For Immediate Release
October 11, 2016
Las Vegas, NV - Today, Mitch McConnell’s Senate Leadership Fund released a new Spanish-language ad praising Congressman Joe Heck for being a friend and ally of Nevada’s Latino community. However, this ad lacked something very important: the truth. Throughout his political career, Congressman Heck has supported or championed legislation and amendments that would have adversely impacted Nevada’s Latino and immigrant communities. During his time in the Nevada State Senate, then-State Senator Heck proposed a bill to prohibit any state literature or resources to be printed in Spanish or Tagalog. Years later in the House, Congressman Heck voted four times to defund DACA and opposed the Senate’s 2013 comprehensive immigration reform bill. Congressman Joe Heck also backed an amendment by the racist, anti-immigrant Congressman Steve King that would speed-up deportations of undocumented youths.
“The claim that Congressman Joe Heck supports comprehensive immigration reform and desires to keep families together is simply not supported by his voting record throughout his political career,” said Mariela Hernández, Political Director at Catherine Cortez Masto for Senate. “When he was in the Nevada State Senate, Joe Heck proposed a bill to make English Nevada’s official language, thus prohibiting Spanish and Tagalog in any official usage. In Congress, Congressman Joe Heck voted four times to defund DACA and refused to even consider the Senate’s comprehensive immigration reform bill that would have solved many of the immigration issues we face today. Congressman Heck also said he did not support the DREAM Act and most recently praised the politically motivated Republican lawsuit against President Obama’s executive actions that would have brought 5 million hardworking immigrants out of the shadows. This ad is a desperate attempt by Heck and his Washington allies to feed lies to the Latino community in hopes of gaining votes.”
See below for the fact check on the ad.
SENATE LEADERSHIP FUND “KNOW JOE (SPANISH)” - AD FACT CHECK
CLAIM
RESPONSE
Speaker 1: We know Joe Heck believes in fair immigration laws.
THE TRUTH: CONGRESSMAN HECK PRAISED ARIZONA’S ANTI-IMMIGRANT SB 1070…
Heck Called A 2010 Arizona Law Allowing Law Enforcement To Check A Person’s Immigration Status “A Bold Move.” “HOST: What are your thoughts on the immigration legislation that was signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer? HECK: I think it was unfortunate that Arizona had to take matters into its own hands. But it was a bold move on their part.” [YouTube, Heck on KNPR, 5/20/10] (AUDIO)
Heck Voted To Bar The Use Of Funds In H.R. 5326 For The Attorney General To Originate Or Join In Any Lawsuit That Seeks To Overturn, Enjoin, Or Invalidate Certain State Immigration Laws. In May 2012, Heck voted for a: “Black, R-Tenn., amendment that would bar the use of funds in the bill for the attorney general to originate or join in any lawsuit that seeks to overturn, enjoin or invalidate certain state immigration laws.” The amendment was adopted 238-173. [CQ, 5/9/12; H.Amdt.1063 to H.R. 5326, Vote 220, 5/9/12]
Heck Said Of Arizona Immigration Law That State Was “Understandably Frustrated With The (Obama) Administration’s Selective Enforcement Of Federal Law.” “Nevada does not need an Arizona-type immigration law to control illegal immigration, Gov. Brian Sandoval said Monday. ‘I never thought a similar law was needed in Nevada,’ said Sandoval, who nonetheless said he supported Arizona’s constitutional right to pass such a law. […] Republican Rep. Joe Heck said states like Arizona attempting to crack down on illegal immigration ‘are understandably frustrated with the (Obama) administration’s selective enforcement of federal law and Washington’s inability to address the issue long term.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 6/26/12]
…AND CALLED IMMIGRANTS “ANCHOR BABIES” AND OPPOSED BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP…
Jon Ralston: Heck “Used To Use The Term “Anchor Babies” To Refer To Immigrants Born In This Country To Undocumented Parents.” In March 2014, political columnist Jon Ralston wrote, “But his own rhetoric and approach often appear to be insensitive or arrogant, mostly because he is so matter-of-fact. For instance, he used to use the term ‘anchor babies’ to refer to immigrants born in this country to undocumented parents. (Joe Heck hates kids who are illegal through no fault of their own!) And he voted for an amendment by Iowa anti-reform zealot Steve King to override the president’s executive action to not deport the so-called DREAMers. (Joe Heck hates young people who want to stay here!)” [Desert Companion, Jon Ralston column, March 2014]
National Journal: Heck “Also Tried To Assuage Concerns About ‘Anchor Babies’ Receiving Automatic Citizenship Under The 14th Amendment.” “Regardless, Heck’s speech could clearly be heard from the confines of the country club’s bar, filled with men unwinding from their morning round of golf. He sought to reassure the crowd that the immigration bill would not mean amnesty for 11 million people. Under the Senate version, he said, it could take undocumented workers 13 years to earn citizenship. ‘It’s not like the old days,’ Heck said. He also tried to assuage concerns about ‘anchor babies’ receiving automatic citizenship under the 14th Amendment. ‘If we’re going to have a debate over immigration reform, it should be part of the debate,’ he said.” [National Journal, 6/27/13]
Heck Said 14th Amendment, Which Guaranteed Citizenship To Those Born In U.S., Needed To Be Reinterpreted. “Republican Rep. Joe Heck of Nevada says citizenship should not automatically be granted to all U.S.-born children. KVVU-TV reported Wednesday that Heck told constituents that the 14th Amendment that guarantees citizenship to those born in the United States needs to be reinterpreted. Heck spoke during a meet-and-greet with constituents in his suburban Las Vegas district Wednesday night. Heck says children born to U.S. citizens should still be citizens at birth.” [Associated Press, 2/4/11]
