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Americans for Prosperity

Americans for Prosperity (AFP)

Background

Americans for Prosperity was founded by David Koch and Richard Fink in 2003 out of the remains of Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE). Like CSE, Americans for Prosperity has been accused by critics of “using the guise of nonprofit status to work, behind a screen of anonymity, on behalf of the Kochs’ corporate and political interests.”1Jane Mayer. Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right, Doubleday, January 19, 2016.

Americans for Prosperity is a 501(c)(4) “social welfare” group, which means it is able to participate in electoral politics so long as it was not its “primary” activity. Donations to Americans for Prosperity can be made anonymously, but are not tax deductible.  The other arm of AFP, the Americans for Prosperity Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) educational organization. This means donations to the AFP Foundation can be written off as tax-deductible, however it cannot participate in the same electoral politics as AFP.2Jane Mayer. Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right, Doubleday, January 19, 2016.

The initial team of AFP included Tim Phillips, who David Koch hired to run the political side of the operation. Phillips had previously worked with Ralph Reed, the former head of the Christian Coalition. The Washington Post describes AFP as a powerful part of the Koch network, “a centrally directed but federated organization with paid staffers in the states who can deploy resources and mobilize millions of activists on contact lists. […] the Koch network has more capabilities than ATR and the Club for Growth to combine lobbying with activist mobilization and electioneering.”3Jane Mayer. Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right, Doubleday, January 19, 2016. 4Henry Farrell, Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, and Theda Skocpol. “Trump will won or lose. Either way, the Koch network will still shape the Republican Party,” The Washington Post, February 29, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JcjVy

Conservative Transparency describes Americans for Prosperity as “the centerpiece of the Kochs’ political machine” and highlights its connection to the Tea Party movement.5“Americans for Prosperity & Americans for Prosperity Foundation,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed March 10, 2016.  As of 2015, AFP listed state chapters in thirty-four states. David Koch, who has been a key figure in funded think-tanks and organizations distorting climate change science, is still the chairman of the AFP Foundation.6“Board of Directors,” Americans for Prosperity Foundation. Archived March 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/E18KJ 7“State Chapters,” Americans for Prosperity. Archived July 10, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PEiJx

AFP is also the sister organization to FreedomWorks, an organization that formed in 2004 when Citizens for a Sound Economy merged with the think tank Empower America.8Alex Brant-Zawadki and Dawn Teo. “Anatomy of the Tea Party Movement: FreedomWorks,” Huffington Post, May 25, 2011. Archived March 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/AUyMc Both the Citizens for a Sound Economy and Citizens for a Sound Economy Foundation were created by the Koch brothers.9Dan Morgan. “Think Tanks: Corporations’ Quiet Weapon,” Washington Post, January 29, 2000. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0wtgj

AFP Mission Statement

2016 – 2018

“Americans for Prosperity 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. […]

[…] “Together, we’re persuading public officials to embrace an agenda of economic freedom, educating our friends and neighbors on the issues shaping our economy, and getting everyone involved in building a culture of freedom at the local, state and federal levels. ” (Emphasis added).10“About,” Americans for Prosperity. Archived March 11, 2016. (Note that “About” page varies depending on ip address/physical location. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/qtWFg

2015 

Americans for Prosperity’s revised mission is to:

“[M]obilize citizens to advocate for policies that cut red tape and increase opportunity, put the brakes on government overspending, and get the economy working for hard workers– not special interests.”11“About Americans for Prosperity,” Americans For Prosperity. Archived July 10, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vm6I8

2011

AFP originally described itself as a grassroots organization committed to engaging “citizens in the name of limited government and free markets on the local, state, and federal levels.” It educates citizens about economic policy and attempts to mobilize those citizens to become advocates in the public policy process.12“About Americans for Prosperity,” AFP. Archived March 4, 2011. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xlIpZ

Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF)

The Americans for Prosperity Foundation is the 501(c)(3) sister organization to Americans for Prosperity, which itself operates as a 501(c)(4) organization. 

The AFP Foundation describes its mission as “educating and training citizens to be courageous advocates for the ideas, principles, and policies of a free society — knowing that leads to the greatest prosperity and wellbeing for all — especially the least fortunate.”13Americans for Prosperity Homepage (americansforprosperityfoundation.org). Archived March 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/dojRk

Americans for Prosperity Action (AFPA)

Americans for Prosperity Action, a super PAC (political action committee), was launched on September 10, 2018. The Koch network had been planning the launch since a meeting in Palm Springs, California at the start of the year, when groups in the network announced they were planning to spend $400 million on the upcoming congressional elections.14Brian Schwartz. “Koch network unveils new super PAC as Republicans fight to hold majorities in Congress,” CNBC, September 10, 2018. Archived June 5, 2019. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/JZkRe

Less than a fortnite before, Americans for Prosperity had announced its support for eight Republican incumbents who it considered its “policy champions”: Peter Roskam, Dave Brat, Ted Budd, Steve Chabot, Will Hurd, Erik Paulsen, Rod Blum and David Young.15Eric Bradach. “New Koch Brothers-Funded Super PAC Looks to Capitalize on Janus Decision Ahead of the Election,” In These Times, November 6, 2018. Archived June 5, 2019. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/wzdvQ

The creation of the PAC was described by CNBC as an “indirect clapback against Trump and former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon” who reacted angrily after the Kochs raised the possibility of supporting Democratic Party candidates.16Brian Schwartz. “Koch network unveils new super PAC as Republicans fight to hold majorities in Congress,” CNBC, September 10, 2018. Archived June 5, 2019. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/JZkRe

The following month, Americans for Prosperity Action launched a “Seven-Figure Digital Ad Buy” to unseat Florida Senator Bill Nelson.17“AFP-Action Launches Seven-Figure Digital Ad Buy to Defeat Bill Nelson,” Americans for Prosperity Action, October 5, 2018. Archived June 5, 2019. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/vXLm8

Federal Election Commission records show AFPA raised over $12.5m worth of donations in 2018, including $5m from Koch Industries, $5m from the Freedom Partners Action Fund,18“AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY ACTION, INC. (AFP ACTION),” Federal Election Commission. Archived June 5, 2019. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/0lquS which has been described as the “Koch brothers’ secret bank”, as well as $500,000 from Wayne Laufer, co-founder and retired CEO of Texas-based oil and natural gas company Bois d’Arc Energy. 19Mike Allen, Jim Vandehei. “The Koch brothers’ secret bank,” Politico, September 11, 2013. Archived May 29, 2019. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/zSIg4

Bill Riggs, a spokesman for the PAC, said: “Americans for Prosperity has been a difference-maker supporting policy champions in tight races, and AFP Action is a new tool that will allow us to expand those efforts and make an even larger impact.”20Brian Schwartz. “Koch network unveils new super PAC as Republicans fight to hold majorities in Congress,” CNBC, September 10, 2018. Archived June 5, 2019. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/JZkRe

A PAC is allowed to raise unlimited amounts of money from corporations and mega-donors but cannot contribute to or coordinate directly with a campaign.

