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By Jason Flohrs

This past August, our state recorded its lowest unemployment rate in almost two decades; job openings outnumbered job seekers; and 70 percent of Minnesotans polled said they were in better economic shape than their parents were at the same age.

This prosperity is no accident. Americans simply have more opportunity when government gets out of the way and lets them keep more of their money – and history has shown what happens when you give the American people opportunity.

As Minnesotans we have the capacity to achieve great things. Our productivity and willingness to push the limits of innovation have fueled our state’s economic success. Whether it’s in a factory or farm, a retailer or the corporate office, Minnesotans aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get things done.

But too often, it seems Washington doesn’t trust the American people and is continually putting up obstacles and erecting barriers that get in the way of the opportunity to live our own individual version of the American Dream.

Sometimes, we need someone to fight back on our behalf.

Thankfully, Minnesotans have Rep. Erik Paulsen.

To help spur our economy to new heights, Rep. Paulsen supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which made Minnesota businesses more competitive within the global economy and brought tax savings back to Minnesota. For residents of the Third District, this one vote meant an average tax cut of almost $2,000 this year, and an average increase in take-home pay over 10 years of more than $33,000.

Rep. Paulsen also understands what happens when too much government gets between you and your doctor. He authored legislation that the House passed in July that would remove the burdensome tax on medical devices. The medical device tax disproportionately hurts our state, a leader in the industry, and adds unnecessary government imposed costs to health care bills that so many Minnesotans are already struggling to afford.

But some voters in this hyper-partisan election cycle discount that leadership or take it for granted, forgetting how sluggish the economic recovery has been with government’s heavy boot on the neck of the economy. Instead of rewarding tangible results, they are seeking instead to “send Washington a message”.

Fortunately, voters in the Third already have someone fighting for them even when it’s politically tough – and again, it’s Congressman Erik Paulsen.

When the administration in Washington announced that it would raise tariffs, Rep. Paulsen spoke out unequivocally against them because he knew this would only saddle middle-class families with higher prices for food, clothes and household goods. He also knew it would kill jobs – with aluminum and steel tariffs potentially destroying an estimated 16 jobs nationwide for every one temporarily saved — while failing to change the behavior of other countries.

One of Minnesota’s biggest challenges is a shrinking workforce; we don’t even have enough workers to fill the jobs that are available right now, let alone what’s needed for continued economic growth. Rep. Paulsen understands that immigrants are (as they always have been) critical to the future of Minnesota and has supported a reform agenda, which includes a pathway to legal status and the certainty they need to pursue their dreams.

He has been one of the most vocal Republican advocates for protecting Dreamers – those brought to America at a young age through no fault of their own. Again on this issue, he challenged leadership in Washington, both Democrats and Republicans, to live up to their promise “to fix DACA. They haven’t … I took action to solve this problem and there’s bipartisan support to do so,” he said.

The choice for Minnesotans in November couldn’t be any clearer: Rep. Paulsen stands on principle and does what’s best for the people – not what’s best for the party or for the Washington political establishment.

He has a proven record of empowering Minnesotans with greater opportunity and has delivered results on issue after issue important to Minnesota families. He has made the case for another term in office – why should voters in Minnesota’s Third District take a chance on someone else?

Jason Flohrs is senior adviser to Americans for Prosperity Action. He lives in St. Paul.

Arlington, Va – Americans for Prosperity Action on Monday announced a significant, statewide TV ad campaign criticizing Sen. McCaskill’s vote in support of Obamacare. The ad, “An Honest Conversation,” features testimonials from real Missourians discussing how Sen. McCaskill’s vote on Obamacare has had a lasting, negative impact on Missouri families. The law has been responsible for skyrocketing costs and was a massive special interest giveaway to pharmaceutical companies at the expense of consumers—the same industry Sen. McCaskill has accepted campaign donations from.

AFP Action Senior Adviser Jeremy Cady issued the following statement:

“It’s important Missourians focus on Sen. McCaskill’s record, not her campaign rhetoric. She voted to eliminate more affordable health care plans, stood in the way of Obamacare repeal, and opposed lifting the individual mandate tax, which led to lower-income Missourians paying more. We don’t need more federal bureaucrats dictating the terms of health care—that’s what got us in to this mess in the first place.

“We need a senator that will drive solutions, not talking points. Sen. McCaskill’s consistent support of government-regulated health care, and its subsequent failure, demonstrates she can’t be trusted to fix what’s ailing. Missouri needs new leadership in Washington, someone who understands we need more flexibility, competition, and innovation throughout our health care system.”

