Pay raises. A mansion. Special interest-funded trips to fancy resorts. Lobbyists in the family. A new ad in Missouri from the DSCC highlights how Senator Roy Blunt has spent two decades in Washington losing touch with Missouri families. The ad comes on the heels of a new USA Today report that reveals major questions about whether Blunt has even been living in Missouri at all.
The ad, “Grow Up” can be viewed HERE.
“Roy Blunt has spent two decades in Washington growing more and more out of touch with the Missouri families he was elected to represent,” said Sadie Weiner, DSCC Communications Director. “Voting to raise his own pay twelve times, taking special-interest funded trips to fancy resorts, and looking out for his lobbyist family members instead of working Missourians shows why Roy Blunt is just the worst of Washington.”
BACK UP:
AD CONTENT | DOCUMENTATION |
WOMAN 1: When I grow up, I want to be a Washington insider.
GFX: Washington Insider |
ROY BLUNT IS A WASHINGTON INSIDER
Washington Post: Blunt Was “The Picture Of The Washington Insider.” “It would seem like the wrong kind of year for Roy Blunt to go looking for a promotion. The conservative Republican congressman is the picture of the Washington insider.” [Washington Post, 7/4/10]
Kansas City Star: “It Took Only A Single Term For Roy Blunt To Become […] The Consummate Washington Insider.” “It took only a single term for Roy Blunt to become more than just a congressman from small-town Missouri. Just that quickly, the former history teacher — born in Niangua, population 494 — was on his way to becoming the consummate Washington insider.” [Kansas City Star, 9/4/10]
The Atlantic: “Blunt Is To Washington Insider Like Sammy Davis, Jr. Is To Rat Pack.” “In Missouri, Senate candidate Roy Blunt is to Washington insider like Sammy Davis, Jr. is to rat pack. Here, though, Blunt’s insider-y-ness is kind of built into the price of his stock. Missouri knows what they’re getting with Blunt — someone who can play the DC game to their advantage.” [The Atlantic, 2/11/10]
As Chairman Of The Senate Rules Committee, Blunt Was “The De Facto Mayor Of The Upper Chamber.” “At the start of the 114th Congress, Sen. Roy Blunt snagged a committee chairmanship — the first time he has led a congressional committee in his 18 years in Washington. But Blunt’s new Senate perch doesn’t carry the kind of clout or power most lawmakers envision when they reach for the gavel. Blunt is chairman of the Rules Committee, which oversees the Senate’s inner workings. In essence, the chairmanship has made the Missouri Republican the de facto mayor of the upper chamber.” [Springfield News-Leader, 5/31/15]
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MAN 1: I want to serve in Congress for 20 years.
GFX: Serve 20 Years In Congress |
BLUNT HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF CONGRESS FOR 20 YEARS
Blunt Has Been A Washington DC Politician Since 1997. Blunt was “elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Fifth and to the six succeeding Congresses,” beginning his service on January 3, 1997. [Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Roy Blunt, Accessed 9/14/16]
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MAN 2: I want to vote to raise my own pay 12 times.
