“I am so grateful to our team of volunteers who knocked on doors, made phone calls and dedicated so many long, hard hours to achieve victory tonight. This was a hard fought campaign, and I would also like to thank Congresswoman Berkley for her service to our state and to our country.

“Throughout this campaign, I have been focused on creating a bigger, brighter future for our children and grandchildren.  For their sake, we need to put a stop to out of control spending in Washington.  Washington must stop rewarding bad decisions with bailouts, and we must pass policies that encourage entrepreneurship and allow the middle class to thrive.  I look forward to returning to the Senate and acting on these priorities immediately to create a better future for future generations.”

]]> http://deanheller.com/news/2012/10/heller-releases-ad-featuring-mom-dad/feed/ 0 http://deanheller.com/news/2012/10/no-labels-problem-solvers-seal-dean-heller/ http://deanheller.com/news/2012/10/no-labels-problem-solvers-seal-dean-heller/#comments Wed, 24 Oct 2012 23:07:56 +0000 heidi http://deanheller.com/?p=1383

Today, No Labels awarded Dean Heller with the “Problem-Solvers” Seal of Approval saying Senator Heller is “working to make the structural changes necessary for problem solving to occur in Congress” and “dedicated to working across the aisle to solve problems for his constituents and his country”: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2012 Contact: Collin Berglund at 202-588-1990 or press@nolabels.org No Labels Gives Problem-Solvers Seal to Dean Heller No Labels Commends Nevada Lawmaker’s Commitment to Problem Solving This week No Labels gave the Problem-Solvers Seal of Approval to Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada. The Problem-Solvers Seal is awarded to candidates or legislators who agree to join No Labels’ emerging “Problem-Solvers Bloc,” a group of lawmakers who are dedicated to working across the aisle to discuss effective, principled and pragmatic solutions to our country’s problems. Heller has committed to join the bloc. “Senator Heller is the sponsor of the No Budget, No Pay Act in the Senate and has shown a clear commitment to making Congress work better,” says No Labels Co-Founder William Galston. “He is working to make the structural changes necessary for problem solving to occur in Congress.” The Problem-Solvers Bloc represents No Labels’ effort to jumpstart constructive debate in Congress around America’s most pressing issues. In today’s Washington, Republicans and Democrats rarely meet with one another to discuss issues. With No Labels’ new bloc, members will have a banner to gather under to work together to develop real solutions. No Labels began constructing this bloc in mid-2012 and has already had tremendous success recruiting current and prospective members of Congress to join. “Heller is a welcome addition to the Problem-Solvers Bloc,” says No Labels Co-Founder Mark McKinnon. “He is dedicated to working across the aisle to solve problems for his constituents and his country.” No Labels is a grassroots movement of Democrats, Republicans and independents dedicated to the politics of problem solving. For more information on the Problem-Solvers Seal of Approval or to arrange an interview with a No Labels co-founder, please contact Collin Berglund atpress@nolabels.org or (202) 588-1990. To learn more about No Labels, please visit www.NoLabels.org. ###

]]> http://deanheller.com/news/2012/10/no-labels-problem-solvers-seal-dean-heller/feed/ 0 http://deanheller.com/news/2012/10/newspapers-north-south-agree-heller-choice-senate/ http://deanheller.com/news/2012/10/newspapers-north-south-agree-heller-choice-senate/#comments Wed, 17 Oct 2012 21:42:50 +0000 heidi http://deanheller.com/?p=1360

