Kander’s Fiscally Conservative Approach Saved Taxpayers $1 Million, Led Him to Submit Lowest Budget Request Since 1998
Today the NRSC showed their hand and signaled that they are deeply concerned with Jason Kander’s strong candidacy and Senator Blunt’s unpopularity in Missouri by launching a desperate and deceptive television ad that completely mischaracterizes Jason Kander’s financial management as Secretary of State.
As Secretary of State, Jason decreased his office’s budget by $1 million, including cutting staff salaries by $200,000, while providing the same level of service to Missourians. As a result, Jason’s most recent budget request was the lowest general revenue operating budget for the office since 1998. In order to trim down the office’s staff, Jason eliminated 11 positions and many employees took on added duties as a result. Some salary increases were given to employees to match their increased responsibilities, and a major reduction in overall spending on staff salaries was achieved because of that process.
Additionally, a technical glitch dating back to his predecessor caused the office to give the state $120,000 in extra funding. Once the glitch was fixed, Jason did not want to request that the money be returned, given that his office spending had reduced dramatically and the state is in need of additional funds. However, the money is being returned to comply with the auditor’s office’s demands.
The NRSC laughably tried to criticize Jason for hiring staff from his campaign to work in the Secretary of State’s office after he was elected in 2012. In fact, Senator Blunt filled 12 percent of office positions with campaign staff during his first year in the Senate, with a total cost of $276,142.47 to taxpayers. On the other hand, just 1.8 percent of jobs in the Secretary of State’s office were filled by individuals that had worked on Jason Kander’s campaign.
Meanwhile, Senator Blunt spent more money than any other member in the Missouri delegation on his Congressional office in 2014. Additionally, since moving to DC in 1997, Senator Blunt has voted to raise his own pay 12 times.
“It is desperate and laughable for national Republicans to criticize Jason’s office when in reality his budget is the lowest in almost two decades and he cut his office’s payroll by $200,000,” said Chris Hayden, Kander’s communications director. “If they are looking for irresponsible spending habits, they should look in the mirror. Since he first left for Washington, Senator Blunt has voted to raise his own pay 12 times, calling it ‘the right thing’ to do. This ad is the latest signal that the NRSC is deeply concerned with Senator Blunt’s low approval numbers, and they know Jason is the person to change the status quo and bring a new generation of leadership to Congress.”
BACKGROUND
FACT CHECK: NRSC AD
TITLE: “Jason Kander’s Spending Party” | MEDIA TV 0:30 [see the ad here] | DATE 1/29/16
KANDER HAS CUT STAFF SALARIES IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE BY MORE THAN $200,000 SINCE TAKING OFFICE
To create savings for taxpayers, Kander eliminated positions and many employees took on additional responsibilities and those employees received salary increases to match their new duties. This reorganization saved taxpayers more than $200,000 in staff salaries for Kander’s office while providing the same level of service to Missourians.
KANDER HAS CUT HIS OFFICE’S BUDGET MORE THAN $1 MILLION SINCE TAKING OFFICE, MAKING IT THE LOWEST SINCE 1998
Since taking office in 2013, Kander has cut more than $1 million from the Secretary of State’s budget, making the lowest general revenue operating budget request for the office since 1998.
SENATOR BLUNT: RAISING HIS OWN PAY AND WASTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON LUXURY TRAVEL
In 2014, Senator Blunt spent more than any other member in the Missouri delegation on his Congressional office. His spokeswoman defended the expense saying it mostly went to “staff salaries and travel expenses.” In 2014 alone, Blunt spent $37,669.41 to travel in luxury in a private plane around Missouri. All told, Blunt could have saved taxpayers more than $60,000 in the last two years if he had driven instead of flown in luxury on a private plane.
Since being first joining Congress in 1997, Senator Blunt has voted to raise his own pay 12 times. While in Washington, Senator Blunt has bought a $1.6 million mansion in DC and has seen net worth skyrocket.
SENATOR BLUNT’S OFFICE, A REVOLVING DOOR FOR LOBBYISTS, HAS ALSO BEEN A REVOLVING DOOR FOR HIS CAMPAIGN STAFFERS
Senator Blunt’s office has always been a revolving door for K street with 35 staffers in his office either working as registered lobbyists before or after their time with Senator Blunt’s office. His office has also been a revolving door for former staffers of his campaign, with 12% of his staff during his first year as a Senator being former campaign workers at a total cost of $276,142.47 to taxpayers. Just 1.8% of Kander’s employees in the Secretary of State’s office during his first year in office were former campaign staffers.
