“Mike Ross’ first ad is laughable. Governor Mike Beebe’s (D-AR) attempt to tell Arkansans that Ross is a ‘proven leader’ and ‘independent’ with a ‘common-sense leadership style’ simply are not true. A ‘proven leader’ accomplishes more in 12 years as a Congressman than pass three bills that just rename two buildings and a dam. An ‘independent’ doesn’t vote in lock step with his Party and his President. An ‘independent’ doesn’t join forces with Nancy Pelosi to help bring her to power and then co-sponsor nearly 200 legislative items with her. And ‘common-sense leadership’ doesn’t include spearheading efforts to pass ObamaCare.” – RGA Communications Director Gail Gitcho
A Proven Leader? In Twelve Years Of Service, Ross Was Lead Sponsor Of Only Three Bills That Became Law – And All Three Of Those Bills Were To Re-Name Things
During Ross’ Twelve Years In Congress, He Sponsored Only 93 Legislative Items. According to the Library of Congress, Ross sponsored 93 pieces of legislation (and co-sponsored 1,992 pieces of legislation) during his time in office from 2001 to 2013. Ross sponsored 82 bills, 8 resolutions, and 3 concurrent resolutions. (Library of Congress Website)
Only Three Bills Of Which Ross Was The Lead Sponsor Became Law. None of the 82 bills Ross sponsored that dealt with public policy became law. All three bills were to rename structures in his district after people. (Library of Congress Website)
Renaming A Federal Building: “To designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 100 East 8th Avenue in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as the ‘George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse.’” (H.R. 2011, Became Public Law No: 110-159, 12/26/07)
Renaming A Dam: “To re-designate Lock and Dam No. 5 of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System near Redfield, Arkansas, authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act approved July 24, 1946, as the ‘Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock and Dam.’” (H.R. 781, Became Public Law No: 110-263, 7/15/08)
Renaming A Post Office: “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 208 South Main Street in Parkdale, Arkansas, as the Willie Vaughn Post Office.” (H.R. 3853, Became Public Law No: 109-124, 12/1/05)
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: “Ross Leaves Behind No Piece Of Significant Legislation That He Sponsored And Was Passed During His 12 Years In Office.” “Ross leaves behind no piece of significant legislation that he sponsored and was passed during his 12 years in office. But he and observers from both parties say his major contribution as a legislator was in tirelessly responding to the needs of his constituents and in leading the Blue Dog coalition, made up of Democrats who bill themselves as fiscally conservative.” (“Ross Wrapping Up 12-Year D.C. Stint,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 12/30/12)
An Independent? Ross In Lockstep With The Party And President Obama
For Most Of His Congressional Career, Ross Voted With Democrats Far More Often Than He Voted With Republicans. Between 2001 and 2010, Ross voted with Democrats 82% of the time, according to Congressional Quarterly (taking the average of his yearly party support scores). In his final two years in Congress, following the Democrats’ extensive losses in the 2010 midterms, Ross voted with his party only 45% of the time. (CQ.com, Accessed 12/20/13)
According To CQ, Ross’ Overall Average Annual Party Support Score Was 75.5%. This number comes from taking the average of each of Ross’ annual party support scores, as listed by Congressional Quarterly, between 2001 and 2012. (CQ.com, Accessed 12/20/13)
Ross’ Voting Record Closely Tracks Prevailing Public Opinion – Undercutting His Argument That He Votes On Principle. For example – in 2007-2008, when President Bush’s popularity was at historic lows – Ross voted against him over 80% of the time and voted with his party 90% and 95% of the time, respectively. Ross also voted with President Obama more than 80% of the time before the 2010 midterms and less than 50% of the time after those midterms. (CQ.com, Accessed 12/20/13)
