Individuals for Prosperity (AFP) could also be within the doghouse with President Trump, however it’s growing its footprint on Capitol Hill because it advocates for its prime precedence this 12 months: Extension of the president’s 2017 tax cuts.
The libertarian-conservative Koch-funded group received a lift in that endeavor when it hosted Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Monday for a “congressional conversation” with Man Benson, a Fox Information Contributor and member of AFP’s advisory council.
It occurred at AFP’s Capitol Hill outpost, which the group calls its “Freedom Embassy” – a comparatively new workplace situated only a block away from the epicenter of GOP Hill politics, the Capitol Hill Membership and the Republican Nationwide Committee.
The occasion got here collectively comparatively rapidly, I’m instructed, and at an opportune time: After making a “prayer request” on the AFP occasion, Johnson defied expectations and ushered the Home price range decision — which units a framework for the tax cuts AFP desires and different main gadgets in Trump’s legislative agenda — throughout the Home flooring Tuesday night.
AFP in January launched a $20 million marketing campaign in assist of extending the Trump tax cuts that he signed into regulation in his first time period. The group pledged a 50-state media and lobbying effort and to conduct 1,000 conferences with congressional places of work on Capitol Hill.
I received a preview of the following strikes in that “Protect Prosperity” marketing campaign:
Mid-March AFP state director fly-in with “hundreds” of conferences with lawmakers on the Hill
Advertisements with testimonials from “real people” and their issues a few tax hike
State-based occasions with members of Congress
Whereas AFP hasn’t taken a place on the Home’s “one big beautiful bill” play on Trump’s legislative agenda —which can embody tax cuts among the many priorities —versus a two-step strategy pitched by Senate Republicans, the group was aligned with Johnson in saying that you will need to construct on momentum as quickly as doable.
Brent Gardner, AFP’s Chief Authorities Affairs Officer, warned that “momentum is fleeing” and it ought to be Republicans’ “number one goal” to increase the tax cuts so Individuals really feel the advantages “well before the midterm elections.”
“It would be a major mistake to assume the results of the election mean renewing President Trump’s tax cuts is going to be easy. The margins are razor thin and we’re all seeing just how tough this can be — even before diving into the substance of the legislation,” Gardner stated.
AFP’s strikes on to construct inroads on Capitol Hill come regardless of dangerous blood with Trump, who continues to be livid that AFP Motion backed his GOP main opponent Nikki Haley.
Trump in January basically blacklisted “people who worked with, or are endorsed by, Americans for No Prosperity (headed by Charles Koch)” from his administration, in addition to alums of Haley, Mike Pence, and extra. (By no means thoughts that Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth as soon as headed up Involved Veterans for America, one other Koch community group.)
However whereas AFP in your resume may make a White Home Presidential Personnel Workplace staffer transfer your software to the again of the applying backlog, it has a typically optimistic popularity amongst Capitol Hill Republicans and staffers I spoke to — even when its perceived usefulness has dwindled as Trump rose.
Johnson, for his half, has an extended relationship with AFP, courting again to earlier than he was Speaker. He joked on the occasion that he has AFP tattooed on his again — and “one big beautiful bill” tattooed on his chest. “Lots of tattoos.”
Whereas AFP makes its massive play to maneuver the needle on tax cuts throughout the end line, it’s nonetheless Trump — who known as key holdouts forward of the Tuesday Home vote — who seems to be the nearer for his agenda.
ICYMI: Home GOP adopts Trump price range after topsy-turvy night time
SCOOP — LUETKEMEYER JOINS ACII:
Former Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) will lead the American Shopper & Investor Institute (ACII) as its chief govt officer.
ACII, launched in 2023, advocates for extra shopper and investor entry to monetary markets and merchandise, together with in cryptocurrency, shopper banking and securities.
Luetkemeyer retired from Congress on the finish of final 12 months after eight phrases within the Home, sitting on the Home Monetary Service Committee for seven of these. He’s additionally a earlier vice chair of the Home Small Enterprise Committee.
Luetkemeyer stated in an announcement: “The past four years under the Biden Administration were a disaster for hardworking Americans who struggled to make ends meet, much less save and invest for their future. President Trump is fighting for their ability to once again live the American Dream — an opportunity establishment elites have fought to protect only for themselves. For too long, Washington advocacy groups have blown with the political winds. As ACII’s CEO, I am committed to fighting alongside the Trump Administration to advance policies that actually help real consumers and investors.”
He additionally praised President Trump’s appointment of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary and Paul Atkins as Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Alternate Fee, saying they “understand that free markets, consumer and investor choice, and a pro-innovation approach are essential to empowering more Americans to take control of their financial futures.”
As well as, strategic communications adviser Katie Boyd can be president and coverage director of ACII. Boyd stated that Luetkemeyer’s “extensive knowledge of U.S. financial markets and steadfast commitment to expanding opportunity for every American will be a tremendous asset to ACII.”
TRUMP 2028 PUSH EYES HOUSE REPUBLICANS:
On the Conservative Political Motion Convention (CPAC) final week – and on the few main after events – one of many off-stage highlights was a brand new push for a 3rd Trump time period.
Individuals fortunately wore “Trump 2028” stickers — “finish the job,” the stickers stated — even when they have been uncertain how, precisely, that might occur. A “Third Term Project” stand-up banner pictured a Roman statute-esque model of Trump.
The push is a mission of Republicans for Nationwide Renewal, which describes itself as a nationalist and populist group.
Shane Trejo, grassroots director on the group who was pitching the Trump Third Time period mission at CPAC, instructed me the CPAC notion was almost one hundred pc optimistic — even when a few of that positivity is rooted in delight at triggering liberals.
Moderately than argue Trump can already legally search a 3rd time period since his phrases usually are not consecutive, as former Trump adviser Steve Bannon has floated, Trejo stated the main focus of his marketing campaign is on pushing for Rep. Andy Ogles’s (R-Tenn.) proposal for a constitutional modification to permit Trump to hunt a 3rd time period since his weren’t consecutive.
The subsequent step: Getting cosponsors on that. There are at the moment zero.
“The next thing we’re going to do is a big social media, email campaign for all the different lawmakers in the House Freedom Caucus, so that they get constituent pressure, asking them, ‘why haven’t you signed on to this proposed Constitutional amendment?’” Trejo stated.
Keep watch over that push coming as quickly as subsequent week.
I caught Ogles exterior the Home chamber to ask his ideas in regards to the push. He stated the Third Time period Venture people have reached out to him about boosting his proposed modification, however he has not met with them but: “To be determined.”
As for the shortage of co-sponsors on his modification decision, Ogles stated: “We’ve been so busy with reconciliation, I really haven’t pushed it, circulated it other than filing it.”
Trump has repeatedly joked about looking for a 3rd time period. However lawmakers, together with Speaker Johnson once I requested him in a hearth chat on the Home GOP retreat in January, have dismissed the feedback as a joke.
Actuality verify: Possibilities of getting the Ogles constitutional modification by Congress are virtually zero.
However in accordance with Trejo: “We’re definitely serious about getting President Trump a third term. I think every conservative should be worried about Trump’s legacy. A lot of what he’s doing is based on executive orders, and those could be wiped away.”
RELATED: Pardoned Jan. 6 defendants get hero’s welcome, star standing at CPAC … Plus, my piece final week on CPAC’s waning affect in conservative circles
Three extra tales that caught my eye this week:
BEZOS WASHINGTON POST — “Billionaire Jeff Bezos is retooling The Washington Post’s opinion section to focus on ‘free markets and personal liberties,’ saying the newspaper he owns will no longer publish op-eds that are not supportive of those ideals,” my colleague Dominick Mastrangelo writes. WMAL host Vince Coglianese wonders if Bezos noticed a chunk from commentator Oren Cass calling Trump’s tariffs as “almost ideal.”
GAVIN NEWSOM SEEKS MAGA POD GUESTS — “Gavin Newsom will soon host his own podcast where the California governor will mix it up with MAGA personalities, open his vast Rolodex for frank conversations with Democrats about how to come back from the wilderness and break news on consequential policy decisions,” Politico reviews. Good concept for MAGA allies? I heard blended opinions. Let me know in case you are, or your boss is, happening: ebrooks@thehill.com
CRENSHAW/TUCKER FEUD — The feud between former Fox Information host Tucker Carlson and Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) escalated this week when Crenshaw stated if he ever met the pundit, he would “f‑‑‑ing kill” him. That remark was caught on the finish of an interview with British journalist Steven Edginton from GB Information.However earlier than video of the encounter made the rounds, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) known as out Crenshaw, asking if he threatened to kill her “friend” Carlson. Crenshaw responded “Lol, no,” earlier than the video went public. A spokesperson for Crenshaw stated the menace was not severe, my colleague Lauren Irwin reviews. Carlson responded by inviting Crenshaw for a sit-down: “Why don’t you come sit for an interview and we’ll see how you do?” I’d definitely tune in.
I’m Emily Brooks, Home management reporter at The Hill, increasing to cowl the broader right-wing ecosystem, influences, and debates in Washington, D.C. Ship me observations and ideas: ebrooks@thehill.com.
