AFP ad: Bill Nelson is standing in the way of a simple, fair tax system

Bill Nelson urges Puerto Rico evacuees from Hurricane Maria to register to vote.

Americans for Prosperity is upping attention on Florida’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson for the congressional budget fight Wednesday by launching an internet commercial declaring that he is standing in the way of a “simple, fair tax system.”

The conservative organization is including Nelson, through its Americans for Prosperity-Florida affiliate, as a target in a nationwide, multi-million dollar advertising buy that targets a handful of U.S. Senators, including Republicans, who’ve shown some interest in tax reform but appear unlikely to support the Republican budget plan that includes language-making sweeping tax reform possible.

Among others being targeted: U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat; Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat; and John McCain, an Arizona Republican. On Tuesday Americans for Prosperity, a political advocacy group founded and heavily funded by David H. Koch and Charles Koch, released a letter sent to Nelson and the other senators urging them to vote yes on the Republican proposal.

The new ad features a woman talking into the camera, saying, “People are sick of politics. I am too. But fixing our broken tax system isn’t about politics – it’s about helping people. It means the powerful, the well-connected, the politicians — they’ll stop benefiting from a rigged system. It means everyday Americans will have more to spend on what’s important to them. That’s what tax reform will do. So, what’s stopping us?”

The answer comes next, with a picture of Nelson, and the statement, “Senator Nelson is standing in the way of a simple, fair tax system.”

“Nelson has hinted at being willing to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to reform the tax code to make it more fair and efficient,” AFP-FL State Director Chris Hudson stated in a news release issued by his organization. “This is a once in a generation opportunity that deserves his full endorsement immediately. It’s time for him to help pass tax reform and not obstruct the process any further. Our activists are ready to make sure that Senator Nelson does not get in the way.”