When It Mattered Most, Ross Stood With President Obama. In the first two years of President Obama’s first term – when Congress was debating the stimulus, bailouts, ObamaCare and more – Ross stood with President Obama. According to Congressional Quarterly, he voted in support of the President’s position 87% of time in 2009 and 74% of the time in 2010. (CQ.com, Accessed 12/20/13)
National Journal Analysis: In Ten Of His Twelve Years, Ross’ Voting Record Was More Liberal Than At Least 54% Of His House Colleagues. Only in 2009 and 2010 did Ross vote more conservatively than half of the members of the House, according to National Journal. His highest liberal mark was in 2003, when his voting record was more liberal than 62% of his colleagues. His lowest liberal mark was in 2010, when he received a 46% rating. (National Journal Website)
An Independent? Ross Helped Usher In Nancy Pelosi’s Leadership Era, Co-Sponsored Nearly 200 Legislative Items
As A Newly-Elected Congressman, Ross Held A Key Vote In Who Would Be The Next House Democratic Whip – Steny Hoyer Or Nancy Pelosi. “When the Democrats failed to win back the House in 2000, the future of the whip race was uncertain … As the summer approached, Hoyer and Pelosi started wooing hard, focusing especially on the roughly two dozen undecideds. One of them was Arkansas Rep. Mike Ross, a first-termer. With his conservative voting record, he seemed to be a natural ally for the more moderate Hoyer. But both Pelosi and Hoyer had campaigned for him in 2000, and both had sat in his office asking for his vote.” (“The Making Of Madam Whip,” The Washington Post, 1/6/02)
Ross Privately Gave His Support To Hoyer But Did Not Make A Public Endorsement, So Pelosi Began To Lobby Him. “Hoyer was convinced he had Ross’s support. In March, according to Hoyer, the Arkansan had privately told him, ‘I want you to know I’m a loyal person. You’ve done more for me than anybody else, and you were there for me, and I’m for you.’ Ross, himself, says he does not recall such a conversation. But others agree that shortly afterward Ross attended a breakfast meeting of Hoyer backers, where assignments were made of undecided members to lobby. In any case, Ross was not going public about his intentions, and Pelosi sensed she had possibilities.” (“The Making Of Madam Whip,” The Washington Post, 1/6/02)
Ross Then Changed Camps: “I’m Going To Be Voting For Nancy Pelosi. I’m Sorry.” “Ross was aware that if the three of them [Vic Snyder, Marion Berry, and himself] endorsed Pelosi as a group, their tiny state would have more influence in the caucus next year. And it felt like things were moving toward Pelosi. ‘Arkansas is a small state,’ he explained. ‘It’s difficult to be recognized and obtain the clout we want and deserve.’ One night shortly before Congress adjourned for the summer, Hoyer was walking down the Capitol steps when he saw Ross standing off to one side. ‘This is awful tough for me,’ Ross said, visibly troubled. ‘What’s tough, Mike?’ Hoyer asked, puzzled. ‘This is awful tough,’ Ross simply repeated. The next day, Ross had a handwritten note delivered to Hoyer’s office. It consisted of two sentences: ‘I’m going to be voting for Nancy Pelosi. I’m sorry.’” (“The Making Of Madam Whip,” The Washington Post, 1/6/02)
After Pelosi Was Elected Whip, Ross Attended Her Victory Party At A Lavish D.C. Hotel. “The morning of the vote Pelosi had 106 public commitments, and claimed she had as many as 123 backers. Hoyer had 81 supporters on record, and declared he had a total of 106 stalwarts. When the ballots were counted, Pelosi had won decisively, 118 to 95, becoming the highest-ranking woman in congressional history. … That night, Pelosi had a celebration at the Phoenix Park Hotel near Union Station. Bob Clement and Mike Ross made it to the reception, which featured multiple chocolate desserts, an open bar and a band playing loudly in the background.” (“The Making Of Madam Whip,” The Washington Post, 1/6/02)
