This Friday, millions of Texans will dress up for Halloween. Though I always look forward to this holiday, I’m pretty sure Cornyn enjoys it even more — after all, he has spent the last 6 years masking his scary voting record. Whether it’s about the war in Iraq, the economy, or health care, Cornyn says one thing in Texas and then does another in Washington — a real life Jekyll and Hyde routine.

We can’t let my opponent hide the truth about how he has voted on issues that matter to all Texans. That’s why today, our campaign is releasing a new ad called “Dress Up.”

Click here to watch the ad, and then donate to give our campaign a big boost before Election Day!

Cornyn can dress up all he wants, but he can’t make his frightening record disappear. He voted against health care for children six times, voted against benefits for veterans, and even did the bidding of convicted felon Jack Abramoff.

Our great state can’t afford to re-elect someone who serves the special interests at the expense of Texas families. From my service in the military to my work as a state legislator, I know what it takes to represent Texas families first. As your U.S. Senator, I’ll work hard to bring our troops home from Iraq, strengthen our economy and fix our broken health care system. Unlike my opponent, I won’t have to pretend that I represent you.

Click here to watch our new ad called “Dress Up,” and then donate to give our campaign a big boost before Election Day!

My opponent has millions of dollars in the bank, and I’m counting on the grassroots support of people like you as we head into the homestretch of our campaign. I hope you’ll join me in these final 8 days before November 4th and scare Cornyn out of his boots and out of the Senate. After you’ve watched the ad, please remember to forward this email to your friends and relatives.

Thank you for your support, and have a happy and safe Halloween.

- Rick Noriega

Following Abilene, we stopped in Big Spring. Rick toured the courthouse with Walter Shipman and then got to visit with Ann Weaver and Vivian Jones. Stopping for a quick interview in Midland, we pulled into a FANTASTIC rally in Odessa spearheaded by Laurie and Robert White with Chair Bobbie Duncan. it was a real treat to meet college student Grant Watkins,  the son of the late county judge and fellow House Member Gary Watkins. SDEC member Gene Collins was also there along with an incredible crowd. More tv and then on to Pecos with Chair Bob Dean. It was homecoming night for the Pecos Eagles and Dairy Queen was packed!Artic Rushes and Blizzards and Coffees and off to El Paso. Once again - we are on the road with every truck in Texas and the laptops buzzing and Rick on a cell phone. Dinner is the destination in El Paso and fortunately for work, we gained an hour but unfortunately for us, we are starving!  Sue Schechter

Downtown Abilene this morning had a great turnout of Texans for Rick Noriega! Mary Lou and Ed Conley along with the county chair, Chris Casey,  and other great Democrats, including John Iman,  put together a fabulous event. Dr. Virginia Boyd Connally, widow of former state party Chair, J.E. Connally, was there to wish Rick well. (and by the way, Mary Lou’s father was former national committee man French Robertson.) While Rick interviewed with the editorial board of the newspaper, we all enjoyed the great hospitality of the Taylor County Democratic Party headquarters. More interviews for Rick, more Diet Cokes and coffee for the rest of us and now on the road to Big Springs…………. posted by Sue Schechter

Dallas, Tex. – John Cornyn doesn’t have a plan to address the dire health care situation in Texas which according to recent census data has the highest rate of uninsured in the nation and the highest number of uninsured children, nor has he had any real accomplishments on this issue said the Rick Noriega campaign.
“During his nearly 6 years in the Senate, Cornyn has offered zero solutions for the uninsured and has consistently blocked efforts to address one of the most important issues that Texas families face,” said Holly Shulman, Press Secretary.

ON HEALTH CARE, JOHN CORNYN HAS NO ACCOMPLISHMENTS

John Cornyn Offers Texans an Empty Health Care Record. John Cornyn talks a big game on health care but when it comes to health care accomplishments, the cupboard is bare. Of the fifteen legislative “accomplishments” listed on his website, 10 never became law, 4 were routine “housekeeping” measures, and  1 raised the cost of prescription drugs for Seniors.