Grassroots Leadership Academy (GLA)

The Grassroots Leadership Academy (GLA) is a project launched by Americans for Prosperity Foundation21“About,” Grassroots Leadership Academy. Archived June 18, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/PWqXw in February 2015 and based in their in Arlington, Virginia. According to its website, the group focuses on “providing educational programs and partnering with local organizations to educate the public about some of the biggest challenges facing our communities, like K-12 Education, Free Speech and Toleration, and Criminal Justice Reform.”22Ashley Parker, Maggie Haberman. “With Koch Brothers Academy, Conservatives Settle In for Long War,” New York Times, September 6, 2016. Archived June 18, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/xi0yF

A now-deleted mission statement was more explicit about the GLA‘s support of right-wing political causes, stating its intention to create leaders who can “fight for freedom and against the progressive policies and false narratives of the left.”23David Armiak, Mary Bottari. “Kochs’ “Grassroots Leadership Academy” Is Training an Astroturf Army,” Truthout, May 17, 2016. Archived June 18, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/vXCtC

A September 2016 New York Times article described the group as “grooming the next generation of conservative activists to shape the future of the Republican Party”, with the Kochs spending an initial $3 million on the training programme. The report stated that the training effort had taken on greater urgency amid fears of then presidential candidate Donald Trump’s turn away from “free market” economics. Training sessions had already taken place in “roughly three dozen states, and about 10,000 people have attended an academy program.”24Ashley Parker, Maggie Haberman. “With Koch Brothers Academy, Conservatives Settle In for Long War,” New York Times, September 6, 2016. Archived June 18, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/xi0yF

Courses have included one entitled “The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels” which teaches participants to argue that “a turn away from fossil fuel use would ultimately be disastrous to humanity — especially the poorest of the poor.”25Ashley Parker, Maggie Haberman. “With Koch Brothers Academy, Conservatives Settle In for Long War,” New York Times, September 6, 2016. Archived June 18, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/xi0yF

Bold TV, a news site founded by Carrie Sheffield, former executive director of another youth-focused Koch-funded group, Generation Opportunity, published an article by Slade O’Brien, Vice President of the Grassroots Leadership Academy,26Slade O’Brien. “OP-ED: The Grassroots Leadership Academy Is Paving the Way to Smaller Government,” Bold.TV, October 23, 2017. Archived June 18, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/chw34 who has called climate change the “lie of the century.” In the article, O’Brien notes that the group has trained leaders who have gone on to manage “well-connected and well-funded interest groups and won all over the country.” The article gives an example of someone who successfully campaigned to have speed bumps removed from their local area after graduating from the programme.27“South Carolina today! 11/3/2014. Obama told the lie of the year, climate change is the lie of the century!” Tweet by @SladeOBrien, November 4, 2014. Archived .png on file at DeSmog.

The Grassroots Leadership Academy has no connection to the prison reform campaign group, Grassroots Leadership, as this article from the organization makes clear.28Rebecca Sanchez. “Don’t be fooled — Support the REAL Grassroots Leadership, NOT the Koch Brothers!” Grassroots Leadership, September 13, 2016. Archived June 18, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/o4qNE

Cause of Action Institute

James Valvo, chief policy counsel to the Americans for Prosperity Foundation, is “also the executive director of Cause of Action Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to government oversight and combating administrative abuse,” according to his biography at the Americans for Prosperity.29“James Valvo,” Americans for Prosperity. Archived December 17, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/Ck9Bq

Stance on Climate Change

While AFP consistently opposes government regulation over power generation:

February 2016

“Environmentalists are frustrated. They’ve worked so hard, for so long, to get the United States on board with a binding international climate treaty. So far every attempt has failed, in large part because the American public is just not convinced. The main problem with alarmist propaganda of the last two decades is that they can only cry wolf so many times before the public begins to doubt the story,” AFP wrote in an introduction to their video, “Climate Change Gets the Cold Shoulder.”30“Climate Change Gets the Cold Shoulder,” Americans for Prosperity, February 19, 2016. Archived February 21, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/fnbzo Note that the video, uploaded on December 11, 2015, no longer appears available online.31“Climate Change Gets the Cold Shoulder,” YouTube video uploaded by user “AFPCalifornia” on December 11, 2015. Archived December 24, 2015. Video no longer available.

2016

“Abundant, affordable energy is a key driver of prosperity. We must unleash resources by removing regulatory barriers and eliminating corporate welfare that favors certain energy sources over others. When energy prices increase or government distorts the market, it disproportionately affects low and middle income families.”32“The Issues,” Americans for Prosperity. Archived March 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xjBo2

2015

“Abundant, affordable energy is a key driver of prosperity. We must unleash resources by removing regulatory barriers and keeping taxes low.  The environment improves with economic growth and prosperity, so an overriding goal of environmental policy should be to avoid burdening employers and entrepreneurs.”33“Energy & Environment,” Americans for Prosperity, January 21, 2012. Archived July 10, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aW5nf

On the Keystone XL Pipeline Act which would force approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline:

“We applaud Representatives Ryan, Sensenbrenner, Grothman, Duffy and Ribble on their votes to provide much needed relief for middle class families. With 8.7 million Americans still out of work, we simply cannot afford to deny access to 42,000 good-paying jobs. American families need secure jobs and the American economy needs secure energy. The Keystone Pipeline provides both. The President and Senate should act quickly to sign this bill into law and get Americans back to work.”34“Republican-controlled House votes for Keystone pipeline,” Wisconsin Gazette, January 9, 2015. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Funding

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) & AFP Foundation

Americans for Prosperity is a non-profit organization that does not have to disclose its donors. It works closely with its 501(c)(3) sister organization, the Americans for Prosperity Foundation. The Conservative Transparency project reports the group boasts 90,000 individual donors, but a significant portion of its funding is tied to the Koch brothers.35“Americans for Prosperity & Americans for Prosperity Foundation,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed March 10, 2016. 36“Americans for Prosperity,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed June 5, 2017. 37“Americans for Prosperity Foundation,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed June 5, 2017.

