Totaling 1,018 pages, the bill is expected to cost over $1 trillion over ten years and to increase the already record-large deficit. It creates a new government-run health care system that will strip individuals of choice. It contains, not one, not two—but three tax increases. And it will hurt America’s small businesses and cost American jobs.
The legislation is so extreme that many Democrats are shying away from it and urging the President to move more cautiously, including Democratic Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE), Ron Wydan (D-OR), and Mary Landrieu (D-LA). Many moderate House Democrats, known as Blue Dog Democrats, are also opposing the bill’s explosive cost. “We cannot fix these problems by simply throwing more money into a broken system,” Democratic Rep. Bart Gordon (TN-06) said. And governors across the country—both Republicans and Democrats—are balking at the expensive mandates the legislation would impose on states.
But Joe Sestak supports Washington extremism over America’s hardworking taxpayers.
New Spending:
At a time when the deficit for 2009 is climbing towards $2 trillion, the last thing the country needs is a bill that promises to increase the deficit. And yet, that is exactly what the Democrats’ health care plan promises to do. President Obama requested a deficit neutral bill, but the Congressional Budget Office projects that the legislation will result in a net increase in the federal budget deficit by $239 billion.
To make matters worse, the plan ignores long-term costs past the 10-year mark. In fact, the plan attempts to obscure the true costs of the bill by postponing most of the real expenses to later years. The chart below shows how drastically the cost of the bill will increase after the first five years.
And the CBO projections don’t even begin to deal with what will happen after 2019. According to the Heritage Foundation, the federal budget deficit may total as high as $800 billion in the legislation’s second decade, and even more in subsequent years.
Government-Run Health Care:
President Obama and the Democrats claim that Americans who like their health insurance will be able to keep their plans exactly as they are today. But independent analysis (The Lewin Group) shows that this is not the case at all. In fact, the plan will shift 88 million people from employee based private insurance to the newly created government-run plan. Total enrollment in the newly created public plan is estimated to be 103.9 million. In other words, 84.79% of people covered by the newly established public plan would be dropped from private insurance to enter the world of government-run health care.
To make matters worse, those who chose to remain on private insurance because of the greater choice and flexibility inherent in those plans will end up shouldering a greater portion of health care costs in this country. Like Medicare, the new government program will only pay hospitals and doctors a portion of what private insurance pays. The gap in costs and payments will be paid by those individuals with private insurance, causing an increase in costs for those individuals left with private health insurance.
Finally, a government-run, socialized style health care system will allow a government bureaucracy to set prices and determine appropriate treatment. In the UK, for example, the government has decided that 6 months of life is worth $22,750. If a life-prolonging treatment costs more than $22,750 per 6 months, it is not available to the majority of the British under their socialized health care system (New York Times, 12/02/08).
The House bill appears to be going down this extreme path of rationing care as a way to control costs. Consider a provision in the House Democratic bill that would require every senior to have a mandatory counseling session with a government bureaucrat every five years to discuss ways to “die with dignity.”
Three New Taxes:
The plan imposes a mandate on individuals and employers, hitting both with a new health care tax if either fails to comply. For individuals, this tax amounts to 2.5% of one’s gross adjusted income above a certain level; for businesses, this tax ranges from 2% to 8% of total payroll. The exemption for small businesses requires a payroll so low that all but the tiniest businesses will be hit by this new tax.
This new tax on wages will force many employers to lay off workers. The reason that some companies don’t offer health insurance is that they are in low-wage and low-profit margin industries. In other words, they simply can’t afford it. If you force these employers to pay this new wage tax or buy health insurance, they will be forced to lay off workers to survive.
The plan also calls for a new, massive surtax on personal income, including many small business owners, to pay for the $1 trillion in new government spending. Ranging from 1.5% to 5.4%, the surtax will push the highest federal marginal income tax rate to 46%--the highest rate since 1986. And with states raising their own income taxes, thirty-nine states will see a combined income tax above 50%.
