***FACT CHECK***
New DSCC Ad Riddled with False and Misleading Claims, Opens Giannoulias to Pay Raise Attack
Misleading Claim # 1: “On unemployment Kirk said: ‘I have heard very little. I have a very high income district.’”
Get the Facts: The DSCC ad does not mention the quote they reference was from over two years ago - June 2008 - when unemployment stood at 5.5 % according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (GOP Rallies on Unemployment, Roll Call, June 16, 2008)
Misleading Claim #2: “And he voted six times against extending benefits for laid off workers.”
Get the Facts: Mark Kirk has voted to extend unemployment benefits eight times. (HR4851, Vote 211, 4/15/10; HR4851, Voice Vote, 3/17/10; HR4691, Voice Vote, 2/25/10; HR3548, Vote 859, 11/5/09; HR6867, Vote 683, 10/3/08; HR2185, Vote 223, 5/22/2003; S23, Vote 7, 1/8/2003; HR3090, Vote 52, 3/7/2002) Mark Kirk has said he would vote to extend unemployment benefits again if the legislation did not add to the debt or raise taxes.
Misleading Claim #3: “And 5 times to block increasing the minimum wage.”
Get the Facts: Mark Kirk broke with his party to support raising the minimum wage to its current level. (Vote 18, HR 2, 1/10/07)
Misleading Claim #4: “While voting to raise his own pay six times.”
Get the Facts: This is a tired and misleading attack that uses procedural votes that have nothing to do with Congressional pay increases. According to the Congressional Research Service: “There are no provisions for funding the salaries of Member in the Treasury and General Government Appropriations bill. Member salaries are funded in a permanent appropriations account of the legislative branch in the Federal Budget.” (Salaries Of Members Of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2004, Congressional Research Service, 97-615, December 20, 2004)
Get the Facts: On up or down votes specifically dealing with congressional pay, Mark Kirk voted for a congressional pay freeze all four times. (HR 5146, Vote 226, 4/17/10; H.Res 184, Vote 85, 2/25/09; H J Res 20, Vote 72, 1/1307; H J Res 102, Vote 540, December 8, 2006)
Get the Facts: The DSCC ad makes no mention of the fact that Alexi Giannoulias’ pay increased over $20,000 from 2007 to 2009 - even though he pledged not to accept any pay increase when he ran for Treasurer in 2006.
Giannoulias 2007 Salary: $115,235 (Pay Recommendations, State-Journal Register, July 16, 2007)
Giannoulias 2009 Salary: $135,669 (Wealthy Giannoulias paid no taxes last year, Chicago Tribune, July 2, 2010)
Net Pay Increase 2007-2009: $20,434
Giannoulias Pay Raise Pledge:
“Priorities - Be a diligent financial watchdog to protect Illinois dollars and prevent ethical abuses and waste in state government, including my pledge to never take a gift from a lobbyist or never accept a pay raise during my four years in office.” (Treasurer | Democrat, St. Louis Post Dispatch, March 17, 2006)
No comments:
Post a Comment