LORTON — U.S. Senate Candidate Ed Gillespie issued the following statement in regard to the Commerce Department’s estimate that GDP contracted 2.9 percent for the first quarter of 2014:

“This stagnant economy is not a matter of fate. It’s the result of bad policies and, with the right ones, we can do better. My agenda for economic growth would be the polar opposite of the diminished expectations we have endured for the last five years with Mark Warner and President Obama. The American people are ready to change our policies, not our expectations, to create jobs and economic growth.”

The post Statement by Ed Gillespie on 2.9 Percent GDP Contraction in First Quarter appeared first on Ed for Senate.

Plan includes eliminating the new EPA carbon regulations; lifting antiquated ban on the export of domestic crude oil and liquefied natural gas; approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline; allowing exploration of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf for new oil and gas leases

LORTON – Ed Gillespie today rolled out his energy plan: “Unleashing American Energy.” The plan is part of the Ed Gillespie Agenda for Economic Growth. This release includes the plan and statements in support of the plan from Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-9th), Senator Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach), Delegate Israel O’Quinn (R-Bristol), Lou Genuario, a small business owner in Northern Virginia, Mike Thompson, Chairman/President, Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI).

Unleashing American Energy

Virginia is blessed with abundant energy resources, from coal and natural gas in the Southwest to offshore wind and deep sea oil and gas off our coast. We are home to a large number of employers in the nuclear industry and nearly 40 percent of the energy Virginians consume comes from the state’s safe, emission-free nuclear facilities. Energy companies and energy production create good, high-paying jobs across the professional spectrum, from engineering to computer programming. Electricity—and all that it allows—are critical to our nation’s prosperity.

With the right policies, Virginia can be the East Coast’s energy leader, creating high-paying jobs here in the Commonwealth, bringing down costs for home heating in the Winter and prices at the gas pump in the Summer, and helping to move our nation closer to energy independence. We need a Senator who shares that vision and will support the growth of a vibrant, responsible energy sector.

Virginia’s energy sector already directly employs more than 30,000 workers and indirectly supports as many as 200,000 jobs, making it a crucial component of our economy. With our natural resources, geographic location, and port access, Virginia can and should be a more integral part of America’s energy supply. From clean coal to wind energy to offshore oil and natural gas, Virginia has bountiful natural resources, but efforts to develop these resources are often thwarted by an overreaching Federal Government.

The Obama Administration’s domestic energy policies are among the biggest drags on economic growth we face. At every turn, President Obama and his Democratic allies in Congress have pursued energy policies driven by a narrow ideological agenda rather than the need to develop our domestic natural resources in order to reduce our dependence on foreign producers, create jobs, spur economic development, and lower utility bills and the price of gas at the pump for all Americans.

Whether it be moratoria on offshore drilling (including off the deep-sea coast of Virginia), cancelling more than a million acres of oil shale development in the West, slowing down the issuance of drilling permits on federal lands, or plans to close half of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska to energy development, counter-productive Obama administration energy policies have cost American jobs and slowed economic growth. Refusal to proceed with building the Keystone XL Pipeline has deprived our nation of an economic engine that has the potential to create thousands of high-paying jobs and strengthen our energy independence. The price we have already paid for pursuing these misguided policies has been steep. Estimates show that offshore drilling restrictions alone have cost upwards of 1.2 million jobs.

The Obama administration’s war on coal has imposed onerous regulations on domestic producers, resulting in the shuttering of a record number of coal-fired power plants (with many more scheduled to come). New coal production regulations threaten to destroy thousands of coal mining jobs, hurt coal production, and raise power prices. Indeed, this would seem to be the express intent of such policies: Dr. Julio Friedmann, the Obama Administration’s deputy assistant secretary for clean coal at the Department of Energy, told Congress that new clean coal regulations would increase wholesale electricity prices by “70 or 80 percent.”

Cap and trade legislation relentlessly pursued by Democrats in Congress would impose artificial limits on domestic energy production and simply shift that production overseas, while schemes to impose a national energy tax “could cost roughly $100 billion annually and more than 2 million jobs” according to the National Association of Manufacturers. A tax on carbon emissions pushed by the Obama Administration could cost up to 66,000 jobs by 2023 in Virginia alone.

Unfortunately, Mark Warner has voted in lockstep with the Obama Administration’s war on coal. He called Cap and Trade our long term energy solution and joined Barbara Boxer and John Kerry to release the Senate version of Cap and Trade in 2009. He said that “the most significant thing we can do is send the market a signal that either directly through a carbon tax or indirectly through cap and trade, we are going to put a price on carbon.” Last year, Senator Warner voted against creating a 60-vote threshold for any budget resolution that includes a tax or fee on carbon emissions. Five Senate Democrats broke ranks to protect their constituents from these job-killing policies—but Mark Warner toed the party line, voting against Virginia workers and families.

Also in 2013, Warner voted against an amendment to ban unilateral EPA mandates regulating carbon emissions, regulations that have already had a severe impact on the coal industry. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, newly announced EPA regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions would have a hugely detrimental effect on the coal industry, reducing America’s coal-fired energy capability, and destroying jobs. And more regulations are on the way. According to the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, seven of the EPA’s final or pending regulations could cost $60 billion per year in lost GDP and annual job loss of 900,000.

The United States has been the leader in clean coal technology, and killing the coal industry here does nothing to reduce carbon emissions around the world. In fact, with countries like China building coal plants at a record pace in a lax regulatory environment, it amounts to unilateral disarmament in coal production, and a net negative impact on the environment. Virginia should be the clean coal capital of the world; instead, our current policies are destroying jobs and entire communities in coal country.

Anti-growth energy policies are causing economic pain and hardship across the Commonwealth. For the 1.2 million Virginia households with income of less than $50,000 per year, energy costs already consume an estimated 20% of their after-tax incomes. Policies that refuse to take advantage of America’s vast energy potential only make the economic pinch worse for these hard-pressed families. The Senate’s inaction on the Keystone XL pipeline is a prime example. Mark Warner voted against an amendment that would have moved the Keystone project forward over President Obama’s opposition, and the amendment was defeated. Then he backed a “non-binding resolution” supporting the construction of the Keystone pipeline in an effort to cover his tracks on the binding amendment. Most recently, he co-sponsored an amendment to get the Keystone project moving again—and then supported Majority Leader Harry Reid in blocking consideration of the amendment. When it mattered, he voted against the Keystone pipeline, and when it didn’t matter he voted for it. That’s political posturing, not real leadership.

I have a fundamentally different vision for energy policy in the United States and in our Commonwealth of Virginia. I believe in the potential of domestic sources of energy to make our lives better, strengthen our economy, and put more Americans to work. We see this in the boom in domestic shale gas recovery, which could result in a million new manufacturing jobs by 2025 and has the “potential to spark a manufacturing renaissance in the U.S.” according to the New York Times.

Virginia should be a model for the rest of the nation in promoting “all of the above” energy policies. Technologies that have enabled the shale gas boom have unleashed enormous possibilities for the future, and the nation is positioned to become energy independent for the first time ever. All that is lacking is national leadership.

I believe in an energy approach that embraces both traditional and alternative energy resources. I support coal, oil, and natural gas production—including responsible deep sea drilling off our coast—because we can protect our environment while ensuring access to the domestic energy resources we need to create new jobs, lower prices at the pump, and keep utility bills affordable. We need to encourage energy efficiency and the use of solar where it makes sense. We also need to do more to encourage the continued development of nuclear energy as a low-cost and low-emission energy source for the future.

