Listen to “Strong Supporter”
For Immediate Release
September 19, 2016
Las Vegas, NV – Today, Catherine Cortez Masto for Senate released a new radio ad, “Strong Supporter,” which highlights Congressman Heck’s support of Birther-In-Chief Donald Trump and his record of voting against policies that help African American families get ahead. Congressman Heck voted to slash nutrition programs for children and families and voted against raising the minimum wage. Instead of working to find solutions that will help Nevadans, Heck voted 37 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which nearly 300,000 Nevadans rely on for health care.
“Last week Donald Trump reignited birther conspiracy theories in an attempt to delegitimize the first African American President of the United States and Heck is Trump’s strongest supporter in Nevada,” said Sarah Zukowski, spokesperson for Catherine Cortez Masto for Senate. “This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s looked at Heck’s record of putting the Republican Party’s interests before Nevada. While Heck was being a loyal foot soldier of the Republican Party in Washington, Catherine Cortez Masto was working with Republicans and Democrats in Carson City to pass over 40 bills that solved problems and helped Nevada families. Nevada needs to send a problem solver to Washington, not another party ideologue.”
See backup for the ad below.
CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO AD “STRONG SUPPORTER”
ANNOUNCER: Listen to Donald Trump talk about our President Barack Obama
TRUMP: “His grandmother in Kenya, said he was born in Kenya and she was there and witnessed the birth, okay? He doesn’t have a birth certificate.”
FACT: TRUMP HAS REPEATEDLY CALLED INTO QUESTION WHETHER PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS BORN IN THE UNITED STATES
2011: Trump Repeatedly Called To See President Obama’s Birth Certificate, Even Announcing He Was Sending Investigators To Hawaii To Look Into It. “The re-emergence of a discussion over President Obama’s religion and birthplace as part of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign might give some people a sense of deja vu. The reality TV star and businessman has spoken extensively about his questions over whether Barak Obama was actually born in Hawaii like he (and the state of Hawaii) says he was. In 2011, when he was vocally mulling over a possible presidential run, Trump launched a public pursuit of Obama’s birth certificate, announcing that he has sent private investigators to Hawaii to see what they could find.” [ABC News, 9/18/15]
Trump On President Obama: “If He Wasn’t Born In This Country, Which Is A Real Possibility… Then He Has Pulled One Of The Great Cons In The History Of Politics.” TRUMP: “He [President Obama] may not have been born in this country, and I’ll tell you what. Three weeks ago I thought he was born in this country. Right now I have some real doubts. I have people that actually have been studying it and they cannot believe what they’re finding.” VIEIRA: “You have people now down there searching–I mean…” TRUMP: “Absolutely.” VIEIRA: “I mean in Hawaii.” TRUMP: “Absolutely. And they cannot believe what they’re finding. I would like to have him show his birth certificate. And can I be honest with you? I hope he can. Because if he can’t–if he can’t and if he wasn’t born in this country, which is a real possibility–I’m not saying it happened, I’m saying it’s a real possibility, much greater than I thought two or three weeks ago–then he has pulled one of the great cons in the history of politics. And beyond politics.” [Today Show, NBC, 4/7/11]
Trump On Whether President Obama Was A Natural-Born Citizen: “Who Knows? Who Knows?… I Have My Own Theory On Obama. Someday I’ll Write Another Book. BLITZER: “Because you know your critics are saying you’re doing to Ted Cruz what you tried to do to President Obama, where he was born, his birth certificate.” TRUMP: “Who knows about Obama?” BLITZER: “His mother was a U.S. citizen-born in Kansas. Was he a natural-born citizen?” TRUMP: “Who knows? Who knows? Who cares right now? We’re talking about something else, OK. I mean, I have my own theory on Obama. Someday I’ll write a book. I’ll do another book, and it will do very successfully.” [Situation Room, CNN, 1/6/16]