In Pennsylvania, for example, state and federal taxes combined will push the top rate to 51%. That means the top income tax rate in Pennsylvania and many other states across the country will actually be higher than that of our biggest economic competitors, including Germany, Japan, and France (see chart below). Their relatively high marginal tax rates have caused these countries to be plagued by slow growth and high unemployment for years. The U.S. will join them if this legislation becomes law.
To be sure, there are many problems with the country’s health care system. The cost of health care is increasing at a much faster pace than general inflation. Individuals who buy their own health insurance don’t receive the same favorable tax treatment as individuals who receive their insurance from employers. And small businesses are denied the ability to band together with other companies to provide health insurance for their employees at an affordable rate. But instead of dealing with these problems directly, one-party rule in Washington has produced legislation that will only make the problems worse.
“The country and the economy face serious problems,” U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey said, “but we need balanced, thoughtful solutions, not expensive policies that cater to the far left-wing of the Democratic Party. One-party rule in Washington has quickly given way to extremism, at the expense of America’s hardworking taxpayers. As the economy struggles to recover, the last thing the country needs is higher taxes, a larger deficit, and government-run health care that deprives individuals of the freedom to make choices based on what is best for them and their families.”
Totaling 1,018 pages, the bill is expected to cost over $1 trillion over ten years and to increase the already record-large deficit. It creates a new government-run health care system that will strip individuals of choice. It contains, not one, not two—but three tax increases. And it will hurt America’s small businesses and cost American jobs.
The legislation is so extreme that many Democrats are shying away from it and urging the President to move more cautiously, including Democratic Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE), Ron Wydan (D-OR), and Mary Landrieu (D-LA). Many moderate House Democrats, known as Blue Dog Democrats, are also opposing the bill’s explosive cost. “We cannot fix these problems by simply throwing more money into a broken system,” Democratic Rep. Bart Gordon (TN-06) said. And governors across the country—both Republicans and Democrats—are balking at the expensive mandates the legislation would impose on states.
But Joe Sestak supports Washington extremism over America’s hardworking taxpayers.
New Spending:
At a time when the deficit for 2009 is climbing towards $2 trillion, the last thing the country needs is a bill that promises to increase the deficit. And yet, that is exactly what the Democrats’ health care plan promises to do. President Obama requested a deficit neutral bill, but the Congressional Budget Office projects that the legislation will result in a net increase in the federal budget deficit by $239 billion.
To make matters worse, the plan ignores long-term costs past the 10-year mark. In fact, the plan attempts to obscure the true costs of the bill by postponing most of the real expenses to later years. The chart below shows how drastically the cost of the bill will increase after the first five years.
And the CBO projections don’t even begin to deal with what will happen after 2019. According to the Heritage Foundation, the federal budget deficit may total as high as $800 billion in the legislation’s second decade, and even more in subsequent years.
Government-Run Health Care:
President Obama and the Democrats claim that Americans who like their health insurance will be able to keep their plans exactly as they are today. But independent analysis (The Lewin Group) shows that this is not the case at all. In fact, the plan will shift 88 million people from employee based private insurance to the newly created government-run plan. Total enrollment in the newly created public plan is estimated to be 103.9 million. In other words, 84.79% of people covered by the newly established public plan would be dropped from private insurance to enter the world of government-run health care.
To make matters worse, those who chose to remain on private insurance because of the greater choice and flexibility inherent in those plans will end up shouldering a greater portion of health care costs in this country. Like Medicare, the new government program will only pay hospitals and doctors a portion of what private insurance pays. The gap in costs and payments will be paid by those individuals with private insurance, causing an increase in costs for those individuals left with private health insurance.
Finally, a government-run, socialized style health care system will allow a government bureaucracy to set prices and determine appropriate treatment. In the UK, for example, the government has decided that 6 months of life is worth $22,750. If a life-prolonging treatment costs more than $22,750 per 6 months, it is not available to the majority of the British under their socialized health care system (New York Times, 12/02/08).
