Americans for Tax Reform (ATR)
Background
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) โtaxpayer advocacy groupโ founded in 1985 by Grover Norquist at the request of Ronald Reagan. According to their website, โAmericans for Tax Reform (ATR) opposes all tax increases as a matter of principle.โ1โAbout,โ Americans for Tax Reform. Archived October 8, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/yb7P7
Grover Norquist, President and Founder of ATR, has been called โone of the Republican Party’s most influential policy strategists,โ by the New York Times and one of the โGang of Fiveโ in Nina Easton’s 2000 book by the same name that describes the history of the leaders of the modern conservative movement.2Philip Shenon, โ,000 to Lobby Group Is Tied to Access to Bush,โ New York Times, March 10, 2006. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YgE7s
Americans for Tax Reform has close ties to the Republican Party, and historically served as a gathering place for conservative political organizing, with regular meetings that included Republican congressional leaders, right-leaning think tanks, conservative advocacy groups and K Street lobbyists. They continue their national โWednesday Meetingโ in the states that brings together โa broad cross section of the center-right community- taxpayer groups, social conservative groups, business groups, legislators, etc., to promote limited government ideals.โ3Susan Page. โNorquist’s power high, profile low,โ USA Today, June 1, 2001. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/18z5S 4โAbout,โ Americans for Tax Reform. Archived October 8, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/yb7P7
Americans for Tax Reform is known for its โTaxpayer Protection Pledge,โ which asks candidates for federal and state office to commit themselves in writing to oppose all tax increases. The pledge comes in versions for the national and for the state level. According to Americans for tax Reform, โSince its rollout with the endorsement of President Reagan in 1986, the pledge has become practically required for Republicans seeking office, and is a necessity for Democrats running in Republican districts.โ5โAbout the Taxpayer Protection Pledge,โ Americans for Tax Reform. Archived June 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0SbGQ
Americans for Tax Reform is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the Cooler Heads Coalition (CHC), and has been known to ally itself with the tobacco industry, having received funding from R.J. Reynolds, Phillip Morris (now Atria), and the Tobacco Institute.6โAmericans for Tax Reform,โ SourceWatch.
ATR runs a number of projects. The Property Rights Alliance describes itself as an โAffiliateโ of ATR, and opposes estate tax, environmental protection, and licensing restrictions. The โAlliance for Worker Freedom,โ which opposes unions, describes itself as a โspecial project of Americans for Tax Reform.โ7โAbout,โ Property Rights Alliance. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kSIPg 8โAbout,โ Centre for Worker Freedom. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TT0kR
Stance on Climate Change
โAmericans for Tax Reform opposes a carbon tax and will work tirelessly to ensure one does not become law.โ9Stephen Lacey. โGrover Norquist Abruptly Changes Position On Carbon Tax After Facing Criticism From Koch-Backed Group,โ ThinkProgress, November 13, 2012. Archived July 17, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/T2t8u
โIncreased carbon emissions caused a ‘greenhouse effect’ which changed the climate and caused the earth to warm. The increases in carbon eventually changed the climate again and the earth is now cooling. The carbon has continued to increase and the planet has warmed (slightly) and cooled (slightly) โฆโ10Todd Hollenbeck. โGlobal Warming Has Brought on A New Ice Age!โ Americans for Tax Reform, November 10, 2009. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZfNbX
โThe actions of these do-gooder greenies have led to the deaths of millions of people in developing countries due to malaria outbreaks that could have been prevented with the use of DDT. The current proposals to limit CO2 emissions will have equally devastating effects to not only Americans but to the rest of the world as well.โ11Todd Hollenbeck. โNot Evil Just Wrong exposing the costs of Global Warming Hysteria,โ Americans for Tax Reform, August 25, 2009. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/qFIyl
Funding
Both Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) and the related Americans for Tax Reform Foundation have received significant funding from corporations, right-wing organizations, and conservative foundations.
The following is taken from the Conservative Transparency Project’s database, based on publicly-available 990 tax forms. Note that not all values have been confirmed by DeSmog.12โAmericans for Tax Reformโ (seach), Conservative Transparency. Data retrieved June 30, 2016.
