Subject: Corker Top Hits update
From: "Haxo, Chris" <[email-masked]>
To: "Brinster, Jeremy" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2016 17:37:49 -0700

sorry having trouble attaching the file from my personal comp...

Bob Corker Top Hits

Bad For Women

WHEN BOB CORKER FIRST RAN FOR SENATE 1994, HE BELIEVED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULDN’T BE INVOLVED IN A WOMAN’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE, BUT HE HAD CHANGED HIS POSITION WHEN HE RAN AGAIN IN 2006

“In 1994, [Corker] Said Abortion Was Not A Government Issue But Now Says He Was Wrong.” [The Tennessean, 7/9/06]

After Losing His 1994 Race For The GOP Senatorial Nomination, Bob Corker Changed His Stance On Abortion To Being Pro-Life, After Previously Saying Government Shouldn’t Be Involved In Access To Women’s Health. “Abortion has become a centerpiece issue in the Republican race in which all three major candidates describe themselves as pro-life. The primary election to fill Bill Frist's Senate seat is Aug. 3. In 1994, during a previous bid for the U.S. Senate, Corker said that while he was personally pro-life, he did not believe it was a government issue. He was wrong then, Corker said.” [The Tennessean, 7/9/06]

IN 1995, BOB CORKER, THEN STATE FINANCE COMMISSIONER, BLOCKED A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE PROHIBITED STATE TAX DOLLARS BEING USED ON ABORTION

Bob Corker Has Been Criticized For Blocking An Amendment To The 1995 Tennessee State Budget That Would Have Prohibited The Use Of State Tax Dollars On Abortion. “Corker also has drawn the ire of some Republicans over a flap when he was state finance commissioner in 1995 under former Gov. Don Sundquist. His critics claim that he blocked an amendment to the state budget that year that would prohibit the use of state tax dollars on abortions. ‘I remember he being mad and thinking I was playing politics with it,’ said the man who brought him the amendment, state Rep. Bill Dunn. Corker's opposition surprised Dunn because he figured Sundquist would support such a measure just as he had on the federal level when he was in Congress, said Dunn, a Republican from Knoxville. Corker's recollection is different. ‘I told him I agreed very much with what he wanted to do, but I knew no way the amendment would pass at the 11th hour,’ Corker said. He suggested to Dunn that he try again the next year. Bryant doesn't buy that explanation: ‘I'd like to respond that you're pro-life 24 hours a day, and if you're pro-life, very often the 11th hour is when you have to be strongest.’ ‘Bob Corker's track record is pro-abortion,’ Harris said. ‘When he had opportunities to move forward pro-life protections and agendas, he did otherwise.’” [Tennessean, 7/9/06]

IN 2006, BOB CORKER SAID HE OPPOSED ABORTION EXCEPT WHEN THE MOTHER’S LIFE IS IN DANGER AND CASES OF RAPE AND INCEST…

The Tennessean: “Bob Corker… Opposes Legalized Abortion Except When Mother's Life Is In Danger, Cases Of Rape Or Incest.” [The Tennessean, 7/9/06]

…AND THAT LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION

Bob Corker Said Life Begins As Conception. “‘Since that time, certainly, I've served in the public arena. I understand the issue in a totally different light and realize it's about protecting the unborn,’ Corker said last week. ‘I personally believe that life begins at conception and believe we should protect the unborn. I am pro-life.’” [The Tennessean, 7/9/06]

BOB CORKER SAID HIS DAUGHTERS CAUSED HIM TO CHANGE HIS MIND…

Bob Corker Said That His Daughters Changed His Mind On Abortion. “Corker said his change of heart, which occurred seven or eight years ago, is sincere. In 1994, ‘I was looking at it more from a perspective of laws governing the adult versus protecting the unborn,’ he said. Since that time, he has served in public office and raised two daughters. ‘I cherish their lives,’ he said. ‘A deep appreciation for life and probably a deepening spirituality that has continued through the years ... calls me to be where I am today.’” [The Tennessean, 7/9/06]

…AND SUPPORTED ABSTINENCE-ONLY EDUCATION…

Bob Corker Supported Abstinence-Only Education. “The Bob Corker for Senate campaign on Wednesday announced the creation of the Corker Pro-life Leadership Council and the endorsement of a number of pro-life leaders from across the state. ‘I am honored to have support from such a broad group of pro-life leaders from all parts of Tennessee. In the Senate, I will support our pro-life agenda and will work hard to encourage a culture of life with programs like abstinence only education in our schools and the promotion of adoption,’ said Corker.” [Chattanoogan, 6/28/06<http://chattanoogan.com/2006/6/28/88308/Corker-Forms-Pro-Life-Leadership-Council.aspx>]

...CALLING ROE .V WADE JUDICAL OVERSTEPPING…

Bob Corker Called Roe V. Wade “Judicial Overstepping.” “Corker said 6/21 he ‘was wrong 12 years ago’ when he said he didn't ‘think abortion’ was a gov't issue.  Corker: ‘It was wrong to say what I said in 1994. I don't think anybody in this race is more pro-life than Bob Corker.’ Corker said in '94 he was ‘personally prolife,’ adding he ‘misunderstood the issue’ and ‘since then has considered the matter’ to be about ‘protecting life.’  Corker also said Roe v. Wade is ‘judicial overstepping.’” [Knoxville News Sentinel, 6/22/06]