Heck Said He Did Not “Necessarily Believe That You Should Have Automatic Birth Right Citizenship.” “When Rep. Joe Heck met with his constituents at Green Valley High School, he received many comments about health care reform, the economy and immigration. ’I don’t necessarily believe that you should have automatic birth right citizenship,’ he said. ‘I believe that if you’re born to somebody that is a citizen, that you should have birth right citizenship.’” [KVVU, 2/2/11]
Heck On Immigration Reform: “Obviously There Are Many People Around The Country That Want Birthright Citizenship To Be On The Table As Part Of The Discussion, So Let’s Put It On The Table And Have That Part Of The Discussion.” HOST: “Recently you discussed that birthright citizenship should be discussed, but you didn’t take a stand on it. I was trying to get what exactly, you raised the issue but I’m trying to see where you sit.” HECK: “I didn’t raise the issue, the question was asked of me. If we are going to have a discussion on immigration reform, it should be a comprehensive discussion. I don’t want to come to a decision or a conclusion on how we enforce immigration laws and then have to come back and revisit another part of immigration 2, 3, 4 years from now. Obviously there are many people around the country that want birthright citizenship to be on the table as part of the discussion, so let’s put it on the table and have that part of the discussion. Certainly, we’re not the only industrialized nation that grants birthright citizenship. So, that should be discussed and it should be included in whatever a final immigration reform package would look like.” [Heck on Nevada Newsmakers, 9/20/15]
Heck Said Birthright Citizenship “Needs To Be Part Of The [Immigration Reform] Discussion.” “Trump has highlighted birthright citizenship, enshrined in US law, that makes anyone born on US soil a citizen. ‘Anchor babies,’ Trump has said, single-handedly introducing the phrase into the 2016 race. Immigration critics have long-sought its end. And Joe Heck? ‘I think it needs to be part of the discussion,’ Heck told News 3. ‘People want to talk about immigration reform, so if we’re going to talk about immigration reform, then let’s talk about all aspects of immigration reform.’ ‘Everything that everybody wants to talk about regarding immigration should be on the table so that we can come up with an answer that hopefully will put the question to rest and develop an immigration system that works for our country,’ Heck said.” [KSNV, 8/27/15]
…AND HECK WORKED WITH RACIST CONGRESSMAN STEVE KING AND CAMPAIGNED WITH BIGOTED SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO
Heck Voted To Defund Prosecutorial Discretion For Illegal Immigrates In FY2014 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. In June 2013, Heck voted for a: “King, R-Iowa, amendment that would bar the use of funds provided in the bill to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce a number of policies and memorandums within the Homeland Security Department, including ones pertaining to prosecutorial discretion for illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children.” The amendment passed by 224-201. [CQ, 6/6/13, H.R. 2217, Vote 208, 6/6/13]
Huffington Post: The Bill Was To Prohibit The Department Of Homeland Security From Delay Deportations For Young, Undocumented Immigrants, “Effectively Demanding The Government Force Out Dreamers Who Came To The United States As Children.” “The House voted 224-201 on Thursday to end Department of Homeland Security discretion policies that allow it to delay deportations for young, undocumented immigrants and other people deemed low-priority, effectively demanding the government force out Dreamers who came to the United States as children. The amendment, offered by immigration hawk Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), was approved mostly along party lines. However, three Democrats – Reps. John Barrow (D-Ga.), Nick Rahall (D-W.V.) and Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) – supported the amendment. Six Republicans – Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), David Nunes (R-Calif.), Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.), Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), David Valadao (R-Calif.) – opposed it, while nine members did not vote.” [Huffington Post, 6/6/13]
LA Times: The Bill Would Defend The Obama Administration’s “Dream Act-Styled Program” To Deferred Deportations Of Young Immigrants, Which “Was Largely Seen As A Stopgap Alternative To The Dream Act.” “The Republican-led House voted along party lines Thursday to prohibit funding for President Obama’s Dream Act-styled program, which temporarily halts the deportations of young immigrants if they have served in the military or are attending college. The 224-201 vote underscored the resistance of House Republicans to the immigration overhaul that has gained momentum in the Senate. The amendment was proposed by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), who is among the chamber’s most hardened opponents of a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million people living in the country without legal status. […] King sought to end what he calls the Dream Act ‘light,’ the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which was put in place last summer and has been enormously popular in the immigrant community. The program allows young people who apply to gain temporary legal status and avoid the risk of deportation for two years. The deferral program was largely seen as a stopgap alternative to the Dream Act, failed legislation that would give the young people a route to citizenship.” [LA Times, 6/6/13]
