While Catherine Cortez Masto was working to secure funding to help victims of rape and sexual assault, Congressman Joe Heck voted against new funding to test rape kits and 3 times against funding to increase support for sexual assault victims
Heck also voted 10 times to defund Planned Parenthood, 3 times to ban abortion even when the health of the mother is at risk, and 3 times against equal pay for equal work
For Immediate Release
October 4, 2016
Las Vegas, NV – Today, Congressman Joe Heck’s Washington Republican backers continued to dump millions of dollars to distract from Heck’s record of failing Nevadans. Their latest ad continues to spread lies about Catherine Cortez Masto’s record as Attorney General. The truth is: Nevada’s backlog of rape kits was a result of lack of funding. Cortez Masto laid the groundwork to ensure Nevada secured additional funding to reduce the rape kit backlog and sponsored legislation that increased access to rape kits for women across Nevada. In contrast, Congressman Joe Heck voted 3 times in Washington against funding to increase support for victims of sexual assault and even voted against new funding to test rape kits.
“Washington Republicans know that Congressman Heck hasn’t been working for Nevadans in Washington, so they are doing everything possible to distract from his failures and spread blatant lies about Catherine Cortez Masto’s work as Attorney General,” said Sarah Zukowski, spokesperson for the Cortez Masto for Senate campaign. “Catherine fought tirelessly for victims of rape, as well as domestic and sexual assault, and her work laid the groundwork for Nevada to process the rape kit backlog. It’s shameful that Joe Heck and his Republican allies have turned rape and sexual assault into a political issue. Joe Heck and Washington Republicans will stoop to any level to distract from Heck’s abysmal record of working against Nevadans in Washington.”
See the facts on the ad below:
SENATE LEADERSHIP FUND “OTHERS GET IT” – AD FACT CHECK
CLAIM
RESPONSE
VOICEOVER: Attorney Generals are putting rapists behind bars with evidence from backlogged rape kits. Ohio’s Attorney General had thousands of kits tested and convicted hundreds of rapists. But Catherine Cortez Masto in Nevada?
TEXT: Attorneys General Are Putting Rapists Behind Bars
The Plain Dealer, 6/29/16; The Detroit New 5/16/16
REALITY: JOE HECK’S ALLIES ARE MISUSING TOPIC OF RAPE & RUNNING COMPLETELY MISLEADING ADS THAT HAVE BEEN DEBUNKED BY INDEPENDENT FACT-CHECKERS
Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Steve Sebelius: The Senate Leadership Fund Rape Kit Ad Attacking Cortez Masto On Her Signature Issue Of Sexual Assault And Sex Trafficking. In his, Keeping Them Honest segment, Steve Sebelius said, “Well, millions of dollars are being spent on both side of the race to take over Harry Reid’s Senate seat as he retires. Former Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto has been the target of plenty of those ads. The latest one hits her on a signature issue - her crusade against crimes such as sexual assault and sex trafficking. This ad claims Catherine Cortez Masto fell down on the job, allegedly unaware that thousands of rape kits remained untested in Nevada even years after the crime was committed. It is sponsored by a new SuperPac connected to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.” [KLAS, 9/18/16]
Sebelius: The Professor Quoted In The Ad Called For The Ad To Be Taken Down Because It Was “Completely Misleading” And That He Worked With Cortez Masto On The Rape Kit Issue For Years. In his, Keeping Them Honest segment, Steve Sebelius said, “Well, that does sound pretty bad. But the gentleman pictured in that ad, longtime UNR political scientist professor Richard Siegel is calling for the ad to be taken down. He says it is completely misleading. Now the official minutes of that meeting reflect only a very brief discussion of the issue, pretty much everything you saw in the ad. But Siegel says he has worked for years with Cortez Masto on sex assault issues and that she was well aware that the local police agencies didn’t have the money to test rape kits.” [KLAS, 9/18/16]
Sebelius: The Professor In The Ad Was “Shocked And Dismayed To Be Pictured In The Ad.” In his, Keeping Them Honest segment, Steve Sebelius said, “Siegel says he was shocked and dismayed to be pictured in an ad that attacked Cortez Masto who he says he’ll cast his vote in November. He says ‘I felt terrible, I was very much upset. I was being used…I had never been in that position.’” [KLAS, 9/18/16]
Sebelius: Cortez Masto Worked On Bank Settlement That Helped Fund Rape Kit Backlog – Contrary To The Ad, Cortez Masto Was Successful In Helping To Resolve The Issue. In his, Keeping Them Honest segment, Steve Sebelius said, “In the end Cortez Masto used the proceeds of a settlement with JP Morgan Chase in order to raise $1.7 million to begin erasing the backlog of untested rape kits in Nevada. Siegel says that contrary to this ad, Cortez Masto was completely successful in helping to resolve the issue.” [KLAS, 9/18/16]
KTVN Reality Check: Catherine Cortez Masto Made Human Trafficking And Sexual Assault A Priority As Attorney General, Which Earned Her The Endorsement Of Several Key Law Enforcement Officials And Sherriff Mike Haley. During KTVN Reality Check segment, reporter Landon Miller reporter, “Ad: Catherine Cortez Masto failed Nevada rape victims. Reporter: That’s opinion. Catherine Cortez Masto made human trafficking and sexual assault a priority during her time as attorney general, earning her the endorsement of several key law enforcement officials from around the state, including former Washoe County Sheriff Mike Haley.” [KTVN, 9/20/16]
KTVN Reality Check: The Claim That Rape Kits Went Untested Was “Misleading” Because The Fact They Didn’t Get Tested Fell Under Several Scenarios: They Were Already Adjudicated, Lacked “Probative Value,” There Were No Charges Or The Rape Kits Were Only Collected As A “Precautionary Measure.” During KTVN Reality Check segment, reporter Landon Miller reporter, “But as your about to see, the claims made in this ad seem to say otherwise. AD: Thousands of rape kits were never sent for DNA analysis. Reporter: That’s true. According to a public records request from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, there were 4,385 rape kits that were never tested at that department, between 2004 and 2013. However, this same claim– is misleading. According to the same public records request, kits stored at the vault that did not get analyzed, fall under several scenarios: The case being ‘adjudicated.’ They lack 'probative value’. In other words, it could have been consensual. The victim didn’t press formal charges. The kits were only collected as a “precautionary measure.’” [KTVN, 9/20/16]
