Senator Maggie Hassan has a disabled child, so when I first saw her latest ad hyping the Better Care Better Jobs Act, it seemed like a good fit for her. Sure, it’s more money pumped into federal “care” programs, but it was in her wheelhouse. So, it appears, are misleading campaign ads, and this is no exception.
In the ad, a mom with a disabled kid (like Senator Hassan) has all sorts of nice things to say about all the good this legislation can do. Maggie presents it as why she’s in elected office. The sort of work she wants to do.
Warm, emotional heartstrings, but even a cursory look leads you to a reality sandwich.
1. Hassan is not the prime sponsor of the Senate bill; she is just one of the thirty-nine co-sponsors of S.2210.
2. There is an identical bill introduced in the House HR.4131.
3. Both bills were “introduced” on June 24th, 2021.
4. Neither bill has moved an inch since then. They were announced and have been collecting dust.
For those keeping track, that’s 422 days of nothing.
On her Senate Webpage, there are four pieces of press on the legislation published between 6/25/21 (the day after introduction) up to 9/20/21, all shades of the same narrative. Hassan and Shaheen Introduce Key Legislation…join colleagues in introducing…support for direct care, etc. Four press releases over the first three months after the bill is introduced and nothing after that.
It’s been 329 days since Hassan’s last piece of press on the bill unless you count this campaign ad.
Again, it’s a thing that makes sense for Senator Hassan to support. Something she can understand, even if, in her own circumstances, she would never have needed public support.
But she is running ads on this like it’s a done deal.
“Maggie for NH today launched “Care” – a new TV ad that highlights Senator Maggie Hassan’s work to try to ensure that people like her son Ben, who experiences a severe disability, and all Americans, can be fully included in their communities.”
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“Senator Hassan first entered public service in large part to help ensure that those who experience disabilities, like her son Ben, would have the same kinds of opportunities that all parents want for their children. That is why she is pushing Congress to pass the Better Care Better Jobs Act”
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“Senator Hassan: Helping families like Lexi’s all over the Granite State, it’s why I do the work. I’m Maggie Hassan and I approve this message.”
What work?
You haven’t done a damn thing to help Audrey from Brentwood.
The Bill is 422 days old. You signed on as a co-sponsor and ran a few press pieces. The Bill is a name and a number and nothing but. If that’s your idea of helping New Hampshire families, you’re terrible at it, and “Care” is as much or more of an act of fraud as your previous ads.
