For Immediate Release
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
New TV Ads Defend Members of Congress Under Fire From the Special Interests for Putting Their Constituents’ Interests First and Supporting the Affordable Health Care for America Act
Ads from Americans United for Change/AFSCME the First Wave in a $1.7 Million Dollar Counteroffensive Backing Up 13 Members of Congress on the Receiving End of Dishonest Attack Ads from the Forces of Status Quo including the U.S. Chamber
Washington, DC —*** Watch the TV ads here ***
Americans United for Change and AFSCME today announced the first wave of a $1.7 million dollar counteroffensive on television backing up 13 U.S. Representatives who put their constituents’ interests first by voting for the Affordable Health Care for America Act and are now on the receiving end of dishonest attack ads from special interests fighting to protect the status quo, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the 60 Plus Association.
Members in the crosshairs of the misinformation campaign include: U.S. Reps. Baron Hill (IN-9), Brad Ellsworth (IN-8), Joe Donnelly (IN-2), Chris Murphy (CT-5), Joseph Cao (LA-2), Earl Pomeroy (ND-AL), Marion Berry (AR-1), Vic Snyder (AR-2), Tom Perriello (VA-5), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Paul Hodes (NH-2), Michael Michaud (ME-2) and Dina Titus (NV-3). A fact-check of the distortion-filled ad from the 60 Plus Association is here. A fact-check of the dishonest ad from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is here. The dishonesty doesn’t stop there for the U.S. Chamber – See Huffington Post: “Chamber Of Commerce Solicits Money For Economist Who Will Give Bad Review Of Health Care Bill”
Americans United for Change and AFSCME kicked off the first wave of the counteroffensive today with a television spot called “Not Happy,” airing for a week on a mix of broadcast and cable in the following districts:
Ads Sponsored by AFSCME/Americans United for Change: Baron Hill (IN-9) in Louisville and Evansville, Brad Ellsworth (IN-8) in Terre Haute and Evansville, Chris Murphy (CT-5) in Hartford.
Additional ads sponsored by Americans United: Gerry Connolly (VA-11) in Washington D.C., Tom Perriello (VA-5) in Charlottesville and Roanoke, Earl Pomeroy (ND-AL) in Fargo, Minot and Bismarck, Marion Berry (AR-1)/Vic Snyder (AR-2) in Little Rock.
Americans United for Change and AFSCME will announce spots in additional districts later in the week. In addition, the Service Employees International Union is preparing to follow with $1 million in additional ads – for a total $1.7 million coalitional effort that will clear the air in all 13 districts under siege by the Chamber and 60 Plus Association.
Gerald McEntee, President, AFSCME: “The health care crisis is dragging down our economy, yet all the insurance industry cares about is their profits. The House passed a strong bill that lowers costs, improves quality, covers more Americans and stops insurance company abuses. We will stand with the members who stood for real reform and the middle class against the powerful interests of the insurance companies.”
Tom McMahon, Acting Executive Director, Americans United for Change: “We’re not going to sit by and let these special interests push around Members of Congress who put their constituents’ interests first by supporting health insurance reform. Wherever the insurance industry front groups go to peddle misinformation about the Affordable Health Care for America Act and attack Members of Congress who did right by their constituents, they can expect this coalition to push right back. We’re also sending a message to all members of Congress that we will have their backs if they in the end stand up to big insurance and stand alongside their constituents, the AARP and the American Medical Association.”
The Affordable Health Care for America Act will cover 96 percent of the American people, make coverage more affordable for all Americans, create real competition in the insurance market place through a public health insurance option, the strengthen Medicare, and finally put an end to the indefensible health insurance industry practices of denying coverage based on “pre-existing conditions” and rescinding policies when Americans get sick and need it most. In addition, the legislation is fiscally responsible and fully paid for. According to the CBO, the House bill will reduce the deficit by $109 billion over the first ten years (2010-2019). Furthermore, the legislation will continue to reduce the deficit over the second ten year period (2020-2029).
