Press Room

House Republicans, including Pennsylvania Members of Congress like Mike Fitzpatrick, Jim Gerlach, Mike Kelly, Patt Meehan and Keith Rothfus, are poised to vote today for the 37th time to repeal the Affordable Care Act and put health insurance companies back in charge of health care. An investigation by CBS news found that these politically motivated repeal votes have already cost taxpayers more than $50 million.

May 16 - Moments ago, Congressman Mike Kelly voted to put insurance companies back in charge of Americans’ health care – again. Despite wasting more than $50 million in taxpayer dollars to keep taking the same vote over and over again to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Congressman Kelly stood in lockstep with his Republican leadership today to get rid of critical consumer protections and benefits.

Instead of finding forward-looking solutions to American families’ healthcare issues, Congressman Kelly voted to:

Tom Corbett is scheduled to give commencement speeches at Millersville University and Villanova Law School this weekend.  But two rosy speeches will not be able to conceal Tom Corbett's real record on education.  Tom Corbett's education cuts have hurt students throughout Pennsylvania and this year's budget does not do enough to prioritize education. Instead of maintaining his 

Governor Corbett recently criticized a third party's outside spending for declining to disclose their contributors.  This is hypocrisy at its worse.  Governor Corbett has accepted nearly $2 million in secret money over the years.  Corbett even went to court to defend his decision to not disclose donors.  Governor Corbett should look at his own record on outside spending before he starts criticizing others. 

Today, Governor Corbett announced Dr. William Harner will take over as Pennsylvania's new education secretary. Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn released the following statement regarding the announcement:

Yesterday, Governor Corbett again refused to apologize for blaming Pennsylvania's high unemployment on the drug use of the unemployed. When asked to defend his earlier comments, Corbett replied "It's a completely accurate factual statement." Corbett is misleading the public. Studies have shown that failed drug tests have little impact on unemployment in Pennsylvania. But  because of Gov. Corbett's failed policies, Pennsylvania has dropped from 7th in job creation in the nation to 49th.

The Republican Congress will cast its 37th vote this week to put insurance companies back in charge of health care --- will Congressman Mike Kelly go along? House Republicans have Tea Party Caucus Chair Michele Bachmann as their sponsor.

Congressman Mike Kelly just voted to pay Chinese bondholders ahead of American troops and veterans, and our doctors and hospitals. Instead of solving problems and making sure the nation avoids default, Congressman Kelly voted for a plan that says China is the first to be paid if a default happens.

In an interview this week, House Speaker John Boehner admitted that this plan would ensure that bondholders in China, Iran and the Cayman Islands would be paid before American troops, disabled veterans, doctors and hospitals treating Medicare patients, and American small businesses.

Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn released the following statement regarding Governor George Leader's passing:

"Today, we remember the great life and leadership of Governor George Leader.  Governor Leader was a progressive leader with a deep commitment to the people of Pennsylvania.  He was a pioneer in modernizing state government and rooting out political corruption. He ensured that the Commonwealth was a leader in civil rights by fighting to protect its most vulnerable citizens during and after his time in the Governor's office. 

Moments ago, Congressman Mike Kelly voted for the “Pay Working Families Less Act,” which will undermine the 40 hour work week. Republicans tried to call the bill the “Working Families Flexibility Act” but got caught pushing this rehashed Republican proposal that would cut workers’ pay with no guarantee of paid vacation days when employees need to use them, and give working families less flexibility, not more.