John Cornyn Touts Failed Legislation on Health Care. John Cornyn consistently takes credit for bills that never became law. Though he claims to have a “strong record” on health care, most of his legislative “accomplishments” never made it out of the Senate.  In a document released by his Senate Office, Cornyn crowed about a raft of failed legislative efforts. These include:

The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act (S.1955, Introduced: 11/2/05 Never made it to the floor 7/27/06)

The Nurse Faculty Education Act (S.1575, Introduced: 7/29/05. Never passed into law.)

The Tax Equity Act (S.397, Introduced 7/27/06. Never passed into law.)

The Medical Care Access Protection Act (S.22, Introduced 5/3/06. Failed 5/8/06.)

The Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies Access to Care Act (S.244, Introduced 1/10/07. Never passed into law.)

The Federal Research Public Access Act (S.2695, Introduced 5/2/06. Died in Committee 5/26/06)

The Patients First Act (S.11, Introduced 6/26/03 Failed 7/9/03)

The Workforce Health Improvement Program (S.772, Introduced 4/13/05. Died in Committee.)

The Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Act (S.2754, Introduced: 5/5/06. Failed 7/18/06.)

The Wired for Health Care Quality Act (S.1418, Introduced: 7/18/05. Died in Committee 12/16/05.)

John Cornyn Brags About Routine, Unanimous Consent, Uncontroversial Legislation. Of the five bills that Cornyn supported that actually became law, four were housekeeping measures that passed the Senate with unanimous consent. These measures were non-controversial and were guaranteed passage. These include:

The Patient Safety and Quality Act (S.544, Introduced 3/8/05. Unanimous 7/29/05.)

The Combating Autism Act (S.843, Introduced 4/19/05. Unanimous 12/19/06.)

The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act (S.1317, Introduced 9/27/05. Unanimous 12/20/05.)

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (S.358, Introduced: 1/22/07. Unanimous 5/21/08.)

John Cornyn Supported Legislation that Increased Drug Costs for Seniors. John Cornyn’s sole legislative “success” was rubber-stamping the Bush administration’s position on the prescription drug benefit while simultaneously voting to keep the costs of drugs high. [S 1932, Vote #302, 11/3/05]

Cornyn Accepted More Than $229,715.00 from the Pharmaceutical/Health Products Industry.  According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Cornyn has accepted more than $229,715 from the pharmaceutical/health products industry throughout his career.  [Center for Responsive Politics, 10/4/08]

Cornyn Opposes Efforts to Make U.S. Energy Independent

Dallas, Tex. - Cornyn’s votes do not match his rhetoric on energy independence, says the Rick Noriega campaign today.

“John Cornyn lives in a land of make believe, far, far away from the truth,” said Martine Apodaca. “Cornyn talks a good game on making us less dependent on foreign oil, but that’s not the way he votes. In fact, just the opposite is true - Cornyn has voted to ensure that we remain dependent on foriegn oil. It’s time for a new direction.”

Cornyn Opposed Efforts to Cut Dependence on Foreign Oil

·        Cornyn Voted Against Pressuring OPEC to Lower Oil Prices and Opening the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.  In 2005, Cornyn voted against an amendment that urged the President to encourage the OPEC to increase their production of oil and require 1 million barrels of oil to be released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve every day for 30 days.  [Vote 147, 6/22/05]

·        Cornyn Voted Against Cutting Oil Imports By 40% and Reducing America’s Dependence on Foreign Oil. In 2005, Cornyn voted against a proposal that encouraged President Bush to develop measures to reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign petroleum by 40 percent before 2025. [Vote 140, 6/16/05]

Noriega Demonstrates Ability to Lead, Cornyn Hides from His Record in Last Senate Debate

Skyrocketing Costs of Healthcare, Education, Gas Prove Texas Families Worse Off than Six Years Ago

Houston, Tex. – Rick Noriega turned in another strong performance in tonight’s debate against John Cornyn, demonstrating the two very different visions for Texas that each of the candidates have. While Rick Noriega discussed his plans to fight for a new direction for Texas families, John Cornyn tried to distance himself from his record and lay blame on anyone’s doorstep but his own, even lying about Noriega’s record on children’s health insurance.

