The campaign of Montana GOP Senate candidate Tim Sheehy stooped to new lows in a recent ad. In less than 30 seconds, the Koch-funded, billionaire-backed campaign unveiled a series of baseless claims about incumbent Senator Jon Tester’s record on Social Security. Terry Minnow, chair of the Montana seniors’ group Big Sky 55+, excoriated the Sheehy campaign in an open letter published in a local newspaper, demanding that the ad be taken off the air:
“The gross misrepresentations put forth in your ad play political games with (Montana seniors’) livelihoods and their sense of well-being. It is reckless and irresponsible to distress and scare Montanans with patently false information that will bring them anxiety, worry and sleepless nights.” – Terry Minnow, Chair, Big Sky 55+
Let’s take a closer look at the falsehoods in Sheehy’s ad, and where the two candidates really land on Social Security.
Falsehood #1: Jon Tester and other Democrats have “raided” the Social Security trust fund
There are no facts to back up this claim. The trust fund is invested in special U.S. Treasury notes which are repaid to Social Security with interest— just like other government bonds. The trust fund serves a designated purpose, and can only be used to pay for Social Security benefits and administrative costs. Contrary to the popular myth, no one is “raiding” the trust fund or “stealing” from it.
Falsehood #2: Jon Tester supported huge cuts to Social Security
Jon Tester has never supported “huge cuts” to Social Security. He earned a 100% rating on our legislative scorecard two congressional sessions in a row. Lawmakers only receive a 100% rating by consistently supporting Social Security. “I will always defend Medicare and Social Security with all I’ve got,” says Senator Tester. This is why we formally endorsed him in June.
Falsehood #3: Tim Sheehy opposes cuts to Social Security and Medicare
While Jon Tester has always opposed Republican proposals to “sunset” Social Security, Tim Sheehy can’t say the same. Sheehy told a conservative radio host that he agreed with a “mandatory sunset clause in every bill,” leaving Social Security benefits to the whims of politicians year after year. Sheehy, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, has shown he will align with the most extreme members of Congress. Florida Senator Rick Scott, the architect of a plan to sunset Social Security, has endorsed Sheehy and even spent time in Bozeman this summer speaking at his campaign events.
Sheehy has supported GOP efforts to make the Trump tax cuts permanent. This would add nearly $2 trillion to the federal debt. Some Republicans set their sights on Social Security and Medicare to make up the difference. Sheehy himself admits that making the Trump tax cuts permanent could jeopardize Social Security.
NCPSSM president Max Richtman endorses Jon Tester (R) and House candidate Monica Tranel (L) as seniors’ champions in Big Fork, MT
We are hopeful that Montana voters who care about Social Security will see through the falsehoods — and familiarize themselves with where the two candidates truly stand. This past June, NCPSSM President and CEO Max Richtman traveled to Big Fork, Montana to deliver our PAC’s endorsement of Senator Tester. The Senator has received similar endorsements from other seniors’ advocates as well, while Tim Sheehy peddles misinformation on these issues.
Check out this Facebook video from a real Montana Voter! It’s a lot more honest than Sheehy’s ad.