The House bill appears to be going down this extreme path of rationing care as a way to control costs. Consider a provision in the House Democratic bill that would require every senior to have a mandatory counseling session with a government bureaucrat every five years to discuss ways to “die with dignity.”
Three New Taxes:
The plan imposes a mandate on individuals and employers, hitting both with a new health care tax if either fails to comply. For individuals, this tax amounts to 2.5% of one’s gross adjusted income above a certain level; for businesses, this tax ranges from 2% to 8% of total payroll. The exemption for small businesses requires a payroll so low that all but the tiniest businesses will be hit by this new tax.
This new tax on wages will force many employers to lay off workers. The reason that some companies don’t offer health insurance is that they are in low-wage and low-profit margin industries. In other words, they simply can’t afford it. If you force these employers to pay this new wage tax or buy health insurance, they will be forced to lay off workers to survive.
The plan also calls for a new, massive surtax on personal income, including many small business owners, to pay for the $1 trillion in new government spending. Ranging from 1.5% to 5.4%, the surtax will push the highest federal marginal income tax rate to 46%--the highest rate since 1986. And with states raising their own income taxes, thirty-nine states will see a combined income tax above 50%.
In Pennsylvania, for example, state and federal taxes combined will push the top rate to 51%. That means the top income tax rate in Pennsylvania and many other states across the country will actually be higher than that of our biggest economic competitors, including Germany, Japan, and France (see chart below). Their relatively high marginal tax rates have caused these countries to be plagued by slow growth and high unemployment for years. The U.S. will join them if this legislation becomes law.
To be sure, there are many problems with the country’s health care system. The cost of health care is increasing at a much faster pace than general inflation. Individuals who buy their own health insurance don’t receive the same favorable tax treatment as individuals who receive their insurance from employers. And small businesses are denied the ability to band together with other companies to provide health insurance for their employees at an affordable rate. But instead of dealing with these problems directly, one-party rule in Washington has produced legislation that will only make the problems worse.
“The country and the economy face serious problems,” U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey said, “but we need balanced, thoughtful solutions, not expensive policies that cater to the far left-wing of the Democratic Party. One-party rule in Washington has quickly given way to extremism, at the expense of America’s hardworking taxpayers. As the economy struggles to recover, the last thing the country needs is higher taxes, a larger deficit, and government-run health care that deprives individuals of the freedom to make choices based on what is best for them and their families.”
Categories: Berks Political News
Hypocrisy Alert: Toomey Campaign Launches Hypocrisy Alert Asks: Where Does Arlen Specter Stand?
Allentown, PA - Today, U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey launched the first video in an ongoing series called "Hypocrisy Alert," highlighting Arlen Specter’s political opportunism on some of the most important issues facing the country today.
In the two and half months since Senator Specter became a Democrat, he has quickly demonstrated that he will assume any position, support any party, violate any principle so long as it furthers his own political career. As a nascent Democrat, facing the prospect of a primary, Senator Specter is now kowtowing to the far left element of his new party. The people of Pennsylvania deserve better than Senator Specter’s opportunism.
Transcript
Party Affiliation
Specter: I am staying a Republican because I think I have an important role, a more important role, to play there. The United States very desperately needs a two-party system. That's the basis of politics in America. (March 17, 2009, The Hill)
Specter: And therefore I’ve decided to be a candidate for reelection in 2010 in the Democratic primary. (April 28, 2009, MSNBC)
Health Care
David Gregory: Would you support health care reform that puts up a government-run public plan to compete with a private plan issued by a private insurance company?
Specter: No.
David Gregory: Let me—I want to return then to the issue of health care. You would not support a public plan?
Specter: That's what I said and that’s what I meant.