“John Cornyn’s last-ditch effort to label the White House as ‘tone-deaf’ and ‘out of touch’ is a desperate attempt to undo his lock-step voting history with the White House over the last six years,” said Holly Shulman, Press Secretary. “It makes sense Cornyn would want to distance himself from his record of voting with President Bush 95% of the time and of taking record donations from the oil and financial industries. Cornyn even lied about Noriega’s record on children’s health care, in efforts to defend his own six indefensible votes against children’s health insurance. Texas families deserve better.”

Though Texans have continued to work hard over the last six years, costs of items ranging from education to healthcare to gasoline have continued to spiral upward, moving further and further out of reach for Texas families. Rick Noriega has ensured Texas families he will advocate for them each day he is in Washington as a Senator for Texas.

“While John Cornyn has been in Washington over the last six years, the situation for Texas families has worsened,” said Shulman. “They deserve a leader who will be honest with them and demonstrate his ability and willingness to bring them change – Rick Noriega will be that Senator for Texas and clearly showed that tonight in the debate.”

The most recent poll, from Rasmussen, shows Noriega just seven points behind Cornyn – closing the gap from a 17 point margin in Rasmussen’s previous poll in June after Cornyn has spent $4 million on his campaign. As President Bill Clinton noted while endorsing Rick Noriega earlier this week, “He’s been outspent, but I learned a lot in this election year,” said Clinton. “You can be outspent and still win if you want it bad enough, and if people believe in you bad enough and if word of mouth is strong enough.”

In addition to President Clinton’s support, the campaign has continued to gain momentum with the support of advocates for Texas and American families such as Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Governor Bill Richardson. With over one million newly registered voters in Texas, this debate will resonate with Texans who recognize Noriega’s proven track record of leadership and the failed leadership of John Cornyn and George Bush.

Rick Noriega will join Houston elected officials and community leaders to vote Monday, October 20^th, on the first day of Early Vote.

Dallas, Tex. – The Cornyn-McCain health tax plan is a back door way to dismantle the employer-based health care system that Texas families just can’t afford, said the Rick Noriega campaign today.

Most Texans with health insurance through their employers enjoy mostly tax free benefits. Cornyn’s scheme treats these benefits like wages making them subject to income and payroll taxes. Under the Cornyn scheme, the majority of Texans would be paying higher taxes, paying more for less coverage, and employers would lose incentives to offer health insurance to their employees

John Cornyn told reporters at the Republican National Convention, “There’s no reason today to have health insurance policies tied to employers.”

Most Americans obtain their health insurance through their employer. But skyrocketing costs have already made it difficult for employers to offer, and employees to afford, benefits. The number of Americans with employer coverage dropped to 177.4 million in 2007, down from 179.4 million in 2000. The Cornyn scheme would eliminate the tax benefit that encourages employers to provide health coverage, destroying the employer-based system on which 11 million Texans (53 percent) rely, making Texas’ uninsured problem even worse.

“What’s truly stunning is how out of touch with Texas families John Cornyn is. Not one single family would have greater access to health care under the Cornyn plan. It’s a shame that in the state where 45% of the residents are uninsured for at least part of the year, John Cornyn tells Texas families ‘you’re on your own’ with the insurance companies,” said Holly Shulman. “Cornyn thinks forcing Texas families to fend for themselves in the individual insurance market is better than the employer based health care system. But people don’t choose to be sick like they choose to buy a car or a pair of shoes.”