KTVN Reality Check: Dr. Siegel Said Cortez Masto Was Aware Of The Rape Kit Issue And The Exchange Was About An Article, Not Rape Kits As An Issue In General. During KTVN Reality Check segment, reporter Landon Miller reporter, “SOUNDBITE: "Are you aware of the unprocessed rape kits?,” asks Dr. Richard Siegel. ‘No I am not aware of that issue,“ said Cortez-Masto. "At least it hasn’t come to our attention.’ Though Cortez-Masto said she was not aware, Dr. Siegel wants to clarify what happened on October 21, 2014. ‘There is no way she would have actually been unaware,’ Dr. Siegel tells Channel 2 News. ‘She knew about the rape kits. She had been dealing with for five years by that point.’ Dr. Siegel says part of the miscommunication was because he was in Carson City, while she was in Vegas. They were communicating over a video conference. He believes Cortez-Masto was under the impression Dr. Siegel was referring to an article about rape kits, not the kits themselves. The exchange was so minor, Siegel said it didn’t even stand out at the time.” [KTVN, 9/20/16]
KTVN Reality Check: There Was No Evidence That There Were Alleged Rapists That Walked Free. During KTVN Reality Check segment, reporter Landon Miller reporter, “ANNOUNCER: ‘Evidence not reviewed. Alleged rapists walking free. Unacceptable.’ Reporter: Even though it is true that rape kits were not tested, this ad only speculates that these offenders are not in jail. However, it’s not proven a crime was committed in the first place.” [KTVN, 9/20/16]
THE TRUTH: LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUPS UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED CORTEZ MASTO BECAUSE SHE WORKED TO KEEP NEVADA FAMALIES SAFE
KOH-AM: For The First Time In Nevada History All Law Enforcement Unions In Nevada Endorsed Cortez Masto. "For the first time in Nevada history, all the state’s law enforcement unions and associations have come together for a unanimous endorsement. The organizations backed former Nevada attorney general and candidate for U.S. Senate Catherine Cortez Masto, citing her record of working across the aisle to solve problems for Nevadans. Ron Gareer, career government affairs director for the Police Officers Research Association of Nevada on why they chose her: For the attack on law enforcement today I mean everything we do on the is second guessed by everybody. That lady understands what we’ve gone through, she understands what the families of these officers killed in line of duty are going through. We need that support and that’s why we support opponent republican representative Joe Heck.” [KOH-AM, 7/6/16]
Headline: Associated Press: “Nevada Police Unions Back Democrat Cortez Masto For Senate.” [Associated Press, 3/2/16]
Coalition Of Nevada Law Enforcement Unions Endorsed Cortez Masto For U.S. Senate. “A coalition of Nevada law enforcement unions is announcing support for Democratic Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto. Cortez Masto’s campaign announced endorsements Wednesday from the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers, Peace Officers Research of Nevada, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Southern Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs. The latter group includes the Las Vegas Police Protective Association and organizations representing Henderson and Las Vegas police supervisors.” [Associated Press, 3/2/16]
The Law Enforcement Unions Cited Cortez Masto’s Work To Fight Human Trafficking And Support For Funding More Police Officers As Reasons For The Endorsement. “Cortez Masto’s previous job as Nevada’s attorney general involved frequent work with law enforcement. Representatives from the unions cited her initiatives to fight human trafficking and her support of funding more police hires as reasons for the endorsement.” [Associated Press, 3/2/16]
Cortez Masto Picked Up Support From Nevada Police Unions. “Former state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto (D) picked up endorsements from the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Peace Officers Reserve of Nevada, and the Southern Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs Wednesday.” [National Journal, 3/3/16]
SIEGEL: Are you aware of this issue about the unprocessed rape kits?
TEXT: Nevada: Thousands of Rape Kits Never Sent for DNA Analysis
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, 7/15/14
CORTEZ MASTO: No, I am not aware of that issue. At least it hasn’t come to our attention.
THE TRUTH: RAPE KIT BACKLOG IS BECAUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT LACKED THE FUNDING TO TEST EVERY RAPE KIT
Republican AG Laxalt: There Are A Variety Of Answers But Cause Of The Rape Kit Backlog Is “Funding Ultimately.” QUESTION: What causes a backlog like that, like why? QUESTION: It’s a good question LAXALT: “And it’s a good question, um, and there are a variety of answers, but funding ultimately, I think, is one of the big answers. This goes back to the mid-eighties, and Nevada isn’t the only state that has rape kit backlogs. I think the number is eighty or ninety thousand around the country. But we have eight thousand of them which isn’t a great number, of course, so decisions in law enforcement were made of, we’re going to prioritize kits, does this case look stronger than the other case, and so maybe this case, this kit was passed over. We also had situations were maybe victims didn’t necessarily want their kits tested, but each kit, these days, costs $1500 for a kit to test, so, you do the math, meaning the test isn’t [inaudible] we needed over six million dollars and that also falls all on, we have no statewide lab, so some states have a statewide lab, so the Legislature could sort of say, ok, maybe fund the lab and maybe test the kits, but for us, Clark County has one lab and Washoe County has the other lab, and so they’re locally funded and that makes it, as you can imagine, very complicated who’s paying, cause all the jurisdictions send their kits into these two local labs, so but it’s something we have worked on with this working group, and we’ve submitted some legislation hoping that we don’t end up with a backlog again.” [Laughlin Town Hall, 9/20/16]
Republican Deputy AG Wes Duncan: Backlog Came Because Detectives Working The Case Said There Wasn’t Good Enough Evidence To Pursue Charges Or The Victim Didn’t Want To Press Charges. During a discussion at the Southern Hills Republican Women’s Club, Wes Duncan said, “In cases that are in the backlog, or cases that are really old and they didn’t have DNA technology, or perhaps they couldn’t find the defendant, it was a stranger type rape situation, or perhaps a person that was just visiting Las Vegas may have been assaulted and they left, and they just wanted to put it behind them. So that’s kind of how the accumulation of those things occurred. It could also be that a detective was working on the case and said, 'There’s really not good evidence. I’ve talked to the defendant, I’ve talked to the victim. We just are not going to give this case over to the prosecution.’“ [Southern Hills Republican Women’s Club, 6/28/16]
Sparks Police Sgt. Scott Tracy: Rape Kits Are Always Tested If The Suspect Is Unknown, But The Vast Majority Of Sexual Assaults Are Not Strangers. “Representatives for all three jurisdictions said a kit is always tested if the suspect is unknown. ‘If we have a stranger sexual assault, we send it out right away because it is a higher priority,’ Sgt. Scott Tracy of the Sparks Police Department said. ‘But the vast majority of sexual assaults are not strangers. The vast majorities, we know the suspects.’” [Reno Gazette-Journal, 9/16/15]
