For Immediate Release
May 26, 2010

Halter Takes to Airwaves to Tout Social Security Credentials

Highlights Lincoln’s vote to cut Social Security, Medicare

North Little Rock – The Halter for Senate campaign has released a new TV ad, "Friends", that features Social Security recipients who have known Bill Halter—including his father, Bill Halter, Sr.—and trust him to protect their Social Security and Medicare benefits. Lt. Gov. Bill Halter Jr. served as Deputy Commissioner of Social Security under President Bill Clinton.

The ad can be viewed on the campaign's website at www.billhalter.com/friends.

Also, discussed in the ad is a 1994 vote by Blanche Lincoln, then a Member of Congress, that would have placed Social Security on the chopping block. Lincoln was one of just 37 House members to vote for the Stenholm Amendment to HR 4604 to set caps on all entitlement spending (including Social Security and Medicare) for FY 1996-2000. This would have resulted in $150 billion in cuts below projections. The amendment would also require automatic cuts in all programs (including Social Security) if Congress failed to pass reconciliation legislation to prevent spending from exceeding the caps. (H.AMDT.772 to H.R.4604; Roll Call 344, 7/21/94)

Text of the ad follows:

"KATHY CLAUSSEN:
I’ve known Bill Halter for 40 years.

PHOEBE COLLINS:
I trust Bill.

OCTAVIOUS WARE:
I know Bill Halter.

PHOEBE COLLINS:
It’s no wonder President Clinton put Bill in charge of Social Security.

KATHY CLAUSSEN:
Bill fought Bush’s plan to privatize it.

LAURENCE PARRISH:
…and wouldn’t let Wall Street gamble with our retirement.

OCTAVIOUS WARE:
And Bill will never do what Blanche Lincoln did.

KATHY CLAUSSEN:
Vote to cut Medicare and Social Security.

PHOEBE COLLINS:
Otherwise he’ll be hearing from me.

LAURENCE PARRISH:
And me.

JOAN DABNEY:
And me.

BILL HALTER, SR:
And especially me!

HALTER:
I’m Bill Halter and I approve this message."