Bob Casey in 2024 PA Senate race

On Families & Children: Help me find the true cost of assisted living

Estimates for the cost of care is important to learn more about, as it can be unpredictable at assisted living facilities. "The more assistance and care a resident needs, the more they pay," said Casey. "And in some cases residents and families don't know the total cost until they receive their monthly bill."

On Drugs: Focus on violent drug dealers and de-schedule marijuana

NORML Politician Info: rated B
• Bob Casey (D - PA) Holds office U.S. Senate; Candidate in race for U.S. Senate on Nov.5, 2024
• Biography: Senator Casey has advocated for the descheduling of marijuana. His stances on the legalization and decriminalization have gotten more progressive over the years. He believes that once marijuana is descheduled the federal government will be better able to research marijuana's medical benefits.
• Comments: Senator Casey responded to a constituent about marijuana re-scheduling. "Unfortunately, that won't change much for the better. Re-scheduling doesn't help, we must DE-schedule."
• Civilized.life 3/8/18: "Given the unprecedented opioid crisis, the Department of Justice should focus its resources on targeting violent drug dealers and criminal gangs, not individuals operating under doctors' instructions. States should be given the flexibility to determine the best policy for their communities."

On Corporations: Make biggest corporations pay their fair share

Taxes: Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?Bob Casey (D): Raise. Supports reversing 2017 "massive tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations." Would make largest oil companies pay higher taxes on excess profits, make "wealthy tax cheats and the biggest corporations pay their fair share of taxes."
• David McCormick (R): Mostly lower. Opposes "tax increases." Inflation is "not greedflation [by] you in this room, business people, it's not because you're greedy." Said "we need to make permanent the [2017] Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," the biggest corporate cuts in US history.

On Abortion: Overturning Roe v. Wade is dangerous

Abortion : Ban or legal?
• Bob Casey (D): Legal. "Will never support the Republican effort to ban abortions." Overturning Roe v. Wade is "dangerous," "will put women's lives at risk." Voted to make abortion rights federal law. In 2018 called himself "pro-life" but voted mostly to maintain abortion access.
• David McCormick (R): Mostly ban. Is "pro-life." Called overturning Roe v. Wade "a huge victory for the protection of innocent life." In 2022 supported banning abortion except to save a mother's life. Now also supports exceptions for rape and incest. Opposes a national abortion ban. "States should decide."

On Corporations: Regulate banking hidden fees & crack down on shrinkflation

Economy: Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?
• Bob Casey (D): Increase. Supports federal funding for infrastructure and internet, including $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and policies that create "good-paying jobs." Would regulate banking overdraft penalties and other "hidden fees." Supports cracking down on companies that shrink products without lowering prices. Wants support for the childcare sector.
• David McCormick (R): Mostly decrease. To address inflation, "we have to get spending back under control" and stop "the war on energy." "Washington must take a more active role in promoting American innovation" but "cut the red tape and get out of the way of private citizens and firms trying to innovate."

On Crime: Defund localities that defund the police

Criminal Justice : How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?
• Bob Casey (D): Supports "our law enforcement" and wants to hold "accountable those who abuse their positions of public trust." Introduced legislation to reduce violent incidents between police and people with mental and physical disabilities. Voted to decrease federal funding for localities that defund the police.
• David McCormick (R): "Dangerous rhetoric and lax law enforcement policies have led to an increase in crime." Fewer police "means less safe communities." Police are "poorly funded" and need "qualified immunity," which protects police from civil lawsuits for use of excessive force.

On Education: Fund African American history in schools

Education : Limit teaching of issues around racism and gender identity?
• Bob Casey (D): No. "The idea that it's 'harmful' to children to even discuss the existence of LGBTQ+ people isn't just ridiculous -- it's dangerous." Introduced a bill funding African American history. "For far too long, our education system has taught an incomplete version of American history, which downplays the oppression that the Black community has experienced and continues to experience."
• David McCormick (R): Likely yes. Pledged to restore "honest, patriotic education in our schools" and "stand up to the liberal wokeness infiltrating all aspects of our society." Supports teaching "civics and America's exceptional story."

On Energy & Oil: Invest in meaningful climate action now

Climate Change : Should climate change be a top priority?
• Bob Casey (D): Yes. "We need to invest in meaningful climate action now." Voted for $369 billion investment in climate and renewable energy, the biggest investment in US history." "We must increase the use of renewable energy" while regulating natural gas extraction. Supports tax credits for clean energy workers.
• David McCormick (R): No. "Human activity is one of the many contributing factors" to rising global temperatures. "An anti-fossil fuel agenda" is driven by "radical environmental groups." Would "unleash oil and gas production." Would halt clean energy subsidies. Would "mitigate the risk of climate change" with "market-driven solutions."

On Environment: Regulating auto emissions; conserve at-risk wildlife species

Environment : Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?
• Bob Casey (D): Tighten. Supports "regulation of natural gas extraction, as well as disclosure of chemicals involved in the process." "Responsible fracking" should be "regulated and closely monitored to protect our communities." Opposed prohibiting the EPA from regulating auto emissions. Supports conservation of at-risk wildlife species.
• David McCormick (R): Loosen. "We should remove Biden's constraints on new oil and gas projects on federal lands." "We don't have to choose between clean energy and economic development--that's a false tradeoff." "Tapping into Pennsylvania's abundant natural resources" can be done "while still protecting the environment."

On Gun Control: Condemn political violence but condemn gun violence too

Dave McCORMICK: We need to have a real debate and fight and argument, conflict about the right direction of the country. But it need not be dehumanizing. It need not lead to violence. And, in fact, it can't. And so I hope we can see a dialing back of that rhetoric. And I certainly am going to try to do my part in being a strong voice for where I think the country should go, but also one that speaks out against violent rhetoric that contributes to the horror we saw yesterday.

On Gun Control: Ban weapons of war like AR-15 rifles

Gun Laws: Loosen or tighten gun regulation?
• Bob Casey (D): Tighten. Changed to a pro-regulation position after 2012 Sandy Hook massacre. Supports expanded background checks, temporarily keeping firearms from people who pose danger, and banning "weapons of war" like AR-15 rifles. Voted for the bipartisan gun safety bill.
• David McCormick (R): Mostly loosen. "I'm a proud gun owner who will fight for our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms."

On Health Care: Cap insulin at $35; negotiate drug costs for Medicare

Health Care: Increase or decrease government support?
• Bob Casey (D): Increase. The effort to repeal ObamaCare is "a venomous snake that will bite a lot of Americans." Introduced a bill to lower prescription drug costs for low-income Medicare enrollees. Sponsored a bill capping insulin price at $35. Voted for government to negotiate Medicare drug costs.
• David McCormick (R): Mostly decrease. Has discussed potentially cutting "entitlements."