Background:

Obamacare Was A Special Interest Deal For Pharmaceutical Companies

Los Angeles Times: “Obama Gives Powerful Drug Lobby A Seat At Healthcare Table”. (Tom Hamburger, “Obama Gives Powerful Drug Lobby A Seat At Healthcare Table,” Los Angeles Times, 8/4/09)

The Wall Street Journal: “Drug Makers Score Early Wins As Plan Takes Shape”. (Alicia Mundy And Laura Meckler, “Drug Makers Score Early Wins As Plan Takes Shape,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/17/09)

Associated Press: “The Influence Game: Drug Lobby’s Health Care Win”. (Alan Fram, “The Influence Game: Drug Lobby’s Health Care Win,” Associated Press, 3/29/10)

Politico, “The one that got away: Obamacare and the drug industry,” (Brett Norman and Sarah Karlin-Smith, “The one that got away: Obamacare and the drug industry,” Politico, 7/13/16)

Obamacare Increased Premiums In Missouri

According To A Study By The Department Of Health And Human Services, The Average Monthly Individual Market Premium In Missouri Increased 145% From 2013 To 2017, From $197 To $483. (“Individual Market Premium Changes: 2013 – 2017,” ASPE Data Point, 5/23/17)

McCaskill Wants To Block More Affordable Plans

McCaskill Led The Charge Against Expanding The Use Of Short-Term, Limited-Duration (STLD) Insurance Plans. “U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today led a letter signed by 47 Senators calling on the Trump Administration to halt a proposed regulation that would expand the use of short-term health care plans to create junk health insurance plans that would raise premiums for older Americans and harm millions of people living with pre-existing conditions. The Senators expressed their opposition to the proposed rule to expand junk plans, CMS-9924-P, ahead of the deadline for public comment on April 23, 2018.” (Press Release, “Baldwin, Stabenow, Mccaskill Lead 47 Senators In Calling On Trump Administration To Halt Expansion Of Junk Health Insurance Plans,” Senator Tammy Baldwin, 4/23/18)

McCaskill Voted To Overturn President Trump’s Rule Expanding STLD Plans. (S.J. Res. 63, Roll Call Vote #226: Failed 50-50: R 1-50; D 47-0; I 2-0, 10/10/18, McCaskill Voted Yea)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Americans for Prosperity Action^SM (AFP-Action) announced today its support for re-electing Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) from North Carolina’s 13th congressional district. The group will be making phone calls, canvassing, running advertisements, and sending mail in its efforts to highlight Rep. Budd’s leadership on issues it champions and will encourage North Carolinians to vote for him this November.

To view the digital ad, click here

To view “Ted Budd: North Carolina’s Champion” mailer, click here

To view “Ted Budd: Taxpayer Champion” mailer, click here

AFP Action Senior Advisor, Chris McCoy issued the following statement: 

“Rep. Budd has proven his commitment to North Carolinians by consistently voting for lower taxes, reducing unnecessary government regulations, and supporting common sense health care solutions. He has worked hard to break down government barriers so that individuals and small businesses can thrive. We urge the people of North Carolina’s 13^th District to re-elect Rep. Budd in November.”

Background:

Rep. Budd has a strong track record supporting policies that promote economic freedom and breaking down government barriers. He supported the landmark Tax Cut and Jobs Act that provided timely tax relief to hard working families, supported regulatory reform such as rolling back Dodd-Frank that removed unnecessary red tape for community banks, and supported common sense health care solutions like Right-to-Try legislation and the Health Savings Account expansion package.

Tallahassee, FL – Americans for Prosperity-Action^sm Florida (AFP-Action FL) announced their support for Matt Caldwell for Agriculture Commissioner today. As a State Representative, Matt Caldwell has a strong record in leading on fiscal responsibility and good stewardship.

AFP-Action Florida’s Senior Advisor, Chris Hudson released the following statement:

“During his time in the legislature, State Representative Caldwell was a vocal leader for critical priorities, particularly as a strong advocate for reforming the Criminal Justice System, Cronyism, Labor, and Spending. If elected, we expect Matt Caldwell to lead on reforming corporate welfare, advocating for sound criminal justice reforms, and protecting our quality of life – and that’s why we’re urging all Floridians to join us by making him the next Agricultural Commissioner of Florida.”

ARLINGTON, VA – Americans for Prosperity Action on Wednesday criticized Sen. McCaskill’s vote to strip health coverage from Missourians who benefit from short-term, limited-duration health care plans, and block the millions of Americans expected to take advantage of the much-needed quality, affordable alternative in the coming months.