FACT: TRUMP REPEATEDLY SUGGESTED THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA IS NOT FROM THE UNITED STATES AND MIGHT BE A MUSLIM
Trump President Obama: “He Doesn’t Have A Birth Certificate. He May Have One But There’s Something On That Maybe Religion, Maybe It Says He Is A Muslim. … Or He May Not Have One.” O'REILLY: “Do you think it’s an important subject?” TRUMP: “Listen, I have a birth certificate. I have my birth certificate. And in fact, they said the one I gave yesterday wasn’t good enough. So I actually got the one from the Health Department which is a perfect one. Because they were saying the one I gave yesterday wasn’t good enough so I got the other. People have birth certificates. He doesn’t have a birth certificate. He may have one but there’s something on that maybe religion, maybe it says he is a Muslim. Maybe he doesn’t want that. Or he may not have one. But I will tell you this. If he wasn’t born in this country it’s one of the great scams of all time.” [O’Reilly Factor, Fox News, 3/31/11]
Trump On Obama’s 2016 Visit To Mosque: “I Don’t Know, Maybe He Feels Comfortable There.” “Donald Trump revived questions of President Barack Obama’s religion on Wednesday, saying the President went to a mosque in Baltimore because ‘maybe he feels comfortable there.’ ‘I think that we can go to lots of places. I don’t know, maybe he feels comfortable there,’ Trump told Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren. ‘We have a lot of problems in this country, Greta. There are a lot of places he can go and he chose a mosque. I saw that just a little while ago. So that’s his decision, it’s fine.’” [CNN, 2/3/16]
Trump On Whether He Could Support A Muslim President: “Some Say It Already Happened.” TRUMP: “Would I be comfortable? I don’t know if we have to address it right now. Some people have said it already happened.” [Meet the Press, NBC, 9/20/15]
HEADLINE: “Donald Trump’s History Of Suggesting Obama Is A Muslim” [CNN, 9/18/15]
Trump Suggested That President Obama’s Birth Certificate Would Say He Was Muslim. “The effort helped fuel the so-called ‘birther’ conspiracy theory that held that Obama was born in Kenya – and Trump also floated the idea that Obama’s birth documents may label him a Muslim. ‘He doesn’t have a birth certificate. He may have one, but there’s something on that, maybe religion, maybe it says he is a Muslim,’ Trump told Fox News in 2011. ‘I don’t know. Maybe he doesn’t want that.’” [CNN, 9/18/15]
ANNOUNCER: And now that he’s running for President, who’s Donald Trump’s strongest supporter in Nevada?
ANNOUNCER: Joe Heck, the Republican candidate for Senate.
REALITY: CONGRESSMAN HECK PRAISED DONALD TRUMP FOR ENERGIZING REPUBLICANS…
Washington Post: Heck Wanted Trump To Be President, And Didn’t Even Squirm At The Question. “Long before Donald Trump was a candidate for president, Rep. Joseph J. Heck (R-Nev.) was the Republican whom immigration reformers could do business with. He read the entire 2013 reform bill. He met with undocumented immigrants, sometimes praying with them. This year, Heck wants Trump to be president. Unlike most other Republicans, he doesn’t even squirm at the question.” [Washington Post, 7/16/16]
Columnist George Will: Heck Said That Trump’s Candidacy Has Energized Nevada Republicans. “Heck notes that Trump’s candidacy has energized Nevada Republicans. He says their February caucuses on a Tuesday evening attracted more participants than the 2008 and 2012 caucuses combined.” [Sunshine State News, Column, George Will, 8/12/16]