See the attached spreadsheet for Americans for Tax Reform funding by year (.xlsx).13โAmericans for Tax Reformโ (seach), Conservative Transparency. Data retrieved June 30, 2016.
ATR as Donor
Recipient | Americans for Tax Reform | Americans for Tax Reform Foundation | Grand Total |
Independent Women’s Voice | $260,000 | $260,000 | |
Center for Civic Renewal | $175,000 | $175,000 | |
Atlas Network | $68,400 | $68,400 | |
Citizens for Limited Taxation | $52,200 | $52,200 | |
Beacon Hill Institute | $25,250 | $25,250 | |
New Hampshire Advantage Coalition | $25,000 | $25,000 | |
Alliance for America’s Future | $25,000 | $25,000 | |
Texas Public Policy Foundation | $25,000 | $25,000 | |
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility | $25,000 | $25,000 | |
Utah Taxpayers Association | $25,000 | $25,000 | |
American Conservative Union Foundation | $14,500 | $10,450 | $24,950 |
Friends of the Austrian Economics Center | $22,000 | $22,000 | |
American Encore | $20,000 | $20,000 | |
Citizens in Charge Foundation | $15,000 | $15,000 | |
Frontiers of Freedom | $15,000 | $15,000 | |
Jaime Guzman Foundation | $6,000 | $6,000 | |
Nuestra Decision | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
American Spectator Foundation | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
CA Term Limits | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
Nebraskans Against Amendment 3 | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
The Helm’s Center | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
Evergreen Freedom Foundation | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
Adam Smith Institute | $4,500 | $4,500 | |
Jesse Helms Center | $3,000 | $3,000 | |
The Independent Institute | $2,000 | $2,000 | |
Cato Institute | $2,000 | $2,000 | |
Indiana Policy Review Foundation | $2,000 | $2,000 | |
America’s Future Foundation | $1,550 | $1,550 | |
The Philadelphia Society | $1,190 | $1,190 | |
Victims of Communism Memorial | $600 | $600 | |
State Policy Network | $500 | $500 | |
Leadership Institute | $500 | $500 | |
Minaret of Freedom Institute | $100 | $100 | |
Pic Education Foundation | $100 | $100 | |
Grand Total | $456,700 | $400,140 | $856,840 |
ATR as Recipient
Donor | Americans for Tax Reform | Americans for Tax Reform Foundation | Grand Total |
Crossroads GPS | $30,400,000 | $30,400,000 | |
Center to Protect Patient Rights | $4,539,000 | $4,539,000 | |
The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation | $1,072,500 | $1,072,500 | |
Schwab Charitable Fund | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | |
PhRMA | $961,000 | $20,000 | $981,000 |
Free Enterprise America | $813,000 | $813,000 | |
American Petroleum Institute | $807,500 | $807,500 | |
Walton Family Foundation | $658,500 | $658,500 | |
The Randolph Foundation | $419,250 | $124,200 | $543,450 |
John M. Olin Foundation | $525,000 | $525,000 | |
DonorsTrust | $446,750 | $446,750 | |
Sarah Scaife Foundation | $375,000 | $375,000 | |
The Carthage Foundation | $325,000 | $325,000 | |
Donors Capital Fund | $250,000 | $250,000 | |
Searle Freedom Trust | $243,000 | $243,000 | |
MyWireless.org | $195,000 | $195,000 | |
John William Pope Foundation | $195,000 | $195,000 | |
Reynolds American | $175,000 | $175,000 | |
Edison Electric Institute | $163,500 | $163,500 | |
Lovett and Ruth Peters Foundation | $10,000 | $105,000 | $115,000 |
Kickapoo Springs Foundation | $113,500 | $113,500 | |
Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation | $60,000 | $50,000 | $110,000 |
Freedom Partners | $100,000 | $100,000 | |
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers | $75,000 | $75,000 | |
Pew Charitable Trusts | $50,000 | $50,000 | |
William H. Donner Foundation | $45,000 | $45,000 | |
Dodge Jones Foundation | $42,500 | $42,500 | |
William E. Simon Foundation | $35,000 | $35,000 | |
The Roe Foundation | $30,000 | $30,000 | |
American Natural Gas Alliance | $25,000 | $25,000 | |
National Christian Charitable Foundation | $25,000 | $25,000 | |
JM Foundation | $25,000 | $25,000 | |
The Vernon K. Krieble Foundation | $22,000 | $22,000 | |
Legett Foundation | $20,000 | $20,000 | |
Americans for Limited Government | $20,000 | $20,000 | |
Charles G Koch Charitable Foundation | $14,500 | $14,500 | |
