REPLACING:
Matt Cartwright (D) [i]
WORK HISTORY:
RPB Ventures LLC (President); Xito Group LLC (Principal); Wyoming Electric & Signal, Inc. (Executive Vice President); Kuharchik Construction, Inc. (President / Chief Financial Officer) [ii] [iii]
EDUCATION:
BSBA, University of Scranton; Diploma, Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School [iv]
CAMPAIGNED ON:
Border; Economy; Social Security & Medicare; Public Safety; Jobs & the Economy; Your Voice in Congress [v]
ON THE ISSUES
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:
Bresnahan supports current Pennsylvania law, which permits abortion up to the 24th week of pregnancy and thereafter in certain cases when a woman’s health is threatened. [vi] He has said he would oppose a national abortion ban and supports the “standard exceptions.”[vii] [viii] He praised the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, saying, “Dobbs did exactly what it should do.” [ix] He believes the best policy to address abortion rights is to leave it to the voters in each state to decide, saying he does not think “abortion belongs in the federal government.” [x]
IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:
Bresnahan, who has said illegal immigration “is a crime, and officials in Washington must treat it as such,” argues the U.S. “must secure the border” and “reverse the Biden/Harris failed policies to stop the flow of illegal drugs and criminals into our communities.” [xi] [xii] He believes every state is a border state “when illegals cross the Southern border in masses daily” and supports building a physical border wall supplemented with hybrid technologies and ending “catch and release” policies. [xiii] [xiv] [xv] Bresnahan has said comprehensive immigration reform should expedite the process of legal immigration and has stressed that taxpayer money should not be used to fund the lives of individuals living in the U.S. illegally. [xvi]
ECONOMY & JOBS:
According to his campaign website, Bresnahan will work to expand economic and job opportunities by “pushing for more federal investment and reinvestment” in critical infrastructure. [xvii] He has also said the government should make the regulatory environment less burdensome for small businesses and manufacturers. [xviii] He has called for an end to “reckless spending” in order to get inflation under control. [xix] He supports “commonsense” economic policies “that unleash the American economy and get Pennsylvania back to work” and will fight for “family sustaining wages,” infrastructure investment, and policies that foster economic growth. [xx] [xxi] During his campaign, Bresnahan has highlighted his union ties and support for the labor movement, stating, “Just because I have an ‘R’ next to my name doesn’t mean that I’m not for collective bargaining.” [xxii] [xxiii] However, he has not fully backed major pro-labor legislation like the PRO Act. [xxiv]
TAXES:
Bresnahan has said he is a “big believer” in the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, which he called “incredible.” [xxv] He has been noncommittal on Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on imports, stating, “anything that’s going to escalate the cost of living is certainly going to be a lot harder for me to wrap my head around. [xxvi] [xxvii] Bresnahan signed Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge, committing to oppose and vote against income tax increases.[xxviii]
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:
Bresnahan has pledged to support law enforcement and “ensure they have the resources to combat the fentanyl crisis and keep our community safe.” [xxix]
CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:
Bresnahan has opposed Green New Deal policies and the Biden administration’s push to phase out fossil fuels, arguing they “kill energy jobs and drive prices through the roof.” [xxx] [xxxi] He criticized his Democratic opponent for “deciding to cow tail to Joe Biden and the climate crazies by voting to halt” the export of liquified natural gas and voting to “effectively ban the sale of new gas and diesel-powered vehicles.” [xxxii] [xxxiii] Bresnahan has pledged to “always stand with PA oil and gas workers and for American energy independence” and supports natural gas and the fracking industry. [xxxiv] [xxxv] [xxxvi] [xxxvii]
FOREIGN POLICY:
