According to 60 Plus Association‘s 2016 Q1 Lobbying Disclosure Report, there are a lot of strange things this “seniors” group is lobbying for:

• Support of off-shore drilling legislation
• Support for Domestic Energy Exploration
• Support access to oil and natural gas reserves in all areas of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf
• Support for energy independence
• Support for Keystone Pipeline
• Support CURB Lifeline Act of 2016
• Oppose extending expiring renewable energy provisions related to FAA reauthorization
• Support for Puerto Rico bondholders who have invested in Puerto Rico bonds
• Opposition to resurrecting the Export Import Bank

Seniors are worried about their health care, social security, and retirement–not whether oil and gas billionaires are getting a fair break.

But that’s not what 60 Plus Association is focused on. Could it have anything to do with the tens of million of dollars the Koch brothers have given to this front group to distort issues, run attack ads, and mislead senior voters?

Very likely.

Notorious For Distorting The Issues And Misleading Voters

60 Plus Was Noted By AARP For Waging An “Intentional Scare Campaign” Against the ACA

AARP Exec. V.P. Of Policy John Rother: 60 Plus Targeted Seniors In An “Intentional Scare Campaign” Against the ACA, Even Though The Changes Would Be Good For Seniors. According to an interview from the Rachel Maddow Show with Rachel Maddow and AARP Exec. V.P. Of Policy John Rother, Maddow said, “You know, everybody is being hit with misinformation about health care reform. But one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you, Mr. Rother, is because it seems like seniors are being targeted with some of the scariest allegations [from groups like 60 Plus]. Do you think that is by design, that older people are being singled out for this type of — these types of scare tactics? Have you seen this kind of strategy before? ROTHER: I don`t think you can look at those commercials and not conclude that seniors are the target of a very intentional scare campaign. And many seniors, of course, are worried about change because they depend on Medicare. They are perhaps not in the greatest of health, and they definitely want to know that Medicare will be there, their doctor will be there when they need it. So, change can be a little scary. On the other hand, when we`ve looked at this bill and we read every page, we`ve concluded that the bills proposed in the Congress would be good for seniors, would actually help them afford their medications better, make sure that doctors are there when they need them. So, we feel there`s nothing to be scared about in the actual legislation.” [MSNBC Rachel Maddow Show with Rachel Maddow transcript accessed via Nexis, 8/10/11]

60 Plus’ Anti-ACA Commercial Rehashed “Former Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin’s Controversial And False Claims Of Government-Sponsored ‘Death Panels.’” According to the New Pittsburg Courier, “The commercial was produced by health care reform opponent 60 Plus Association, a nonprofit organization that bills itself as the ‘conservative alternative to AAKP [sic].’ That advertisement goes on to claim that America’s seniors will endure longer waits for care and that cuts will be made to vital medical tests such as cat scans and MRIs. It also rehashes former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s controversial and false claims of government-sponsored ‘death panels’ by saying that the government will decide aif [sic] older patients are worth the cost.” [New Pittsburg Courier, 8/21/09]

60 Plus’ Ad Campaign Saying That The New Health Care Law Will Cut $500 Billion From Medicare Was Rated As “Barely True” By Politifact Who Added The Ads “Seemed More Intent On Attacking The Health Care Law Than Accurately Describing This Complicated Piece Of Legislation.” According to Politifact, “Getting back to the Truth-O-Meter, the 60 Plus ad says that the new health care law ‘will cut $500 billion from Medicare. That will hurt the quality of our care.’ The ad loses points for accuracy because the $500 billion aren’t actual cuts but reductions to future spending for a program that will still grow significantly in the next 10 years. The ad also says those cuts will ‘hurt the quality’ of seniors’ care. But we find that to be a highly contentious subject, and the 60 Plus ad doesn’t hint at any of the ways that the reductions are ways to make Medicare more efficient. Finally, the ad doesn’t mention any of the benefits to seniors, such as improved prescription drug coverage. The ad seems more intent on attacking the health care law than accurately describing this complicated piece of legislation. Because it leaves critical facts out of its description in a way that gives a misleading impression, we rate the statement Barely True.” [Politifact, 9/20/10]

60 Plus Had A Anti-Healthcare Reform Ad Featuring A Vet Concerned “Obamacare Will Take Away The Freedoms That He And Thousands Of Americans Fought So Hard To Protect.”  According to 60 Plus, “The 60 Plus Association, nationally recognized as the conservative alternative to the liberal AARP, today launched a new nationwide television ad that advocates the repeal of healthcare reform. The 60-second ad features Philip Storer, a World War II veteran who is concerned Obamacare will take away the freedoms that he and thousands of Americans fought so hard to protect.” [60 Plus, 10/28/10]