JOHN CORNYN TOUTS RADICAL HEALTH TAX SCHEME TO DESTROY EMPLOYER-BASED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

The McCain/Cornyn Plan Claims To Provide Choices Outside Employer-Based Coverage. According to John McCains health care plan, “While still having the option of employer-based coverage, every family will receive a direct refundable tax credit – effectively cash – of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance. Families will be able to choose the insurance provider that suits them best and the money would be sent directly to the insurance provider. Those obtaining innovative insurance that costs less than the credit can deposit the remainder in expanded Health Savings Accounts.” [John McCain.com, accessed 6/18/08]

· FACT: Cornyn/McCain Credit Would Not Come Close To Covering Most Families’ Needs. According to Knight Ridder, “Kenneth Thorpe, a noted health economist, [said] two-thirds of uninsured Americans would require higher tax credits to pay for family coverage…which averages $12,000 a year…$4,500 for individuals.” [Knight Ridder Washington Bureau, 6/10/08]

· FACT: McCain/Cornyn Scheme Would Represent A MASSIVE TAX INCREASE ON MIDDLE CLASS TEXANS. “Today, workers with health insurance through their jobs enjoy largely tax-free benefits. McCain’s plan treats these benefits like wages, making them subject to income and payroll taxes, and creates a new tax credit for insurance premiums worth $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families. McCain’s new tax credit grows only at the rate of inflation (about 2 percent a year), while current tax subsidies keep up with health insurance premiums (about 7 percent a year). As a result, the value of the tax credit quickly falls behind rising health care costs, mean­ing most households with employer coverage today would soon see a tax increase. Fami­lies earning $40,000, for example, would receive a small tax cut in 2009, but by 2018 they will be paying over $2,800 more a year in taxes.” [Center for American Progress Action Fund, Analysis of McCain Plan 07/02/08]

Cornyn/McCain Plan Would Supposedly Encourage Families To Obtain Their Own Coverage. According to John McCain’s health care plan, “We want a system of health care in which everyone can afford and acquire the treatment and preventative care they need. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make. Families should be in charge of their health care dollars and have more control over care.” [JohnMcCain.com, accessed 6/18/08]

· FACT: U.S. Census Bureau: Employer-Sponsored Coverage is Eroding. Most Americans obtain their health insurance through their employer. But skyrocketing costs have made it difficult for employers to offer, and employees to afford, benefits. The number of persons with employer coverage dropped to 177.4 million for all Americans in 2007, down from 179.4 million in 2000. The rate of employer coverage, at 59.3 percent for all Americans in 2007, is down from 64.2 percent 2000. Yet 37 million (or 81 percent) of the uninsured were employed in 2007. [U.S. Census Bureau 8/28/08]

· FACT: McCain/Cornyn Plan Would Force Patients To “Buy Health Insurance On Their Own.” McCain’s healthcare plan is an attempt to force patients to “buy health insurance on their own instead of receiving it from their employers.” [New York Times, 5/1/08]

· FACT: McCain/Cornyn Plan “Would Seek To Lure Workers Away From Their Company Health Plans.” While describing the health care plan proposed by John McCain, The Washington Post wrote, “McCain’s prescription would seek to lure workers away from their company health plans.” McCain would provide families with a $5,000 tax credit to purchase their own health insurance on the free market. [Washington Post, 4/30/08]

· FACT: McCain/Cornyn Plan Would Remove Incentives For Employers To Provide Health Insurance. According to the New York Times, McCain’s health care plan calls “for eliminating the tax breaks that currently encourage employers to provide health insurance for their workers.” They added that, “His proposal to move away from employer-based coverage was similar to one that President Bush pushed for last year, to little effect.” [New York Times, 4/30/08]

· FACT: McCain/Cornyn plan would cost $20 billion in new administrative costs. A Center for American Progress study found that Cornyn’s plan to shift coverage from the group market to the individual market could generate as much as $20 billion in new administrative costs (a 20% increase). [Center for American Progress, 5/08]

McCain/Cornyn Plan Says It Would Ensure Coverage For All. According to John McCain’s health care plan, “John McCain understands that those without prior group coverage and those with pre-existing conditions have the most difficulty on the individual market, and we need to make sure they get the high-quality coverage they need.” [JohnMcCain.com, accessed 6/18/08]