Conservative Transparency highlights two organizations associated with the Kochs, Freedom Partners and the Center to Protect Patient Rights, which had combined contributions of over $80 million to Americans for Prosperity since 2009.38“Americans for Prosperity & Americans for Prosperity Foundation,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed March 10, 2016.  39“Americans for Prosperity,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed June 5, 2017.  40“Americans for Prosperity Foundation,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed June 5, 2017.

Below is a summary of data the Conservative Transparency project collected from publicly available 990 tax forms. Note that not all individual transactions have been verified by DeSmog.41“Americans for Prosperity,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed June 5, 2017. 42“Americans for Prosperity Foundation,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed June 5, 2017.

AFP as Recipient

DonorAmericans for ProsperityAmericans for Prosperity FoundationGrand Total
Freedom Partners$211,215,000 $211,215,000
DonorsTrust $30,936,331$30,936,331
American Encore (Center to Protect Patient Rights)$16,056,079 $16,056,079
David H. Koch Charitable Foundation$6,206,853$1,000,000$7,206,853
Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation $4,693,225$4,693,225
DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative $3,000,000$3,000,000
John William Pope Foundation $2,895,000$2,895,000
Wellspring Committee$1,651,811 $1,651,811
Marshall Heritage Foundation $1,550,000$1,550,000
Donors Capital Fund $1,423,000$1,423,000
The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation $1,394,500$1,394,500
TC4 Trust$1,391,800 $1,391,800
Independent Women’s Forum $1,119,998$1,119,998
Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation$674,484$437,497$1,111,981
Barney Family Foundation $658,221$658,221
Walton Family Foundation $575,000$575,000
Searle Freedom Trust $496,000$496,000
Chase Foundation of Virginia$475,500 $475,500
E L Craig Foundation $450,000$450,000
Bradley Impact Fund $413,000$413,000
National Christian Charitable Foundation $370,000$370,000
Schwab Charitable Fund $364,500$364,500
John Dawson Foundation $325,000$325,000
The Randolph Foundation $310,000$310,000
Floyd Foundation$300,000 $300,000
Friedman Foundation For Educational Choice $262,500$262,500
The Challenge Foundation $250,000$250,000
PhRMA$150,000$70,000$220,000
Ed Uihlein Family Foundation $205,000$205,000
Lovett & Ruth Peters Foundation $200,000$200,000
Charles Koch Institute $194,112$194,112
Reams Foundation$160,000 $160,000
Armstrong Foundation $147,500$147,500
American Petroleum Institute$139,000 $139,000
Sarah Scaife Foundation$125,000 $125,000
Adolph Coors Foundation $120,000$120,000
American Energy Alliance$100,000 $100,000
John Templeton Foundation $100,000$100,000
Castle Rock Foundation $100,000$100,000
Claws Foundation$82,800 $82,800
The JM Foundation $60,000$60,000
Philip M. McKenna Foundation $55,000$55,000
Reynolds American$54,000 $54,000
Heartland Institute $50,000$50,000
MyWireless.org$45,000 $45,000
The Rodney Fund$44,000 $44,000
Hickory Foundation $35,000$35,000
Huizenga Foundation $35,000$35,000
The Vernon K. Krieble Foundation$32,500 $32,500
Edison Electric Institute$30,000 $30,000
Wodecroft Foundation$15,000$13,000$28,000
Jaquelin Hume Foundation $25,000$25,000
Einhorn Family Foundation $25,000$25,000
Dorothy D. and Joseph A. Moller Foundation $25,000$25,000
Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation $22,500$22,500
Bochnowski Family Foundation$20,000 $20,000
Legett Foundation $15,000$15,000
Peterson Family Foundation$13,750 $13,750
Considine Family Foundation$10,000 $10,000
Tepper Family Foundation$7,500 $7,500
Richard Seth Staley Educational Foundation$6,500 $6,500
American Democracy Alliance $6,000$6,000
The Stiles Nicholson Foundation$5,000 $5,000
National Philanthropic Trust $5,000$5,000
George Edward Durell Foundation $5,000$5,000
The Roe Foundation $5,000$5,000
Abstraction Fund $5,000$5,000
Marcus Foundation $3,000$3,000
Cato Institute $2,500$2,500
The Whitcomb Charitable Foundation$2,000 $2,000
Foundation for Economic Education$1,000 $1,000
Deramus Foundation $1,000$1,000
Leadership Institute$500 $500
Eric Javits Family Foundation$100 $100
Grand Total$239,015,177$54,453,384$293,468,561

AFP as Donor

RecipientAmericans for ProsperityAmericans for Prosperity FoundationGrand Total
Defeat22com$590,000 $590,000
KidsFirst Mississippi Political Issue Committee$210,000 $210,000
Enterprise Freedom Action$200,000 $200,000
Center to Protect Patient Rights$100,000 $100,000
Arizona Free Enterprise Club$100,000 $100,000
Coalition for American Values$85,500 $85,500
SM Wright Foundation $56,000$56,000
Protect my Check$50,000 $50,000
United for MO‘s Future $50,000$50,000
Tax Fairness for All Wichitans$43,000 $43,000
Kansas Senior Consumer Alliance LLC$42,000 $42,000
South Carolina Policy Council $35,000$35,000
Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity $30,000$30,000
United Sportsmen of Wisconsin Foundation Inc $30,000$30,000
Nevada Policy Research Institute $29,500$29,500
Home School Legal Defense Association$29,200 $29,200
We The People Convention$20,000 $20,000
New Hampshire Advantage Coalition$20,000 $20,000
NPIB – The Voice of Free Enterprise$20,000 $20,000
Let the People Vote (SPAC)$20,000 $20,000
State Policy Network $15,000$15,000
American Energy Alliance$15,000 $15,000
Keep Albuquerque Working$12,000 $12,000
Clark County School District$11,000 $11,000
Beacon Center of Tennessee$10,000 $10,000
Edgar County Watchdogs $10,000$10,000
Talent Market $10,000$10,000
The Junior League of Raleigh Inc $10,000$10,000
Georgia Public Policy Foundation $9,250$9,250
Hampton Roads Tea Party$7,700 $7,700
New Mexico Business Coalition$7,500 $7,500
American Principles in Action$7,259 $7,259
Kentucky Education Restoration Alliance $7,000$7,000
Conservative Alliance for Community Growth$6,400 $6,400
Citizens for Community Values$5,800 $5,800
Smart Girl Politics$5,650 $5,650
Grand Total$1,618,009$291,750$1,909,759

Koch Funding

The AFP is the third largest recipient of funding from the Koch Family Foundations, behind the Cato Institute and the George Mason University Foundation.