Robert and Marie Hansen Foundation | $7,500 | $7,500 | |
Americans for Limited Government Foundation | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
Gilder Foundation | $5,000 | $5,000 | |
The Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation | $3,000 | $3,000 | |
Armstrong Foundation | $2,500 | $2,500 | |
Dunn’s Foundation for the Advancement of Right Thinking | $2,500 | $2,500 | |
Grand Total | $39,428,250 | $5,172,950 | $44,601,200 |
Koch Funding
According to the most recent data from Greenpeace, ATR received at least $117,250 from Koch foundations between 2003 and 2017.14โAmericans for Tax Reform (ATR),โ Greenpeace USA. Accessed June 30, 2016. Most recent data on file at DeSmog.
Below are values taken from publicly available 990 tax forms:
Donor | |||
Recipient | Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation | Charles G Koch Charitable Foundation | Grand Total |
Americans for Tax Reform Foundation | $50,000 | $14,500 | $64,500 |
2012 | $50,000 | $50,000 | |
2016 | $7,250 | $7,250 | |
2017 | $7,250 | $7,250 | |
Americans for Tax Reform | $60,000 | $60,000 | |
2003 | $10,000 | $10,000 | |
2004 | $10,000 | $10,000 | |
2005 | $15,000 | $15,000 | |
2007 | $25,000 | $25,000 | |
Grand Total | $110,000 | $14,500 | $124,500 |
Other Funding
SourceWatch lists funding from numerous tobacco companies including R.J. Reynolds, Philip Morris, and the Tobacco Institute.15โAmericans for Tax Reform,โ SourceWatch.
ATR 990 Forms
ATR Foundation 990 Forms
Key People
Americans for Tax Reform
The following were listed on Americans for Tax Reform’s 2013 990 tax return (PDF):16โForm 990 Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax: Americans for Tax Reformโ (PDF), retrieved from Conservative Transparency. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- Grover G. Norquist โ President
- Peter Balkin โ Vice President
- Steve Masty โ Secretary
- Karen Kerrigan โ Secretary
- Christopher Butler โ Chief of Staff
- Patrick Gleason โ State Affairs Director
Americans for Tax Reform Foundation
The following were listed on Americans for Tax Reform Foundation’s 2013 990 tax return (PDF):17โForm 990 Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax: Americans for Tax Reform Foundationโ (PDF), retrieved from Conservative Transparency. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- Grover G Norquist โ President
- Steve Masty โ Secretary
- Peter Balkin โ Vice-President
- William Roesing โ Director
- Mark Klugmann โ Director
- Karen Kerrigan โ Director
- Chip Faulkner โ Director
- Chuck Muth โ Director
- Paul Smith โ Director
- Fred Marckini โ Director
- Patrick Gleason โ State Affairs Director
- Christopher Butler โ Chief Of Staff
Actions
January 8, 2021
According to The New Yorker, Americans for Tax Reform founder and President Grover Norquist participated in a conference call with billionaire political donor Charles Koch and Steve Donaldson, policy advisor to Senator Mitch McConnell. The call had discussed strategies for blocking the ratification of the For the People Act, an electoral reform bill intended to expand voting rights and limit the influence of money in politics, and included Heather Lauer, executive director of People United for Privacy (a project of the State Policy Network).18Jane Mayer. โInside the Koch-Backed Effort to Block the Largest Election-Reform Bill in Half a Century,โ The New Yorker, March 29, 2021. Archived April 27, 2021. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/XINLq
The article claimed that Republicans admitted the popularity of the billsโ provisions limiting campaign spending, stating: โIn private, they (Republicans) concede their own polling shows that no message they can devise effectively counters the argument that billionaires should be prevented from buying elections.โ19Jane Mayer. โInside the Koch-Backed Effort to Block the Largest Election-Reform Bill in Half a Century,โ The New Yorker, March 29, 2021. Archived April 27, 2021. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/XINLq
April 6, 2020
Americans for Tax Reform, represented by Grover Norquist, 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.20CAFE-Coaliton-to-Trump-April-2020-9 (PDF), American Energy Alliance.
