Fresh off his trailblazing vote against Hurricane Sandy relief, freshman congressman Keith Rothfus is supporting two new aggressive measures touching on federal spending and Attorney General Eric Holder.

The Sewickley Republican is one of 32 co-sponsors on a bill that would block a half-percent pay raise scheduled for federal employees after a two-year pay freeze. President Obama signed an executive action in late December triggering the pay increase, which will cost the federal budget an estimated $11 billion.

Unions representing current and retired federal workers oppose the measure. Congress already blocked an increase in its own pay scheduled for this year, and the House may vote tomorrow on a debt ceiling bill withholding their pay if a budget is not approved the next three months.

Rothfus has also signed onto a bill from an Arizona Republican calling on Holder to resign over the botched "Fast & Furious" operation, and it comes as the AG is set to walk universal background checks and other gun control legislation supported by Obama through Congress.

Rothfus is the only Pa Republican cosponsoring the federal pay freeze bill but Mike Kelly, R-Butler, is another cosponsor of the Holder bill.

Sen. Bob Casey praised the speech as a mixture of inspiration and practical prescriptions.

"It was a wonderful ceremony and a strong speech, inspirational in the way that he
expressed, even when we have differences, we have common values and responsibilities as elected officials and citizens.  It was very practical and focused on the challenges we confront over the next couple of months.

Commenting on the references to issues including gay rights, spending and the environment , Mr. Casey said, "I wasn't sure how specific he would be, [but]  I wasn't surprised, principally because I know hm to be committed to action;  he's very much task-oriented and focused on getting results.  He was elected not just to have a second term but a second term marked by actions ad results on pressing problems.''

"Also think it was good that he didn't gloss over the divisions,''  the Democrat added.

Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills said the president has become less optimistic and more realistic after four years in office but he still believes the country can come together.

"His speech back [in 2009] was filled with hope and optimism, which has not been tempered with four years of reality," Doyle said. "This president, four years later, has a much more sober outlook on what we can do, but nonetheless he challenged the country to do the things it has been resisting."

He said the country must address climate change, Medicaid, Medicare, education, market regulation, health care, gay rights and – less directly – gun control.

"He laid out the reality that's in front of us," Doyle said. "That tells me this is a president going into his second term with the govenring principle of fairness – that we're not going to foresake the most vulnerable people in our country to achieve a budget agreement."

"The aggressiveness of the agenda is a president that still intends to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty, not someone that's writing his history book already," Mr. Doyle said.

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair:

"As we mark the 57th presidential inauguration today, we celebrate the strength of our democracy and commemorate our country's perseverance and unity. Within our diversity of opinion and cultures, we remain one American family working together for the betterment of our great nation. God Bless the United States of America."

U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley:

"Congratulations to President Obama on his inauguration. I look forward to working with him and my colleagues in Congress to rise and meet the challenges we face as a nation. Today's event represents a new day, and should be seen as an opportunity to work together to grow our economy so that we can get our neighbors back to work, cut the deficit and national debt, honor our commitment to our seniors, and provide a better future for our kids and grandkids."