The NTU Foundation has released spending agenda analyses on candidates in the Pennsylvanian Senatorial race: Joe Sestak and Pat Toomey. By utilizing campaign statements, transcripts of debates, and news sources, NTUF compiled a line-by-line study for both candidates, using their own words to discover how much they would spend or save if elected. A difference of approximately $100 billion separates the competing candidates.
Joe Sestak, currently serving as Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District Congressman, would increase federal spending by $100 billion. Of his 48 proposals NTUF identified as affecting federal expenditures, 20 would increase outlays, one would reduce them, and 27 have costs or savings that were impossible to accurately determine. The single category Sestak offered as a potential savings was repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask; Don’t Tell” policy, which would result in a $36 million spending cut. However, a recent court ruling on this measure may preclude this issue before the 112th Congress convenes.
Pat Toomey, currently serving as Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District Congressman, would decrease federal spending by more than $2.5 billion. NTUF was only able to find nine proposals that would affect spending, four would increase outlays, one would reduce them, and four could not be costed. Toomey’s single savings proposal included tort reform -- a possible $2.6 billion taxpayer savings.
NTUF continues its election research of other Senate races, including Florida and California.