News

Heller Asks: Are Obama And Berkley's Solutions Working?

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:41:00 GMT

Las Vegas, NV – Senator Dean Heller issued the following statement regarding President Obama's visit to Las Vegas today:

"When President Obama took office and Shelley Berkley was beginning her second decade in Washington, Nevada was hurting. Obama and Berkley's solution was a trillion dollar stimulus that they promised would create 34,000 jobs in Nevada. Instead, Nevada lost tens of thousands of jobs and many more Nevadans have lost their homes to foreclosure. As President Obama comes to Las Vegas to continue his push for a bigger, more expensive government, I have just one question for Nevadans, 'Are Obama and Berkley's solutions working?'" said Senator Dean Heller.

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First In The West

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:17:00 GMT

In just 15 days, on Saturday, February 4th, Nevada Republicans will get their chance to weigh-in on the 2012 GOP presidential nominee.

With the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary over, we are one step closer to the presidential caucus in Nevada and doing our part to determine the Republican nominee.

Not only will you be involved in determining the Republican nominee, but you will also have the opportunity to volunteer for the Heller for Senate campaign.

If you're interested in volunteering to help sign up supporters for Dean at the caucuses, please email Jeremy Hughes at JHughes@DeanHeller.com for more information.

Please, mark your calendars so you don't miss your opportunity to participate in the First In The West caucus.

Learn more about how the caucus works at www.NVGOPCaucus.com/faqs.

2,855 Donors Help Heller Raise $1.1 Million In 4th Quarter

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:05:00 GMT

(Las Vegas, NV) – Today Dean Heller's campaign announced it has raised more than $1.11 million in the fourth quarter from 2,855 individual donors. More than 1,900 donors in the 4th quarter were first time donors to Heller.

Nevadans from all 17 counties have contributed, with more than 2,100 individuals donating $200 or less.

"You can feel the momentum," said Mike Slanker, lead consultant on the Heller Campaign. "Thousands of people from all across Nevada responded in just a few short months to Dean Heller's message of smaller government, a balanced federal budget, and getting Nevadans back to work."

The Heller for Senate campaign ends the year with a total of more than $3.65 million cash on hand.

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A Letter From Dean's Campaign Regarding Israel

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:16:00 GMT

Since arriving in Congress, Dean has continually supported Israel, and will continue to do so throughout continued peace talks.

In 2007, Dean supported the United States pledge to provide $30 billion in security funding to Israel over ten years and in 2009, Heller stood by the U.S. Israel memorandum of Understanding that underlines the "steadfast commitment of the United States to Israel's security" including secure defensible borders and the ability for Israel to defend itself.

In 2011 Dean continued to represent our ally in Washington with a variety of measures including but not limited to:

Cosponsored a resolution reaffirming the United States' commitment to Israel.
Cosponsored and voted under unanimous consent for a resolution (S. Con Res 23) affirming the commitment to a negotiated settlement between Israel and Palestine and opposing the inclusion of Hamas.
Cosigned a letter to President Obama encouraging him to suspend U.S. taxpayer assistance to the Palestinian Authority until the new government that includes Hamas meets conditions of U.S. law and international agreements.
Cosponsored a resolution (H Res 1751) which reaffirmed Congressional opposition to the declaration of a Palestinian State.
Cosponsored Senator Hatch's resolution (S Con Res 1622) to support and facilitate Israel in maintaining defensible borders and against Israel returning to 1967 borders.
Voted in favor of the United States-Israel Rocket and Missile Defense and Support Act.
Took a tough stance on Iran missile tests when the regime refused to answer questions from the U.N.
Voted for the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (HR 3326) that among other things provided funding for Israel's defense.
Supported the Kirk/Menendez Amendment to block the Central Bank of Iran.
Supported Comprehensive Iran sanctions.
Voted for and cosponsored legislation charging Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with violating the 1948 the U.N. Charter.

As Israel continues peace talks with Palestinian leaders, there is no question where Dean's alliance lies.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Hughes
Heller Campaign

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley's Attacks Awarded 'Lie of the Year'

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:12:00 GMT

Earns Distinction for Misleading Voters with "Mediscare"

Las Vegas, NV – It's often said that some politicians will literally do or say anything to get elected, but only rarely do those lies and exaggerations receive the recognition that they deserve. This time, seven-term Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and the state and national Democrat party strategists running her campaign for Senate were honored by the non-partisan PolitiFact for trumpeting the "Lie Of The Year" for their repeated distortions of the House Republican plan to preserve Medicare for future generations.