…AND COSPONSORING LEGISLATION THAT REQUIRED PHYSICIANS TO CONDUCT ULTRASOUNDS BEFORE PERFORMING AN ABORTION…

Bob Corker Believed That Physicians Should Be Required To Conduct An Ultrasound Before Performing An Abortion. Requiring Ultrasound Informed Consent: Senator Corker cosponsored a measure that would require a physician, prior to performing an abortion, to perform an ultrasound. This legislation would allow the woman to have the option to view the ultrasound and receive the results prior to receiving an abortion. [Press Release, Office Of Senator Corker, 1/22/10<http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/f93b78f4-a54a-463a-a1e2-fbcc3049accc/Protecting%20the%20Unborn.pdf>]

...IN ADDITION COSPONSORING A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE DEFUNDED PLANNED PARENTHOOD…

Bob Corker Co-Sponsored A Bill To Defund Planned Parenthood. [Govtrack.us, 7/28/15<https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s1881>]

…AND TRYING TO STOP MINORS FROM GOING ACROSS STATE LINES TO RECEIVE SAFE ABORTIONS

Bob Corker Supported Increasing Funding To Prohibit Minors Being Take Across State Lines For An Abortion. “Supporting an Increase in Funding to Prohibit Minors From Being Taken Across State Lines for an Abortion. Senator Corker voted in favor of an amendment to increase funding for the vigorous enforcement of a prohibition against taking minors across state lines for an abortion without parental consent.” [Press Release, Office Of Senator Corker, 1/22/10<http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/f93b78f4-a54a-463a-a1e2-fbcc3049accc/Protecting%20the%20Unborn.pdf>]

Contraception

BOB CORKER HAS STOOD BY EMPLOYERS WHO DENY WOMEN BIRTH CONTROL

Bob Corker Voted To Allow Employers To Not Provide Federally Mandated Health Benefits Such As Contraception. “In a debate viewed largely as fodder for November’s general elections, the Senate last week defeated a measure on health insurance mandates. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., had proposed that employers be excused from providing federally mandated health benefits on religious or moral grounds... Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Bob Corker, R-Tenn., voted for the Blunt amendment.” [Columbia Herald, 3/4/12<http://columbiadailyherald.com/sections/news/state/senate-rejects-contraception-measure.html>]

Bob Corker Supported The Supreme Court’s Decision In Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. That Struck Down The Contraceptive Mandate Requiring Employers To Provide Contraceptives To Women Employees. “’Today’s Supreme Court ruling affirms the government cannot disregard the freedom of religion and force private business owners to ignore the core tenets of their beliefs,’ said Corker. In 2012, Corker cosponsored The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, legislation introduced by Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) that would ensure no mandate in the health care law would force anyone to violate their religious beliefs.” [Press Release, Office Of Senator Corker, 6/30/14<http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ID=710912ED-9DDA-4D4D-9730-B1153F24A072>]

Equal Pay

BOB CORKER VOTED AGAINST EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN

Bob Corker Voted Against The Paycheck Fairness Act. [Govtrack.us, 4/9/14<https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/113-2014/s103>]

When Voting Against The Paycheck Fairness Act, Bob Corker Cited That “Pay Discrimination Is Already Illegal.” “Pay discrimination already is illegal, as it should be, and unfortunately this bill does not advance that cause but instead enriches trial lawyers rather than assist those who experience discrimination," said Corker. "As an employer, I take very seriously gender discrimination and believe we should continue to strive toward eliminating all types of workplace discrimination. [WBIR, 4/10/14]

Bad For LGBT

After The New Jersey Supreme Court Ruled In Favor Of Gay Marriage, Bob Corker Criticized The Court’s Judicial Activism For Hurting The Sanctity Of Marriage. Bob Corker: “Today’s decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court is yet one more example of activist, liberal judges creating bad law from the bench. I voted on the first day of early voting to prohibit same sex marriage because it protects not just the sanctity of marriage between a man and women, but upholds the views and values of the vast majority of Tennesseans.” [Chattanoogan, 10/25/06]

After The Supreme Court Ruled In Favor Of Gay Marriage, Bob Corker Said Thought States Must Grant Same Sex Marriages. Bob Corker: "Although I support the ability of our citizens to define marriage in Tennessee, the Court has ruled that states must grant same-sex marriages, and going forward, I hope we continue to ensure the religious beliefs of all Americans are respected." [Fox 10, 6/26/16<http://www.fox10tv.com/story/29416963/tn-politicians-react-to-same-sex-marriage-ruling>]

Bob Corker Voted Against The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Which Would Have Outlawed Employer Discrimination On The Basis Of Sexual Or Gender Identification. “Corker said that while he believes ‘discrimination in the workplace is wrong,’ he felt the act intruded on First Amendment rights on freedom of speech and religion that ‘guarantee significant room for every individual to hold, express and organize around their beliefs.’ The junior senator [Bob Corker] added that the act ‘goes too far in encroaching on that space, and would have significant legal implications for individual Americans, their businesses and the groups they choose to join to carry out religious missions and participate in the public debate.’” [The Leaf Chronicle, 11/8/13]

Bob Corker Voted Against Al Franken’s Amendment To The Every Student Succeeds Act That Would Have Prohibited Discrimination In Schools On The Basis Of Sexual Or Gender Identification. [no citation…]