Bresnahan has said the U.S. should continue to defend Israel and that he “trust[s] the IDF and what they need to do.” [xxxviii] [xxxix] [xl] He has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “warmonger” and believes the situation in Ukraine is “absolutely tragic.” [xli] [xlii] Bresnahan supports providing the Ukrainians the resources necessary “so they can fight their way.” [xliii] However, he has called for “accountability” of the existing foreign aid and argued, “It just cannot be an open checkbook and just keep sending, filling satchels of cash and sending it around the planet.” [xliv] Notably, although he has criticized politicians for allowing American jobs to be sent to China, at least some of Bresnahan’s campaign merchandise was reportedly made in China and he has allegedly invested thousands of dollars in a company with ties to the Chinese military. [xlv] [xlvi]
HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:
Bresnahan opposed the Inflation Reduction Act but supported the provision that capped the price of insulin. [xlvii] [xlviii] According to his campaign website, Bresnahan will “always fight to protect Social Security & Medicare for future generations,” arguing, “It’s your money, you paid into the system, and the government needs to keep its promise to every American.” [xlix] He opposes raising the retirement age and cutting benefits, stating the idea is a “non-starter.” [l] [li]
SOCIAL ISSUES:
Bresnahan criticized his Democratic opponent for voting against the SAVE Act, which would prohibit states from accepting and processing voter registration applications unless the applicant presented valid proof of U.S. citizenship. [lii] [liii] When asked what Republicans were going to do “about the stealing and cheating” during a 2024 meet and greet, Bresnahan responded, “that’s a great question, because I’m in that boat and I don’t know what the plan is.” [liv] Notably, he reportedly shared misinformation about his Democratic opponent and appeared to question the legitimacy of his 2022 election victory. [lv]
[i] John Cole, “U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright concedes to GOP challenger Rob Bresnahan,” Pennsylvania Capital-Star, November 6, 2024, available at https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/u-s-rep-matt-cartwright-concedes-to-gop-challenger-rob-bresnahan/.
[ii] Robert Bresnahan, Jr. LinkedIn, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-bresnahan-jr-89481225/.
[iii] “Incoming Rep. Rob Bresnahan,” LegiStorm, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/478639/Robert_Paul_Bresnahan_Jr_.html.
[iv] “Incoming Rep. Rob Bresnahan,” LegiStorm, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/478639/Robert_Paul_Bresnahan_Jr_.html.
[v] Rob Bresnahan for Congress, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://robforpa.com/.
[vi] Jeff Horvath, “On the issues: Cartwright, Bresnahan discuss positions as election nears,” The Times-Tribune, October 27, 2024, available at https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2024/10/27/on-the-issues-cartwright-bresnahan-discuss-positions-as-election-nears/.
[vii] Jessica Delfino, “Cartwright, Bresnahan debate issues close to Northeast Pa. voters for nearly an hour,” The Citizens’ Voice, October 22, 2024, available at https://www.citizensvoice.com/2024/10/22/cartwright-bresnahan-debate-issues-close-to-northeast-pa-voters-for-nearly-an-hour/.
[viii] Jeff Horvath, “On the issues: Cartwright, Bresnahan discuss positions as election nears,” The Times-Tribune, October 27, 2024, available at https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2024/10/27/on-the-issues-cartwright-bresnahan-discuss-positions-as-election-nears/.
[ix] Jesse Valentine, “U.S. House candidate Rob Bresnahan said anti-abortion ruling ‘did what it should do,’” American Journal News, August 6, 2024, available at https://americanjournalnews.com/u-s-house-candidate-rob-bresnahan-said-anti-abortion-ruling-did-what-it-should-do/.
[x] John Cole, “Cartwright and Bresnahan go head to head in only debate for PA-08,” Pennsylvania Capital-Star, October 22, 2024, available at https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/cartwright-and-bresnahan-go-head-to-head-in-only-debate-for-pa-08/.
[xi] Rob Bresnahan for Congress, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://robforpa.com/.
[xii] Rob Bresnahan X, June 27, 2024, available at https://x.com/Rob4PA/status/1806390207366807792.
[xiii] Rob Bresnahan X, June 17, 2024, available at https://x.com/Rob4PA/status/1802827166247518346.
[xiv] John Cole, “Cartwright and Bresnahan go head to head in only debate for PA-08,” Pennsylvania Capital-Star, October 22, 2024, available at https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/cartwright-and-bresnahan-go-head-to-head-in-only-debate-for-pa-08/.
[xv] “PA congressional candidates detail policy plans,” Pike County Courier, October 18, 2024, available at https://www.pikecountycourier.com/news/local-news/pa-congressional-candidates-detail-policy-plans-XE3754000.