January 2009: As The New Congress Began, Speaker Pelosi “Briefly Cupped Ross’ Cheeks” Before Turning The Gavel Over To Him After Members Were Sworn In. “House members, having just been administered their oaths of office by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, began to file out of the chamber, jammed to capacity with the lawmakers and their children. Pelosi turned to leave the speaker’s perch and was greeted by Arkansas’ Rep. Mike Ross. They shook hands, and Pelosi briefly cupped Ross’ cheeks. Then the 111th Congress got down to business. Ross, who presided over the previous Congress for more than 100 hours, had been chosen by Pelosi to be the first speaker pro tempore of the new Congress because of ‘his firm grasp of procedure,’ according to a release from Pelosi’s office. Ross hammered the gavel. … It was up to Ross to mediate the debate on House Resolution 5, which would set the rules by which the Democratic majority will run the chamber.” (“Arkansans Gear Up For 111th Congress,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/7/09)
Ross Co-Sponsored Nearly 200 Legislative Items With Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) During His Time In Congress. In the six years (2001-2006) Ross served with Pelosi before she was elected speaker, when her legislative activity slowed, he co-sponsored 196 legislative items with her – an average of more than 30 per year. Legislative items include bills, resolutions, concurrent resolutions, etc. (Library of Congress Website)
OpenCongress: Ross Voted With Pelosi Over 60% Of The Time Between 2007 And 2012. According to OpenCongress.org, which compares members’ voting records based on selected key votes, Ross voted with Pelosi 61% of the time between 2007 and 2012. The database includes 217 roll call votes where both Ross and Pelosi voted, and they agreed 133 times while disagreeing 84 times. (OpenCongress.org)
In 2009, Ross Spearheaded Efforts To Push ObamaCare Through The Critical Committee On Energy And Commerce, Allowing For A Full Floor Vote To Occur
Ross Spearheaded Efforts To Restart House Deliberations On ObamaCare, Which He Called “The Biggest Domestic Overhaul In 50 Years.” “The day after Democrats in the Blue Dog Coalition garnered key concessions from their party’s leadership, work that had been halted since July 21 resumed in the last of three House committees considering the bill. … ‘This is the biggest domestic overhaul in 50 years,’ said Arkansas’ Rep. Mike Ross, who has been leading negotiations on behalf of seven Blue Dog Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee. … Among the changes that Ross and his fellow Blue Dogs elicited: Exempting more small businesses from the requirement to provide health coverage to employees by doubling the payroll threshold to $500,000; Trimming subsidies to help low-income people purchase insurance; Allowing states the option of establishing their own health-care cooperatives and requiring states to pay for a portion of Medicaid expansion; Requiring the government to negotiate payment rates to doctors and other health-care providers, just as private insurers must do, rather than basing it on Medicare reimbursement rates.” (“Health-Care Bills Move Here, Hang Back There,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 7/31/09)
Reports Noted Ross Held The Power To Pass ObamaCare Out Of The Energy & Commerce Committee, Thus Resuming House Debate On The Bill. “With the outcome of the health-care debate at stake, Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., led a contingent of like-minded House Democrats in a meeting Tuesday with President Barack Obama that he called ‘a step in the right direction’ toward reaching agreement on a bill that has stopped in its tracks. … [The Ways and Means Committee] approved its portion of the House bill, as did the House Education and Labor Committee. But in the Energy and Commerce Committee, public hearings have been postponed so members can work out differences in private session. With no Republican support expected, Ross and his fellow Blue Dogs hold the votes needed to pass the bill out of committee to the full House.” (“Blue Dogs Bend Ear Of Obama On Health,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 7/22/09)