Describing CAFE, the letter contends: โThose 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.โ21CAFE-Coaliton-to-Trump-April-2020-9 (PDF), American Energy Alliance.
September 19, 2018
UK Treasury minister Liz Truss met with representatives from ATR during a visit to Washington DC, Greenpeace’s investigative unit, Unearthed, found. The taxpayer-funded trip also included meetings with the Cato Institute, the American Enterprise Institute, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and the Heritage Foundation.22Lawrence Carter. โLiz Truss met with โdark moneyโ think tanks during taxpayer funded trip to Washington DC,โ Unearthed, December 19, 2018. Archived December 22, 2018. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/onRDJ
July 18, 2018
Americans for Tax Reform, represented by Grover Norquist, 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.23โ41 Conservative Groups Support Scalise/McKinley Anti-Carbon Tax Resolution,โ Americans for Tax Reform, July 18, 2018. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
โWe oppose any carbon tax. We oppose a carbon tax because it would lead to less income and fewer jobs for American families,โ the letter read. โWe support the House Concurrent Resolution in opposition to a job-killing carbon tax and urge members to co-sponsor and support this effort.โ24โ41 Conservative Groups Support Scalise/McKinley Anti-Carbon Tax Resolution,โ Americans for Tax Reform, July 18, 2018. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
The resolution would call a carbon tax โdetrimental to the United States economy.โE&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.25Nick Sobczyk. โHouse voting on anti-carbon-tax measure: ‘Pass the popcorn’,โ E&E News, July 16, 2018. Archived Aug 2, 2018. Archive URL: https://archive.is/aTP8h
โProtecting our environment and economic growth are not mutually exclusive,โ he said in a statement. โThe resolution presents a false choice.โ26Nick Sobczyk. โHouse voting on anti-carbon-tax measure: ‘Pass the popcorn’,โ E&E News, July 16, 2018. Archived Aug 2, 2018. Archive URL: https://archive.is/aTP8h
February 12, 2018
ATR was one of several organizations to join Americans for Prosperity (AfP) in a coalition opposing a federal gas tax increase.27โAmericans For Prosperity Leads Coalition Against Gas Tax Hike,โ Americans for Prosperity, February 12, 2018. Archived February 20, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/vNQMN
โRaising the gas tax is a bad idea. It will make the burden of government on families and businesses heavier,โ the coalition’s open letter read.28โAmericans For Prosperity Leads Coalition Against Gas Tax Hike,โ Americans for Prosperity, February 12, 2018. Archived February 20, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/vNQMN
Signatories include:29โDear Representative:โ (PDF), Americans for Prosperity, February 12, 2018.
