PoliticsPA will keep you up to date on where members of the Pennsylvania delegation stand on a proposal to authorize President Obama to use military force in Syria.
Last month, Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey each expressed support for an American response against the Assad regime, after it allegedly used chemical weapons against its own citizens.
The other eighteen Pennsylvania lawmakers in Congress have shown more restraint in supporting President Obama’s calls for a military strike. In fact, not one Congressional representative has declared himself or herself in favor of an American assault against Syria.
A list of PA Reps. and their positions is included below:
PA-01: Bob Brady (D): Undecided
“Congressman Brady is reserving comment”
PA-02: Chaka Fattah (D): Undecided
Fattah will “withhold judgment” until a debate on the House Floor.
PA-03: Mike Kelly (R): Undecided
A Congressional Aide said that Kelly is “still totally undecided.”
PA-04: Scott Perry (R): Undecided Update: No
“Based on the evidence I have seen thus far, I will oppose any resolution that authorizes military action in Syria.”
[Formerly: An Iraq veteran, he says the President must “persuade” him.]
PA-05: Glenn Thompson (R): Undecided
Thompson looks forward to a “robust debate” in the House.
PA-06: Jim Gerlach (R): Undecided
He’ll remain opposed until Congress receives answers.
PA-07: Pat Meehan (R): No
The White House’s plans do not meet his standard.
PA-08: Mike Fitzpatrick (R): No
“My constituents are… reluctant… my vote will reflect.”
PA-09: Bill Shuster (R): Undecided Update: No
“Military intervention would likely result in entangling the U.S. in a chaotic and complicated civil war with already 100,000 casualties, and a ruthless dictator on one side, and rebel groups that include al Qaeda and Islamic extremists on the other.”
[Formerly: Shuster will wait to hear the President’s case.]
PA-10: Tom Marino (R): No
Marino maintains opposition to intervention in Syria.
PA-11: Lou Barletta (R): No
Could not vote in “good conscience” for a strike against Assad.
PA-12: Keith Rothfus (R): No
With no viable Syrian opposition, he cannot support a strike.
PA-13: Allyson Schwartz (D): Undecided
She will engage with her Congressional colleagues on Syria.
PA-14: Michael Doyle (D): Undecided
“The president should have the chance to make the case to Congress”.
PA-15: Charlie Dent (R): No
“A Vote of No Confidence”.
PA-16: Joseph Pitts (R): Undecided
“He’ll take some time to consider his position”.
PA-17: Matt Cartwright (D): Undecided
“I have resolved to remain undecided until I’ve seen all of the evidence.”
PA-18: Tim Murphy (R): Undecided Update: No
“President Obama has not presented a rational plan.”
[Formerly: Murphy has questions that the President needs to answer.]
Altogether, of the eighteen PA members of Congress, twelve are undecided, six are against, and none are for.
Pennsylvania’s Democratic representatives, all of which are undecided, believe that President Obama should be given the opportunity to explain his rationale before the country, and that they would like to consult with their colleagues before they make a final decision.
Meanwhile, the Obama Administration will likely fail in its attempts to woo Republican lawmakers from the Keystone State. Although they are considered undecided, many believe that the President has failed to explain the necessity for military strikes and are leaning “no.”
“The president has failed to show why an attack is warranted,” Rep. Shuster said.
“I believe that Congress and the American public deserve complete and honest answers to these serious questions before any decisions can be made on the use of U.S. military force in Syria,” demanded Rep. Gerlach. “And until Congress and the American public receive these answers, I will remain opposed to our military involvement in Syria.”
Gerlach, Fitzpatrick and Meehan, Republicans in the swing-suburbs of Philadelphia, side with the majority of the Congressional GOP.
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4 Responses
bobguzzardi-
If you think “Continuing Resolution to Defund Obamacare” is a “big vote” that Republicans should be working on, then you have clearly have no clue on what the people of this country want Congress to be working on. (hint: jobs, jobs, jobs).
The GOP anti-Obamacare votes have become a punchline. Do they think such a resolution would pass the Senate and be signed by the President?
As for debt and taxes, the annual deficit has been shrinking. If we could close some of the loopholes for the rich and crack down on the offshore tax havens, we could be in the black annually and start making dents in the overall debt.
Pies-
As for Toomey, I wouldn’t call it saber rattling, but his statement sounds like he supports the kind of limited strike Obama has advocated.
Since President Obama in consultation with President Putin have decided not to missile strike Syria, an act of war, there appears there will be no vote.
For Republicans the big votes are 1) The Continuing Resolution to Defund Obamacare where there is a deep split between Establishment Leadership (the sell outs) and the Grassroots (principled friends of The Forgotten Taxpayer) ; and 2) Raising the Debt Ceiling once again to the detriment of The Forgotten Taxpayer. Debt is deferred taxation.
The Democrats think more government is better government; Constitutional Limited Government Republicans think checks and balances, including the 10th Amendment, are a good idea as did the geniuses who founded our country.
I can’t believe you are saying Toomey supported the strike. Read his actual quote. “This calls for an American response, being mindful to avoid a long-term military engagement in the Syrian civil war. The President must explain to Congress and the American people the objectives and risks of any action.”
Not exactly rattling the sabers, now is he, liars?
#EndTheLiesBuyMyPies
“PA-07: Pat Meehan (R): No
The White House’s plans do not meet his standard.”
His “standard” is voting with the right-wing strategy of opposing anything Obama does (including declaring the sky is blue and water is wet).