Latest news with #Bresnahan
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cartwright says he's not running for Congress
MOOSIC — Former Democratic Congressman Matt Cartwright won't run to regain the seat in the House of Representatives he lost last year to Republican Rob Bresnahan, the Luzerne County businessman now representing the 8th Congressional District in the GOP-controlled House. 'I've decided it's time to give it a rest,' Cartwright said Thursday after months of weighing whether to run again. 'I've worked 80-hour weeks for the last 12 years. It's time to give somebody else a chance to do this job.' Cartwright, who rose in Democratic leadership over his six terms in Congress, announced his decision not to run at a press conference held in the shadow of a new emergency services building under construction in Moosic — a facility he helped secure $3 million in federal funds to support. It's a decision that makes easier the path for other potential Democratic candidates who may seek to challenge Bresnahan in 2026, when Democrats hope voters discontented with Republican President Donald Trump and his GOP allies emerge as a blue wave that sweeps their party back into the House majority. Former Democratic Congressman Matt Cartwright announces he won't run to regain the seat in the House of Representatives he lost last year to Republican Rob Bresnahan. The former representative of the 8th Congressional District, accompanied by his wife Marion, made the announcement at Greenwood Hose Company on Thursday. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO) Bresnahan narrowly defeated Cartwright in November, earning 195,663 votes to the incumbent Democrat's 189,411 in the district that includes all of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike counties and parts of Luzerne and Monroe counties. It was one of the most tightly contested and closely watched races in the country. As of late April, the independent and nonpartisan Cook Political Report's 2026 House race ratings listed Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District as leaning Republican. Races that lean one way or another are considered competitive, but where one party, in this case the GOP, has an advantage. CPR had listed the 2024 Cartwright/Bresnahan race as one of 25 House toss-ups across the country, the most competitive races where either party had a good chance of winning. Who might ultimately run against Bresnahan next year remains unclear, and Cartwright did not endorse any potential candidates Thursday. But after noting his gratitude to the people of Northeast Pennsylvania for allowing him to represent them for 12 years and apologizing to anyone disappointed by his decision not to run, Cartwright said 'it's time to hand over the reins to new blood.' He also said he'll have more to say about that as time goes on. 'We're going to see how the process shakes itself out,' Cartwright said. 'One of the wonderful things about serving in this position is you get to know all of the politicians with a heartbeat in Northeastern Pennsylvania and I did, and I have to say we have a deep, deep bench on my side of the aisle. We have … what they call an embarrassment of riches. There are a lot of people who could step right into my shoes, and I'm sure you'll be hearing from them fairly shortly.' Sources told The Times-Tribune that Democratic state Rep. Bridget Kosierowski of Waverly Twp., Democratic Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo and Democratic state Sen. Marty Flynn of Dunmore are considering potential runs. Democratic Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan said Thursday he won't run. Democratic Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, who's seeking reelection this year, said 'I'm running for mayor of Scranton.' Efforts to reach Lombardo and Flynn were not immediately successful; Kosierowski responded to the newspaper's inquiry in a statement. 'As both a nurse and a state representative, I share the deep frustration so many in PA-08 are feeling about what's happening at the federal level,' she said. 'Congressman Cartwright has been a strong advocate for this region, and I'm grateful for his service. Right now, I'm focused on continuing to deliver for the people I represent, and as things evolve, I'll keep listening and considering where I can make the greatest impact.' Former Democratic Congressman Matt Cartwright announces he won't run to regain the seat in the House of Representatives he lost last year to Republican Rob Bresnahan. The former representative of the 8th Congressional District, accompanied by his wife Marion, made the announcement at Greenwood Hose Company on Thursday. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO) Cartwright spent some of Thursday's press conference reflecting on his impact, including as one of a dozen subcommittee chairs, colloquially called 'Cardinals,' of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. 'And that helped me bring a lot of tax dollars, our tax dollars, back home to work in our local economy — about $100 million on my own signature in the last four years,' he said, noting the federal funding for the Moosic emergency services building as an example. 