GFX: Raise Own Pay 12 Times |
BLUNT VOTED TO INCREASE HIS OWN PAY 12 TIMES
2010: Blunt Voted Against The FY 2011 Continuing Apportions Bill. In December 2010, Blunt voted against: “Obey, D-Wis., motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill. The Senate amendment would continue most appropriations at fiscal 2010-enacted levels through March 4, 2011. The measure would provide an overall annualized spending rate that is $1.16 billion more than fiscal 2010 levels. It would provide additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Pell grants. It also would allow the awarding of a Navy contract for shipbuilding of Littoral Combat Ships to multiple suppliers.” The bill passed 193- 165.” [CQ, 12/21/10; HR 3082, Vote 662, 12/21/10]
Feb. 2009: Blunt Voted Against Incorporating A Provision Into An Appropriations Bill Blocking The Automatic Cost-Of-Living Adjustment For Members Of Congress In 2010. In February 2010, Blunt voted against: “Adoption of the rule (H Res 184) that would provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would provide fiscal 2009 appropriations for federal departments and agencies covered by nine unfinished fiscal 2009 spending bills. The rule contains self-executing language, that upon adoption, would incorporate a provision to block the automatic cost-of-living adjustment for members of Congress in 2010.” The rule was adopted by a 398-24 vote. [CQ, 2/25/09; H.Res. 184, Vote 85, 2/25/09]
Jun. 2007: Blunt Voted To Advance A Bill That Would Appropriate $43.9 Billion In FY2008 For The Treasury Department, OPM, Other Agencies, And Washington, D.C. In June 2007, Blunt voted for a: “Matsui, D-Calif., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule (H Res 517), with an amendment, to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate $43.9 billion in fiscal 2008 for the Department of the Treasury, Office of Personnel Management and other agencies, and the District of Columbia.” The motion was agreed to by a 244-181 vote. [CQ, 6/27/07; H.R. 517, Vote 580, 6/27/07]
Jun. 2006: Blunt Voted To Advance A Bill That Would Provide FY2007 Funding For The Transportation Department, Treasury, And Department Of Housing And Urban Development, As Well As The Judiciary And Washington D.C. In June 2006, Blunt voted for a: “L. Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and the possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule (H Res 865) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would provide fiscal 2007 funding for the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development as well as the judiciary and the District of Columbia.” The motion was agreed to by a 249-167 vote. [CQ, 6/13/06; H.Res. 865, Vote 261, 6/13/06]
Jun. 2005: Blunt Voted To Advance A Bill That Would Provide $139.1 Billion In FY2006 For The Departments Of Transportation, Treasury, And Housing And Urban Development, As Well As The Judiciary And Washington, D.C. In June 2005, Blunt voted for a: “L. Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and the possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule (H Res 342) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would provide $139.1 billion in fiscal 2006 for the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development as well as the judiciary and the District of Columbia.” The motion was agreed to by a 263-152 vote. [CQ, 6/28/05; H.Res. 342, Vote 327, 6/28/05]
Sep. 2004: Blunt Voted To Advance A Bill That Would Appropriate $89.8 Billion In FY2005 For The Departments Of Treasury And Transportation And Related Agencies. In September 2004, Blunt voted for a: “Reynolds, R-N.Y., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule (H Res 770) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate $89.8 billion in fiscal 2005 for the departments of Treasury and Transportation and related agencies.” The motion was agreed to by a 235-170 vote. [CQ, 9/14/04; H.Res. 770, Vote 451, 9/14/04]
Sep. 2003: Blunt Voted To Advance A Bill That Would Appropriate $89.6 Billion In FY2004 Spending, Including $27.5 Billion In Discretionary Spending For The Departments Of Treasury And Transportation And Related Agencies. In September 2003, Blunt voted for a: “Reynolds, R-N.Y., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule (H Res 351) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate $89.6 billion in fiscal 2004 spending, including $27.5 billion in discretionary spending, for the departments of Treasury and Transportation and related agencies.” The motion was agreed to by a 235-170 vote. [CQ, 9/4/03; H.Res. 351, Vote 463, 9/4/03]