In Late July 2009, “Ross And Three Other Holdout Blue Dogs Agreed To Vote To Pass The Bill Out Of Committee And Thereby Provide Enough Support For It To Emerge.” “Moderate Democrats, led by Arkansas’ Rep. Mike Ross, reached a deal Wednesday with congressional leaders and White House officials to let consideration of the stalled health-care bill resume, a move that ensures no final votes will occur until this fall. … Under the agreement, Ross and three other holdout Blue Dogs agreed to vote to pass the bill out of committee and thereby provide enough support for it to emerge. The Energy and Commerce Committee is the last of three panels with jurisdiction to consider the measure. The other two – the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee – have already approved it.” (“Deal Set To Get Health-Care Bill To House Vote,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 7/30/09)
Ross’ Vote To Move ObamaCare Out Of Committee “[Cleared] The Way For A Vote By The Full House When Lawmakers Return In September.” NPR’s JULIE ROVNER: “House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Henry Waxman has faced down some pretty formidable legislative foes in his 35 years in Congress. He usually gets what he wants. But Arkansas Blue Dog Democrat Mike Ross pronounced himself satisfied with the deal he was able to cut with Waxman after nearly 10 days of closed-door negotiations. … In exchange, Ross and three of his fellow Blue Dogs promised to vote to allow the bill to move out of Waxman’s committee by the end of the week just before members leave town for their summer break. That would clear the way for a vote by the full House when lawmakers return in September.” (NPR’s “Morning Edition,” 7/30/09)
When Ross Lent His Support To Moving The Bill Out Of Committee, He “Was The Toast Of Democrats Who Supported The Bill … ‘This Is The Guy Who Got It Done.’” “Unmentioned in the statement was the pivotal role that Ross played in that legislative process as a key negotiator for moderate Democrats in the Blue Dog Caucus who served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. After several days of private negotiations, four of the seven Blue Dogs – led by Ross – said they had resolved their differences with proponents of the bill. Among the concessions was to delay a full House vote until after the August recess so that members could read the bill and hear from their constituents. Even as the committee approved the bill with Ross’ support, he indicated that he might oppose the bill on the House floor depending on actions from other committees. But on that day at least, Ross was the toast of Democrats who supported the bill – as reported by Politico, which noted that Vermont Rep. Peter Welch gave him a slap on the back after the vote, telling the assembled reporters, ‘This is the guy who got it done.’” (“Arkansas Delegation Votes Again To Repeal Health-Care Law,” Southwest Times Record, 7/12/12)
NPR: Headed By Ross, The Blue Dogs “Agreed To A Deal That Will Let [ObamaCare] Move Forward.” NPR’s MADELEINE BRAND: “Two big breakthroughs on health care legislation today in the House. The conservative Blue Dog Democrats agreed to a deal that will let the bill move forward. And in the Senate, a bipartisan deal looks more likely.” (NPR’s “All Things Considered,” 7/29/09)
Ross Regards His Work On ObamaCare In The Summer Of 2009 As His Biggest Accomplishment As A Blue Dog. “Ross said his biggest accomplishment as a Blue Dog was in the summer of 2009, leading seven members in discussions on health care with President Barack Obama. In addition to successfully squeezing costs out of healthcare legislation, Ross said, the group forced White House concessions that resulted in state-run insurance exchanges, rather than a centralized ‘single payer’ system. … Ross said he and the Blue Dogs prevented a ‘back-door’ attempt by liberals in the Democratic Party to install universal government-run insurance, while allowing the legislation to move forward in the House.” (“Ross Wrapping Up 12-Year D.C. Stint,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 12/30/12)
Even Though He Would Not Commit To Voting For The Bill On The Floor, Ross Effusively Praised His Contributions To The Legislation
Ross Insisted His Work On ObamaCare Had Cut $100 Billion In Cost, “Protected Small Businesses,” And “Saved Rural Hospitals.” ROSS: “We’ve cut the cost of the bill by more than $100 billion. We’ve protected small businesses, we’ve saved rural hospitals and we have ensured that members of Congress, the American people have the entire month of August to read the bill and visit with their constituents.” (NPR’s “Morning Edition,” 7/30/09)