· FACT: McCain Does Not Support Guaranteed Issue. Does Cornyn? Regarding health care, “guaranteed issue” is the forbidding of insurance companies from denying any person from coverage. “John McCain opposes guaranteed issue, [leading] to criticism that he doesn’t address the problem of the uninsurable.” [Washington Times, 6/16/08]

· FACT: Women Who Have Had Caesarean Sections Likely To Have Trouble Obtaining Insurance. Because a previous birth through Caesarean section is considered to be a prior condition by some insurance companies, women who have had to undergo the surgery are less likely to be accepted onto another plan. “Individual insurance differs sharply from the group coverage with which most people are familiar. Group policies generally require that the insurer cover everybody in the group, and charge the same rates for all. But with individual coverage, insurers in many states can vary their prices based on medical history, exclude certain services or reject anyone they consider a bad risk.” [NYTimes, 6/1/08, emphasis added]

Cornyn LIES in Debate About Noriega’s Record, Noriega Has Been A Champion For Texas Kids

Dallas, Tex. - Despite Cornyn’s attempts to obscure the facts,  the fact is that Rick Noriega has been a champion for children’s health insurance and co-authored and voted in favor of a bill to expand eligibility and outreach for Texas’ uninsured children. It has expanded access for more than 100,000 children.

“Cornyn voted SIX times against children’s health insurance and now he’s blatantly lying to avoid talking about his record,” said Martine Apodaca. “Clearly he doesn’t have the best interest of Texas kids at heart. Texans can’t afford six more years of John Cornyn.”

THE FACTS ABOUT NORIEGA’S RECORD ON CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE

Noriega Supported Expanding Eligibility for CHIP. Rick Noriega co-authored and voted in favor of a bill to expand eligibility and outreach of the state’s CHIP. Among changes to the program were allowing lower-income families to stay in CHIP for a year at a time rather than reapply every 6 months. The measure also eliminated the 90-day waiting period for uninsured children to be enrolled in CHIP and allowed families to deduct child-care costs when determining eligibility. The conference committee report was adopted 134-14 in the House and later was signed by the governor. [HB 109; Vote 1967; 5/27/07]

Noriega Supported Amendment Keeping Coverage at 200 Percent of Poverty Level. Rick Noriega supported an amendment to maintain Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage at 200 percent of poverty level or below. As it came to the House floor, the bill provided that CHIP cover children whose families earn 150 percent of federal poverty level or below. The amendment also struck language from the bill stating that if appropriated money was insufficient to sustain enrollment at the authorized eligibility level, then enrollment would be suspended, a waiting list would be established, and periodic or continued enrollment of applicants would proceed as the availability of money allowed. A motion to table the amendment was agreed to 79-65. [HB 2292; Vote 352; 4/25/03]

Noriega Supported Amendment to Restore CHIP Benefits. During the 2003 Third-Called Session, Rick Noriega supported an amendment to the omnibus transportation bill that would have provided money to restore, to the greatest extent possible, the income test, eligibility criteria, and benefits package for the Children’s Health Insurance Program that existed before any changes made to the program in HB 2292, legislation passed during the regular session that reorganized health and human services agencies. A motion to table the amendment was agreed to 83-59. [HB 2; Vote 11; 9/16/03]

Noriega Voted for State Kids Insurance Program. Rick Noriega voted in favor of a measure to provide funding for children of state workers to enroll in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. CHIP, a federal/state partnership, provides health insurance for children in economically disadvantaged families that cannot afford health coverage. While CHIP authorizes participation by children of state employees, it prohibits federal funds from being used to pay for their coverage. SKIP was created to provide a supplement for low-income state employees’ children who would otherwise qualify for CHIP. HB 1853 provided funding to cover the total cost of basic health coverage for a child who is a dependent of a state employee, would be eligible for CHIP if the child were not the dependent of a state employee, and is not eligible for the state Medicaid program. On third reading, the bill passed by a vote of 94-36. It later died in the Senate. [HB 1853; Vote 415; 5/11/01]

