Koch Brothers plan to spend unprecedented amounts of money to defend imperiled Republican majority
In case you missed it, the Koch brothers’ biggest fan Speaker Paul Ryan was jumping for joy this weekend at the opportunity to thank the billionaires for bankrolling his agenda. Specifically, he praised them for pushing an agenda that has proven historically unpopular and has forced Republicans to play defense on healthcare and the economy ahead of the midterms.
“Koch brothers fanboy Speaker Ryan is relying on unprecedented amounts of outside money to push his historically unpopular healthcare and tax agenda,” said DCCC Spokesman Tyler Law. “Unfortunately for Paul Ryan, voters recognize his disdain for the American worker and his preference for helping his billionaire allies, and they stand ready to voice their opposition to his agenda in the midterms.”
Here’s a look at Paul Ryan’s unseemly alliance with the Koch network:
First, Ryan outlined his policy priorities that are closely in line with the Koch’s:
“Ryan rattled off policy priorities for 2018 that align with the influential Koch network’s goals…” [Washington Post, 1/28/2018]
“…Ryan thanked the Koch network for their help in facilitating his legislative victories.” [Fortune, 1/28/2018]
Not shockingly, the Koch brothers could get $1 billion richer from the Tax Scam:
“A new analysis has found that political mega-donors Charles and David Koch and/or the business they operate could make between $1 billion and $1.4 billion more money each year, thanks to the tax breaks in legislation passed in December by Republican members of Congress.” [International Business Times, 1/24/2018]
In return, the Koch brothers decided to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to thank Ryan for pushing an agenda that favors billionaires over the middle class:
“The influential Koch network plans to invest close to $400 million toward protecting Republican majorities and promoting policy priorities in the 2018 midterm election cycle…” [CNN, 1/29/2018]
“House Speaker Paul Ryan collected nearly $500,000 in campaign contributions from Charles Koch and his wife after helping usher through a massive tax reform law.” [Washington Examiner, 1/21/2018]