Ross, In August 2009: “Liberals Will Say We Didn’t Do Enough And Conservatives Will Think We Did Too Much, Which Means We’ll Probably Get It Just About Right.” “Congress will enact a health-care overhaul by year’s end, but likely without a public insurance option, Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., said Monday. … ‘I do believe we will get health-care reform done this year,’ Ross said during an afternoon appearance at the Clinton School of Public Service, where he fielded questions from students and reporters. ‘At the end of the day, liberals will say we didn’t do enough and conservatives will think we did too much, which means we’ll probably get it just about right.’” (“Health-Care Bill Set To Pass Before 2010, Ross Says,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 9/1/09)
Ross Endorsed Tax Increases As A Way To Pay For ObamaCare
Ross Expressed Willingness To Raise Taxes To Fund Health Care Reform, Saying: “I Think [The American People] Believe It Should Be A Shared Sacrifice.” ROSS: “I believe that what the American people want us to do is slow down, take the time to read these bills, and ensure that we have squeezed every dime that we can of savings out of the current healthcare system before we consider any new revenues. Once we have done that, I think the American people are prepared for us to then look to revenues. I think they believe it should be a shared sacrifice but that every American will benefit with the proper healthcare reforms.” (Bloomberg’s “Political Capital,” 7/24/09)
August 2009: A CNN News Clip Showed Ross Arguing For “Shared Sacrifice” As Part Of Health Care Reform, Comparing It To Social Security And Medicare. ROSS: “Because I think the American people expect us to first squeeze all the inefficiencies that we possibly can out of the current health care system before we ask them to pay more. But personally, I believe that if every American citizen is going to benefit from this, there should be a shared sacrifice. You know, we all pay into Social Security. We all benefit from Social Security. We all pay into Medicare. We all benefit from Medicare. And that’s the direction that I believe that we should go if we, in fact, do health care reform.” (CNN’s “The Situation Room,” 8/13/09)
CNN’s WOLF BLITZER: “Basically What He’s Saying Is Don’t Just Tax The Really Rich, As Some Liberal Democrats Are Suggesting. Everybody Should Pay A Little Bit To Try To Get This Thing Done.” (CNN’s “The Situation Room,” 8/13/09)
Ross: “Look, If You Make Health Care Available To Everyone In America, And Expand Health Care In America, It Can’t Save Money. It’s Going To Cost Money.” CNN’s BRIANNA KEILAR: “[Democrats] point to this latest number from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that says a repeal of the health care reform overhaul will actually add $230 billion to the deficit.” … ROSS: “Well, I disagree with that. I don’t know how they can – look, if you make health care available to everyone in America, and expand health care in America, it can’t save money. It’s going to cost money. The question is how it’s paid for. And so I simply don’t agree with the Congressional Budget Office on this. You expand the program, it’s going to cost money.” (CNN’s “Newsroom,” 1/7/11)
During Negotiations, Ross Repeatedly Insisted That He Was Not Trying To Kill Health Care Reform And Praised President Obama’s Efforts
Ross: “We Are Closer Now To Getting Healthcare Reform Done Than At Any Other Time In The History Of This Country. It’s Going To Happen.” ROSS: “Look, this is the most complex and complicated legislation that we’ve dealt with. I’ll tell you this, we are closer now to getting healthcare reform done than at any other time in the history of this country. It’s going to happen.” (Bloomberg’s “Political Capital,” 7/24/09)
Ross: “I Really Do Believe That We Will Meet The President’s Goal Of Passing Meaningful And Substantive Healthcare Reform This Year And I Want To Be A Part Of Doing That.” BLOOMBERG’s AL HUNT: “Okay, final quick question – what are the odds that a healthcare bill will pass Congress this year?” ROSS: “Oh, I think it will. Look, I think we’re closer than we’ve been since Harry Truman first tried to reform healthcare. I really do believe that we will meet the president’s goal of passing meaningful and substantive healthcare reform this year and I want to be a part of doing that.” (Bloomberg’s “Political Capital,” 7/24/09)