'In our congressional office we placed a premium on working for economic development.' Cartwright also said 16 bills he wrote became law during his time in Congress, including bills that help veterans and military spouses. He mentioned the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, describing it as a legislative effort 'to remove a blot on our national integrity that came about from our government's poisoning hundreds of thousands of U.S. Marines, their families and the employees at Camp Lejeune with carcinogens in their drinking water.' He also expressed pride in his work as a chief elected advocate of restoring passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City, describing the Amtrak project as 'all systems go.' As proposed, the project would see Amtrak passenger trains run between Scranton and Manhattan's Penn Station with stops in Mount Pocono and East Stroudsburg, and Blairstown, Dover, Morristown, Montclair and Newark, N.J. An Amtrak study released in March 2023 found that restoring such a service would generate $84 million in new economic activity annually, creating jobs on both sides of the Pennsylvania/New Jersey border. Lackawanna County commissioners appointed Cartwright in January to a term on the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority board, where he continues to advocate for the project. He also credited and thanked Bresnahan on Thursday for endorsing the Amtrak initiative. 'On the other hand some of his votes leave a lot to be desired and I don't want to go further into it today,' Cartwright said of his Republican successor. In a statement Thursday, the National Republican Congressional Committee said Bresnahan has accomplished more for Pennsylvania in five months than Cartwright did in more than a decade. 'Rep. Bresnahan is delivering, and Cartwright is sending a message to Democrats that this race is over before it starts,' the statement from NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O'Toole said. Cartwright's remarks Thursday included something of a soliloquy on politics where he suggested voters not simply vote for the change candidate, 'because half the time the change they offer is not for the better.' He also warned against voting for 'extremist candidates' offering simple solutions to complicated problems or for candidates 'who scapegoat the least of our brothers and sisters,' adding that 'targeting their lives is not going to fix yours.' 'Do your own research from reputable sources and vote for candidates that have concrete plans that will actually help you and the people you care about,' he said. 'Vote for leaders who will fight for things that really matter in your lives, like people's health care; like for police and first responders; like for fair pharmaceutical prices; for veterans' care; for seniors' benefits; for workers' rights; for civil rights; for voting rights, civil justice, clean air, clean water, tax fairness and sensible economic policies and for public education.' 'These are the things that I fought for for 12 years down in Washington, D.C.,' he said. 'I was proud to do it and I'm proud to say I went down swinging for these things.' Cartwright didn't rule out a potential run in future cycles after 2026. 'The door is open,' he said.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bresnahan holds veterans press conference at Tobyhanna VFW
Jun. 2—TOBYHANNA — U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., on Monday said "at the heart of everything we do" is the belief that government should work better for the people it serves. "And that starts with our veterans," said Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township. "Those who have risked their lives for our country shouldn't be forced to deal with government red tape just to access the benefits they rightfully earned while wearing our nation's uniform. I am proud to recognize the more than 40,000 veterans in Northeastern Pennsylvania — this legislation is dedicated to them, and I will continue to work every day on behalf of them and our community." Bresnahan held a press conference with local veterans and members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3448 to recognize veterans and bring awareness to his recently passed legislation, H.R. 1286 — the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act. Bresnahan was joined by more than a dozen local veterans, including VFW Post 3448 Commander Greg Schultz; second-generation veteran Tony Andriola; and VFW Post 3448 Senior Vice Commander Jackie Boucher, who all gave brief remarks. Monroe County Commissioners Chairman John Christy and Vice Chairman David Parker were also in attendance. Bresnahan said he introduced the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act to simplify the forms process to make VA standard forms more user-friendly. Bresnahan said he introduced the bill on Feb. 13, and it passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Veteran's Affairs on May 6. Bresnahan said he spoke on the House Floor May 19 about the legislation before its passage out of the U.S. House by a vote of 386-1. Bresnahan said the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act would require VA to contract with a nonpartisan, federally funded research entity to conduct a study on, and provide recommendations for, revising VA forms to be more understandable for veterans and their survivors. Following this study, the VA Secretary would be required to report findings to Congress and implement recommendations. At the press conference, Bresnahan also previewed the launch of a new initiative to expand constituent services across Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District with the introduction of a mobile office — known as the BresnaVan. Additional details on the BresnaVan and its operations will be announced later this week. "Our mission is to make government more accessible, responsive, and present in every corner of the district," Bresnahan said. "The BresnaVan will allow us to reach communities where we don't have permanent offices and make sure every constituent has access to the support and services they deserve." Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
He said he'd ban stock trading in Congress. He's made more than 530 trades since taking office.
