Across The United States ObamaCare Took $716 Billion From Seniors On Medicare

It was a little more than two years ago, when Democrat Heidi Heitkamp told North Dakotans that the $1.76 trillion healthcare bill was a “legacy vote” that would lower the cost of health care, but what Heitkamp did not tell voters is that ObamaCare will cut $1 billion from North Dakota seniors on Medicare including $107 million in Burleigh County where she is campaigning today with Alaska Senator Mark Begich.

According to the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Business, these cuts will take approximately $1 billion from seniors in North Dakota who depend on Medicare.

• Over The Next 10 Years, ObamaCare Will Cut $1 Billion From Medicare Plans That North Dakota Seniors Rely On For Their Health Care Needs. (Robert A. Book and Michael Ramlet, “What Is The Regional Impact Of The Medicare Fee-For-Service And Medicare Advantage Payment Reductions,” University Of Minnesota’s Carlson School Of Management, 9/12)

“Hopefully Heidi Heitkamp and Senator Begich will explain why they continue to support a $107 million cut to Burleigh County seniors on Medicare,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover.  “This non-partisan report is a sobering reminder that Heidi Heitkamp’s liberal agenda is wrong not just for the people of Burleigh County but the entire state of North Dakota.” 

For a breakdown of how Heitkamp’s ObamaCare will affect North Dakota click here. 

BACKGROUND….

Heidi Heitkamp’s Support Of ObamaCare Means A $716 Billion Cut From Medicare To Pay For Obamacare –  A Cut The Obama Campaign Now Refers To As An Achievement: 

According To The Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, Obamacare Cuts $716 Billion From Medicare. (Congressional Budget Office, Letter To Speaker John Boehner, 7/24/12)

·         Miami Herald: “Obama’s $700 Billion Medicare-Cut Problem” (Marc Caputo, “Obama’s $700 Billion Medicare-Cut Problem,” Miami Herald, 8/12/12)

President Obama’s Senior Campaign Aide Has Bragged That President Obama “Achieved” $700 Billion In “Cuts In Medicare.” CUTTER: “Well, you know ask the wealthy to pay a little bit more. Cut waste from the government. Reform Medicare. More than $300 billion in savings from Medicare. On top of the savings we’ve already achieved. You know I heard Mitt Romney deride the $700 billion cuts in Medicare that the president achieved through health care reform.” (CBS’s “Face The Nation,” 8/12/12)

Heitkamp’s Support of Medicare Cuts Will Jeopardize Benefits For Seniors – Reducing Access To Care And Driving Millions From Medicare Advantage:

The Medicare Actuary Has Estimated 15% Of “Hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities, And Home Health Agencies” Will Be In The Red Before The Decade Is Over. “In the Office of the Actuary‘s April 22, 2010 memorandum on the estimated financial effects of the Affordable Care Act, we noted that by 2019 the update reductions would result in negative total facility margins for about 15 percent of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. This estimated percentage would continue to increase, reaching roughly 25 percent in 2030 and 40 percent by 2050. In practice, providers could not sustain continuing negative margins and, absent legislative changes, would have to withdraw from providing services to Medicare beneficiaries, merge with other provider groups, or shift substantial portions of Medicare costs to their non-Medicare, non-Medicaid payers.” (“Projected Expenditures Under An Illustrative Scenario With Alternative Payment Updates To Medicare Providers,” Center For Medicare & Medicaid Services, 5/13/11)

52 Percent Of Doctors Say Obamacare Will Compel Them To Close Or Significantly Restrict Their Practices To Medicare Patients. (Merritt Hawkins, “Health Reform and the Decline of Physician Private Practice,” The Physicians Foundation, October 2010)

Obamacare’s Cuts Will Cause Enrollment In Medicare Advantage To “Plummet By About 50 Percent” And Leave Seniors With “Higher Out-Of-Pocket Costs.” “In addition to flagging provider cuts as potentially unsustainable, the report [HHS] projected that reductions in payments to private Medicare Advantage plans would trigger an exodus from the popular alternative. Enrollment would plummet by about 50 percent. Seniors leaving the private plans would still have health insurance under traditional Medicare, but many might face higher out-of-pocket costs.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Report Says Health Care Will Cover More, Cost More,” The Associated Press, 4/23/10)

·         The Medicare Trustees Project These Cuts Will Drive 4 Million Seniors Out Of Medicare Advantage Plans By 2018. (Medicare Trustees Report, 4/23/12)

The post Heidi Heitkamp’s Healthcare Bill Cuts $1 Billion From North Dakota Seniors On Medicare appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

While praising the $1.76 trillion, job-killing healthcare law as a “legacy vote,” Democrat Heidi Heitkamp also promised that ObamaCare would lower the cost of healthcare, yet today a new report reveals Americans are now paying more for their health care.