National Journal: Heck “Rattled The Hispanic Community When He Voted For King’s Amendment Earlier This Month Cutting Funding To Obama’s Popular Policy To Halt Deportations Of Illegal Immigrants Brought Here As Children.” “Heck also rattled the Hispanic community when he voted for King’s amendment earlier this month cutting funding to Obama’s popular policy to halt deportations of illegal immigrants brought here as children. The national Democratic Party responded with a scathing Spanish-language radio ad against nine vulnerable Republicans, including Heck, who defended the vote as a repudiation of the president for sidestepping Congress with an executive order. But the vote feels personal, not political, to some of Heck’s supporters. ‘It’s disappointing because I’ve heard him on talk-radio shows defending illegal immigrants for coming here to seek a better life,’ said Joe Hernandez, an insurance-company president and a Mexican-American Republican who serves on Heck’s economic advisory board. ‘His vote has polarized many in the Hispanic community.’” [National Journal, 6/27/13]
Jon Ralston: Heck “Voted For An Amendment By Iowa Anti-Reform Zealot Steve King To Override The President’s Executive Action To Not Deport The So-Called DREAMers.” In March 2014, political columnist Jon Ralston wrote, “But his own rhetoric and approach often appear to be insensitive or arrogant, mostly because he is so matter-of-fact. For instance, he used to use the term ‘anchor babies’ to refer to immigrants born in this country to undocumented parents. (Joe Heck hates kids who are illegal through no fault of their own!) And he voted for an amendment by Iowa anti-reform zealot Steve King to override the president’s executive action to not deport the so-called DREAMers. (Joe Heck hates young people who want to stay here!)” [Desert Companion, Jon Ralston column, March 2014]
Heck Was Scheduled To Appear At Conservative Leadership Conference With Herman Cain And Sheriff Joe Arpaio. ‘Republican presidential hopefuls Herman Cain and Gary Johnson are attending a conservative conference focusing on anti-tax advocates in Las Vegas. Cain and Johnson are joining more than a dozen Republican leaders for the annual Conservative Leadership Conference Saturday near the Las Vegas Strip. Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, GOP Congressman Joe Heck and Arizona’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County are among those scheduled to speak at the all-day conference.’ [Associated Press, 7/9/11]
Heck Appeared At Event With Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Heck appeared at event with Sheriff Joe Arpaio:
[Nevada Democrats, Accessed 12/3/15]
In 2010, Heck’s Website Stated “The 287g Program Allowing Local Law Enforcement To Determine What Criminals Are Here Illegally Is A Step In The Right Direction.” “Those undocumented workers who commit crimes in the United States need to be punished and returned to their home nations…but we need secure borders to keep them from simply returning to the United States and picking up their criminal activity where they left off. The 287g program allowing local law enforcement to determine what criminals are here illegally is a step in the right direction.” [Joe Heck For Congress, Captured 11/11/10]
Homeland Security Discontinued 287(g) Program From Maricopa County After Sheriff Joe Arpaio Was Found To Have Abused Civil Rights. “U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano yanked the 287(g) program from Maricopa County jails today because of a finding that Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s office abused the rights of Latinos. The program, in which deputies are cross-trained by federal authorities to identify illegal immigrants booked into jail, has been credited by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau with helping to remove tens of thousands of immigrants from the country. But Arpaio’s ‘ingrained culture’ of racial profiling and other civil rights abuses have screwed that up. ICE refused to renew 287(g) status for Arpaio’s patrol deputies in 2009 following community complaints.” [Phoenix New Times, 12/15/11]
Speaker 2: …and doesn’t want families to live in fear of mass deportation.
THE TRUTH: HECK OPPOSED COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM…
Heck: “Those Advocating This Irresponsible ‘All Or Nothing’ Approach Are Entirely Politically Motivated. I Cannot Support A Flawed Bill. Flawed Bills Have Significant Unintended Consequences.” In an op-ed for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Rep. Joe Heck wrote, “Finally, let me address the comprehensive bill versus a step-by-step approach. People deserve a deliberative, open, transparent process that addresses key policy areas separately. Some have proposed we should pass any bill, even if it is one that has flaws. Those advocating this irresponsible ‘all or nothing’ approach are entirely politically motivated. I cannot support a flawed bill. Flawed bills have significant unintended consequences.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, Joe Heck, 12/8/13]
Heck Did Not Support A Single Comprehensive Immigration Bill. “Heck has rejected tackling immigration reform through a single comprehensive bill like the one that passed the Senate in June. But he has scolded Republican leaders for failing to follow through on a strategy to take up piecemeal bills instead.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 12/2/13]
Heck Said He Was “Not A Fan Of A 1,200-Page Bill” On Immigration Reform. “Heck has declared support for elements of immigration reform and is writing legislation to address the issue of young people brought into the country illegally. He advocates taking up immigration in piecemeal bills that he argues lend themselves to more thoughtful debate. He is not for the comprehensive measure that passed the Senate this summer and the one being pushed by House Democrats. ‘I am not a fan of a 1,200-page bill,’ he said.” [Stephens, 11/14/13]
Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Steve Sebelius: Heck Opposed The 2013 Bipartisan Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill. In July 2015, political columnist Steve Sebelius wrote: “On immigration, Heck said he hasn’t changed his position in opposition to the 2013 bipartisan Senate bill that never saw action in the House.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, Steve Sebelius, 7/6/15]
…AND VOTED AGAINST DACA AND DAPA