Name | Title | Company |
Brent Wm. Gardner | Chief Government Affairs Officer | Amer |
Michael A. Needham | CEO | Heritage Action for America |
Grover Norquist | President | Americans for Tax Reform |
David McIntosh | President | Club for Growth |
Nathan Nascimento | Executive Vice President | Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce |
Mark Scribner | Senior Fellow | Competitive Enterprise Institute |
Jason Pye | Vice President of Legislative Affairs | FreedomWorks |
Tom Schatz | President | Citizens Against Government Waste |
Pete Sepp | President | National Taxpayers Union |
Phil Kerpen | President | American Commitment |
Mario H. Lopez | President | Hispanic Leadership Fund |
Daniel Garza | President | The Libre Initiative |
Carrie L. Lukas | President | Independent Womenโs Forum |
Heather R. Higgins | President and CEO | Independent Womenโs Voice |
Harry C. Alford | President and CEO | National Black Chamber of Commerce |
Jeffrey Mazella | President | Center for Individual Freedom |
Donald Bryson | President | Civitas Action |
David Barnes | Policy Director | Generation Opportunity |
Norm Singleton | President | Campaign for Liberty |
Judson Phillips | Founder | Tea Party Nation |
Seton Motley | President | Less Government |
Kim Crockett, Esq. | Vice President, Senior Fellow and General Counsel | Center of the American Experiment |
Tom Brinkman, Jr. | Chairman | Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST) |
Matthew Kandrach | President | Consumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE) |
Katie McAulliffe | Executive Director | Digital Liberty |
Brett Healy | President | John K. MacIver Institute |
Sean Noble | President | American Encore |
Annette Meeks | CEO | Freedom Foundation of Minnesota |
Andrew F. Quinlan | President | Center for Freedom and Prosperity |
May 8, 2017
Americans for Tax Reform, represented by Grover G. Norquist, is listed on an open letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him โto withdraw fully from the Paris Climate Treaty and to stop all taxpayer funding of UN global warming programs.โ30โDear Mr. Presidentโ (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.31Graham Readfearn. โConservative Groups Pushing Trump To Exit Paris Climate Deal Have Taken Millions From Koch Brothers, Exxon,โ 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.32Susanne Goldberg. โConservative groups spend up to bn a year to fight action on climate change,โ The Guardian, December 20, 2013. Archived May 12, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/TB2yy
January 12, 2017
ATR’s Grover Norquist was a signatory to a January 12, 2017 official letter of support (PDF) for Scott Pruitt, in which numerous groups, including The Heartland Institute, American Energy Alliance (AEA), and others, declared that the Senate should โswiftly approve his nominationโ for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Other signatories of the letter included:33โDear Senators,โ (PDF), Competitive Enterprise Institute, January 12, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- Thomas Pyle, American Energy Alliance
- Michael Needham, Heritage Action for America
- Kent Lassman, Competitive Enterprise Institute
- Adam Brandon, FreedomWorks
- David McIntosh, Club for Growth
- Phil Kerpen, American Commitment
- Craig Richardson, Energy and Environment Action Team
- David Williams, Taxpayers Protection Alliance
- Harry Alford, National Black Chamber of Commerce
- Jim Martin, 60 Plus
- Andrew Langer, Institute for Liberty
- Heather Higgins, Independent Womenโs Voice
- Independence Institute
- Richard Martin, Americans for Limited Government
- Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST)
- Brett Healy, MacIver Institute
- Joseph Bast, Heartland Institute
- George Landrith, Frontiers of Freedom
- Randy Eminger, Energy Policy Network
- Paul Gessing, Rio Grande Foundation
- Mike Nasi, Balanced Energy for Texas
- Brent Mead, Montana Policy Institute
- Forest Thigpen, Mississippi Center for Public Policy
November 24, 2015
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) sent a letter to members of Congress, urging them to push back the date that new tobacco products including electronic cigarettes must meet FDA standards, which ATR describes as โexpensive and unnecessary.โ34โATR Supports Change in Predicate Date for New Tobacco and Vapor Products,โ Americans for Tax Reform, November 24, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/RE9Sh
Currently, the FDA will require that products to hit the market since February 2007 undergo a Pre-Market Tobacco Applications (PMTA) Process. ATR’s argues that as these products are being used for smoking cessation, they should not be subject to this process given that they โstand to save millions of lives and billions of tax dollars.โ
