Toomey, Casey sound off on federal gov’t spending bill

The U.S. Senate approved a $1.1 trillion spending plan that will keep most of the federal government open through September. The 56-to-40 vote Saturday night followed bipartisan passage of the bill in the U.S. House two nights prior.

Both Pennsylvania senators supported the bill.

Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, said the bill was not perfect, but included a number of provisions he had fought to support. They included investments in the Delaware River deepening project, National Institutes of Health, Head Start and community development block grants, among others.

“While I don’t like the way it came together, strongly disagree with parts of it, and believe we have to do better — I also have an obligation to look at the package as a whole,” Casey said in a statement. “Taken in totality, this bill will help create and protect jobs in Pennsylvania and will prevent another government shutdown.”

Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican, praised the bill for “essentially freezing government spending.” He listed several provisions as important, including exemptions to the Affordable Care Act, increased investment for Alzheimer’s research, decreased IRS spending and the establishment of funding levels for the Veterans Employment and Training Service.

“In addition to stopping a number of job-killing regulations and taxes, this funding measure will help our veterans and troops, victims of child abuse and domestic violence, and researchers who are leading the fight against Alzheimer’s,” Toomey said in a statement. “I also am pleased that this bill exempts about 400,000 people from Obamacare. This is a significant step toward dismantling this terrible law altogether.”

During the approval process, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, raised a point of order questioning the constitutionality of President Barack Obama’s authority to defer deportations for undocumented immigrants. Toomey was among 20 Republicans who joined Democrats in rejecting that.

“As for the point of order regarding the bill’s constitutionality, I voted to waive it because this legislation does not violate the Constitution,” Toomey said. “Like many Americans, I believe that President Obama’s executive amnesty represents a dangerous executive overreach. But there is a difference between a bill to fund the government, and a president violating the law. Funding the government is constitutional.”

Both U.S. Congressman representing Delaware County — Reps. Bob Brady, D-1, of Philadelphia, and Pat Meehan, R-7, of Upper Darby, voted in favor of the bill when it passed the House on Thursday.

Previewing each local race as Election Day draws near

Election Day is nearly one week away. The Daily Times has begun rolling out preview stories for each local race. Here’s a recap of what’s run.

First Congressional District: Democratic U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, of Philadelphia, is being challenged by Philly Republican Megan Rath, a health care professional.

Seventh Congressional District: Republican U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, of Upper Darby, seeks to secure his third term in Washington in a race against Democratic challenger Mary Ellen Balchunis, a political science professor.

161st Legislative District: State Rep. Joe Hackett, a Republican from Ridley Township, seeks to a protect his seat from Democratic challenger Leanne Krueger-Braneky, a businesswoman from Swarthmore.

164th Legislative District: State Rep. Margo Davidson, a Democrat from Upper Darby, hopes to win a third term in a race against Republican challenger Saud Siddiqui, the president of the Upper Darby Caring Foundation.

166th Legislative District: Longtime state Rep. Greg Vitali, a Democrat from Haverford, is being challenged by Republican Sarah Armstrong.

More election preview stories will continue to be published this week.

Brady, Meehan lead opponents in campaign fundraising

Here’s a quick look at the most recent campaign finance reports submitted by the four candidates seeking to represent Delaware County in the U.S. House of Representatives. Campaign finance reports were due to the Federal Election Commission on July 15. The cycle documented all campaign money raised and spent from May 1 through June 30.  Links to the candidates’ July quarterly reports are included.

First Congressional District
Incumbent Bob Brady, a Democrat from Philadelphia, has $759,773 in hand after collecting $62,155 in campaign funds during the cycle. Of Brady’s funds, $55,400 came from political action committees. Another $6,700 came from individuals, including $300 worth of unitemized donations. Brady spent $71,064, including $35,889 on operating expenses.

Republican challenger Megan Rath, of Philadelphia, has $14,216 in hand after raising $16,256 in campaign funds. All of her funding came from individual donors and included $4,442 worth of unitemized contributions. She spent $3,040, all on operating expenses.

Seventh Congressional District
Incumbent Pat Meehan, a Republican from Upper Darby, has $1.775 million in hand, having generated $243,600 in campaign funding during the cycle. Meehan raised $211,000 from political action committees and another $31,150 from individuals, including $300 in unitemized donations. He spent $77,602, including $58,602 on operating expenses.

Democratic challenger Mary Ellen Balchunis, of Ardmore, has $9,976 in hand. She raised $15,310 during the last cycle — $14,310 of it coming from individuals, including $4,395 in unitemized contributions. She spent $17,941, all on operating expenses.

Iron Workers Local 401 contributed to 7 Delco pols last year

The political action committee of Iron Workers Local 401 contributed to the campaigns of seven Delaware County political figures last year.

The union had 10 members, including business manager Joseph Dougherty, indicted this week for allegedly conspiring to commit extortion, arson, property destruction and assault in order to force construction contractors to hire union ironworkers. More on that here.

The union’s PAC donated to dozens of political campaigns throughout the state last year, including seven campaigns with direct ties to Delaware County:

• Friends of Joe McGinn, Feb. 20, $1,000;
• Bob Brady for Congress, March 26, $5,000;
• Friends of David White, April 9, $400;
• Friends of Ted Erickson, May 6, $500;
• Friends of Joe Sestak, Sept. 5, $5,000;
• John Kane for State Senate, Sept. 30, $7,500;
• Committee to elect Ron Waters, Oct. 14, $500.

The Daily Times is contacting each of them to see whether they plan to keep, return or donate the money.