UNR Victims’ Advocate: It’s A Myth That Police Are Not Doing Their Jobs, Rape Kit Testing Is Not Necessary To Move Forward With Prosecution. “Justine Hernandez, the University of Nevada, Reno victims’ advocate, said the backlog in testing can be misinterpreted. ‘A common (misconception) is that if we have a lot of kits that are untested, that means the police are not doing their jobs or investigating properly,’ she said. ‘That’s really a myth because, for some cases, the kit is not necessary to move forward with prosecution or is actually at the victim’s request to not move forward.’” [Reno Gazette-Journal, 9/16/15]
THE TRUTH: CORTEZ MASTO ADVOCATED FOR FUNDING TO ADDRESS UNPROCESSED RAPE KITS & APPLIED FOR GRANTS TO PROSECUTE CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN AND HOLD OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE
January 2012: Cortez Masto Signed AGs Letter Calling For VAWA Reauthorization In Part For Funding To Test Unprocessed Rape Kits. In January 2012, Cortez Masto signed Attorneys General letter stating: “VAWA reauthorization will continue critical support for victim services and target three key areas where data shows we must focus our efforts in order to have the greatest impact: […] A woman who has been sexually assaulted can be subjected to further distress when the healthcare, law enforcement, and legal response to her attack is not coordinated and productive. Whether it is a first responder without adequate training, a rape kit that goes unprocessed for lack of funding, or a phone call between a crisis counselor and a prosecutor that never takes place, sexual assault victims deserve better. We must develop and implement best practices, training, and communication tools across disciplines in order to effectively prosecute and punish perpetrators, as well as help victims heal and rebuild their lives.” [Cortez Masto Letter to Congress, 1/11/12]
Federal Grants Helped Provide Funding To Test Rape Kits That Had Been Sitting In Police Fridges And Files For As Long As 30 Years. “More than 7,000 DNA kits that have been stagnating in police fridges and files across Nevada for as long as 30 years will finally get tested. Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt announced Thursday morning that the state will receive up to $5.6 million to outsource the state’s 7,500 sexual assault evidence kits, 6,300 cases from Southern Nevada. Nearly $4 million of the fund comes from national grants: the Bureau of Justice Administration’s Sex Assault Kit Initiative grant is worth $1.9 million for the state, and the New York County district attorney’s office is awarding Las Vegas police $2 million from a $35 million pot for sexual assault DNA tests from the county’s forfeitures and seizures.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 9/10/15]
Headline: Las Vegas Sun: “Nevada AG Offers Grants To Combat Violence Against Women.” [Las Vegas Sun, 10/1/14]
Cortez Masto Announced $1.8 Million In Grants For Programs To Prevent Violence Against Women And Hold Offenders Accountable. “The Nevada Attorney General’s Office is offering about $1.8 million in grants for programs that seek to prevent violence against women. The grant opportunities will provide money to initiatives that protect victims and hold offenders accountable, according to a news release from the office of Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto. ‘The programs eligible for these grants should provide victim-centered intervention through nonprofit service providers, law enforcement, prosecution and courts,’ according to the release. The grants will be funded by federal Violence Against Women Act awards to the Attorney General’s Office. According to the request for applications, $1,474,960 in Services Training Officers Prosecution funding and $280,581 in Sexual Assault Services Provider money will be available.” [Las Vegas Sun, 10/1/14]
AG Cortez Masto’s Office Awarded $1.5 Million In STOP Violence Against Women Grants For Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Victim Services And Courts. “The Nevada state attorney general’s office says it has received a nearly $1.5 million federal Justice Department grant for STOP Violence Against Women programs. Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said in a statement that sub-grants will be awarded by the end of the year in categories including law enforcement, prosecution, victim services and courts. Federal pass-through grants to the states were authorized by Congress in the Violence Against Women Act of 2005. Masto says the program aims to identify and support programs to reduce violent crimes against women and to bolster services for victims. Recipients are required to submit financial, administrative and program reports to the government to maintain grant funding.” [Associated Press, 10/27/10]
AG Cortez Masto Allotted $1.2 Million In Recovery Act Funds To STOP Violence Against Women Programs. “More than two dozen agencies across Nevada will receive more than $1.2 million for programs to reduce violence against women. Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said Tuesday the money under the Recovery Act STOP violence Against Women grant program will create or retain the equivalent of 17.5 full-time positions in 28 agencies in the state. Nevada has been allotted economic stimulus funds for programs that meet federal and state objectives of the grant program. The attorney general’s office will administer the grant money to Nevada programs. The STOP Violence Against Women Program encourages the development of ways to combat violent crimes against women.” [Associated Press, 6/30/09]
ADAM LAXALT APPLIED FOR GRANTS THAT DID NOT START ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS UNTIL AFTER CORTEZ MASTO LEFT OFFICE
President Obama Launched The National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative To Fund The Processing Of Rape Kits Starting In Fiscal Year 2015. “Today, Vice President Biden will deliver remarks in Maryland to highlight the Administration’s new Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, which is investing $41 million this year to help communities accelerate testing of the estimated 400,000 rape kits that have been backlogged in law enforcement storage rooms and crime labs across the country. This is a problem, which prevents or delays the prosecution of sexual assault crimes. In addition to this initiative to address the backlog, the Administration invested an unprecedented $430 million in violence against women programs in Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2015.” [White House Press Release, 3/16/15]
H.R. 83 Appropriations Bill That Included Funding For President Obama’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Passed On Dec. 16, 2014. [Public Law No.: 113-235,12/16/14]
The Department Of Justice’s Bureau Of Justice Assistance Awarded The Nevada Attorney General’s Office A Nearly $2 Million Grant From The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative In FY2015. [BJA SKAI Grantees, 2015-H2261-NV- AK]
THE TRUTH: CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO’S WORK TO TAKE ON THE BIG BANKS HELPED FUND NEVADA’S TESTING OF RAPE KITS