On the campaign trail, Rep. Rob Bresnahan said he'd push to ban stock trading in Congress. He's traded more than 530 times in office. 40 of those trades were made after he said he'd set up a blind trust. Rep. Rob Bresnahan said he would ban stock trading when he got to Congress. Since the Pennsylvania Republican took office in January, he's traded securities at least 530 times. Forty of those trades, worth at least $166,000, were made after May 6, when he announced that he would move his assets into a blind trust. Business Insider reviewed 11 periodic transaction reports that Bresnahan has filed since January. His investments run the gamut, from tech companies like Meta and Alphabet to energy companies like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips. Like fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Bresnahan has said that he does not make those trades himself and that his portfolio is managed by an outside third party. Bresnahan has apparently continued to allow that advisor to make trades on his behalf, even after his trades began to draw significant media scrutiny two months ago. "As we've said repeatedly, Rob has no involvement in the stock trades made by his financial advisor," Hannah Pope, a spokeswoman for Bresnahan, told BI. "He's in the process of finalizing a blind trust which requires sign-off from the House Ethics Committee." In March 2021, Bresnahan penned an op-ed in a local paper stating that if elected, he would co-sponsor legislation to ban stock trading in Congress. "Some of the most prolific traders in the country serve in Congress," Bresnahan wrote. "Whether or not they have done something wrong, the idea that we can buy and sell stocks while voting on legislation that will have a direct impact on these companies is wrong and needs to come to an end immediately." The Pennsylvania Republican has emerged as one of the House's most prolific traders. After the New York Times first reported on Bresnahan's trades, his office said he would introduce his own bill instead. One month later, he did, introducing the "TRUST Act," a name that sounded similar to an existing stock ban bill, the TRUST in Congress Act. "I think his staff should learn how to Google," Rep. Chip Roy, the GOP cosponsor of that bill, told NOTUS. At the same time, Bresnahan said he would establish a blind trust. "I have never traded my own stocks, but I want to guarantee accountability to my constituents," the congressman said in a May 6 press release. "That is why I am working with House Ethics to begin the process of enacting a blind trust. I want the people I represent to trust that I am in Congress to serve them, and them alone." While the details of each blind trust is different, they generally allow individuals to retain the value of their assets, but they relinquish control over investment decisions to a third party. They also do not receive information about the contents of the trust until it is terminated. Bresnahan isn't the only lawmaker who continues to trade stocks despite backing a stock trading ban. He's also not the only lawmaker who has continued to trade despite announcing plans for a blind trust. In February 2022, Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey announced that he would set up a blind trust. Three years later, that still hasn't happened, and spokesman Tony Wen told BI on Monday that the congressman is still "awaiting approval" from the relevant ethics officials in Congress. "In the meantime, he has taken the extra step of setting up an independent trust," Wen said. Additionally, Republican Rep. Tom Kean of New Jersey announced just before he took office in January 2023 that he would be placing his assets into a blind trust. The congressman still has not disclosed doing so, and his office did not respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
He said he'd ban stock trading in Congress. He's made more than 530 trades since taking office.
On the campaign trail, Rep. Rob Bresnahan said he'd push to ban stock trading in Congress. He's traded more than 530 times in office. 40 of those trades were made after he said he'd set up a blind trust. Rep. Rob Bresnahan said he would ban stock trading when he got to Congress. Since the Pennsylvania Republican took office in January, he's traded securities at least 530 times. Forty of those trades, worth at least $166,000, were made after May 6, when he announced that he would move his assets into a blind trust. Business Insider reviewed 11 periodic transaction reports that Bresnahan has filed since January. His investments run the gamut, from tech companies like Meta and Alphabet to energy companies like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips. Like fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Bresnahan has said that he does not make those trades himself and that his portfolio is managed by an outside third party. Bresnahan has apparently continued to allow that advisor to make trades on his behalf, even after his trades began to draw significant media scrutiny two months ago. "As we've said repeatedly, Rob has no involvement in the stock trades made by his financial advisor," Hannah Pope, a spokeswoman for Bresnahan, told BI. "He's in the process of finalizing a blind trust which requires sign-off from the House Ethics Committee." In March 2021, Bresnahan penned an op-ed in a local paper stating that if elected, he would co-sponsor legislation to ban stock trading in Congress. "Some of the most prolific traders in the country serve in Congress," Bresnahan wrote. "Whether or not they have done something wrong, the idea that we can buy and sell stocks while voting on legislation that will have a direct impact on these companies is wrong and needs to come to an end immediately." The Pennsylvania