THE NRSC IS JOINING OTHER NATIONAL GROUPS IN PANICKING ABOUT SENATOR BLUNT’S CAMPAIGN
In a sign of just how worried they are about Senator’s Blunt’s campaign, the NRSC has placed TV ad buys in just two other states so far this cycle: Nevada and Wisconsin. The NRSC is joining the American Chemistry Council and Karl Rove front group One Nation who have already spent more than $1 million on ads attempting to prop up Senator Blunt.
NARRATOR: “State employees fired. Agencies closed. Services suspended in the budget crisis, but Jason Kander kept the spending party rolling handing out over 200 salary increases.”
THE FACTS: THROUGH A REORGANIZATION AND STAFF REDUCTIONS, KANDER HAS CUT MORE THAN $200,000 IN STAFF SALARIES SINCE TAKING OFFICE
Kander’s Spokesperson Said The Reorganization Saved The Office $200,000 And Brought Its Budget To The Lowest It Has Been Since 1998. “She [Kander’s spokesperson] said the reorganizations have saved $200,000, and that the office’s latest budget submission is the lowest since 1998.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1/7/16]
Kander’s Spokesperson Pointed Out That The Office Had Cut $200,000 In Salaries And 11 Positions Since Kander Took Office. “Kander spokeswoman Stephanie Fleming contended that the GOP attacks represented ‘a gross mischaracterization of the audit, as Secretary Kander has cut over $200,000 in salaries and 11 positions since taking office, and this year he submitted the smallest general revenue operating budget for a secretary of state’s office since 1998.’” [St. Louis Public Radio, 1/11/16]
MOST RAISES WENT TO STAFFERS MAKING UNDER $40,000 A YEAR AND WERE IN CONJUCTION WITH STAFF REDUCTIONS THAT REDUCED SALARY COSTS BUT GAVE REMAINING EMPLOYEES ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Kander’s Spokesperson Said The Raises Were Given In Conjunction With Staff Reductions, Which Freed Up Salary Expenses, And Remaining Employees Taking On Additional Responsibilities. “Fleming said the raises ‘mostly went to staff making under $40,000 a year.’ She said many of them were in conjunction with staff reductions and reorganizations that lowered the overall headcount and salary expense of the office, but created additional responsibilities for the remaining employees.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1/7/16]
SENATOR BLUNT’S SPENDING ON OFFICE OPERATIONS HAS BEEN THE HIGHEST IN THE MISSOURI DELEGATION WITH MOST OF THE SPENDING ON “STAFF SALARIES AND TRAVEL EXPENSES”
Blunt Spent $2.8 Million Of Taxpayer Money For Office Operations, The Most In The Entire Missouri Delegation. “In total, taxpayers doled out nearly $15 million for the office operations of all 10 members of the Missouri delegation in 2014. Although the totals for individual lawmakers varied, each House member spent slightly more than $1 million, while the state’s two senators spent more than $2.5 million each. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, spent the least amount, at $1.04 million. Sen. Roy Blunt spent the most — about $2.8 million.” [Springfield News-Leader, 4/26/15]
Blunt Spokeswoman Said The Majority Of His Budget Went To Staff Salaries And Travel Expenses. “All the Springfield-area lawmakers said they plan their budgets carefully and try to be frugal with taxpayer money. Amber Marchand, a spokeswoman for Blunt, said: the senator tries to save money when possible. ‘The majority of his budget is dedicated to paying staffers’ salaries and travel expenses in order to reach and assist as many Missourians as possible,” she said.” [Springfield News-Leader, 4/26/15]
