In some recently released video, US Senate Candidate Sharron Angle made some of the most appalling statements about Autism – and healthcare in general – that I have ever heard.  Ms. Angle, speaking publicly at a Tea Party rally, indicated that she thought the recent “mandate” regarding insurance coverage for Autism treatment should be repealed.  In 2009, the Nevada State Legislature made a tremendous step forward in the care of Nevada’s families with the passage of AB 162, which obligated insurance companies to treat Autism as the medical illness that it is, and prohibiting insurers from denying as “experimental” treatments for this condition like Applied Behavioral Analysis, which has decades of data supporting its efficacy.  This callous statement is a shocking insult to the thousands of Nevadans who struggle with Autism Spectrum Disorders, which affect more than 1 in 150 children.  I would note that representatives from the insurance industry in Nevada were instrumental in the drafting and passage of this landmark legislation.

Sharron Angle views the media as her personal ATM.

Her comments at a house party this month about the extent to which she's able to exploit right-wing TV and radio to raise money online is making serious waves today. Check out the quote below, then make a donation to help us counter cash Limbaugh & Hannity are raising for Angle:

THE CLAIM: In response to the Reid campaign’s new ad detailing Sharron Angle’s extreme plan to end the current Veteran’s Administration, Angle’s camp actually claims she has never called for ending or privatizing the VA.

THE FACTS: Sharron Angle has not only called for privatizing the VA, but she has consistently declined the chance to walk back her extreme position that would ultimately hurt Nevada’s vets and jeopardize their access to quality care.

Earlier this afternoon, Senator Reid urged the Senate to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. He introduced legislation in the Defense Authorization Bill, but without the cooperation of a single Republican, he was unable to advance the bill. While it is very frustrating that Republicans have stalled this legislation, it is important to remember a few things:

Last Thursday, supporters like you made Sharron Angle pay for lying blatantly in attack ads by making online donations to our campaign. If you were among them, first and foremost, THANK YOU! If you didn't contribute last week, don't worry - Sharron Angle is keeping us flush in fresh lies. Read on...

Check out these quotes from today's paper in Las Vegas:

"Nevada is a must win for the Tea Party" -Jennifer Duffy, Cook Political Report

"They have to win 10 of 12, so the implication is they have to get people like Sharron Angle elected." -Larry Sabato, University of Virginia Center for Politics

"It is 'tough to see' how the Republicans could win the majority without knocking off Reid -Nathan Gonzales, Rothenberg Political Report

THE CLAIM: As Sharron Angle’s campaign crumbles, her DC handlers have released a new ad lacking a single citation that makes unsubstantiated claims attacking Sen. Reid’s record on immigration.

THE FACTS: False, and desperate. In reality, Sen. Reid has a long-standing commitment, and strong record of success, in taking aggressive measures to secure our borders.

Senator Reid has reiterated his commitment to repealing the military's ban on gays serving in our armed forces. This afternoon, he informed Republicans that he intends to bring the Defense Authorization Bill--including a repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy--to the Senate Floor next week.

There's no denying that times are tough for Nevada families. But Sharron Angle seems to have forgotten how things got this way.

Wall Street greed, outsourced jobs, the high price of our continuing dependence on foreign oil -- these are the reasons we're hurting. And even though Sharron Angle wouldn't lift a finger to create jobs in Nevada (even saying it's not her job to do so), she blames Harry Reid.

Watch former Clark County Sheriff Bill Young endorse Sen. Reid, citing his long track record fighting on behalf of Nevada law enforcement.

THE CLAIM: After a long career of opposing Social Security, Sharron Angle’s new ad says she wants to save Social Security.

THE FACTS: Laughably false. Along with promising to not create jobs, Sharron Angle has made killing Social Security a top priority, repeatedly advocating the program’s elimination.

Las Thursday, everyday Nevadans gained a new advocate when the Senate confirmed Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court. Senator Reid led the Senate to confirm this qualified nominee in part because of the letters and calls of support he has gotten from Nevadans. Like Senator Reid, she stands for fairness and fights for the rights of everyday citizens. Kagan will be only the fourth woman to serve on the Supreme Court in our country's history.

THE CLAIM: In a desperate attempt to distract from her plan to kill the Department of Veterans Affairs, Sharron Angle is going after Sen. Reid’s long record of standing up for our military and veterans.

THE FACTS: Good luck. Whether it’s providing for the health and dignity of Nevada’s veterans, or ensuring the safety of our troops during time of war, no one has delivered for the military like Senator Reid.

THE CLAIM: Sharron Angle’s new ad desperately tries to blame Harry Reid for the decline in Nevada's real estate values.

THE FACTS: False and Hypocritical. As a state legislator and a candidate Sharron Angle has a long history of fighting against the very measures that could have prevented the foreclosure crisis. As a Senator, no one has done more than Harry Reid to address Nevada’s housing crisis.

You and I worked hard to pass comprehensive health reform. And, already, we're beginning to see the fruits of our labors.

A new report finds that reform will save $8 billion in Medicare by the end of 2011, and as much as $575 billion between now and 2020, extending the program's solvency by more than a decade. Meanwhile, these savings will help to bring down seniors' monthly premiums by nearly $200 a year by 2018.

