Conservative group targets Spanberger, Luria in new ads ahead of reconciliation bill

The American Action Network released two ads targeting Virginia Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D) and Elaine Luria (D) on Friday, pressuring them to vote against against House Democrats’ multitrillion-dollar reconciliation package. 

The two 30-second spots, which will air for three weeks leading up to the vote in Virginia’s 2nd and 7th Congressional Districts, cite higher prices as a reason to not vote for the legislation. 

The ads come as Republicans set their sights on Luria and Spanberger, who could face uphill reelection bids in the 2022 midterms. 

The House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday voted 24-19 to advance the $3.5 trillion package, with all Republicans and Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) voting against the measure, which calls for raising taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations in order to pay for the investments in the bill.

Murphy, who also could face an uphill reelection bid, said that some of the tax and spending provisions in the package gave her “pause” and as a result she could not “vote for the bill at this early stage.”

But Murphy said she was optimistic the final version of the package “will be appropriately targeted and fiscally responsible — paid for by tax provisions that promote fairness but do not hurt working families.”

The House Budget Committee is now set to mark up the section of the legislation that the Ways and Means Committee approved, in addition to other parts drafted by other House panels. 

House leadership is hoping to pass the legislation by the end of the month, but modifications and changes are expected to come up as party leaders seek to appease moderates and progressives in the party.