Issues

Specter owes Pennsylvanians an explanation

Does he still oppose card check and forced arbitration? Will he keep his word?

Harrisburg, PA (Aug. 19, 2009) - Today, Citizens to Protect PA Jobs, a broad-based coalition of businesses and concerned Pennsylvanians, has one burning question for U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter:  Where do you stand on the Employee 'Forced' Choice Act or any legislation that mirrors its provisions?

At this past weekend's Netroots Nation convention in Pittsburgh, Specter delighted liberal bloggers by stating he would support cloture on the Employee 'Forced' Choice Act or EFCA, meaning his vote would allow the bill to move forward. 

Specter understands that a vote for cloture is a vote in favor of the legislation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whewlJ1vnQM

It seems Specter fails to remember a promise he made to Pennsylvanians on the floor of the U.S. Senate when he announced his opposition to EFCA referencing the economy, and opposition to both the elimination of the secret ballot and mandatory, binding arbitration. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnOswizpnuI

Yet only five months after announcing his principled opposition to EFCA and unambiguously vowing to vote against cloture, Specter seems to be confused about the pledge he made to small businesses and workers in the Keystone State, and owes his constituents a coherent and clear explanation.

Senator Specter has been thanked by thousands of his constituents for comments criticizing and opposing the Employee 'Forced' Choice Act. Pennsylvanians find this bill as distasteful as anything that has come out of Congress. Citizens to Protect PA Jobs believes that Senator Specter needs to be clear about his stance on.

Pennsylvania voters know that card check and the binding arbitration provision of this legislation are sure-fire job killers. In fact, a recent study by a noted economist found that EFCA would result in the loss of 600,000 jobs in the first year following its enactment.

Simply stated, Senator Specter has a choice to make: stand with small businesses and workers struggling through a recession or stand with union bosses. It is time for Specter to be clear, will he support OR oppose cloture on legislation that eliminates the secret ballot OR imposes mandatory, binding arbitration on employees and employers alike without their consent?