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Dear Robert,

Here are some highlights from Senator Casey's work last week. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

*Senator Casey forayed in to state politics by urging the Pennsylvania legislature to reconsider advancing legislation that would "make it harder for labor unions to collect dues and political action contributions through payroll deductions (The Associated Press, 2/26/14)." Senator Casey is concerned the bill would make it harder for unions to bargain collectively and believes “the real goal here is political and ideological, to weaken workers' right to fight for better wages and benefits. It's an attempt to score a political point, and we need to be ready where we can push back in an instant (The Associated Press, 2/26/14).” You can read more here: http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/5668919-74/unions-labor-bill#axzz2vZK7OFxw

*There is a new pilot program in the Labor Department that aims to make it easier for miners to win compensation for black lung disease. Senator Casey doesn’t believe that is going far enough, and has been teaming up with Senator Rockefeller to push a bill that would require mining companies to share complete medical reports with all miners involved in compensation (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2/25/14). You can read more here: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2014/02/26/Program-aids-black-lung-claims/stories/201402260111

*Senator Casey vocally supports The Increasing the Safety of Prescription Drug Use Act, which would improve upon existing federal programs to battle prescription drug abuse. Pennsylvania ranks the third-highest in instances of heroin addiction, and an increasing number of addictions start with prescription painkillers (Lehigh Valley Live, 2/28/14). You can read more here: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2014/02/sen_bob_casey_throw_support_be.html

*Senator Casey launched the VA Claims Backlog Working Group in June of 2013 and on Thursday that group released their report, coupled with legislation, aimed at addressing some of the systemic causes of the backlog. The 21st Century Benefits Reform Act would make a series of systemic changes to the way the VA deals with benefit claims that would help reduce waiting time. The average waiting time for PA Veterans right now is between 309 and 347 days (Allentown Morning Call, 3/6/14). You can read more here: http://articles.mcall.com/2014-03-06/news/mc-casey-veterans-affairs-backlog-20140306_1_claims-backlog-veterans-affairs-office-casey

*Senator Casey, together with Senator Toomey, pushed for passage of his “No Man Left Behind” resolution. Building on 2009 legislation, the main purpose of the resolution “is [to] reiterate what has been a policy from as long as anyone can remember. We won't leave a fallen comrade on the battlefield (TribLive, 2/22/14).” You can read more here: http://triblive.com/news/editorspicks/5590717-74/remains-war-zaetz#axzz2vZK7OFxw

Sincerely,

Jim Brown
Chief of Staff

Paid for by Bob Casey for Senate

PO Box 58746
Philadelphia, PA 19102

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