Heck On Trump: “We Brought More Folks Out This Year Than In 2008 And 2012 Combined,” And Trump “Won This State With Almost 50 Points. The Base Is Excited.” “The speakers also gave their resounding support for Trump while pushing an overall Republican message of needing to keep Congress under GOP control. Amodei and Heck, who is running for retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. Harry Reid’s seat against former Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, both said they liked Trump’s chances, especially in Nevada where polling shows a very close race between Trump and Clinton. ‘When you look at what the turnout was at our Republican caucus in February, we brought more folks out this year than in 2008 and 2012 combined,’ Heck said. ‘He won this state with almost 50 points. The base is excited.’” [Reno Gazette-Journal, 8/20/16]
…AND ATTACKED REPUBLICANS WHO DENOUNCED TRUMP
The Record Courier: Heck Said That Republicans Public Denouncing Trump Only Comes Back To Look Bad On The Party As A Whole. “With the current presidential election, many Republicans are coming forward to say that they will not be voting for the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, in November. Heck said that Republicans publicly denouncing Donald Trump only comes back to look bad on the party as a whole.” [The Record Courier, 8/12/16]
Las Vegas Sun: Heck Said Republicans Who Denounced Trump Made The Party Look Bad, “You’re Entitled To Vote For Whoever You Want, But You Don’t Have To Add Gasoline To The Fire.” “Heck recently said Republicans publicly denouncing Trump make the party look bad. ‘You’re entitled to vote for whoever you want, but you don’t have to add gasoline to the fire,’ Heck said at the Sierra Nevada Republican Women’s Luncheon, according to the The Record-Courier newspaper in Gardnerville.” [Las Vegas Sun, 8/16/16]
FACT: LAS VEGAS PAPERS AND OPINION LEADERS HAVE CALLED OUT HECK FOR BACKING TRUMP
Las Vegas Sun Editorial: Heck’s Assertion That Trump Should Be Our President Is “Unfathomable And Deplorable.” In an editorial, the Las Vegas Sun wrote, “That these five Nevada candidates for Capitol Hill — Heck, Tarkanian, Hardy, Amodei and Perry — say Trump should be our president and represent the United States to the world is unfathomable and deplorable.” [Las Vegas Sun, Editorial, 8/14/16]
Las Vegas Sun Editorial: Heck Saw Trump “As A Role Model.” In an editorial, the Las Vegas Sun wrote, “They apparently see Trump as a role model, and at least we can credit them for their transparency, sharing where their values are rooted, so Nevada’s voters know the essence of who they are and what they stand for.” [Las Vegas Sun, Editorial, 8/14/16]
Las Vegas Sun Editorial: As Trump Spread Lies, Ignorance And Conspiracy Theories, Heck Stood By Him. In an editorial, the Las Vegas Sun wrote, “All that said, and even as Trump continues to flabbergast the nation with his lies, ignorance and conspiracy theories, five candidates who want to represent Nevadans in Washington — Heck, Tarkanian, Hardy, Amodei and Perry — are standing by him.” [Las Vegas Sun, Editorial, 8/14/16]
Las Vegas Review-Journal Columnist Steve Sebelius On Heck Backing Trump With The Nuclear Button: “Because Really, What’s The Worst That Could Possibly Happen?” Las Vegas Review-Journal political columnist Steve Sebelius tweeted in response to the report that Heck backed Trump having the nuclear button, “Because, really, what’s the absolute worst thing that could possibly happen?” [@SteveSebelius, 9/7/16]
Jon Ralston On Heck: This Is The Definition Of All-In For Trump. KTNV’s Jon Ralston tweeted in response to the CNN report that Heck backed Trump having the nuclear button, “This is the definition of all-in for Trump.” [@RalstonReports, 9/7/16]
ANNOUNCER: So it shouldn’t surprise us that as a Congressman, Joe Heck voted against us at every turn.
ANNOUNCER: Heck voted to slash nutrition programs for children and families. He voted against raising the minimum wage. And Heck voted 37 times to repeal Obamacare, which nearly 300,000 Nevadans depend upon.
