U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. met with the York Daily Record/Sunday News' editorial board on Wednesday. Much of the discussion focused on gas prices and energy, but the senator touched on a number of different subjects.

Here are some highlights of that discussion.

--- On Iraq: Casey said the Department of Defense must be held accountable for a number of recent American troop deaths from accidental electrocution. One of those deaths was Sgt. Ryan Maseth of Pittsburgh, who was electrocuted while showering.

Casey said the department has yet to even provide an exact number for the deaths, which might be between 13 and 16.

"That alone tells you how confusing and, frankly, how infuriating that must be for families," Casey said.

--- On the foreclosure crisis: Amid all the concerns about rising energy prices, Casey said, the public has largely overlooked the passage of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act.

He said the bipartisan package will keep an estimated 400,000 people in their homes by bolstering confidence in the housing market and increasing accountability for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

"It's the biggest housing legislation in a generation," Casey said.

--- On gas prices and energy: Casey supports the
release of 70 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower gas prices. While he admits it would be a short-term solution, he said Americans need some immediate relief.

But

Casey doesn't see that as the end. He supports the repeal of oil company tax breaks and the imposition of a windfall profits tax. He also supports creating or extending tax incentives for renewable energy.

--- On the Senate deadlock and role of the president: The Senate recently recessed without passing energy legislation. Democrats proposed legislation that would reduce heating costs for people with low incomes. Republicans blocked it, insisting on amendments for offshore oil drilling.

Still, Casey doesn't see Barack Obama's stated support for limited offshore drilling as undercutting the Democrats. In fact, he sees it as a sign of Obama's leadership qualities.

The president, he said, must often reach a balance between the two sides of a dispute, which calls for compromise.

"Presidents have to be the adults in the room," Casey said.