Sebelius: Cortez Masto Worked On Bank Settlement That Helped Fund Rape Kit Backlog – Contrary To The Ad, Cortez Masto Was Successful In Helping To Resolve The Issue. In his, Keeping Them Honest segment, Steve Sebelius said, “In the end Cortez Masto used the proceeds of a settlement with JP Morgan Chase in order to raise $1.7 million to begin erasing the backlog of untested rape kits in Nevada. Siegel says that contrary to this ad, Cortez Masto was completely successful in helping to resolve the issue.” [KLAS, 9/18/16]
February 2014: Attorney General Masto Sent A Letter With Other Attorneys General On CFPB’s Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Debt Collection Practices. “The Attorneys General of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington (the “Attorneys General”) write in response to the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning “Debt Collection (Regulation F)” issued by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (the “CFPB”).” [Letter To CFPB Director Richard Cordray, 2/28/14]
Joint Attorneys General Letter To CFPB: Called For “Well-Tailored, Comprehensive” Rules That “Apply To All Persons Engaged In The Collection Of Consumer Debt” And Require “Robust Protections For Consumers.” “Overall, the Attorneys General strongly believe that the CFPB should adopt well-tailored, comprehensive, and balanced rules that apply to all persons engaged in the collection of consumer debts and that require robust protections for consumers. Such rules will better enable collectors to abide by the law, create a more even playing field for consumers, provide greater consumer protections, and assist consumers in better understanding their rights. Rules such as the ones suggested below will ultimately balance the rights of consumers with the legitimate need to collect consumer debts.” [Letter To CFPB Director Richard Cordray, 2/28/14]
The Joint Attorney General Letter To CFPB Said That Attorneys General Had Seen The Harm Of Robo-Signed Debt Documents And Called On The CFPB To Enact Rules Mandating “Properly Executed Sworn Documents Used In The Connection With The Collection Of Debt” To “Prevent Violations Of State And Federal Consumer Protection Laws.” “Collectors routinely file affidavits in support of their lawsuits that have either been robo-signed or are signed by persons who lack personal knowledge of the debt that is being collected.[…]Furthermore, harm caused by robo-signing extends beyond individual consumers to financial institutions themselves, where debt collection, document execution practices, and management of third-party debt collectors and debt buyers, can present a risk and have been treated as a matter of safety and soundness by the OCC. […] The Attorneys General have seen other troubling evidentiary practices in debt collection litigation, including: submitting “exemplar” agreements or terms and conditions in lieu of the specific agreement or terms and conditions that apply to the account in question; and misrepresenting the principal, interest, and other fees associated with an account. Structured and properly executed sworn documents used in connection with the collection of debt would ensure that collectors target the right person for the correct amount of debt. Additionally, properly executed affidavits will help prevent violations of state and federal consumer protection laws, promote accuracy, and help restore consumer trust in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.” [Letter To CFPB Director Richard Cordray, 2/28/14]
Cortez Masto Encouraged Nevadans To File Testimony On Debt Collectors With Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In February 2014, Cortez Masto press release stated, “Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, through the Bureau of Consumer Protection encourages Nevadans who have had experiences with debt collectors - good and bad to participate in an online forum. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will consider public input in formulating specific proposals about creating new federal guidelines for debt collection. ‘This is a great opportunity for Nevadans to submit feedback on their experiences with debt collectors and further influence policy’, said Masto.” [Nevada Attorney General press release, 2/13/14]
Cortez Masto: Nevada Consumers Are The Second Most Likely In The Country To File Complaints About Debt Collection With The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In March 2014, Cortez Masto press release stated, “Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto reports that Nevada consumers are the second most likely in the country to file complaints about debt collection with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) according to a U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund report released last Thursday. ‘One of the biggest consumer protection issues Nevadan’s face today is debt collection and targeting from collection departments,’ said Masto. ‘As always, we will continue to hold those accountable for taking advantage of consumers.’” [Nevada Attorney General press release, 3/5/14]
June 2015: CFPB And 47 Attorneys General Initiated Legal Action Against J.P. Morgan Chase’s Debt Collection Practices. According to a press release by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “Today the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Attorneys General in 47 states and the District of Columbia took action against JPMorgan Chase for selling bad credit card debt and illegally robo-signing court documents. […] Chase is ordered to permanently stop all attempts to collect, enforce in court, or sell more than 528,000 consumers’ accounts. Chase will pay at least $50 million in consumer refunds, $136 million in penalties and payments to the CFPB and states, and a $30 million penalty to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in a related action.” [CFPB Press Release, 7/8/15]
CFPB: We Took Action Against J.P. Morgan Chase Based On Their Illegal Debt Collection Practices Between 2009-2013. According to a press release by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “The CFPB found that Chase violated the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act’s prohibitions against unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices. Chase sold faulty and false debts to third-party collectors, including accounts with unlawfully obtained judgments, inaccurate balances, and paid-off balances. Chase also sold debts that were owed by deceased borrowers. Chase also filed misleading debt-collections lawsuits against consumers using robo-signed and illegally sworn statements to obtain false or inaccurate judgments for unverified debts.” [CFPB Press Release, 7/8/15]
Las Vegas Sun: $1.7 Million In Funds From JP Morgan Chase Settlement Were Allocated To Process Rape Kits. According to an AP story by Ken Ritter, “Nevada lawmakers agreed Wednesday to allocate almost $3.7 million in settlement and grant money to test about 7,500 sexual assault evidence kits languishing in police vaults around the state, including some in Las Vegas dating back 30 years. […]The money allocated Wednesday includes $1.7 million from a settlement this summer with JPMorgan Chase in a debt collection practices case, Duncan said.” [Las Vegas Sun, 12/16/15]