Heck On Obama’s Executive Action: “Two Months Before The Election, He Throws A Bone To The Hispanic Community.” In March 2014, political columnist Jon Ralston wrote, “On siding with the rabid King, I wondered if Heck, who has cited the principle of stopping Obama from overstepping his executive authority, considered that this amendment actually could result in the deportation of young people desperate to fulfill the American Dream. ‘I do not cast votes based on being pummeled by political opponents,’ he answered. ‘The president had the House and the Senate for two years and squandered that time. So two months before the election, he throws a bone to the Hispanic community. That is usurping the authority of Congress.’” [Desert Companion, Jon Ralston column, March 2014]
Heck Voted To Defund Prosecutorial Discretion For Illegal Immigrates In FY2014 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. In June 2013, Heck voted for a: “King, R-Iowa, amendment that would bar the use of funds provided in the bill to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce a number of policies and memorandums within the Homeland Security Department, including ones pertaining to prosecutorial discretion for illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children.” The amendment passed by 224-201. [CQ, 6/6/13, H.R. 2217, Vote 208, 6/6/13]
· Heck Voted To Defund The DACA Program In 2013. “Heck is running against Democratic former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, who could become the first Latina elected to the Senate. A sizeable bloc of Hispanic voters could help decide the outcome of the competitive race. Past immigration votes could dog him. Heck voted to defund the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in 2013, but defied his party in 2014 by voting to keep it running.” [Associated Press, 8/12/15]
Heck Called Obama’s Executive Action “A Transparent Attempt To Score Political Points.” In December 2013, Joe Heck wrote in an op-ed, “I voted to defund implementation of a presidential executive order called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. That order, issued just months before the 2012 election in a transparent attempt to score political points, did not merely prevent deportation for young undocumented individuals. [Rep. Joe Heck Op-ed, Las Vegas Review-Journal, 12/7/13]
Heck Voted To Defund Obama’s Executive Order To Halt Deportations Of Undocumented Immigrants’ Children. “While Heck doesn’t currently support repealing President Obama’s executive order to halt deportations of undocumented immigrants’ children, he did vote to defund the program before it had been implemented.” [National Journal, 7/6/15]
Heck Voted To Block The Executive Branch From Deferring From Deportation Any Undocumented Immigrants. In December 2014, Heck voted for: “Passage of the bill that would prohibit the executive branch from exempting or deferring from deportation any immigrants considered to be unlawfully present in the United States. It also would prohibit the administration from treating those immigrants as if they were lawfully present or had lawful immigration status. It would specify that any action taken by the executive branch to circumvent the measure’s prohibitions would be ‘null and void and without legal effect.’” The measure passed by a vote of 219-197. [CQ, 12/4/14; H.R. 5759, Vote 550, 12/4/14]
The Vote Was To Voice Disapproval Of The Administration’s Immigration Executive Actions. “House Republicans on Thursday voted to block the president’s executive actions on immigration, approving a dead-on-arrival bill that would keep millions of undocumented parents and people who came to the U.S. as children at risk of deportation. The bill was approved in a 219-197 vote, with three Republican members voting ‘present.’ The results largely fell along party lines, but seven Republicans voted against the measure, while three Democrats voted for it. The vote was meant, in part, to give conservatives a chance to voice their disapproval of President Barack Obama’s immigration executive actions before they work next week to fund the government, including the Department of Homeland Security, that will carry out the new policies.” [Huffington Post, 12/4/14]
Heck Voted To Disapprove Obama’s 2014 Executive Order That Shielded Immigrants From Deportation. “In a symbolic gesture of disapproval, House Republicans last week approved a bill to nullify President Barack Obama’s executive order shielding millions of immigrants in the country illegally from deportation. Republicans called the order an unconstitutional overreach of Obama’s authority. Democrats called the Republican move anti-immigrant and a waste of time. The bill, which the Democratically controlled Senate is expected to ignore, was designed by GOP leaders to give conservative members a place to express their unhappiness with the executive order. […] The disapproval bill passed, 219-197, with three Democrats in favor and seven Republicans opposed. Three Republicans, including King, voted ‘present.’ Reps. Mark Amodei and Joe Heck , both R-Nev., voted for the disapproval measure. Reps. Steve Horsford and Dina Titus, both D-Nev., opposed it.” [Stephens, 12/7/14]
Heck Voted For An Amendment To A Homeland Security Appropriations Bill To Defund The 2014 Immigration Executive Action. In January, 2015, Heck voted for an: “Aderholt, R-Ala., amendment that would bar the use of funds in the bill to implement the administration’s immigration policies or to grant any federal benefit to any illegal immigrant as a result of those policies. The amendment would bar funding for the implementation of the executive actions announced in November 2014, four of the so-called ‘Morton memos’ from 2011 and 2012 focusing on prosecutorial discretion and changes to immigration enforcement priorities and any substantially similar policies issued after Jan. 9, 2015. It also would state that such immigration policies have no statutory or constitutional basis.” The measure was adopted in Committee of the Whole by a vote of 237-190. [CQ, 1/14/15; HR 240, Vote 29, 1/14/15]
Speaker 3: Joe supports taking care of Dreamers, so they can pursue college and good jobs.
