New DSCC Ad: "It's Us Versus Them, and Roy Blunt Works For Them"

DSCC “Versus”

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Narrator:  It’s a question of us versus them.

Visual: It’s a question of us versus them.

Narrator:  Missouri faces record job losses…

Narrator: …but Roy Blunt supports tax breaks for corporations shipping jobs overseas.

Visual: Blunt supports tax breaks for corporations shipping jobs overseas

Source: Vote 259, 6/17/04

Blunt Voted for $40 Billion in Tax Breaks for Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas. In 2004, Blunt voted in favor of the American Jobs Creation Act (H.R. 4520).  According to the AFL-CIO, H.R. 4520 contained nearly $40 billion in tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. [Vote 259, 6/17/04; AFL-CIO 2004 House Scorecard]

·         AFL-CIO: Bill Contained Nearly $40 Billion in Tax Breaks for Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas.According to the AFL-CIO, H.R. 4520 contained nearly $40 billion in tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. [AFL-CIO 2004 House Scorecard]

·         Editorial: Bill More Likely to Create Jobs Overseas Than At Home. According to an editorial in the Tacoma News Tribune, H.R. 4520 was more likely to create jobs overseas than at home.  “But most egregious is a tax reprieve for multinational companies that hold their profits overseas - a measure that is more likely to create jobs overseas than at home.” [Tacoma News-Tribune Editorial, 6/28/04]

Blunt Voted Against Closing Tax Loophole For Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas.  In May 2010, Blunt voted against the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (HR 4213), legislation to extend tax breaks for individuals and small businesses while closing tax loopholes that enable companies to operate offshore with little tax liability.  According to the House Ways and Means Committee, “this abuse of the foreign tax credit encourages companies to move jobs offshore to avoid U.S. taxation.”  The measure passed, 215-204. [Vote 324, 5/28/10; CQ House Action Reports, No. 111-27, 5/24/10; House Ways and Means Committee,5/20/10]

Ways and Means Committee: Tax Loophole Encourages Companies to Move Jobs Offshore. According to the House Ways and Means Committee, the tax loophole closed by HR 4213 “encourages companies to move jobs offshore to avoid U.S. taxation.” [House Ways and Means Committee, 5/20/10]

Blunt Supported Enron-Style Tax Loopholes. In 2002, Blunt voted against an amendment to stop corporations from re-incorporating in offshore tax havens, such as Bermuda, to create shell corporations as a way to avoid paying U.S. taxes. The amendment was aimed at limiting the practice of companies re-incorporating outside the United States to lower their taxes sharply without giving up the benefits of doing business onshore. The necessity of the amendment was pointed out in a New York Timeseditorial: “Even in the best of times, it is outrageous for companies to engage in offshore shenanigans to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Doing so after the Enron scandal, in dire fiscal times and when the nation is at war is unconscionable.” The amendment was defeated 186-192.  [New York Times, 5/13/02; Vote 247, 6/21/02]

Blunt Opposed Penalties for Corporations That Lay Off More U.S. Workers Than They Do Overseas. In 2002, Blunt voted against an amendment to bar companies from receiving Export-Import bank aid if they laid-off more workers in the United States than they do in foreign countries. The bank amounted to corporate welfare that disproportionately aided larger firms. In 2001, the bank provided $9.2 billion in loans, guaranteed and exported credit insurance to support $12.5 billion in U.S. exports. In 2001, 90 percent of Ex-Im transactions involved small businesses, but they received just 18 percent of the total dollars from bank deals. The rest went to support exports from such companies as Boeing, Caterpillar, Enron, Lucent, General Electric, Kimberly Clark, Raytheon and Case. The largest single category was aircraft, which got $2.5 billion to finance sales of 53 planes around the world. The amendment was defeated, 135-283.  [AP, 5/01/02; Vote 120, 5/01/02]

Blunt Opposed Cracking Down on Corporate Expatriates. In 2002, Blunt voted against a bill to tax corporate executives of companies that leave U.S. shores, go bankrupt or were involved in worker pension fund irregularities. While including provisions to permanently extend the incentives for pension and retirement contributions contained in the 2001 $1.35 trillion tax cut law, the proposal also prevented companies from deducting more than $1 million in executive compensation if it were based on improved performance that came through manipulation of employee pension funds. The measure also taxed deferred compensation benefits for executives if they were protected from bankruptcy or other financial problems and required corporate executives to pay capital gains taxes on stock options should their corporation move overseas, such as those reincorporating in Bermuda for tax purposes. At the time, shareholders were obligated to pay these taxes, but not executives. The measure was defeated 182-204. [AP, 6/21/02; CQ Floor Votes, Vote 246, 6/21/02; Vote 246, 6/21/02]