As the Washington Post reports:

“Spending for private health insurance surged by 4.6 percent in 2011…That growth rate is faster than the rest of the economy and higher than the previous year, which had 3.8 percent growth.  Average spending on a private insurance patient rose to $4,547 in 2011, compared with $4,349 in 2010.  That statistic suggests that a recent downturn in health-care spending may have been a temporary product of the recession rather than a more permanent change, as some health-care economists have hoped.”  (Sarah Kliff, Health insurance costs grew slowly for two years. Now, they’re speeding up,Washington Post, 9/25/12)

Notably, Heitkamp also said ObamaCare is a budget saver.

“Once again we are seeing the harsh toll Heidi Heitkamp’s ObamaCare is taking on North Dakotans,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover.  “It’s just another costly reminder that Heitkamp’s liberal agenda is hurting families across North Dakota.”      

BACKGROUND

In April 2010, Heitkamp Spoke At A Rally Organized By Liberal Groups To Thank The North Dakota Congressional Delegation For Supporting ObamaCare.Heitkamp: “In this room today, all of you have the privilege of having participated in speaking for the thousands who have not had a voice, who have not had the big lobbyists, who have not had all the money, but they had a dream – that maybe health care would be affordable for them. Maybe their family would not be bankrupt because they needed a new hip replacement. Maybe they now have opportunity. So I wanted to start out my comments, and thank all of you for being those voices for the thousands who have never had a voice in America, who today for the first time in my memory, in a long time, they’ve won. Despite all the odds, they have won.” (Heidi Heitkamp, Health Care Rally, Fargo, ND, 4/1/10; “Health Care Reform Rally Planned For Thursday In Fargo,” The Forum, 3/30/10)

The post Heidi Heitkamp Said ObamaCare Would Make Healthcare More Affordable, Yet Costs Continue To Rise appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

WASHINGTON – Last month the top Senate Democratic leaders who are overseeing Heidi Heitkamp’s campaign for Senate made clear that they were willing to allow the country to go over a “fiscal cliff” unless their demands for massive tax hikes were met.

But today, a new report from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) made clear that as a result of the Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spend policies, we are already headed in that direction.  The report shows that the economy would go into a recession and unemployment would increase if the Democrats’ proposed small business tax hike and massive defense cuts are put into effect.

“Today’s report is just the latest evidence that the failed economic policies trumpeted by Heidi Heitkamp and President Obama are driving our country over a fiscal cliff,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover said today.  “From the reckless spending to the massive expansion of government in ObamaCare, Heidi Heitkamp has marched in virtual lockstep with President Obama and their failed policies are hurting North Dakotans.

“Under the Obama-Heitkamp economy, we’ve had 43 straight months of unemployment above 8 percent, a skyrocketing debt that’s now reached almost $16 trillion, and four straight years of trillion dollar deficits.  This report is yet another big wake-up call that North Dakota simply can’t afford four more years of Heidi Heitkamp and Barack Obama’s failed economic policies,” Trover concluded.

BACKGROUND….

CBO Projects ‘Significant Recession,’ ‘Jobless Rate Rising’

NATIONAL JOURNAL: “CBO: Jumping Off Fiscal Cliff Would Cause Recession” (“CBO: Jumping Off Fiscal Cliff Would Cause Recession,” National Journal, 8/22/12)

NEW YORK TIMES: “…if Congress takes no action to stave off tax increases due and automatic budget cuts scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, the economy could fall into a recession, with total output shrinking and the jobless rate rising to about 9 percent in the second half of 2013… Fears about tax increases and spending cuts — the ‘fiscal tightening’ — are depressing economic growth…” (“Report Sees Risk Of Recession If Budget Stalemate Persists,” The New York Times, 8/22/12)

WASHINGTON POST: “The nation would be plunged into a significant recessionduring the first half of next year if Congress fails to avert nearly $500 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts set to hit in January…” (“Significant Recession Imminent If Congress Doesn’t Act On Fiscal Cliff: CBO Report,” The Washington Post, 8/22/12)

