(National Republican Senatorial Committee) – As Vice President Joe Biden visits Reno today to help U.S. Senator Harry Reid’s (D-NV) flagging re-election campaign, both politicians will “promote the success” of the Democrats’ so-called economic “stimulus” package, which cost taxpayers roughly $1 trillion.
Unfortunately for Nevada families and small businesses, the rhetoric from the loquacious Vice President will be sharply at odds with economic reality. Nevada’s unemployment rate has increased since the passage of the stimulus package from 10 percent in February to a 30-year high of 13.2 percent in August 2009. These facts contrast sharply with the rhetoric from Reid and Biden earlier this year when they claimed that their massive spending bill would provide timely and targeted relief to the Nevada economy.
“While Joe Biden and Harry Reid stand together and praise the ‘success’ of the stimulus package, facts are stubborn things, and the fact is their rhetoric from February is a far cry from the reality in Nevada today,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Brian Walsh. “Since Harry Reid rammed this massive government spending bill through the Senate, Nevada’s unemployment rate has actually increased over 30 percent and America’s debt is at an all-time high.”
In addition to cutting his work week short to entertain the Vice President in Reno today, Reid recently launched two new television ads 383 days before the election in an attempt to revise his persona and save his plummeting approval ratings at home. In his ads, Reid touts his role as Majority Leader – despite the fact that Nevada ranked 49th among all 50 states in receiving support from the federal government.
“No amount of money spent on positive spin will change the fact that the people of Nevada know Harry Reid, and they know he has lost touch with his state and has not represented their best interests in Washington,” Walsh continued. “Despite the fact that Reid is touting his position as Majority Leader, it’s truly unfortunate for the people of Nevada that their state is ranked 49th among all 50 states in receiving support from the federal government.”
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In February 2009, Nevada’s Unemployment Rate Was 10%. (U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 8/20/09)
In August 2009, Nevada’s Unemployment Rate Was 13.2%, Up From 11.9% In June.
• The Current Unemployment Rate Is Nevada’s Highest Unemployment Rate In More Than Thirty Years.
According To The U.S. Census Bureau’s Consolidated Federal Funds Report For Fiscal Year 2008, Nevada Ranked 49th In Federal Government Expenditures, Per Capita. (U.S. Census Bureau, “Consolidated Federal Funds Report For Fiscal Year 2008,” http://www.census.gov/prod/2009pubs/cffr-08.pdf, Issued July 2009)
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) Said The “Stimulus” Bill Would Create Three And A Half Million Jobs Across The Country, Including 34,000 In Nevada. “For Nevada, the bill we passed has three main components: It will protect and create three and a half million jobs across our country, including 34,000 right here in Nevada, with 90% of these jobs created in the private sector.” (Senator Reid, “Reid Addresses Joint Session Of Nevada Legislature,” Press Release, 2/18/09)
The Obama Administration Claimed The “Stimulus” Bill Would “Jumpstart Growth And Transform Our Economy.” (“American Recovery And Reinvestment Act: State-By-State Jobs Impact,” The White House, 2/13/09)
Time: “The $787 Billion Stimulus Plan Is Turning Out To Be Far Less Stimulating Than Its Architects Expected. Back in early January, when Obama was still President-elect, two of his chief economic advisers, and leading proponents of a stimulus bill, predicted that the passage of a large economic-aid package would boost the economy and keep the unemployment rate below 8%. It hasn’t quite worked out that way. Last month, the jobless rate in America hit 9.5%, the highest level it has reached since 1983.” (Stephen Gandel, “Obama’s Stimulus Plan: Failing By Its Own Measure,” Time, 7/14/09)
“The Administration Once Vowed To Use Stimulus Policies To Keep The Jobless Rate Below 8 Percent; It Is Now Just Shy Of 10 Percent.” (Jeanne Cummings, “Obama’s Rosy Scenario Turns Thorny,” Politico, 7/14/09)
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