Before 2003, when the AFP was still named the Citizens for a Sound Economy Foundation, it received $18,460,912 in funding. 84% of that funding came from the Koch Family Foundations ($12,906,712) and the Scaife Family Foundations ($2,510,000).43“Aggregated Grants from the Charles G. Koch, David H. Koch, and Claude R. Lambe Foundations,” Media Transparency. Archived June 2, 2009. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Koch Family Foundations are connected to Koch Industries, the second-largest privately-held company according to Forbes and the largest privately owned energy company in the United States.44“#2 Koch Industries,” Forbes. Archived March 16, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GTze6

According to Greenpeace, AFP received a grand total of combined $6,324,834  from combined Koch foundations between 2005 and 2017. Note that if you include values prior to 2005, some of which no longer have original 990 forms available for verification, that number increases to $13,012,059 in Koch funding from 1986 to 2017:45“Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP): Koch Industries Climate Denial Front Group,” Greenpeace USA. Archived March 13, 2017. Most recent data on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/c7gWL

 Donor
RecipientDavid H. Koch Charitable FoundationClaude R. Lambe Charitable FoundationCharles G. Koch Charitable FoundationGrand Total
Americans for Prosperity (or Foundation –  Unspecified)$6,206,853 $674,484$6,881,337
1986$455,000  $455,000
1987$500,000  $500,000
1988$625,000  $625,000
1989$1,026,853 $200,000$1,226,853
1995$600,000 $24,484$624,484
1996$500,000  $500,000
1997$750,000  $750,000
1999$1,000,000  $1,000,000
2000$750,000  $750,000
2001  $450,000$450,000
Americans for Prosperity Foundation$1,000,000$4,693,225$437,497$6,130,722
2005 $1,000,000 $1,000,000
2006 $1,151,500 $1,151,500
2007 $1,025,000 $1,025,000
2008$1,000,000$1,000,000 $2,000,000
2009 $366,725$67,556$434,281
2010 $150,000 $150,000
2012  $43,373$43,373
2014  $123,984$123,984
2015  $130,528$130,528
2016  $61,799$61,799
2017  $10,257$10,257
Grand Total$7,206,853$4,693,225$1,111,981$13,012,059

Exxon Funding

According to ExxonSecrets, between the years 1998-2001, Citizens for A Sound Economy and Citizens for a Sound Economy Foundation received $380,250 from ExxonMobil.46ExxonSecrets Factsheet: Citizens for A Sound Economy and CSE Educational Foundation. Archived July 1, 2011.

Americans for Prosperity as Donor

Conservative Transparency data shows that AFP has also donated funds to a number of groups including the following:47“Americans for Prosperity & Americans for Prosperity Foundation,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed March 10, 2016. 48“Americans for Prosperity,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed June 5, 2017. 49“Americans for Prosperity Foundation,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed June 5, 2017.

Enterprise Freedom Action$200,000
Center to Protect Patient Rights$100,000
Tax Fairness for All Wichitans$43,000
New Hampshire Advantage Coalition$20,000
NPIB – The Voice of Free Enterprise$20,000
We The People Convention$20,000
American Energy Alliance$15,000
Keep Albuquerque Working$12,000
Clark County School District$11,000
Hampton Roads Tea Party$7,700
New Mexico Business Coalition$7,500
American Principles in Action$7,259
Conservative Alliance for Community Growth$6,400
Citizens for Community Values$5,800
Smart Girl Politics$5,650
Grand Total$481,309

AFP Political Spending

OpenSecrets reports the Americans for Prosperity FEC-reported spending from Jan 2004-Dec 2014 at $40,871,480, and lists it at #8 for its long-term political activity ranking.50“Americans for Prosperity: Organization Summary,” Center for Responsive Politics (OpenSecrets.org). Archived March 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/dWe3Q

Americans for Prosperity 990 Forms

Americans for Prosperity Foundation 990 Forms

Cause of Action Institute 990 Forms

Key People

Actions

February 5, 2023

In the lead up to the 2024 election, a memo from AFP CEO Emily Seidel described their aim to promote a Republican candidate other than Donald Trump by getting “involved in elections earlier and in more primaries.” Seidel wrote that “AFP Action is prepared to support a candidate in the Republican presidential primary who can lead our country forward, and who can win.” (Emphasis Seidel’s).51Philip Elliott. “Koch Political Machine Vows to Fight to Deny Trump GOP Nomination in 2024,” Yahoo! News, February 5, 2023. Archived September 28, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Y4j9M

December 20, 2021

The AFP Foundation filed a brief in West Virginia v. EPA, a U.S. Supreme Court case that reduced the EPA’s ability to regulate power plants under the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan. AFPF’s brief cited numerous scholars affiliated with Koch-funded academic centers, including Naomi Rao (GMU), Ronald Cass (GMU), Philip Hamburger (New Civil Liberties Union), and Gary Lawson (Federalist Society contributor)52“BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY FOUNDATION IN SUPPORT OF PETITIONERS in STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ET AL.,Petitioners, v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, ET AL., Respondents. | THE NORTH AMERICAN COAL CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, ET AL., Respondents. | WESTMORELAND MINING HOLDINGS LLC, Petitioner, v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, ET AL., Respondents. | NORTH DAKOTA, Petitioner, v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, ET AL., Respondents,” Supreme Court of the United States Docket Nos. Nos. 20-1530, 20-1531, 20-1778, 20-1780. In June 2022, the court ruled 6-3 against the EPA.53“West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency,” NRDC, July 7, 2022. Archived April 6, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/pnvVq

December 2021

Tim Phillips resigned as president of Americans for Prosperity following an investigation by AFP into what the group told the Washington Examiner was behavior that was “incompatible with our organization’s values.”54David M. Drucker. “‘Matter of integrity’: Top official at Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity resigns amid troubling conduct,” Washington Examiner, December 1, 2021. Archived December 14, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/LB6Kz

“While the underlying issues involved are personal in nature, Tim’s actions violate our core principles and make it impossible for him to continue in this role,” Mark Holden, board chairman of Americans for Prosperity, said in a statement shared first with the Washington Examiner. “This has caught us all by surprise. But we believe Tim’s departure is necessary for him, his loved ones, and for AFP.”