As Senator, I will fight to protect coal jobs, because I understand how important coal is both to our economy right here in Virginia and to our nation’s energy independence, and I’ll stand up to the EPA’s failed policies that are driving up energy costs and imposing unnecessary regulatory burdens on our homes and businesses. Protecting public health and safety does not require duplicative regulations, needlessly complex and costly compliance requirements, or bureaucratic inefficiency. We need to make use of our abundant natural resources to create jobs and lower energy costs for Virginians. I will work to give Virginia the opportunity to lead on American energy independence, and stand up for our miners and the families and small businesses that rely on them.

I will not only oppose cap-and-trade legislation, carbon tax schemes, and proposed restrictions on hydraulic fracking to produce shale oil and natural gas (which would merely push production overseas and raise energy prices), I will fight to lift restrictions on offshore drilling that are costing our state an estimated 25,000 new jobs. I will strongly advocate for the exploration of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, and for allowing new oil and gas leases on the Federal government’s enormously large mineral estate, which could unleash tens of trillions of dollars of economic activity and contribute hundreds of billions to Federal and state treasuries.

As Senator, I will not just focus on developing energy resources, I’ll also work to remove the federal red-tape that slows down the development of energy infrastructure and limits the development of our energy sector and the creation of jobs. I will propose lifting the antiquated bans on the export of domestic crude oil and liquefied natural gas, which put American producers at an unfair disadvantage and kill jobs. Because liquefied natural gas and crude oil operate in a global market, lifting the bans has the potential to significantly lower energy prices, since an increase in production anywhere results in downward pressure on prices everywhere. Lifting these bans also has the benefit of taking pricing power and political leverage out of the hands of those who have a disproportionate influence on worldwide markets because the United States has taken itself out of the equation. Global markets should not be at the mercy of Vladimir Putin in Russia or the mullahs in Iran.

I understand that new energy projects, like building new pipelines and refineries, are a critical link between production and lower prices for consumers. As a result, I will work diligently to get the Keystone XL pipeline approved.

It’s time to harness our energy production capabilities and our natural resources in the service of improving the quality of life of our citizens and enhancing our national prosperity, and to put a stop to misguided policies that are impeding our economic growth and damaging our international competitiveness.

Statements in Support of “Unleashing American Energy”

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-9th)

“For too long, job-creating energy bills from the House have been killed by the Democratic majority in the Senate. We need Ed Gillespie as an ally in letting us develop our domestic energy resources and spurring economic growth. He has a track record of getting results and he’ll be effective in getting substantial energy bills passed and stopping the EPA’s war on energy jobs.”

Senator Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach)

“Allowing offshore exploration for oil and natural gas in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf and lifting the outdated bans on the export of domestic crude oil and liquefied natural gas would mean thousands of new jobs in our region. His plan to unleash American energy jobs is one of the reasons we need Ed Gillespie’s leadership in the U.S. Senate.”

Delegate Israel O’Quinn (R-Bristol)

“Ed Gillespie’s plan represents a clear and necessary departure from this Administration’s failed energy policies that are devastating jobs in Southwest Virginia. I hope every Virginia voter will read Ed’s energy plan to see how we can benefit from producing affordable, reliable energy right here in America. Unleashing domestic energy production is a win-win for Southwest Virginia and I’m glad to see Ed Gillespie fighting for those priorities.”

Louis V. Genuario, Small Business Owner

“As a Home Builder in Northern Virginia and immediate Past President of the Home Builders Association of Virginia, the energy policies of President Obama, which Mark Warner supports, are impeding my business’ ability and other businesses throughout the State to build affordable housing. During a time where the economy and job growth is flat, higher energy costs do not help Virginians achieve the great American Dream of Home Ownership. Lowering energy costs by reduced regulation and increasing clean domestic fossil fuels will increase jobs and provide for a more vibrant economy, which translates to greater home ownership. I support Ed Gillespie’s energy plan, which would unleash American energy production and utilize our natural resources while decreasing dependence on foreign oil.”

Mike Thompson, Chairman/President, Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy

“The pro-energy agenda that Ed Gillespie has crafted makes a lot of sense for Virginia and for our nation. Energy development and environmental stewardship can work together for the betterment of our nation and for our state. Gillespie’s energy plan shows how that can be accomplished. We look forward to reviewing Senator Warner’s energy plan and hope it is as forward looking and responsible as the one released today by Ed Gillespie.”

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI)

“Whether you’re in Michigan or Virginia, rising energy costs are on the minds of families who see the job creation opportunities being squandered by this administration’s policies. Ed Gillespie has the right approach to spurring domestic energy production. Having Ed as a partner in the Senate would bring us a step closer to fully realizing our domestic energy potential, bringing down energy costs and creating much-needed jobs.”

The post Ed Gillespie Unveils Energy Plan: Unleashing American Energy appeared first on Ed for Senate.

LORTON – U.S. Senate Candidate Ed Gillespie today issued the following statement after the Supreme Court struck down three of President Obama’s recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB):

“President Obama constantly oversteps his constitutional authority but today the Supreme Court struck down one of his most blatantly unconstitutional tactics, rejecting the President’s authority to make three recess appointments to the NLRB. I applaud the Court’s decision to uphold the constitutional balance of power, which the President’s actions subverted.”

The post Gillespie: I applaud the Court’s decision to uphold the constitutional balance of power appeared first on Ed for Senate.

LORTON – U.S. Senate Candidate Ed Gillespie today issued the following statement in regard to the start of Ramadan, which begins on Saturday at sunset:

“As my Islamic friends begin observing Ramadan tomorrow night, I wish them and all in their community a blessed month. The freedom to express one’s faith and worship is one of our most cherished freedoms. Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom ‘that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.’ As Muslims around our Commonwealth, and across the globe, abstain from their physical needs to refocus on their faith, I hope they have a blessed and peaceful Ramadan.”

The post Ed Gillespie’s Statement on the Start of Ramadan appeared first on Ed for Senate.

LORTON – Today, PolitiFact Virginia noted that Mark Warner has made a “full flop” on his position on a constitutional balanced budget amendment. This PolitiFact comes after the Gillespie campaign released a web video exposing Mark Warner’s flip flop.

In 1996, Mark Warner said, “For too long Congress, even though politician after politician makes promises that we’ll balance the budget soon, year after year, the deficit goes up. I think we need a constitutional amendment to balance that budget and I think we need it now.”

Concerning Senator Warner’s flip flop, Ed Gillespie said, “We knew that Mark Warner flipped his position on a balanced budget amendment and voted for 7 trillion dollars in new debt. Today, Senator Warner said he changed his mind on the balanced budget amendment in 2002, but never bothered to let voters know until he voted against it on the Senate floor. Virginians are tired of excuses and ready for leadership on this issue. I’ll not only vote for a balanced budget amendment, I’ll introduce one because it’s time we stop spending money we just don’t have.”

Ed Gillespie helped get the first federal balanced budget in 25 years and helped reform our welfare system:

“As a top congressional leadership aide, Ed Gillespie played a critical role in getting to the first balanced budget in 25 years, and enacting welfare reform legislation that helped people move from welfare to work. His knowledge of policy and understanding of how to get things done will make him an effective Senator for the people of Virginia.” -Dick Armey, former House Majority Leader (1995-2003) and U.S. Representative from Texas (1985-2003)

Ed Gillespie was a principle drafter of the Contract with America, pointing out in 1994:

“Americans know that without a balanced budget amendment, Congress is not going to reconcile spending and taxes and we’ll never get spending under control.” (Ed Gillespie on C-SPAN, Nov. 1, 1994)

The post Gillespie: Warner Flipped His Position on a Balanced Budget Amendment appeared first on Ed for Senate.