REUTERS: “…even worse economic damage than previously thought if Washington fails to come up with a solution, Congress’ budget referee said on Wednesday.” (“U.S. CBO Sees Deeper ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Recession Next Year,” Reuters, 8/22/12)

AP: “… fresh, dire projections by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.” (“Analysts: Recession Likely Without Budget Accord,” AP, 8/22/12)

CBO: “…a recession, with real GDP declining by 0.5 percent between the fourth quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2013 and the unemployment rate rising to about 9 percent in the second half of calendar year 2013.” (“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022, Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

Under Senate Democrats’ We Are Now Facing A Fourth Straight Year Of Trillion Dollar Deficits

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Is Predicting The Fourth Straight Deficit To Exceed $1 Trillion At $1.1 Trillion. “Congress’ nonpartisan budget analysts are projecting a $1.1 trillion federal deficit for 2012, the fourth straight year the government’s shortfall will exceed $1 trillion.” (“Analysts Project $1.1T Federal Deficit This Year,” The Associated Press, 8/22/12)

• CBO: “The Federal Budget Deficit For Fiscal Year 2012 … Will Total $1.1 Trillion … Marking The Fourth Year In A Row With A Deficit Of More Than $1 Trillion.” (“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022,”Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

CBO: “The Amount Of Federal Debt Held By The Public Has Skyrocketed In The Past Few Years, Rising From 40 Percent Of GDP At The End Of 2008 To An Estimated 73 Percent By The End Of This Year.” (“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022,”Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

• According To The CBO, Federal Debt Held By The Public Will Reach The Highest Levels Since The 1950s. ”Federal debt held by the public will reach 73 percent of GDP by the end of this fiscal year-the highest level since 1950 and about twice the 36 percent of GDP that it measured at the end of 2007, before the financial crisis and recent recession.” (“An Update To The Budget And Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022,” Congressional Budget Office, 8/22/12)

Senate Democrats’ Plan —  ‘Risk Racing Over The Fiscal Cliff’

“…Democratic Senator Patty Murray said her party is willing to risk racing over the fiscal cliff and into financial chaos in 2013.” (“US Lawmakers Head Home, Severe Challenges Loom,” AFP, 8/4/12)

“Democrats say they are prepared to go over the so-called fiscal cliff at the end of the year …” (“Democrats Risk Fiscal Cliff By Targeting Top Earners’ Break,” Bloomberg News,7/10/12)

·         “Democrats have made clear that they are ready to allow tax rates to rise and automatic cuts to kick in for both defense and domestic programs… Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who outlined the Democratic strategy in a speech this month, put the GOP on notice that her party would rather plunge off the fiscal cliff than extend tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. White House aides pointedly backed Murray’s threat on Tuesday.” (“Democrats Waxing Tough On Fiscal Cliff,” National Journal, 7/25/12)

·         SEN. PATTY MURRAY (D-WA): “So if we can’t get a good deal… then I will absolutely continue this debate into 2013… our country is going to have to face the consequences…” (Sen. Murray, Remarks At The Brookings Institute, 7/16/12)

·         SEN. MARK BEGICH (D-AK): “There are more people today than before that say let this all just expire out.” (“Geithner Meets Murray Amid Fears Lawmakers Might Not Stop Fiscal Cliff,”The Hill, 8/2/12)

·         SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): Q: “Do you agree with Senator Murray that if you do not get a balanced deal, you’ll fight this into 2013?” SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): “…Patty Murray knows what she’s talking about.” (Sen. Reid, Press Briefing, 7/17/12)

The post New Report Highlights Latest Evidence Of Obama-Heitkamp Failed Economic Policies appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Stabenow consistently votes against ending estate tax

Three short days after defying Michigan farmers and small business owners by voting for a massive tax increase, Senator Debbie Stabenow is descending onto North Dakota bringing her far-left agenda to the Heitkamp for Senate campaign.

In light of Sen. Stabenow’s visit, the NRSC today released a new web video titled “A Lot In Common” – taken from Heitkamp’s own words this week saying that she and Sen. Stabenow have a lot in common.

“There’s no question Debbie Stabenow and Heidi Heitkamp have a lot in common – both support President Obama and his plan to raise taxes on small business, both are ardent backers of ObamaCare and both have been feverishly fundraising across the country to ensure Harry Reid remains Senate Majority Leader – we can only hope that Heidi Heitkamp and Sen. Stabenow discuss their views on these issues with North Dakotans this weekend,” said NRSC Spokesman Lance Trover. “

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Heitkamp’s “good friend” is one of the most liberal members of the U.S. Senate – voting with President Obama’s agenda 98% of the time.  Stabenow is also an ardent backer of the estate tax – something farmers across the country have said would be devastating.