FACT: HECK VOTED TO CUT THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND DEFENDED THE CUTS
Heck Voted To Reauthorize Through Fiscal 2016 The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Which Included Allowing States To Impose New Work Requirements On SNAP Recipients Authorizing States To Conduct Drug Testing On Applicants As A Condition Of Receiving Benefits. In September 2013, Heck voted for: “Passage of the bill that would reauthorize through fiscal 2016 the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It would establish a pilot program to allow states to impose new work requirements on SNAP recipients, including parents of young children exempt under current law. It would require that individuals receive at least $20 or more in aid through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to qualify for automatic increases in SNAP benefits. It would authorize states to conduct drug testing on applicants as a condition of receiving benefits. Stores authorized to accept SNAP benefits would be required to purchase point-of-sale equipment to track where they are used.” The bill passed 217-210. [CQ, 9/19/13; HR 3102, Vote 476, 9/19/13]
Bill Would Cut $40 Billion From The Food Stamp Program. “The bill would cut $40 billion from the food stamp program over the next 10 years. […] According to the Congressional Budget Office, nearly four million people would be removed from the food stamp program under the House bill. A Census Bureau report released on Tuesday found that the food stamp program had kept about four million people above the poverty level and had prevented millions more from sinking further into poverty.” [New York Times, 9/19/13]
Heck Voted To Slash Food Stamp Budget By $39 Billion And Justified The Cut As Reform Of The Program. In a blog for the Las Vegas Sun, Karoun Demirjian wrote, “Back in June, the House of Representatives couldn’t muster enough votes for a farm bill that, among other things, would have slashed food stamps by $20.5 billion. So they split it up. And on Thursday evening, the Nevada delegation was also split as they cast their votes for and against a measure to trim about $39 billion, or 5 percent, from the food stamp budget, in a stand-alone bill. The vote was 217 to 210. Nevada Republicans, such as Rep. Joe Heck, explained their vote to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding as not a reduction, but a reform.” [Las Vegas Sun, Karoun Demirjian, 9/19/13]
Heck Said That “Every Able-Bodied American That Does Not Have Dependents Should Be Required To Meet The Work Requirements.” In a blog for the Las Vegas Sun, Karoun Demirjian wrote, “‘Every able-bodied American that does not have dependents should be required to meet the work requirements … the reforms put in place by this bill ensure that only those that meet the income guidelines receive the assistance they need,’ Heck said in a statement. ‘The best thing we can do to help those on SNAP and other forms of federal assistance is create an economic environment where the private sector can grow and create more good-paying jobs.’” [Las Vegas Sun, Karoun Demirjian, 9/19/13]
Heck Said “The Best Thing We Can Do To Help Those On Snap And Other Forms Of Federal Assistance Is Create An Economic Environment Where The Private Sector Can Grow And Create More Good-Paying Jobs.” In a blog for the Las Vegas Sun, Karoun Demirjian wrote, “‘Every able-bodied American that does not have dependents should be required to meet the work requirements … the reforms put in place by this bill ensure that only those that meet the income guidelines receive the assistance they need,’ Heck said in a statement. ‘The best thing we can do to help those on SNAP and other forms of federal assistance is create an economic environment where the private sector can grow and create more good-paying jobs.’” [Las Vegas Sun, Karoun Demirjian, 9/19/13]
Heck Voted For A Budget That Included $36 Billion In Food Stamp Cuts. “The House has yet to vote on changes to the food stamp program in its version of the farm bill. But Nevada Reps. Joe Heck and Mark Amodei did vote to approve $36 billion in cuts this spring in the context of a broader bill to set budget levels. Nevada’s Republican representatives maintain those spending cuts will only address cases of waste, fraud and abuse.” [Las Vegas Sun, 6/19/12]