SENATOR BLUNT COULD HAVE SAVED TAXPAYERS MORE THAN $60,000 IF HE HAD DRIVEN INSTEAD OF FLOWN AROUND MISSOURI IN A LUXURIOUS PRIVATE PLANE
Since 2014, Blunt Has Spent An Extra $60,000 In Taxpayer Money To Travel Around Missouri By Plane Instead Of By Car. “According to the Secretary of the Senate’s records, Blunt appears to have preferred land travel when he toured the state during his first three years in the Senate. But since 2014, he has chosen charter planes for at least 12 days of travel, which have cost about $60,000 more than if the senator had driven. The flights have been paid by taxpayers since the visits were official ones.” [St. Louis Public Radio, 1/11/16]
2014: Roy Blunt Spent $37,669.41 In Taxpayer Money On Chartered Flights Within Missouri For Just Seven Days Of Travel. [Legistorm, Blunt Senate Office Expenses, accessed 8/13/15]
2015: Senator Blunt Spent $26,345.53 In Taxpayer Dollars On Charter Flights Around Missouri From April 1st To September 30th. [Secretary of the Senate, Senator Blunt Office Expenses, accessed 12/1/15]
AD CLAIM: “Taking care of campaign cronies with the state payroll”
THE FACTS:“BLUNT’S OFFICE BECAME THE NERVE CENTER OF AN OUTREACH CAMPAIGN TO K STREET THAT BROUGHT CORPORATE INTERESTS TO THE TABLE”
“Blunt’s Office Became The Nerve Center Of An Outreach Campaign To K Street That Brought Corporate Interests To The Table.” “Under Blunt and Republican leaders, lobbyists became part of the legislative equation. Blunt’s office became the nerve center of an outreach campaign to K Street that brought corporate interests to the table. ‘We formalized the process of reaching out to them,’ Hartley told Bloomberg News in 2006. ‘You could talk to Tom or Tom’s people, or Roy or Roy’s people. It was all the same.’” [Kansas City Star, 9/4/10]
35 STAFFERS WORKED AS REGISTERED FEDERAL LOBBYISTS BEFORE OR AFTER WORKING IN BLUNT’S OFFICE
35 Blunt Staffers Worked As Registered Lobbyists Before Or After Working In Blunt’s Congressional Office. According to Legistorm, there are 35 staffers from Blunt’s office who were either hired into Blunt’s office from a lobbying firm or worked at a lobbying firm after leaving Blunt’s office. [Legistorm Pro, Senator Roy Blunt]
12% OF SENATOR BLUNT’S CONGRESSIONAL STAFF IN 2011 WERE FORMER CAMPAIGN EMPLOYEES
In Blunt’s First Year As Senator, 6 Of His 50 His Congressional Staffers Were Former Employees Of His Senate Campaign. [Legistorm, accessed 1/29/16; Federal Elections Commission, accessed 1/29/16]
Twelve Percent Of Roy Blunt’s Senate Office Staff In Fiscal Year 2011 Were Former Staffers On His 2010 Senate Campaign. According to Legistorm, Roy Blunt’s office employed 50 individuals, 6 of which matched names on Friends of Roy Blunt’s 2010 disbursement reports to the Federal Election Commission. [Legistorm, accessed 1/29/16] FEC.gov, Friends of Roy Blunt, 2010 Disbursements, accessed 1/29/16]
T. Burson Synder Worked For Roy Blunt’s 2010 Senate Campaign. According to the Federal Election Commission, T. Burson Snyder worked for Roy Blunt’s 2010 Senate Campaign. [FEC.gov, Friends of Roy Blunt, 2010 Disbursements, accessed 1/29/16]
FY2011: T. Burson Snyder Worked In Roy Blunt’s Senate Office, Earning $112,920.47. According to Legistorm, T. Burson Snyder earned $112,920.47 working in the office of Senator Roy Blunt in fiscal year 2011. [Legistorm, accessed 1/29/16]
