Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 29
Lummis Blocks Senate Resolution Against Trump's Taxpayer-Funded Ads as GOP Unease Spreads
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 29

Lummis Blocks Senate Resolution Against Trump's Taxpayer-Funded Ads as GOP Unease Spreads

2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 29

Summary

  • Sen. Cynthia Lummis on Tuesday blocked Sen. Maggie Hassan’s bid to pass a Senate resolution declaring Trump’s television ads should not be paid for by the U.S. government.
  • Hassan and other Democrats say the campaign-style ads that began airing this month are illegal, while the White House has defended them.
  • Lummis argued presidents of both parties — including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden — also used public service announcements, calling criticism of Trump a double standard.
  • Republican discomfort still extends beyond Democrats: Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said he does not think the federal government should be paying for the ads.

Insights

What rules, if any, should govern federal TV ads that feature national leaders so prominently?