Noriega Voted For Children’s Health Insurance Program. Rick Noriega voted in favor of a bill that created the Texas Children’s Health Insurance Program. The bill provided health insurance for children from birth to age 19 if their parents earn up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The measure’s goal was to cover children who have fallen between the cracks of Medicaid and private health insurance. The bill passed the House 123-14 and later was signed by the governor. [SB 445; Vote 193; 4/30/99]

Noriega Supported Bill Providing Government Health Insurance to Children. Rick Noriega supported a measure to allow eligible children whose families leave the welfare rolls to continue to have government health insurance. Under the legislation, the Texas Department of Health would determine whether such kids still qualified for Medicaid and would automatically enroll them in the program if they did. The House passed the bill 80-62, with Noriega absent, excused. Senate amendments provided for provisional eligibility for medical assistance of not more than one month pending a recertification review and stipulated that the Act take effect only if a specific appropriation for its implementation was provided in the General Appropriations Bill. A motion to concur in Senate amendments was agreed to 138-0. [HB 820; Votes 261, 433; 5/6/99, 5/7/99, 5/22/99]

Cornyn’s Record on Education Speaks More Than His Words

Dallas, Tex. - Cornyn’s failed record on education speaks volumes about his priorities and is another example of him saying one thing in Texas and doing another in Washington, said the Rick Noriega campaign today.

Cornyn Voted Against Funding for Education. In 2007, Cornyn voted against education funding, including $14.5 billion for Pell Grants; $14.9 billion for the Labor Department, including $3.6 billion for training and employment services. Despite Cornyn, the bill passed 75-19. Hutchison voted yea. [HR 3043, Vote #391, 10/23/07]

Cornyn Voted Against Making College More Affordable. Cornyn voted against increasing the Maximum Pell Grant Scholarship to $4,000 and increasing the future math and science teacher loan forgiveness to $23,000 [S AMDT 177 to S Con Res 18, 3/17/2005].

In 2007 Cornyn received a grade of F from the National Education Association. [National Education Association website]

Cornyn Voted Against Tax Deductions to Help Teachers Pay for Much-Needed School Supplies. John Cornyn voted against the Teacher Expense Deduction which allows teachers to deduct expenses when they dip into their own pockets to provide needed supplies for their classrooms. [H.R. 6049, 6/17/2008]

Cornyn Repeatedly Voted Against Fully Funding No Child Left Behind. In 2003 and 2004, Cornyn voted repeatedly against fully funding No Child Left Behind, resulting in an unfunded mandate. [SCR 95, Vote #35, 3/10/04; SCR 23, Vote #60, 3/19/03; HJR 2, Vote #5, 1/16/03]

Dallas, Tex. – Despite tonight’s rhetoric about renewable energy, Cornyn’s voting record tells a different story about his unwavering support for the oil companies funding his campaign, said the Rick Noriega campaign.

Cornyn has voted against renewable energy AT LEAST SEVEN times. Cornyn opposed the core of T. Boone Pickens plan – incentives for renewable energy development, at least twice. He has voted against extending tax credits for renewable energy and has blocked legislation that would have given a boost to the rapidly growing Texas wind power industry. Cornyn repeatedly opposed increasing production of energy from renewable sources, raising fuel efficiency standards and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

JOHN CORNYN’S RECORD AGAINST RENEWABLES

Cornyn Has Blocked Renewable Fuel Development At Least Seven Times. Cornyn consistently voted against renewable energy development. [S 3335 Vote 192, 7/30/08; HR 6049 Vote 147, 6/10/08; Vote 190, 7/29/08; Vote 222, 6/21/07; Vote 223, 6/21/07; Vote 42, 3/14/06; Vote 73, 4/29/04]

John Cornyn Blocked the Core of T. Boone Pickens’ Plan for Energy Independence – Renewable Tax Credits. The Dallas Morning News reported that “[T. Boone Pickens] might be disappointed” when Sen. John Cornyn “blocked a big tax bill that would have extended a tax credit on which wind developers rely for another year.” [Dallas Morning News, 7/31/08; S 3335 Vote# 192 7/30/08; HR 6049 Vote #147 6/10/08; #190 7/29/08;]