Dusty Schnieders Worked For Roy Blunt’s 2010 Senate Campaign. According to the Federal Election Commission, Dusty Schnieders worked for Roy Blunt’s 2010 Senate Campaign. [FEC.gov, Friends of Roy Blunt, 2010 Disbursements, accessed 1/29/16]
FY2011: Dusty Schnieders Worked In Roy Blunt’s Senate Office, Earning $26,055.49. According to Legistorm, Dusty Schnieders earned $26,055.49 working in the office of Senator Roy Blunt in fiscal year 2011. [Legistorm, accessed 1/29/16]
Tim O’Toole Worked For Roy Blunt’s 2010 Senate Campaign. According to the Federal Election Commission, Tim O’Toole worked for Roy Blunt’s 2010 Senate Campaign. [FEC.gov, Friends of Roy Blunt, 2010 Disbursements, accessed 1/29/16]
FY2011: Tim O’Toole Worked In Roy Blunt’s Senate Office, Earning $25,277.72. According to Legistorm, Tim O’Toole earned $25,277.72 working in the office of Senator Roy Blunt in fiscal year 2011. [Legistorm, accessed 1/29/16]
Sue Holloway Worked For Blunt’s 2010 Senate Campaign. According to the Federal Election Commission, Sue Holloway worked for Roy Blunt’s 2010 Senate Campaign. [FEC.gov, Friends of Roy Blunt, 2010 Disbursements, accessed 1/29/16]
FY2011: Sue Holloway Worked In Roy Blunt’s Senate Office, Earning $10,000.00. According to Legistorm, Sue Holloway earned $10,000.00 working in the office of Senator Roy Blunt in fiscal year 2011. [Legistorm, accessed 1/29/16]
Joseph Greeley Worked For Blunt’s 2010 Senate Campaign. According to the Federal Election Commission, Joseph Greeley worked for Roy Blunt’s 2010 Senate Campaign. [FEC.gov, Friends of Roy Blunt, 2010 Disbursements, accessed 1/29/16]
FY2011: Joseph Greeley Worked In Roy Blunt’s Senate Office, Earning $26,666.99. According to Legistorm, Sue Holloway earned $26,666.99 working in the office of Senator Roy Blunt in fiscal year 2011. [Legistorm, accessed 1/29/16]
Derek Coats Worked For Blunt’s 2010 Senate Campaign. According to the Federal Election Commission, Derek Coats worked for Roy Blunt’s 2010 Senate Campaign. [FEC.gov, Friends of Roy Blunt, 2010 Disbursements, accessed 1/29/16]
FY2011: Derek Coats Worked In Roy Blunt’s Senate Office, Earning $75,222.10. According to Legistorm, Derek Coats earned $75,222.10 working in the office of Senator Roy Blunt in fiscal year 2011. [Legistorm, accessed 1/29/16]
JUST 1.8% OF KANDER’S 2013 SECRETARY OF STATE EMPLOYEES WERE FORMER CAMPAIGN WORKERS
Of The 278 Employees Of The Secretary Of State’s Office In 2013, Just Five Were Former Campaign Staffers For Kander. [Missouri Accountability Portal, accessed1/29/16]
NARRATOR: “and losing track of over a $100,000.”
THE FACTS: THE FUNDS WERE INCORRECTLY RETURNED TO THE STATE INSTEAD OF DEPOSITED TO A SOS OFFICE FUND BECAUSE OF A TECHNICAL GLITCH FROM KANDER’S PREDECESSOR
$120,000 Mistakenly Deposited Into State General Revenue Fund Was The Result Of A “Technical Glitch” From His Predecessor’s Time In Office. “The audit also concluded that Kander’s office had incorrectly deposited $120,000 over the past three years into the state’s general-revenue fund instead of the secretary of state’s Technology Trust Fund, where the money apparently was to be parked. […] She blamed the misfiling of the $120,000 on ‘a technical glitch’ by his predecessor, fellow Democrat Robin Carnahan, that had gone on for years. ‘It has been addressed,’ Fleming said.” [St. Louis Public Radio,1/11/16]
NARRATOR: That is why with Missouri families cutting back, we can’t afford Jason Kander spending anymore of our money on his political ambitions.