[xvi] Jeff Horvath, “On the issues: Cartwright, Bresnahan discuss positions as election nears,” The Times-Tribune, October 27, 2024, available at https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2024/10/27/on-the-issues-cartwright-bresnahan-discuss-positions-as-election-nears/.
[xvii] Jeff Horvath, “On the issues part II: Cartwright, Bresnahan discuss positions as election nears,” The Times-Tribune, October 29, 2024, available at https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2024/10/29/on-the-issues-part-ii-cartwright-bresnahan-discuss-positions-as-election-nears/.
[xviii] Jeff Horvath, “On the issues part II: Cartwright, Bresnahan discuss positions as election nears,” The Times-Tribune, October 29, 2024, available at https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2024/10/29/on-the-issues-part-ii-cartwright-bresnahan-discuss-positions-as-election-nears/.
[xix] Rob Bresnahan for Congress, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://robforpa.com/.
[xx] Rob Bresnahan for Congress, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://robforpa.com/.
[xxi] “Rob Bresnahan,” Committee of Seventy, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://seventy.org/2024-voter-guide/2024-voter-guide5/rob-bresnahan.
[xxii] Emily Wilkins, “Pennsylvania Republican House candidate touts union ties in must-win race,” CNBC, October 17, 2024, available at https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/17/union-ties-pennsylvania-must-win-house-race.html.
[xxiii] Bruce Siwy, “Previewing the Cartwright-Bresnahan race for U.S. House,” Go Erie, September 17, 2024, available at https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/17/rep-matt-cartwright-rob-bresnahan-race-2024/73971385007/.
[xxiv] Emily Wilkins, “Pennsylvania Republican House candidate touts union ties in must-win race,” CNBC, October 17, 2024, available at https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/17/union-ties-pennsylvania-must-win-house-race.html.
[xxv] Jesse Valentine, “Wealthy Republican Rob Bresnahan wants more tax cuts for the super rich,” American Journal News, August 27, 2024, available at https://americanjournalnews.com/wealthy-republican-rob-bresnahan-wants-more-tax-cuts-for-the-super-rich/.
[xxvi] Rob Bresnahan for Congress, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://robforpa.com/.
[xxvii] Geoff Bennett & Kyle Midura, “Congressman-elect Bresnahan on how he flipped a Democratic district in Pennsylvania to GOP,” PBS, November 12, 2024, available at https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/congressman-elect-bresnahan-on-how-he-flipped-a-democratic-district-in-pennsylvania-to-gop.
[xxviii] Sam Biafore, “Rob Bresnahan Makes ‘No New Taxes’ Promise to Voters in PA-08 Race,” Americans for Tax Reform Press Release, December 18, 2023, available at https://atr.org/rob-bresnahan-makes-no-new-taxes-promise-to-voters-in-pa-08-race/.
[xxix] Rob Bresnahan for Congress, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://robforpa.com/.
[xxx] Rob Bresnahan for Congress, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://robforpa.com/.
[xxxi] Rob Bresnahan X, October 12, 2024, available at https://x.com/Rob4PA/status/1845153268474720602.
[xxxii] Rob Bresnahan X, March 7, 2024, available at https://x.com/Rob4PA/status/1765758772608213290.
[xxxiii] Rob Bresnahan for Congress, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://robforpa.com/.
[xxxiv] Rob Bresnahan X, March 7, 2024, available at https://twitter.com/Rob4PA/status/1765758772608213290.
[xxxv] “Rob Bresnahan Responds to Congressman Cartwright Endorsing Kamala Harris for President,” Rob Bresnahan for Congress Press Release, July 22, 2024, available at https://robforpa.com/rob-bresnahan-responds-to-congressman-cartwright-endorsing-kamala-harris-for-president/.
[xxxvi] Geoff Bennett & Kyle Midura, “Congressman-elect Bresnahan on how he flipped a Democratic district in Pennsylvania to GOP,” PBS, November 12, 2024, available at https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/congressman-elect-bresnahan-on-how-he-flipped-a-democratic-district-in-pennsylvania-to-gop.
[xxxvii] Rob Bresnahan for Congress Instagram, August 18, 2024, available at https://www.instagram.com/rob4pa/p/C-0GNcGpHaM/.