AFP officials did not detail the specific actions by Phillips that led to them seeking his resignation, however sources described it as a “matter of integrity that violated” AFP’s “core principles.”

CNBC reported on allegations: “Phillips is said to have had what’s described as an extramarital affair with a Virginia-based Republican official, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. These people declined to be named in order to speak freely about a private matter.”55Brian Schwartz and Dan Mangan. “Influential Koch network rocked by an alleged affair scandal, donor departures and a discrimination lawsuit,” CNBC, December 3, 2021. Archived December 17, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KvEnz

Following Phillips’ departure from AFP, two board members were listed on the group’s website, including chairman Mark Holden and CEO listed as Emily Seidel.56Brian Schwartz and Dan Mangan. “Influential Koch network rocked by an alleged affair scandal, donor departures and a discrimination lawsuit,” CNBC, December 3, 2021. Archived December 17, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KvEnz

CNBC also noted a possible scaling back of AFP donors, although the Koch-backed Stand Together Chamber of Commerce did disclose in its 2020 990 form that it donated $40 million to AFP, citing preparation for upcoming 2022 elections.57Brian Schwartz and Dan Mangan. “Influential Koch network rocked by an alleged affair scandal, donor departures and a discrimination lawsuit,” CNBC, December 3, 2021. Archived December 17, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KvEnz

Randy Kendrick, Diane Hendricks, David Humphreys and Bob Luddy, “have suggested to allies that they have no immediate plans to contribute to a Koch-backed group, according to a person briefed on the matter,” CNBC noted. Former donor Chris Rufer told CNBC, following the publication of their story, that he had no plans to continue supporting Koch-related groups, including AFP.58Brian Schwartz and Dan Mangan. “Influential Koch network rocked by an alleged affair scandal, donor departures and a discrimination lawsuit,” CNBC, December 3, 2021. Archived December 17, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KvEnz

In addition, AFP also faced a workplace discrimination lawsuit for gender discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful discharge. AFP spokesperson Bill Riggs said they settled: “We reached an amicable resolution in each matter. AFP is committed to a respectful, rewarding, and inclusive work environment.”59Brian Schwartz and Dan Mangan. “Influential Koch network rocked by an alleged affair scandal, donor departures and a discrimination lawsuit,” CNBC, December 3, 2021. Archived December 17, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KvEnz

April 6, 2020

AFP, represented by Brent Wm. Gardner, was signatory to an American Energy Alliance letter to President Donald Trump supporting the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule which would scrap federal fuel economy mandates under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program.60CAFE-Coaliton-to-Trump-April-2020-9 (PDF), American Energy Alliance.

Describing CAFE, the letter contends: “Those families and individuals who prefer or need trucks, SUVs, and crossovers pay more to subsidize those who buy smaller vehicles or electric vehicles under the existing mandate. This significant, needless, and unjust cost is a very real regressive tax on American families that has made our country worse off.”61CAFE-Coaliton-to-Trump-April-2020-9 (PDF), American Energy Alliance.

July 18, 2018

Americans for Prosperity, represented by Brent Wm. Gardner, was among signatories of a letter supporting an anti-carbon tax resolution from House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.62“41 Conservative Groups Support Scalise/McKinley Anti-Carbon Tax Resolution,” Americans for Tax Reform, July 18, 2018. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

“We oppose any carbon tax. We oppose a carbon tax because it would lead to less income and fewer jobs for American families,” the letter read. “We support the House Concurrent Resolution in opposition to a job-killing carbon tax and urge members to co-sponsor and support this effort.”63“41 Conservative Groups Support Scalise/McKinley Anti-Carbon Tax Resolution,” Americans for Tax Reform, July 18, 2018. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

The resolution would call a carbon tax “detrimental to the United States economy.”E&E News reported it was similar to a measure that passed the House in 2016. Rep. Carlos Curbelo of Florida, co-chairman of the Climate Solutions Caucus, said he would not vote for the resolution.64Nick Sobczyk. “House voting on anti-carbon-tax measure: ‘Pass the popcorn’,” E&E News, July 16, 2018. Archived Aug 2, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.fo/aTP8h

“Protecting our environment and economic growth are not mutually exclusive,” he said in a statement. “The resolution presents a false choice.”65Nick Sobczyk. “House voting on anti-carbon-tax measure: ‘Pass the popcorn’,” E&E News, July 16, 2018. Archived Aug 2, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.fo/aTP8h

The Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) issued a point-by-point rebuttal of the measure when it was first introduced.66“Teaching opportunities from House Concurrent Resolution 119 (H.Con.Res.119)” (PDF), Citizens’ Climate Lobby, April 30, 2018. Archived September 23, 2019.

February 12, 2018

AFP announced it was leading a coalition opposing a federal gas tax increase. Groups joining AFP were groups including the National Taxpayers Union, Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Tax Reform, Club for Growth, Heritage Action, and numerous others.67“Americans For Prosperity Leads Coalition Against Gas Tax Hike,” Americans for Prosperity, February 12, 2018. Archived February 20, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/vNQMN

“Raising the gas tax is a bad idea. It will make the burden of government on families and businesses heavier,” the coalition open letter read. While the Trump administration’s infrastructure proposal did not include a gas tax increase, AFP noted that several increases had been proposed.68“Americans For Prosperity Leads Coalition Against Gas Tax Hike,” Americans for Prosperity, February 12, 2018. Archived February 20, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/vNQMN

Signatories include:69“Dear Representative:” (PDF), Americans for Prosperity, February 12, 2018.