• Fact Check Referred To 60 Plus’ Claims As “Over The Top,” “Unsubstantiated Hyperbole.” According to FactCheck.org, “Speaking of over-the-top claims, this week the 60 Plus Association launched a minute-long spot that has a World War II veteran claiming ‘your freedoms will be chipped away’ if the health care law isn’t repealed. Philip Storer tells viewers that he ‘was one of thousands that landed on D-Day. We fought to protect something we all hold very dear, our freedoms.’ Now, Storer says, those freedoms are “threatened” by this “government takeover of health care.” We contacted 60 Plus to ask what basis the group had for those claims. We haven’t yet received a response. […]  We put the ‘freedoms’ claim in the growing category of unsubstantiated hyperbole.” [FactCheck.org, 10/28/10]

60 Plus Spokesman Pat Boone Campaigned For Rep. Paul Ryan’s Medicare Plan, “Which Would Transform Medicare From A Fee-For-Service Health Coverage Provider To A Supplier Of Direct Checks To Seniors.” According to the Atlantic, “Now, Boone is campaigning for Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wisc.) Medicare plan, which would transform Medicare from a fee-for-service health coverage provider to a supplier of direct checks to seniors. Under Ryan’s plan, seniors would get ‘premium support’ payments to buy private insurance from a list of government-approved plans. ‘Harry Reid and his cohorts are not fooling seniors with the ‘Medi-scare’ tactics. Rep. Ryan’s budget will not end Medicare. Instead, it will preserve the offerings of this program for our children and grandchildren,’ Boone wrote in a 60 Plus press release Friday morning.” [The Atlantic,5/27/11]

60 Plus Has Engaged In A “Campaign Of Deception” On Solar Energy To Proect Their Fossil Fuel Benefactors

Tampa Bay Times Editorial: 60 Plus Has Spent $100,000 To Support A Florida Constitutional Amendment Aimed At “Killing The Solar Amendment And Protecting Their Monopolies.”  According to a Tampa Bay Times Editorial, “Here is a glimpse at just how badly the utilities want to kill a constitutional amendment that would expand access to solar power in a state that desperately needs a shift in energy policy. They are not just voicing their opposition in court; they are putting big money behind the opponents. The utilities already have contributed nearly $300,000 to support a competing constitutional amendment aimed at confusing voters, killing the solar amendment and protecting their monopolies. […] As the campaigns unfold, Florida voters will be caught in the middle of what has become a proxy fight between national players. The 60 Plus Association, a conservative nonprofit in Virginia, has contributed $100,000 to the pro-utility amendment.” [Tampa Bay Times Editorial, 9/14/15]

60 Plus Said The Smart Solar Amendment “Provides Consumer Protections That Directly Benefit Seniors.” According to a blog post by Phil Ammann from Saint Peters Blog, “Supporters of Smart Solar say it guarantees essential consumer protections while ensuring increased access to the newest solar technology. 60 Plus says the Amendment – officially called the Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy – provides consumer protections that directly benefit seniors.” [Saint Peters Blog – Phil Ammann,7/30/15]

• Conservative Grassroots Activist Claimed 60 Plus Is Engaging In A Campaign Of Deception Because Their Donors Have Extensive Fossil Fuel Holdings And Prefer To Eliminate Competition From Other Energy Forms. According to an article from Breitbart News, “Floridians for Solar Choice countered 60 Plus’ response with an email rebuttle from conservative grassroots activist Debbie Dooley: It is not surprising to learn 60 Plus is joining the campaign of deception being led by government created monopolies. 60 Plus is funded by groups whose donors have extensive fossil fuel holdings that prefer not to have competition from other energy forms.” [Breitbart News,8/7/15]

• 60 Plus Strongly Opposes Regulation, But In Florida They Are Joining With Monopolies To Keep Regulations That Deny Floridians Choice In Who They Purchase Their Power From. According to an article from Breitbart News, “60 Plus strongly opposes excessive EPA Regulation and rightly so. It is unfortunate that in Florida, they are joining with the monopolies to keep regulation in place that denies Floridians choice in who they purchase their power from and the right to engage in commerce with excess power generated on private property. They are joining with Florida Power and Light and others that appear to believe solar should be regulated under the guise of consumer protection. Consumers are not protected now with a PSC under the influence of utilities. Don’t conservatives believe the ultimate consumer protection comes from free market choice?  Principled conservatives work to remove regulations-not keep regulations in place.” [Breitbart News, 8/7/15]

Run Attack Ads

“The Bulk Of The Group’s Electioneering Is Focused On Dishonest Ads Attacking Democrats For Supporting Healthcare Reform.” According to Conservative Transparency, “The bulk of the group’s electioneering is focused on dishonest ads attacking Democrats for supporting healthcare reform. A 2009 ad, for example, claimed that health reform would, among other things, mean “government, not doctors, will decide if older patients are worth the cost.” Factcheck.org, a site that analyzes political ads, found the spot’s claim to be “mostly false.” A 2011 ad targeting Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, for example, alleged the Independent Payment Advisory Board set up under the Affordable Care Act was “a Medicare IRS with the power to cut Medicare to pay for new government programs.” The fact checking site PolitiFact gave the ad its worst rating of “Pants on Fire.” [Conservative Transparency, Accessed 7/22/15]