“It’s interesting that most of Heidi’s friends tend to be far-left icons like Elizabeth Warren, Dianne Feinstein and Debbie Stabenow,” added Trover. “If North Dakota voters want to see who Heidi Heitkamp will stand with in Washington, they need not look any further than to who she’s standing with today.”

BACKGROUND ON DEBBIE STABENOW 

Stabenow Voted For The “Stimulus” Bill. (H.R. 1, CQ Vote #64: Adopted 60-38; R 3-38; D 55-0; I 2-0, 2/13/09, Stabenow Voted Yea) 

STABENOW: “[T]his Bill Is All About Creating Jobs.” NOVOTNY: “But Senator, and there’s an op-ed in the Detroit Free Press, and it reads in part, ‘When Michigan sneezes, the whole nation gets a cold.’ There’s this new report, today, that General Motors will lay off another 5,000 employees. Can this bill help the auto industry?” STABENOW: “It absolutely can. You know, this bill is all about creating jobs. For us, with the auto industry, the fact that it focuses on manufacturing tax credits for making the new plug-in electric vehicles — manufacturing credit, focused on battery research and cell (ph) manufacturing.” (MSNBC, 2/9/09)

In 2010, Stabenow Supported Obama 98 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly, www.cq.com, Accessed 8/26/11) 

In 2009, Stabenow Supported Obama 96 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly, www.cq.com, Accessed 8/26/11) 

Stabenow Voted To Pass The Senate Version Of The $2.5 Trillion Obama-Reid Health Care Bill. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #396: Passed 60-39: R 0-39; D 58-0; I 2-0, 12/24/09, Stabenow Voted Yea)

• Stabenow Provided The 60^th Vote To Invoke Cloture On The Senate Health Care Bill. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #395: Motion agreed to 60-39: R 0-39; D 58-0; I 2-0, 12/23/09, Stabenow Voted Yea) 

Stabenow Said She Was Supporting Obama “One Thousand Percent.” “‘We are all supporting Obama 1,000 percent,’ said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), who supported Clinton during the primaries. ‘We’re sending a very strong message that we are unified in supporting him.’” (Amie Parnes, “Obama Courts Clintonites On The Hill,” Politico, 6/18/08)

The post NRSC Releases Web Video “A Lot In Common” Highlighting Heitkamp & Stabenow’s Common Bond appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Just one day after Heidi Heitkamp told North Dakota voters that her main concern is lowering the cost of health care and two short years after she called ObamaCare a “legacy vote” that would make it more affordable for small businesses to offer healthcare to employees, a new report today from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reveals that the price of healthcare continues to increase.

Since the healthcare bill has been signed into law, costs have risen by 9 percent and the average premium has risen by $1,300.  They could rise as much as $2,500 according to today’s CBO report. 

As the CBO reports:

The additional enrollees [i.e., those previously projected to enroll in Medicaid, but who will now receive Exchange subsidies in light of the Court’s ruling] are likely to spend more on health care, on average, than those previously expected to purchase insurance through the exchanges because people with lower income generally have somewhat poorer health.  As a result, CBO and JCT now estimate that the premiums for health insurance offered through the exchanges, along with premiums in the individual market, will be 2 percent higher than those estimated in March 2012.

Interestingly, while saying she wouldn’t vote to repeal ObamaCare, Heitkamp just yesterday told Valley News Live that her main concern was lowering the cost of health care. 

Notably, the total cost of the healthcare bill has risen from $940 billion to nearly $1.75 trillion. 

“Heidi Heitkamp promised ObamaCare would lower the cost of healthcare, but today North Dakotans are paying more money than ever,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover.  “Between the job-killing taxes and the raiding of Medicare funds, it’s clear Heidi Heitkamp misled, and continues to mislead, people about the true effects of her government-run healthcare plan.”