THE TRUTH: CORTEZ MASTO LED THE FIGHT TO COMBAT SEXUAL ASSAULT AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN NEVADA
KLAS: Cortez Masto Is “Best Known For Her Crusade Against Crime Such As Sexual Assault And Sex Trafficking.” “Former Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto is one of the people running for Senate and she’s perhaps best known for her crusade against crimes such as sexual assault and sex trafficking.” [KLAS, 9/14/16]
Cortez Masto Led The Charge To Address And Combat Violence Against Women. “The Nevada Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team (DVFRT) held its inagural meeting on Thursday to address and combat rising violence against women, with Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto leading the charge. The Silver State leads the nation in the per capita number of women murdered as a result of domestic violence, a trend that for years has plagued urban areas such as Reno and Las Vegas, as well as rural areas such as Elko County and, particularly, in Native American communities. ‘It exists in every community in our state,’ Masto said. ‘Nobody escapes it.’ The state Legislature, at Masto’s behest, created the DVFRT last year and authorized a multi-disciplinary team comprised of prosecutors, police, domestic violence service providers, treatment providers and community and faith leaders to review the deaths of domestic violence victims.” [Daily Sparks Tribune, 1/12/12]
Cortez Masto Focused On Domestic Violence Prevention In Nevada For Years And Fought For More State & Federal Funding For Victims. “‘People should understand that domestic violence crosses socioeconomic backgrounds, it could happen in any family and it could happen to anyone,’ explains Catherine Cortez Masto, former Nevada Attorney General. Cortez Masto focused on domestic violence prevention in Nevada for years and she says it comes down to educating the community in order to gain more support, ‘It is a lack of resources, not only do we have a lack of state funding we have a lack of federal funding. There is only so much that goes around to help individuals who are dealing with a domestic violence situation.’” [KRNV, 10/29/15]
Elko Daily Free Press Editorial: Cortez Masto Led The Fight To Combat Domestic Violence And Left Behind A Legacy We Hope Others Follow. In January 2015, the Elko Daily Free Press editorial board wrote, “Before she left office, Catherine Cortez Masto released information to combat domestic violence in the state, which is something she battled throughout her time as attorney general. While she is no longer the state’s chief law enforcement officer, she has left behind a legacy we hope others follow. She led the way against domestic violence through the Nevada Council for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. The NCPDV’s mission is to combat domestic violence through awareness, legislation and the support of agencies involved in the fight against domestic violence, according to the AG’s office.” [Elko Daily Free Press, Editorial, 1/13/15]
THE TRUTH: CORTEZ MASTO’S OFFICE TRAINED NURSES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HANDLE SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES
Cortez Masto’s Office Trained Nurses On Handling Sexual Assault Victims And Exams. “Pintar’s relatively diplomatic take came after Supervisor John McKenna raised questions about whether providing government money was the issue and Mayor Robert Crowell pointed out nurses are offered training on handling of sexual assault victims and exams by the office of Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez-Masto.” [Nevada Appeal, 8/29/14]
Headline: Elko Daily Free Press: “Attorney General’s Office To Host Training On Violence Prevention.” [Elko Daily Free Press, 6/17/14]
Cortez Masto Held Trainings On Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, And Human Trafficking. “The Nevada Attorney General’s Office will host a full-day training today discussing domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. In July 2013, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto traveled to Elko, Winnemucca, Lovelock, Wells and Battle Mountain to meet with law enforcement, community leaders and truckers about the need to patrol the Interstate 80 corridor, which her office said is a hub for sex trafficking, and stop perpetrators. In response to last year’s trip, the attorney general’s office will host trainings in Elko, Winnemucca and Lovelock today, Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Speakers include Kareen Prentice, domestic violence ombudsmen for the attorney general’s office; Monica Player, attorney adviser for Battered Women’s Justice Project; Rachell Ekroos, forensic medical consultant for Center for Forensic Nursing Excellence International; and Jenna Novak, Polaris Project program specialist.” [Elko Daily Free Press, 6/17/14]
Headline: Associated Press: “Nevada Official Unveils Programs To Fight Domestic Abuse.” [Associated Press, 10/5/07]
Cortez Masto’s AG Office Produced Training Programs For Law Enforcement And Prosecutors Handling Domestic Violence Cases. “Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto announced two new programs aimed at helping domestic violence victims in Nevada, which leads the nation in the number of domestic violence deaths per capita in 2005. Cortez Masto said Thursday that one program will assist law enforcement with training and that the other will help Nevada prosecutors in handling domestic violence cases. ‘We should be doing so much more and so much better for Nevada’s families,’ Cortez Masto said, adding that the key is coordination among law enforcement, prosecutors, victim advocates and treatment providers. Law enforcement will be helped with an interactive training CD called ‘Domestic Violence & Elder Abuse Investigations.’ The CD was put together by the attorney general’s office, the Nevada Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards Training, or POST, and various agencies and groups within the city of Henderson. The 300 training discs will be used by more than 16,000 law enforcement officials across the state.” [Associated Press, 10/5/07]
THE TRUTH: IN 2013, CORTEZ MASTO HELPED PASS BILL TO ENSURE RAPE KITS WERE ADMINISTERED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS
Catherine Cortez Masto And Assemblyman William Horne Worked Closely On AB 307 Bill To Fund Rape Kits For Victims. According to the minutes of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, Deputy Attorney General Heather Proctor testified, “Majority Leader Horne, the primary sponsor of Assembly Bill 307 is the Chair of the Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice. Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto is the Chair of the Commission’s Subcommittee on the Rights of Victims of Crime and Sources of Funding for Victims of Crime. As a result of the subcommittee’s meeting, recommendations were made to the Commission which led, in part, to the creation of A.B. 307. Attorney General Masto and Assemblyman Horne have worked together closely on this bill. After A.B. 307 was introduced, there were some fiscal impacts that led to an amendment of this legislation. I am here today to testify to the amendment that has been provided to you (Exhibit M) which I believe all of you have in front of you. Assemblyman Horne has approved this amendment.” [Assembly Judiciary Committee, 4/10/13]
