Joe Sestak
Joe Sestak has been a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the Seventh Congressional District of Pennsylvania, since 2007. (map)
Contents
Record and controversies
Transparency
Sunlight Foundation website investigation
Joe Sestak's official website was rated by citizen researchers in February 2007 as part of a survey by the Sunlight Foundation. The survey evaluated members' sites on whether they provided basic information on their legislative activities, post their legally required disclosures such as on personal finances and travel, and any other information that furthers transparency. Joe Sestak's site received a 16 (out of 100). A score of 40 was considered passing. Full results. [1]
Voting record
Biography
Sestak was born in 1951 in Springfield, PA. His father had come to the United States as a small boy and attended the Naval Academy before serving in WWII. After finishing high school, Sestak continued the family tradition, attending the U.S. Naval academy, graduating in 1974. He served in the Navy for the next 31 years, rising to the rank of vice admiral. According to his campaign website, Sestak "served six sea tours with units of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets during which he made seven deployments to Europe, the Persian Gulf and the western and South Pacific. He served in command of USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) named the best overall surface ship in the Atlantic Fleet in the Battenberg Cup selection, and as Commander, Destroyer Squadron Fourteen. He also served at sea as Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Two and George Washington Battle Group deploying to both the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. As the Battle Group Commander, he led an international coalition force of 30 U.S. and allied ships and 15,000 sailors, exercising command of combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as senior diplomatic engagements throughout Southwest Asia, Europe and Africa." [2]
When not at sea, Sestak directed the CNO's Strategy and Policy Division (N51), and led the Navy's efforts toward the 2000 Quadrennial Defense Review, for which he analyzed the economic value of U.S. defense spending. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, he became the first director of the Navy Operations Group (Deep Blue), which sought to redefine strategic, operational and budgetary policies in the Global War on Terrorism. [[3]
Between tours of duty, Sestak earned a master's degree in Public Administration and and Ph.D in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. During the Clinton presidency, he worked for the White House as the Director for Defense Policy on the National Security Council staff. He and his wife Susan have one daughter. [4]
Congressional career
2006 election
Sestak defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Curt Weldon 56%-44% to take possession of the seat in the 2006 congressional elections.
Introduces bill on Iraq War
Sestak introduced a bill (H.R.960) on February 8, 2007, that would redeploy all U.S. troops in Iraq "to locations within the Middle East or Southwest Asia regions or to other regions or nations, or returned to the United States" by December 31, 2007. That same day, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. [5]
- See Congresspedia pages on congressional actions on the Iraq War and the troop "surge" in Iraq.
Money in politicsThis section contains links to – and feeds from – money in politics databases. Campaign contributionsThe following is drawn from government records of campaign contributions to Joe Sestak. Campaign contributions are one of the most direct conduits for influencing members of Congress. How to use this information. <crpcontribdata>cid=N00028049&cycle=2006</crpcontribdata>
Revolving doorThe "revolving door" refers to the passage of staffers between government and industry employment. Former staff for members of Congress often use the connections and knowledge they gained as public employees to help their new employers – often lobbying firms – influence their former employers and institutions.
Privately funded travelThe following is drawn from Joe Sestak's travel disclosure forms. Corporations and other organizations can pay for trips by members of Congress and their staff as long as it is related to official business (though some trips have been glorified junkets). How to use this information.
Personal financesThe following is drawn from Joe Sestak's personal financial disclosure forms. Close study of the data has often revealed conflicts of interest by members of Congress. How to use this information.
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Controversy
Committees and Affiliations
Committees
- House Committee on Armed Services
- Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces
- Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
- Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces
- House Committee on Education and Labor
- Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
- Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
- House Committee on Small Business
- Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology
- Subcommittee on Finance and Tax
- Subcommittee on Regulations, Healthcare, and Trade
More Background Data
Background information on Curt Weldon, whom Joe Sestak challenged in the 2006 congressional elections:
Contact
Washington D.C. Office:
1022 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2011
Fax: (202) 226-0280
Web Email
Website
District Office:
600 N. Jackson Street
Suite 203
Media, PA 19063
Phone:(610) 892-8623
Fax:(610) 892-8628
Articles and Resources
Resources
- Sestak for Congress, official campaign site.
- THOMAS page on H.R. 960 (Rep. Sestak bill to withdraw all troops from Iraq by the end of 2007)
Local blogs and discussion sites
- A Smoke-Filled Room Blogspot.
- Above Average Jane Blog.
- PA-7 Watch.com.
- Suburban Guerrilla, Susie Madrak's blog.
- The Liberal Doomsayer Blogspot.
- Young Philly Politics.
- Daddy Democrat Blog.
Articles
Renee Schoof, "Former admiral says all American forces should pull out by year's end," McClatchy Newspapers, February 20, 2007.