Ed Gillespie Accepts Three Additional Debates at UVA, JMU and George Mason

Senator Mark Warner has so far accepted only one debate to be held July 26 at the Greenbrier in West Virginia

Gillespie has accepted invitations to 8 total proposed debates throughout the Commonwealth.

LORTON – Ed Gillespie today announced that he has accepted invitations to three additional debates: A debate to be held at George Mason University; A debate to be held at the University of Virginia in October, hosted by the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy; and a debate to be held at James Madison University, hosted by Virginia21 and the JMU Student Government Association.

Speaking about the upcoming debates, Ed Gillespie said, “College students clearly see the damaging effects of the Obama-Warner economic policies as they are graduating with more debt on average than ever before and applying for jobs in a sluggish economy that has the lowest labor force participation rate in decades. Too many young people today are unemployed or underemployed. Debates throughout Virginia will give voters an opportunity to compare my economic growth agenda with Mark Warner’s record of voting for 7 trillion dollars in new debt and in support of President Obama’s job killing policies. I look forward to debates at these Virginia universities addressing issues on the minds of college students and recent graduates as they look to get a foothold on the first rung of the economic ladder, consider the mounting Federal debt and the cost-shifting coming their way under Obamacare, which Mark Warner helped pass.”

Gillespie had previously accepted invitations to participate in the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce debate; the Virginia Bar Association debate; “The People’s Debate” in Richmond Oct. 13, co-sponsored by the AARP and the League of Women Voters; a debate proposed by the Danville Register & Bee and a debate co-sponsored by the Loudoun County, Greater Reston, Prince William and Fredericksburg chambers of commerce.

The post Ed Gillespie Accepts Three Additional Debates at UVA, JMU and George Mason appeared first on Ed for Senate.

Year-to-Date, Gillespie Campaign Raises $4.1 Million

Including Donations from 47 Donors who had Previously Given to Mark Warner

LORTON – The Ed Gillespie for Senate Campaign announced today that it raised $1.9 million in the second quarter, bringing its fundraising in the first two quarters to $4.1 million. The campaign reported $3.1 million cash on hand at the end of the second quarter. The campaign brought in 3,305 new donors in the second quarter. Gillespie received contributions from 47 donors who had previously given to Mark Warner. In the first two quarters, 3,293 of the campaign’s donors were from Virginia, including donors from 123 of Virginia’s 133 Counties & Independent Cities.

Speaking about the announcement, campaign manager Chris Leavitt said, “The Gillespie campaign continues to build momentum as more and more voters compare Mark Warner’s record of voting 97 percent of the time with President Obama and Ed Gillespie’s agenda for economic growth. The $4.1 million raised by the campaign to-date puts the campaign among the top non-incumbent Republican campaigns, and positions it well to get Ed’s positive message out to voters.”

Leavitt continued, “After a unifying convention June 7 in Roanoke, Republicans have coalesced around Ed Gillespie and are sharing his Economic Growth Agenda in every community. In just the last week, Ed has participated in the Filipino-American Friendship Day, knocked doors in Virginia Beach, met with veterans in Yorktown, participated in an interfaith Iftar in Alexandria and met with coal miners in Dickenson County.”

“We got news that the GDP contracted 2.9 percent in the first quarter, but Virginians already knew that the policies of Mark Warner and President Obama aren’t helping them. They’re facing the lowest labor force participation rate in decades, gas prices that have nearly doubled since Mark Warner took office, fewer hours at work because of Obamacare, skyrocketing health care costs and an Administration that is trying to double-down on policies that make these problems worse.”

“Mark Warner hasn’t been the Senator for Virginia he said he would be, which is one reason 47 donors who had previously given to him are now supporting Ed Gillespie. They know we need a check on President Obama, not the blank check that Mark Warner has been.”

The post Release: Ed Gillespie for Senate Campaign Raises $1.9 Million in Second Quarter appeared first on Ed for Senate.

Statewide candidates in 2012 and 2013 participated in the Virginia Tech Debate
Gillespie has accepted 7 other forthcoming debates; Warner has yet to agree to a debate in Virginia

LORTON — Ed Gillespie today accepted an invitation from Virginia Tech President Timothy Sands to participate in a 2014 Virginia Senate debate co-sponsored by Virginia Tech and WDBJ7 of Roanoke. The proposed dates are October 14, 15, or 22nd. Mark Warner, in his previous two campaigns, agreed to debates in nearby Roanoke.

Speaking about the Virginia Tech Debate, Ed Gillespie said, “I’m eager to continue the tradition of the last two statewide elections in participating in the Virginia Tech debate this Fall and hope that Senator Warner will join me. It’s important to give a voice to the region and to engage university students in the political process, as the successful Virginia Tech debates in our last two statewide elections did.”

Gillespie and Warner participated in the Virginia Bar Association Debate in West Virginia on Saturday. Video of the debate is available here. 

Virginia Tech Professor and WDBJ7 Political Analyst Bob Denton said, “This was two well-seasoned individuals. And I thought it was a substantive debate.”

Larry Sabato observed, “Civil debate. Much better than hyper-partisan GOV ones last year.”

Gillespie has previously accepted invitations to participate in:

• The Fairfax Chamber of Commerce debate
• “The People’s Debate” in Richmond Oct. 13, co-sponsored by the AARP and the League of Women Voters
• A debate proposed by the Danville Register & Bee
• A debate co-sponsored by the Loudoun County, Greater Reston, Prince William and Fredericksburg chambers of commerce
• A debate hosted by the George Mason School of Policy, Government and International Affairs and the Center for State & Local Government Leadership in partnership with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce
• A debate to be held at the University of Virginia in October, hosted by the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
• A debate to be held at James Madison University, hosted by Virginia21 and the JMU Student Government Association.

The post Ed Gillespie Accepts Virginia Tech Debate Invitation appeared first on Ed for Senate.

Resaltó el historial de voto decepcionante de su oponente, Warner: “El Gobernador Warner hoy en día no reconocería al Senador Warner”

Gillespie: El pueblo de Virginia tiene una decisión clara que tomar en noviembre. Podemos mantener al país sobre el mismo camino—un camino caracterizado por deuda, la perdida de trabajos, salarios estancados y precios más altos. O podemos adoptar una política pública para el avance económico, como la que yo estoy proponiendo—una política que crearía trabajos, aumentaría salarios, ayudaría a más personas a escapar la pobreza, y mantendría los costos médicos bajos, al igual que reduciría los costos de energía.

WHITE SULFUR SPRINGS- En el primer debate senatorial presentado por la Asociación de Abogados de Virginia (Virginia Bar Association) y moderado por Judy Woodruff, Ed Gillespie estableció una diferencia clara entre su agenda para el crecimiento económico y el historial de voto del Senador Warner, un historial tan decepcionante como lo es partisano.

El director de la campaña de Ed Gillespie, Chris Leavitt, dijo:“Durante el debate, Ed Gillespie explicó en detalle como su agenda para el crecimiento económico beneficiaria al pueblo de Virginia y cómo su experiencia lo haría un senador efectivo desde el primer día. Mark Warner se veía incomodo mientras defendía su historial de voto por que no ha sido el senador que prometió ser. Esperamos que el Senador Warner acepte la invitación a los otros siete debates en los cuales Ed Gillespie ya ha aceptado participar. Será una oportunidad para resaltar aún más la diferencia entre la agenda positiva de Ed Gillespie y el record del Senador Warner quien suele votar exactamente a favor de las política publicas del Presidente Obama.”

