Eldridge Campaign Statement on Senator Boozman’s New TV Ad
LITTLE ROCK – The Conner Eldridge for U.S. Senate campaign today released the following statement in response to Senator Boozman releasing his first television ad of the 2016 campaign cycle. Eldridge is a former prosecutor and former U.S. Attorney who is running for the U.S. Senate.
Statement from Brad Howard, campaign manager for Conner Eldridge:
“Senator Boozman has had more than 14 years in Washington to secure our borders and fix the problems plaguing the VA – even as a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee – and his failed leadership has failed Arkansas once again. Arkansans and veterans from both parties are clearly frustrated with Senator Boozman’s doublespeak and lack of results – forcing him to defend his lackluster record with early TV ads in order to fend off a challenge from within his own party.
“Conner Eldridge will be a strong, new voice for Arkansas who will challenge the status quo, hold truth to power and fight for our veterans. As a former federal prosecutor, Conner will use his experience to make national security a top priority: securing the border, taking the fight directly to ISIS, aggressively pursuing suspected terrorists here at home and strongly supporting our troops and our veterans.”
Boozman Voted Against $144 Billion In Funding For The VA
Boozman Voted Against $144 Billion For The Department Of Veterans Affairs, Military Construction, And Military Housing. In July 2011, Boozman voted against a: “Johnson, D-S.D., motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Sessions, R-Ala., point of order against the bill that would provide $144 billion in fiscal 2012 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction and military housing.” The motion was agreed to by a vote of 56-40. [CQ, 7/14/11; H.R. 2055, Vote 111, 7/14/11]
Boozman Voted Against Veterans Jobs Corps Bill
Boozman Voted To Block A “Bill That Would Have Created A $1 Billion Jobs Program For Returning Veterans.” According to the Times Record, “The Senate was unable to advance a bill that would have created a $1 billion jobs program for returning veterans. Democrat sponsors fell short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster by Republicans who said the bill violated spending limits set by Congress last year. The vote was 58-40. Five Republicans voted with Democrats to advance the bill. The program would have created a veterans job corps in a bid to trim a 10.9 percent unemployment rate for servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., voted for the bill. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., voted to block it.” [Times Record, 9/24/12]
Boozman Was “Harshly Criticized By Democrats For Reversing Course On Legislation They Say Would Have Helped Unemployed Veterans Find Work.” According to the Times Record, “Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., is being harshly criticized by Democrats for reversing course on legislation they say would have helped unemployed veterans find work. Senate Democrats thought Boozman was on board after they added several GOP initiatives to the bill. But he joined the majority of Republicans in opposition.” [Times Record, 9/21/12]
In The End, Boozman “Could Not Support It Because It Increased Spending Beyond The Limits Imposed By Last Year’s Deficit Reduction Agreement.” According to the Times Record, “Boozman had hoped to support the legislation but in the end could not support it because it increased spending beyond the limits imposed by last year's deficit reduction agreement, said Sara Lasure, a spokeswoman for Boozman. Lasure also disputed the claim that Boozman had agreed to back the bill after GOP initiatives were added to it. "Senator Boozman was never consulted on the addition and not part of the negotiation process for this legislation," she said. The bill included a pared-down version of legislation he introduced to expand a Transition Assistance Program for veterans.” [Times Record, 9/21/12]
After Boozman Voted For Cloture On The Veterans Jobs Corps Bill, He Warned That His Support For The Bill “Could Change” If Reid Were To Block GOP Amendments. The National Journal reported, “Senate Democrats and Republicans voted on Tuesday to move forward on a measure aimed to help veterans find jobs, but even though the vote was 95-1, the bill could still die over fights about amendments and costs. The legislation would create the Veterans Jobs Corps, an Obama administration priority that has faced substantial Republican opposition. The program would set aside $1 billion in federal grants to give veterans preference for jobs that might require military skills, including in police and fire departments and in training for conservation or historic-preservation jobs. […] Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., who serves on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said that his support of the bill (he voted for cloture on Tuesday) could change if Reid blocks GOP amendments. […] ‘What I would like to do is make it such that we have the jobs bill but there’s a path for the veterans so that when the money goes away, the job doesn’t go away,’ Boozman said, adding: ‘Those are the ways I’d like to improve it.’ Republicans have expressed reservations about funding mechanisms in the bill. […] The bill addresses the needs of the more than 225,000 unemployed post-9/11 veterans, according to Sen. Patty Mur-ray, D-Wash., who cosponsored the bill with Nelson.” [National Journal Daily AM, 9/11/12]