AFP-Missouri Launches Seven-Figure TV Ad Campaign Holding Sen. McCaskill Accountable for “No” Vote on Tax Reform

Feb 13, 2018 by AFP

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – As part of its effort to educate and inform Missourians and other Americans on the benefits of the new tax reform law, Americans for Prosperity-Missouri (AFP-MO) is launching a major ad campaign in Missouri on Thursday to inform citizens about Senator Claire McCaskill’s broken promises on tax reform.

The grassroots group is investing $1.8 million in TV and digital ads asking citizens to send a message to Sen. McCaskill urging her to support policies that put hardworking taxpayers first.

Throughout her career and preceding the vote on the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, Sen. McCaskill has paid lip service to the benefits of tax reform, but ultimately put partisan politics ahead of growth and prosperity for their constituents by voting against the recently enacted law.

This ad effort is part of AFP’s campaign to connect Americans to the benefits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and hold accountable lawmakers who voted against the pro-growth reform. The grassroots group has already begun a major campaign to promote the historic tax reform law with the goal of ensuring all Americans understand the impact in their daily lives.

View the Missouri ad here.

AFP-MO State Director Jeremy Cady released the following statement:

“For months leading up to the tax reform vote, Sen. McCaskill touted bipartisanship and a willingness to work with President Trump on tax reform, but when push came to shove Sen. McCaskill sided with Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi over her constituents. Companies across Missouri are giving back to their employees because of tax reform, no thanks to Sen. McCaskill, who by voting ‘No’ neglected her constituents’ wishes. Instead of excuses, Sen. McCaskill should focus on pro-growth legislation that builds on the profound impact tax reform has already had.

“It’s important Missourians understand how tax reform is boosting our economy and how Sen. McCaskill voted against Missourians keeping more of their hard-earned paycheck. Helping middle-class families in Missouri isn’t a partisan issue and we hope Sen. McCaskill will consider her constituents next time meaningful legislation is up for a vote.”

BACKGROUND:

Senator Claire McCaskill said she’d support tax cuts for hardworking families, but when she had the chance, she said no.

In 2015, Sen. McCaskill called the U.S. Tax system “broken” and in need of reform.

SENATOR MCCASKILL: “Today I think we are in agreement that the current U.S. tax system is broken and needs reform. Our corporate tax rate is among the highest in the industrialized world. Our worldwide tax system is out of sync with the territorial models our economic peers have implemented. We lag behind other countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in the value of the research credits we provide, and we risk losing out as our European allies move forward with new plans to incentivize the flow of intellectual property to their borders.”(“Impact Of The U.S. Tax Code On The Market For Corporate Control And Jobs,” Hearing Before The Permanent Subcommittee On Investigations Of The Committee On Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, 07/30/15; “Impact Of The U.S. Tax Code On The Market For Corporate Control And Jobs,” Time Stamp: 00:17:00, United States Senate, 07/30/15)

In 2017, Sen. McCaskill continually stressed the importance of tax reform but ultimately chose to stand in the way of providing Missourians the tax relief they need.

SENATOR MCCASKILL: “I’m a new member and I had this idea that I was coming to this committee to actually consider important items of finance to our government, and there is no more important item of finance to our government than the structure of our tax code. There is nothing that is more impactful on our economy or on business and job creation in this country than the tax code. If we cannot have a hearing in the United States Senate in the Committee on Finance on tax code reform, then I don’t know why we have this committee. It doesn’t make sense to me.” (“Tax Reform,” Time Stamp: 01:53:35, C-SPAN, 07/18/17)

SENATOR MCCASKILL: “I certainly support lowering the corporate tax rate so we’re globally competitive. I could live with somewhere in the low 20s. And, depending on what they would do on a child tax credit or on making sure that kids can afford college, retirement income.” (“Sen. Clare McCaskill: GOP ‘Could Get A Bipartisan Vote’ On Taxes,” Time Stamp: 01:20, NBC News, 10/30/17)

Missouri businesses spread the benefits of tax reform to employees and residents.

In January, The Washington Post said that around 15,000 employees living in the Show-Me State are getting bonuses of $1,000 or more. Missouri-based Stifel Financial Corp. and Kansas City Southern both announced they’ll be handing out bonuses. Commerce Bancshares, which has several offices in Missouri, handed out $1,000 bonuses to its nearly 3,500 full-time employees, specifically citing the expected benefits of the tax law as the reason why. Great Southern Bancorp, also based in Missouri, also announced bonuses for their employees because of tax reform.

“We are pleased to take advantage of the unique opportunity presented by the tax reform legislation by rewarding our associates with this special bonus,” Great Southern’s president said.

Walmart, the largest private employer in the state, recently announced that because of tax reform, it will be handing out bonuses of up to $1,000 to workers, including the more than 42,000 Missourians Walmart employs. Not only that, the company has announced it is raising base starting pay to $11 an hour, expanding paid maternity leave and launching a program to help employees who want to adopt.