NWI Times: Milo begins airing cable TV ads in bid for Republican congressional nomination

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today produced the following fact check on Republican Blair Milo’s first ad for Congress – one that was void of any plans and full of hollow, partisan buzzwords. 

What the media need to know: Whether it’s the border, inflation, law enforcement, or our children –  Milo either lied or criticized her own Indiana Republican Party. 

In contrast, President Joe Biden and Congressman Frank J. Mrvan delivered jobs and investments in broadband, infrastructure, public schools, childcare, and regional economic development. These investments – thanks to the American Rescue Plan and The Jobs Act – will transform the state and create a better future for Hoosier families, especially our children. Democrats’ plan is a strong economic agenda while the Indiana GOP’s is divisive partisanship. 

Here’s a fact check of Blair Milo’s first Congressional ad: 

Southern Border

In 2013 – U.S. Senate Passes Immigration Reform, GOP Controlled House Says “NO” 

POLITICO: Senate passes immigration bill – (Democrats Voted “YES”)

“The Gang of Eight bill would essentially revamp every corner of U.S. immigration law, establishing a 13-year pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants, with several security benchmarks that have to be met before they can obtain a green card. The measure would not only increases security along the border, but requires a mandatory workplace verification system for employers, trying to ensure no jobs are given to immigrants who are not authorized to work in the United States.”

The Hill: House GOP Won’t Pursue Comprehensive Immigration Bill

Inflation

Indiana Republican Party’s Plans on Combating Inflation – Nothing

HuffPost: “Earlier this month, for example, a group of Republican senators introduced a bill to address rising inflation, which eats into workers’ earnings. The legislation would prohibit the passage of all future bills “that would be estimated to increase inflation until the year-over-year inflation rate drops below 4.5 percent.” In essence, their answer to inflation is to do nothing and wait it out.”

Axios: “McConnell: No legislative agenda for 2022 midterms”

Democrats’ Plan to Combat Inflation

Republicans like U.S. Senator Rob Portman and more than 56 economists agree that Democrats’ economic agenda – including The Jobs Act – will ease the burden current inflationary measures have on families. The Biden Administration also announced plans to strengthen the nation’s supply chains and address key bottlenecks by passing legislation like the COMPETES Act. Every single Indiana Republican in the U.S. House voted “NO” on this opportunity. 

Law Enforcement Funding

Indiana Republicans Voted to Defund the Police with “NO” Vote on American Rescue Plan, “YES” Vote to Remove Fees to Gun Permits, “YES” Vote on House Bill 1002

The Hill: “‘Fox News Sunday’ host Chris Wallace sparred with Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) over Banks’s vote against an emergency relief bill that would have allocated funds to police and first responders.”

WLFI: “State lawmakers are working to pass House Bill 1002. A bill that would get rid of business personal property tax. […] Accelerated Indiana Municipalities CEO Matt Greller said it’s a revenue source local governments rely on to fund essential services such as schools, police, fire and road repairs.”

Mary Beth Schneider, Former Statehouse Reporter: “I hope one of the Statehouse reporters corrects me if I’m wrong, but don’t gun license fees help support police?”

Brandon Smith, Indiana Public Media: “They eliminated the license fees last year.”

Children’s Future

How the American Rescue Plan is delivering for Indiana and Hoosier families: 

• State and Local Fiscal Support: About $5.8 billion was delivered to Indiana and its cities and towns to help our communities recover lost revenue and build better opportunities for our families. 
• Construction Projects: Approximately $550 million for planned projects and $900 million for future construction projects across Indiana. 
• Funds for K-12 Schools: More than $2 billion for Indiana’s schools to update facilities like ventilation systems.
• Pay Raise for Educators: Delivered a well-deserved raise for state educators. 
• Broadband: More than $250 million for broadband internet expansion across Indiana. This investment serves as a foundation of the upcoming American Jobs Plan (see below). 
• READI: About $500 million to fully-fund the state’s regional economic development program. 
• Law Enforcement: More than $350 billion in investments to help recruit new police officers and fight crime across the nation. 
• Childcare: Approximately $540 million to help fight Indiana’s childcare crisis, delivering pay raises for workers and funding to update facilities. 
• Water Infrastructure: About $160 million for water infrastructure projects. 
• Relief Checks: More than 91-percent of all Hoosier adults received a $1,400 relief check to help make ends meet during the pandemic.

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