El historial de voto del Senador Warner demuestra claramente que no ha sido el senador que prometió ser:

• Warner votó fielmente con su partido a favor de Obamacare, la cual continúa apoyando.
• En el 2009 votó en contra de una enmienda que hubiera salvado trabajos en regiones que dependen de lamanufactura o del carbón, aun cuando 13 Demócratas votaron a favor de la enmienda.
• En el 2012 Warner votó en contra de la aprobación del oleoducto Keystone XL, mientras que 11 demócratas incluyendo Jim Webb votaron a favor.
• En el 2011 votó en contra de una enmienda que hubiera prevenido que la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA) regulara el dióxido de carbono y otros gases de efecto invernadero por dos años, cuando 9 Demócratas incluyendoa Jim Webb votaron a favor.
• En el 2012 Warner votó en contra de la extracción de petróleo y gas en el Outer Continental Shelf (plataforma continental exterior) cuando demócratas en el senado, incluyendo Jim Webb votaron a favor.
• En el 2009 Warner votó en contra de crear un umbral de sesenta votos para la aprobación de legislación que aumentaría impuestos sobre energía afectando a la clase media, aunque veinticuatro Demócratas incluyendo Jim Webb votaron a favor.
• En el 2010 Warner votó a favor de aniquilar una enmienda que hubiera prevenido reducciones a Medicare Advantage, aunque Jim Webb votó en contra de deshacerse de la enmienda.
• En el 2011 Warner votó en contra de considerar una enmienda que crearía un presupuesto equilibrado, diez Demócratas en el senado votaron a favor.

Como dijo Ed, “El Gobernador Warner hoy en día no reconocería al Senador Warner”.

1. Remplazar “Obamacare”

En la actualidad, la carga más grande a nuestra economía es “Obamacare”, y una de las acciones más importantes que podemos tomar para crear empleos, fomentar el crecimiento económico, aumentar salarios y ahorrar dinero a los contribuyentes de impuestos es reemplazar esta legislación fallida con reformas sensibles, basadas en el mercado libre y que funcionan. Yo votaré para reemplazar Obamacare con una reforma real que pone a los pacientes primero y proporciona más opciones accesibles. Mi plan se basa en la creencia de que el pueblo Estadounidense desea un sistema de atención de salud que provee acceso a cuidado de alta calidad, costos médicos accesibles, que empodera a los médicos y pacientes, y no a los burócratas y a sus designados políticos. Los mismos desean un sistema que haga el cuidado de salud más asequible, que nos deje mantener el seguro médico que más nos beneficie y a los doctores en quien confiamos, y que permita a los negocios a crecer y a la vez contratar a más trabajadores.

2. Proporcionar Alivio Fiscal y Reglamentario

La carga onerosa tributaria y reglamentaria impuesta sobre los negocios estadounidenses y las familias norteamericanas son como una bota sobre la garganta de nuestra recuperación económica, y simplificar nuestro complicado código de impuestos, como también racionalizar regulaciones excesivas, constituyen partes esenciales de una agenda a favor del crecimiento. Tenemos que reducir una de las tasas más altas de impuestos marginales sobre negocios en el mundo para asegurar que las empresas estadounidenses sean más competitivas, y a la vez poder aligerar el cargo pesado de impuestos que cae sobre los individuos y las familias, así permitiéndoles mantener más de su propio dinero que han ganado con tanto esfuerzo.

Las regulaciones federales deben ser sujetas a un análisis de “costo-a-beneficio”, y cualquier regulación que sea anticuada o innecesariamente excesiva deberá ser eliminada. Empleadores – en particular pequeños negocios – están siendo estrangulados por una cascada interminable de regulaciones onerosas.

3. Desatar Recursos de Energía Norteamericana

Las políticas públicas en contra de la energía por parte de la Administración Obama comprenden uno de los mayores impedimentos para nuestro crecimiento económico. Una y otra vez, el Presidente Obama y sus aliados demócratas en el Congreso, incluyendo a Mark Warner, han insistido en aplicar políticas públicas respecto a nuestras fuentes de energía impulsadas por una agenda política estrecha, en lugar de desarrollar nuestros recursos naturales para reducir nuestra dependencia en productores extranjeros, crear empleos bien pagados, y reducir nuestros costos de energía – incluyendo el precio de la gasolina para todo residente Norteamericano. Mientras que Mark Warner apoya más impuestos sobre el carbón, conocido como “cap and trade”, yo he luchado contra estos impuestos y he tomado una posición firme contra nuevas regulaciones emitidas por la agencia regulatoria “EPA”, las cuales elevarían los precios de energía para consumidores y eliminarían la creación de empleos.

Creo en un enfoque de energía que abarca tanto los recursos de energía tradicionales, como también los recursos naturales alternativos. Apoyo la producción del petróleo y el gas natural—incluyendo excavaciones petroleras en mar profundo fuera de nuestras propias costas, algo que ha estado bajo una moratoria desde que Mark Warner asumió el poder – ya que sí es posible proteger nuestro medio ambiente y a la vez garantizar el acceso a los recursos de energía que necesitamos para crear nuevos puestos de trabajo en Virginia, precios más bajos en gasolineras, y mantener las cuentas de servicios públicos a niveles razonables.

Es hora de aprovechar nuestra capacidad de producir energía y desarrollar nuestros recursos naturales, poniéndolos al servicio para mejorar la calidad de vida de nuestros ciudadanos y simultáneamente crear prosperidad para toda persona. También es tiempo de frenar políticas equivocadas que atrancan el crecimiento económico estadounidense y dañan nuestra competitividad a nivel internacional.

4. Impulsar Reforma Educativa

Los nuevos mandatos federales dictados desde Washington no han podido, ni podrán abordar los problemas que afligen a nuestro sistema de educación pública. Aun así, Washington ha duplicado sus esfuerzos en este enfoque fracasado. La dicha solución de Warner-Obama para la educación ha sido una de seguir tirándole más dinero al problema con la esperanza de que haciendo lo mismo una y otra vez, rendirá como resultado que un mayor porcentaje de estudiantes en nuestras escuelas de K-12 se gradúen con una educación de alta calidad.

Sobre el tema de elección de escuela para nuestros hijos, los padres de familia ya hemos hablado. Queremos una mayor variedad de opciones para nuestros hijos, particularmente para aquellos estudiantes atrapados en escuelas públicas que están fallando. Como su Senador, yo le responderé. Trabajaré para que le sea más fácil a los estados establecer nuevas “escuelas chárter”, fomentaré la innovación, y me aseguraré de que nuestros niños tengan las herramientas necesarias para ser exitosos. Todo niño se merece una educación de alta calidad, razón por la cual trabajaré incansablemente para que los padres de familia tengan el poder de elegir las escuelas que mejor beneficien los intereses de sus hijos. La oportunidad es reforzada por la competencia y por más selección, razón por la cual apoyo las escuelas públicas, las “escuelas chárter”, las escuelas privadas y parroquiales, las “escuelas magnet”, y educación en el hogar, y apoyo los programas “school choice” de elección educativa que ayudan a asegurar que todas las familias tengan acceso a las opciones educativas de mayor significado.