The Las Vegas Review-Journal and Reno Gazette-Journal issued their endorsements of Dean Heller, showing that Dean Heller is the best candidate in the race for United States Senate: Las Vegas Review-Journal October 14, 2012 Editorial Board (excerpts below) “The most important issue facing Nevadans today is the economy, and it would be hard to find a wider contrast on how to create jobs than the one between the state’s junior U.S. senator, Republican Dean Heller, and his Democratic challenger, 14-year Las Vegas Rep. Shelley Berkley. “Rep. Berkley has voted in lockstep with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Rep. Nancy Pelosi in running up the national debt and distorting the market with bailout after Keynesian bailout and imposing the looming ObamaCare mandates that are paralyzing small business investment. Rep. Berkley also voted in 1999 to repeal the Glass-Steagall Act, which kept consumer banks from risking depositor capital in high-risk ventures. (She now admits that vote, which played a major role in creating the Great Recession, was ‘a mistake,’ though she still rakes in contributions from grateful Wall Street financiers.) “Sen. Heller? He’d restore Glass-Steagall to save the community and small commercial banks that have traditionally funded American small business. “’Every time we do a trillion-dollar stimulus, unemployment goes up,’ Sen. Heller points out. ‘The biggest philosophical difference between us is that she thinks the purpose of small business is to finance big government.’ “The solution to our economic troubles is to create a million more taxpayers, says Sen. Heller. ‘How do you create a million jobs? You start by saying ‘Your taxes are not going up next year,’’ thus allowing businesses to again plan for the future. Second, ‘We need an energy policy,’ the senator continues. Approving the Keystone XL pipeline – blocked by the current administration in fealty to its supporters on the green extreme – would create 200,000 indirect jobs and significantly more tax revenue, the senator says. ‘Why send that money to the Middle East?’ “’Third: Repeal ObamaCare,’ says Sen. Heller. The employer insurance mandates in ObamaCare will cost many local Nevada restaurants and small casinos more than their current net income after expenses, the senator says, citing specific examples. Their only solution, other than shutting down, will be to put all their employees on part-time schedules – hardly a happy outcome for Nevada workers. “Because President Obama’s proposed budget would have increased the national debt from $16 trillion to $22 trillion, ‘It didn’t get a single vote,’ says Sen. Heller. In fact, Democrats under Sen. Reid haven’t passed a budget in four years – amplifying economic uncertainty, which freezes out investment. “’Why not just solve the problem for the 15 percent who are uninsured?’ the senator asks. ‘Free enterprise will be the answer.’ “Rep. Berkley used to indulge an occasional moderate streak, but her Senate campaign has been full of anti-business, anti-free-market boilerplate straight out of the Democratic National Committee, blaming everything on ‘Big Banks’ (including the ones that fund both her and Mr. Obama so lavishly) and ‘Big Oil.’ She’s increasingly on the most destructive, reactionary side of every issue, from her support for the environmental lobby in blocking sensible energy development to her party-line rejection of entitlement reforms. “And if she wins election to the Senate, she’ll owe it to Sen. Reid. “Though she’s been met here with courtesy and support many times, Rep. Berkley declined to meet with the Review-Journal’s editorial board this fall. If she can’t defend her current positions to a panel of journalists, should we believe she would remain anything but a thrall to her party bosses in Washington? “A former secretary of state and congressman, Sen. Heller knows all of Nevada and her needs. A thoughtful conservative, he’s not afraid to embrace reforms, even if they come from across the aisle. And Sen. Heller could help return control of the upper chamber to common-sense, moderate Republicans willing to end Washington gridlock. To read the entire article, click here: http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/for-u-s-senate-dean-heller-174083881.html Reno Gazette-Journal October 14, 2012 Editorial Board (excerpts below) “Heller was appointed to the Senate in May 2011 by Gov. Brian Sandoval to replace the disgraced Sen. John Ensign after serving for more than four years in the House and a dozen years as Nevada’s secretary of state. “Berkley…has a more difficult time making the case that she would represent anything but more of the same from Congress in the next six years or that she understands the issues of Northern Nevada, especially of those of the state’s rural communities. (However, she has promised that, if elected, she will spend considerable time in this area.) “In his years in Congress, Heller has demonstrated that he does understand the issues of importance to his constituents. With few exceptions, he has shown that he can work well across the aisle, which will be particularly important in the next session as Congress and the president try to deal with the very complex problems facing the nation. And the Gazette-Journal’s Editorial Board believes that the state is best served by a split congressional delegation, with a member of each party in the Senate… “For those reasons, Heller should be elected to a full term in the U.S. Senate… “Overall, however, the Editorial Board believes that Heller is the better candidate for Northern Nevada and should be elected to a full six-year term. To read the article in its entirety: http://www.rgj.com/article/20121014/OPED01/310140027/Despite-ugly-campaign-ads-Heller-better-candidate?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Voices|p

