Campaign Passes $1 Million Cash on Hand
The Mast for Congress campaign today released the first ad of the 2018 campaign cycle, titled “Promises Kept.” The 30-second spot highlights three bipartisan legislative achievements that fulfill major campaign promises: protecting seniors from fraud, preventing critical veterans programs from expiring and passing new funding to combat harmful algal blooms.
Additionally, after raising $419,000 during Q4 of 2017, the Mast For Congress campaign now has $1,039,000 cash on hand.
Watch the ad here:
Transcript:
When I became your Congressman, my promises became my mission.
To protect seniors, I passed legislation to crack down on crimes which target seniors and strengthen Medicare.
For our veterans, my bill averted crisis by protecting veterans healthcare programs.
And for our environment, I secured more than $20 million to combat harmful algal blooms in our waterways.
I know my mission is not over. That’s why I’m asking for your support to stay in the fight.
I’m Brian Mast and I approve this message.
Background:
The ad references several pieces of legislation that fulfill campaign promises made by Congressman Mast:
FOR SENIORS
- Congressman Mast has helped pass numerous pieces of legislation to protect seniors and strengthen Medicare, including:
- The Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act promotes the investigation and prosecution of criminals who prey upon seniors, enhances data collection on crimes targeting seniors and provides additional resources for elder abuse prevention programs. The bipartisan bill passed the House of Representatives on October 3, 2017, with Congressman Mast’s support, and was signed into law on October 18, 2017.
- The Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act strengthens Medicare by eliminating the unaccountable and unelected Independent Payment Advisory Board. The bill passed the House of Representatives, with Congressman Mast’s support, on November 2, 2017.
- Medicare Part B Improvement Act helps ensure there aren’t gaps in coverage for Medicare beneficiaries and helps patients with chronic diseases more easily access their treatments. The bipartisan bill passed the House of Representatives, with Congressman Mast’s support, on July 25, 2017.
FOR VETERANS
- Congressman Mast introduced the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017. The bill extended a number of expiring programs impacting veterans healthcare and benefits, including homeless programs, nursing home care, child care assistance and home loan services. The bill passed the House on September 25, 2017 and the Senate on September 27, 2017 with bipartisan support. The Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017 was signed into law by the President on September 29, 2017.
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
- Congressman Mast has introduced and passed more than 10 amendments, totaling more than $20 million, to add funding to combat harmful algal blooms and clean up local waterways. The programs include:
- $8 million to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to combat harmful algal blooms. Introduced with Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16).
- $5.6 million for the Natural Resource Conservation Service to promote environmentally sustainable toxic runoff mitigation.
- $2 million for the Agriculture and Food Service Initiative to expand research into prevention of harmful algal blooms.
- $1.5 million for the Food and Drug Administration to research the health impact of contaminated seafood.
- $1.1 million for the Environmental Protection Agency to research the impact on water quality of nutrient inputs.
- $1 million for non-point source pollution mitigation grants, including removal of toxic substances.
- $1 million for the U.S. Geological Service to research harmful algal blooms.
- $1 million for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to study the health impacts of exposure to harmful algal blooms.
- $598,000 for the Department of the Navy to fund the Environmental Sustainability Development Project research on coastal contamination.
- $500,000 for the Aquatic Plant Control Research Program to develop technology to combat harmful algal blooms.
- $400,000 to the Centers for Disease Control to investigate environmental threats of public exposure to waterborne contaminates.
