AFP-PA Ad Campaign Targets Tariffs, Backs Toomey Bill

Mar 5, 2019 by AFP

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania (AFP-PA) today announced a new, digital ad campaign thanking Senator Pat Toomey for introducing the Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act (S. 287) and encouraging key lawmakers to cosponsor the bipartisan legislation. The bill would give Congress a vote on certain tariffs proposed by a president before they can take effect.

AFP-PA State Director Beth Anne Mumford issued the following statement:

“Tariffs are a tax on consumers and businesses and Americans deserve a vote on whether these taxes can be levied. Many Pennsylvania farmers and manufacturers have already been harmed by tariffs. Additional trade barriers will only make things worse. We thank Senator Toomey for standing up for his constituents and strongly encourage lawmakers to get on board and back his bill.”

View the Thank you ad here.

View the Encouragement ad here.

Pennsylvania business owners and consumers have been openly critical of how tariffs negatively impact them. Examples include: Western Edge Seafood, Inc., Connection Chemical, LP, National Refrigerants Inc., Armstrong Flooring, Inc., and Innovative Office Products, LLC. To view the comments made by Pennsylvania business owners, click here.

The thank you ads target the following lawmakers: Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.); Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.)

The encouragement ad targets the following lawmakers:

Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.); Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.); Ben Cardin (D-Md.); Thomas Carper (D-Del.); Bob Casey (D-Pa.); Bill Cassidy (R-La.); Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.); Mike Crapo (R-Idaho); Ted Cruz (R-Texas); Steve Daines (R-Mont.); Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.); Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa); Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.); Tim Kaine (D-Va.); Robert Menendez (D-N.J.); Pat Roberts (R- Kan.); Tim Scott (R-S.C.); Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.); Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska); John Thune (R-S.D.); Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); Roger Wicker (R-Miss.); and Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.); Danny Davis (D-Ill.); Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.); Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.); George Holding (R-N.C.); Dale Kildee (D-Mich.); Kenny Marchant (R-Texas); Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.); Devin Nunes (R-Calif.); Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.); Tom Rice (R-S.C.); Dave Schweikert (R-Ariz.); and Jason Smith (R-Mo.).

Background

Trade principles

The United States should eliminate all trade barriers, regardless of other countries’ trade policies, in order to provide Americans lower prices, more jobs and bigger paychecks, and to drive innovation through competition.
Individuals and businesses in a competitive market, not government bureaucrats or politicians, should guide trade decisions.
Punitive measures such as tariffs and quotas are an unjust government intrusion into the lives of hardworking Americans. They violate the property and associational rights of individuals and should all be eliminated.
Subsidies and other forms of government supports for powerful and politically connected businesses and industries do not create value. They punish consumers, burden taxpayers, insulate businesses from market competition, and should be eliminated.
Trade disputes should be resolved through existing international trade agreements and organizations.
While national security interests may be a consideration in trade policy, they should be used to restrict trade only when there is truly a narrow national security interest at stake, not as a workaround to impose tariffs.

For further information or an interview, reach Lorenz Isidro at LIsidro@afphq.org or 703.887.7724

Through broad-based grassroots outreach, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is driving long-term solutions to the country’s biggest problems. AFP activists engage friends and neighbors on key issues and encourage them to take an active role in building a culture of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping one another. AFP recruits and unites Pennsylvanians behind a common goal of advancing policies that will help people improve their lives. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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