THE FACTS: KANDER’S SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE BUDGET REQUEST IS AT RECORD LOWS
Kander’s FY 2017 Budget Request Is The Lowest Requested By The Secretary Of State’s Office Since 1998. “Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander announced that in his Fiscal Year 2017 budget, he is asking for the smallest amount of general revenue for the office’s operating budget than any secretary of state has requested since former Secretary Rebecca McDowell Cook’s budget passed in 1998. ‘It’s been a priority of mine as secretary of state to run the most efficient office possible for taxpayers,’ Kander said, ‘I’m proud I’ve been able to cut my budget request once again while continuing to provide the same great level of service to Missourians.’” [Office of Secretary of State Jason Kander press release, 12/17/15]
Kander’s FY 2016 Budget Request Was The Smallest For The Secretary Of State’s Office Since 1999. “Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander says he is reducing the amount of state tax revenue needed for his office. Kander said his general revenue request for the 2016 operating budget, which begins next July, will be the smallest for the secretary of state’s office since 1999.” [AP, 12/19/14]
KANDER HAS CUT MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN SPENDING SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN 2013
Since Taking Office In 2013, Kander Has Cut More Than $1 Million In Spending From The Secretary Of State’s Office. [Missouri State Office of Administration, Budget and Planning, accessed 1/29/16]
BLUNT HAS SUPPORTED RAISING HIS OWN PAY 12 TIMES AND DEFENDED IT AS “THE RIGHT THING” TO DO
2009: Blunt Supported Congressional Pay Raise in 2009. In 2009, Blunt voted against adoption of the rule (H Res 184) that would provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would provide $410 billion in discretionary spending in fiscal 2009 for federal departments and agencies covered by nine unfinished fiscal 2009 spending bills. The rule also contained self-executing language that would incorporate a provision to block the automatic cost-of-living adjustment for members of Congress in 2010. Both Republicans and Democrats overwhelmingly supported the salary freeze, but Blunt was one of only 24 Members of Congress to oppose the rule. “‘I appreciate the fact that we are going to eliminate the pay raise. We should not be getting a raise in a time like this,’ said Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas.” [H Res 184, Vote 85, 2/26/09; AP Online, 2/25/09]
2007: Blunt Supported Congressional Pay Raise, Increasing Salary to Nearly $170,000 Per Year. In 2007, Blunt voted to kill an amendment that would block an automatic pay hike for members of Congress. By voting for the effort to the kill the amendment, Blunt voted for a 2.5 percent salary increase ($4,400) for an annual salary of $169,600. The motion to kill the amendment passed 244-181. [Washington Post, 6/28/07; HR 517, Vote 580, 6/27/07] NOTE: A “No” vote is a vote against a pay raise.
2006: Blunt Supported Congressional Pay Raise, Voted to Raise His Own Pay by $3,300 in 2006. In 2006, Blunt voted to raise his own pay by $3,300 to $168,500. Blunt voted to kill an amendment that would block an automatic pay hike for members of Congress. By killing the attempt to block the pay raise, Blunt voted to receive a 2 percent increase and an annual salary of $165,200. The effort to block the anti-pay raise amendment passed 249-167. [H RES 865, Vote 261, 6/13/06; Congressional Research Service, Salaries for Members of Congress: Congressional Votes] NOTE: This pay raise was later blocked by the Democratic Congress in 2007.
2005: Blunt Supported Congressional Pay Raise, Voted to Raise His Own Pay $3,100 in 2005. In 2005, Blunt voted to raise his own pay by $3,100 to $165,200. Blunt voted in favor of a measure intended to prevent the introduction of an amendment blocking an increase in the annual salary for House members by $3,100 to $165,000. The House blocked a bid by Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT) to force an up-or-down vote on the pay raise. The effort to block the anti-payraise amendment passed 263-152. [HR 342, Vote 327, 6/28/05]
2004: Blunt Supported Congressional Pay Raise, Voted to Raise His Own Pay by $4,000 in 2004. In 2004, Blunt voted to raise his own pay by $4,000 to $162,100. Blunt voted in favor of a motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate $89.8 billion in fiscal 2005 for the departments of Treasury and Transportation and related agencies. If the motion had been defeated, an amendment to block the Congressional pay raise would have been allowed. The motion passed 235-170. [H Res 770, Vote 451, 9/14/04]
2003: Blunt Supported Congressional Pay Raise, Voted to Raise His Own Pay by $3,400 in 2003. In 2003, Blunt voted to raise his own pay by $3,400 to $158,100. Blunt voted in favor of a motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate $89.6 billion in fiscal 2004 spending, including $27.5 billion in discretionary spending, for the departments of Treasury and Transportation and related agencies. If the motion had been defeated, an amendment to block the Congressional pay raise would have been allowed. The motion passed 240-173. [H. Res. 351, Vote 463,9/4/03]
