Craig Williams Takes Sestak to Task for Spending $632,000 on Taxpayer Paid Mailings, Calls for Reforms

Press Release

Craig Williams Takes Sestak to Task for Spending $632,000 on Taxpayer Paid Mailings, Calls for Reforms

Sestak spent a quarter of a million more than any other Pennsylvania Congressman; Delco's other Congressman, Bob Brady, spent just $1,642.

Republican Congressional candidate Craig Williams held a press conference today to take his opponent, Congressman Joe Sestak, to task for spending $632,502.51 on taxpayer-funded mailings - more than any other Congressman in Pennsylvania. Sestak's spending of public funds on self-promotional literature was a quarter million dollars more than the second highest Congressman in the state and 371 percent more than the state average of $171,767.15.

"Since he took office two years ago, Joe Sestak has spent far more on taxpayer-funded mailings than any other member of Congress from Pennsylvania," said Craig Williams. "Sestak spent a quarter million dollars more than the second highest Pennsylvania Congressman, raising serious concerns about his use of tax dollars to help promote his re-election campaign."

In contrast, Congressman Bob Brady, who also represents portions of Delaware County, spent just $1,642 in the same time period. Congressman Patrick Murphy, the only other freshman in the Philadelphia suburbs, spent just $89,882.33 on mass mailing production and franking in the same period. Sestak's $632,502.51 in mass mailing spending includes $289,068.65 for franking and $348,433.86 in production costs. The figures represent spending from the first quarter of 2007 through the end of the second quarter of 2008, the most recent period available.

"Joe Sestak's spending on mass mailings has been egregious," said Williams. "With Members of Congress like Joe Sestak abusing the franking privilege and office allowances to this extent, it is clear why incumbents have such a heavy advantage. Congressman Sestak is part of the problem. This isn't change, this is politics as usual from Joe Sestak. This is an issue that is clearly calling out for reform."

Williams expressed his support for legislation in Congress, H.R. 2788 that would require members of the House of Representatives to print the total aggregate cost - production and franking cost -- on each mailing. Williams also said that if elected, he will introduce legislation to increase openness and transparency in Congress by requiring that the expenses and disbursements of Congressional offices be posted online for public review.

Currently, the public can only review how Members of Congress spend taxpayer dollars on salaries, mailings and other office expenses by calling the House of Representatives Document Room and requesting large print copies of thick books called Statement of Disbursements of the House of Representatives. Williams, who requested and obtained the two to three inch books, is making the 18 volumes -- covering the time period of January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 -- available for review by the press in his campaign office.

"Local voters have a right to know how Joe Sestak and other members of Congress are spending taxpayer money in their offices," said Williams. "But Congress, by refusing to post the information online, is deliberately hiding its own spending. We need to increase openness and transparency so that the American people know which members of Congress are not being good stewards of taxpayer dollars."

Williams also said that he believes requiring Members of Congress to print the aggregate cost on each mailing will cause elected officials to use more discretion when sending mass mailings.

"Congress has made it so difficult for the public and the press to research this information that members of the House of Representatives are not being held accountable," said Williams. "If Joe Sestak truly believes that it is a good use of taxpayer dollars to spend $632,000 promoting his liberal agenda, then he should be upfront in each mailing about the true cost to residents."

Craig Williams is running for Congress in the 7th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, comprising most of Delaware County and parts of Montgomery and Chester Counties. Williams is a former federal prosecutor, Marine combat veteran, and former active duty Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He lives in Concord Township, Delaware County, with his wife Jennifer, daughter and two step-children. The 7th District is his home - where he lives, where his kids go to school, where he pays taxes, where he attends church, and where he intends to spend the rest of his life.

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