In some recently released video, US Senate Candidate Sharron Angle made some of the most appalling statements about Autism – and healthcare in general – that I have ever heard.  Ms. Angle, speaking publicly at a Tea Party rally, indicated that she thought the recent “mandate” regarding insurance coverage for Autism treatment should be repealed.  In 2009, the Nevada State Legislature made a tremendous step forward in the care of Nevada’s families with the passage of AB 162, which obligated insurance companies to treat Autism as the medical illness that it is, and prohibiting insurers from denying as “experimental” treatments for this condition like Applied Behavioral Analysis, which has decades of data supporting its efficacy.  This callous statement is a shocking insult to the thousands of Nevadans who struggle with Autism Spectrum Disorders, which affect more than 1 in 150 children.  I would note that representatives from the insurance industry in Nevada were instrumental in the drafting and passage of this landmark legislation.

Sharron Angle views the media as her personal ATM.

Her comments at a house party this month about the extent to which she's able to exploit right-wing TV and radio to raise money online is making serious waves today. Check out the quote below, then make a donation to help us counter cash Limbaugh & Hannity are raising for Angle:

THE CLAIM: In response to the Reid campaign’s new ad detailing Sharron Angle’s extreme plan to end the current Veteran’s Administration, Angle’s camp actually claims she has never called for ending or privatizing the VA.

THE FACTS: Sharron Angle has not only called for privatizing the VA, but she has consistently declined the chance to walk back her extreme position that would ultimately hurt Nevada’s vets and jeopardize their access to quality care.

Earlier this afternoon, Senator Reid urged the Senate to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. He introduced legislation in the Defense Authorization Bill, but without the cooperation of a single Republican, he was unable to advance the bill. While it is very frustrating that Republicans have stalled this legislation, it is important to remember a few things:

Last Thursday, supporters like you made Sharron Angle pay for lying blatantly in attack ads by making online donations to our campaign. If you were among them, first and foremost, THANK YOU! If you didn't contribute last week, don't worry - Sharron Angle is keeping us flush in fresh lies. Read on...

Check out these quotes from today's paper in Las Vegas:

"Nevada is a must win for the Tea Party" -Jennifer Duffy, Cook Political Report

"They have to win 10 of 12, so the implication is they have to get people like Sharron Angle elected." -Larry Sabato, University of Virginia Center for Politics

"It is 'tough to see' how the Republicans could win the majority without knocking off Reid -Nathan Gonzales, Rothenberg Political Report

THE CLAIM: As Sharron Angle’s campaign crumbles, her DC handlers have released a new ad lacking a single citation that makes unsubstantiated claims attacking Sen. Reid’s record on immigration.

THE FACTS: False, and desperate. In reality, Sen. Reid has a long-standing commitment, and strong record of success, in taking aggressive measures to secure our borders.

Senator Reid has reiterated his commitment to repealing the military's ban on gays serving in our armed forces. This afternoon, he informed Republicans that he intends to bring the Defense Authorization Bill--including a repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy--to the Senate Floor next week.

There's no denying that times are tough for Nevada families. But Sharron Angle seems to have forgotten how things got this way.

Wall Street greed, outsourced jobs, the high price of our continuing dependence on foreign oil -- these are the reasons we're hurting. And even though Sharron Angle wouldn't lift a finger to create jobs in Nevada (even saying it's not her job to do so), she blames Harry Reid.

Watch former Clark County Sheriff Bill Young endorse Sen. Reid, citing his long track record fighting on behalf of Nevada law enforcement.

THE CLAIM: After a long career of opposing Social Security, Sharron Angle’s new ad says she wants to save Social Security.

THE FACTS: Laughably false. Along with promising to not create jobs, Sharron Angle has made killing Social Security a top priority, repeatedly advocating the program’s elimination.

Las Thursday, everyday Nevadans gained a new advocate when the Senate confirmed Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court. Senator Reid led the Senate to confirm this qualified nominee in part because of the letters and calls of support he has gotten from Nevadans. Like Senator Reid, she stands for fairness and fights for the rights of everyday citizens. Kagan will be only the fourth woman to serve on the Supreme Court in our country's history.

THE CLAIM: In a desperate attempt to distract from her plan to kill the Department of Veterans Affairs, Sharron Angle is going after Sen. Reid’s long record of standing up for our military and veterans.

THE FACTS: Good luck. Whether it’s providing for the health and dignity of Nevada’s veterans, or ensuring the safety of our troops during time of war, no one has delivered for the military like Senator Reid.

THE CLAIM: Sharron Angle’s new ad desperately tries to blame Harry Reid for the decline in Nevada's real estate values.

THE FACTS: False and Hypocritical. As a state legislator and a candidate Sharron Angle has a long history of fighting against the very measures that could have prevented the foreclosure crisis. As a Senator, no one has done more than Harry Reid to address Nevada’s housing crisis.

You and I worked hard to pass comprehensive health reform. And, already, we're beginning to see the fruits of our labors.

A new report finds that reform will save $8 billion in Medicare by the end of 2011, and as much as $575 billion between now and 2020, extending the program's solvency by more than a decade. Meanwhile, these savings will help to bring down seniors' monthly premiums by nearly $200 a year by 2018.