Heck Spokesman Said The Cuts Would Have Addressed Waste, And That Heck “Voted To Increase Funding For SNAP And Believes We Need To Eliminate Fraudulent Eligibility Claims So That We Are Providing Benefits To Those Who Truly Need Assistance.” “Nevada’s Republican representatives maintain those spending cuts will only address cases of waste, fraud and abuse. ‘There are many Nevadans who are suffering and need assistance during these difficult economic times,’ said Greg Lemon, a spokesman for Heck. ‘He has voted to increase funding for SNAP and believes we need to eliminate fraudulent eligibility claims so that we are providing benefits to those who truly need assistance.’” [Las Vegas Sun, 6/19/12]
Nutrition Assistance Is “Largest Domestic Safety Net Against Hunger,” Covers More Than 47 Million People –And Half Are Children. According to CNN, ‘Republicans pledged a vote at a later time on legislation focused on nutrition and the food stamp program, which is the largest domestic safety net against hunger. Food stamps cover more than 47 million people, nearly half children, according to the Agriculture Department.’ [CNN, 7/12/13]
Nutrition Assistance Program Lifted 4.7 Million Americans Out Of Poverty In 2011. “Similarly, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program lifted 4.7 million people out of poverty in 2011. Without it, the child poverty rate would have been 2.9 percentage points higher.” [Center for American Progress, 11/14/12]
FACT: HECK VOTED TO AGAINST RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE
Heck Opposed An Increase In The Federal Minimum Wage. “He made it clear he doesn’t think the federal government should get into the battle over the minimum wage. ‘That should be left to localities,’ he said. ‘My goal as Senator is to give them (people) opportunities.’ Heck said providing jobs for people who have the potential for good workers to move up the ladder and above minimum wage is what’s important and states and locals should decide what the minimum wage is for their area.” [Nevada Appeal, 8/13/15]
Heck Voted Against Blocking H.R. 1459 From Taking Effect Until The Federal Minimum Wage Is Raised To $10.10 Per Hour. In March 2014, Heck voted against a: “Rahall, D-W.Va., motion to recommit the bill to the House Natural Resources Committee and report it back immediately with an amendment that would block the bill from taking effect until the federal minimum wage is raised to $10.10 per hour.” The motion was rejected by a 193-227 vote. [CQ, 3/26/14; motion to recommit H.R. 1459, Vote 146, 3/26/14]
Heck Voted Against Incrementally Increasing The Federal Minimum Wage To $10.10 Within Two Years. In March 2013, Heck voted against a: “Miller, D-Calif., motion to recommit the bill to the House Education and the Workforce Committee and report it back immediately with an amendment that would clarify that nothing in the bill would repeal, deny or loosen employment protections, training opportunities or educational benefits for certain seniors, veterans, women or youth. It also would incrementally increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 within two years of the bill’s enactment.” The motion was rejected by a 184-233 vote. [CQ, 3/15/13; motion to recommit H.R. 803, Vote 74, 3/15/13]
REALITY: HECK VOTED AT LEAST 37 TIMES FOR HEALTH CARE REPEAL AND EVEN VOTED WITH HIS PARTY TO SHUTDOWN THE GOVERNMENT OVER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT…
Las Vegas Sun: Heck Voted To Repeal The Affordable Care Act At Least 37 Times And Was An “Outspoken Critic” Of A Provision Requiring Employers To Provide Health Insurance To Their Employees. “With health care, Heck has voted at least 37 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He’s been an outspoken critic of the employer mandate requiring companies offer insurance if they have more than 50 employees, saying that it will kill jobs.” [Las Vegas Sun, 6/12/15]