2002: Blunt Supported Congressional Pay Raise, Voted to Raise His Own Pay by $4,700 in 2002. In 2002, Blunt voted to raise his own pay by $4,700 to $154,700. Blunt voted in favor of a motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate $35.1 billion in fiscal 2003 Treasury-Postal appropriations. If the motion had been defeated, an amendment to block the Congressional pay raise would have been allowed. The motion passed 258-156. [H. Res. 488, Vote 322, 7/18/02]
2001: Blunt Voted To Move Forward With Congressional Pay Raise. In 2001, Blunt voted in favor of a motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate $32.7 billion in fiscal 2002 for the Treasury Department, U.S. Postal Service, various offices of the Executive Office of the President and certain independent agencies. If the motion had been defeated, an amendment to block the Congressional pay raise would have been allowed. According to the Congressional Research Service, “By agreeing to order the previous question, Members voted not to consider an amendment to permit a pay raise prohibition amendment to be offered. Had the House not agreed to a motion to order the previous question, a Member could have offered an amendment to the rule related to the pay adjustment.” The motion passed 293-129. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/25/01; H Res. 206, Vote 267, 7/25/01; CRS Report, 4/15/15]
2000: Blunt Voted To Move Forward With Congressional Pay Raise. In 2000, Blunt voted in favor of a motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate $31.7 billion in fiscal 2001 for the Treasury Department, U.S. Postal Service, various offices of the Executive Office of the President and certain independent agencies. According to Congressional Research Service, “By agreeing to order the previous question, Members voted not to consider an amendment to permit a pay raise prohibition amendment to be offered. Had the House not agreed to a motion to order the previous question, a Member could have offered an amendment to the rule related to the pay adjustment.” The motion passed 250-173. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/20/00; H Res. 560, Vote 419, 7/20/00; CRS Report, 4/15/15]
1999: Blunt Voted To Move Forward With Congressional Pay Raise. In 1999, Blunt voted in favor of a motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate funds in fiscal 2000 for the Treasury Department, U.S. Postal Service, various offices of the Executive Office of the President and certain independent agencies. If the motion had been defeated, an amendment to block the Congressional pay raise would have been allowed. According to the Congressional Research Service, “By agreeing to order the previous question, Members voted not to consider an amendment to permit a pay raise prohibition amendment to be offered. Had the House not agreed to order the previous question, Members could have offered an amendment to the rule related to the pay adjustment.” The motion passed 276-147. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/15/99H Res. 246, Vote 300, 7/15/99; CRS Report, 4/15/15]
1998: Blunt Voted To Remove Language That Would Block Congressional Pay Raise. In 1998, Blunt voted in favor of an amendment to remove language which blocked a cost-of-living increase for Members of Congress. A vote in favor of the amendment was a vote in favor of a pay raise. The amendment was defeated 79-342. [CQ Floor Votes, 7/16/09; HR 4104, Vote 289, 7/16/98; CRS Report, 4/15/15]
1997: Blunt Supported Congressional Pay Raise. In 1997, Blunt voted in favor of a motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate funds in fiscal 1998 for the Treasury Department, U.S. Postal Service, various offices of the Executive Office of the President and certain independent agencies. If the motion had been defeated, an amendment to block the Congressional pay raise would have been allowed. The motion passed 229-199. [CQ Floor Votes, 9/24/97; HR 2378, Vote 435, 9/24/97; St. Louis Post Dispatch, 10/1/97]
Blunt Voted For Congressional Pay Raise, Said Salary Increase Was “The Right Thing.” In 1997, Rep. Roy Blunt voted for a $3,072 cost-of-living increase for members of Congress, explaining that adjusting Congressional salaries for inflation was “the right thing.” As reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Blunt said, ‘I believe keeping the current salary of Congress equal with the rate of inflation is the right thing, and a necessary thing to do to be able to attract people to seek congressional office in the future.’” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 10/2/97]