5. Cortar Gastos Innecesarios y Equilibrar el Presupuesto Nacional

Uno de los pasos más importantes que podemos tomar para revitalizar la economía estadounidense es apretarle la rienda al gasto irresponsable del gobierno federal que actualmente amenaza a nuestro país con la quiebra y con dejar a futuras generaciones con la carga de una insostenible deuda que reducirá dramáticamente la calidad de vida para los mismos.

Una deuda de $18 trillones es simplemente inaceptable, y no podemos solventar las consecuencias de no tomar acción. Estamos atando a nuestros hijos al obligarlos a pagar por promesas hechas en el pasado, y por las nuevas promesas respectivas a Obamacare hechas por el Presidente Obama y Mark Warner.

Como su Senador, yo apoyaré una Enmienda para un Presupuesto Equilibrado (la cual Mark Warner votó en contra), trabajaré para reformar y simplificar nuestro código tributario, y lucharé para recortar gastos innecesarios. Es hora de frenar el gasto de dinero que simplemente no tenemos.

Hágame Responsable

Cuando se postuló para el Senado de los Estados Unidos, Mark Warner nos prometió que sería un líder moderado respecto a temas fiscales, un Demócrata a favor de los negocios, y se comprometió a ser una voz independiente para los Virginianos. Después de más de cinco años en el Senado, su récord como Senador muestra claramente que no ha cumplido con sus promesas.

Estoy presentando mi plan que comprende estas cinco políticas públicas específicas para impulsar el crecimiento económico, para que así los Virginianos sepan lo que yo haría como su Senador, y para que me responsabilicen por el mismo. Si soy elegido y busco la reelección, los votantes entonces podrán medir mi rendimiento contra estos mismos compromisos. Si al fin de mi término mi récord está en desacuerdo o contradice lo que he prometido, deberé ser hecho responsable, y los votantes podrán otorgarle esta oportunidad a otra persona – al igual que hoy le pido al pueblo de Virginia haga los mismo con el Senador Warner este año.

The post En El Primer Debate Ed Gillespie Resalta Su Agenda Para el Avance Económico appeared first on Ed for Senate.

Mark Warner Charged Taxpayers at least $150,000 for Chartered Luxury Flights so Far

Majority of U.S. Senators, including Tim Kaine, fly commercial or drive

RICHMOND — The Ed Gillespie for Senate Campaign today released a new video that highlights the findings of a recent USA Today report that found Mark Warner, who is the wealthiest member of the U.S. Senate, is among a handful of Senators who also charge taxpayers for chartered luxury air travel. Senator Warner, who lives less than ten miles from the Capitol, has averaged a private chartered flight every other month since leaving for Washington. By comparison, Tim Kaine did not charter a single private flight last year. Warner’s charter air travel has cost taxpayers at least $150,000 so far.

The video, “Fly Air Warner,” is available at the following link: http://youtu.be/En3VuKB6BsU

The USA Today report, including a side-by-side comparison of nearly identical trips that cost Tim Kaine $690 and Mark Warner more than $8,500, is available at the following link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/07/31/senators-charter-1million-flights/13379561/

The company Senator Warner uses to charter his flights notes on its website that, “Flights on Zen Air aircraft are not about transportation, they are about travel.” http://www.zenair.us/services/concierge/

Speaking about Mark Warner’s chartered plane habit, Gillespie spokesman Paul Logan said, “It’s telling that after dozens of reports on Mark Warner’s taxpayer-funded luxury air travel, when cheaper options were available and Tim Kaine didn’t charter a single flight last year, that Mark Warner continues to defend the practice. This is another example of Mark Warner saying one thing regarding fiscal discipline and doing something else.”

In his first TV ad in 2008, Mark Warner said he would cut spending and “clean up the mess in Washington.”

In his first speech on the floor of the Senate in 2009, Warner called for a, “line-by-line review of the federal budget to identify waste and fraud.”

In 2010 press release, he called for federal agencies to, “aggressively look for more ways to save taxpayer money”

He told the Free Lance-Star in 2011, “We will ask of everyone to put a little skin in the game,” when it comes to reducing spending.

In Capitol Hill Hearing Testimony in 2012, Warner said, “The public deserves to know in detail how each federal dollar is spent and it’s our job to ensure that these funds are used effectively and efficiently.”

In a press release in 2013, he said, “in this tough economic climate, we should be doing all we can to ensure that taxpayers and policymakers can follow the money to hold our government more accountable.”

In a press release this year, Mark Warner said, “I promise to keep working in the Senate to continue to hold the federal government accountable for waste, fraud, and inefficiency, and give the taxpayers the transparency they deserve.”

In another press release this year, Warner said, “we should take every opportunity to ensure every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely.”

The post Gillespie for Senate Campaign Releases New Video: Fly Air Warner appeared first on Ed for Senate.

Warner Kept Distance from Democratic Candidate Who Had Previously Urged Warner to Oppose Job-Killing Energy Regulations

LORTON – The special election victory of Republican Ben Chafin over his well-funded opponent Mike Hymes comes as Mark Warner kept his distance from Hymes, who ran TV ads touting his support for the coal industry. Warner, who recorded robo-calls earlier this year for Democrat Alan Howze in his losing bid for an open Arlington County Board seat and who recently held a campaign rally in Richmond in support of Hillary Clinton’s yet-to-be-announced campaign for President, was conspicuously quiet when it came to the special election in Virginia’s 38th Senate District. With Chafin’s win, Republicans have control of both chambers of the General Assembly.

Mike Hymes, Chafin’s Democratic opponent, had urged Senator Warner and Senator Webb in a 2009 letter to oppose Cap and Trade legislation, warning that, “Nearly 70,000 high-wage mining jobs could be lost by 2020,” and that “electricity prices could more than double, burdening area businesses and families with unreasonable costly energy bills.”

Jim Webb shared his concerns and publicly opposed cap and trade that year, saying, “I have a lot of reservations about Cap And Trade as a concept.”

However, two months after Mike Hymes called on Webb and Warner to oppose cap and trade, Mark Warner disregarded his warning, saying, “The most significant thing we can do is send the market signal that either directly through a carbon tax or indirectly through cap and trade, we are going to put a price on carbon.”

That same month Warner stood with John Kerry and Barbara Boxer to unveil Senate Cap and Trade legislation. (Scott Harper, “Warner Takes Climate-Bill Support On Road,” The Virginian-Pilot, 10/7/09)

Warner last year voted to make it easier to pass a carbon tax, even when 8 of his fellow Democrats voted against the party-line. (S. Con. Res. 8, CQ Vote #59: Motion rejected by a vote of 53-46: R 45-0; D 8-44; I 0-2, 3/22/13, Warner Voted Nay)

When new EPA carbon regulations came up in the July 26 debate between Ed Gillespie and Mark Warner, Politico reported that, “Warner avoided taking a position on the new EPA regulations: The senator twice dodged.”

Speaking about the Warner energy record, Ed Gillespie, who appeared twice with Chafin during the campaign, said, “Mike Hymes said Cap and Trade would be a ‘death knell for this area.’ Jim Webb opposed it while Mark Warner stood with Barbara Boxer and John Kerry to unveil it. Mark Warner supports energy regulations that squeeze working Virginians, resulting in higher utility bills and fewer jobs. My economic growth agenda would unleash American energy, easing the squeeze on hard-working Virginians, creating good-paying jobs and making energy more affordable.”

The post Chafin Win Shows Mark Warner Energy Record a Liability appeared first on Ed for Senate.

