Super PAC Launches False Ad Against Van Hollen

Press Release

Today the Van Hollen Campaign responded to the latest false attack, this time coming from a Super PAC backing Congresswoman Edwards. This effort to scare and mislead voters is disappointing -- especially on an issue as important as gun violence, which is tearing at the fabric of Baltimore and communities across the state.Unfortunately, it isn't a surprise -- Congresswoman Edwards has run a negative campaign since day one.

The attack ad uses President Obama's emotional plea to take action on gun violence prevention -- of course, it fails to mention that the President strongly supported the DISCLOSE Act. It's shameful that Edwards's backers would use President Obama to make false attacks on the issue of gun violence.

In 2010, President Obama said said, "At a time of such challenge for America, we can't afford these political games. Millions of Americans are struggling to get by, and their voices shouldn't be drowned out by millions of dollars in secret, special interest advertising. The American people's voices should be heard. A vote to oppose these reforms is nothing less than a vote to allow corporate and special interest takeovers of our elections. [White House -- Office of the Press Secretary, 7/26/10]

Chris Van Hollen said, "The DISCLOSE Act was a top priority for President Obama and House Democrats as the key response to secret outside money and Citizens United. I was proud to join with President Obama, Leader Pelosi, Senator Mikulski, and Congressman Cummings to get that legislation passed. This bill had literally nothing to do with gun violence -- an issue I've been fighting my entire career. In Annapolis, I took on the NRA -- and I won. In Congress, I've put forward a plan to combat gun violence based on proven research from Johns Hopkins University. Any effort to distract from the need to tackle this critical issue in Baltimore and across the state is beneath Maryland voters."

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