Robert Casey

Bob Casey, a Democrat, has been the Junior Senator from Pennsylvania since 2007.

Iraq War
Casey also said that he would have voted to authorize force against Iraq "given the evidence available at the time". He has said that we need to "finish the job", and does not support a timeline and exit strategy. He does, however, say that knowing what he knows now, he thinks the war was a mistake. Casey does support setting benchmarks to determine when to bring troops home. He also states that "[w]e were misled from the opening day of this conflict, before the war". 

Environmental record
On environmental issues, Casey opposes drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Instead he supports increased federal investment in hybrid and alternative fuel technology to help wean the United States off of foreign oil. He is also listed as supporting increased funding for Brownfield cleanup, as well as a reinstatement of the polluter-pays principle for the Superfund program. 

For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Vote against stem cell bill
Casey was one of two Democrats in the Senate who voted against the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 which would have lifted restrictions on stem cell research. It passed the Senate in a vote of 63-34. It was later vetoed by President George W. Bush. The other Senator was Ben Nelson (D- Neb.).

Biography
Casey was born on April 13, 1960 in Scranton, PA. He is the eldest son of former Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1982 and taught in a Philadelphia school district as part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps before earning a law degree from Catholic University in 1988. He then worked for his father until working in a private law practice in 1991. He married the former Terese Foppiano in 1985. They have four daughters. 

In 1996, Casey was elected State Auditor General, a position which he held for two terms. As auditor Casey's "office exposed holes in the state Health Department's oversight of nursing homes, particularly when it came to investigating life-threatening complaints."

He made a bid for the 2002 Democratic gubernatorial nomination, but was defeated in the primary by former Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell. During the campaign, Casey attacked Rendell’s record and trustworthiness, but after conceding defeat, endorsed him for the general election (AP, 2002). In 2004, he was elected State Treasurer. 

In 2005, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) persuaded Casey to run for the Senate seat held by Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) in the 2006 elections. In March 2005, he announced that he would. He won the Democratic primary in a landslide, receiving almost eighty-five percent of the vote in a race against lesser-known challengers. . Throughout 2006, polls showed him with a comfortable lead in the race, leading many political observers to label Santorum as the most vulnerable incumbent facing reelection. 

Political views
Casey opposes abortion and parts ways with the national Democratic Party over a few other social issues. Unlike most Democratic officials, for example, he opposes gun control. He has publicly stated his support for overturning Roe v. Wade, keeping the death penalty, and for the confirmation of John Roberts and Samuel Alito  for seats on the Supreme Court of the United States.

While Casey opposes abortion he has stated that it would not be a priority of his to further restrict abortions when in the Senate. Instead, Casey would like to "see more of is an emphasis on what brings people together rather than what tears people apart". Casey pointed to legislation proposed by House Democrats that would target "the underlying factors that often lead women to choose abortion" as an example this kind of approach to abortion.

Casey has expressed his opposition to legislation that would prohibit adoptions by homosexual couples. In a candidates’ questionnaire sponsored by Pacatholic.org, Casey also stated that he feels that "... employers should be permitted to extend domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples in committed, long-term relationships". However, Casey opposes making such benefits mandatory. 

On another questionnaire, when asked to state a position on legalizing same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania, Casey responded "Oppose." However on several occasions has supported same sex partners adopting children. .

Casey is also more supportive of birth control than his father was as governor. Indeed, in the Archdiocese survey, Casey expressed support for "requiring employers or health insurance plans to cover contraceptives in their prescription drug plans". He also stated his support for "a provision in the state’s budget to fund contraceptive services." Casey's views on this extend to the federal funding of contraception, which he also supports. However, Casey also opposes laws that would "force pharmacists to fill a prescription contrary to their moral beliefs."

