Explosive Report Examines 'Pay for Play' Between Sen. Reid and Arcata Associates

Defense Earmarks Totaling $3.36 million in 2 years in Return for $139,000 in Campaign Contributions

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 1001 Reasons to Vote Against Harry Reid has issued a detailed and comprehensive report on the cozy relationship between Sen. Harry Reid and Arcata Associates. Arcata is a Las Vegas-based defense contractor controlled by the Wong family whose executives have given close to $139,000 to Sen. Reid and to the Democratic Party. Sen. Reid rewarded Arcata with $3.36 million in earmarked projects in just the past two years.

Justice Brandeis once said that sunlight was the best disinfectant, because he knew that only complete transparency would keep people honest and he was right. Our research shows the contributions from the Wong family to Sen. Reid and the Democratic Party, sometimes just as Appropriations bills were filed. The particular DoD contracts awarded to Arcata appear to be questionable in nature, as President Obama requested that their particular earmark be zeroed out and the funding redirected. Instead, Sen. Reid chose to increase the funding attached to the earmark.

Our armed services deserve the best equipment, systems and support services available, and it appears that Arcata couldn't get their work funded through the competitive bidding process. If they can't compete and win contracts based on merit, Sen. Reid shouldn't give them earmarks. Defense appropriations should never be a political thank-you for campaign contributors, that is a dangerous, cynical and unethical game to play with our troops' lives.

We hope others join us in urging Sen. Reid to donate the $139,000 he and his party collected in this apparent "pay for play" to a charity that will help Nevada families recover from the hardships his economic policies have caused.

Report is here: http://www.harryreidvotes.com/buzz/Harry%20Reid's%20Pay-to-Play%20Politics.pdf

'1001 Reasons to Vote Against Harry Reid' exists online at http://www.harryreidvotes.com for the purpose of educating the public about Senator Reid's voting record and raising the funds necessary to finance television and radio ads this fall. It is an independent 527 committee chaired by Nevada resident and former U.S. Senate candidate Danny Tarkanian. Voters are encouraged to visit the HarryReidVotes.com website and use the interactive quiz function http://www.harryreidvotes.com/quiz/ to see how their views align with Senator Reid's votes.

Contact: Audrey Mullen at 703-548-1160

SOURCE 1001 Reasons to Vote Against Harry Reid