From Congressman Rothfus

Rothfus: Balanced Budget Fosters Job Creation and Protects Seniors

Sewickley area U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus discusses the need for a balanced federal budget.

A balanced budget is critical for growing a healthier economy, adding jobs, and ensuring that we have the money to preserve and protect Medicare and Social Security and promote a strong national defense. The budget plan approved by the House last week, which I supported, balances in ten years and will lead to greater economic prosperity for all Americans. The surging debt and persistent deficits run up by the federal government are not abstractions. They are a threat to our economy, national security, seniors, and veterans. Today, every American’s share of the national debt exceeds $53,000. That would pay for a family’s groceries for nearly seven years or a four-year degree at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. To appreciate the …

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Rothfus to Host 'Coffee with Keith' Events

Constituents are encouraged to suggest locations for future coffee klatches via Facebook and Twitter.

U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, is inviting constituents to meet up with him for coffee and conversation at locations in Ambridge, Ellwood City, and Johnstown. The first “Coffee with Keith” event will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 at the Maple Restaurant, 463 Maplewood Ave. in Ambridge. Constituents are encouraged to stop by and share their thoughts on legislation, get help with federal agencies, or to simply chat. Other "Coffee with Keith" events are planned from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 at Red Hot Restaurant, 219 6th St. in Ellwood City, and from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at Corner Coffee Shoppe, 810 Scalp Ave. in Johnstown. Constituents can also suggest locations for future coffees on Facebook at www.…

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Murphy, Rothfus and Doyle Plan 911th Airlift Wing News Conference

The congressmen will speak this morning at the Moon Township base.

A news conference is planned for later this morning regarding the future of the 911th Airlift Wing. U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, U.S. Rep Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, and U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Swissvale plan to discuss continuing efforts to strengthen the 911th and the 171st airlift wing, as well as the next steps for military units in the Western Pennsylvania region.  Murphy announced last week that a planned 2013 closure of the base will not occur and that operations at the base will continue into next year. The 911th has faced previous closure attempts, including one in 2005. Today's conference, "Investing in the Future of the 911th and 171st: Where We Go From Here," begins at 11:15 a.m. at the Moon Township base. Other …

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Sewickley Area Congressmen Weigh in on Sequestration

Reps. Rothfus, Murphy and others discuss the effects of across-the-board cuts.

Several departments in Allegheny County may be impacted by the sequester if the automatic budget cuts begin officially at midnight, according to members of the state's congressional delegation. U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus said in a recent op-ed piece that the cuts are indiscriminate and fail the first step of good budgeting: prioritization.  "We need to control spending so that we do not run out of money for critical items such as seniors’ and veterans’ health care, infrastructure projects, and a robust military capable of deterring aggressors. This is not the way to do it," said Rothfus, R-Sewickley, prior to the sequester. Instead of the arbitrary, across-the-board cuts, which will impact selected domestic and military programs, Rothfus said…

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House Approves Massive Hurricane Sandy Relief Package

Rothfus and Murphy vote against the $50.5 billion plan, which now moves on to Senate for action.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a $50.5 billion relief package for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, ending weeks of political wrangling between Democrats and Republicans. U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, and U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, were two of the 179 House Republicans who voted against the emergency relief package. The bill passed 241-180.  Rothfus also voted against $9.7 billion in relief aid earlier this month while Murphy voted in favor.  New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy — all of whom were sharply critical of the Congressional delay — released the following statement regarding Tuesday's passage of the disaster …

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Rothfus Votes Against Hurricane Sandy Relief

The Sewickley Republican was one of 67 House Republicans to vote against the $9.7 billion in hurricane relief aid while Tim Murphy joined the 354 in support.

In his first legislative act as a new congressman, U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus voted against the Hurricane Sandy relief package. Rothfus, R-Sewickley, was one of 67 House Republicans to vote Friday against the bill authorizing $9.7 billion in relief. U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, whose district includes Edgeworth, Leet Township and Leetsdale, supported the legislation (H.R. 41), which passed the House by a 354-67 margin.  Rothfus told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review the reason behind his vote, calling it “irresponsible to raise an insolvent program's debt ceiling without making reforms.” “My problem with the bill is that we are funding offsets for the National Flood Insurance Program,” Rothfus told the Trib. Friday's vote extends the …

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Rothfus Sworn in As 12th District Congressman

The Republican congressman from Sewickley was one of 82 freshman House members and 12 new senators who were sworn in on the festive day.

Congressman Keith Rothfus was officially sworn in Thursday, Jan. 3 as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing the new 12th congressional district. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio presided over the ceremony, which included Rothfus of Sewickley, his wife Elsie and their six children. The 113th U.S. Congress convened at noon Thursday, ushering in 82 freshman House members and 12 new senators. Boehner welcomed the freshmen lawmakers after being re-elected to a second term as speaker. Rothfus, a Republican, was elected in November after defeating incumbent Democrat Mark Critz of Johnstown. Critz defeated former U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire in the Democratic primary after redistricting combined much of Altmire's former 4th …

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Sewickley Goes to D.C.: Keith Rothfus Ready to Serve the Region in Congress

Congressman-elect Keith Rothfus is in Washington, D.C. this week after winning the 12th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Despite GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s loss on election night Nov. 6, Sewickley Republican and U.S. Rep.-elect Keith Rothfus pulled out a big win in a hard-fought battle against Democratic opponent Mark Critz. Rothfus, 50, a lawyer and father of six, went to work immediately after the election, spending the past week thanking supporters, volunteers and others who helped along the way to that victory.  "I'm making a lot of phone calls, and doing a lot of emails" since then, Rothfus told Sewickley Patch during a recent interview. A thankful note on his website conveys a similar message : “To all who gave so much for this victory, and all those who voted in PA-12, thank you! I look forward to my duties as your employee, and I am …

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Sewickley Residents Express Hopes, Optimism on Rothfus Election Win

Locals express thoughts on the high-profile election of Sewickley hometown candidate Keith Rothfus.

Just a day after the elections, the Sewickley community was still buzzing about U.S. Rep.-elect Keith Rothfus's defeat of Incumbent U.S. Rep Mark Critz after a close race to represent the newly redrawn 12th District. “Hopefully he’ll do a good job for the community,” said Lynn Swann of Sewickley, a retired Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and former Republican candidate for governor. Swann, who spent some time on the campaign trail this election season stomping for former Gov. Mitt Romney's presidential campaign, said the key for Rothfus will be working with constituents. “He has an interesting district,” Swann added. As a result of last year's redistricting, Aleppo, Bell Acres, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights, Glen Osborne, Haysville and …

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Election 2012 Results: Rothfus Defeats Critz in Newly Drawn 12th District

Rothfus of Sewickley wins the congressional seat with 52 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results.

Republican Keith Rothfus of Sewickley defeated incumbent Democrat Mark Critz of Johnstown by a margin of 52 to 48 percent to win election to the newly re-drawn Pennsylvania 12th congressional district.  Rothfus said his number one priority is the economy. "We got get the economy rolling again," he said after delivering a victory speech at the Holiday Inn on McKnight Road in Ross Township Tuesday night. "I'm concerned about tax policy, about the possibility of another tax increase on our small businesses on January first. The president said a couple of years ago; you don't want to raise taxes in a slow economy. And so we have to convince the president of the wisdom of his argument from a couple of years ago." Rothfus was asked about the …

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