Cornyn Twice Voted Against A Renewable Energy Tax Package. Cornyn twice voted against a bill to that collected $29 billion from big oil in order to fund alternative energy sources. [Vote 222, 6/21/07; Vote 223, 6/21/07; Senate Finance Committee Markup, 6/19/07; Dow Jones, 6/19/07; AP, 6/19/07; Chicago Tribune, 6/21/07; The Hill, 6/22/07]

Cornyn Celebrated Rejection of Tax Incentives for Alternative Energy. Cornyn praised the blocking of an amendment offered by Senator Max Baucus that would have established $32.1 billion in tax incentives for alternative energy sources. [Vote 223, 6/21/07; Cornyn Release, 6/21/07]

• Defeat of Amendment Deemed “Victory for the Oil Industry.” The New York Times described Republican efforts to block the amendment as a “victory for the oil industry.” They reported, “In a victory for the oil industry, Republican lawmakers successfully blocked a crucial component of the Democratic plan that would have raised taxes on oil companies by about $32 billion and used the money on tax breaks for wind power, solar power, ethanol and other renewable fuels.” [Vote 223, 6/21/07; New York Times, 6/22/07]

Cornyn Voted Against Extending Renewable Energy Tax Credit. In March 2006, Cornyn voted against extending the renewable energy production tax credit for four years. The budget amendment also would have provided $4 billion for LIHEAP and other energy and conservation programs. [Vote 42, 3/14/06; Albuquerque Tribune, 3/15/06]

Cornyn Blocked Texas Wind Power Expansion. Cornyn blocked legislation that would have given a boost to the rapidly growing Texas wind power industry. The Dallas Morning News reported that the renewable energy standard—provisions that would require states to purchase 15 percent of their power from wind, solar, and other zero or low emissions sources– contained in the 2007 Energy Bill would greatly benefit Texas. They wrote, “Texas is strongly positioned to benefit from such legislation, mostly because wind farms have proliferated in recent years while credits were traded on a voluntary market. But with a new round of wind plants on the horizon, many wind developers would find new takers for their credits on a national market.” The paper reported that Cornyn had “blocked it by preventing the energy bill from going to a conference committee.” [Dallas Morning News, 11/7/07]

Cornyn Voted Against Renewable Fuel Requirements. In 2004, Cornyn voted to kill a bill that required that gasoline sold or introduced into the United States contain renewable fuel in specific amounts. [Vote 73, 4/29/04]

Cornyn Voted Against Increasing Reliance on Renewable Energy. In 2005, Cornyn voted against an amendment that mandated renewable energy sources produce at least 10 percent of the electricity sold by electric utilities by 2020, and that a minimum of 2.5 percent must be produced beginning 2008 through 2011. [Vote 141, 6/16/05; Albuquerque Tribune, 6/17/05]

Cornyn Voted Against Bill to Increase Sales of Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles, With Goal of 2.5 Million Sold Annually By 2020. In 2003, Cornyn was one of only 32 to vote against a bill that would have supported the production of 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010 and 2.5 million vehicles annually by 2020. It also required the department to establish targets for the sale of hydrogen at fueling stations and require the Energy secretary to submit an annual progress report to Congress. [Vote 212, 6/10/03]

Cornyn Voted Against Increasing CAFE Standards to 40 MPG by 2014. In 2003, Cornyn voted against increasing CAFE standards to 40 mpg by 2014. According to the League of Conservation Voters the change would have saved the country 3.1 billion barrels of oil a day. [Vote 309, 7/29/03; Washington Times, 7/30/03; www.LCV.org]

Cornyn Voted Against Boosting CAFE Standards. In 2005, Cornyn voted against mandating phased increases in CAFE standards. Passenger vehicles made before 2008 would have to average 25 mpg. The standard would gradually increase to 40 mpg by model year 2016. Non-passenger vehicles made before 2008 would have to average 17 mpg. By model year 2016, the standard would rise to an average of 27.5 mpg. [Vote 157, 6/23/05]