[xxxviii] John Cole, “Cartwright and Bresnahan go head to head in only debate for PA-08,” Pennsylvania Capital-Star, October 22, 2024, available at https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/cartwright-and-bresnahan-go-head-to-head-in-only-debate-for-pa-08/.
[xxxix] Jeff Horvath, “On the issues: Cartwright, Bresnahan discuss positions as election nears,” The Times-Tribune, October 27, 2024, available at https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2024/10/27/on-the-issues-cartwright-bresnahan-discuss-positions-as-election-nears/.
[xl] Liam Mayo, “Cartwright, Bresnahan talk election issues in televised debate,” River Reporter, October 30, 2024, available at https://riverreporter.com/stories/cartwright-bresnahan-talk-election-issues-in-televised-debate,170230.
[xli] Jeff Horvath, “On the issues: Cartwright, Bresnahan discuss positions as election nears,” The Times-Tribune, October 27, 2024, available at https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2024/10/27/on-the-issues-cartwright-bresnahan-discuss-positions-as-election-nears/.
[xlii] John Cole, “Cartwright and Bresnahan go head to head in only debate for PA-08,” Pennsylvania Capital-Star, October 22, 2024, available at https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/cartwright-and-bresnahan-go-head-to-head-in-only-debate-for-pa-08/.
[xliii] John Cole, “Cartwright and Bresnahan go head to head in only debate for PA-08,” Pennsylvania Capital-Star, October 22, 2024, available at https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/cartwright-and-bresnahan-go-head-to-head-in-only-debate-for-pa-08/.
[xliv] John Cole, “Cartwright and Bresnahan go head to head in only debate for PA-08,” Pennsylvania Capital-Star, October 22, 2024, available at https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/cartwright-and-bresnahan-go-head-to-head-in-only-debate-for-pa-08/.
[xlv] Josh Fiallo, “Guess Where This Anti-China Candidate Allegedly Got His Campaign Merch From,” The Daily Beast, June 20, 2024, available at https://www.thedailybeast.com/guess-where-anti-china-gop-candidate-rob-bresnahan-jr-allegedly-got-his-campaign-merch-from/.
[xlvi] Jesse Valentine, “Republican Rob Bresnahan invested thousands in company with ties to Chinese military,” American Journal News, October 7, 2024, available at https://americanjournalnews.com/republican-rob-bresnahan-invested-thousands-in-company-with-ties-to-chinese-military/.
[xlvii] Sean Kitchen, “Rob Bresnahan opposes law that brought down prescription drug costs,” The Keystone, August 26, 2024, available at https://keystonenewsroom.com/2024/08/26/rob-bresnahan-drug-costs/.
[xlviii] Jeff Horvath, “On the issues part II: Cartwright, Bresnahan discuss positions as election nears,” The Times-Tribune, October 29, 2024, available at https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2024/10/29/on-the-issues-part-ii-cartwright-bresnahan-discuss-positions-as-election-nears/.
[xlix] Rob Bresnahan for Congress, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://robforpa.com/.
[l] Rob Bresnahan for Congress, accessed November 20, 2024, available at https://robforpa.com/.
[li] Rob Bresnahan, “Rob Bresnahan: Ensuring the future of Social Security and Medicare for Northeast Pennsylvania,” Broad + Liberty, July 30, 2024, available at https://broadandliberty.com/2024/07/30/rob-bresnahan-ensuring-the-future-of-social-security-and-medicare-for-northeast-pennsylvania/.
[lii] John Cole, “Cartwright and Bresnahan go head to head in only debate for PA-08,” Pennsylvania Capital-Star, October 22, 2024, available at https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/cartwright-and-bresnahan-go-head-to-head-in-only-debate-for-pa-08/.
[liii] HR 8281 – Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, May 7, 2024, available at https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8281.
[liv] Sean Kitchen, “Rob Bresnahan appears to question legitimacy of Matt Cartwright’s 2022 victory,” The Keystone, June 13, 2024, available at https://keystonenewsroom.com/2024/06/13/rob-bresnahan-2022-election-results/.
[lv] Sean Kitchen, “Rob Bresnahan appears to question legitimacy of Matt Cartwright’s 2022 victory,” The Keystone, June 13, 2024, available at https://keystonenewsroom.com/2024/06/13/rob-bresnahan-2022-election-results/.
