New Ads Call on Scott Brown, Claire McCaskill to "Protect the People, Not the Polluters."

League of Women Voters launches seven-figure television ad blitz and online campaign criticizing votes by Massachusetts Senator Brown and Missouri Senator McCaskill to block air pollution standards

April 29, 2011 - Washington, DC: The League of Women Voters today launched a seven-figure television ad campaign calling public attention to the votes by Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) and Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) earlier this month to block new air pollution standards. The accountability ads call on both Senators to “protect the people, not the polluters.”

“Air pollution is a life or death issue. Senators Brown and McCaskill cast dangerous votes that put public health at risk,” said Elisabeth MacNamara, national president of the League of Women Voters.  “In 2010, according to the EPA, the Clean Air Act saved the lives of 160,000 adults and 230 infants.  Clean Air Act protections also prevented 130,000 non-fatal heart attacks, 86,000 emergency room visits, and 1.7 million acute asthma attacks that year alone.  Voting to block clean air standards is bad for America and deadly for many Americans.”

On April 4, days before the Senate votes, the American Medical Association warned doctors that increased levels of carbon dioxide, ozone, and other greenhouse gas pollutants make chronic conditions like heart disease and asthma worse.

The campaign includes 30-second spots that point to the public health consequences of the Senators’ April 6 votes. The ads depict a child suffering from respiratory illness and ask viewers to consider the votes and “imagine what it could’ve done – to her.”

The television ads in Massachusetts and Missouri will run at a significant level to ensure that millions of citizens will see this important message several times in the coming weeks. In addition to the television ads, a six-figure online campaign will also target high traffic in-state websites and social media outlets.

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts and the League of Women Voters Missouri joined in this effort. To view the ad airing on Massachusetts television and cable, click HERE. To view the ad running on Missouri television and cable click HERE.

About the League of Women Voters: The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League has been a strong and active supporter of the Clean Air Act since its enactment in 1970.

AD URLs:
MA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vTd9nmSpbI
MO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0arWhRuXUc

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