A mysterious group called Healthy Future LLC is spending a ton of money spreading lies that I want to cut Medicare. Who are they? I looked up their address in Stafford VA and found this storefront in a strip mall. Hmmm...Let me tell a story of dark money and lies. THREAD
A Healthy Future is blasting ads and stuffing mailboxes and inboxes with lies. What I am actually trying to do is lower drug prices through negotiation, set out of pocket maximums, and give everyone on Medicare vision hearing dental coverage. We are strengthening Medicare. 2/11
So why is this group not talking truthfully about efforts to lower drug costs and instead lying about cutting medicare? The answer is that efforts to lower drug costs are very popular with Americans, and they know that. See new poll today ⬇️3/11 politico.com/news/2021/10/0…
So who is this group spending millions spewing lies? I went to A Healthy Future’s website to try and figure out who they are. They seem really friendly with a picture of a loving family. They have no info at all. Not a phone # or email. It’s literally just a homepage. hmm… 4/11
I searched for the LLC filing and found a filing in Ohio by an attorney James G Ryan. Not much there but found some additional information that this one attorney was also flagged as having established several other dark money groups. 5/11 documentcloud.org/documents/5775…
We don’t know who runs or funds A Healthy Future. I think the logical guess is Pharma, but it is absurd and cowardice that groups can spend millions with no accountability/transparency. Can’t have a political debate if other side is hiding. 6/11 nj.com/opinion/2021/0…
This outside money isn’t new, it just has a bigger influence that’s marked by a much bigger price tag. Dark money spending increased from $749M in 1990 to $3.3 Billion in 2020. 7/11 opensecrets.org/outsidespendin…
Not only is spending exploding, but transparency is way down. Before Citizens United decision in the Supreme Court, 80% of outside spending was disclosed. In 2018 it was only 53% (@OpenSecretsDC). Outside groups have spent $7.3B to influence elections since 2010. 8/11
I ran for Congress in 2018 to get govt back to working for the people, not big corporations or dark money interests. I want to show people that we can disagree with decency and civility and still remain united as a nation. @StopBigMoney@usapromise 9/11 nj.com/opinion/2021/0…
To A Healthy Future and its backers, since I can’t seem to find a phone number to call you, I want you to know that your lies and gross tactics to deceive only strengthen my resolve to protect Medicare and stand up for our Seniors and others who are asking for fairness. 10/11
And know that there are many Americans that feel the same way as I do about stopping dark money and lowering drug costs. There is a legitimate debate that can be had about how we do this. So get out of the shadows and let’s talk. Oh yeah, and stop lying to my constituents. END
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As Trump and Musk gut USAID today, I think back to my first day ever working for the US gov, showing up at the Reagan Building to start at USAID. Shame on them for demonizing Americans who are serving our nation, often in difficult and dangerous places. THREAD
We can have a policy debate about how much to spend internationally or what programs to fund, but their hate and paranoia towards other Americans go much deeper. I’m proud I worked at USAID. 2/8
I worked in USAID/Africa bureau where we helped rehabilitate former child soldiers in Uganda, helped with an emerging famine in Malawi. Trump admin complains about China’s growing influence in Africa but then shuts down one of our best tools to fight this. 3/8
I just talked to the family of Officer Brian Sicknick, who was killed on Jan 6. He grew up in NJ, served his nation, but was assaulted and killed. His assailants sentenced to prison until pardoned by Trump. Let us lift up Sicknick’s name and memory: THREAD
Officer Sicknick’s family’s pain today was so deep. That Trump used his first hours in office pardoning so many involved in that attack on the Capitol including the two of the assailants that attacked Officer Sicknick. It was a betrayal. 2/7
Let’s lift up Officer Sicknick’s name. Let’s remind everyone that an officer was attacked and killed that day. Sicknick laid in state in the Capitol Rotunda, honored by our nation as lawmakers from BOTH sides of the aisle, and now those who killed him are free. 3/7
I’ve been asked what it means to be 1st Korean American Senator. On this Korean American day, I want to share a photo of the home where my mom grew up during Korean War. America opened its doors and helped her become a nurse. Last week she stood with me as I was sworn in. THREAD
And it isn’t just my mom’s story. Over 120 yrs since the first Koreans came to America. Now there are 2 million Korean Americans. 24 million Asian Americans. Asian Americans are not monolithic.
I of course do not speak for all, nor is my story and experience reflective of all. 2/10
In fact I’ve struggled with my identity over my life. At times I resisted the label Korean/Asian American and snapped back with “I’m just American.”
I never would have imagined that Korean culture would become hugely popular between BTS, Squid Game, Korean BBQ, K-dramas etc. 3/10
Many in north/central NJ are worried about odor/taste of water coming out of the tap. As a father of two boys, I absolutely understand your worries. I talked with heads of NJ Dept of Environmental Protection and American Water.
Here are 4 key questions I asked: THREAD
IS THE WATER SAFE?
DEP/American Water report that water is well within NJ standards, which are some of the strictest in nation. They test for 100s of kinds of metals/ chemical compounds. Results are either non-detection or very low and far below levels of health concerns. 2/10
DO WE KNOW SOURCE OF ODOR/TASTE?
I completely understand if that explanation of water safety is not totally reassuring to those of you that smell/taste something wrong. You have a right to be concerned. Absolute key is identifying what is the compound that is causing the odor. 3/10
I’ve had 3 briefings with White House, FBI and DHS on drones this week, and multiple calls with law enforcement across NJ. I’m hearing from everyone that detection resources are heightened, reported sightings are down, no confirmed threat/concern. Let me go into detail. THREAD
DHS detailed to me the array of tools they have in NJ for drone detection including thermal sensors, drone-specific radar, radio frequency kits, and visual monitors. There have been no drone detections using any of these tools since tools have been active earlier this month. 2/20
In particular, White House/DHS flagged usage of sophisticated camera for drone detection that was deployed earlier in Dec to some of the hot spot areas with more sightings. Again no detections made apart from test drones used to ensure equipment is functioning and effective. 3/20