Heck Voted For GOP Budget Pushed By House Conservatives To See Through Their “War On The Health Care Law” That Resulted In Government Shutdown. In September 2013, Heck voted for GOP budget that would delay the Affordable Care Act. The New York Times reported, “In the hours leading up to the deadline, House Republican leaders won approval, in a vote of 228 to 201, of a new plan to tie further government spending to a one-year delay in a requirement that individuals buy health insurance. The House proposal would deny federal subsidies to members of Congress, Capitol Hill staff, executive branch political appointees, White House staff, and the president and vice president, who would be forced to buy their health coverage on the Affordable Care Act’s new insurance exchanges. […] The House’s most ardent conservatives were resigned to seeing through their war on the health care law to its inevitable conclusion, a shutdown that could test voters’ patience with Republican brinkmanship.” [New York Times, 9/30/13; H.J. Res 59, Vote 504, 9/30/13]
House Republicans Put Defund Obamacare Language In The CR “To Secure Votes From Far-Right Wing Of Their Conference.” “The Senate is currently considering the House-passed stop-gap spending bill and it’s likely that Democrats will succeed this week in scrubbing the measure of the defund Obamacare language. House Republicans put that language in the CR in order to secure votes from the far-right wing of their conference.” [CQ News, 9/25/13]
…EVEN THOUGH NEARLY 300,000 NEVADANS DEPEND ON THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT FOR HEALTHCARE COVERAGE
208,774 Nevadans Have Gained Medicaid Or CHIP Coverage Because Of Medicaid Expansion. “Thirty states plus DC have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, including Nevada. And as of January 2015, 208,774 Nevadans have gained Medicaid or CHIP coverage since the beginning of the Health Insurance Marketplace first open enrollment period. Across the nation, approximately 11.2 million more Americans are now enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.” [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Care – Nevada, 11/2/15]
Nevada Health Link: 88,145 Nevadans Gained Health Care Coverage Through Open Enrollment In 2016. “Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange), Nevada’s state agency that helps individuals find budget-appropriate health plans through the online Marketplace, Nevada Health Link, enrolled a record-breaking 88,145 Nevadans during the 2016 Open Enrollment season, which was extended by one day and closed Feb 1. The results exceeded last year’s enrollment numbers by more than 20 percent.” [Nevada Health Link Press Release, 2/5/16]
ANNOUNCER: So, when we vote for President, we also need to hold Trump’s biggest backer, Joe Heck, accountable for his deeds.
REALITY: CONGRESSMAN HECK HAS CONTINUED TO BE AN OUTSPOKEN SUPPORTER DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT…
Heck: “I Have High Hopes That We Will See Donald Trump Become The Next President.” “‘I have high hopes that we will see Donald Trump become the next president,’ he said. ‘Though I don’t necessarily agree with how he talks about women and minorities and all of his policy positions, but if he wants to make America great again by bringing jobs back to America, then I am willing to help him achieve those goals and hold him accountable. And as the next U.S. senator from Nevada, I will make sure I stand as a check against anything that is not in our best interest.’” [Pahrump Valley Times, 6/1/16]
KTNV: Heck “Swatted Away Suggestions” That Trump’s Rhetoric And Immigration Policies Would Hurt His Chances. “Heck also swatted away suggestions that Republican presidential front runner Donald Trump’s divisive rhetoric and plans to deport 11 million undocumented migrants would hurt his chances, saying that he won his demographically diverse congressional district by increasingly larger margins over the last three elections.” [KTNV, 3/14/16]
Heck On Donald Trump: “He’s Out There Talking About What He Needs To Talk About To Run For President.” “So, what does Congressman Joe Heck, Nevada’s Republican candidate for US Senate, think of the guy at the top of the GOP presidential polls? ‘I don’t talk about Donald,’ Heck told News 3 after a morning event put on by the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce. ‘He’s out there talking about what he needs to talk about to run for President,’ Heck added after ‘Eggs and Issues,’ the Chamber’s breakfast debrief with local newsmakers. The Thursday event was held at Vdara in CityCenter.” [KSNV, 8/27/15]
…AND EVEN SAID TRUMP HAD “THE BEST ABILITY TO REBUILD OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE” AND THAT HE TRUSTED TRUMP “WITH HIS FINGER ON THE NUCLEAR BUTTON.”
