Washington, DC – Today, the Bresnahan’s Soaring Costs campaign hosted an event for Congressman Rob Bresnahan’s (PA-08) birthday, holding him accountable for voting to raise Pennsylvanians’ costs to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy.
At the event, constituents from across northeastern Pennsylvania delivered a giant cake and card to Bresnahan’s office while carrying an inflatable helicopter with a bow on it – a nod to his “secret helicopter,” which he bought while running for office. The event emphasized Congressman Bresnahan’s record of voting to enrich millionaires like himself, while raising costs for Northeast Pennsylvanians.
Congressman Bresnahan voted for historic cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations. His votes to gut health care and food assistance have put nearly half a million Pennsylvanians at risk of losing health insurance and jeopardized SNAP benefits for 140,000 in the state. He also voted to support President Trump’s cost-raising tariffs that forced families to pay $1,700 more last year and backs the war in Iran, which has sent gas prices skyrocketing, all while continuing to trade stocks and take votes that could boost his own portfolio.
New analysis shows that the Republican Tax Law he voted for could save his own family up to $6 million dollars thanks to the expanded estate tax exemption.
“Congressman Bresnahan has given himself plenty to celebrate during his birthday this year, while everyday Americans are struggling due to policies he’s supported. By repeatedly voting to put the interests of himself and his ultra-wealthy friends above his constituents, working Pennsylvanians are more worried than ever about how they’re going to afford basic necessities. Congressman Bresnahan voted to cut their health care and food assistance to fund tax breaks that could save his own family millions,” said Unrig Our Economy Campaign Director Leor Tal. “Pennsylvanians shouldn’t have to pay more so their representative can pay less.”
“Congressman Bresnahan has not only failed to follow through on his promises to constituents, such as vowing to protect Medicaid and ban congressional stock trading, but he’s prioritized profit over their livelihoods. As Northeastern Pennsylvanians navigate the skyrocketing costs of health care, groceries, gas, and more, their congressman might be saving millions in tax exemptions,” said Rachele Fortier, Executive Director of Affordable Pennsylvania. “Now that Congressman Bresnahan is another year older and wiser, we hope he will support policies that help lower costs for his constituents – even if it costs him a little extra pocket money.”
“Congressman Bresnahan’s constituents don’t have much to celebrate right now,” said Action Together NEPA Executive Director Alisha Hoffman-Mirilovich. “While our neighbors in NEPA struggle to get by and pay for the most basic necessities, Congressman Bresnahan continues to prove that he’s out of touch with those he represents. He’s getting richer while costs for groceries, gas, utilities, and healthcare are soaring for NEPA families. Those families have a wish for the Congressman’s birthday – that he will work to undo the damage he’s done and bring costs down for working people throughout his district.”
“It is a scary time to be a young adult,” said Lackawanna College nursing student Kenneth Gaughan. “I can’t imagine ever being financially stable. I can’t imagine buying a new car or a house or paying off my loans. I am working hard to make those things happen, but I do not feel like I have much help. I regret to say that Congressman Bresnahan has only made things more difficult. Through both his actions and inaction, he has only made things more expensive, more uncertain, and more chaotic.”
###
About Unrig Our Economy
Unrig Our Economy is a national campaign to fix the rules of our economy to make it work for working people. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, their wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable.
About Affordable PA
Affordable Pennsylvania is fighting to expose elected leaders who promised to stand with working families and lower costs, only to take vote after vote neglecting the needs of their constituents. We do this by making Pennsylvanians’ voices heard and pushing members of Congress to take meaningful action to address the skyrocketing cost of things like groceries, child care and prescription drugs.
About ATNEPA
Action Together NEPA is a grassroots progressive organization dedicated to community action and political advocacy. We support bold progressive policies that will preserve our democracy and promote social and economic justice. More information about the organization can be found at www.actiontogethernepa.org.