Jul. 2002: Blunt Voted To Advance A Bill That Would Allocate $35.1 Billion In FY2003 Treasury-Postal Appropriations. In July 2002, Blunt voted for a: “Linder, R-Ga., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the resolution (H Res 488) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would allocate $35.1 billion in fiscal 2003 Treasury-Postal appropriations.” The motion was agreed to by a 258-156 vote. [CQ, 7/18/02; H.Res. 488, Vote 322, 7/18/02]
Jul. 2001: Blunt Voted To Advance A Bill That Would Appropriate $32.7 Billion In FY2002 For The Treasury Department, Postal Service, Independent Agencies, And Certain Offices In The Executive Office Of The President. In July 2001, Blunt voted for a: “Linder, R-Ga., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and the possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule (H Res 206) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill that would appropriate $32.7 billion in fiscal 2002 for the Treasury Department, U.S. Postal Service, various offices of the Executive Office of the President and certain independent agencies.” The motion was agreed to by a 293-129 vote. [CQ, 7/25/01; H.Res. 206, Vote 267, 7/25/01]
Jul. 2000: Blunt Voted To Advance A Bill That Would Appropriate $29.1 Billion In FY2001 For The Treasury Department, Postal Service, And Related Agencies. In July 2000, Blunt voted for a: “Linder, R-Ga., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on adoption of the rule (H Res 559) to provide for House floor consideration of the bill to appropriate $29.1 billion in fiscal 2001 for the Treasury Department, U.S. Postal Service and related agencies.” The motion was agreed to by a 250-173 vote. [CQ, 7/20/00; H.Res. 560, Vote 419, 7/20/00]
Jul. 1999: Blunt Voted To Advance A Bill That Would Appropriate $28 Billion For The Treasury Department, Postal Service, And General Government Operations. In July 1999, Blunt voted for a: “Sessions, R-Texas, motion to order the previous question on adoption of the rule (HRes246) to provide for floor consideration of the bill to appropriate $28 billion for the Treasury Department, Postal Service, and general government operations.” The motion was agreed to by a 276-147 vote. [CQ, 7/15/99; H.Res. 246, Vote 300, 7/15/99]
Sep. 1997: Blunt Voted To Block An Amendment To Block A Congressional Pay Raise. In 1997, Blunt voted in favor of a: “Hoyer, D-Md., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and the possibility of amendment) on the Hoyer motion to instruct conferees to increase funding for the Exploited Child Unit of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A ‘nay’ vote would have allowed Smith, R-Wash., to offer an amendment to block a cost-of-living adjustment for members of Congress.” The motion passed 229-199. [CQ, 9/24/97; H.R. 2378, Vote 435, 9/24/97]
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WOMAN 2: I want to marry a Washington lobbyist.
GFX: Marry DC Lobbyist |
BLUNT IS MARRIED TO A WASHINGTON LOBBYIST
Blunt’s Wife Is The Head Of Government Affairs At Kraft Foods In Washington, DC. “The senator is married to a Washington lobbyist, Abigail Blunt, head of government affairs at Kraft Foods Group. His other son, former Gov. Matt Blunt, is a Washington lobbyist for the American auto industry. And in Jefferson City, Andy Blunt boasts a roster of more than 30 clients — including the Missouri Hospital Association, Dairy Farmers of America, and the Lake of the Ozark Marine Dealers Association, according to reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.” [Springfield News-Leader, 3/18/15]
Washington Examiner: Abigail Blunt Is “Kraft Foods’ Top Lobbyist.” Senators have a tendency to be married to lobbyists. Tom Daschle’s wife, Linda Hall Daschle, is a major transportation lobbyist. Kent Conrad’s wife, Lucy Calutti, is a lobbyist for Major League Baseball. Byron Dorgan’s wife, Kimberly Dorgan, is the top lobbyist fqor the life insurance industry. On the GOP side, Liddy Dole was a Republican senator while her husband, Bob Dole, was a lobbyist. Abby Blunt, wife of Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, is Kraft Foods’ top lobbyist.” [Washington Examiner, 10/6/14]
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WOMAN 3: And have three kids become Washington lobbyists, too.
