Former congressman Joe Sestak, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, is calling on Republican Sen. Pat Toomey to cosponsor a bill that will ensure Navy veterans exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam receive the benefits and treatment to which they are entitled.
United States law limits health benefits for Agent Orange exposure to veterans who served on the ground in Vietnam and “brown water” Navy veterans who served in inland waters.
Senate Bill 681 would amend the language in the United States code to include territorial waters of Vietnam, which would grant “blue water” Navy veterans exposed to Agent Orange an avenue to obtain health benefits. Sestak, a 31-year veteran of the Navy, called for this measure seven years ago.
“I was proud to cosponsor the Agent Orange Equity Act of 2008, but disappointed that the measure to help my fellow sailors died in committee,” Sestak said. “I joined the Navy during the Vietnam era, so I am acutely aware of the need for this legislation.”
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The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a new web video that asks policy questions to Democratic Senate candidate Katie McGinty.
After McGinty is asked, “Do you support the EPA’s clean power plan regulations?,” she replies, “Have a great day, OK”
McGinty was also questioned about so-called “sanctuary cities” for illegal immigrants and whether she supports closing Guantanamo Bay and moving terrorists to prisons in the United States.
The NRSC also notes that there is no “issues” page on McGinty’s website.
McGinty ran for governor last year, finishing last in the four-candidate Democratic primary.
“Perhaps taking a stance on policy issues was not expected of Katie McGinty when she finished dead last in her previous run for statewide office. While Sen. Pat Toomey continues to lead and forge solutions for the people of Pennsylvania, Katie McGinty chooses to hide behind the Washington, D.C. party bosses who line her campaign coffers,” said NRSC National Press Secretary Alleigh Marre.
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Another Democratic Senate candidate, three-term Braddock Mayor John Fetterman, released a web video titled Immigration.
Fetterman’s wife, Gisele, fled a violent situation in Brazil and came to the United States illegally with her family when she was a young girl.
“Immigration is what made this country great, and immigration is what’s continuing to help this country grow,” Fetterman said. “We as a society take a step backwards if we do anything but embrace the people that are here and create effective laws and paths to citizenship for people coming into our country.” ••