BACKGROUND …

Heidi Heitkamp Promised ObamaCare Would Lower Healthcare Costs

Heitkamp Said The Health Care Law Was Going To Make It More Affordable For Small Businesses To Offer Health Care To Their Employees. Heitkamp: “On behalf of all the small businesspeople who would dearly love to get their people – their employees – health insurance, but they can’t afford it. The number one reason, if you look at North Dakota’s report on premiums, it is by and far the number one reason why employers do not cover employees – because of cost. We are going to make – this bill is going to make that benefit affordable for those small businesspeople. And so I want, on behalf of those small businesspeople to thank Senator Conrad.” (Heidi Heitkamp, Health Care Rally, Fargo, ND, 4/1/10)

Meanwhile Healthcare Costs Across The Country Continue To Rise

BLOOMBERG:  “The average cost of a family policy climbed 9 percent in 2011 to $15,073, according to a poll of 2,088 private companies and state and local government agencies by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation in Menlo Park, California, and the Chicago- based American Hospital Association’s Health Research and Educational Trust.” (Jeffrey Young, “Health-Benefit Costs Rise Most In Six Years,” Bloomberg, 9/27/11)

WALL STREET JOURNAL:  “[In 2011], the health-insurance premiums employers pay rose sharply this year, with the average annual cost of family coverage passing the $15,000 mark for the first time, according to a major survey.” (“Employer Health Premiums Rise Sharply,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/27/11) 

WALL STREET JOURNAL: “The average annual family premium for 2011 was $15,073, up from $13,770 last year.” (“Employer Health Premiums Rise Sharply,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/27/11)

The post Despite Heidi Heitkamp’s Promise, The Cost Of Healthcare Continues To Rise In North Dakota appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

“President Obama and Heidi Heitkamp have long supported higher taxes, bigger government and increased spending, so their support for yet another massive tax hike on North Dakota small businesses comes as little surprise.  But in the wake of another weak jobs report, a massive health care bill that increases taxes on the middle class and a growing $15 trillion debt, why can’t Heidi Heitkamp answer one very simple question – how does raising taxes on North Dakota small businesses create jobs?”  — Lance Trover, NRSC Spokesman

BACKGROUND … 

FLASHBACK – President Obama: “The Last Thing You Want To Do Is Raise Taxes In The Middle Of A Recession.” (President Obama, Remarks During An Interview With NBC, Elkhart, IN, 8/5/09)

OBAMA-HEITKAMP SOLUTION FOR THE 23 MILLION AMERICANS STRUGGLING TO FIND WORK IS TO RAISE TAXES ON JOB CREATORS AND SMALL BUSINESSES

• Roughly 940,000 small businesses will be hit by a big tax hike. According to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), “75 percent of small businesses are organized as pass-through entities meaning they pay taxes on their business income at the individual rate.” The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimates the tax hike would hit about 940,000 small businesses (see more here from ABC News). 

• Half of all small business income would face higher taxes. According to Bloomberg News, analysis by JCT also shows President Obama’s plan for massive tax hikes “would mean higher taxes on 53 percent of business income reported on individual returns.”

• More than a quarter of American workers’ jobs are at risk. “According to U.S. Census data,” says NFIB, small businesses “employ more than 25 percent of the total workforce.” Raising taxes on small businesses threatens these jobs – the last thing we need to do in a weak economy. 

Today’s Economy Weaker Than When Obama Extended All Tax Rates

2010 Economic Growth: 3.1%

Real GDP growth over the four quarters before Dec. 2010 tax rate extension: 3.1% (“Table 1.1.1, Percent Change From Preceding Period In Real Gross Domestic Product,” Bureau Of Economic Analysis, Accessed 7/9/12) 

2012 Economic Growth: 2.0%

Real GDP growth over the previous four quarters: 2.0% (“Table 1.1.1, Percent Change From Preceding Period In Real Gross Domestic Product,” Bureau Of Economic Analysis, Accessed 7/9/12) 

In 2010, Obama Said Tax Increases ‘Would Have Been A Blow To Our Economy’

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “…tax rates for every American were poised to automatically increase on January 1st… would have been a blow to our economy just as we’re climbing out of a devastating recession.” (President Obama, Remarks At Bill Signing, 12/17/10) 

• OBAMA: “If we allow these taxes to go up, the result would be that a lot of people most likely would spend less, and that means that the economy would grow less.” (President Obama, Remarks, Kokomo, IN, 11/23/10) 

• OBAMA: “You don’t raise taxes in a recession.” (“Obama: We Must ‘Help Elkhart Reinvent Itself,’” MSNBC, 8/5/09; Video Here)