REALITY: HECK OPPOSED THE DREAM ACT AND VOTED WITH HIS PARTY AGAINST DREAMERS…
Heck Opposed Dream Act, Saying That It Was Too Broad Because It Allowed Immigrants Up To 35-Years-Old Into The Program. “U.S. Rep. Joe Heck , R-Nev., also is taking a cautious approach. Heck has opposed the Dream Act, which would offer possible U.S. citizenship to young undocumented immigrants who attend college or join the U.S. military. He has said proposed legislation as written is too broad, allowing immigrants up to 35 years old into the program and not requiring they graduate or serve honorably in the military. On Thursday, Heck’s office said he is open to considering a path to U.S. citizenship, depending on the details. ’He remains opposed to amnesty for undocumented immigrants but looks forward to evaluating legislative proposals dealing with earned citizenship,’ Heck spokesman Greg Lemon said.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2/1/13]
Heck’s Version Of Dream Act Would Require Undocumented Immigrants To Prove They Entered Country As Children. “But Heck’s bill would differ from the Dream Act in crucial ways. […] The key difference between Heck’s legislation and the Dream Act lies in who can obtain citizenship, and how. The Senate’s measure is based on timelines: Immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children can earn citizenship if they enroll in at least two years of college or serve at least four years in the military. Five years from the date they begin that process, they are eligible to apply for citizenship. Under Heck’s legislation, immigrants who can prove they entered the country as children would go into conditional resident status, effective on the first day they enroll in one of four citizenship-earning activities - pursuit of a college degree at either a two- or four-year institution; military service; pursuit of a registered apprenticeship; or pursuit of certification through a vocational tech school.” [Las Vegas Sun, 12/5/13]
Heck’s Plan Would Leave Millions With No Path To Citizenship. “The bill was put forward by Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nevada), however, it lacked public support within the party. The initiative would have aided a small number of dreamers but left millions of undocumented migrants with no path to citizenship.” [Latin Times, 12/09/13]
Pro-Reform Groups Have Rejected Heck’s Immigration Plan. “The bill was put forward by Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nevada), however, it lacked public support within the party. The initiative would have aided a small number of dreamers but left millions of undocumented migrants with no path to citizenship. Rep. Heck had presented his plan to pro immigration organizations in Nevada to gain support for the plan. The proposal included a path to legalization for young undocumented immigrants who had entered the US before turning 15. However, Heck’s hopes for the proposal were dashed after various organizations shunned the plan”. [Univision, 12/08/13]
Nevada Immigration Activists Said That Heck’s Bill Would Make “Us Decide Between Us And Our Parents.” “But that’s not enough of a guarantee to bring Nevada immigration activists around to the idea of Heck’s bill. ’Basically, it’s making us decide between us and our parents,’ said Astrid Silva, who works with PLAN and heads up Dream Big Vegas, a group of young immigrants who would be the targets of Dream Act legislation. ‘How do you say ‘Yeah! I’m 100 percent on board with only me being saved?'” [Las Vegas Sun, 12/11/13]
Heck Voted To Remove A Provision In The 2016 NDAA That Would Have Encouraged The Pentagon To Study Options For Enlisting Undocumented Immigrants Into The Military In Exchange For A Pathway To Legal Status. “A bipartisan coalition came close Thursday to protecting immigration-related language in the fiscal 2016 National Defense Authorization Act — but not close enough. A 221-202 vote on an amendment, offered by Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., stripped a provision in the underlying bill encouraging the Pentagon to study options for enlisting undocumented immigrants into the military in exchange for a pathway to legal status. […] Plenty of Republicans likely voted for the Brooks amendment out of loyalty to leadership and to protect the NDAA bill. One such member was Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., who typically supports similar immigration measures but also sits on the Armed Services panel.” [CQ News, 5/14/15]
CQ News: Heck “Likely Voted For The Brooks Amendment Out Of Loyalty To [GOP] Leadership.” “A 221-202 vote on an amendment, offered by Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., stripped a provision in the underlying bill encouraging the Pentagon to study options for enlisting undocumented immigrants into the military in exchange for a pathway to legal status. […] Plenty of Republicans likely voted for the Brooks amendment out of loyalty to leadership and to protect the NDAA bill. One such member was Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., who typically supports similar immigration measures but also sits on the Armed Services panel.” [CQ News, 5/14/15]
…AND HAD DREAMERS AND ACTIVISTS ARRESTED AND SAID HE WOULD NOT BE BULLIED INTO SUPPORTING AMNESTY.
Las Vegs Sun: Heck’s Office Had Las Vegas Metro Ticket And Remove DREAMer Protestors From His Congressional Office. “Five protesters pushing for immigration reform legislation were cited on counts of trespassing at Joe Heck’s local office this morning after they demanded to be heard and refused to leave. A group of more than 30 protesters stood in a hallway outside Heck’s office at Eastern Avenue and Pebble Road, chanting and reading letters from immigrants who live in the congressman’s district. […]Metro Police then escorted Martin and four others out of the building and gave them misdemeanor trespassing citations. The protest is part of a campaign marking the anniversary of the Senate’s passage last year of a comprehensive immigration reform bill that addressed a wide range of issues, from high-skilled worker visas to agricultural labor and legalization for immigrants in the country without residency.” [Las Vegas Sun, 6/4/14]
Heck’s Campaign Responded To Immigration Activists Being Arrested By Saying That Heck Would “Not Be Bullied Into Amnesty!” “The attempt at compromise illustrated the touch-and-go relationship between Heck and activists increasingly frustrated at inaction in the Republican-controlled House. The sometimes cooperative, sometimes testy rapport was tested anew on June 4 when roughly 30 activists staged a protest at Heck’s office on Eastern Avenue and Pebble Road, chanting and reading letters from Heck constituents. Five activists arranged to be arrested after giving Las Vegas police advance notice of their planned civil disobedience. Later, Heck’s re-election campaign said he ‘will not be bullied into amnesty!’ For Heck, who has maneuvered carefully through the political minefield of immigration reform, the blunt statement was striking.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 6/16/14]
Speaker 4: He wants to give every person a chance to succeed.
