Now that the primary is over and the 2018 campaigns are well underway, we checked in with U.S. Senator Bob Casey. On a recent trip through Pittsburgh, Casey sat down with 90.5 WESA's government and accountability editor, Chris Potter.
Casey discussed how issues like trade with China and steel and aluminum tariffs will affect Pennsylvania.
Interview Highlights:
On trade and the overcapacity of steel
"For too long, I dont think we've used these trade remedies to enforce trade laws and hold other countries accountable. And get at, frankly, the root of this problem, which for a long time in the context of steel, has been overcapacity of steel -- other countries flooding the market, putting our steelmakers at a disadvantage. We want to get to a point where our steel makers can compete on a level playing field and be able to retain the jobs that are in that industry and a lot of that's here in Pennsylvania."
On the Beaver Valley nuclear power plant
"We want a plant like that to remain open and for the jobs to be preserved. So I think the [Trump] administration should take action to be helpful where they can. I don't think there's a particular action that can be taken specifically, but I'd certainly be willing to explore any possibility to help keep them open."
On the midterm election and being a purple state
"I expect a close, tough race. Our state is structurally close: we're not red, we're not blue. We tend to be more purple. And when you add in the huge Republican advantage of outsider money, they have more super PACs than any political party has ever had. Citizens United allows them to unload on somebody like me."