HEIDI HEITKAMP’S TAX-AND-SPEND RECORD, JUST LIKE OBAMA’S

Heitkamp Supports the Buffett Rule
(http://heidifornorthdakota.com/media/heitkamp-challenges-rep-berg-focus-on-deficit-reduction-and-support-buffett-rule-not-cutting-your-own-taxes/)

The post Obama, Heitkamp Want Higher Taxes On Small Businesses, But Can’t Explain How That Will Create More North Dakota Jobs appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Two years ago Heidi Heitkamp, despite knowing it would raise taxes, told North Dakota voters that ObamaCare was a “legacy vote” that made sense and today the Supreme Court has affirmed Heitkamp’s decision to put President Obama’s agenda ahead of North Dakota seniors and small businesses.  In doing so, the Court has made clear what is at stake in November’s election.

“The Supreme Court’s decision makes clear that the only way to stop the massive tax increases, government spending, and cuts to Medicare contained in ObamaCare is to ensure Heidi Heitkamp does not make it to the United States Senate,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Spokesman Lance Trover said today.  

BACKGROUND….

LEGACY VOTE

TAXES

The post Supreme Court Upholds Heidi Heitkamp’s Massive Tax Increase & Medicare Cuts On North Dakota Seniors appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

From:     National Republican Senatorial Committee

Re:          North Dakota Senate Race

Date:       June 12, 2012

“I congratulate Rick Berg on winning the Republican nomination for  U.S.  Senate. Rick is a native North Dakotan, successful businessman, and someone who understands the value of hard work.  Since his election to the House, Rick has been working every day to bring the North Dakota way to Washington by fighting to repeal ObamaCare, cut government spending and grow our economy.  North Dakotans understand that Washington is in dire need of individuals who know how jobs are created and that’s why I am confident they will elect Rick Berg to the Senate in November.” – U.S. Senator John Cornyn, NRSC Chairman

BACKGROUND….

Rick Berg is a successful businessman who came from humble beginnings – working on his family farm in Hettinger.

While Rick has spent the last two years fighting to reduce the tax burden on Americans, repeal ObamaCare, and cut government spending, his opponent, Heidi Heitkamp, has been an ardent supporter of the President and his far-left policies including ObamaCare and higher taxes.

Heitkamp Is a Liberal
Heitkamp is desperately trying to portray herself as a moderate, but her actions including her support of Harry Reid for Senate Leader and her multiple fundraising junkets to Los Angeles and San Francisco with some of the lefts biggest icons including Tammy Baldwin and Dianne Feinstein give every indication that she will simply be another reliable vote in support of the Reid-Pelosi-Obama agenda.

Heitkamp Re-Writing History
As part of her attempt to re-write history, Heitkamp has attempted to distance herself from her support of ObamaCare, but Politico noted she’s unable to present any evidence of questioning the legislation prior to her run for Senate.

In another shameless attempt to mislead voters, Heitkamp is attempting to run a pro-energy campaign, yet cannot explain why her view of America’s future with energy includes re-electing a President who has been decidedly anti-energy.
North Dakota
President Obama’s perilous standing among the North Dakota electorate will also affect Heitkamp’s standing with voters.  According to a Gallup survey in August 2011 showed the President’s approval rating hovering at an abysmal 37%.  This number is key because in 2010 Republicans won 7 of the 8 competitive senate races where the President’s approval rating was 46% or lower.  Clearly, Heitkamp’s support of the President’s re-election and ObamaCare ensures that she will have a difficult time with North Dakota voters.

North Dakota is a Republican state.  There are 12 statewide constitutional offices and Republicans hold every single one.  North Dakota’s state legislature is also solidly Republican.  Senate: 35R-12D; House: 69R-25D.

Berg vs. Heitkamp

Berg

• Fighting to repeal ObamaCare
• Leading the fight for a Balanced Budget Amendment
• Working to expand domestic energy production

Heitkamp

• Says that ObamaCare was a “legacy vote”
• Claims to support a balanced budget amendment – but only with “exceptions”
• Thinks Barack Obama is “amazing”

·         Supports liberal Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader

The post NRSC Statement & Background On North Dakota Senate Race appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

For Tony Bennett his love waited in San Francisco, for Heidi Heitkamp today it’s thousands in campaign contributions from Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and her liberal pals.

For a mere $15,000 anyone from San Francisco can personally claim that they’re a friend of Heidi Heitkamp, while for $35,000 any Bay Area liberal can be an official sponsor of Heitkamp’s campaign to “bring the North Dakota Way to Washington.”