GFX: Kids Are DC Lobbyists Too |
BLUNT’S THREE ADULT KIDS HAVE ALL LOBBIED IN WASHINGTON
ANDY BLUNT WORKED FOR DC LOBBYING FIRM CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES WHERE HE WAS “AVAILABLE […] AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL” & HAS BEEN A MISSOURI STATE LOBBYIST SINCE 2001 REPRESENTING “BIG HITTER CLIENTS”
Andy Blunt Listed As Strategist And State Government Advocate On Cassidy & Associates Website From 2011 Until 2014. Andy Blunt was listed as a Strategist and State Government Advocate for Cassidy & Associates from 2011 until Nov. 2014. [Cassidy & Associates, 8/1/11; 9/4/12; 10/30/12; 9/5/13; 8/5/14; 8/26/14; 9/21/14; 11/22/14]
Firm’s Website Said Andy Blunt Could Help Cassidy Clients With Advocacy Campaigns “At The State And Federal Level.” “Mr. Blunt is available, on assignment, to augment Cassidy & Associates legislative and executive branch advocacy campaigns, at the state and federal level.” [Cassidy & Associates, 9/3/12]
Firm Website Said Andy Helped Client Service Team “Design And Implement National Or State Focused Issue Initiatives.” “[Andy Blunt] will work as a part of the client service team to design and implement national or state focused issue initiatives, and to provide counsel, as a political strategist, as clients engage on major public policy advocacy efforts.” [Cassidy & Associates, 9/3/12]
Andrew Blunt Is A Registered Lobbyist In The State Of Missouri. According to lobbying disclosures, Andrew Blunt registered as a lobbyist on February 9, 2001. His registration is current through December 31, 2016. [Missouri Ethics Commission, Lobbyist Summary LOBID L001341]
Springfield News-Leader: Blunt Hired His Son Andy To Be His Campaign Manager And “While Few Would Question Andy Blunt’s Political Savvy, His Role As His Father’s Top Campaign Strategist Will Highlight The Senator’s Links To Lobbyists.” “Sen. Roy Blunt is going in-house for help with his 2016 re-election, tapping son Andy Blunt to run his campaign. […] While few would question Andy Blunt’s political savvy, his role as his father’s top campaign strategist will highlight the senator’s links to lobbyists. It also could raise questions about how the father-son team will handle possible conflicts of interest. The senator is married to a Washington lobbyist, Abigail Blunt, head of government affairs at Kraft Foods Group. His other son, former Gov. Matt Blunt, is a Washington lobbyist for the American auto industry.” [Springfield News-Leader, 3/18/15]
Associated Press: Roy Blunt’s Son Andy Landed “Big Hitters” As Lobbying Clients, Including “Philip Morris, Miller Brewing Co., Southwest Bell, United Parsel Service and The Burlington and Santa Fe Railway Co.” “Andy Blunt, son of U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt and brother of Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt, has been trolling the Capitol halls as an advocate for some of the nation’s most influential corporate interests. At age 26, Andy Blunt’s client list includes such big hitters as Philip Morris, Miller Brewing Co., Southwestern Bell, United Parcel Service and The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co.” [Associated Press, 3/10/03]
MATT BLUNT REGISTERED AS A FEDERAL LOBBYIST IN 2014
KMOX: Matt Blunt “Has Officially Followed His Step-Mother’s Lead And Become A Registered Lobbyist.” He followed his father into politics, and now former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt has officially followed his step-mother’s lead and become a registered lobbyist. Up until now, Blunt says he wasn’t spending the required 20 percent of his time advocating in the federal arena, but the President of the American Automotive Policy Council tells USA Today he registered recently “out of an abundance of caution.” [KMOX, 5/5/14]
Matt Blunt’s First Federal Lobbying Disclosure Was In The Fourth Quarter Of 2014 Where He Disclosed That He Lobbied On Behalf Of The American Automotive Policy Council On Automotive Trade Issues. According to the federal lobbying disclosure database, Matt Blunt lobbied the “U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Commerce – Dept of (DOC), Energy – Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Intl Trade Administration (ITA), Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), State – Dept of (DOS), Treasury – Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office” on “Trans Pacific Partnership FTA; Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; Korea -U.S. FTA implementation; Korea Market Access Issues; Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Automotive Dialogue; Currency Manipulation and Intervention; Acceptance of U.S. Certified Vehicles; Israel Vehicles Services Licensing Bill; Saudi Arabia Customs; Saudi Arabia Fuel Economy Regulations; Morocco Standards Workshop; Trade Promotion Authority; Korea Auto Emissions Regulations;Gulf Cooperation Council Standards Organization (GSO) auto standards issues; US- Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC); Acceptance of U.S. certified vehicles in Ecuador; Swiss Auto Emissions Regulations Automotive Standards; Proposal with ANSI/ Standards Alliance; Acceptance of U.S. certified vehicles in Egypt; WTO Enviromental Goods Agreement; Domestic and Ecomonic footprint of the U.S. Automotive Companies in each of the 50 states; American Automotive Labeling Act; Economic Contribution of the auto industry in the United States; auto job training and automotive domestic content.” [Federal Lobbying Disclosure Database, American Automotive Policy Council, Q4 2014]