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"As Nevada’s CEO during one of the most difficult economic periods on our state’s history, Governor Sandoval has a unique understanding of our state’s needs. He is an upstanding statesman who I have respected for many years, and I’m honored to have his trust and support," said Dean Heller.

Transcript

Governor Sandoval:
"The race for the U.S. Senate is about who we trust to fight for Nevada every day in Washington. Dean Heller has earned that trust. He has the kind of character and integrity that there just isn’t enough of in Washington these days. Dean understands what drives our Nevada economy and with Dean Heller in the U.S. Senate, we’ll get Nevada working again."

Dean Heller:
"I’m Dean Heller. I’m proud to approve this message and I’m asking for your vote."

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"Dean Heller clearly understands the principles of our economic system and recognizes that strengthening Black businesses is the cornerstone to building a better future for our children and grandchildren. Dean Heller understands the unique challenge our community faces and has proven he will work hard to ensure we are afforded the same opportunities and competitive advantages as other groups. The Black Business Council is proud to endorse Dean Heller as the best candidate to represent the interests of the Black business sector in the United States Senate," said Ernest M. Fountain, President of The Black Business Council of Nevada.

"I’m honored to accept The Black Business Council of Nevada’s endorsement. There is no question that small businesses across our state have faced one of the toughest economic environments in the country. By working together, we can deliver the policies necessary to grow small businesses and create the jobs Nevadans need. Washington needs to start working with job creators instead of against them. Providing a tax code that allows our economy to thrive, lessening the burden of federal regulations and encouraging investment and growth will create a brighter future for all Americans. I am committed to make these changes in Washington for the betterment of the Black community and all Nevadans," said Dean Heller.

The Black Business Council of Nevada is a group of Black business owners and entrepreneurs whose beliefs are founded on the legacy of ‘I have a Dream.’ The Black Business Council of Nevada is a support group and an influential voice for the promotion and growth of Black businesses and entrepreneurs, working together to educate, empower and provide resources and capitol acquisition for economic growth and sustainability. For more, visit the website here: http://bbcnv.com/mission.html

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 (Las Vegas, NV) – Today, Dean Heller received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association (NRA) during an event at The Gun Store earlier today. NRA President David Keene arrived in Las Vegas this morning to issue the endorsement.

“I am grateful for the endorsement of the NRA and I would like to thank President Keene for coming to Las Vegas. I would also like to thank The Gun Store for hosting today’s event. As a sportsman and a gun owner, I actively oppose any laws that restrict our rights as well as misguided anti-gun legislation. Protecting the Second Amendment should be a priority of all elected officials, regardless of political affiliation and I welcome this endorsement,” said Dean Heller.

“This election has serious consequences and gun owners across Nevada can truly make a difference.  These gun owners have a right to fear that Shelley Berkley’s policies will harm Nevadans’ Second Amendment rights for generations to come. A victory for Dean Heller is crucial for sportsman and gun owners to enjoy the freedoms promised them. On behalf of the NRA I am proud to announce our endorsement of Dean Heller for United States Senate,” said NRA President David Keene.