"PolitiFact debunked the Medicare charge in nine separate fact-checks rated False or Pants on Fire, most often in attacks leveled against Republican House members," according to the announcement.

Berkley's long history of say-or-do-anything-to-win style of governing also earned her a spot among the nation's Most Corrupt Members of Congress in a report issued every year by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington's (CREW). She won a "dishonorable mention" in the 2011 report. The Congresswoman's decision to intertwine her personal financial interests with her work in Congress was also the subject of a front page New York Times story—A Congresswoman's Cause Is Often Her Husband's Gain.

Today's PolitiFact column tracks the history of the numerous misstatements by Congresswoman Berkley and her fellow Democrats regarding Republican proposals for entitlement reform. The Democrats received the "Lie of the Year" award thanks to their cumulative "Mediscare" tactics:

Nine separate claims rated False or Pants on Fire by Politifact;
Washington Post columns giving Four Pinocchios to the Democrats' campaign committee, Three Pinocchios to DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Four Pinocchios to the liberal group AARP, and Three Pinocchios to Secretary Sebelius for claims dubbed "not true," "bogus," "myths," and "highly inflammatory," respectively; and
Factcheck.org analyses calling Democrat claims on Medicare "misleading," "misrepresenting," "misrepresentations," and "wrong."

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No Budget, No Pay

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:06:00 GMT

In about month, on January 24, 2012, it will be 1,000 days since Congress last passed a budget. 1,000 days!

If you stopped doing your job, you wouldn't get paid. Basically, Congress stopped doing its job.

That's why Senator Heller introduced the No Budget, No Pay Act—which would withhold paychecks from members of Congress if they don't pass a budget before the start of each fiscal year.

Dean believes Congress should be held to the same standard as the rest of the American people, and was quoted in the Reno Gazette-Journal stating:

"Year after year, Congress has failed to meet its basic budgeting responsibilities...If Nevadans don't complete the tasks their jobs require, then they don't get paid. Congress should be no different."

Debt, stimulus and, overall, reckless spending are not helping the economy. The No Budget, No Pay Act would prohibit Congress from receiving pay after missing deadlines for budget and appropriations bills, and it would take us one step closer to requiring Congress to balance the budget.

Shot/Chaser: After 7 Terms In Congress, Berkley Accepts Clinton Fundraising Help Despite 'Deplorable' Actions

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:16:00 GMT

Shot:

"Some Democrats already are leery of having Clinton campaign for them. One is Shelley Berkley, who has been given a good chance of winning an open House seat in Nevada and doesn't want Clinton to join her on the stump.

"'As a mother and a woman, I am appalled by the President's behavior,' she said. 'It's deplorable, indefensible and the sheer stupidity and recklessness of his actions boggle my mind.'" (Timothy J. Burger, "Jittery Dems Hold Key," New York Daily News, Sept. 13, 1998)

Chaser:

"Former President Bill Clinton is bringing his political star power to Las Vegas to campaign for Nevada Congresswoman Shelley Berkley. Clinton is scheduled to headline a fundraiser for Berkley on Jan. 7 in Las Vegas." ("Former President Bill Clinton headed to Las Vegas to campaign for Nevada Rep. Shelley Berkley," Associated Press, Nov. 7, 2011)

"It's no wonder Rep. Shelly Berkley has earned a dishonorable mention in Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington's (CREW) annual Most Corrupt Members of Congress Report." (Press Release announcing 2011 CREW's Most Corrupt Report, Sept 19, 2011)

In 1998, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley refused former President Bill Clinton's fundraising help due to his "deplorable" and "indefensible" actions. Now, as the seven-term Congresswoman prepares to join the former President at a fundraiser next month, Congresswoman Berkley's political ambitions are either clouding her memory or she simply no longer cares about appearances since being named one of the most corrupt lawmakers in Washington.

This isn't the first time Congresswoman Shelley Berkley's support for Presidential candidates has wavered depending on the political climate.

When President Obama arrived in Las Vegas in February 2010, Congresswoman Berkley greeted him at Air Force One. But when President Obama arrived at Las Vegas' McCarran airport in October 2011 to tout more of the same failed policies that Congresswoman Berkley already voted for, the Congresswoman was noticeably absent.

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Congresswoman Berkley's Attacks -- Finalist For Lie Of The Year

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:36:00 GMT

Las Vegas, NV – Seven-term Congresswoman Shelley Berkley's false attacks about Medicare have now qualified for "Lie of the Year."

The attacks made by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and the national campaign committees about Republicans wanting to 'end Medicare' are included as one of the final ten lies in Politifact's "Lie of the Year" contest.