However, other sources have questioned the safety of e-cigarettes. That includes the the American Lung Association, which has said it is โconcerned about the potential health consequences of e-cigarettesโ because there are currently no safety checks on what can go into e-cigarettes, and they are entirely unregulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).35โE-cigarettes and Lung Health,โ American Lung Association. Archived November 26, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XCoR5
November 2, 2015
Grover Norquist, on behalf of Americans for Tax Reform, sent a letter to members of Congress urging them to lift the crude oil export ban. ATR has also previously supported H.R. 702, sponsored by Representative Joe Barton of Texas, which would effectively lift the ban.36Edwin Portugal. โATR Supports Amendments Lifting the Crude Oil Export Ban,โ Americans for Tax Reform, November 2, 2015. Archived November 26, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/720Y1
โConsidering the widespread economic benefits lifting the export ban would have on the U.S. economy, as well as the growing bipartisan support, there has never been a better time for Congress to act,โ Norquist writes.37Edwin Portugal. โATR Supports Amendments Lifting the Crude Oil Export Ban,โ Americans for Tax Reform, November 2, 2015. Archived November 26, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/720Y1
January 16, 2015
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) criticized polls conducted by the Centre for American Progress and Yale University that showed widespread support for President Obama’s environmental plan (which ATR describes as โjob-killing and downright dangerousโ).38Chris Prandoni. โThe Environmental Lobbyโs Ludicrous Polls,โ Americans for Tax Reform, January 16, 2015. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/yEo5u
Americans for Tax Reform promotes an alternate poll by the conservative group 60 Plus Association (a group that has received over $42 million from organizations used by the Koch Brothers to elect Republican candidates to federal office).
May 21โ23, 2012
Americans for Tax Reform was a Co-Sponsor (PDF) of the Heartland Institute’s Seventh International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC7).39โSeventh International Conference on Climate Change: Sponsored by the Heartland Instituteโ (PDF), the Heartland Institute. Archived August 15, 2015.
DeSmogBlog found that co-sponsors of the conference had collectively received over $67 million from ExxonMobil, Koch Foundations, and Scaife Family Foundations.40โA Closer Look at Heartland’s ICCC7 Denial-a-Palooza Speakers and Sponsors,โ DeSmog, May 23, 2012.
June 30โJuly 1, 2011
Americans for Tax Reform was a Co-Sponsor (PDF) of the Heartland Institute’s Sixth International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC6).41Sixth International Conference on Climate Change Conference Program (PDF), the Heartland Institute. Archived July 25, 2015.
October 1, 2010
Together, the Heartland Institute, Americans for Tax Reform, the Property Rights Alliance, and the Institute of Public Affairs sponsored the Heartland Institute’s Fifth International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC5) in Sydney, Australia.42โICCC – 5,โ Climateconferences.heartland.org. Archived September 1, 2015.
May 16โ18, 2010
Americans for Tax Reform was a sponsor (PDF) of the Heartland Institute’s Fourth International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC4) in Chicago, IL.434th International Conference on Climate Change Conference Program (PDF), The Heartland Institute.
June 2009
ATR opposed the Renewable Portfolio Standard in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, also known as the Waxman-Markey plan which called for measures to reduce CO2 emissions.44โATR Opposes the Renewable Electricity Standards in Waxman-Markey,โ Americans for Tax Reform, June 25, 2009. Archived October 17, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/AqZ2w
March 8โ10, 2009
Americans for Tax Reform was a Co-Sponsor of the Heartland Institute’s Second International Conference on Climate Change (ICC2) in New York.45โCo-Sponsors,โ The 2009 International Conference on Climate Change. Archived April 28, 2011. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XFVOh
November 10, 2009
Grover Norquist represented Americans for Tax Reform when he testified on โClimate Change Legislation: Considerations for Future Jobs.โ
According to Norquist, โThe Cap and Trade legislation this Committee is considering is being sold as an attempt to control the climate; however there is no conclusive proof that it will have any effect. There is, however, considerable evidence that this legislation will have a disastrous economic effect on the country.โ As proof he cites information provided by the Institute for Energy Research (IER), an organization that has received significant funding from the oil industry.
