National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Communications Director Brian Walsh issued the following response to reports that U.S. Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV) will enter the Nevada U.S. Senate race:
“Shelley Berkley’s candidacy highlights the choice Nevadans will have in this Senate campaign between yet another big-government, tax-and-spend liberal and a fiscally responsible Republican. If Congresswoman Berkley does survive what is sure to be a very expensive primary, she will have a very tough time selling mainstream Nevadans on her rubberstamp support for higher taxes, more spending, and a record debt, at a time when Nevadans are focused on creating jobs and growing the economy.”
Background Information:
Berkley Has Been A Rubber-Stamp Liberal Vote:
In 2010, Berkley Supported President Obama 95% Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, http://www.cq.com, Accessed 3/30/11)
In 2010, Berkley Voted With The Democrat Party 98% Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, http://www.cq.com, Accessed 3/30/11)
BERKLEY WAS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE STIMULUS BILL
Berkley Voted In Favor Of The $825 Billion House-Passed “Stimulus” Bill. (H.R. 1, CQ Vote # 46: Adopted 244-188: R 0-177; D 224-11, 1/28/09, Berkley Voted Yea)
After Voting For The Bill, Berkley Said The Stimulus Package Would Create “Millions Of New Jobs.” Shelley Berkley: “Nevada families and businesses will benefit from the resources included in this broad stimulus package, which will create millions of new jobs and fund important needs like education, healthcare and clean energy production. Families will also see a tax savings of up to $1,000 per year that they can use to help cover expenses from groceries to gas and rent, said Berkley, who helped to shape the tax relief provisions included in the stimulus package through her seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.” (“Broad Stimulus Package Will Create New Jobs, Deliver Needed Help For Families This Is An Investment In Future Of Nevada And Nation,” Congresswoman Shelley Berkley Press Release, 1/28/09)
The Stimulus Bill Failed To Help The Nevada Economy
Unemployment In Nevada Was 10.4% When The “Stimulus” Passed In February 2009. (U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 3/30/11)
Unemployment In Nevada Was At 13.6% In February 2011. (U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 3/30/11)
BERKLEY VOTED FOR THE TRILLION DOLLAR HEALTH CARE BILL
Berkley Voted For The Final Version Of The Obama-Pelosi-Reid Health Care Bill That President Obama Later Signed Into Law. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #165: Motion Agreed To 219-212: R 0-178; D 219-34, 3/21/10, Berkley Voted Yea)
Berkley Supported Raising Taxes To Pay For The Health Care Bill
During The Creation Of The Health Care Bill, House Democrats On The Ways And Means Committee Proposed A Surtax On Individuals Making Over $200,000 As A Means To Pay For The Bill. “An income tax surcharge on highly paid Americans emerged as the leading option Wednesday night as House Democrats sought ways to pay for health care legislation that President Barack Obama favors, several officials said. As discussed in the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, the surtax would apply to individuals with adjusted gross income of more than $200,000 and couples over $250,000, they added. In addition, key lawmakers are expected to call for a tax or fee equal to a percentage of a worker’s salary on employers who do not offer health benefits.” (David Espo and Erica Werner, “House Dems Eye Surtax On Wealthy On Health Care,” The Associated Press, 7/9/09)
“Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., A Member Of The Panel, Said The Proposed Surtax On High-Income Taxpayers Appealed To Her And Others As A Way To Avoid A ‘Nickel-And-Dime’ Approach involving numerous smaller tax increases. She added that other earlier options had fallen away, including an increase in the payroll tax.” (David Espo and Erica Werner, “House Dems Eye Surtax On Wealthy On Health Care,” The Associated Press, 7/9/09)
Berkley Supported The Health Care Mandate
In June 2010, Berkley Voted Against A Measure That Would Have Removed The Individual Mandate To Purchase Health Insurance In The Health Care Bill. “Camp, R-Mich., motion to recommit the bill to the Ways and Means Committee with instructions that it be immediately reported back with language that would repeal the individual mandate to purchase health insurance in the 2010 health care overhaul law.” (H.R. 5486, CQ Vote #362: Motion rejected by a vote of 187-230: D 21-229; R 166-1, 6/15/10, Berkley Voted Nay)
In 2011, Berkley Voted Against Repeal Of The Health Care Bill
Berkley Voted Against Repeal Of The Health Care Bill. “Passage of the bill that would repeal the 2010 health care overhaul law, which requires most individuals to buy health insurance by 2014, makes changes to government health care programs and sets new requirements for health insurers. The bill would restore the provisions of law amended or repealed by the health care overhaul, and repeal certain provisions of the health care reconciliation law.” (H.R. 2, CQ Roll Call Vote #14: Passed by a vote of 245-189: R 242-0; D 3-189, 1/19/11, Berkley Voted Nay)
National Democrats Are Not Enthusiastic About A Berkley Candidacy:
Jon Ralston: “I Think Berkley Is Close To A Decision, But She Remains Torn. I Still Think The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Prefers Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto For Her Ability To Harness Hispanic Votes And Money. But The More People Tell Berkley She Can’t Do Something. . . .” (Jon Ralston, “Road to the Senate in 2012 has same Angle as 2010,” Las Vegas Sun, 3/16/11)
Jon Ralston: “I Had Thought She Might Not Do It, As Some National Democrats Weren’t As Enthusiastic About Her Candidacy And Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Has Not Always Been A Berkley Booster.” (Jon Ralston, “Is Berkley running for the Senate? ‘I’m not prepared to share that answer with you,’” Las Vegas Sun, 3/24/11)
Jon Ralston: “My Guess Is The Majority Leader Is Not Thrilled With The Prospect Of Rep. Shelley Berkley As The Democratic Standard-Bearer — He Probably Questions Her Ability To Win Statewide.” (Jon Ralston, “Ensign May Need Divine Intervention To Survive,” Las Vegas Sun, 12/3/10)
Jon Ralston Opined That The Democrat Establishment Has A Serious Primary Problem With Byron Georgiou In The Race. “The Democrats also have two problems, which could metastasize. . . . Second, the Democratic Establishment feels about attorney Byron Georgiou, already in the race, the way the GOP powers that be feel about Angle — they want him out of the contest. I have seen many a rich guy get into a race, present a blank check and then fill it in with a much smaller number than his consultants expected. But if Georgiou, already attacking Berkley and the others, stays in and has enough zeros on that check, the Democrats will have a John Chachas who might actually do some electoral damage.” (Jon Ralston, “A ticket of Heller-Angle is favored, but …,” Las Vegas Sun, 3/20/11)
