Kanjorski calls on Barletta to return campaign contributions from the 'Barletta Heartless Dozen' who voted against extending unemployment benefits for jobless.

WASHINGTON — Lou Barletta, Republican nominee for Congress in the 11th District, should return $29,000 in campaign contributions he received from 12 Republican members of Congress, or their PAC committees, who voted against extending the period of unemployment benefits for individuals whose jobless aid is running out, according to U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-PA.

“If Mr. Barletta keeps these campaign contributions from the ‘Barletta Heartless Dozen’ who voted against those who are unemployed because of the Bush recession, it will only show Mr. Barletta’s true colors as a loyal follower of the Republican leadership in Congress.

“The unemployed of the 11th District, an above average number, would catch a glimpse of what we can expect if Lou Barletta goes to Congress. We’ll see clearly whom he is beholden to.

“I’m shocked and appalled that the Republicans first stalled and then fought the Democratic majority’s attempts to help the hurting, hardworking people of America who have the misfortune, through no fault of their own, to have lost their jobs in the Republican recession.”

“Mr. Barletta owes the people of our district an apology for taking this money from this conservative cast of characters in the first place. Now we know how he’ll raise his money -- on the backs of the unfortunate in today’s Bush economy.

“Finally, Mr. Barletta should tell us his plan for solving the unemployment and economic problems of Americans and Pennsylvanians. As on every other major issue of our times, Mr. Barletta is silent about where he stands,” Congressman Kanjorski said.

The money was raised in conjunction with a solicitation from Mr. Barletta, the National Republican Congressional Committee and the GOP leadership in Congress organized in Washington for Mr. Barletta this winter.

Congressman Kanjorski voted to extend the period of unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks. Because of Republican opposition, the bill failed by three votes on Wednesday in a parliamentary move, but passed the House Thursday 274-137.