60 Plus “Ran Ads In The Arizona Republican Gubernatorial Primary Attacking Opponents Of The Eventual Nominee Doug Ducey.” According to the Huffington Post, “The 60 Plus Association appears to have maintained a place in the orbit of Noble, who was excommunicated from the Koch network following his involvement in the California investigation and his exorbitant consulting fees. The seniors group ran ads in the Arizona Republican gubernatorial primary attacking opponents of the eventual nominee Doug Ducey. What remains of Noble’s nonprofit network had mobilized outside support for Ducey.” [Huffington Post, 9/12/14]

60 Plus “Targeted” Democratic Candidate For Secretary Of State, Terry Goddard, With $304,000 With Of Ads.  According to the Arizona Daily Star, “With a week left before the election, Terry Goddard says he has a stable of elected leaders backing his plans to address dark-money spending in Arizona. The Democratic candidate for secretary of state announced his coalition of lawmakers — all members of the Democratic minority in the Legislature — willing to sponsor his legislation in the next session. […] Goddard’s announcement comes only a few days after a dark-money-funded group, the 60 Plus Association, targeted him with $304,000 in critical advertising.” [Arizona Daily Star, 10/28/14]

60 Plus Association Had TV And Radio Advertisements In Seven States Targeting Senate Banking Committee Members Supporting The Bipartisan Johnson-Crapo Legislation. According to a 60 Plus Press Release, “The 60 Plus Association today released TV and radio advertisements in seven states targeting Senate Banking Committee Members who are sponsoring recently introduced legislation that will allow the government to take over the mortgage industry in an action ‘disturbingly similar’ to Obamacare. 60 Plus targeted three Democrat and four Republican U.S. Senators supporting this government take-over, including Joe Manchin (D-WV), Mark Warner (D-VA), Kay Hagan (D-NC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Dean Heller (R-NV), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Jerry Moran (R-KS). You can view the TV advertisement here: www.youtube.com/60plusassociation. The plan, proposed by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Ranking Member Crapo, and supported by President Barack Obama, dismisses all current shareholder investments in Fannie and Freddie and wipes out ordinary investors. 60 Plus Chairman Jim Martin stressed his organization’s concerns, saying, ‘These investors include retirees, teachers, police officers, and firefighters who will lose retirement savings while the government sucks all the profits. The Johnson-Crapo legislation would also codify the Treasury’s Third Amendment that has confiscated all money due to Fannie and Freddie’s private shareholders.’” [60 Plus Association,3/31/14]

60 Plus Spent More Than $4.6 Million To Support Republicans And Oppose Democrats In 2012. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, 60 Plus Association spent $4,615,892 on independent expenditures in the 2012 elections. Of that total, $3,191,287 was spent for Republicans and $1,424,605 was spent against Democrats. 60 Plus did not spend any money for Democrats or against Republicans. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 7/16/13]

60 Plus Had A $750K Attack Ad Campaign Against Sen. Sherrod Brown Which Specifically Targeted The Creation Of The Independent Payment Advisory Board.According to the Hotline, “The 60 Plus Association, a nat’l group that bills itself as the ‘conservative alternative’ to the AARP is hitting Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) with a significant six-figure TV ad buy beginning today that hits him over health care. 60 Plus is spending $750K on the ad, which specifically targets the creation of the Independent Payment Advisory Board.” [The Hotline accessed via Nexis, 11/9/11]

• PolitiFact Rated Gave The Ad A “Pants On Fire” Rating.” According to PolitiFact, “PolitFact Ohio was puzzled by the ad’s comparison of IPAB to the Internal Revenue Service. IPAB is a 15-member board that’s supposed to suggest ways to reduce growth in Medicare spending. The IRS is a mammoth government agency that collects taxes, enforces the tax laws set by Congress and helps taxpayers understand and comply with those laws. […] The claim by the 60 Plus Association is not only inaccurate, it’s ridiculous. We rate it Pants on Fire.” [PolitiFact, 11/25/11]

60 Plus Put Up $7.1 Million For Ads Attacking 52 Congressional Democrats.According to Mother Jones, “2010 track record: 60 Plus put up $7.1 million for ads attacking 52 congressional Democrats, includingwinners Rep. Barney Frank (Mass.) and Rep. Nick Rahall (W .Va.) and loser Rep. Paul Kanjorski (Pa.).” [Mother Jones accessed via Nexis, January 2011 – February 2011]