The attack frequently made by Congresswoman Berkley can be viewed among the finalists for Politifact's "Lies of the Year" here.

Politifact qualifies Congresswoman Berkley and the Democrats' attack as a Pants-on-Fire level lie and sets the record straight here.

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Senator Heller Talks Medicare with Neil Cavuto

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:52:00 GMT

Senator Heller Talks Medicare with Neil Cavuto

Heller Calls On Berkley To Oppose Reckless Spending, Support Balanced Budget Amendment

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:15:00 GMT

Las Vegas, NV – This week the House of Representatives will vote on the Balanced Budget Amendment. Senator Heller today urged Congresswoman Berkley to follow his leadership and support this legislation.

"The Balanced Budget Amendment is a common-sense approach to get America back on sound financial footing. Every mom and dad in Nevada must make difficult spending choices at home. There is no reason why Congress should be exempt from doing the same. Congress should immediately vote to hold itself accountable and pass a Balanced Budget Amendment.

"Unfortunately for Nevadans, for over twelve years in Washington, Congresswoman Berkley has supported the expansion of big government when we simply cannot afford it. Time after time, when given the chance to show the political courage to lead, Congresswoman Berkley has avoided the tough votes for easy sound bites. This week, we will see Congresswoman Berkley's twelve years of political posturing at its best while the House again tries to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment. Will she continue to support Nancy Pelosi's agenda or will she follow my lead and vote for the Balanced Budget Amendment that an overwhelming majority of Nevadans support?

"Instead of voting to create jobs and provide businesses with the certainty they need to grow and hire, Congresswoman Berkley has chosen to grow government and dole out taxpayers' dollars on projects like $2.1 million for grape genetics and $1.7 million for pig odor research in an $800 billion stimulus package that stimulated nothing other than more debt. I ask one simple question, 'Is it working?'

"The House is voting on the Balanced Budget Amendment this week. Congresswoman Berkley has the opportunity to change course or just continue down her twelve year path of reckless spending that got us into this mess in the first place," said Senator Heller.

Congresswoman Berkley has called the Balanced Budget Amendment a "reckless amendment," (Berkley statement, 7/29/11) a "waste of time" and "of no value." ("Balanced budget amendment likely a nonstarter," Las Vegas Sun, 7/19/11)

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A Jobs Plan For Nevada

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:39:00 GMT

After President Barack Obama introduced the latest iteration in a series of stimulus plans, the misnamed American Jobs Act, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle were quick to claim their priorities are now "jobs, jobs, jobs." That's welcome news, because as Nevada leads the nation in unemployment, no state needs a successful plan more than we do.

Such commitment to creating jobs suggests dedication to passing effective policies. So as we debate the best approach for moving our economy forward, I have just one question for President Obama: "Is this working?"

The track record would suggest, "no."

In January 2009, President Obama was inaugurated and Democrats controlled the House and the Senate. Nevada's unemployment was 9.4 percent.

The next month, the first stimulus was passed, and its supporters claimed that national unemployment would not rise above 8 percent. Instead, Nevada's unemployment increased to 10.1 percent. In June 2009, Congress passed Cash for Clunkers and Nevada's unemployment rose again to 12.0 percent.

Fast forward to July 2010. In the same month that Congress passed Dodd-Frank to reform the financial services industry, Nevada unemployment hit 14.3 percent. Due to the lack of economic activity in Nevada, people have stopped looking for work or have left the state to look for employment elsewhere. Now Nevada's unemployment remains more than 13 percent.

At a time when we need new, bipartisan ideas, President Obama and his supporters keep pushing the same tired ideas to raise taxes on job creators, increase regulations and increase our federal debt. When these ideas fail, they shift blame elsewhere. That may make good political sense, but it's devastating for our state and the rest of the country.

I and several of my colleagues have proposed new ideas that will get our economy growing again. These ideas are a much-needed, fresh approach that can actually attract bipartisan support.

First and foremost, our nation needs fundamental tax reform. The current tax code is too costly, too complex and too burdensome. Broadening the tax base will allow families to thrive and employers to create jobs. Simplifying the tax code would close loopholes while also saving individuals and businesses both money and time, allowing Americans to infuse much-needed capital. Equally important, we must reduce our corporate tax rate so that our businesses and manufacturers have a level playing field in the global economy.

Second, individuals, families and businesses require certainty in order to plan for the future and hire employees. Continual regulations flowing from Washington have eliminated jobs and stopped the creation of new ones. Business owners are too often forced to fight cumbersome rules and regulations rather than spend time investing in their companies and creating new jobs. Uncertainty of future regulations and tax rates chills capital formation, hurting economic growth and job creation.