Rolls out plan as part of the Ed Gillespie Agenda for Economic Growth

Proposals include simplifying tax code for families, relief to lower income working Americans, lowering the corporate tax rate, bringing foreign profits of U.S. companies back home to invest in American jobs

LEESBURG – Today, Ed Gillespie unveiled policies for tax and regulatory relief for families and businesses, part of his five-point economic growth agenda. He made the announcement as he made several stops in Loudoun County on his week-long “Ease the Squeeze Tour.” The plan is available below and will be available at at http://edforsenate.com/eg2plan/.

Statements in support of Ed Gillespie’s tax and regulatory proposals from U.S. Representative Scott Rigell (VA-02), Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, Virginia State Senator Ryan McDougle, Economist and former Director of the Congressional Budget Office Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Richmond area small-business owner Melissa Ball, and Sterling small-business owners Craig and Elizabeth Fritsche can also be found below.

Among Gillespie’s proposals are:

• Reducing the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35 to 25 percent and eliminating loopholes and special interest tax breaks
• Abolishing ObamaCare’s sales tax on health insurance that increases the cost of health care coverage, pushing premiums higher
• Giving relief to lower income working Americans by replacing the Earned Income Tax Credit with wage enhancement tax credits
• Regulatory reform to help small businesses, entrepreneurs and major employers
• Consolidating some of the existing credits and exemptions that parents can take for their children, while increasing the existing child tax credit, indexing it to inflation, and allowing it to apply to not only income taxes, but payroll taxes as well

Click HERE to read Ed’s full plan for tax and regulatory relief for families and businesses.

The post Ed Gillespie Calls for Tax and Regulatory Relief for Families and Businesses appeared first on Ed for Senate.

The Ed Gillespie for Senate Campaign today began airing its second TV ad: Blank Check. The ad can be found on YouTube at http://youtu.be/v7YCGQGjzBc

Speaking about the ad, Campaign Manager Chris Leavitt said, “Virginians are ready for a new direction from Mark Warner’s misguided policies, voting with President Obama 97 percent of the time. Ed’s economic growth agenda would create jobs, raise take home pay, hold down health care costs and reduce energy prices.”

Blank Check: 30 seconds

Narrator: Mark Warner votes with President Obama 97 percent of the time. Policies that kill jobs, lower wages and make health care and energy more expensive.

Time for a new direction.

Ed Gillespie: I’m Ed Gillespie. I’ll be a leader for policies that create jobs and expand opportunity for everyone.

Narrator: Ed Gillespie’s new direction: Economic growth, good-paying jobs, more affordable energy. Replacing Obamacare, that’s killing jobs and lowering wages.

Ed Gillespie: I’ll be a check on President Obama, not a blank check for him.

BACKGROUND:

Ed Gillespie has put out his agenda for economic growth that would create jobs, grow our economy, make energy more affordable and replace Obamacare. Ed’s economic growth agenda is available at http://edforsenate.com/eg2/

Mark Warner has voted with President Obama 97 percent of the time since taking office. That’s more often than the average for Democratic Senators.

PolitiFact Virginia: Warner, as it turns out, did vote with the president’s wishes 97 of the time both last year and since entering the Senate in 2009. That’s slightly higher than the average for all Democratic senators, who backed Obama when he clearly stated a position 96 percent of the time last year and 95.4 percent of the time since 2009.

Mark Warner voted for the Affordable Care Act in Dec. 2009.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00396

In March, 2010, Mark Warner voted to keep the medical device tax in Obamacare.
(H.R. 4872, CQ Vote #79: Motion agreed to 56-42: R 0-40; D 54-2; I 2-0, 3/24/10, Warner Voted Yea)

A recent study found “a total job loss due to the tax of as many as 165,000 jobs.”
http://advamed.org/res.download/417

Wages for jobs added since Mark Warner and President Obama took office pay an average 23% less than the jobs lost during the recession, according to a report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors released last month:

Jobs gained during the economic recovery from the Great Recession pay an average 23% less than the jobs lost during the recession according to a new report released today by The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) under the leadership of President Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. The annual wage in sectors where jobs were lost during the downturn was $61,637, but new jobs gained through the second quarter of 2014 showed average wages of only $47,171. This wage gap represents $93 billion in lost wages.

http://www.usmayors.org/pressreleases/uploads/2014/0811-release-metroeconwagegap.pdf

The Congressional Budget Office estimated a 1% reduction in aggregate compensation because of the Affordable Care Act, once its major provisions go into effect.

http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/45010-Outlook2014_Feb.pdf

The CBO estimates that the Affordable Care Act will mean 2.5 million fewer full-time workers in our economy.

http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/45010-breakout-AppendixC.pdf

The National Federation of Independent Business estimates that Obamacare’s Health Insurance Tax reduces future private sector employment by 146,000 to 262,000 jobs in 2022, with 59 percent of job losses falling on small businesses.

http://www.nfib.com/article/the-small-business-health-insurance-tax-51231/

In April 2009, Jim Webb and a dozen other Senate Democrats joined Republicans to create a 60-vote point of order against any legislation that causes significant job losses in manufacturing-dependent or coal-dependent regions. Mark Warner voted instead with his Democratic leadership.
(S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #142: Adopted 54-44: R 41-0; D 13-42; I 0-2, 4/2/09, Warner Voted Nay)

In 2009, Mark Warner said, “The most significant thing we can do is send the market signal that either directly through a carbon tax or indirectly through Cap and Trade, we are going to put a price on carbon.”

http://edforsenate.com/release-mark-warner-says-cap-trade-significant-thing-can/

In April 2011, Warner voted against an amendment that would prevent the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases for two years. Jim Webb co-sponsored that amendment and warned at the time that, “This sweeping authority at the hands of the EPA could endanger thousands of jobs in our fragile economy.”
(S. 493, CQ Vote #53: Rejected 12-88: R 3-44; D 9-42; I 0-2, 4/6/11, Warner Voted Nay, Jim Webb co-sponsored and voted for the amendment)

In March 2012, when eight of his fellow Senate Democrats voted to delay the implementation of EPA emission standards for industrial and commercial boilers, Mark Warner voted with his party line instead, putting thousands of jobs at risk.
(S. 1813, CQ Vote #30: R 44-1; D 8-43; I 0-2, 3/8/12, Warner Voted Nay)

National Association of Manufacturers: “This is a harsh, inflexible rule that will cost jobs, hurt global competitiveness and may discourage projects that could otherwise lead to environmental improvements.”
(National Association of Manufacturers, “EPA’s Boiler MACT Rule Will Cost Manufacturing Jobs,” Press Release, 2/23/11)

The Council of Industrial Boiler Owners predicted the EPA’s Boiler MACT Rule would put 230,000 jobs at risk. “During this critical time in our nation’s economic recovery, manufacturers simply cannot afford another costly and burdensome regulation that will put 230,000 jobs at risk, according to the Council of Industrial Boiler Owners.” (National Association Of Manufacturers, “Manufacturers Welcome House Vote To Rein In The EPA,” Press Release, 10/13/11)

In 2013, when 8 of his fellow Senate Democrats voted to make it more difficult to pass a job-killing carbon tax, Mark Warner voted with Harry Reid against the measure to protect jobs from a carbon tax.
(S. Con. Res. 8, CQ Vote #59: Motion rejected by a vote of 53-46: R 45-0; D 8-44; I 0-2, 3/22/13, Warner Voted Nay)

The National Association of Manufactures estimated that a carbon tax could destroy up to 66,000 jobs in Virginia over the next decade and increase the cost of electricity by 21 percent.
(National Association of Manufacturers, “Adverse Economic Impacts Of A Carbon Tax In Virginia,” www.nam.org, Accessed 12/12/13)

The post Ed Gillespie Campaign Releases Second TV Ad: Blank Check appeared first on Ed Gillespie.