The vote on S.J. Res 63 comes just one week after the Trump administration’s expansion of short-term health care plans took effect – an effort to help millions of Americans who have been priced out of Obamacare’s unaffordable costs while leaving Obamacare plans untouched.

AFP Action Senior Advisor Jeremy Cady issued the following statement:

“While Sen. McCaskill talks a lot about how she’s trying to make health care more affordable for the people of Missouri, she just cast a vote to do the exact opposite and force Missourians to remain uninsured or pay Obamacare’s high prices.

“Short-term health plans offer people quality insurance at a reasonable price and would decrease the number of uninsured Missourians—a policy every senator should support. Sen. McCaskill’s empty campaign rhetoric is as transparent as ever. Instead of using health care as a political talking point, she should be focused on providing Missourians better access to quality care.”

For further information or to set up an interview, reach John Rich at jrich@afpaction.com. 

MADISON, WI – Americans for Prosperity Action® (AFP Action) on Wednesday criticized an effort spearheaded by Sen. Tammy Baldwin to limit Wisconsinites’ access to affordable health care coverage.

The vote on S.J. Res 63, which was introduced by Sen. Baldwin, came just one week after the Trump administration’s expansion of short-term health care plans went into effect – an effort to help millions of Americans who have been priced out of Obamacare’s unaffordable costs while leaving other Obamacare plans untouched.

AFP Action Senior Advisor Eric Bott issued the following statement:

“The awful truth behind Baldwin’s beltway-knows-best approach to health care policy is that she’s willing to risk patients’ access to affordable health care coverage to score political points. This resolution would have severed a much-needed lifeline to flexible and affordable insurance simply because Baldwin thinks Wisconsinites can’t make their own decisions. This much is clear: a vote for Baldwin is a vote for Washington-prescribed plans that we cannot afford, and we urge Wisconsinites to vote against her in November.”

For further information or to set up an interview, reach Lorenz Isidro at LIsidro@afpaction.com or (703) 887-7724.

The case against Bill Nelson is clear. He does not deserve another six years in Washington​​​​​​​

Tallahassee, FL – Americans for Prosperity Action ^sm  (AFP-Action) on Friday announced a seven-figure digital ad buy to supplement its grassroots and direct-mail efforts urging Floridians to vote against Bill Nelson in the race for U.S. Senate. The new spot highlights Nelson’s 30-year record of failing to improve health care outcomes for Florida families.

“Bill Nelson’s vote for the failed health care law punished Florida families with higher insurance premiums – 84 percent higher – and lined the pockets of pharmaceutical companies,” said Chris Hudson, AFP-Action senior advisor. “Bill Nelson has had 30 years to fix health care and didn’t do anything. He doesn’t deserve another six.”

Background:

• Bill Nelson has received more than $125,000 in campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies.
• Nelson voted for Obamacare, which benefited pharmaceutical companies.
• Individual market premiums in Florida increased 84 percent between 2013 and 2017.

NASHVILLE, TN – Americans for Prosperity Action® announced support for U.S. Rep. Phil Roe’s (TN-01) re-election today, calling Roe a policy champion who is leading on issues that are enabling Tennesseans to improve their lives. AFP Action will use a range of tactics, including get out the vote efforts and targeted digital ads to urge Tennesseans in the 1^st district to re-elect Rep. Roe on November 6^th.

AFP Action Senior Advisor Tori Venable issued the following statement:

“Rep. Roe is committed to ensuring our veterans have the quality health care they earned and expanding worker freedom to all Americans. From his role in bringing more accountability to the VA to driving the groundbreaking VA MISSION Act, Rep. Roe is a proven leader.”

AFP Action’s support for Rep. Phil Roe was announced alongside its support for Trey Hollingsworth (IN-9), Tom Emmer (MN-06), Mia Love (UT-04), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), and Mark Meadows (NC-11). The group already has efforts underway to support Rep. Rod Blum (IA-1), Rep. Dave Brat (VA-7), Rep. Ted Budd (NC-13), Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-1), Rep. Will Hurd (TX-23), Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-3), Rep. Peter Roskam (IL-6), and David Young (IA-3).

Background:

U.S. Rep. Phil Roe has consistently led on labor policies that expand opportunity and freedom for Tennesseans. Roe introduced the Employee Rights Act, which would require opt-in permission from union members to use their dues on anything besides collective bargaining.

Rep. Roe also helped pass the VA MISSION Act and VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, legislation that expanded accountability within the VA and stabilized the VA’s community care programs.