On economic and education-based issues, Casey falls more closely in line with mainstream Democratic policies. According to the candidates' questionnaire, Casey opposes school vouchers. On his website, Casey has also criticized what he views as "draconian cuts to Medicare and Medicaid," and has stated that Medicare Part D is "fundamentally flawed" and in need of a "complete overhaul." Furthermore, the website states Casey's support for the Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, which would expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to companies with at least 25 employees. Casey is also an opponent of privatizing Social Security, and is a critic of many recent tax cuts, which he claims have "not caused the 'trickle-down' economic growth" that was promised from them. Finally, Casey has also attacked Senator Santorum for voting against increasing the minimum wage.

2006 congressional election
Casey defeated incumbent Sen. Rick Santorum 59%-41% to take possession of his seat in the 2006 congressional elections. 

Money in politics
cid=N00027503&cycle=2008

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
 * Subcommittee on Nutrition and Food Assistance, Sustainable and Organic Agriculture, and General Legislation
 * Subcommittee on Energy, Science and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Domestic & Foreign Marketing, Inspection, & Plant & Animal Health
 * Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
 * Subcommittee on European Affairs
 * Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance
 * Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Democracy and Human Rights
 * Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment
 * Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development
 * Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance
 * Senate Special Committee on Aging
 * Joint Economic Committee

Resources

 * Casey for Senate
 * Pennsylvania Democratic Party.
 * 2006 Casey Campaign Ad: Turned Around
 * Project VoteSmart: Bob Casey
 * 2006 Democratic Senate primary election
 * See how you compare to Bob Casey Jr.

Articles

 * James O'Toole and Maeve Reston, “Casey seeks Santorum's seat; Hafer withdraws bid,” Pittsburg Post-Gazette, March 05, 2005.
 * Tom Curry, “Democrats woo abortion opponents for Senate,” MSNBC.com, March 11, 2005.
 * "Bob's Story," Bob Casey for U.S. Senate, 2006.
 * "Santorum, Casey faceoff in year’s hottest U.S. Senate race," Standard-Journal Online, January 10, 2006.
 * Jeffrey H. Birnbaum and Charles Babington, “Senator Resumes Lobbyist Huddles,” Washington Post, March 8, 2006.
 * Paul Kiel, "GOP Donors Funded Entire PA Green Party Drive," ''TPM Muckraker, August 2, 2006.
 * Carrie Budoff, "Democrats unify as Gov. Rendell embraces Casey," Philadelphia Inquirer, August 9, 2006.
 * Ron Gunzberger, "Pennsylvania: Greens Likely to be Bounced from State Ballot," Politics1.com, August 10, 2006.
 * Kimberly Hefling, "Poll: Casey holds lead over Santorum but race tightens," Associated Press (delivered by The Times-Tribune), August 15, 2006.
 * Harold Meyerson, "," American Prospect, August 17, 2006.
 * Charles Hunt, "Santorum goes full circle," Washington Times, August 22, 2006.
 * Borys Krawczeniuk, "Casey ad rips congressional pay raises," The Times-Tribune, August 25, 2006.
 * John Aravosis, "Highlights of Santorum v. Casey debate in Pennsylvania" (from the DCCC), AMERICAblog, September 3, 2006.
 * Alan Cooperman, "Senate Candidate Speaks of Life, Faith," Washington Post, September 15, 2006.
 * Jill Konieczko, "13 things about Bob Casey Jr," U.S. News & World Report, September 18, 2006.
 * Thomas Fitzgerald, "Casey: From a family famous for rectitude, he hopes quiet and steady wins the race," Philadelphia Inquirer, October 22, 2006.
 * Kimberly Hefling, "Casey says abortion wouldn't be a priority, but he would oppose it," Associated Press, October 27, 2006.
 * Paul Kiel, "Shadowy Nonprofit Attacks PA Dem from Left," TPM Muckraker, October 30, 2006. re Progressive Policy Council
 * Paul Kiel, "'Progressive' Nonprofit Repped by Bush-Cheney Vet," TPM Muckraker, October 31, 2006. re Jason Torchinsky