Norfolk – Today marks the 5 year anniversary of a promise Mark Warner made at a Fredericksburg Town Hall meeting and broke two months later. Video of Warner’s promise is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzdPGuQgFrI&feature=youtu.be

Warner promised voters: There is no plan being proposed that I will support that will force people out of their existing plan if they have it and they like their existing doctor.

Man in audience: Why lie to us?

Warner: Folks, you can say whatever you want, but I’m not supporting any plan that gets rid of those kinds of choices.

Two months later, Mark Warner voted for the Affordable Care Act.

Last year, PolitiFact dubbed, ‘If you like your health care plan, you can keep it’ the “Lie of the year.”

Speaking about Mark Warner’s broken promise, Ed Gillespie said, “Mark Warner has not been the Senator he said he would be. Everywhere I go, I hear stories from fellow Virginians who lost the health insurance they liked due to Obamacare, many of whom are now paying significantly more for their coverage and are unable to see the doctors they trust.

“Obamacare is perhaps the greatest factor contributing to the squeeze felt by so many hardworking Virginians. Mark Warner was wrong five years ago when he promised Virginia voters they could keep their plans and doctors and broke his promise two months later. But, more importantly, he’s wrong about what to do now. Mark Warner thinks they got it right, while I would replace Obamacare with market-oriented policies that will ease the squeeze on hardworking Virginians.”

BACKGROUND:

Mark Warner’s full town hall held Sept. 3, 2009 in Fredericksburg is available at http://www.c-span.org/video/?288690-1/senator-mark-warner-town-hall-meeting

In September 2010, Warner Voted Against A Resolution To Nullify An Obama Administration Rule Preventing Insurance Companies From Keeping Their Grandfathered Status If They Make Changes To Their Plans. “Enzi, R-Wyo., motion to proceed to consideration of a joint resolution that would provide for congressional disapproval of a rule regarding grandfathering of health insurance plans under the 2010 health care overhaul law.” (S. J. Res. 39, CQ Vote #244: Motion rejected 40-59: R 40-0; D 0-57; I 0-2, 9/29/10, Warner Voted Nay; Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)

The Rule Is “Largely Responsible” For The Health Insurance Cancellation Letters Being Received By Millions Of Americans. “Senate Democrats voted unanimously three years ago to support the Obamacare rule that is largely responsible for some of the health insurance cancellation letters that are going out.” (Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)

The Rule Essentially Prevented Insurance Companies From Keeping Their Grandfathered Status If They Made Changes To Their Plans. “The rule essentially prevents insurance companies from keeping their grandfathered status if they make changes to their plans. In practice, insurance companies are loath to leave their plans unchanged so grandfathered plans are disappearing, and people are being forced to change their plans to meet Obamacare’s more robust coverage requirements.” (Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)

In December 2009, Warner Voted Against A Motion That Would Have Allowed Medicare Advantage Enrollees To Retain Their Existing Benefits. “McCain, R-Ariz., motion to commit the bill to the Finance Committee with instructions that it be reported back with changes that would allow all Medicare Advantage enrollees to retain their existing benefits.” (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #370: Rejected 42-57: R 40-0; D 2-55; I 0-2, 12/8/09, Warner Voted Nay)

Jim Webb Voted For The Motion. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #370: Rejected 42-57: R 40-0; D 2-55; I 0-2, 12/8/09, Webb Voted Yea)

Webb Said He Voted In Favor Of The McCain And Hatch Amendments Because “He Does Not Believe It Is Reasonable To Cut Back On Medicare Funding” While Medicare Expands To Include Baby Boomers. “Webb’s office provided this statement:: ‘Senator Webb voted in favor of the McCain and Hatch amendments because he does not believe it is reasonable to cut back on Medicare funding at a time when the pool for Medicare is going to expand as the Baby Boom generation reaches retirement age. Further, Senator Webb is a long-time supporter of Medicare Advantage programs which have in his view greatly improved services in rural areas such as Southside and Southwest Virginia.’” (Amy Lotven, “Webb Sides With GOP On Failed Motion,” Inside Health Reform, 12/9/09)

The post Why Lie to Us? appeared first on Ed Gillespie.

Ed Gillespie issued the following statement regarding the August jobs numbers released this morning:

“Today we learned the U.S. labor force shrank by 64,000 jobs in August and that we have the worst labor force participation rate in decades. This comes after our economic growth rate was adjusted down to an anemic 1.5 percent last week. This is the result of Mark Warner’s policies. My pro-growth agenda will ease the squeeze on hard-working Virginians, and make it easier for the unemployed to find work.”

The post Statement of Ed Gillespie on August Jobs Numbers appeared first on Ed Gillespie.

LORTON – Ed Gillespie, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Virginia, issued the following statement in remembrance of September 11, 2001: “Today we stop to remember those taken from us 13 years ago in the September 11 terrorist attacks.…

The post Ed Gillespie Issues Statement in Remembrance of 9/11 appeared first on Ed Gillespie.

LORTON — The Ed Gillespie for Senate Campaign released a new TV ad today, reminding voters of Senator Mark Warner’s broken promise that he wouldn’t support a health care reform plan that would take away health care plans that people have and like. Shortly after making the proimse, Mark Warner voted for the Affordable Care Act, which he continues to support.

A report this week found that nearly 250,000 Virginians will lose the health insurance they have this year.

Last year, PolitiFact dubbed, ‘If you like your health care plan, you can keep it’ the “Lie of the year.”

The ad can be viewed at: http://youtu.be/aRKZUXN6lS4

BACKGROUND

In 2009, Mark Warner promised voters: There is no plan being proposed that I will support that will force people out of their existing plan if they have it and they like their existing doctor.

A man in audience responded: Why lie to us?

Warner replied: Folks, you can say whatever you want, but I’m not supporting any plan that gets rid of those kinds of choices.

Two months later, Mark Warner voted for the Affordable Care Act.

Mark Warner’s full town hall held Sept. 3, 2009 in Fredericksburg is available here: http://www.c-span.org/video/?288690-1/senator-mark-warner-town-hall-meeting

In September 2010, Warner Voted Against A Resolution To Nullify An Obama Administration Rule Preventing Insurance Companies From Keeping Their Grandfathered Status If They Make Changes To Their Plans. “Enzi, R-Wyo., motion to proceed to consideration of a joint resolution that would provide for congressional disapproval of a rule regarding grandfathering of health insurance plans under the 2010 health care overhaul law.” (S. J. Res. 39, CQ Vote #244: Motion rejected 40-59: R 40-0; D 0-57; I 0-2, 9/29/10, Warner Voted Nay; Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)

The Rule Is “Largely Responsible” For The Health Insurance Cancellation Letters Being Received By Millions Of Americans. “Senate Democrats voted unanimously three years ago to support the Obamacare rule that is largely responsible for some of the health insurance cancellation letters that are going out.” (Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)

The Rule Essentially Prevented Insurance Companies From Keeping Their Grandfathered Status If They Made Changes To Their Plans. “The rule essentially prevents insurance companies from keeping their grandfathered status if they make changes to their plans. In practice, insurance companies are loath to leave their plans unchanged so grandfathered plans are disappearing, and people are being forced to change their plans to meet Obamacare’s more robust coverage requirements.” (Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)

