Story Created:
Oct 27, 2008 at 10:27 PM EST
Story Updated:
Apr 17, 2009 at 2:18 PM EST
(WKTV) - The latest commercial from Congressman Michael Arcuri discusses what it says was Arcuri’s plan when he went to Congress in 2006. The media references the commercial uses are noted below the text of the commercial segments. An asterik (*) notes articles that are not available online, but were checked via hard copy for the purpose of this article. The ad runs as follows:
“NARRATOR: When Mike Arcuri went to Congress in 2006, he went with a plan.
#1 - Improve healthcare for our veterans.
(News 10 Now; July 3, 2007 - "Congressman Arcuri announces better healthcare for vets")
And pass a new G.I. Bill that expands college benefits for our returning soldiers.
(Observer-Dispatch; June 21, 2008 - "Arcuri votes to expand G.I. Bill")
#2 Cut taxes for middle class families...
(Little Falls Evening Times; July 6, 2008 -"Arcuri backs bill to provide tax relief to middle class families")*
...And small businesses
(Press and Sun-Bulletin; August 22, 2007 - "Arcuri seeks tax relief for small businesses")*
#3 - Protect social security for seniors, no matter what.
(News 10 Now; June 6, 2008 - "Arcuri sponsors bill to help seniors")
And #4 - create job opportunities for upstate New York.
(Little Falls Evening Times; October 5, 2007 - "Arcuri Economic Development Bill passes House")*
(Observer Dispatch; October 5, 2007 - "Arcuri's economic legislation approved")
Congressman Mike Arcuri...Delivering for upstate New York.
CONGRESSMAN ARCURI: I'm Mike Arcuri and I approve this message.”
Of the five claims made in the commercial, three of them have made it all the way through the legislative process to become law:
"Improving healthcare for our veterans and passing a new GI Bill that expands college benefits for our returning soldiers," referring to HR 2642 - the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 and HR 2206 - the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007, which gave $1.79 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, including $1.34 billion for medical related expenses
"Cutting taxes for small businesses ," referring to HR 2206 - once again, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007, which also increased minimum wage and gave tax credits to small businesses.
And "creating job opportunities for upstate New York," which is referring to HR 3246, The Regional Economic and Infrastructure Act of 2007. Arcuri voted in support of it, it passed the house. It was rolled into HR 2419, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act, which did become law.
As for the other claims…
Cutting taxes for middle class families – Arcuri has supported and voted on bills to do just that (HR 1871 and HR 1677). HR 1871 has been introduced to House, co-sponsored by Arcuri, but still has to pass the House before it moves onward. HR 1677 has passed the House, but is awaiting passage by the Senate and President before it can become law.
Protecting Social Security for seniors – HR 2032 was introduced to the house, co-sponsored by Arcuri. However, it still needs to pass the House before it moves on to the Senate and President to become law.
So, he has supported these initiatives as he claims, but before the last bills mentioned above can go into effect to do what he says he intends, they remain in the hands of the Senate and/or President from there.
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