AB 307 Required The County To Pay For Forensic Examination Of Sexual Assault Victims-Rape Kits Without Any Prerequisite. “1.(b) Pay any costs incurred by a hospital for the forensic medical examination of the victim. 2. Any costs incurred pursuant to subsection 1: (a) Must not be charged directly to the victim of sexual assault. (b) Must be charged to the county in whose jurisdiction the offense was committed. 3. The filing of a report with the appropriate law enforcement agency must not be a prerequisite to qualify for a forensic medical examination pursuant to this section.” The bill passed the Senate and the Assembly and was signed into law by Republican Gov. Sandoval. [AB 307 Legislative History, LCB, 5/20/13]
THE TRUTH: IN 2009, CORTEZ MASTO HELPED PASS BILL ENDING NEVADA POLICY THAT ALLOWED OFFICIALS TO BLAME SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS
Headline: Las Vegas Sun Editorial: “Stop Blaming The Victims; State Program Can Deny Compensation To Rape Victims Based On Their ‘Conduct.’” [Las Vegas Sun, Editorial, 8/19/08]
Before 2009, Nevada Sexual Assault Victims Could Be Denied Funding To Help Pay For Medical Bills Because Of “Contributory Conduct,” Like Drugs Or Alcohol Use. “Susan has no idea what she cooked. She had no idea what to tell the officer who said, ‘But you don’t look like someone that’s been raped.’ She had no idea what to say when, several weeks later, she got a letter from a state program that helps victims of crime pay medical bills stating she’d been denied funding because of ‘contributory conduct.’ […] For many, it cuts too close to antiquated notions that women can invite or encourage rape, and are therefore responsible if it occurs. And, advocates for victims emphasize, alcohol and drugs are often instruments of sexual assault. ‘No’ means ‘no,’ they say, no matter what.” [Las Vegas Sun, 8/17/08]
Cortez Masto Believed The Victim Compensation Program Was Denying Victims Because It Didn’t Have Enough Money To Assist All Sexual Assault Victims. “The ‘no’ that victims are hearing from the compensation program officials may be driven as much by fiscal concerns as by philosophy, however. Ever-growing numbers of victims are asking for assistance from a program that doesn’t have enough money to help them all, asking for help from a program that may be looking for reasons to deny them so that it can stretch its budget. That’s how Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto sees it. She leads a committee that in January began a careful survey of the victim compensation program and its policies.” [Las Vegas Sun, 8/17/08]
AG Cortez Masto’s Committee Considered Whether Changes Should Be Made To Compensation Program Policy. “Masto’s committee is studying whether changes must be made to compensation program policy. The contributory conduct rules were adopted years ago by the state Board of Examiners, composed of the governor, the attorney general and the secretary of state. The rules mandate that claims for compensation must be denied if the victim ‘used poor judgment because of intoxication or drugs.’ Whether compensation officers should be determining what is and isn’t poor judgment, Masto said, is also up for consideration. Masto’s committee has been asked to provide Supreme Court Justice James Hardesty, chairman of the Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice, with recommendations for changes to the program, legislative or otherwise.” [Las Vegas Sun, 8/17/08]
AG Cortez Masto Drafted And Passed AB 116 That Excluded “Contributory Conduct” Policy From Sexual Assault Victim Compensation Program. Cortez Masto Chaired The Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice, Victims of Crime Subcommittee that submitted: “AB 116 – Revises provisions concerning compensation for victims of crime, requiring a law enforcement agency and juvenile court to provide certain requested investigative and police reports within a specific period. It excludes contributory conduct of a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault from consideration in certain determinations of compensation to the victim.” The bill passed the Senate and the Assembly and was signed into law by the Governor. [Nevada Attorney General’s Office Website, “Bills Passed During 2009 Nevada Legislative Session Written Or Co-Sponsored By Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto,” Accessed 1/10/15; AB 116 Legislative History, Introduced 1/26/09]
TEXT: Catherine Cortez Masto Failed Nevada
VOICEOVER: Catherine Cortez Masto. She failed Nevada.
REALITY: WASHINGTON REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO DISTRATCT FROM CONGRESSMAN HECK’S ANTI-WOMEN AGENDA
CONGRESSMAN HECK VOTED AGAINST FUNDING TO ADDRESS BACKLOG OF RAPE KITS
Heck Voted Against $3 Million For COPS Program, $1 Million For Violence Against Women Prevention And Prosecution Programs, And Grants To Address Backlogs Of Sexual Assault Kits. In May 2014, Heck voted against a: “Moore, D-Wis., motion to recommit the bill to the House Appropriations Committee and report it back immediately with an amendment which would increase by $1 million each, funds provided in the bill for Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution programs, grants to combat violence against women, State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance and grants to address backlogs of sexual assault kits. It would increase by $3 million each, funds provided in the bill for Community Oriented Policing Services and for hiring under this program.” The motion was rejected by a 185-220 vote. [CQ, 5/30/14; motion to recommit H.R. 4660, Vote 268, 5/30/14]
CONGRSSMAN HECK VOTED AGAINST FUNDING TO AID PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Heck Voted Against Increasing Funds By $20.5 Million For Programs That Aid In The Prevention And Prosecution Of Acts Of Violence Against Women. In May 2012, Heck voted against a: “Nadler, D-N.Y., motion to recommit the bill to the House Appropriations Committee and report it back immediately with an amendment that would increase by $20.5 million the amount provided in the bill for programs that aid in the prevention and prosecution of acts of violence against women. It would reduce by the same amount general administrative funding for the Commerce and Justice departments and the Office of Science and Technology.” The motion was rejected by a 181-233 vote. [CQ, 5/10/12; motion to recommit H.R. 5326, Vote 248, 5/10/12]
Heck Voted Against Providing An Additional $3 Million For The Violence Against Women Prevention And Prosecution Programs And $3 Million For The Juvenile Justice Programs. In June 2015, Heck voted against the: “Brownley, D-Calif., motion to recommit the bill to the House Appropriations Committee with instructions to report back immediately with an amendment that would provide an additional $3 million for sexual assault victims assistance within the Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs account and an additional $3 million for missing and exploited children programs in the Juvenile Justice Programs account. It would decrease funding for the Justice Information Technology Account by $6 million.” The motion was rejected by a vote of 184-240. [CQ, 6/3/15; H.R. 2578, Vote 296, 6/3/15]