Blunt Supported Federal Loans for Corporations that Move Offshore. In 2004, Blunt voted against an amendment to bar federal loans to American companies that have escaped paying U.S. taxes by moving offshore. The provision would forbid such companies from getting loans from the Export-Import Bank, a federal agency that helps American export firms. An estimated 250,000 jobs were lost annually to off-shoring. In early June 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics downwardly revised projections for white-collar job growth for 2002-2012, based on accelerated job migration. The agency reported that seven of the ten occupations expected to gain the most ground were low-wage occupations that do not require a college degree. Technology consulting firm Gartner, Inc. estimated that ten percent of computer services and software jobs would be moved overseas by the end of 2004. The amendment passed 270-132. [AP, 6/30/04; 7/15/04; Vote 386, 7/15/04]

Blunt Opposed Study on the Impact of Outsourcing. In 2004,Blunt voted against a motion directing the Commerce department to complete a study on the outsourcing of American jobs. An estimated 250,000 jobs were lost annually to outsourcing. In early June, the Bureau of Labor Statistics downwardly revised projections for white-collar job growth for 2002-2012, based on accelerated job migration. The agency reported that seven of the ten occupations expected to gain the most ground were low-wage occupations that do not require a college degree. Technology consulting firm Gartner, Inc. estimated that ten percent of computer services and software jobs would be moved overseas by the end of 2004. The motion was defeated 171-193. [CQ Floor Votes, Vote 358, 7/09/04; AP, 6/30/04; Vote 358,7/9/04]

Narrator:  Small businesses struggle…

Visual: Video of worker at cash register.

Narrator:  …but Blunt spearheaded the bailout, and took one point six million from big banks and Wall Street firms.

Visual: Blunt spearheaded the Wall St. bailout.  Blunt has taken over $1.6 million from big banks and Wall Street

Source:  St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 11/23/08; Center for Responsive Politics

Headline: Blunt Leads House GOP In Bailout Talks. [Gannett News Service, 9/30/08]

Headline: Blunt Is Man in the Middle for Bailout Talks. [CQ Today, 9/26/08]

Headline: Blunt Lines up Support for Another House Bailout Vote. [Gannett News Service, 10/2/08]

Blunt: According to Secretary Paulson, Wall Street Rescue Bill Doomed To Fail Until Sen. Gregg And I “Stepped Up And Made It Happen.” During an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Blunt said Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson had credited Blunt and Sen. Judd Gregg for making sure the TARP legislation passed. Asked “what would be a couple of high points as a leader,” Blunt responded, “And then of course, I had (Treasury Secretary) Hank Paulson tell me on the phone last night that this rescue effort (for the $700 billion financial rescue) appeared not to be happening ‘until you and (New Hampshire Sen.) Judd Gregg stepped up and made it happen.’” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 11/23/08]

Blunt Acted As Point Person On House Republican Negotiating Team For Bailout Bill. “Blunt said the financial rescue plan, as he likes to call it, is exactly the kind of legislation that tests a lawmaker.  He was the point person on the House GOP negotiating team.  ‘It’s a difficult thing,’ he said.  ‘Anybody in Congress can do the easy thing.  I go to Congress to do things that might not otherwise get done.’” [Gannett News Service, 10/28/08]

Blunt Supported the Final Bailout Bill. In 2008, Blunt voted in favor of a bill that would give a historic rescue to the financial industry. The bill specifically would allow the Treasury Department to buy up to $700 billion in troubled assets, the largest government intervention in the financial market since the Great Depression.  The measure was similar to a previous piece of legislation (HR 3997) but included significant restrictions on the Treasury program, including parceling out the money in installments, limiting executive compensation at participating firms and establishing a government insurance plan for asset-backed securities, paid for by financial institutions.  The bill passed 263-171.  [CQ Today, 10/03/08; Vote 681, 10/03/08]

Blunt Has Accepted Over $1.7 Million from Wall Street Special Interests. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Roy Blunt has accepted $1,759,240 from securities, banks and financial interests over his career.  Blunt’s contributions include $1,015,605 from securities and investment interests, $602,285 from commercial banks and $141,350 from finance and credit companies. [Center for Responsive Politics]

Narrator:  While families struggle with bills…

Visual: Video of couple at table.

Narrator: …Blunt repeatedly voted to block an increase in the minimum wage.

Visual: Blunt repeatedly voted to block an increase in the minimum wage

Source:  Vote 333, 5/10/07;  Vote 186, 3/23/07; Vote 18, 1/10/07;  Vote 382, 7/19/06; Vote 364, 7/12/06; Vote 360, 7/11/06; Vote 319, 6/27/06

May 2007: Blunt Voted Against Raising the Minimum Wage in Emergency Spending Bill. In 2007, Blunt voted against legislation that would provide $42.8 billion in fiscal 2007 emergency spending for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, the bill raised the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years and provided $4.8 billion in small-business tax incentives.  The bill passed 221-205.  [Vote 333, 5/10/07; CQ Floor Votes, Vote 333, 5/10/07]

March 2007: Blunt Voted Against Raising the Minimum Wage in Iraq War Funding Bill. In 2007, Blunt voted against legislation that would appropriate funds for the military and related operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and increase the minimum wage from by $2.10 an hour to $7.25 an hour. The measure passed 218-212.  [Vote 186,3/23/07; CQ House Action Reports, No. 110-3, 3/20/07]

