Things Jim Gerlach Doesn’t Want You To Know

“Jim Gerlach has a long history of using slick political rhetoric to disguise his flawed record,” said Roggio Campaign Manager, Liz Conroy. “This document highlights the reasons that Gerlach can’t run on his record but has instead conveniently decided to campaign on a disingenuous message of change. We can’t let him get away with touting his independence while accepting over $100,000 from Big Oil and voting for government subsidies for oil companies. We need to take a closer look when he decries government waste while being publicly condemned for using taxpayer money to send campaign material. We cannot allow him to boast about his ethics record when he has been penalized with the largest FEC fine against a member in Pennsylvania history. Jim Gerlach is a Washington insider who hides behind his rhetoric instead of standing by his record. It is time for voters to hear what Jim Gerlach isn’t saying.”

Highlights:
• In the 2008 election cycle, Jim Gerlach accepted more money from PACs than Individuals ($747,220 v. $714,357).
• Repeatedly voted against helping low income families heat their homes while energy costs were on the rise. [HR 3010, Vote #321, 6/24/05; HR 2863, Vote #668, 12/19/05; S 2320, Vote #66, 3/16/06; HR 4939, Vote #59, 3/16/06]
• Despite the fact that Pennsylvania lost nearly 25% of its manufacturing jobs since NAFTA, Jim Gerlach voted for the passage of CAFTA in 2005. [HR 3045, Vote #443, 7/28/05; Public Citizen]
• Voted against legislation that provided critical funding for Veterans’ health care, including funds to enhance medical services for active duty forces, mobilized personnel and their family members, and $1.7 billion for Veterans’ health care priorities including maintenance at VA hospitals like Walter Reed. [HR 1591, #186, 3/23/07]
• Rubber-stamp for the Bush Administration’s failed Iraq Policy. Voted 100% of the time with Bush on Iraq.
• Opposed ending military families tax which penalizes over 50,000 survivors in military families, mainly widows. [HR 5122, Vote #144, 5/11/06]
• Opposed Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation, which would include discounts, rebates and price concessions to help seniors afford their prescription drugs. [HR 4, Vote #23, 1/12/07]

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As Iraqi Surplus Grows, Problems at Home Persist

The House Budget Committee is holding hearings on the increasing budget surplus in Iraq. As the Iraqi surplus is set to surpass $79 billion, the US deficit is projected to exceed $400 billion in the current fiscal year. [General Accounting Office and Congressional Budget Office Figures]

“Our growing deficit is a problem that goes beyond partisanship and politics,” said Bob Roggio. “Our drastically misplaced priorities have led us into a war that is costing American taxpayers $10 billion a month and leaving our country with 47 million uninsured, soaring energy costs, failing banks, and plummeting wages. We need to elect new leaders who are committed to investing in our people and our economy.”

Taxpayers in the 6th Congressional District will pay $1.8 billion for Iraq spending approved to date. That same $1.8 billion could be used at home to provide: [National Priorities Project]

• 439,811 People with Health Care for One Year

• 2,141,644 Homes with Renewable Electricity for One Year

• 39,031 Public Safety Officers for One year

• 146,397 Scholarships for University Students for One Year

• 18,099 Affordable Housing Units

• 279,119 Head Start Places for Children for One Year

• 28,227 Elementary School Teachers for One Year