CONGRESSMAN HECK VOTED 10 TIMES TO DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD,
WHICH PROVIDES ESSENTIAL HEALTH SERVICES TO 22,000 NEVADANS EVERY YEAR, INCLUDING OVER 4,000 CANCER SCREENINGS
Planned Parenthood Offered Preventive Care, Pregnancy Testing, Abortions And Cancer Screening To 22,000 Annual Patients In Nevada. “Planned Parenthood, which offers preventive care, pregnancy testing, abortions and cancer screenings, has about 22,000 annual patients in Nevada. Most Planned Parenthood patients are women earning less than 150 percent of the federal government’s poverty threshold.” [Las Vegas Sun, 10/23/15]
Planned Parenthood Served 21,910 Patients In Nevada. [Planned Parenthood Nevada website, accessed 8/16/16]
Planned Parenthood Provided Cancer Screenings To 4,444 Nevadans. [Planned Parenthood Nevada website, accessed 8/16/16]
February 2016: Heck Voted To Override Obama’s Veto Of The Bill That Would Block Federal Funding For Planned Parenthood For One Year. [CQ, 2/2/16; H.R. 3762, Vote 53, 2/2/16]
January 2016: Heck Voted To Block Funding For Planned Parenthood [CQ, 1/6/16; H.R. 3762, Vote 6, 1/6/16]
October 2015: Heck Voted For A Bill That Would Block Funding For Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 10/23/15; H.R. 3762, Vote 568, 10/23/15]
September 2015: Heck Voted Five Times To Shut Down The Government Over Planned Parenthood:
Heck Voted To Advance Bill To Bar Use Of Funds For Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 9/17/15; H.Res.421, Vote 502, 9/17/15]
Heck Voted To Advance Bill To Bar Use Of Funds For Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 9/17/15; H.Res.421, Vote 503, 9/17/15]
Heck Voted To Bar Use Of Funds For Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 9/18/15; H.R. 3134, Vote 505, 9/18/15]
Heck Voted To Advance Concurrent Resolution That Would Bar Use Of Funds For Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 9/30/15; H.Res. 448, Vote 525, 9/30/15]
Heck Voted For Concurrent Resolution To Bar Use Of Funds For Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 9/30/15; H.Con.Res. 79, Vote 527, 9/30/15]
April 2011: Heck Voted To Bar Use Of Funds For Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 4/14/11; H.Con.Res. 36, Vote 271, 4/14/11]
February 2011: Heck Voted To Bar Use Of Funds For Planned Parenthood. [CQ, 2/18/11; H.R. 1, Amdt No. 11, Vote 93, 2/18/11]
President Of The American Congress Of Obstetricians And Gynecologists: Cutting Off Planned Parenthood From Government Funding That Millions Rely On For Health Services Would Be “Irresponsible.” In September 2015, President of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Mark DeFrancesco wrote, “Cutting off Planned Parenthood’s health centers from government funding, including Medicaid and the Title X family-planning program, would also cut off many of the 2.7 million women, men and teenagers who rely on Planned Parenthood every year for needed health services. This would be irresponsible. As an OB-GYN, I know that women need access to quality care, and the care patients receive from Planned Parenthood goes beyond family planning. Planned Parenthood-affiliated clinics screen women for cervical cancer and breast cancer. About 245,000 American women are diagnosed with these diseases each year. The clinics test and treat patients for sexually transmitted infections, in many cases preventing further infections in the community. These are essential health services.” [Las Vegas Sun, Mark DeFrancesco op-ed, 9/8/15]
CONGRESSMAN HECK OPPOSES A WOMAN’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND VOTED FOR ANTI-CHOICE BILLS DESIGNED TO CHALLENGE AND OVERTURN ROE V. WADE
Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Steve Sebelius: Heck Insisted His Position Is Clear: “He’s A Pro-Life Guy.” In a column for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Steve Sebelius wrote, “The last time Rep. Joe Heck was accused of being uncaring toward rape victims, there wasn’t any proof to back up the charge. It was 2012, and former Assembly Speaker John Oceguera was airing an ad in which a rape-victim advocate accused Heck of voting to restrict victims’ access to abortion. But the bill in question had a specific exception for rape and incest. Heck insisted, then and now, that his position is clear: He’s a pro-life guy who thinks federal funds shouldn’t pay for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of a pregnant woman.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, Steve Sebelius, 8/28/13]
In 2015, Heck Voted For 20-Week Abortion Ban Called “An Attack On Roe v. Wade,” With Anti-Abortion Group SBA List Making It “Litmus Test” For Republicans In 2016. In May 2015, Heck voted for: “Passage of the bill that would prohibit abortions in cases where the probable age of the fetus is 20 weeks or later and would impose criminal penalties on doctors who violate the ban.” The Hill reported, “Republicans are ramping up their attack on Roe v. Wade with a House vote Wednesday on a bill banning late-term abortions. […] Susan B. Anthony List launched a campaign earlier this year to make the 20-week ban into a litmus test for Republican hopefuls.” [CQ, 5/13/15; H.R. 36, Vote 223, 5/13/15; The Hill, 5/13/15]
Heck Voted For Bill That Was A Direct Challenge To Roe v. Wade. “The House approved a bill that would prohibit most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy except in cases of rape, incest or a threat to the mother’s life. […] Opponents said the bill was a direct challenge to the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that made abortions legal before viability, which is generally considered around 24 weeks of pregnancy. They also argued that the bill imposed new limits on the rape exemption by requiring that any woman seeking an abortion after 20 weeks prove that she either reported the rape to the authorities or sought counseling services. […] The bill passed 242-184. Amodei, Hardy and Heck voted for it. Titus opposed it.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 5/16/15]
In 2013, Heck Voted For 20-Week Abortion Ban In Effort To Challenge And Eventually Overturn Roe v. Wade. In June 2013, Heck voted for “Passage of the bill that would create a nationwide ban on abortions performed at 20 weeks or later, except in cases where the life of the woman is in danger.” Time Magazine reported, “The House effort is meant to add federal firepower to the slow and steady quest to challenge and eventually overturn the 40-year-old Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling, which held that abortion should be legal until a fetus is viable, generally understood to be around 24 weeks. […] Not all Republicans endorsed the idea of bringing the 20-week abortion ban to a floor vote. Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, told the New York Times that doing so was a ‘stupid idea’ that risks alienating voters with more moderate views on abortion at a time of economic uncertainty. The measure attracted six Democratic votes; six Republicans voted against the bill.” [CQ, 6/18/13; H.R. 1797, Vote 251, 6/18/13; Time, 6/18/13]
