Truth Squad: Stevens Miller's Attacks on Tom Rust and Autism

Blue Commonwealth reported last week that Stevens Miller ran an ad attacking Del. Tom Rust by saying that he has not been an advocate for families affected by autism. Of course, the article showed Rust in a negative light by casting him as being silent on a decision.

It's difficult to comprehend why one minute Del. Rust is an advocate for this very important cause and then goes silent when it's time to "walk to the walk." This bill was not one where partisan differences played a role in it's downfall considering it had bipartisan support in both chambers. Del. Marshall and Possion both sponsored this bill after seeing specifically how autism affects both children and their families. (In the Senate Jill Holtzman Vogel took the lead with the support of her Loudoun colleague Sen. Mark Herring) Tom Rust sat on the Labor and Commerce Committee in which he could have stood up and been an advocate that he promised to be to families with autistic children. It's hard to overlook the fact that Rust supposedly supported this piece of legislation but did absolutely nothing to advance it in committee. It's also important to note the Rust even voted against the legislation after Del. Marshall forced a floor vote after the Labor and Commerce Committee sat on their hands and did nothing. In a statement Marshall noted that Rust and the committee's lack of action showed "a complete indifference" and that he had to hold legislators like Rust accountable for a "silence [that] is not a morally acceptable response to this situation."

Perhaps, it is time to take a look and establish the real truth behind the lies posed by the Democrats against Rust on autism. First, Tom Rust is not a member of the Subcommittee that was considering this bill, thus meaning he could not vote for it. Rust was in the room and presented a bill that would have greatly expanded insurance coverage in Virginia.

So, let's look at the proof:

1. Here is the bill history

It was left in subcommittee on February 3, 2009.

2.  Here are the members of the Subcommittee

Wow.  Tom Rust is not a member of this subcommittee.

3.  Being in the subcommittee room doesn’t make you part of the subcommittee.

Perhaps, Tom Rust was in the subcommittee hearing because his bill was next on the agenda.  Just like this example:

See, the truth is Tom Rust has never voted against autism.  He has always been a true advocate for families with autism.  Stevens Miller is playing into fellow Democrat Creigh Deeds' playbook of using dirty campaign tactics.