Matt Blunt’s Most Recent Federal Lobbying Disclosure Was In The Second Quarter Of 2016 Where He Disclosed That He Lobbied On Behalf Of The American Automotive Policy Council On Free Trade Agreement Issues, Including TPP. According to the federal lobbying disclosure database, Matt Blunt lobbied the “U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Commerce – Dept of (DOC), Energy – Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Intl Trade Administration (ITA), Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), State – Dept of (DOS), Treasury – Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)” on “Provide guidance to negotiators on tariff issues, non-tariff barriers, and automotive rule of origin for the Trans Pacific Partnership FTA. Advocate for mutual recognition of safety and environmental automotive standards and balanced automotive rule of origin issues within the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership FTA. Monitor the Korea -U.S. FTA implementation and advocate for the elimination of Korean non-tariff barriers to automotive trade as well as Korea automotive market access issues. Advocate for the inclusion of currency disciplines within future U.S. free trade agreements. Advocating for the acceptance of vehicles certified to U.S. automotive regulations (FMVSS & EPA).” [Federal Lobbying Disclosure Database, American Automotive Policy Council, Q2 2016]
AMY BLUNT IS AN ACTIVE REGISTERED STATE LOBBYIST AND FORMER FEDERAL LOBBYIST WHO LOBBIED FOR AMEREN CORP
Aug. 2006: Blunt’s Daughter Later Joined Lathrop & Gage Lobbying Department. “Amy Blunt, one of the best-connected Republicans in Missouri, has joined the government relations department of Lathrop & Gage, a large Kansas City law firm. Blunt is the daughter of U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, the majority whip in the House of Representatives, and the sister of Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt.” [Kansas City Star, 8/15/06]
Amy Blunt Is Currently A Registered Lobbyist With The State Of Missouri. According to lobbyist filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission, Amy Blunt registered as a lobbyist with the state of Missouri on March 19, 2008. Blunt is registered as a lobbyist through December 31, 2016. [Missouri Ethics Commission, LOBID L002095A]
January 2005: Amy Blunt Registered As A Federal Lobbyist With Ameren, CVS, And Intellistrobe Safety Systems. According to the lobbying disclosure database, Amy Blunt registered as a lobbyist effective 1/5/2005 with Ameren Services; 11/1/2005 with CVS; and 1/5/2005 with Intellistrobe Safety Systems.[Lobbying Disclosure Database, Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP, 2005 Ameren Registration; 2005 CVS Registration; 2005 Intellistrobe Safety Systems Registration]
Amy Blunt Last Filed A Federal Lobbying Disclosure Form In 2006. According to the federal lobbying disclosure database, Amy Blunt’s last filing was a 2006 mid-year report where she disclosed lobbying on behalf of Ameren. [Lobbying Disclosure Database, Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP, 2006 Mid-Year Report]
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MAN 3: I want to live in a 1.6 million dollar Washington, DC mansion.
GFX: Live In $1.6 Million DC Mansion |
BLUNT LIVES IN A 7 BEDROOM HOME WITH 3 FIRE PLACES IN NORTHWEST WASHINGTON, D.C. THAT WAS PURCHASED FOR $1.6 MILLION
Blue Nation Review: “Blunt Has A 7-Bedroom, 4-And-A-Half Bathroom Mansion In The Beltway.” “Meanwhile, this is Blunt’s property in Washington, D.C.: Blunt has a 7-bedroom, 4-and-a-half bathroom mansion in the Beltway and a small condominium he hardly ever visits in his home state.” [Blue Nation Review, 8/30/16]
2011: Abigail Perlman Blunt Purchased Home At 4936 Loughboro Road NW, In Washington D.C For $1.6 Million. Abigail Perlman Blunt purchased the property from Anne Coffey Proctor for $1.625 million on July 11, 2011. [DC Real Property Sales Database, Accessed 7/13/15]
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Blunt’s “Elementary-School-Age Son […] Goes To School In Washington. “Part of the domicile question has to do with spousal careers and other family matters. After she was elected to the Senate, McCaskill’s two daughters finished high school in Missouri. Blunt’s elementary-school-age son — he has adult children from a previous marriage — goes to school in Washington. Blunt’s wife, Kraft lobbyist Abigail Blunt, is employed in Washington. The couple met here. McCaskill’s husband is Joseph Shepard. His real estate business is centered in St. Louis and they met in Missouri, where he had been established before the marriage.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9/2/16]
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WOMAN 4: I want to take free trips to fancy resorts paid for by special interests.
