GOP robo call targets Nye

While U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, D-2nd Dist., spends part of his July 4th holiday break on constituent services, his Republican detractors are sponsoring an automated call critical of the Congressman.

The robo call (listen here; 447K wav file) takes aim at Nye's votes last month on two bills, drawing a contrast between pay raises he supported for military personnel and those for foreign service officers, which Nye formerly served as.

The call audio claims that Nye's vote authorized 3.4 percent pay raises for military members, but 23 percent salary increases for foreign service officers. Sponsored by the National Republican Congressional Committee, the call will be targeted at thousands of voters in Hampton Roads over the next week.

Democrats note that the foreign service pay raise legislation is intended to correct a compensation disparity between officers serving stateside and those working abroad. It is also a component of a push by President Barack Obama to enhance diplomatic efforts across the globe as part of a larger foreign policy strategy.

The NRCC has been highly critical of Nye and other Virginia Democrats in Congress this year -- it funded a radio ad attacking Nye over another vote earlier this spring -- as the GOP strives to rebound from recent election defeats.

Nye beat incumbent Republican Thelma Drake last November. His victory along with several other Democratic candidates gave the party a majority of seats in Virginia's congressional delegation.

During Congress' holiday break, meanwhile, Nye will host a veterans job fair in Norfolk. The event is to be held at VFW Post 4809, 5728 Bartee St. in Norfolk from noon-5 p.m. Thursday.

"Our veterans leave the military with skills and experience that can be incredibly valuable in the private sector. A lot of business owners in Hampton Roads are veterans themselves, so they know the value of hiring other vets," Nye said in a statement about the job fair.

"I've been working in Washington to help create jobs for veterans. This job fair is another way to help bring veterans together with employers to start creating jobs in Hampton Roads now," he added.

Nye is a freshman member of Congress. His district includes precincts in the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton and Accomack and Northampton counties.

-- Julian Walker

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