Third, Washington must put a stop to out-of-control spending. Enacting a balanced budget amendment and eliminating duplicative federal government programs will set the foundation for helping our economy grow in the long term. The current culture of federal bailouts is a roadblock to economic growth and job creation. It simply is not fair to saddle the American public with the debt and bills of those who have acted irresponsibly.

Finally, with gas prices averaging more than $3.40 a gallon in Nevada, coupled with rising electricity rates, energy costs are hurting our economic vitality and limiting employment opportunities. The administration and Congress should establish a sound energy policy that creates a broad approach to expanding domestic energy exploration, production and refinement. This will allow the certainty necessary to encourage the development of innovative energy technologies.

Nevadans are desperate for solutions that will get our economy moving again. It's time for both sides to forgo the same failed policies and come together to pass effective legislation that lays the groundwork for real economic growth. Nevadans and the American people are ready to work -- they just need opportunities. It is time for Washington to do its job and get our nation back on track.

The previous originally appeared as an op-ed in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Grassroots Landslide

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:02:00 GMT

Today, we're launching an exciting new program—called Team Dean—to build our grassroots campaign to fight for fiscal responsibility, limited government and victory in 2012.

We're launching Team Dean to ensure we have a strong network of grassroots supporters to spread our message of fiscal sanity and to get Nevada working again.

Team Dean is a core part of our grassroots effort to move in a new direction and get Nevadans working again by making a monthly investment in our campaign.

Can we count on you to join Team Dean today?

Your monthly contribution will be combined with the contributions of other Team Dean members to support our critical grassroots organizing efforts online and across Nevada.

It's critical we kick-off this effort strong. That's why we need to recruit 100 new Team Dean members in the next 48 hours. Will you step up, be counted, and join Team Dean today?

Please contribute $12 or more per month to fight for fiscal responsibility, limited government and victory in 2012.

It's going to take a strong and organized grassroots army ready to take back Washington.

Thanks for you for your continued support.

Dean

Dean Has One Question For President: 'Is This Working?'

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:16:00 GMT

Senator Heller's letter to President Obama outlined a list of commonsense proposals to get our state back to work.

Dean's jobs plan focuses on four key objectives:

Fundamental Tax Reform
Create Certainty For Individuals And Businesses
Get Washington's Fiscal House In Order And End Bailouts
A Sound National Energy Policy

Unfortunately, the President doubled-down on the failed policies of the stimulus in his proposal—prompting Dean to ask the President: "As the Obama Administration tries to push another one of its trademark stimulus plans through Congress, I have just one question, is this working?"

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported:

"Since the first stimulus, unemployment in Nevada has risen from 10.1 percent to the nation's highest at 13.4 percent," Heller said. "I have just one question, 'Is this working?'

"This plan recycles the same failed policies but this time increases taxes on the businesses we need to create jobs," he said.

The demise of Obama's jobs package was expected despite his campaign-style efforts to swing the public behind it.

Debt fueled stimulus spending has not helped Nevadans get back to work and has only served to delay economic recovery. We need to move beyond the failed policies of the past and create real economic growth in Nevada, and across America.

Dean's Not Alone In His Call For Transparency

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:50:00 GMT

The National Taxpayer's Union endorsed Senator Heller's call for deficit "supercommittee" transparency, and called for all committee meetings to be open to the public.

On behalf of the 362,000 members of the National Taxpayers Union, I write to encourage your support for efforts to increase the transparency of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.

Openness and accountability in the legislative process is not an issue of politics, but of a fundamental belief in good governance. The issues with which the Select Committee on Deficit Reduction will be dealing have the potential to affect far too many lives and wallets to be handled behind closed doors. For that reason we encourage you to support S. 1501 and H.R. 2796 as well as other steps toward making the Committee as transparent as possible.

Read the NTU's full endorsement letter.

Dean: Job Ideas, Tax Reform, & Fiscal Responsibility

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 03:12:00 GMT

Senator Heller wrote a letter to President Obama expressing the need to get Washington's fiscal house in order and proposed ideas for job creation. He urged the President to end the culture of federal bailouts and reform the tax code.

The Hill reported:

The Senate's newest member is calling on President Obama to push for a fundamental overhaul of the tax code.

Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), in a letter to the president, said that tax reform and a less restrictive regulatory environment could help spur job growth both in Nevada and nationwide.

Both the White House and top GOP lawmakers have expressed in interest in tax reform—though the administration's focus appears to be more on the corporate code, while Republicans would like to tackle the individual side as well.

Read Dean's letter to President Obama.