THE TRUTH: CONGRESSMAN HECK PUT PARTY FIRST AND VOTED AGAINST NEVADA’S INTEREST
Heck Voted To Stipulate The Enactment Of A House-Passed Spending Bill (HR 1) If The Senate Did Not Pass A Measure Funding The Government Through The Rest Of Fiscal 2011 By April 6, 2011. In April 2011, Heck voted for: “Passage of the bill that would stipulate the enactment of a House-passed spending bill (HR 1) if the Senate does not pass a measure funding the government through the rest of fiscal 2011 by April 6, 2011. It also would prevent lawmakers and the president from being paid for the duration of any government shutdown that lasts more than 24 hours.” The bill passed 221-202. [CQ, 4/1/11; HR 1255, Vote 224, 4/1/11]
Washington Post: “Independent Economic Analysis” Showed GOP Spending Plan Would “Destroy 700,000 Jobs Through 2012.” “A Republican plan to sharply cut federal spending this year would destroy 700,000 jobs through 2012, according to an independent economic analysis set for release Monday. The report, by Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi, offers fresh ammunition to Democrats seeking block the Republican plan, which would terminate dozens of programs and slash federal appropriations by $61 billion over the next seven months.” [Washington Post, 2/28/11]
Headline: “GOP Spending Plan Would Cost 700,000 Jobs, New Report Says” [Washington Post, 3/13/11]
Bill Would Cost 6,000 Jobs In Nevada. “Independent, non-partisan analysis has found that H.R. 1 will cut 700,000 jobs through 2012, with Nevada set to lose nearly 6,000 jobs.” [DPCC, Accessed 7/30/15]
Heck Supported Budget That Would Have Caused Nevada To Lose $30 Million In Job Training Funds. “Nevada would lose $30 million in job training funds under a spending bill passed by the House of Representatives, a move that would reduce but not eliminate programs, officials said Wednesday. Republicans say unused money is still available and that the suspension of Workforce Investment Act funds won’t hinder services. Democrats counter the cuts will hurt job seekers in a state that leads the nation in unemployment. […] Officials at the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said they were still trying to assess the ramifications. The suspension of funding was included in the appropriations bill passed by the House in February. Nevada Republican Reps. Dean Heller and Joe Heck supported the measure.” [Associated Press, 3/10/11]
REALITY: CONGRESSMAN HECK OPPOSED ECONOMIC RECOVERY EFFORTS THAT HELPED NEVADA GET THROUGH THE RECESSION
Heck Said The 2009 Stimulus Bill “[Continued] To Grow The Deficit [And] Job-Killing Policies Of [The Obama] Administration And This Congress. “They want to continue to talk about how successful their stimulus bill has been. [Inaudible] we just shed another 125,000 jobs from the payrolls of this country in the month of June. That doesn’t sound like success to me; does it sound like a success to you? All it does is continue to grow the deficit- unsustainable deficits- and the job-killing policies of this administration and this Congress.” [YouTube, Heck at KXNT First Friday, 7/2/15]
Heck Opposed American Recovery And Reinvestment Act, Saying It Increased Debt And Did Not Create Jobs. “Heck: Opposes the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, says it increased government debt without creating jobs. Believes businesses fear potential tax increases under Democratic Congress. ’The role of Congress is not to create jobs, it is to set the conditions under which the private sector creates jobs. And you do that through a stable, fair, predictable tax base.’ ” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 10/25/10]
Heck: I Would Not Support The 2011 American Jobs Act. “HECK: I want to be clear on my answers and I’ll tell you. I will not vote for the American Jobs Act as a package as it stands right now.” [YouTube, Heck at Summerlin Town Hall, 9/28/11] (VIDEO)
The American Jobs Act Provided $35 Billion In Federal Aid To Retain Or Hire Teachers, Police Officers And Firefighters. “President Obama’s plan to break his $447 billion jobs bill into bite-sized pieces doesn’t seem to be enhancing the chances that legislation actually gets to his desk for his signature. The Senate blocked the first stand-alone measure from the president’s jobs bill in a 50-50 vote late Thursday night. The measure was aimed at providing states with $35 billion in federal aid to retain or hire teachers, police officers and firefighters.” [PBS Newshour, The Rundown, 10/21/11]
The American Jobs Act Invested Over $258 Million In Nevada, Which Would Have Supported Up To 3,600 Educator Jobs. The American Jobs Act would, “invest $35 billion to prevent layoffs of up to 280,000 teachers, while supporting the hiring of tens of thousands more and keeping cops and firefighters on the job. These funds would help states and localities avoid and reverse layoffs now, and will provide $258,300,000 in funds to Nevada to support up to 3,600 educator and first responder jobs.” [White House, 9/9/11]
The American Jobs Act Implemented Reforms To Unemployment Insurance That Could Have Helped Put Nevada’s 88,000 Long-Term Unemployed Workers Back To Work. The American Jobs Act included “the most sweeping reforms to the unemployment insurance (UI) system in 40 years help those without jobs transition to the workplace. This could help put the 88,000 long-term unemployed workers in Nevada back to work.” [White House, 9/9/11]
The American Jobs Act Included New Program That Could Have Placed 1,400 Low-Income Adults And 3,300 Low-Income Youth In Jobs in Nevada. The American Jobs Act included “a new Pathways Back to Work Fund to provide hundreds of thousands of low-income youth and adults with opportunities to work and to achieve needed training in growth industries. Pathways Back to Work could place 1,400 adults and 3,300 youths in jobs in Nevada.” [White House, 9/9/11]
Speaker 4: We need Joe in the Senate to keep fighting for the working man…
Speaker 5: And working woman!
