Hartford, CT. February 2, 2012. – Brian K. Hill, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate finds Chris Shays positions interesting, to say the least. “Although I agree with each of the platform items he shared with the Darien Times (http://www.darientimes.com/news/darien-features/local-news/5002245-shays-calling-for-a-revolution-details-us-senate-goals.html), we are also keenly aware that his past voting record is not in as much agreement with what he said yesterday.  Investigating his voting record we found precious few instances where he voted to cut government expenditures except, for example, where he voted to reduce government spending, in support of welfare reform. However, we found numerous bills that he supported that had multi-billion dollar expenditures, including the funding of the war in Iraq and “No Child Left Behind”, without even a hint of economic offset.” Mr. Hill was quoted as saying. “And that doesn’t even begin to include one of the largest expenditure bills, the bill that created the TARP Program that doled out $700 billion to shore up failed banks who made bad loans, that he voted in favor of twice in 2008.”  Chris Shays, Republican candidate for U.S Senate enumerated a platform of conservative ideas for economic growth in America. These centered around cutting the federal budget, removing cumbersome regulation from business and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

Mr. Shays also took a strong stand against intrusive government regulation, yet voted for every increase in the minimum wage presented to Congress, beginning in 1996. One could say that there is no regulation more intrusive to business than that one that sets an employer’s compensation levels. “The most sensible way to increase the wages of all wage earners is to improve the overall economy, reducing unemployment creating a climate where there is natural competition for workers, which drives up wages.” Mr. Hill said.

“Finally, and most interestingly, Mr. Shays expressed his intention to act in a way that diminishes the country’s dependence on foreign oil and gas imports. In direct contradiction to this, in

August of 2001 he voted to extend the prohibition on drilling for oil in the Alaska National Wildlife Preserve (ANWR), while in October of 2005 he voted against the “Gasoline for American Security Act” which empowered the President to open Federal land for the building of refineries, and in May of 2006 voted to continue the prohibition of drilling for oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf.”, said Hill.

“On the other hand, I am the ONLY candidate who can honestly say he reduced a dime of federal spending himself. In the last four of my 12 years of military service, I worked in the area of military contract law, in the Judge Advocate General’s Office. While serving in this capacity, I worked first hand in reducing waste in military procurement, and reduced unnecessary government spending.  This experience makes me uniquely qualified as a “federal budget cutter”, if for no other reason than the fact I DID cut government spending first hand.” Said Brian K. Hill