NameTitleCompany
Brent Wm. GardnerChief Government Affairs OfficerAmer
Michael A. NeedhamCEOHeritage Action for America
Grover NorquistPresidentAmericans for Tax Reform
David McIntoshPresidentClub for Growth
Nathan NascimentoExecutive Vice PresidentFreedom Partners Chamber of Commerce
Mark ScribnerSenior FellowCompetitive Enterprise Institute
Jason PyeVice President of Legislative AffairsFreedomWorks
Tom SchatzPresidentCitizens Against Government Waste
Pete SeppPresidentNational Taxpayers Union
Phil KerpenPresidentAmerican Commitment
Mario H. LopezPresidentHispanic Leadership Fund
Daniel GarzaPresidentThe Libre Initiative
Carrie L. LukasPresidentIndependent Women’s Forum
Heather R. HigginsPresident and CEOIndependent Women’s Voice
Harry C. AlfordPresident and CEONational Black Chamber of Commerce
Jeffrey MazellaPresidentCenter for Individual Freedom
Donald BrysonPresidentCivitas Action
David BarnesPolicy DirectorGeneration Opportunity
Norm SingletonPresidentCampaign for Liberty
Judson PhillipsFounderTea Party Nation
Seton MotleyPresidentLess Government
Kim Crockett, Esq.Vice President, Senior Fellow and General CounselCenter of the American Experiment
Tom Brinkman, Jr.ChairmanCoalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST)
Matthew KandrachPresidentConsumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE)
Katie McAulliffeExecutive DirectorDigital Liberty
Brett HealyPresidentJohn K. MacIver Institute
Sean NoblePresidentAmerican Encore
Annette MeeksCEOFreedom Foundation of Minnesota
Andrew F. QuinlanPresidentCenter for Freedom and Prosperity

2017

Americans for Prosperity‘s “Grassroots Leadership Academy” hosted Alex Epstein on a speaking tour at a number of AFP chapters across America on the “Moral Case for Fossil Fuels – Insight to Action.” Venues and listed dates include the following:

The Alaska event description reads:70“AFP Foundation AK: Insight to Action Forum – Moral Case for Fossil Fuels -…” EventBrite. Retrieved May 23, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/ITX08

“In this presentation, we consider the reasons for the left’s alarmist statements on energy production, and we examine Epstein’s key arguments and explain how a turn away from fossil fuel use would ultimately be disastrous to humanity — especially the poorest of the poor.”

August 2017

According to documents released in 2018 via an open records request, AFP invited Vincent DeVito, a senior energy advisor to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, to one of its events. The invitation was forwarded to DeVito by Jason Funes, a special assistant at the Interior Department’s Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs. DeVito was invited to speak on a panel titled “Give Me Liberty in Energy” focusing on “deregulation in the energy sector.” The panel also featured former AFP vice president for external affairs Chrissy Harbin, who had joined the Department of Energy. Another speaker, Grant Kidwell, was a former AFP policy analyst who went on to work at the American Legislative Exchange Council. DeVito accepted the invitation.71Itai Vardi. “Koch-Backed and Anti-Renewable Energy Groups Wooing Interior Department Official,” DeSmog, May 23, 2018.

May 8, 2017

Americans for Prosperity, represented by Chrissy Harbin (Vice President of External Affairs), is listed on an open letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him “to withdraw fully from the Paris Climate Treaty and to stop all taxpayer funding of UN global warming programs.”72“Dear Mr. President” (PDF), retrieved from Competitive Enterprise Institute. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

DeSmog reported that the 40 groups represented in the letter, including the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), The Heartland Institute, and the Heritage Foundation, have received a combined total of millions of dollars from the Koch Brothers, ExxonMobil, and other industry groups.73Graham Readfearn. “Conservative Groups Pushing Trump To Exit Paris Climate Deal Have Taken Millions From Koch Brothers, Exxon,” DeSmog, May 10, 2017.

Analysis also showed that the groups accepted about $80 million through Donors Capital Fund and Donors Trust, two groups that have been confirmed is a key financial source for key U.S-based climate change denial groups.74Susanne Goldberg. “Conservative groups spend up to $1bn a year to fight action on climate change,” The Guardian, December 20, 2013. Archived May 12, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/TB2yy

June 13, 2016

According to documents obtained by The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD/PRWatch), Americans for Prosperity’s Oklahoma chapter was named as a creditor in Peabody Energy’s bankruptcy filings.75Nick Surgey. “Peabody Coal Bankruptcy Reveals Climate Denial Network Funding,” PRWatch, June 13, 2016. Archived June 20, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/a73wj

While the available bankruptcy documents do not list the scale or dates of funding, they outline Peabody Energy’s financial ties to a large network of groups promoting climate change denial.76“In re: Peabody Energy Corporation, et al. Debtors,” United States Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Missouri Eastern Division,  Case 16-42529, May 27, 2016. Retrieved from DocumentCloud.

Prominent individuals appearing in the documents include climate deniers Willie Soon, Richard Lindzen, Roy Spencer and Richard Berman. The long list of organizations also includes groups such as Americans for Prosperity, American Legislative Exchange Council, CFACT, Institute for Energy Research, State Policy Network, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and dozens more.77Farron Cousins. “Court Documents Show Coal Giant Peabody Energy Funded Dozens Of Climate Denial Groups,” DeSmog, June 13, 2016.

The Guardian also analysed and reported on the Peabody bankruptcy findings:78Suzanne Goldenberg and Helena Bengtsson. “Biggest US coal company funded dozens of groups questioning climate change,” The Guardian, June 13, 2016. Archived June 20, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/pw7On

“These groups collectively are the heart and soul of climate denial,” said Kert Davies, founder of the Climate Investigation Center, who has spent 20 years tracking funding for climate denial. “It’s the broadest list I have seen of one company funding so many nodes in the denial machine.”

The company’s filings reveal funding for a range of organisations which have fought Barack Obama’s plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and denied the very existence of climate change. […]

Among Peabody’s beneficiaries, the Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change has insisted – wrongly – that carbon emissions are not a threat but “the elixir of life” while the American Legislative Exchange Council is trying to overturn Environmental Protection Agency rules cutting emissions from power plants. Meanwhile, Americans for Prosperity campaigns against carbon pricing. The Oklahoma chapter was on the list. […]

“The breadth of the groups with financial ties to Peabody is extraordinary. Thinktanks, litigation groups, climate scientists, political organisations, dozens of organisations blocking action on climate all receiving funding from the coal industry,” said Nick Surgey, director of research for the Center for Media and Democracy.

“We expected to see some denial money, but it looks like Peabody is the treasury for a very substantial part of the climate denial movement.”

