News · Press Release

Another Broken Promise: Benishek Deceiving Voters On Great Lakes Funding

Congressman Dan Benishek would have you believe that he’s fighting to ensure funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which is responsible for protecting and maintaining the beauty and economic wellbeing of the Great Lakes.

Unfortunately for Congressman Benishek’s constituents, his record has not been at all “consistent.” In 2011, Benishek voted to cut GLRI’s funding by more than half.

“After breaking his promises to voters and veterans, I think it’s pretty clear at this point that anything Congressman Benishek says has to be taken with a whole bunch of salt,” said Sacha Haworth of the DCCC. “Hardworking families in Michigan’s 1st District can’t rely on a Congressman who is willing to break any pledge in order to keep his job in Washington.”

Great Lakes

RHETORIC: Benishek Claims He’s “Consistently Fought” to Ensure the Great Lakes Restoration Fund is Fully Funded. “I have consistently fought to ensure that the Great Lakes Restoration Fund is fully funded so that grant programs such as these can be made available to those in our community who are seeking to protect the Lakes. I encourage anyone looking for further information on these grants or programs to reach out to my office.” [Official Benishek statement, 7/30/15]

REALITY: Benishek Voted to Slash Funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. In 2011, Benishek voted for a continuing resolution to finish fiscal year 2011. The bill cut more than half of the funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Crain’s Chicago Business attributed the deep cuts in this bill in part to “pressure” from Tea Party activists. [HR 1, Vote #147, 2/19/11; Crain’s Chicago Business, 3/28/11]

Veterans

RHETORIC: “From Day One, Dr. Benishek has made veterans issues a top priority in Congress.” [Benishek official website, accessed 8/3/15]

REALITY: “Benishek’s Hypocrisy on Veterans Issues Lands Him in GOP’s Vulnerable Patriots Program.” “Since he came into office, Benishek has done little to work with vets. He met with them only once in 2012, once in 2013, and once in 2014. This year…he’s … held two veterans’ job fairs. His newfound love of veterans drew the attention of the Michigan Democratic Party who called Benishek out on his transparent pandering, especially in light of his recent vote to underfund the Veterans Administration. [Eclectablog, 5/7/2015]

Term Limits

RHETORIC: Benishek: “Three terms and you’re retired seems about right to me.” “Career-consumed politicians in Washington got us into the mess we are in today by voting for bills they haven’t read, for the deficits America can’t sustain, and for the unrestrained increase in federal power. That is why I am happy to tell voters I strongly favor term limits. Three terms and you’re retired seems about right to me.” [Benishek news release, 9/28/2010]

REALITY: “Benishek Apparently Running for 4th Term.” “Five years after signing a pledge to support a three-term limit for members of Congress, U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek, R-Crystal Falls, may be running for a fourth.” [Detroit Free Press, 3/24/15]





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