AFP Goes On-Air in North Dakota Holding Senator Heitkamp Accountable for ‘NO’ Vote on Tax Reform

TV, digital campaign part of multimillion-dollar tax reform effort

Arlington. Va. – Americans for Prosperity (AFP) on Thursday will launch a television and digital ad campaign in North Dakota informing citizens about Senator Heidi Heitkamp’s (ND) record of opposing tax relief for North Dakotans while giving billions of taxpayer handouts to special interests.

The grassroots group is investing almost $450,000 in TV and digital ads asking citizens to hold Senator Heitkamp accountable by urging her to support real tax reform for families over special-interest handouts.

This North Dakota effort comes on the heels of AFP’s nearly $8 million investment on TV and digital ads in Indiana and Missouri holding Senators Donnelly (IN) and McCaskill (MO) accountable for their opposition to tax reform by urging them to support policies that lead to higher paychecks for Indiana and Missouri families.

The new North Dakota ads will begin running on television and digital platforms Thursday and will continue throughout the coming weeks.

VIEW THE AD HERE: https://bit.ly/2DH9UhQ

AFP President Tim Phillips issued the following statement:  

“Senator Heitkamp has time and again voted to line the pockets of special interests, but when she had the chance to put more money back into the pockets of her constituents, she turned her back.

“Now, instead of acknowledging the clear benefits of tax cuts that North Dakotans are seeing with their own eyes, she continues to put politics first and distort the facts.

“Senator Heitkamp made a promise to look out for the people of North Dakota, and that should start with putting hardworking families before Washington special interests.”

Hardworking Americans are already seeing the benefits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as hundreds of companies invest in their employees and communities by creating jobs and increasing wages. Senator Heitkamp voted to deny individuals and families these benefits, choosing special interests over the well-being of citizens in their states.

This ad effort is part of AFP’s campaign to hold accountable lawmakers who voted against the pro-growth reform.

Last week, AFP launched a national grassroots campaign to bring its tax reform message from the airwaves to the grassroots. Called American Pay Raise, this long-term effort aims to thank lawmakers who supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, hold accountable those who opposed it and urge Congress to protect tax reform benefits that millions of Americans are already experiencing. 

BACKGROUND:

Heitkamp Promised To Look Out For North Dakotans

Senator Heitkamp: “I Made This Promise To Every North Dakotan During The Campaign And I Want To Make It Again Today: I Will Work As Hard As I Can To Be A Senator For Each And Every One Of You.” “Heitkamp promised to take the level of effort put into her successful campaign and apply it to working for North Dakotans in Washington, D.C. ‘I made this promise to every North Dakotan during the campaign and I want to make it again today: I will work as hard as I can to be a senator for each and every one of you. Thank you, and I’m proud to be able to represent North Dakota,’ Heitkamp said.” (Nick Smith, “Berg Concedes; Heitkamp On To The Senate,” Bismark Tribune, 11/8/12)

Heitkamp Has Received Large Donations From Special Interests

In Her Career, Sen. Heitkamp Has Received At Least $645,388 From The Securities & Investments Industry, $468,658 From Lobbyists, $277,638 From The Real Estate Industry, $163,008 From The TV/Movies/Music Industry, And $162,578 From Public Sector Unions.(Center For Responsive Politics, opensecrets.org, Accessed 3/14/18)

Heitkamp Has Voted To Give Billions In Handouts To Special Interests

In 2014, Heitkamp Voted In Favor Of The Tax Increase Prevention Act Of 2014. (H.R. 5771, Roll Call Vote #364: Bill Passed 76-16: R 31-8; D 44-8; I 1-0, 12/16/14, Heitkamp Voted Yea)

The Tax Increase Prevention Act Of 2014 Included Handouts To Special Interests Such As:

• Extending An Increase In Rum Excise Taxes To Puerto Rico And The Virgin Islands.“Sec. 140. Extension of temporary increase in limit on cover over of rum excise taxes to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.” (“Tax Increase Prevention Act Of 2014,” Congress.gov, 12/19/14)
• Extending Special Expensing Rules For Film And Television Productions. “Sec. 129. Extension of special expensing rules for certain film and television productions.” (“Tax Increase Prevention Act Of 2014,” Congress.gov, 12/19/14)
• Extending A Provision For The Accelerated Depreciation Of Race Horses. “Sec. 121. Extension of classification of certain race horses as 3-year property.” (“Tax Increase Prevention Act Of 2014,” Congress.gov, 12/19/14)

In February, Heitkamp Voted In Favor Of The Bipartisan Budget Act Of 2018. (H.R. 1892, Roll Call Vote #31: Passed 71-28: R 34-16; D 36-11; I 1-1, 2/9/18, Heitkamp Voted Yea)

The Bipartisan Budget Act Of 2018 Included Handouts To Special Interests Such As:

• Extending An Increase In Rum Excise Taxes To Puerto Rico And The Virgin Islands.“Sec. 41102. Modifications to rum cover over.” (“Bipartisan Budget Act Of 2018, Congress.gov, 2/9/18)
• Extending A Provision For The Accelerated Depreciation Of Race Horses. “Sec. 40304. Extension of classification of certain race horses as 3-year property.” (“Bipartisan Budget Act Of 2018, Congress.gov, 2/9/18)

Heitkamp Voted Against Tax Cuts For North Dakotans

Senator Heidi Heitkamp Voted Against The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Of 2017. (H.R. 1, Roll Call Vote #323, Passed 51-48-1, 12/20/17, Heitkamp Voted Nay)

The Typical Family Of Four Earning The Median Family Income Will Receive A Tax Cut Of $2,059 Under The Tax Cuts And Jobs Act. “Today, Congress officially sent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) to President Trump, who will soon sign pro-growth tax reform into law for the first time in 31 years. … For the typical family of four earning the median family income of $73,000, with this bill they will receive a tax cut of $2,059.” (“By The Numbers: Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Delivers Tax Cuts For Families In Every Congressional District,” House Ways And Means Committee, 12/21/17)

Workers Are Already Seeing Higher Take-Home Pay As A Result Of Tax Reform. “The contentious tax overhaul is beginning to deliver a change that many will welcome — bigger paychecks. Workers are starting to see more take-home pay as employers implement the new withholding guidelines from the IRS, which dictate how much employers withhold from pay for federal taxes. Those whose checks have remained the same shouldn’t fret — employers have until Feb. 15 to make the changes.” (Sarah Skidmore Sell, “Tax Bill Beginning To Deliver Bigger Paychecks To Workers, Associated Press, 2/1/18)

For further information or to set up an interview, reach Gabrielle Braud at GBraud@afphq.org or (571) 329-1846. 

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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