Bob Casey is out with his first ad of the cycle and he’s using it to attempt to take credit for saving health care for workers in the coal industry he has spent his career trying to kill.
Casey was a loyal foot soldier in Obama’s war on coal, and even stuck by Hillary Clinton after her promise to “put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.” Casey was a strong supporter of Obama’s job and coal-killing Clean Power Plan, opposed repealing Obama’s stream protection rule that would have been disastrous for coal and even supported cap-and-trade in the Senate. After more than a decade of trying to put miners out of work, it’s going to take a lot more than one ad to repair Casey’s image in coal country.
“It’s clear Bob Casey’s popularity in coal country has hit rock bottom after spending his career in Washington fighting for the worst of Obama’s coal-killing policies,” said NRSC Spokesman Bob Salera. “Lou Barletta is the only person in the race who has actually fought for coal jobs, and miners and their families won’t forget that.”
Background:
After The Announcement Of The Clean Power Plan, Casey Complimented The Obama Administration For Laying Out A “Substantial Plan To Address The Challenges Of Climate Change.” “The evidence of climate change is overwhelming and there’s no doubt that human activities are a major factor. Addressing climate change is key for our nation’s economic security, national security, public health and the health of our environment. Today, the President laid out a substantial plan to address the challenges of climate change.” (Sen. Bob Casey, “Casey Statement On Administration’s Clean Power Plan,” Press Release, 8/3/15)
In November 2015, Casey Voted Against Disapproving The EPA’s Carbon Emissions Rule For Existing Power Plants. “Passage of the joint resolution that would disapprove of and nullify the Environmental Protection Agency carbon emissions rule for existing power plants.” (S.J. Res 24, Roll Call Vote #306: Joint Resolution Passed 52-46, 11/17/15, Casey Voted Nay; CQ Summary, Accessed 10/11/17)
In November 2015, Casey Voted Against Disapproving The EPA’s Carbon Emissions Rule For New Power Plants. “Passage of the joint resolution that would disapprove of and nullify the Environmental Protection Agency carbon emissions rule for new and modified power plants.” (S.J. Res 23, Roll Call Vote #307: Joint Resolution Passed 52-46, 11/17/15, Casey Voted Nay; CQ Summary, Accessed 10/11/17)
According To The Energy Information Administration, The Clean Power Plan Would Cut Coal Production By 40 Percent. “Strengthening the Clean Power Plan and extending efficiency standards and clean-energy tax credits would substantially boost renewables and cut down on coal over the next several decades, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In 2040, the U.S. would consume 9.26 quadrillion British Thermal Units of coal if the federal government extends a series of policies encouraging clean energy, compared to 15.46 quadrillion BTUs if the Clean Power Plan never goes into effect and the government doesn’t extend clean-energy policies, EIA projected. The estimate represents a 40 percent decrease in coal consumption, due to extended clean-energy tax credits and tougher CPP standards.” (Jack Fitzpatrick, “EIA: Extending Clean-Energy Policies Would Cut Coal, Boost Renewables,” Morning Consult, 6/28/16)
In February 2017, Casey Voted Against Repealing The Obama Administration’s Stream Protection Rule. “Passage of the joint resolution that would disapprove and void an Interior Department rule that requires surface coal mining operations, to the extent possible, to avoid disturbing streams and land within 100 feet of the streams.” (H.J. Res. 38, Roll Call Vote #43: Passed 54-45, 2/2/17, Casey Voted Nay; CQ Summary, Accessed 10/12/17)
In June 2008, Casey Voted For Cloture On The Lieberman-Warner Cap-And-Trade Bill. “Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the motion to proceed to the bill that would cap greenhouse gas emissions nationwide and set up a trading system for companies to buy and sell emissions allowances.” (S. 3036, Roll Call Vote #141: Cloture Motion Agreed To 74-14, 6/2/08, Casey Voted Yea; CQ Summary, Accessed 10/13/17)
In June 2008, Casey Voted For Cloture On The Substitute Amendment To The Lieberman-Warner Cap-And-Trade Bill. “Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Boxer, D-Calif., substitute amendment no. 4825 that would cap greenhouse gas emissions nationwide and set up a trading system for companies to buy and sell emissions allowances.” (S.Amdt. 4825 To S. 3036, Roll Call Vote #145: Cloture Motion Rejected 48-36, 6/6/08, Casey Voted Yea; CQ Summary, 10/13/17)
Casey Took To The Senate Floor To Voice His Support For Cap-And-Trade That He Claimed Would Reverse Global Warming, Create Jobs, And Enhancing National Security. CASEY: “Congress has in the past, as we know, considered symbolic global warming legislation, but this is the first time that we’re working on the details. How to create a national policy to slow, stop, and reverse the catastrophic global warming that we see across the world. And at the same time this legislation and this debate could not be more important to our economy and our national security. This bill is very simple. A lot of complexity to it, obviously, but at its core it’s very simple. It is about creating jobs, first of all. It’s about protecting god’s creation. And it’s also about enhancing our national security and, indeed, the world security.” (Sen. Bob Casey, Remarks On The Senate Floor, 6/3/08) Minute 3:01:50 – 3:02:36
The Brookings Institution Reported There Would Be Job Loss Under Cap-And-Trade While The Nation’s GDP Would Also Be Lowered By 2.5 Percent. “The Brookings Institution on Monday said cap-and-trade legislation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions would lower the nation’s gross domestic product in 2050 by 2.5 percent, compared with levels it would reach if the legislation is not implemented. A report issued by the left-leaning research organization said that if Congress passes something similar to President Obama’s or the House’s proposed plan, the economy would take the biggest hit around 2025. At that time, production at refineries and the use of coal and crude oil would decrease by 30 percent to 40 percent compared with what those levels could be in 2025. About 35 percent of crude-oil-related jobs and 40 percent of coal-related jobs would be lost in 2025, according to the analysis. It assumes that the majority of workers would find new jobs, but the net job loss would be 0.5 percent over the first 10 years that the legislation is in effect.” (Amanda DeBard, “GDP Hit Found With Cap, Trade,” The Washington Times, 6/9/09; Warwick McKibbin, Pete Wilcoxen, And Adele Morris, “Consequences Of Cap And Trade,” Brookings Institution, 6/8/09)