Two Press Releases from Candidate Thom Tillis | Eastern North Carolina Now

For Immediate release:

Tillis Asks Hagan To Reconsider Turning Down Debate Hosted By TWC News/Raleigh N&O/Charlotte Observer
    Raleigh, N.C.     Today, Thom Tillis sent a letter to Senator Kay Hagan encouraging her to accept the debate invitation from TWC News, The Raleigh News & Observer, and The Charlotte Observer, and to also reconsider her position on the five other debate invitations from other major media outlets and professional organizations she has previously declined.

    Last night, TWC News announced that Thom Tillis accepted and Kay Hagan declined an invitation to participate in a televised debate hosted by TWC News, The Raleigh News & Observer, and The Charlotte Observer on October 21st.

    Hagan's decision to decline the debate invitation "surprised" political observers because the race is so close:

    NC State political science professor Andy Taylor: "The incumbent being better known than the challenger and the incumbent having a lead over the challenger—the two things that tend to make incumbents shy away from debates aren't present here." [TWC News, 9/8/14]

    TWC News noted that in 2008, Kay Hagan repeatedly pressured her opponent for more debates, once claiming she would debate anywhere and anytime:

    "'We've accepted three debates with Dole, and at least ten other [possible hosts] have been calling us,' says Hagan, a five-term state senator. Dole has yet to agree to any debates. 'We finally told them, 'When you talk to Dole, let us know and we'll be there.'" [The New Republic, 10/17/08]

    The full copy of Tillis' letter to Senator Hagan:

    September 9, 2014

    Dear Senator Hagan,

    I would first like to thank you for an outstanding debate last Wednesday hosted by the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters. It gave North Carolinians a rare opportunity to hear directly from their U.S. Senate candidates on a number of important issues outside the filters of media consultants and 30-second television ads.

    Several months ago, I accepted an invitation for a debate to be hosted by TWC News, The Raleigh News & Observer, and The Charlotte Observer. Participating in a debate hosted by a respected statewide television news channel in addition to the state's two largest newspapers would help significantly increase the interest surrounding our race, which could very well determine the control of the U.S. Senate.

    I hope you will promptly accept this invitation so both campaigns can work on finalizing the details of the debate.

    Additionally, due to the large viewership and vast interest of the first U.S. Senate debate hosted by the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters, I kindly ask you to also reconsider your position of declining the five other debate invitations from major media outlets and professional organizations.

    WGHP-TV/Greensboro News & Record/Winston-Salem Journal

   •  WLOS-TV
   •  AARP
   •  N.C. Bankers Association
   •  N.C. Medical Society

    I look forward to hearing your response, and hope you will join me in giving North Carolinians as many opportunities as possible to hear from their U.S. Senate candidates in this pivotal race.

    Sincerely,

    Thom Tillis

Tillis Statement On The President's Delay Of Executive Amnesty Until After The Election

    Wilson, N.C.     Following news that President Obama will delay executive amnesty until after November's election, Thom Tillis issued the following statement:

    "President Obama's decision to delay executive amnesty for illegal immigrants until after Election Day doesn't change the fact that Kay Hagan supports amnesty and has repeatedly voted against securing the border. When Senator Hagan had the opportunity to cross party lines and stop executive amnesty, she sided with President Obama instead of the people of North Carolina, yet another example of her saying one thing on the campaign trail but doing another in Washington. North Carolina deserves a senator who will stand up to President Obama's failed policies by opposing amnesty and working to secure the border once and for all."

    BACKGROUND

    While Hagan Claims She Is Opposed To President Obama Unilaterally Granting Amnesty, She Voted To Block A Vote On An Amendment That Would Have Effectively Prevented Obama From Granting Executive Amnesty.

    "Sessions, R-Ala., motion to table (kill) the Reid, D-Nev., amendment no. 3751 that would delay the enactment date by one day." (S. 2648, CQ Vote #251: Motion rejected 43-52: R 42-0; D 1-50; I 0-2, 7/31/14, Hagan Voted Nay)

    SEN. SESSIONS: "So I move to table the Reid amendment on the tree, 3751, for the purpose of offering the Cruz amendment. That amendment would prohibit the President of the United States from expending any funds to unilaterally provide amnesty and work authorizations for millions of people as has been reported in the press. The Cruz amendment is No. 3720." (Sen. Jeff Sessions, Congressional Record, 7/31/14, p. S5204)

    In 2009, Hagan Voted Against Legislation Requiring The Completion Of A 700-mile Southern Border Fence That Would Help Stop The Flow Of Illegal Immigration. "To require the completion of at least 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the southwest border by December 31, 2010." (S.Amdt. 1399 to S.Amdt. 1373 to H.R. 2892, Roll Call Vote #220: Adopted 54-44, 7/8/09, Hagan Voted Nay)

    In 2013, Hagan Voted For The Senate's Immigration Bill That Gave Amnesty To Illegal Immigrants, And Voted Against Several Amendments That Would Have Required Securing The Border First Before Granting Legal Status To Illegal Immigrants:

    Hagan voted against an amendment that would have required the completion of 350 miles of reinforced, double-layered fencing along the southern border. "To require the completion of the 350 miles of reinforced, double-layered fencing described in section 102(b)(1)(A) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 before registered provisional immigrant status may be granted and to require the completion of 700 miles of such fencing before the status of registered provisional immigrants may be adjusted to permanent resident status." (S.Amdt. 1197 To S. 744, Roll Call #151: Amendment Rejected 39-54-7, 6/18/13, Hagan Voted Nay)

    Hagan voted to table an amendment that would have required the Department of Homeland Security to have effective control over the southern border for six months before beginning the legalization process for illegal immigrants. "To prohibit the granting of registered provisional immigrant status until the Secretary has maintained effective control of the borders for 6 months." (S.Amdt. 1195 to S. 744, Roll Call #148, Motion To Table Agreed To 57-43, 6/19/13, Hagan Voted Yea)

    Hagan voted to table an amendment that would have required the Department of Homeland Security to build hundreds of miles of double-layered fencing along the southern border within five years and required the Department to submit yearly status reports to Congress. "To provide for enhanced border security, including strong border security metrics and congressional votes on border security and for other purposes." (S.Amdt. 1200 to S. 744, Roll Call Vote #154, Motion To Table Agreed To 61-37-2, 6/19/13, Hagan Voted Yea)

    Contact: Daniel Keylin
       daniel@thomtillis.com