(May 3, 2009, Meet the Press)
Specter: I think Senator Schumer has the right idea about having a public component which has a level playing field with the private sector, but the public component can be included. (June 25, 2009, Union rally, Allentown Morning Call, Pennsylvania Ave. Blog)
Card Check
Specter: The problems of the recession make this a particularly bad time to enact Employees Free Choice legislation. Employers understandably complain that adding a burden would result in further job losses. (March 24, 2009, www.specter.senate.gov)
Specter: I think you will be satisfied with my vote on this issue about union organizing and about first contract (June 6, 2009, Union rally, Pittsburgh, PA)
Presidential Allies
President Bush: I'm here to say as plainly as I can Arlen Specter is the right man for the United States Senate. I can count on this man. See, that’s important. He’s a firm ally when it matters most. I’m proud to tell you I think he’s earned another term in the United States Senate. (April 26, 2004, Citizens for Arlen Specter)
President Obama: Well, let me start off by just saying I’m thrilled to have Arlen in the Democratic Caucus. I have told him that he will have my full support in the Democratic primary. Joe Biden has said the same thing. (April 29, 2009, www.whitehouse.gov)
In the two and half months since Senator Specter became a Democrat, he has quickly demonstrated that he will assume any position, support any party, violate any principle so long as it furthers his own political career. As a nascent Democrat, facing the prospect of a primary, Senator Specter is now kowtowing to the far left element of his new party. The people of Pennsylvania deserve better than Senator Specter’s opportunism.
Transcript
Party Affiliation
Specter: I am staying a Republican because I think I have an important role, a more important role, to play there. The United States very desperately needs a two-party system. That's the basis of politics in America. (March 17, 2009, The Hill)
Specter: And therefore I’ve decided to be a candidate for reelection in 2010 in the Democratic primary. (April 28, 2009, MSNBC)
Health Care
David Gregory: Would you support health care reform that puts up a government-run public plan to compete with a private plan issued by a private insurance company?
Specter: No.
David Gregory: Let me—I want to return then to the issue of health care. You would not support a public plan?
Specter: That's what I said and that’s what I meant.
(May 3, 2009, Meet the Press)
Specter: I think Senator Schumer has the right idea about having a public component which has a level playing field with the private sector, but the public component can be included. (June 25, 2009, Union rally, Allentown Morning Call, Pennsylvania Ave. Blog)
Card Check
Specter: The problems of the recession make this a particularly bad time to enact Employees Free Choice legislation. Employers understandably complain that adding a burden would result in further job losses. (March 24, 2009, www.specter.senate.gov)
Specter: I think you will be satisfied with my vote on this issue about union organizing and about first contract (June 6, 2009, Union rally, Pittsburgh, PA)
Presidential Allies
President Bush: I'm here to say as plainly as I can Arlen Specter is the right man for the United States Senate. I can count on this man. See, that’s important. He’s a firm ally when it matters most. I’m proud to tell you I think he’s earned another term in the United States Senate. (April 26, 2004, Citizens for Arlen Specter)
President Obama: Well, let me start off by just saying I’m thrilled to have Arlen in the Democratic Caucus. I have told him that he will have my full support in the Democratic primary. Joe Biden has said the same thing. (April 29, 2009, www.whitehouse.gov)
Categories: Berks Political News
Pat Toomey on WRTA radio with John McGinnis
Listen to Pat Toomey on WRTA radio with John McGinnis
Categories: Berks Political News
Pat Toomey on WHLM Radio in Columbia County
Listen to Pat Toomey on WHLM Radio in Columbia County
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Pat on Washington Times Radio
Listen to Pat Toomey this morning on Washington Times Radio
Categories: Berks Political News
Pat Toomey Endorsed By National Republican Senatorial Committee
For Immediate Release - July 14, 2009
Contact—Nachama Soloveichik • 484.809.7994 • 646.528.1029
Tim Kelly • 484.809.7994
Allentown, PA - Just three months after announcing his U.S. Senate candidacy, and ten months before the Pennsylvania Republican Party primary, today, Pat Toomey received the formal endorsement of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the political and fundraising arm of U.S. Senate Republicans.
