AFP: Speaker Pelosi Proposal is a Partisan Wish List and Big-Government Bailout

May 8, 2020 by AFP

Grassroots group expands digital campaign against bailouts as details emerge on massive spending bill

Arlington, Va. – Americans for Prosperity (AFP) responded to calls by congressional leaders for a massive “Rooseveltian” spending package that could cost upward of $2 trillion by expanding its digital campaign urging members of the U.S. House and Senate to oppose bailouts. Last week, AFP delivered a letter to Congress urging opposition to bailouts and announced a national effort to mobilize its grassroots activists against another massive spending bill.

AFP President Tim Phillips issued the following statement:

“Speaker Pelosi’s proposal is a misguided attempt to enact a partisan wish list and big-government bailouts wrapped in the language of compassion. Unfortunately, it will hurt the very people she wants to help. Now is not a time to bail out politicians who have failed to get their state budgets in order. Now is a time to put people first, and demand an end to irresponsible budgets that limit our ability to respond in a crisis, and limit opportunities for future generations.

“The better way is to enact reforms that lay the foundation for an economic environment that empowers everyone to contribute their unique skills and talents to improve their lives and the lives of others.”

View sample ad here

Background:

Last week, AFP delivered a letter to Congress urging opposition to bailouts and announced a national effort to mobilize its grassroots activists against another massive spending bill. The grassroots group also recently hosted tele-town hall and Facebook live events on state bailouts with U.S. Sens. David Perdue, Ron Johnson, Rick Scott, and Todd Young.

AFP’s digital ads urge constituents to contact the following U.S. Senators: Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Doug Jones (D-AL), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Gary Peters (D-MI), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

AFP’s digital ads will also urge constituents to contact the following U.S. Representatives: Reps. Colin Allred (D-TX), Cindy Axne (D-IA), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Sean Casten (D-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN), Joe Cunningham (D-SC), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Abby Finkenauer (D-IA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Jared Golden (D-ME), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Kendra Horn (D-OK), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), John Katko (R-NY), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ron Kind, (D-WI), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Al Lawson (D-FL), Susie Lee (D-NV), Elaine Luria (D-VA), Ben McAdams (D-UT), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Tom Reed (R-NY), Harley Rouda (R-CA), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Mike Turner (R-OH), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Susan Wild (D-PA), and Lee Zeldin (R-NY).

AFP believes the path to economic recovery — across all of the United States and at the federal level– is to enact reforms the lay the foundation for an economic environment that empowers everyone to improve their lives and the lives of others by:

Challenging special interest politics and ending corporate welfare — bailout culture, subsidies, tax loopholes, etc. — so that success is based on contributing to the lives of others.
Reforming or removing regulations that protect politically connected firms to lower the costs of health care, housing, and core services.
Removing barriers to fulfilling work– such as reforming occupational licensing– to help families build a strong financial future.
Removing barriers to innovation, to open new opportunities to create breakthroughs that radically improve our lives.
Positioning government to play its vital role in the economy by securing equal rights: Ensuring equal treatment under the law, which is essential for long-term progress.