2008 Election

Since 2007, I have served as the U.S. Representative in Congress for the 7th District of Pennsylvania.

During my first term in office, I was named the “most productive” freshman Congressman for legislation passed.

As a former 3-star Admiral, I am the senior military veteran serving in Congress and the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to Congress. I believe our national security policies must change from where President Bush has taken us.

I have fought for the 7th Congressional District, becoming one of only a few Congressmen to sit on 3 House Committees: Armed Services; Education & Labor; and, Small Business (of which I was selected Vice-Chairman by my colleagues).

I am serving in Congress because I want to provide the leadership and hard work to strengthen America’s national security by improving the FIVE PILLARS OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY:

Economic Security
Vice-chairman of Small Business Committee; passed legislation for small businesses to more easily compete for government contracts; expanded access to start-up capital, job-training and workforce development, enacted tax relief for small businesses; support middle class tax cuts. Read more…

Health Security
Expanded health care for seniors; cut costs for Medicare prescription drugs; increased support for treatment of military service members’ psychological health; expanded funding for cancer research and treatment; provided $29 million for treatment of autism; supported legislation to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Read more…

Education Security
Member of the Education and Labor Committee: expanded Head Start; provided tuition assistance for teaching in high-need schools; sponsored legislation to make college education more affordable by cutting student loan interest rates in half and increased Pell Grants by $1,100. Read more…

Energy and Environmental Security
Promoted tax incentives for alternative sources of energy; sponsored grants for small businesses in the renewable fuels field; support long-term energy independence solution by both expanding drilling and pursuing renewable
sources of energy; only PA Congressman to have 100 % rating from the League of Conservation Voters, PennEnvironment, and has been endorsed by the Sierra Club. Read more…

Defense Security
Member of the Armed Services Committee; support a safe,responsible time-line to re-deploy from Iraq; worked to ensure our troops have proper equipment, including increased funding for mine-resistant vehicles and body armor; led efforts for the new G.I. Bill which ensures returning veterans have an educational opportunity; increased funding for Veteran Administration programs, particularly health care; increased funding for Homeland Security and 50,000 more police officers. Read more…

Warmly,

Joe Sestak