In December 2009, Warner Voted Against A Motion That Would Have Allowed Medicare Advantage Enrollees To Retain Their Existing Benefits. “McCain, R-Ariz., motion to commit the bill to the Finance Committee with instructions that it be reported back with changes that would allow all Medicare Advantage enrollees to retain their existing benefits.” (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #370: Rejected 42-57: R 40-0; D 2-55; I 0-2, 12/8/09, Warner Voted Nay)

Jim Webb Voted For The Motion. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #370: Rejected 42-57: R 40-0; D 2-55; I 0-2, 12/8/09, Webb Voted Yea)

Webb Said He Voted In Favor Of The McCain And Hatch Amendments Because “He Does Not Believe It Is Reasonable To Cut Back On Medicare Funding” While Medicare Expands To Include Baby Boomers. “Webb’s office provided this statement:: ‘Senator Webb voted in favor of the McCain and Hatch amendments because he does not believe it is reasonable to cut back on Medicare funding at a time when the pool for Medicare is going to expand as the Baby Boom generation reaches retirement age. Further, Senator Webb is a long-time supporter of Medicare Advantage programs which have in his view greatly improved services in rural areas such as Southside and Southwest Virginia.’” (Amy Lotven, “Webb Sides With GOP On Failed Motion,” Inside Health Reform, 12/9/09)

The post Gillespie Campaign Releases New TV Ad: Lie of the Year appeared first on Ed Gillespie.

News broke this week that nearly 250,000 more Virginians will lose their existing health insurance coverage because of Obamacare.

Mark Warner promised he would not vote for legislation that resulted in people losing the health insurance and doctors they liked.

Below are several other reports from this week:

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Up to 250,000 Virginians face canceled health policies

After a year’s reprieve, up to 250,000 Virginians will receive notice by the end of November that their health insurance plans will be canceled because the plans do not comply with the Affordable Care Act and accompanying state law.

The affected policyholders were allowed to renew their old plans late last year, even though the plans did not provide all of the benefits required under the health care law, but they won’t have that option when the policies expire this year.

…In August 2009, four months before voting for the ACA, Warner had vowed that he would not support a health care reform plan that would “take away health care that you’ve got right now or a health care plan that you like.” Warner echoed remarks by Obama, who had repeatedly promised voters that “if you like the plan you have, you can keep it.” In 2013, Politifact called the president’s promise the “Lie of the Year.”

NBC12 (WWBT): 250K Virginians may lose plans because of Obamacare requirements

Staggering numbers coming out of the Capitol: A quarter million Virginians will need to choose new health insurance because of Obamacare…Those five simple words “you can keep your plan” are coming back to haunt the President as well as an estimated quater million Virginians…

Lynchburg News & Advance: Thousands of Virginians who took advantage of a delay in the Affordable Care Act last year will have to get new plans this year and likely incur higher premiums or other out-of-pocket costs. The number of people that fall into this category could be as high as 250,000, according to one estimate floated this week. Depending on health and other factors, that group could see a double-digit jump in insurance bills — the result of a planned recalibration of how costs are shared among policy holders.

Watchdog.org: Virginia’s Health Insurance Reform Commission learned Wednesday that 250,000 Virginians will receive notices their health insurance plans are being canceled as a result of the Affordable Care Act. That’s in addition to the thousands of Virginians who had already been notified over the last year their plans are no longer compliant with President Obama’s signature health care law…

NewsMax: Already some residents have received notices, and lawmakers will be hit from complaints as many residents make hard choices about how to budget for care or face losing it. “It’ll be higher co-pays?” one lawmaker queried of Gray. “Absolutely,” Gray said. The private exchange, eHealthInsurance, says premiums have risen faster under ObamaCare than the eight years preceding its launch, The Daily Caller noted. On the individual market, premiums are up 29 percent from February 2013 and individuals’ premiums now run, on average about $274 a month. Average family premiums have hit $663 monthly per family — up from $426 in 2013, the website reported, citing the eHeathInsurance’s Price Index.

Daily Caller: “This goes back to that now heavily-criticized line we heard before Obamacare was put in place: ‘If you like your plan, you can keep it,’” said reporter Alana Austin. “Ultimately, that turned out not to be true for thousands of Virginians and companies in the Commonwealth. … Wednesday Virginia lawmakers on the health insurance reform commission met for the first time this year. Turns out, a staggering number of Virginians will need new plans this fall.”

The post 250,000 broken promises appeared first on Ed Gillespie.

Contrary to Mark Warner’s promise, the Government Accountability Office today confirmed that taxpayer funds are being used for abortions in more than 1,000 Obamacare exchange plans

Ed Gillespie in 2009 warned about taxpayer-funding of abortion under Obamacare, while Mark Warner called it a “myth”

LORTON – Ed Gillespie issued the following statement on the new Government Accountability Office report that confirms that taxpayer dollars are helping to subsidize elective abortions in the Obamacare exchanges. To this day, Mark Warner on his official Senate website lists it as a “myth” that “Under health care reform federal funds will be used to provide abortions.” In November of 2009 on ABC, Ed Gillespie warned about the “federal funding of abortion” that would take place under Obamacare.

Speaking about the GAO report, Ed Gillespie said, “Today brings yet another example where Senator Warner did not keep his word to Virginians when he helped pass Obamacare. He said taxpayers would not fund abortions, but the GAO reports that in 1,000 of the Obamacare exchange plans that is not true. Once again, Mark Warner has not been the Senator he said he would be.”

The post Who was right? appeared first on Ed Gillespie.

LORTON — The Virginia Police Benevolent Association today announced that it is endorsing Ed Gillespie in the upcoming Senate election. The Virginia PBA endorsed Mark Warner in 2008. The release from the VAPBA is available below and online at http://edforsenate.com/virginia-pba-endorsement/.

Contact: Sean McGowan
VAPBA Executive Director
(800) 233-3506 ext. 352

Virginia Police Benevolent Association Endorses Ed Gillespie for Senate

Lorton, VA – The Virginia Police Benevolent Association recently held a political screening for those candidates running for various offices in the upcoming election. During the screening process Ed Gillespie demonstrated why his experiences and values make him uniquely qualified to represent the voters of Virginia. He also demonstrated that he is committed to making strong effective law enforcement a priority in his campaign. That is why the Virginia PBA is proud to announce their support by endorsing Ed Gillespie in the upcoming election.

Virginia Police Benevolent Association President Joe Woloszyn said, “Ed Gillespie has an understanding of issues important to our membership and a willingness to be a working partner in our efforts to improve and promote the law enforcement profession. He has a proven record of getting things done with bi-partisan support and Virginians will be well served with his leadership in the senate.”

Speaking about receiving this endorsement, Ed Gillespie said, “I’m grateful to have the support of these men and women who protect and serve. As a senator, I will work with public safety officials and community leaders to make Virginia a better, safer place to live and work.”

The Virginia Police Benevolent Association is proud to endorse Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate. Gillespie has a proven record of leadership and building partnerships. A vote for Gillespie is a vote for the men and women of law enforcement and the citizens they serve.

The Virginia Police Benevolent Association is a division of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc., a not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to improving the law enforcement profession. PBA members are full-time or retired employees of the various federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement and correctional agencies in Virginia. This professional association, funded by membership dues and citizen contributions, provides legal, legislative, disciplinary and other representation to member officers as well as an accidental death benefit to members’ beneficiaries. The PBA prohibits members from engaging in or condoning any strike by law enforcement officers, electing instead to represent members through aggressive political action. For more information, please visit our website at www.vapba.org.

The post Virginia Police Benevolent Association Endorses Ed Gillespie for Senate appeared first on Ed Gillespie.