The NRSC’s endorsement comes on the heels of an impressive list of national and local endorsements, and recent news of Toomey’s fundraising success, having raised $1.6 million since he announced his candidacy in mid-April. To date, Toomey has been endorsed by several members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation, as well as numerous leading state elected officials and county party chairmen in every region of the state.
The NRSC’s considerable financial resources will now combine with Toomey’s extensive and expanding grassroots network to form a powerful political force. Toomey’s campaign has already received contributions from over 15,000 individuals, surpassing the total number of contributors he had in the entirety of his 2004 Senate race.
“I am honored to have the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s endorsement along with the wave of support I have received from people all across Pennsylvania,” Toomey said. “Pennsylvanians are looking for thoughtful policies instead of the extremism they are witnessing in Washington today. Over the next sixteen months, I will continue to bring my message of fiscal responsibility, political balance, and economic growth to voters across the Commonwealth.”
Contact—Nachama Soloveichik • 484.809.7994 • 646.528.1029
Tim Kelly • 484.809.7994
Allentown, PA - Just three months after announcing his U.S. Senate candidacy, and ten months before the Pennsylvania Republican Party primary, today, Pat Toomey received the formal endorsement of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the political and fundraising arm of U.S. Senate Republicans.
The NRSC’s endorsement comes on the heels of an impressive list of national and local endorsements, and recent news of Toomey’s fundraising success, having raised $1.6 million since he announced his candidacy in mid-April. To date, Toomey has been endorsed by several members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation, as well as numerous leading state elected officials and county party chairmen in every region of the state.
The NRSC’s considerable financial resources will now combine with Toomey’s extensive and expanding grassroots network to form a powerful political force. Toomey’s campaign has already received contributions from over 15,000 individuals, surpassing the total number of contributors he had in the entirety of his 2004 Senate race.
“I am honored to have the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s endorsement along with the wave of support I have received from people all across Pennsylvania,” Toomey said. “Pennsylvanians are looking for thoughtful policies instead of the extremism they are witnessing in Washington today. Over the next sixteen months, I will continue to bring my message of fiscal responsibility, political balance, and economic growth to voters across the Commonwealth.”
Categories: Berks Political News
Pat Toomey Announces Second Quarter Fundraising: $1.6 Million Dollars: Toomey Candidacy Has Wide-Reaching Support
For Immediate Release - July 13, 2009
Contact—Nachama Soloveichik • 484.809.7994 • 646.528.1029
Tim Kelly • 484.809.7994
Allentown, PA - In the 11 weeks since U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey announced his candidacy on April 15, 2009, Mr. Toomey has raised $1.6 million dollars from over 15,000 contributors across the country with $1.1 million cash-on-hand remaining.
Mr. Toomey’s strong first campaign quarter fundraising compares favorably with those of successful U.S. Senate challengers in the last election. In fact, he has raised more than every successful 2008 challenger. In his first quarter as a Senate candidate, Mr. Toomey has raised more than candidates Al Franken (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kay Hagen (D-NC), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Mark Begich (D-AK), all of whom went on to defeat incumbent U.S. senators.
Pat Toomey's Second Quarter Fundraising
With over 15,000 contributors, Mr. Toomey has also surpassed the total number of contributors he had in the entirety of his 2004 Senate race.
It is abundantly clear that Pat Toomey’s Senate campaign is off to a fantastic start and his message of fiscal responsibility and bringing balance to Washington is resonating with individuals across the state and country.
“I am honored by all the people who have contributed to my campaign since my announcement,” Mr. Toomey said. “These contributions come from folks across all of Pennsylvania and the country who know that America has a better future than the runaway spending and endless bailouts that are coming from Washington today. Together, I believe we can bring fiscal responsibility, political balance, and economic growth back to our country.”