GFX: Take Free Trips To Fancy Resorts
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BLUNT AND HIS STAFF TOOK HUNDREDS OF TRIPS FUNDED BY SPECIAL INTERESTS GROUPS
Blunt “Accepted More Than $350,000 In Private Travel For His Staff And Himself – A Total Of 180 Trips.” “Blunt, R-Springfield, is among nearly a dozen lawmakers who have accepted more than $350,000 in private travel for his staff and himself — a total of 180 trips. ‘Many of these trips just don’t pass the smell test,’ said Jim Morris who headed up the study for the Center for Public Integrity, one of three groups that collected travel data on members of Congress and their aides. Other groups participating in the study were American Public Media and Northwestern University’s Medill News Service. Blunt, the House majority whip, took 12 trips. His only foreign travel was to Israel in 2001 paid for by the American Israel Education Foundation.” [Gannett News Service, 7/7/06]
· Public Citizen: “Privately-Sponsored Travel” Allowed “Special Interest Groups” To “Provide Free Transportation, Meals And Lodging” For Members Of Congress. “Privately-sponsored travel for officially-related purposes is the type of travel that had been most commonly subject to abuse. This is where private entities – corporations, unions and other special interest groups – provide free transportation, meals and lodging for Members, Senators and staff for “officially-connected duties,” such as giving a speech to constituents, participating in a conference, or attending a fact-finding trip.” [Public Citizen, Accessed 10/12/16]
BLUNT TWICE TRAVELED TO SEA ISLAND, GA FOR THE AEI WORLD FORUM WHERE HE STAYED AT A “LUXURIOUS” AND “SWANKY” RESORT, ALL PAID FOR BY AEI
2013: Blunt Took A Trip To Sea Island, GA For AEI World Forum Paid For By The American Enterprise Institute. According to travel disclosure forms, Blunt traveled to Sea Island, GA on a trip funded by the American Enterprise Institute for the AEI World Forum. The forum was March 8, 2013 – March 10, 2013. [Legistorm, Trip Disclosure Form, 3/27/13]
2014: Blunt Took A Trip To Sea Island, GA For AEI World Forum Paid For By The American Enterprise Institute. According to travel disclosure records, Blunt traveled to Sea Island on a trip funded by the American Enterprise Institute for the AEI World Forum. The forum was March 6, 2014 – March 9, 2014. The trip cost $3,049.29. Blunt’s lodging was $483.39 (hotel cost $435.49 per night plus tax), his meal expenses were $92.90, and his transportation costs were $2,473. [Legistorm, Trip Disclosure Form, 4/3/14]
Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin: AEI Was “The Dominant Conservative Think Tank” And Employed Individuals Who Were “Sought After Counsel” To Elected Officials.” “We have been covering for over a year the emergence of the American Enterprise Institute as the dominant conservative think tank and the descent of the Heritage Foundation, accelerated by Jim DeMint’s tenure, from respected thought leader to the poor stepsister to Heritage Action, the right-wing attack machine. Newsweek is the latest in a series of MSM stories to pick up on the development with a report that gets it mostly, but certainly not all right. […] AEI is on the rise. Its influence is growing on Capitol Hill, where Brooks, a former musician and college professor, is now a sought-after counsel to Republicans like House Budget Committee chairman and presidential hopeful Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. Earlier this year, Brooks delivered the keynote address at both House and Senate GOP retreats.” [Washington Post, Right Turn, 4/2/14]
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WOMAN 1: When I grow up, I want to be Roy Blunt.
GROUP: I want to be Roy Blunt.
V/O: DSCC is responsible for the content of this advertising.
GFX: Don’t Send Roy Blunt Back to Washington
GFX: PAID FOR BY DSCC, WWW.DSCC.ORG, AND NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE. DSCC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF THIS ADVERTISING
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