The House GOP’s political arm last week successfully pressured a liberal group to modify political ads targeting three battleground Republican incumbents, arguing that language in the TV spots was inaccurate.
The alterations to the ads were ultimately minor, and a new version of the TV spots continued to run after the changes were made. But officials at the National Republican Congressional Committee, which led the pressure effort, say their success is evidence they’ll be able to deflect some attacks from Democrats in next year’s midterms.
At issue were three ads from Environmental Defense Fund Action focusing on rising costs and cuts to Medicaid in this year’s Republican tax law. The ads were running against Republican Reps. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin and Tom Barrett of Michigan.