January 2007: Blunt Voted Against Bill to Increase the Minimum Wage. In 2007, Blunt voted against a bill that would increase the federal minimum wage by $2.10 over two years -- from the current level of $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour.  [Vote 18, 1/10/07; CQ Floor Votes, Vote 18, 1/10/07]

Blunt Voted to Block Attempt to Raise Minimum Wage via Pledge Protection Act Debate.  In 2006, Blunt voted in favor of killing a Democratic attempt to offer an increase to the minimum wage during debate of the Pledge Protection Act. Blunt voted in favor of a motion offered by Rep. Gingrey of Georgia to end debate on adoption of the rule to provide for House floor consideration of the Pledge Protection Act.  The rule for debating the bill offered by the GOP leadership prohibited Democrats from offering a minimum wage increase. When Rep. Hastings of Florida attempted to offer an amendment that would have forced a vote on a minimum was increase, Republicans voted to end debate and kill the attempt. The motion passed 224-200.  [Vote 382, 7/19/06; Hastings Floor Remarks, Congressional Record, 7/19/06; CQ Floor Votes, Vote 382, 7/19/06]

Republican Motion Blocked a Vote on Increasing the Minimum Wage. The motion offered by Rep. Gingrey of Georgia to end debate on the rule prevented a vote from being taken on an amendment offered by Rep. Hastings of Florida that would have forced a vote on the Miller-Owens minimum wage bill, legislation to increase the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour over two years. [Hastings Floor Remarks, Congressional Record, 7/19/06]

Blunt Voted to Block Attempt to Raise Minimum Wage via Credit Rating Bill Debate. In 2006, Blunt voted in favor of killing a Democratic attempt to offer an increase to the minimum wage during debate of the credit rating bill.  Blunt voted in favor a motion offered by Rep. Capito of West Virginia to end debate on adoption of the rule to provide for House floor consideration of the credit rating bill. The rule for debating the bill offered by the GOP leadership prohibited Democrats from offering a minimum wage increase. When Democrats protested, Republicans voted to kill the Democratic attempt. The attempt passed 223-197.  [Vote 364, 7/12/06; Steny Hoyer Press Release, 7/12/06; CQ Floor Votes, Vote 364, 7/12/06]

Republican Motion Blocked a Vote on Increasing the Minimum Wage. The motion offered by Rep. Capito of West Virginia to end debate on the rule prevented a vote from being taken on the Miller/Owens Minimum Wage Bill, legislation to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over two years. [Steny Hoyer Press Release, 7/12/06]

Blunt Voted to Block Attempt to Raise Minimum Wage via Internet Gaming Bill Debate. In 2006, Blunt voted in favor of killing a Democratic attempt to offer an increase to the minimum wage during debate of the internet gaming bill. Blunt voted in favor of a motion offered by Rep. Gingrey of Georgia to end debate on adoption of the rule to provide House floor consideration of the internet gaming bill.  The rule for debating the bill was offered by the GOP leadership and prohibited Democrats from offering a minimum wage increase. When Democrats protested, Republicans voted to kill the Democratic attempt. The motion passed 214-189. [Vote 360, 7/11/06; Pelosi Press Release, 7/11/06; CQ Floor Votes, Vote 360, 7/11/06]

Republican Motion Blocked a Vote on Increasing the Minimum Wage. The motion offered by Rep. Gingrey of Georgia to end debate on the rule prevented a vote from being taken on a bill offered by Rep. George Miller of California to increase the minimum wage. [Pelosi Press Release, 7/11/06]

Blunt Voted to Block Minimum Wage Increase in SSJC Appropriations Bill. In 2006, Blunt voted in favor of killing a Democratic attempt to offer an amendment to increase the minimum wage to the Science, State, Justice, and Commerce (SSJC) appropriations bill. Blunt voted in favor of a rule offered by the Republican leadership that barred Democrats from offering an amendment to increase the minimum wage. When Democrats protested, Republicans voted to kill the Democratic attempt to bring up the amendment. The motion passed 224-188. [Vote 319, 6/27/06;CQ Today, 12/16/06; CQ Floor Votes, Vote 319, 6/27/06]

Republican Rule Blocked Vote on Increasing the Minimum Wage. The rule offered by the Republican leadership prevented a vote from being taking on an amendment would have increased the minimum wage to $7.25. [CQ Today, 12/16/06]

CQ Today: House Lawmakers Rejected Minimum Wage Increase in SSJC Appropriations Bill. “House lawmakers rejected several contentious amendments that could have delayed passage, including a proposal to cut off funding for enforcement of bilingual voting assistance and another to boost the federal minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 by January 2009.” [CQ Today, 12/16/06]

Narrator:  It’s us versus them.  And Roy Blunt works for them.

Visual: it’s us versus them….and Roy Blunt works for them.

Narrator:  The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising.

Visual:  Paid for by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee,www.dscc.org.  Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.  The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising.