AFP Launches Major Campaign Against Wasteful Government Spending

May 24, 2018 by AFP

Arlington, Va. – Americans for Prosperity (AFP) today announced the start of a major campaign that will hold Republicans and Democrats accountable for their records on wasteful spending and thank champions who have protected taxpayers.

AFP’s Stop Overspending, or S.O.S., campaign will kick off during the Memorial Day congressional recess with a significant six-figure radio, print, digital, and direct mail effort targeting House lawmakers on spending – specifically their support for the $1.3 trillion March omnibus package – while they are home in their districts. The first wave of this campaign will also include ads thanking lawmakers who opposed the package because of its reckless spending.

Click here for example mail holding lawmakers accountable for wasteful spending

Click here for example mail thanking lawmakers for protecting taxpayers

Click here for example digital ad holding lawmakers accountable for wasteful spending

Click here for example digital ad thanking lawmakers for protecting taxpayers

Click here for example print ad holding lawmakers accountable for wasteful spending

Click here for example print ad thanking lawmakers for protecting taxpayers

Click here to listen to an example radio ad

The effort will feature a video and website, www.StopOverspending.com, to inform the American people about the importance of reducing excessive and out-of-control federal spending and urging them to tell lawmakers to control Washington’s spending problem.

The recent $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill pushed total Washington spending above $4 trillion annually the first time and failed to make any reforms to entitlement programs, which are the major drivers of the national debt. While tax reform was a significant achievement for hard-working Americans, AFP has long-advocated the importance of pairing tax cuts with spending restraint to grow the economy and improve the lives of all Americans.

Fiscal year 2019 spending legislation, which will be considered later this year, will be the last chance before the midterm elections for members of Congress to prove that they can be trusted stewards of taxpayer dollars. AFP views the fall spending debate as a critical test for lawmakers and will be engaging grassroots activists throughout the summer to hold both parties accountable for reckless spending and stress the importance of getting spending under control.

President Trump has also expressed his disapproval with the spending in the omnibus bill and said at the bill signing, “I will never sign another bill like this again.”

AFP spokesman Bill Riggs issued the following statement:

“It’s time to take a hard look at what lawmakers say, and what they actually do when it comes to reining in overspending. The $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill passed by Congress in March showed a complete disregard for fiscal responsibility. Both parties are responsible for putting the country on an unsustainable fiscal path, which is why AFP is committed to holding both parties accountable.

“Congress did the right thing when it passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but failing to control spending will undermine it. Lawmakers will have another chance to demonstrate their commitment to fiscal responsibility later this year when they consider 2019 funding legislation. We urge them to start now, seize the opportunity to stop overspending and deliver the president a spending bill he can sign.”

In recent weeks, AFP has fought major boondoggles like the 2018 Farm Bill and called on lawmakers to repeal some omnibus bill spending by supporting President Trump’s rescission plan.

The ad campaign targets Republican Representatives Hal Rogers (R-KY), Lou Barletta (R-PA), Mike Bishop (R-MI), Mike Simpson (R-ID), John Carter (R-TX), Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Mark Amodei (R-NV), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Tom Rooney (R-FL), and Ken Calvert (R-CA) and Democrat Representatives Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Pete Visclosky (D-IN), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).

AFP will be thanking Republican Representatives Dave Brat (R-VA), Glen Grothman (R-WI), Jim Renacci (R-OH), Steve Pearce (R-NM), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Jason Lewis (R-MN), Tom Garrett, (R-VA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Andy Harris (R-MD), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Rod Blum (R-IA) and Mike Coffman (R-CO).

For further information or to set up an interview, please send an email to GBraud@afphq.org.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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