Notable organizations listed in the initial documents include:

Notable individuals named in the initial documents include the following:

June, 2016

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) was among organizations named in a Massachusetts subpoena looking for communications between ExxonMobil and organizations denying climate change, reports The Washington Times.79Valerie Richardson. “Exxon fights Mass. AG’s ‘political’ probe into climate change dissent,” The Washington Times, June 15, 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GepbJ

Organizations named in the Massachusetts subpoena include the following:80Valerie Richardson. “Exxon fights Mass. AG’s ‘political’ probe into climate change dissent,” The Washington Times, June 15, 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GepbJ

This latest inquiry by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is one in a series of investigations into what ExxonMobil knew about climate change and when, started by a coalition of attorneys general in the US.81Ben Jervey. “State Investigations Into What Exxon Knew Double, and Exxon Gets Defensive,” DeSmog, April 1, 2016. 

February/March 2016

Americans for Prosperity released an internet ad thanking Governor Pence for rejecting the federal government’s rule to restrict greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

IndyStar reports this was not the first time Americans for Prosperity supported Pence’s position. In their analysis, they also write the ad “ignores the fact that if Indiana does not submit a plan to comply with the federal rule, the Environmental Protection Agency will impose one on the state. So any of the negative effects the group says will result from the Clean Power Plan would come regardless. And the utility industry has told the Indiana Department of Environmental Management it’s better to have the state figure out how to comply.”82Maureen Groppe. “Truth Squad: Does Koch brothers group’s ad stretch the truth for Gov. Mike Pence?“ IndyStar, March 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/K5Dc7

The ad ran soon after Pence said that he would not comply with the federal rule, even if it survived legal challenges.83Maureen Groppe. “Pence to defy coal plant rules,” IndyStar, February 20, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/EwV4B

View video below, via Internet Archive:

Transcript:

“When you’re at the crossroads, you have a choice to make. Thank you Governor Pence for making the right choice for Indiana. Thank you for choosing to protect our jobs, keep our power plants open, and ensure our energy is always abundant, affordable, and there when we need it.

You had the courage to say ‘no’ to president Obama’s flawed and expensive energy regulations. Visit FightForIndiana.com and thank Governor Pence for steering Indiana in the right direction.” 

October 2015

Americans for Prosperity said it would spend $750 million in the election84Patrick O’Connor. “A Frustrated Koch Brother Decides It’s Time to ‘Spout Off’,” The Wall Street Journal (Sub. required), October 26, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/eGa0b—having already spent over $400 million as of February, 2016—and that any efforts to address climate change would put candidates in “political peril” and at a “severe disadvantage.”85Sheldon Whitehouse. “The Climate Movement Needs More Corporate Lobbyists,” Sustainable Brands, February 26, 2016. Archived March 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/o6M67

July 2015

As reported at the Huffington Post, there is speculation the Koch Brothers have influenced New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s decision to withdraw Jersey from the regional carbon reduction program, known as RGGI.86Heather Taylor-Miele. “Chris Christie Not ‘Telling It Like It Is’ on Climate Change,” Huffington Post, July 9, 2015. Archived July 10, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/r4Sqk

In a New York Times profile of Christie’s refusal to participate in RGGI, an AFP representative said, “We were exceedingly pleased that the governor got New Jersey out of the R.G.G.I. boondoggle. … It’s something that A.F.P. in New Jersey worked hard on.” According to the Times, the AFP representative “said the move would be sure to help Mr. Christie’s efforts in the Republican primaries, should he run.”87Coral Davenport. “With Eye on 2016, Christie Resists Climate Change Plan,” New York Times, September 18, 2014. Archived December 14, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/I4bFM

June 4, 2015

The Americans for Prosperity Foundation’s Grassroots Leadership Academy hosted Alex Epstein to discuss “The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels.”88Josh Kaib. “This man wants to completely change the way you think about fossil fuels,” Watchdog.org, June 5, 2015. Archived May 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/S3gYX 89“The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels with Alex Epstein,” YouTube video uploaded by user AFPFoundation, June 9, 2015. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

“There’s actually no such thing, on a large scale, as solar power and wind power. There’s just solar-coal, solar-gas, and solar-oil because they are dependent sources of energy,” Epstein said.90Josh Kaib. “This man wants to completely change the way you think about fossil fuels,” Watchdog.org, June 5, 2015. Archived May 23, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/S3gYX

July 2011

Americans for Prosperity filed a lawsuit in New York’s Supreme Court seeking to reverse a key piece of state action on climate change. 

New York joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in 2005 when former governor George Pataki (R) approved the state’s participation in the program. The Competitive Enterprise Institute also supported the lawsuit, reported the Times Union.91Brian Nearing. “Group linked to billionaire Koch brothers seeks end to New York role in greenhouse gas curb,” Times Union, June 29, 2011. Archived July 10, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1HB4D

The suit alleged that New York is illegally (coercively) taxing residents by taking part in the market-based 10 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states’ Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The AFP complaint92“RGGI Complaint,” Accessed online at Scribd. Archived July 10, 2015. also asserts that carbon emissions trading is unconstitutional because it infringes on federal authority to set rules on air pollution and electrical power transmission across states.93“Suit hits Cuomo, DEC, NYSERDA over cap-and-trade,” Capitol Confidential, June 28, 2011. Archived July 10, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/hEgjo

June 2011

AFP took their “Running on Empty” campaign tour to Virginia, Michigan, and Ohio with the purpose to “teach” Americans about how AFP believes President Obama is making them pay higher prices at the pump.

AFP claims that Obama is intentionally keeping gas prices high because he refuses to allow oil companies to drill for oil in protected areas of the United States.

March 2011

Americans for Prosperity sent memos to U.S. senators to support an attack on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s lawful regulation of greenhouse gasses under the Clean Air Act.94Ben Geman. “Coal group presses senators on looming vote to kill EPA climate rules,” E2 Wire, March 25, 2011. Archived July 10, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kFw0W

2011

Americans for Prosperity is behind the “No Climate Tax Pledge” where congress members promised not to spend any federal money to fight climate change without equal tax cuts. According to a 2013 investigative Report on Koch Industries, most pledge signers had also received campaign contributions from Koch Industries.95CHARLES LEWIS , ERIC HOLMBERG , ALEXIA FERNANDEZ CAMPBELL , LYDIA BEYOUD. “Koch millions spread influence through nonprofits, colleges,” Investigative Reporting Workshop. July 1st, 2013. Archived July 10, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kUI86

March 22, 2010

AFP’s 2010 Regulation Reality Tour, featuring Smart cars and “carbon cops” at stops across the country, was launched to obstruct U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulation of major greenhouse gas emitters and undermine the seriousness of climate change.96“‘Regulation Reality Tour’ Peddles Polluter Lies, Endangering American Prosperity,” Thinkprogress, March 20, 2010. Archived July 10, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9tduz