THE TRUTH: CONGRESSMAN HECK IS SUPPORTED BY SPECIAL INTERESTS GROUPS BECAUSE HE VOTES WITH SPECIAL INTERESTS GROUPS
USA Today: In 2015 Q3, Heck Raised Over $1 Million From Individuals And $245K From PAC’s Representing “A Variety Of Special Interests.” “Heck, who represents the 3rd Congressional District south of Las Vegas, raised about $1.3 million in the third quarter, according to a filing with the Federal Election Commission. He had about $2.3 million in his campaign account to start the fourth quarter. Of his total, Heck raised about $1.1 million from individuals and more than $245,000 from political action committees representing a variety of special interests.” [USA Today, 10/23/15]
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Heck Received A “Big Boost” With Ads From A Group With Ties To Sen. McConnell. “U.S. Senate candidate and Rep. Joe Heck is getting a big boost from One Nation, a nonprofit group with ties to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. One Nation has launched a $792,000 ad buy that will run on Las Vegas TV and radio stations. The 30-second clip will run for 20 days, the group said in a press release Thursday.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 10/22/15]
Headline: “Burst Of ‘Dark Money’ To Boost Heck On TV, Radio.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 10/22/15]
One Nation Launched A $792,000 Ad Buy Through October And November 2015 In Support Of Heck. “One Nation has launched a $792,000 ad buy that will run on Las Vegas TV and radio stations. The 30-second clip will run for 20 days, the group said in a press release Thursday. The group’s ads don’t directly tell viewers to vote for Heck, a Republican who is running for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s seat in the 2016 election. Reid, D-Nev., is retiring when his term ends, setting the stage for an open race that will draw national attention. It’s one of only a handful where the GOP could potentially pick up a seat in 2016.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 10/22/15]
October 2015: Over $1 Million Was Spent On Ads Supporting Heck- All From Outside Groups. “The ad buy is an early indicator of the outside money that is expected to pour into direct and indirect efforts to sway the election and tilt the balance of power in the Senate. More than $1 million has already been spent on advertising favorable to Heck — all from outside groups — since he announced. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce put $400,000 into pro-Heck television and digital ads in July, Federal Elections Commission records show. That puts the total figure at nearly $1.2 million.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 10/22/15]
One Nation Had Ties To Karl Rove And Sen. McConnell. “One Nation has ties to both Karl Rove, a former operative for then-President George W. Bush, and McConnell, who became Senate majority leader after the red Republican wave of the 2014 elections put a GOP majority in the Senate. ‘Congressman Heck has been breaking through the partisan gridlock in Washington and advancing bipartisan solutions to create jobs in Nevada,’ said Steven Law, former chief of staff to McConnell and president of One Nation, in a statement. Law is also president of American Crossroads, a super political action committee that Rove helped found.” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 10/22/15]
Koch Industries Donated Over $10,000 To Heck’s U.S. House Campaigns In 2010, 2012, And 2014. “As loyal Betas, the Kochs have supported candidates who are also members of our beloved fraternity. In 2010, for example, Joe Heck, a conservative Nevada legislator and Penn State Beta (1984), ran for the state’s 3rd congressional district, defeated incumbent Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus by 1,748 votes, and was re-elected in 2012 and 2014. Koch Industries contributed $10,000 to Heck in each election.” [Salon, 10/12/15]
The U.S. Chamber Spent $350,000 In Ads Supporting Heck. In July 2015, Roll Call’s Emily Cahn tweeted: “The Chamber buy in #NVSEN is 350K, per a source tracking ad buys. Most of it (2/3) in Vegas, the rest in Reno.” [Emily Cahn, @CahnEmily, 7/15/15]
The U.S. Chamber Added $400,000 To A Television Ad Buy In Support Of Heck’s 2016 U.S. Senate Campaign. In July 2015, Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Steve Tetrault tweeted: “Must be working. @USChamber puts another $400k behind this ad 4 @RepJoeHeck in #NVSen.” [Twitter, @STretaultDC, 7/20/15]
Roll Call: Heck Was On The “Good Side” Of The More Conservative Wing Of The Republican Party. “Heck has managed to stay on the good side of the more conservative wing of the Republican Party, which could help him fend off a serious primary challenge from the right. Republicans hope to avoid the situation they faced in 2010, when a crowded, messy primary resulted in the nomination of Sharron Angle, a flawed and gaffe-prone candidate who lost what was seen as a winnable race against Reid.” [Roll Call, 5/11/15]
MSNBC: Heck Voted For A “Far Right” Budget Scraping Medicare, Opposed Minimum Wage Increases, Was A Staunch Opponent Of Reproductive Rights, And Called Social Security A Pyramid Scheme. “Republican Rep. Joe Heck is a prominent U.S. Senate candidate in Nevada, and at first blush, the conservative congressman, running for an open seat, appears to be well positioned. Nevada is a fast-growing swing state with a diverse population, and Heck has previously won with fairly broad support. But it won’t be easy. Heck voted for a far-right budget plan that tried to scrap Medicare; he’s opposed minimum-wage increases; the GOP candidate is a staunch opponent of reproductive rights; and he’s even condemned Social Security as a pyramid scheme.” [MSNBC, 9/2/15]
…AND OPPOSED INCREASING WORKERS’ PAY
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]
262,000 Nevada Workers Would Be Affected By Raising Minimum Wage To $10.10. 158,000 workers in Nevada would be directly affected and 104,000 would be indirectly affected by raising the minimum wage to $10.10 by July 2016. [Economic Policy Institute, 12/19/13]
Heck Voted Against Funding For Advanced Firefighting And Safety Equipment. In September 2013, Heck voted against “Barber, D-Ariz., motion to recommit the bill to the House Natural Resources Committee and report it back immediately with an amendment that would authorize funds as needed for the Agriculture and Interior departments to acquire advanced firefighting and safety equipment.” The motion failed 190-228. [CQ, 9/20/13, HR1526, Vote 482, 9/20/13]
Disclaimer: Senate Leadership Fund is responsible for the content of this advertising.