Ross Said The ObamaCare Debate Was “Not A Battle With The White House” And He Was Just Trying To “[Move] Health Care Reform Forward.” ROSS: “[L]et me tell you that this is not a battle with the White House. It’s not a battle with the leadership. This is part of the legislative process and we’re simply trying to be a constructive part of the legislative process and moving health care reform forward.” (CNN’s “American Morning,” 7/24/09)
Ross: “To The President’s Credit, Let Me Say That We Are Closer Now To Meaningful Health Care Reform Than We’ve Ever Been Before.” CNN’s JOHN ROBERTS: “So, do you think that the president will get a bill and, if he does, when?” ROSS: “I suspect that we will pass health care reform this year. … Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, they all failed at it because it is very complex and very complicated. But to the president’s credit, let me say that we are closer now to meaningful health care reform than we’ve ever been before.” (CNN’s “American Morning,” 7/24/09)
Ross Said “Some Folks From The Right” Would Be “Sorely Disappointed” Because He Was Not Trying To “Kill Health Care Reform.” ROSS: “There’s some folks from the right that have been calling my office very pleased that, you know, they perceive I’m trying to kill the health care. At the end of the day, I suspect they’re going to be sorely disappointed because none of us within the Blue Dog Coalition are trying to kill health care reform.” (NPR’s “Weekend All Things Considered,” 7/18/09)
Ross Insisted Congress Was “Not Going To Let [The Uninsured] Down … I’ll Make A Prediction Here. We’ll Get Health Care Reform Done This Year.” CNN’s JIM ACOSTA: “Once an owner of a drugstore, Ross says he will get something done for the more than 450,000 people in Arkansas with no health care.” ROSS: “I live in a small town of 3,600 people. The lady that owns the Broadway Cafe, she cannot afford health insurance for herself or her employees and so…” ACOSTA: “So, does that weigh in your mind that you could let those folks down?” ROSS: “No, we’re not going to let them down. In fact, I’ll make a prediction here. We’ll get health care reform done this year.” (CNN’s “Newsroom,” 7/29/09)
In Committee, Ross Voted Against An Amendment Specifically Designed To Guarantee Americans Could Keep Their Health Plan If They Liked It
In 2009, Democrats Voted Down A Committee Amendment Codifying That All Americans Should Be Able To Retain Their Health Plan Under ObamaCare. “Thirty-two Democrats helped kill a GOP amendment to explicitly allow people to keep their current health-care plans in a July 2009 House Energy and Commerce Committee vote. ‘Nothing in this division shall prevent or limit individuals from keeping their current health benefit plan,’ the amendment, offered by former Representative Cliff Stearns, said. Many of the Democrats who voted to kill the amendment also promised to the public that individuals would be able to keep their current plans.” (Jonathan Strong, “In 2009, Democrats Killed ‘Keep Your Plan’ Amendment in Committee,” National Review, 11/19/13)
Ross Voted Against The Amendment. (H.R. 3200, Committee On Energy And Commerce Roll Call Vote: Amendment Failed 26-32, 7/28/09, Ross Voted Nay)
The Next Month, Ross Repeated The False Assertion That No One Would Have To Give Up Their Health Plan. “Audience members on all sides of the health-care debate shouted and jeered at U.S. Rep. Mike Ross or others in the crowd during a town-hall meeting Friday at Henderson State University. … ‘We need health reform,’ he said. ‘People need not go bankrupt because of pre-existing conditions.’ Under the proposed legislation, Ross said, no one who is happy with their health insurance now would have to change, but it would provide options for people with pre-existing conditions. He said he won’t support any plan that pays for abortions or provides health insurance to people from other countries who are living in the U.S. illegally.” (“Health-Care Opinions Fly At Ross From Both Sides,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 8/15/09)
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