Reno Gazette-Journal: Heck Reiterated His Support For Trump For President, Trump Has The Best Ability To “Rebuild Our National Defense.” “Heck also reiterated his support for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has lost some support from elected officials in recent weeks. ‘At this time I feel that when you look at the options, the individual who probably has the best ability to rebuild our national defense and change our economy is our current nominee,’ Heck said.” [Reno Gazette-Journal, 8/17/16]
Heck: I Trust Trump With The Nuclear Button. In an interview with CNN’s Manu Raju, Heck was asked, “You trust [Trump] having his finger on the nuclear button?” Heck responded, “I do.” [CNN, 9/7/16]
ANNOUNCER: Fortunately the Democrat for Senate, Catherine Cortez Masto, is someone we can trust. She’s endorsed by President Obama and Catherine Cortez Masto will always stand up for us.
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA PRAISED CORTEZ MASTO’S RECORD OF FIGHTING FOR NEVADA FAMILIES AS ATTORNEY GENERAL
President Obama Praised Cortez Masto As A “Tireless Advocate” For Children, Women And Others – She Has A “Track Record Of Integrity.” “In a nearly 14-minute speech, Obama said Cortez Masto, a former Nevada attorney general, has shown leadership as a ‘tireless advocate’ for children, women and others, saying she has a ‘track record of integrity.’ Cortez Masto, 50, is backed by Reid and will likely face Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Heck, 53, who has won thrice since 2010 in the 3rd Congressional District in southwestern Clark County. Heck, a physician and brigadier general in the Army Reserve, has announced he’s seeking the GOP nomination, and is by far the most prominent Republican candidate so far.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 8/24/15]
FACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA ENDORSED CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO FOR SENATE
President Obama Praised Cortez Masto And Supported Her Efforts For Senate. “Obama also praised Masto, saying that Reid had of course encouraged him to support her effort to keep the Nevada Senate seat in Democratic hands. ‘The thing about Harry is he’s a great politician but he’s also a man with a lot of backbone and is willing to do hard things when it’s required, and that’s what you want out of a political leader,’ Obama said. ‘That’s part of the reason why Harry has made me so confident about Catherine and her capacity to do a great job in the United States Senate.’” [Congressional Quarterly News, 8/25/15]
President Obama Headlined Events For Cortez Masto. “Then Obama spoke at a Nevada State Democratic Party fundraiser for Catherine Cortez Masto, who is running for the senator’s seat in the November 2016 election. The event was held at the Henderson home of Las Vegas Sun editor and publisher Brian Greenspun.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 8/24/15]
CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO:
I’m Catherine Cortez Masto, candidate for U.S. Senate, and I approve this message.
ANNOUNCER: Paid for by Catherine Cortez Masto for Senate.
FACT: REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS PRAISED CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO EFFORTS TO GET THINGS DONE FOR NEVADA
GOP Attorney General Adam Laxalt: Cortez Masto Is A “Role Model” In How She Has Run The Office. “He said he wants to continue many of the programs started by current Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat who fought domestic violence and human trafficking. Cortez Masto has been helpful during the transition, he said, calling her ‘a role model’ in how she has run the office during the past eight years.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 12/7/14]
DEM Ross Miller Said Cortez Masto Did A “Commendable Job” As Attorney General. “If elected to attorney general, Ross Miller said he would prioritize protecting Nevada’s most vulnerable residents: children and the elderly. The Democratic candidate said during a stop in Elko that scam artists who prey upon senior citizens have become a growing concern, as well as criminals who target children through the Internet. […] Miller said Catherine Cortez Masto, who is terming out as attorney general, has done a commendable job.” [Elko Daily Free Press, 9/1/14]