Announcement Date: April 15, 2009
Total Receipts: $1,644,740.36
Expenditures: $525,289.37
Cash on Hand: $1,119,450.99
Average Contribution: $104.50
Contact—Nachama Soloveichik • 484.809.7994 • 646.528.1029
Tim Kelly • 484.809.7994
Allentown, PA - In the 11 weeks since U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey announced his candidacy on April 15, 2009, Mr. Toomey has raised $1.6 million dollars from over 15,000 contributors across the country with $1.1 million cash-on-hand remaining.
Mr. Toomey’s strong first campaign quarter fundraising compares favorably with those of successful U.S. Senate challengers in the last election. In fact, he has raised more than every successful 2008 challenger. In his first quarter as a Senate candidate, Mr. Toomey has raised more than candidates Al Franken (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kay Hagen (D-NC), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Mark Begich (D-AK), all of whom went on to defeat incumbent U.S. senators.
Pat Toomey's Second Quarter Fundraising
With over 15,000 contributors, Mr. Toomey has also surpassed the total number of contributors he had in the entirety of his 2004 Senate race.
It is abundantly clear that Pat Toomey’s Senate campaign is off to a fantastic start and his message of fiscal responsibility and bringing balance to Washington is resonating with individuals across the state and country.
“I am honored by all the people who have contributed to my campaign since my announcement,” Mr. Toomey said. “These contributions come from folks across all of Pennsylvania and the country who know that America has a better future than the runaway spending and endless bailouts that are coming from Washington today. Together, I believe we can bring fiscal responsibility, political balance, and economic growth back to our country.”
Announcement Date: April 15, 2009
Total Receipts: $1,644,740.36
Expenditures: $525,289.37
Cash on Hand: $1,119,450.99
Average Contribution: $104.50
Categories: Berks Political News
Pat Toomey on WAEB 790 with Bobby Gunther Walsh
Listen to Pat Toomey on WAEB 790 with Bobby Gunther Walsh
Categories: Berks Political News
Pat Toomey on the Quinn and Rose Show WPGB radio
Listen to Pat Toomey on the Quinn and Rose Show (WPGB radio) this morning with guest host Glen Meakem
Categories: Berks Political News
Pat Toomey on WKOK radio in Sunbury, PA
Listen to Pat Toomey on WKOK radio in Sunbury, PA
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Pat Toomey on WPHT Radio with Michael Smerconish
Listen to Pat Toomey on WPHT Radio with Michael Smerconish
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Pat speaks to KQV Radio's PJ Maloney
Listen to Pat as he speaks to KQV Radio's PJ Maloney
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Pat Toomey Wishes You a Happy Fourth of July
Dear Friends,
This July 4th marks the 233rd anniversary of our nation’s birth - the day when bold and dedicated patriots founded a nation based on individual freedom. As Lafayette put it over two centuries ago, "Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country." It most certainly does. For more than two centuries, America has been a beacon of hope and opportunity precisely because ours is the nation conceived in liberty. As we celebrate our great nation’s birth, let us remember and rejoice those heroes who risked, and in some cases lost, their lives, fortunes and sacred honor so that we could pursue our God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Have a wonderful Fourth of July!
Pat Toomey
This July 4th marks the 233rd anniversary of our nation’s birth - the day when bold and dedicated patriots founded a nation based on individual freedom. As Lafayette put it over two centuries ago, "Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country." It most certainly does. For more than two centuries, America has been a beacon of hope and opportunity precisely because ours is the nation conceived in liberty. As we celebrate our great nation’s birth, let us remember and rejoice those heroes who risked, and in some cases lost, their lives, fortunes and sacred honor so that we could pursue our God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Have a wonderful Fourth of July!
Pat Toomey
Categories: Berks Political News
Pat speaks to Jon Delano on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh
Watch Pat Toomey on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh
Categories: Berks Political News
Pat speaks to Gary Sutton on WSBA Radio
Pat speaks to Gary Sutton on WSBA Radio on July 1, 2009
Categories: Berks Political News