BLUNT EVEN REFUSED TO RETURN HIS PAYCHECK DURING THE 2013 GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Blunt Planned to Take His Salary As Usual During Government Shutdown, Said Discussion About Lawmakers Returning Pay Was “Silly.” As reported by Gannett, “Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., is planning to take his salary as usual and said the discussion of lawmaker’s pay during the shutdown is ‘silly’ and ‘symbolic.’ He noted that Congress has failed to deal with major tasks, such as passing the annual appropriations bills, which have helped create the current crisis. ‘It’s such a small issue relative to the big problem we face,’ Blunt said. Asked if the move by his colleagues to have their pay withheld was a PR stunt, Blunt said he didn’t want to be critical of other lawmakers’ decisions. But ‘I don’t think it matters at all,’ he said. ‘And I think it’s a silly conversation to have.’” [Gannet News Service, 10/2/13]
HEADLINE – Lawmakers Not Likely To Miss Paycheck Due to Shutdown. [Gannet News Service, 10/2/13]
Blunt Said He Would Collect His Normal Paycheck During Government Shutdown. As reported by WDAF, “Some lawmakers are letting constituents know they do not expect to be paid while the government is shutdown. Among the ones FOX 4 contacted and who responded to our inquiries, U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Missouri) and U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri) said they have requested their salaries be suspended until federal employees are back on the job. U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) said she will donate the salary she earns during the shutdown to charity. Senator Roy Blunt’s (R- Missouri) office said he will collect his normal paycheck.” [WDAF, 10/3/13
BLUNT’S NET WORTH HAS RISEN DRAMATICALLY SINCE JOINING CONGRESS IN 1997
In 1997, Blunt Had An Estimated Net Worth Over $33,000. In 1997, Blunt’s estimated net worth was $33,001. [OpenSecrets Estimated Net Worth Methodology, Accessed10/28/15; Blunt 1997 PFD, Filed 4/10/98]
Blunt’s Estimated Net Worth Was $4.6 Million In 2014. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Blunt ranks 35th in the Senate with an estimated net worth of $4,637,011 in 2014. [Center for Responsive Politics, Roy Blunt 2014]
NARRATOR:“NRSC is responsible for the content of this advertising.”
THE FACTS: THE NRSC HAS ONLY AIRED TELEVISION ADS IN TWO OTHER STATES THIS CYCLE, SHOWING HOW WORRIED THEY ARE ABOUT SENATOR BLUNT
November 2015: The NRSC Aired An Attack Ad Against Russ Feingold In Wisconsin.“A television ad attacking Wisconsin Democrat Russ Feingold, who is aiming to reclaim the U.S. Senate seat he held for 18 years, opens with images of rapidly rotting fruit. The National Republican Senatorial Committee spot aired in Milwaukee and Green Bay during the GOP presidential debate in Milwaukee on Nov. 10, 2015. It contends that Feingold’s time in Washington changed him for the worse. ‘His values decayed, his principles eroded and he lost touch with Wisconsin,’ the narrator says midway into the ad. ‘He wanted to get money out of politics. Now he’s profiting from that same dark money.’” [PolitiFact Wisconsin, 11/27/15]
October 2015: The NRSC Aired An Attack Ad Against Catherine Cortez Masto In Nevada. “The Republican Party’s Senate elections arm will air its first television ad of the 2016 cycle next week, hitting Nevada Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto for supporting the Obama administration’s Iran nuclear deal. The ad, which will air in Las Vegas and Reno next week, is timed to coincide with the Democratic presidential debate on Thursday. The deal ‘gives Iran a path to a nuclear bomb,’ states the third-second spot, which ends with footage of a mushroom cloud. An NRSC spokesman declined to specify the size of the ad buy.” [Washington Free Beacon, 10/9/15]
December 2015: The NRSC Aired An Attack Ad Against Catherine Cortez Masto In Nevada. “Republicans will set their sights on former Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto in an ad slated to premier Tuesday during the Republican presidential debate. The National Republican Senatorial Committee is sponsoring the ad which criticizes Cortez Masto, the presumptive Democratic nominee, for wanting to accept Syrian refugees in the wake of the Paris attacks.” [Reno Gazette-Journal, 12/15/15]
NATIONAL GROUPS HAVE ALREADY SPENT MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO TRY TO PROP UP SENATOR BLUNT’S AILING CAMPAIGN
Karl Rove-Affiliated Group “One Nation” Spent $800,000 On Radio, TV, And Online Ads Supporting Blunt. “A group aligned with Republican operative Karl Rove has launched almost $800,000 in radio, television and online advertising praising incumbent Sen. Roy Blunt — fueling claims by Democrats that his re-election is under threat. The pro-Blunt media blitz by the secretly funded Washington nonprofit ‘One Nation,’ follows one in September by the American Chemistry Council.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1/26/15]
The American Chemistry Council Spent Seven Figures On TV Ads Supporting Blunt.“The American Chemistry Council is launching a two-week, seven-figure TV ad campaign praising Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Pat Toomey (R-PA). The spots commend the senators for ‘pro-business policies,’ like ‘keeping taxes low on working families and small businesses,” and “eliminating unnecessary burdens on job creators.’” [National Journal, 9/9/15]
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