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New Web Ad highlights Congressman Dent's votes against holding Wall Street Accountable

Before, During and After voting for the $850 billion Bush Banking Bailout with no oversight, Dent has a record of opposing common sense Wall Street reforms

For Immediate Release

June 7, 2010

Contact: Justin Schall – 610-625-3880

BETHLEHEM, PA. - Today Mayor John Callahan released a new ad to encourage people to sign a petition to tell Congressman Dent to stop voting against holding Wall Street accountable in anticipation of the upcoming financial reform bill. 41 days ago, Callahan challenged Congressman Dent to stop opposing Wall Street reform, but the Congressman still refuses to come clean. Congressman Dent has cast three votes against holding Wall Street accountable following his vote for the $850 billion Bush Banking Bailout with no strings attached.

Prior to the 2008 financial crisis during the Bush Presidency, Congressman Dent repeatedly voted to weaken financial regulations [1]. This year when Big Bank lobbyists were concerned that Congress might force them to pay taxpayers back for the bailout, once again Charlie Dent stood with the bankers and opposed this Wall Street bank fee [2].

No stranger to Wall Street lobbyists, Congressman Dent has taken at least $303,579 from Commercial Banks and Investment & Securities Special Interests [3].

John Callahan opposed the $850 billion Wall Street bailout with no strings attached and supports common sense Wall Street reforms to protect consumer and hold big banks accountable. What's really telling about Congressman Dent's record is that after the crisis, hes repeatedly voted against holding Wall Street accountable to prevent taxpayers from being on the hook for future bailouts.

You can view A Dent in your Pocket by clicking here.

The Bush-Dent team repeatedly weakened financial regulations, which was a cause of the Wall Street meltdown in the first place. And since voting to hand Wall Street its $850 billion bailout, Congressman Dent has voted against common sense Wall Street reform three times, said Justin Schall, Callahan for Congress Campaign Manager.

Congressman Dent has taken over $300,000 from Wall Street and he has stood up for their interests instead of ours before the financial crisis, during the financial crisis, and now after the financial crisis. The voters have a clear choice between John Callahan who supports reforms to hold Wall Street accountable or Congressman Dent who continually votes to protect his Wall Street contributors.

[1]
[H.R. 1852, Vote #874, 9/18/2007; D: 0-230; R: 175-22]
[H.R. 1461, Vote #543, 10/26/2005; D: 3-192; R: 70-153]
[H.R. 1461, Vote #544, 10/26/2005; D: 0-194; R: 47-176]
[H.R. 1461, Vote #545, 10/26/2005; D: 4-189; R: 53-168]

[2]
(Allentown Morning Call, "Dent Pushes Callahan to Take a Stand; GOP Congressman Wants Specifics From his Opponent, but Democrat Won't Cede Challenger's Advantage in Race", January 21, 2010; Byline: Scott Kraus)

[3]
(Open Secrets Web Site, "Top Industries-Charlie Dent", http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00026171&type=I
Fact Check - A Dent in your Pocket