GOP Gov. Sandoval Praised Cortez Masto For Bills Toughening Laws On Sex Trafficking And Giving Resources To Victims. “Gov. Brian Sandoval said Thursday that staff in the Legislature and in the state Taxation Department are looking at the bill to determine if there could be unexpected hit. […] In a ceremony attended by about 30 people Thursday, the governor signed two bills toughening the laws on sex trafficking. He praised Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto for leading the efforts to get this legislation passed. Sandoval said these bills will protect many people now and in generations to come. Cortez Masto said this was one of the most important laws approved in her two terms in office. This legislation, she said is about young people and saving lives. It gives her office the authority to prosecute these cases and she will be working with police. One bill, Assembly Bill 67 provides that a judge may not place a person convicted of pandering or sex trafficking on probation. And an offender living off the earnings of the prostitute will be required to pay restitution to the victim. The second bill, AB-311 creates a contingency account for the victims of these crimes. Masto said there is federal money and other sources of funds to help these women.” [Las Vegas Sun, 6/6/13]
DEM Rep. Steven Horsford Praised Cortez Masto Bill For Taking Proactive Steps To End Human Trafficking. “‘Assembly Bill 67, championed by Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and passed unanimously by the Nevada Legislature in 2013, ensures Nevada is taking proactive steps to end human trafficking of young people,’ Horsford concluded. ‘The package of bills just passed by Congress will assist states like Nevada that have established task forces to work toward ending human trafficking. I look forward to working with the Nevada Attorney General and leaders from our state on how we can pursue these much-needed resources to fight the scourge of human trafficking.’” [Steven Horsford press release, 5/20/14]
DEM Sen. Reid Praised Cortez Masto For National Mortgage Settlement: “I’m Very Proud Of Her And Confident That The Work She Did Will Bring Dividends To The Beleaguered Housing Industry In Nevada.” “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., praised Masto for her role in negotiating a settlement for Nevada. ‘I’m very proud of her and confident that the work she did will bring dividends to the beleaguered housing industry in Nevada,’ Reid said on the Senate floor Thursday.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2/9/12]
GOP Congressman Heck: I Have High Hopes This Settlement Will Provide Nevada Homeowners Much Needed Relief. “Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., said he is ‘happy to see that an agreement was reached. At a time when Nevada families are struggling the most to make ends meet, I have high hopes that this settlement will provide them much needed relief.’” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2/9/12]
GOP Sen. Heller: The Settlement Will Provide More Protection And Some Relief To Nevada Homeowners. “Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., said he was pleased that the settlement would provide more protection and some relief to Nevada homeowners. ‘No state has been hit harder by the foreclosure crisis than Nevada,’ Heller said in a statement. ‘Unfortunately, abuses by the banking industry made a bad situation worse. Actions by the banking industry helped create this housing crisis. They have an obligation to help get us out.’” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2/9/12]
GOP Gov. Sandoval Praised Cortez Masto For Support Of “Home Means Nevada,” A Program For Home Loan Modifications. “A program intended to help distressed Nevada homeowners stay in their homes with loan modifications has been given final approval and is underway. Officials on Friday announced that a state-affiliated nonprofit group, Home Means Nevada, has finalized an agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to buy a pool of mortgages. The nonprofit will then determine if those homeowners qualify for loan modifications. About 450 homes will be part of the first round, said Teri Williams, spokeswoman for the Nevada Department of Business and Industry. If a homeowner owes more than current market value, the principal balance may be reduced. For borrowers unable to qualify, they will be provided transitional assistance. […] Sandoval also acknowledged U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., Democratic Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and state lawmakers for their support of the program.” [Associated Press, 5/2/14]
National Notary Association CEO Tom Heymann: Cortez Masto Has Shown “Unwavering Dedication” To Remedying The Housing Crisis And Has “Emerged As A Beacon Of Strength And National Leadership.” According to a release by the National Notary Association, “‘Attorney General Cortez Masto has shown unwavering dedication to remedying a nationwide crisis that has mortgage servicers rethinking their approach to the supervision and training of Notaries,” said NNA Chief Executive Officer Tom Heymann. ‘In doing so, she has emerged as a beacon of strength and national leadership.’” [National Notary Association press release, 5/10/12]
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