Anti-Abortion Group SBA List Endorsed Heck For Congress Calling Him A “Consistent Pro-Life Advocate.” In July 2010, SBA List press release stated: “Today the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund, a national pro-life political action committee, announced its endorsement of Joe Heck, candidate for U.S. Representative in Nevada’s 3rd congressional district. ‘SBA List is proud to support Joe Heck for Nevada’s 3rd District. Heck has expressed a strong commitment to representing a physician’s voice in Congress and to rescinding taxpayer-funded abortion in the federal health care legislation. Ironically, he represents women’s real views and needs on the issue of abortion far better than does his female opponent,’ said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA List Candidate Fund. […] Also a consistent pro-life advocate, Heck served as State Senator for Nevada’s 5th District from 2004 to 2008.” [SBA List press release, 7/21/10]
SBA List Endgame Is To Dismantle Roe v. Wade Entirely With Laws Undercutting The Supreme Court’s Decision’s Premise That A Women’s Right To Choose Should Be Protected Before 24 Weeks. “Even if the Susan B. Anthony List hopes its current campaign will be viewed by voters to be moderate, it’s endgame – to dismantle Roe v. Wade entirely with test laws like the 20-week ban, which undercuts the Supreme Court decision’s premise that abortion rights should be protected before the point of viability at 24 weeks – is much more ambitious. ‘For the first time since Roe v. Wade, we are very close to protecting even just one class of children before they are born,’ Dannenfelser said. ‘Not because we are regulating around the child – but because the fact that the child is a child.” [U.S. News, 4/17/15]
CONGRESSMAN HECK IS A LOYAL SUPPORTER OF DONALD TRUMP, WHOSE CAMPAIGN HAS PLEDGED TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE
Heck Backed GOP Presidential Nominee Trump, Whose Campaign Vowed To Overturn Roe V. Wade And Make It “An Ash Heap Of History.” The Pahrump Valley Times reported, “Additionally, Heck is throwing his support to presidential candidate Donald Trump. ‘I have high hopes that we will see Donald Trump become the next president,’ he said.’” The Los Angeles Times reported, “GOP vice presidential nominee Mike Pence on Thursday predicted Roe vs. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion, would be overturned if Donald Trump is elected president. ‘I’m pro-life and I don’t apologize for it,’ he said during a town hall meeting here. ‘We’ll see Roe vs. Wade consigned to the ash heap of history where it belongs.’’ [Pahrump Valley Times, 6/1/16; Los Angeles Times, 7/29/16]
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]
Heck Criticized Republicans For Publicly Denouncing Trump, Saying It “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]
Heck Refused To Denounce Trump: “You’re Entitled To Vote For Whoever You Want, But You Don’t Have To Add Gasoline To The Fire.” “‘You’re entitled to vote for whoever you want, but you don’t have to add gasoline to the fire,’ said Heck. Heck said that the important thing would be for the party to come together in November to defeat the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.” [The Record Courier, 8/12/16]
Life News: “Trump Said He Would Appoint ‘Very Good Judges’ Who Would Ultimately ‘Change’” Roe v. Wade. “In the second part of an interview with David Brody of CBN, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he thinks the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case that ushered in an era of 48 million abortions was ‘wrongly decided.’ Trump said he would appoint ‘very good judges’ who would ultimately ‘change it’ but he opposed Roe without specifically saying it should be overturned.” [Life News, 2/18/16]
Trump: Roe v. Wade Was “Very Wrongly Decided But It Can Be Changed.” David Brody: “But beyond judges, do you believe Roe V. Wade was wrongly decided back in the day, back in 1973?” Donald Trump: ‘Well I do. It’s been very strongly decided but it can be changed. Things are put there and they’re passed but they can be unpassed with time but it’s going to take time because you have a lot of judges to go.” [Life News, 2/18/16]
Trump Said He Would Appoint Supreme Court Justice To Replace Scalia Who Would “Be A Person Of Similar Views And Principles.” “Full text: Donald Trump 2016 RNC draft speech transcript […] The politicians have talked about it, I’m going to do it. We are also going to appoint justices to the United States Supreme Court who will uphold our laws and our Constitution. The replacement for Justice Scalia will be a person of similar views and principles. This will be one of the most important issues decided by this election.” [Politico, 7/21/16]
Anti-Abortion Group Said Scalia “Was One Of The Strongest Critics On The Court Of The 1973 Decision In Roe v. Wade, As Unconstitutional And Illegitimate.” “Anti-abortion groups know they are going to miss Justice Antonin Scalia’s strong voice as the Supreme Court hears arguments on March 2 about what is expected to be a landmark abortion case, and they issued statements lamenting his death. […] Americans United for Life, another anti-abortion group, also issued a statement praising Justice Scalia’s support for the decisions of state governments, not the assessments of courts, in adopting stringent abortion regulations. ‘Justice Antonin Scalia was a longstanding and consistent voice on the court for allowing the American people, through the democratic process, to protect human beings from abortion or assisted suicide,’ the statement said. ‘He was one of the strongest critics on the court of the 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, as unconstitutional and illegitimate.’” [New York Times, 2/13/16]
CONGRESSMAN HECK VOTED AGAINST ADDING EXCEPTION TO SAVE THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER TO ANTI-CHOICE BILL
In 2015, Heck Voted Against Adding An Exception To Save The Health Of The Pregnant Woman From Bill To Ban On Abortions After 20 Weeks. May 2015, Heck voted against: “Brownley, D-Calif., motion to recommit the bill to the House Judiciary Committee with instructions to report back immediately with an amendment that would add an exception to the 20-week abortion ban for abortions necessary to save the health of the pregnant woman.” The motion was rejected by a vote of 181-246. [CQ, 5/13/15; H.R. 36, Vote 222, 5/13/15]
CONGRESSMAN HECK HAS VOTED REPEATEDLY FOR ANTI-CHOICE BILLS THAT DO NOT INCLUDE AN EXCEPTION FOR THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER
Heck Voted For Passage Of 20-Week Abortion Ban. In May 2015, Heck voted for: “Passage of the bill that would prohibit abortions in cases where the probable age of the fetus is 20 weeks or later and would impose criminal penalties on doctors who violate the ban. It would provide exceptions for cases in which the woman’s life is in danger as well as for pregnancies that are a result of