ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

District 1 – Philadelphia & Delaware Counties
Robert A. Brady (D): Chose not to participate
(Unopposed)

District 2 – Delaware, Montgomery & Philadelphia Counties
David G. Baker (Green): Chose not to respond
Chaka Fattah (D): Chose not to respond
Michael Gessner (R): Response received

District 6 – Chester & Montgomery Counties
Jim Gerlach (R): Response received
Lois Murphy (D): Chose not to respond

District 7 – Chester, Delaware & Montgomery Counties
Joe Sestak (D): Chose not to respond
Curt Weldon (R): Response received

District 8 – Bucks, Montgomery & Philadelphia Counties
Michael G. Fitzpatrick (R): Response received
Patrick J. Murphy (D): Chose not to respond 

District 13 – Montgomery & Philadelphia Counties
Raj Peter Bhakta (R): Chose not to respond
Allyson Schwartz (D): Chose not to respond

District 15 – Montgomery County
Greta Brown (G): Chose not to respond
Charles W. Dent (R): Response received
Charles Dertinger (D): Chose not to respond

District 16 – Chester County
Lois K. Herr (D): Chose not to respond
John A. Murphy (Independent): Chose not to respond
Joseph R. Pitts (R): Chose not to respond

1. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, what is your position on providing legal protection for unborn children from the moment of conception?
If support, what exceptions, if any, would you require?
a) would not require exceptions
b) life of the mother
c) life of the mother, rape, and incest

Gessner (R-2): Support; c.
Gerlach (R-6): Support; c.
Weldon (R-7): Support; c.
Fitzpatrick (R-8): Support; c.
Dent (R-15): I support parental notification and oppose partial-birth abortion.

2. What is your position on research that involves destroying live human embryos to obtain their cells for experimentation (embryonic stem cell research)?

Gessner (R-2): Support.
Gerlach (R-6): Support. I supported the most recent embryonic stem cell research bill, HR 810, because of the very specific limitations that existed in the bill.
Weldon (R-7): Support. I did support a measure to overturn the President’s veto to outlaw further embryonic stem cell research. I do consider myself pro-life and this was one of the most difficult votes I have had to make in my 20 years in Congress. I made this decision after speaking with many constituents, area doctors and my fellow pro-life leaders in Congress. Without a doubt, any stem cell research must be done in an ethical and responsible manner. HR 810, the Stem Cell Research and Enhancement Act, sets out rigid requirements for any embryo that is to be used for stem cell research or therapy. From my own research, I was surprised to discover that there are over 400,000 unused embryos in the United States currently, and each year tens of thousands of them are unceremoniously discarded as medical waste. If there is a potential for these embryos, that would otherwise be tossed aside as trash, to save a child with cancer or an elderly person suffering from Parkinson’s, it seems irresponsible not to put our greatest doctors and resources to the task of finding those cures.
Fitzpatrick (R-8): Oppose.
Dent (R-15): Support. Lou Gehrig’s and Parkinson’s have hit my family. I support finding cures ethically.

3. What is your position on suspending all federal executions?

Gessner (R-2): Oppose.
Gerlach (R-6): Oppose.
Weldon (R-7): Oppose. In cases of the most heinous crimes, I believe the death penalty is an appropriate option.
Fitzpatrick (R-8): Oppose.
Dent (R-15): Oppose

4. What is your position on a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman?
If support, which constitution should be amended?
a.) U.S. Constitution
b.) Pennsylvania Constitution
c.) Both

Gessner (R-2): Support; b.
Gerlach (R-6): Oppose, at the present time; a. If current federal Defense of Marriage Act is overturned in a federal court, I would then support a constitutional amendment to be added to the U.S. Constitution.
Weldon (R-7): Support; c.
Fitzpatrick (R-8): I support current legislation such as the Defense of Marriage Act. I do not believe that this significant issue can be properly resolved through a constitutional amendment in the current environment.
Dent (R-15): Support; a.

5. What is your position on expanding the federal school voucher program (e.g. the Washington, DC voucher program) to other jurisdictions to further study its effects on at-risk children?

Gessner (R-2): Support.
Gerlach (R-6): Oppose.
Weldon (R-7): Support.
Fitzpatrick (R-8): Support.
Dent (R-15): Support. I have consistently supported giving parents more education options.

6. What is your position on providing a tax credit to businesses that donate to scholarship organizations that provide scholarships for low-income students at private schools in grades kindergarten through 12?

Gessner (R-2): Support.
Gerlach (R-6): Support.
Weldon (R-7): Support.
Fitzpatrick (R-8): Support.
Dent (R-15): Support. I helped develop this program in Pennsylvania.

7. What is your position on legislation that forces Catholic health care providers to provide, pay for or refer for services contrary to their conscience and moral teachings?

Gessner (R-2): Oppose.
Gerlach (R-6): Oppose.
Weldon (R-7): Oppose.
Fitzpatrick (R-8): Oppose.
Dent (R-15): No response.

8. What is your position on mandating employers and health insurance plans, regardless of their religious beliefs or moral convictions, to cover contraceptives in their prescription plans for employees?

Gessner (R-2): Support.
Gerlach (R-6): Oppose.
Weldon (R-7): Oppose.
Fitzpatrick (R-8): Oppose.
Dent (R-15): No response.

9. What is your position on comprehensive immigration reform efforts (such as the McCain/Kennedy proposal) which outline steps for undocumented workers to earn US citizenship or legalization?

Gessner (R-2): Support. I support immigration reform but not the above-referred proposal.
Gerlach (R-6): Oppose.
Weldon (R-7): Oppose. Illegal immigration is a complex and contentious issue, but one clear resolution presents itself in the myriad of proposed solutions: border security must be America’s highest priority in stemming the tide of illegal immigration. Only when our borders are secure and the threat of terrorism is reduced can we move forward to finding more comprehensive solutions.
Fitzpatrick (R-8): Oppose. I support comprehensive immigration reform; however, I oppose the Senate proposal referenced above. Any comprehensive immigration reform proposal must include as its primary objective meaningful border security measures.
Dent (R-15): Oppose. I oppose the Senate immigration bill. It is seriously flawed.

10. What is your position on comprehensive health care reform efforts that include providing coverage for immigrants?

Gessner (R-2): Support.
Gerlach (R-6): Support, if coverage is for legal immigrants.
Weldon (R-7): Oppose. I support health care reform efforts to ensure coverage only for individuals who have legal status in our country.
Fitzpatrick (R-8): Support. As the grandson of immigrants from Ireland, I believe that America must remain an attractive place for all who yearn for a better life while showing respect to the institution that provides it. Accordingly, I support ensuring the availability of health care coverage for legal immigrants.
Dent (R-15): I do not support burdening taxpayers with health care costs for illegal immigrants.

11. What is your position on cuts or program changes to Medicare and Medicaid that restrict access to health care for low income citizens?

Gessner (R-2): Oppose.
Gerlach (R-6): Oppose.
Weldon (R-7): Oppose. I do not support cuts to Medicare and Medicaid that would restrict care for low income seniors. I sent a letter with the Pennsylvania delegation to Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt addressing the need to ensure adequate funding for Medicaid long term care services for Pennsylvania. 
Fitzpatrick (R-8): Oppose.
Dent (R-15): I have supported increases in funding for both. But, restraining growing costs is necessary.