Key Vote Alert: Vote “NO” on H.R. 1

Mar 1, 2021 by AFP

Dear Representatives:

On behalf of Americans for Prosperity activists in all 50 states, I urge you to vote “NO” on H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021.

The inappropriately named “For the People Act” claims to promote transparency, ethics, and accountability. The bill fails on all counts. In reality, it protects incumbent politicians from criticism and opposition, creates unconstitutional and un-American restrictions on political speech, discourages people from supporting nonprofit organizations that serve their communities, and makes it harder for Americans to advocate for issues they care about and hold their elected officials accountable.

H.R. 1 would discourage people from giving to private charitable and civic organizations that build and sustain our communities and move society forward. The bill’s numerous disclosure requirements would expose the personal information of people who support non-profits engaged in issue advocacy. Given today’s polarized environment, it is critical that we protect people’s ability to not only join with others but also their freedom to decide to keep it private from those in power.

The bill also unconstitutionally compels nonprofits and other entities to pick sides in certain issue advocacy messaging. Nonprofits play an important role in informing the public about local and national issues. Under H.R. 1, if a federal candidate appears in a nonprofit communication about any national topic of public policy, the nonprofit would be required to state whether they support or oppose that candidate. Instead of encouraging Americans to work together to solve policy problems, this forces them to pick a political team. This counterproductive policy of compelled political speech violates the First Amendment and will only exacerbate the already severe divisions that our society faces.

We stand ready to work together on economic recovery, public health, and other issues of top concern to Americans. We oppose policies that distract from and actively work against solving those challenges. Americans for Prosperity is committed to protecting the privacy of American citizens and the freedoms of speech and association enshrined in the Constitution. H.R. 1 fails on both counts.

I urge you to vote “NO” on H.R. 1. This vote will be recorded in our legislative scorecard for the 117th Congress.

Sincerely,

Brent Gardner

Chief Government Affairs Officer

Americans for Prosperity