Dean Heller: – A – “Solidly pro-gun candidate. A candidate who has supported NRA positions on key votes in elective office or a candidate with a demonstrated record of support on Second Amendment issues. ” http://www.nrapvf.org/grades-endorsements/2012/nevada.aspx

Shelley Berkley: – F – “True enemy of gun owners’ rights. A consistent anti-gun candidate who always opposes gun owners’ rights and/or actively leads anti-gun legislative efforts, or sponsors anti-gun legislation.” – NRA Grade Descriptions

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Second Heller-Berkley Debate

What: Nevada Broadcasters Association Debate in Las Vegas

When: This Thursday, October 11th, 8 pm PT (following the Vice Presidential debate)

Watch: Nevada PBS stations, KLAS (CBS 8 in Las Vegas), KRNV (NBC 4 in Reno), KENV (NBC 10 in Elko)

Final Heller-Berkley Debate

What: Final Debate On Jon Ralston’s “Face-To-Face”

When: Monday, October 15th

Watch: Stay tuned for details on how to watch the debate

(Las Vegas, NV) – Today Dean Heller released a new ad demonstrating his commitment to doing what is in the best interest of Nevadans, even if it means breaking with party lines. His message of bipartisanship strikes a stark contrast to that of his opponent, who has voted with the party line and Nancy Pelosi 95% of the time.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Heller’s Bipartisan Legislative Highlights Include:

Dean Heller worked with women from across the aisle to champion a mobile mammography program that allows women to receive care in underserved areas:

• While serving in the House of Representatives, Dean was the original author of the Mobile Mammography Promotion Act.  Democrat Melissa Bean (D-IL-8) was the original Democratic cosponsor of that bill.
• Dean reintroduced the Mobile Mammography Promotion Act in the 112th Congress (H.R. 879) along with current DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz as the original Democratic cosponsor of that bill.

Heller was the lead Republican on legislation also sponsored by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Sen. Tom Udall to crack down on drug smugglers using ultralight aircraft. The President signed this bipartisan legislation into law.

• Led efforts with Gabby Giffords in the 111th Congress and Tom Udall in the 112^th Congress to pass legislation increasing penalties for using ultralight aircraft for illegal drug smuggling (Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act, S. 1974).

Heller was the only Republican Senator to vote for the Democratic Balanced Budget Proposal: “Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada was the lone Republican to support a balanced budget amendment offered by Democrats.”  (Peter Urban, Heller is lone Republican on Democrat-backed budget plan, Las Vegas Review-Journal, 4/1/12)

Heller’s “No Budget No Pay” legislation has been embraced by Democrats and Republicans:  

• Introduced bipartisan legislation that would prevent Members of Congress from being paid unless the budget and appropriations bills for a given fiscal year are passed before the start of that fiscal year (S. 1981)
• Legislation was adopted into plan by non-partisan group No Labels as one of twelve proposals to Make Congress Work.
• Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representatives by Jim Cooper (D-TN, H.R. 3643).
• “This is a truly non-partisan issue, one that pits every taxpayer in the country against the 535 members of Congress themselves — regardless of their party affiliation. The idea is a simple one, as evidenced by the bill’s official title: the ‘No Budget, No Pay Act.’” (Chris Weigant, “The No Budget, No Pay Act,” Huffington Post, 3/15/2012)

Heller breaks from his party on renewable energy: s:

• “In break from GOP, Dean Heller goes green: Sen. Dean Heller is taking the road less traveled among GOP candidates: The Nevada Republican says he’s better for clean-energy interests than his chief Democratic rival…Heller’s message puts him in contrast with other Republicans, who are distancing themselves from any past support for clean energy and instead are embracing an “all of the above” message that stresses expanded domestic drilling.” (Alex Guillen, “In break from GOP, Dean Heller goes green,” Politico.com, 3/6/12)

Heller proposed a compromise to close tax loopholes for big oil companies:

• The Gas Price Relief Act closes loopholes on tax breaks for the largest oil and gas companies and puts that money toward reducing the gas tax and the highway trust fund. The bill also increases oil drilling and construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
  (Press Release, “Heller Introduces Gas Price Relief Act,” March 28, 2012)
• The bill is a “common-sense, all-of-the-above strategy to provide for the development of our domestic energy resources.”
  (Karoun Demirjian, “Dean Heller files amendment that repeals tax breaks for oil companies,” Las Vegas Sun, March 28, 2012)

Heller was one of few Senators to push his GOP colleagues on the payroll tax cut extension:

