Sestak & Specter Debate Questions
On Friday, August 14, Sen. Arlen Specter and Rep. Joe Sestak will join us in Pittsburgh to take questions directly from you.
-
Will you call on Dem Senators to always vote for cloture on Dem bills so they get an up-or-down vote
Only 51 votes are needed to pass a bill if all Democrats commit to voting for cloture (against filibusters) on all Democratic-sponsored bills.
"We need 60 votes" is only true if Democrats won't unify enough to simply allow a clean up-or-down vote -- and the "60 vote" mantra is what gives leverage to Republicans and corporate-Democrats to water down good public policy, like the stimulus and health care.
So, will you commit to -- and publicly call on other Senate Democrats to commit to -- a caucus-wide rule that if a Democrat is lead sponsor on legislation, all Democrats will… more
87 votes -
63 votes
-
What is your position on climate change legislation?
The House of Representatives recently passed a comprehensive bill dealing with climate change, energy security and green jobs. The Senate is expected to vote on similar legislation later this year.
What is your position on the House bill and climate change in general? And to be more specific, do you think the House bill should have had stronger emissions limits and investments in clean energy or should have had a slower transition?
57 votes -
If given the opportunity, will you promise to vote for cloture on climate legislation?
Will you promise not to join the minority in obstructing an up or down vote on climate legislation?
45 votes -
Where do you stand on the Employee Free Choice Act?
Sen. Specter in particular, your position on the Employee Free Choice Act has shifted over time. Recently, you have suggested that changes to the bill would be required in order to win your support. What specific changes (if any) are required in order for the bill to win your support?
35 votes -
What is your position on DC residents' civil rights?
The American citizens living in the District of Columbia are being denied the basic civil right to be represented in the government that taxes them and sends their children to war. Having only a single representative in the House, who might or not be allowed to vote, is unacceptable when all the other taxpaying citizens of this country have one representative and two Senators.
Will you pledge to not only support a Constitutional amendment granting DC residents the voting representative and two Senators to which they are entitled as American citizens, but also to use your political capital and your… more
19 votes -
Telecom Immunity
Congressman Sestak, why did you vote to provide retroactive immunity to the telecom companies which assisted Bush-Cheney in spying on Americans?
17 votes -
13 votes
-
How long will you support the misadventure in Afghanistan?
After decrying an open-ended deployment of American troops to Iraq, with no set goals or timetable, President Obama has turned around and made the exact same mistakes in Afghanistan. Do you support his current deployment strategy, and how many more Americans will have to die before it is acknowledged to be an error?
12 votes -
What will you do to ensure passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act?
President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter act into law, giving employees (for the most part, women) a greater ability to sue their employers for wage discrimination. But the Senate refused to vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would prevent such wage discrimination in the first instance. What will you do to make sure it is brought to a vote ASAP?
9 votes -
Do you support net neutrality - the Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2009?
Introduced just two weeks ago, the Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2009 would finally put into law the crucial and most basic freedom that we have as communicators: the ability to see Internet content unrestricted by carriers. Vital to our freedom and the health of our democracy, net neutrality should be the law of the land.
9 votes -
8 votes
-
6 votes
-
Will you commit to a bold climate bill before the Copenhagen climate negotiations?
World leaders will meet in December in Copenhagen to agree (or not) on a global climate treaty. The largest obstacle to this process right now is the US senate. The timeline of politics in the US is important, but the timeline for politics globally is arguably even more important. Will you work to get strong US climate policy before December?
6 votes -
Will both of you commit to supporting the Democratic nominee in the general election?
Regardless of the outcome of the primary, will both candidates commit to supporting and campaigning for the Democratic nominee for Senate?
6 votes -
What is impact of lobbyists on legislation and what will you do about it?
Money from special interests plays too great of a role in politics.
6 votes -
6 votes
-
Supreme Court
Sen. Specter, do you regret any of the eight current Supreme Court justices you voted to confirm?
Rep. Sestak, how much deference should a President's court nominees receive?
5 votes