What’s also worth noting is how exactly Heidi’s friend Sen. Feinstein is on the issues.  In 2011, Feinstein voted with President Obama 99% of the time, she opposes the Keystone XL Pipeline, and the liberal group Americans for Democratic Action in 2008 labeled her more liberal than her counterpart Barbara Boxer.

Heitkamp and Feinstein can also swap stories about their unwavering support of ObamaCare.

“It’s funny how the road from North Dakota to Washington keeps leading Heitkamp through the hills of San Francisco and Los Angeles,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Lance Trover.  “If North Dakotans want to see who Heidi Heitkamp will stand with in Washington, they don’t need to look any further than to see who she is hobnobbing with in San Francisco.”

BACKGROUND

In 2011, Feinstein Voted With Obama 99% Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 5/30/12)

Feinstein Has Opposed Efforts To Build The Keystone XL Pipeline. “Hoeven, R-N.D., amendment no. 1537 that would provide for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline between Canada and the United States. It would require that the route for the pipeline in Nebraska be submitted by the state of Nebraska. It also would provide for certain environmental protections.” (S. 1813, CQ Vote #34, Rejected by a vote of 56-42: D 11-40; R 45-0; I 0-2, 3/8/12, Feinstein Voted Nay)

Sacramento Bee: “Who’s More Liberal? Barbara Boxer Or Dianne Feinstein? If You Think It’s Boxer, You’re Wrong – At Least According To The Liberal Group Americans For Democratic Action, Which Ranks Washington Politicians Each Year. In 2009, The Washington-Based Group Said Both Senators Were Perfectly Liberal And Gave Them Scores Of 100. But In 2008, Feinstein Received A Score Of 100 From The Group, While Boxer Scored 95.” (“The Buzz: Who’s More Liberal, Boxer Or Feinstein?” [CA] Sacramento Bee, 7/6/10)

The post Like Tony Bennett, Heidi Heitkamp Left Her Heart In San Francisco appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.

If for some reason you didn’t see Heidi Heitkamp walking the streets of Fargo, Williston, or Bismarck this weekend, it’s probably because she was 2,000 miles away walking the streets of Boston and New York raising money with liberal icons and fellow Democratic Senate candidates Elizabeth Warren and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin.

Heitkamp spent the weekend raising money with Warren – the self-proclaimed founder of the Occupy movement – the one who Barbara Streisand praised for her unrepentant liberalism.  She was also fundraising with Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin – the person who believes ObamaCare didn’t go far enough.

Notably, both Warren and Baldwin are avowed opponents of GOP efforts to move forward on the Keystone Pipeline, even though Heitkamp claims to support its construction when back home in North Dakota.   And, don’t forget the goal of this fundraising junket is simply to help keep liberal Harry Reid in place as Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate.  As Democratic Leader, Reid has also led efforts to block the construction of Keystone.

“If North Dakotans want to know who Heidi Heitkamp will stand with in the United States Senate, look no further than who she is standing with on the campaign trail as she travels the country with fellow liberals Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Baldwin,” said NRSC Spokesman Lance Trover.  “With friends like those, it’s no wonder she believes Barack Obama is ‘amazing’ and thinks ObamaCare was a legacy vote.”

BACKGROUND

Baldwin: “I Actually Was For A Government Takeover Of Medicine. I Was For A Single Payer Plan.” (9^th Annual Fighting Bob Fest, www.youtube.com/)

The Boston Globe: “In A New Interview, Democratic Senate Candidate Elizabeth Warren Claims Much Of The Credit For The Occupy Wall Street Protests Sweeping The Nation.” (Glen Johnson, “Elizabeth Warren Says She ‘Created Intellectual Foundation’ For Occupy Wall Street Movement,” The Boston Globe, 10/25/11)

Warren Said She “Created Much Of The Intellectual Foundation” For The Occupy Wall Street Protests. “Elizabeth Warren is running for office in the most high-profile race in the country not involving Barack Obama. It’s a position that calls for some tact. So what does she think about the Occupy Wall Street protests that are roiling the country? ‘I created much of the intellectual foundation for what they do,’ she says. ‘I support what they do.’” (Samuel P. Jacobs, “Who’s Afraid Of Elizabeth Warren?” The Daily Beast, 10/24/11)

The post Heitkamp Continues Raising Money With Liberal Icons appeared first on NRSC - National Republican Senatorial Committee.