Republican has emerged as one of the House's most prolific traders. After the New York Times first reported on Bresnahan's trades, his office said he would introduce his own bill instead. One month later, he did, introducing the "TRUST Act," a name that sounded similar to an existing stock ban bill, the TRUST in Congress Act. "I think his staff should learn how to Google," Rep. Chip Roy, the GOP cosponsor of that bill, told NOTUS. At the same time, Bresnahan said he would establish a blind trust. "I have never traded my own stocks, but I want to guarantee accountability to my constituents," the congressman said in a May 6 press release. "That is why I am working with House Ethics to begin the process of enacting a blind trust. I want the people I represent to trust that I am in Congress to serve them, and them alone." While the details of each blind trust is different, they generally allow individuals to retain the value of their assets, but they relinquish control over investment decisions to a third party. They also do not receive information about the contents of the trust until it is terminated. Bresnahan isn't the only lawmaker who continues to trade stocks despite backing a stock trading ban. He's also not the only lawmaker who has continued to trade despite announcing plans for a blind trust. In February 2022, Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey announced that he would set up a blind trust. Three years later, that still hasn't happened, and spokesman Tony Wen told BI on Monday that the congressman is still "awaiting approval" from the relevant ethics officials in Congress. "In the meantime, he has taken the extra step of setting up an independent trust," Wen said. Additionally, Republican Rep. Tom Kean of New Jersey announced just before he took office in January 2023 that he would be placing his assets into a blind trust. The congressman still has not disclosed doing so, and his office did not respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
02-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
He said he'd ban stock trading in Congress. He's made more than 530 trades since taking office.
Rep. Rob Bresnahan said he would ban stock trading when he got to Congress. Since the Pennsylvania Republican took office in January, he's traded securities at least 530 times. Forty of those trades, worth at least $166,000, were made after May 6, when he announced that he would move his assets into a blind trust. Business Insider reviewed 11 periodic transaction reports that Bresnahan has filed since January. His investments run the gamut, from tech companies like Meta and Alphabet to energy companies like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips. Like fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Bresnahan has said that he does not make those trades himself and that his portfolio is managed by an outside third party. Bresnahan has apparently continued to allow that advisor to make trades on his behalf, even after his trades began to draw significant media scrutiny two months ago. "As we've said repeatedly, Rob has no involvement in the stock trades made by his financial advisor," Hannah Pope, a spokeswoman for Bresnahan, told BI. "He's in the process of finalizing a blind trust which requires sign-off from the House Ethics Committee." In March 2021, Bresnahan penned an op-ed in a local paper stating that if elected, he would co-sponsor legislation to ban stock trading in Congress. "Some of the most prolific traders in the country serve in Congress," Bresnahan wrote. "Whether or not they have done something wrong, the idea that we can buy and sell stocks while voting on legislation that will have a direct impact on these companies is wrong and needs to come to an end immediately." The Pennsylvania Republican has emerged as one of the House's most prolific traders. After the New York Times first reported on Bresnahan's trades, his office said he would introduce his own bill instead. One month later, he did, introducing the "TRUST Act," a name that sounded similar to an existing stock ban bill, the TRUST in Congress Act. "I think his staff should learn how to Google," Rep. Chip Roy, the GOP cosponsor of that bill, told NOTUS. At the same time, Bresnahan said he would establish a blind trust. "I have never traded my own stocks, but I want to guarantee accountability to my constituents," the congressman said in a May 6 press release. "That is why I am working with House Ethics to begin the process of enacting a blind trust. I want the people I represent to trust that I am in Congress to serve them, and them alone." While the details of each blind trust is different, they generally allow individuals to retain the value of their assets, but they relinquish control over investment decisions to a third party. They also do not receive information about the contents of the trust until it is terminated. Bresnahan isn't the only lawmaker who continues to trade stocks despite backing a stock trading ban. He's also not the only lawmaker who has continued to trade despite announcing plans for a blind trust. In February 2022, Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey announced that he would set up a blind trust. Three years later, that still hasn't happened, and spokesman Tony Wen told BI on Monday that the congressman is still "awaiting approval" from the relevant ethics officials in Congress. "In the meantime, he has taken the extra step of setting up an independent trust," Wen said. Additionally, Republican Rep. Tom Kean of New Jersey announced just before he took office in January 2023 that he would be placing his assets into a blind trust. The congressman still has not disclosed doing so, and his office did not respond to a request for comment.