“Dean Heller to House GOP: Pass the payroll tax cut extension: Republican Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada today scolded his fellow Republicans in the House for refusing to support a bipartisan package to extend payroll tax cuts and unemployment insurance, saying while he agreed with them in principle, playing politics with such an important issue was unacceptable.” (Karoun Demirjian, “Dean Heller to House GOP: Pass the payroll tax cut extension,” Las Vegas Sun, December 19, 2011)

• “Obama, Boehner square off in payroll tax fight: Meanwhile, five mostly moderate Republican senators have called for the House to support the Senate’s two-month extension. The group consists of Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts, Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana and Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada.
  (Tom and Alan Silverleib, “Obama, Boehner square off in payroll tax fight,” December 21, 2011)

Heller has repeatedly broken with his Republican colleagues in supporting the extension of unemployment benefits:

• Dean Heller has consistently supported efforts to extend unemployment insurance.  (H.R. 2642 6/3/2008; H.R. 6867 11/21/2008; H.R. 3548 11/6/2009; H.R. 3326 12/16/2009; H.R. 4851  4/15/2010; H.R. 5618 6/29/2010; H.R. 5418 7/1/2010; H.R. 4213 7/22/2010; H.R. 3630 2/17/2012)
• Dean Heller has repeatedly introduced legislation to extend unemployment benefits (H.R. 5453, May 2010; (H.R. 5647, July 2010); (S. 1885, November 2011).
• In July 2010, Las Vegas Review Journal’s Steve Sebelius praised Dean Heller, saying he “crossed party lines on Thursday to vote for an extension of unemployment benefits for more than 1 million people in America, including thousands here in Nevada,” after Heller’s own legislation to extend benefits was unsuccessful  (Steve Sebelius, “In Praise of Dean Heller,” Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Additional Bipartisan Efforts in the Senate

• Original Republican cosponsor of a bill authored by Senator Wyden (D-OR) to support growth in utility scale geothermal power, distributed on-site power generation, and heating for buildings and commercial processes, while using clean and renewable American energy (Geothermal Tax Parity Act, S. 1413).

• Lead Republican cosponsor of legislation with Senator Tester (D-MT) that would allow the American Legion to accept credit card payments for membership dues (S. 1639). .  This legislation was passed by Congress.

• Authored a bill with Democratic Senators Klobachar from Minnesota and Begich from Alaska to alleviate the wait times at some embassies and consulates for U.S. travel visas (International Tourism Facilitation Act, S. 1653).

Additional Bipartisan Efforts in the House:

• Coauthored bill with Democratic Representative John Lewis to end the federal telephone excise tax that was originally intended to help fund the Spanish-American War in 1898 (H.R. 428 in the 111th Congress).

• Original Republican cosponsor of Democrat Caucus Chairman John Larson’s (D-WA) Energy Efficient Commercial Roofs Act, which would provide a tax incentive to make roofing more energy efficient.

• Advocated and voted for a renewable energy portfolio standard to require electric suppliers, other than governmental entities and rural electric cooperatives, to provide 15 percent of their electricity using renewable energy resources by the year 2020 (110th Congress).

• Lead Republican on legislation with Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) to provide seven year depreciation for motorsports facilities (Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act, H.R. 1974 in the 111th Congress).

• Coauthored legislation with Representative Mike Thompson to repeal provisions that took geothermal royalty sharing away from counties (H.R. 4060, 111th Congress).

• Authored the bipartisan Nellis Dunes National Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area Act to create a specific area on BLM land for OHV activities.

Heller has repeatedly broken with his Republican colleagues in supporting the following proposals:

• Prescription drug reimportation, which would introduce more competition in the pharmaceutical market and lower costs for seniors and other Americans who depend on medication.

• In 2007, Heller voted for stem cell research, which promises meaningful breakthroughs in medical science.

• In 2007, voted for severe penalties for gasoline price gouging – a proposal that was vocally opposed by oil and gas companies.

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