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TAXPAYER MONEY USED BY CONGRESSMAN BLUNT TO DIRECTLY RESPOND TO CAMPAIGN QUESTIONS
For Immediate Release: December 18, 2009 Contact: Ryan Hobart (573) 636-5241 Ext. 125 TAXPAYER MONEY USED BY CONGRESSMAN BLUNT TO DIRECTLY RESPOND TO CAMPAIGN QUESTIONS MDP to file ethics complaints; calls on Cong. Blunt to disclose cost of so-called “official” mailing and reimburse Missourians for campaign literature Hosmer: “It was bad enough when corporate special interests and lobbyists were funding Congressman Blunt’s campaign, but now Missouri taxpayers are footing the bill.” Springfield, MO – After many Missourians in the 7th District received a mailing from Congressman Roy Blunt’s Washington, DC Congressional office, Missouri Democratic Party Chairman, Craig Hosmer, held a news conference today calling on Congressman Blunt to reimburse Missouri taxpayers for what amounts to campaign literature being sent out by his Congressional office. Hosmer announced that the Missouri Democratic Party plans to file complaints with the House Franking Commission, House Ethics Committee and is also looking at possible FEC violations to see if a federal investigation is necessary. “It was bad enough when corporate special interests and lobbyists were funding Congressman Blunt’s campaign, but now Missouri taxpayers are footing the bill,” said Craig Hosmer, Chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party. “Taxpayers deserve to know how many people Congressman Blunt sent this mailer to and how much it cost Missourians. We are calling on Congressman Blunt to reimburse taxpayers for the cost of his campaign literature – his campaign should pay for this kind of political mailing, not Missouri taxpayers.” Recently the League of Conservation Voters had put out TV and radio ads stating the fact that Congressman Blunt has taken over $1 million from big oil and energy interests [click here to view], and the Missouri Democratic Party has also put out this video news release [click here to view] to set the record straight on Congressman Blunt’s 12 year voting record with big oil companies and energy corporate special interests, making Blunt’s mailer a direct response to a campaign matter, and a clear violation of Congressional Rules. The franking privilege may only be used for matters of public concern or public service. (39 U.S.C. § 3210(3)(a).) It may not be used to solicit votes or contributions, to send mail regarding political campaigns or political parties, or to mail autobiographical or holiday greeting materials. --30--