Citizens observing the tour were given fake citations for mowing their lawns or filling gas tanks, falsely alleging that the EPA would regulate individual consumers.97“Carbon Cops,” Regulation Reality Tour. Archived January 2, 2011. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/nNv21

December 28, 2010

Republican Congressman Fred Upton, described as a “moderate who took global warming seriously until, in 2010, he wanted to be chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee,” co-authored a highly publicized Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal alongside the head of Americans for Prosperity, Tim Phillips.98Bill McKibben. “The Koch Brothers’ New Brand,” The New York Review of Books, March 10, 2016. Archived March 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/AsubY

The WSJ Op-Ed, titled “How Congress Can Stop the EPA‘s Power Grab,” describes the EPA‘s move to regulate carbon dioxide emissions as “an unconstitutional power grab that will kill millions of jobs—unless Congress steps in.” 99Fred Upton and Tim Phillips. “How Congress Can Stop the EPA’s Power Grab,” The Wall Street Journal (Sub. Required), December 28, 2010. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SSZ59

December 2, 2010

At the 2010 international climate negotiations in Cancun, Mexico, AFP had a live broadcast of its Hot Air Tour featuring Senate climate denier James Inhofe (R-OK) and conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart. Video below:

September 2010

AFP California supported Proposition 23, the ballot attack on state climate legislation that was heavily financed by Koch Industries and other oil companies.

AFP‘s California director has said that the Prop 23 is the group’s “top priority.”100“The Koch brothers’ dirty money in California,” Greenpeace, September 22, 2010. Archived December 14, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZWMAH

April 2009

AFP led attacks on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a climate pollution reduction program by pressuring state lawmakers to repeal from the program despite its economic successes.101David Anderson. “Koch-funded group mounts cut-and-paste attack on regional climate initiatives,” Grist, March 16, 2011. Archived December 14, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/eJND6

February 2009

Americans for Prosperity started a nation-wide campaign to stop the senate and congress from passing President Obama’s $827 Million Stimulus Plan. The key to AFP’s campaign was a petition which stated:

“Congress should not enact an expensive spending bill under the pretense of stimulus or recovery. We cannot spend our way to prosperity, and such an expansion of the federal government will put a crushing burden on taxpayers in the long-term.”

The “No Stimulus” campaign did not prevent the bill from passing, although the campaign were lauded by Senator James Inhofe for bringing awareness to the public.102“Senator James Inhofe speaks at AFP NoStimulus Rally,” YouTube Video. Uploaded by AforP, February 6, 2009. Archived February 27, 2013. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

April 2008

AFP embarked on a nation wide campaign against global warming titled the “Hot Air Tour.” AFP traveled in a hot air balloon to forty cities in the United States and held events in those cities. 

The tour carried the slogan, “Global Warming Alarmism: Lost Jobs, Higher Taxes, Less Freedom.”

During the Hot Air Tour, AFP president Tim Phillips said that AFP‘s purpose was to prevent cap-and-trade and other climate change legislation from being passed in government. He declared if any cap and trade legislation were passed it would create a massive tax burden on American citizens, kill the economy, and harmfully infringe on personal freedoms. 

In a public address, Tim Phillips stated there would be a $1.2 Trillion tax increase if a cap-and-trade bill was passed and that 1.2-1.8 million jobs would be lost with cap-and-trade legislation. He cited the “American Capital Formation Foundation” as his source. While the American Capital Formation Foundation does not in fact exist, the American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF) does, and it has consistently lobbied in Washington against green initiatives, especially the Kyoto protocol, claiming these actions would have severe effects on the national economy.

On its website, the ACCF calls itself “one of the most influential organizations operating behind the scenes in the Washington policymaking arena.” According to ExxonSecrets, between 1998-2006, the American Council for Capital Formation received $1,674,523 from ExxonMobil.103ExxonSecrets Factsheet: American Council for Capital Formation Center for Policy Research, ACCF. Archived November 5, 2011. The group has also received funding from Koch foundations.104“About Us,” American Council for Capital Formation. Archived July 10, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kk2tu

Americans for Prosperity Contact & Location

As of May 2016 the listed contact address and phone number for Americans for Prosperity was as follows:105“Home,” Americans for Prosperity. Archived May 20, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xYeV5

1310 N. COURTHOUSE RD. SUITE 700 
ARLINGTON, VA 22201 
703-224-3200

Independent Women’s Forum

Americans for Prosperity once maintained an official affiliation with the Independent Women’s Forum (IWF).  

A 2003 IWF press release said that “while the two organizations will share leadership and senior staff and be co-located in IWF’s new suite of offices in Washington, D.C., each will be a separate organization with its own board of directors.”111(Press Release). “Independent Women’s Forum Announces Exciting New Partnership; Affiliates with Americans for Prosperity,” PR Newswire, October 29, 2003. Archived October 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/yGKXb 112“IWF Announces Exciting New Partnership,” Independent Women’s Forum, October 28, 2003. Archived November 19, 2003. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TpCWC

The former president of the Independent Women’s Forum, Nancy Pfotenhauer, also acted as the president of Americans for Prosperity, but that arrangement ended in July 2005. She is currently (as of 2016) a director on the AFP board.113“About,” Americans for Prosperity. Archived March 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/H4H3q

According to Pfotenhauer’s profile at Americans for Prosperity, “She is the former President and C.E.O. of the Independent Women’s Forum (IWF), serving in that position from 2000-05. She was Vice Chairman of IWF’s Board of Directors from 2005-07. Ms. Pfotenhauer joined IWF after leaving Koch Industries, the largest privately held company in the country with more than $80 billion in assets, where she was Director of the Washington, D.C. office.” 114“Nancy Pfotenhauer,” Americans for Prosperity. Archived March 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Bv0UU

AFP listed the following “featured partners” as late as 2012:115Americans for Prosperity Homepage. Archived April 14, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wBqVN

  • The Heartland Institute’s International Conference on Climate Change
  • Internet Freedom Coalition
  • Townhall.com

Internet Freedom Coalition

Internet Freedom Coalition members also include Americans for Tax Reform, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Frontiers of Freedom, the Independent Women’s Forum, the Reason Foundation, among others.116“Coalition Members,” Internet Freedom Coalition. Archived March 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JIPcP

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