REALITY: WASHINGTON REPUBLICANS ARE SPENDING MILLIONS TO BAIL OUT CONGRESSMAN HECK AND SALVAGE HIS CAREER AFTER HE PUT HIS PARTY AHEAD OF NEVADA FAMILIES
Senate Leadership Fund To Spend $6 Million On Heck In Nevada. “The Senate Leadership Fund plans to spend big money defending Republicans in a quartet of battleground seats this fall, the super PAC said Tuesday, a strong indication of which states the group expects — and doesn’t expect — to be competitive in November. […] The group said it also plans to spend $6.2 million in Pennsylvania, $8.1 million in Ohio, and $6 million in Nevada. Pennsylvania and Ohio are represented by Republican Sens. Patrick J. Toomey and Rob Portman, respectively, and Democrats have targeted both as prime pickup opportunities in 2016. Nevada is potentially the GOP’s only realistic chance to win a Democratic-held seat in 2016. Republican Rep. Joe Heck is taking on former state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s seat. Reid is retiring.” [Roll Call, 6/28/16]
Heck Has Voted With His Party 90 Percent Of The Time. According to CQ, Heck voted with his party 87% of the time in 2014, 93% of the time in 2013, 89% of the time in 2012, and 90% of the time in 2011. [CQ Vote Studies, Accessed 5/18/16]
Roll Call: Heck Was On The “Good Side” Of The More Conservative Wing Of The Republican Party. “Heck has managed to stay on the good side of the more conservative wing of the Republican Party, which could help him fend off a serious primary challenge from the right. Republicans hope to avoid the situation they faced in 2010, when a crowded, messy primary resulted in the nomination of Sharron Angle, a flawed and gaffe-prone candidate who lost what was seen as a winnable race against Reid.” [Roll Call, 5/11/15]
MSNBC: Heck Voted For A “Far Right” Budget Scraping Medicare, Opposed Minimum Wage Increases, Was A Staunch Opponent Of Reproductive Rights, And Called Social Security A Pyramid Scheme. “Republican Rep. Joe Heck is a prominent U.S. Senate candidate in Nevada, and at first blush, the conservative congressman, running for an open seat, appears to be well positioned. Nevada is a fast-growing swing state with a diverse population, and Heck has previously won with fairly broad support. But it won’t be easy. Heck voted for a far-right budget plan that tried to scrap Medicare; he’s opposed minimum-wage increases; the GOP candidate is a staunch opponent of reproductive rights; and he’s even condemned Social Security as a pyramid scheme.” [MSNBC, 9/2/15]
REALITY: WASHINGTON REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO DISTRACT FROM CONGRESSMAN HECK’S LOYAL SUPPORT FOR DONALD TRUMP
CNN: Heck Didn’t “Dance Around The Question” When Asked If He Trusted Trump With His Finger On The Nuclear Button. “In Donald Trump we don’t trust. A number of lawmakers on Capitol Hill refusing to say they have faith in a possible president Trump handling the nation’s nuclear codes, and that is coming from republicans! As Donald Trump tries to sell voters on his national security credentials, some republicans in congress are struggling with a key question. CNN’s Manu Raju: “Do you trust Trump having his finger on the nuclear button? […] And congressman Joe Heck, running to be Nevada’s next senator, isn’t dancing around the question.” [CNN, 9/8/16]
Heck Said He “Completely Supported” Trump Having The Nuclear Button. “In Donald Trump we don’t trust. A number of lawmakers on Capitol Hill refusing to say they have faith in a possible president Trump handling the nation’s nuclear codes, and that is coming from republicans! As Donald Trump tries to sell voters on his national security credentials, some republicans in congress are struggling with a key question. CNN’s Manu Raju: “Do you trust Trump having his finger on the nuclear button? […] And congressman Joe Heck, running to be Nevada’s next senator, isn’t dancing around the question. Raju: ‘are you completely supporting him?’ Rep. Joe Heck: ‘I am.’” [CNN, 9/8/16]
Heck On Trusting Trump With The Nuclear Button: “Why Wouldn’t I?” “In Donald Trump we don’t trust. A number of lawmakers on Capitol Hill refusing to say they have faith in a possible president Trump handling the nation’s nuclear codes, and that is coming from republicans! As Donald Trump tries to sell voters on his national security credentials, some republicans in congress are struggling with a key question. CNN’s Manu Raju: “Do you trust Trump having his finger on the nuclear button? […] And congressman Joe Heck, running to be Nevada’s next senator, isn’t dancing around the question […] Raju: ‘do you trust him having his finger on the nuclear button?’ Rep. Joe Heck: ‘I do.’ Raju: ‘Why do you say that?’Rep. Joe Heck: ‘Why wouldn’t I?’” [CNN, 9/8/16]
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]
Jon Ralston: Congressman Heck Has “Chosen Party Over Trump’s Noxious Candidacy. So Let’s Just Call It What It Is: Fear Of Political Damage.” In his morning flash, Jon Ralston wrote, “First, Gov. Brian Sandoval expanded on his support for whomever the GOP nominee is and repeated his silliness that he caucused for Marco Rubio but does not endorse him. What? Then, after I mocked it, his press secretary reminded me that Sandoval once said he would not back Trump (as if that’s helpful). It’s a simple choice, really: You either take a stand against the guy or you don’t. Sandoval, Sen. Dean Heller, Rep. Joe Heck and others have chosen party over Trump’s noxious candidacy. So let’s just call it what it is: Fear of political damage.” [Ralston Morning Flash, 3/3/16]
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]
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]
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