Democrats kick off summer recess by hitting House Republicans with hometown ads
House Democrats plan to welcome Republican lawmakers returning to their districts for Congress' five-week summer recess with a series of radio ads that criticize them for taking time away from Washington.
Paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the 15-second ads will hit radio airwaves Monday in 18 Republican House districts.
“You work hard, so you deserve the same from your congressman,” the narrator says on the ad. “But did you know Congressman [X] is on a five-week taxpayer-funded vacation instead of working to create jobs? Tell Congressman [X] to get his priorities straight.”
Congress traditionally takes a break during August, allowing lawmakers an opportunity to meet constituents and campaign for re-election. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has urged Republican leaders, who control the chamber's schedule, to stay in session.
According to a source with knowledge of the ad purchase, the buy is relatively small: Just over $5,000 spread across local stations.
The ads will run in these members’ districts:
Rep. Dan Benishek, Michigan, District 1
Rep. Kevin Cramer, North Dakota, At-Large District
Rep. Steve Daines, Montana, At-Large District
Rep. Sean Duffy, Wis., District 7
Rep. John Fleming, Louisiana, District 4
Rep. Joe Heck, Nevada, District 3
Rep. Lynn Jenkins, Kansas, District 2
Rep. Bill Johnson, Ohio, District 6
Rep. David Joyce, Ohio, District 14
Rep. Steve King, Iowa, District 4
Rep. Gary Miller, California, District 31
Rep. Steve Pearce, New Mexico, District 2
Rep. Scott Rigell, Virginia, District 2
Rep. Steve Southerland, Florida, District 2
Rep. Glenn Thompson, Pennsylvania, District 5
Rep. Mike Turner, Ohio, District 10
Rep. Kevin Yoder, Kansas, District 3
Rep. Bill Young, Florida, District 13