Norquist strongly opposes tax increases on the oil industry, stating that โRaising taxes on oil companies by increasing the amortization period of geological and geophysical (G&G) expenditures makes U.S. oil and natural gas exploration projects less competitive globally [โฆ]โ
With reference to green jobs, Norquist argues that โnot only are these jobs costly, they are also unsustainable.โ46โATR Testimony for Senate Hearing on Climate Change Legislation: Considerations for Future Jobs,โ Americans for Tax Reform, November 10, 2009. Archived October 17, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Uyij3
July 2008
Americans for Tax Reform released a โcost of Government Dayโ 2008 report that criticized increases in government spending and regulation. In a section critical of the EPA, ATR describes regulation costs as โthreatening to explode due to costly and unnecessary global warming regulation.โ47โCo$t of Government Day 2008 Reportโ (PDF), Center for Fiscal Accountability and Americans for Tax Reform Foundation. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
According to ATR, cap and trade and other regulatory measures to combat global warming should not be implemented because โthere is still no scientific consensus on the nature, origins, or there has been no warming for at least 10 years, and extent of the global climate change we may be experiencing. Indeed, some point to studies showing even the U.N. has recently projected there will be no warming for at least another 10 years as well. In fact, the global temperature data has shown a slight cooling trend over the last 5 years which may well continue.โ
To support this last statement, ATR cites an Fox News story written by climate change skeptic Steve Milloy.
March 2โ4, 2008
ATR was a co-sponsor of the Heartland Institute’s First International Conference on Climate Change.48โSponsorships,โ the 2008 International Conference on Climate Change. Archived May 14, 2008. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iIIBx
October 12, 2006
ATR was one of five conservative nonprofit organizations that โappear to have perpetrated a fraudโ on taxpayers by selling their influence to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, according to Senate investigators.
According to the report, and the summary article in The Washington Post, ATR โprobably violated their tax-exempt status ‘by laundering payments and then disbursing funds at Mr. Abramoff’s direction; taking payments in exchange for writing newspaper columns or press releases that put Mr. Abramoff’s clients in a favorable light; introducing Mr. Abramoff’s clients to government officials in exchange for payment; and agreeing to act as a front organization for congressional trips paid for by Mr. Abramoff’s clients.’โ49James V. Grimaldi and Susan Schmidt. โReport Says Nonprofits Sold Influence to Abramoff,โ The Washington Post, October 13, 2006. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/obiJ
This included a $25,000 payment to Abramoff in 2001, as reported in The New York Times.50Philip Shenon. โ,000 to Lobby Group Is Tied to Access to Bush,โ The New York Times, March 10, 2006. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YgE7s
June 7, 2002
ATR President Grover Norquist signed a letter to President Bush, asking him to withdraw the โClimate Action Report 2002โ and demand that it be rewritten based on โsound scienceโ. The letter also recommends that Bush โdismiss or re-assign all administration employees who are not pursuing your agenda, just as you have done in several similar instances.โ51Fred L. Smith, Jr. โJoint Letter To President Bush On The EPA’s Climate Action Report,โ Competitive Enterprise Institute, June 7, 2002. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/sE24J
Americans for Tax Reform Contact & Location
As of June 2016, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) listed the following contact information on its website:52ATR Homepage. Archived June 29, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/2wYRc
Americans for Tax Reform
722 12th ST NW
Suite 400
Washington DC 20005
202.785.0266 (P)
202.785.0261 (F)
[email protected]
Related Organizations
- Property Rights Alliance
- Alliance for Worker Freedom
- Cost of Government Center
- Stop eTaxes
- Digital Liberty
- American Shareholders
- American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) โ Member.
- Cooler Heads Coalition (CHC) โ Member.53โAbout,โ Globalwarming.org. Archived May 23, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/hBdlZ
- Americans for Tax Reform Foundation
Social Media
- @taxreformer on Twitter
- โAmericans for Tax Reformโ on Facebook
- โAmericans for Tax Reformโ on LinkedIn.
Other Resources
- ExxonSecrets Factsheet: Americans for Tax Reform, ATR.
- โDeniers:Organisations:Americans for Tax Reform,โ ExxonSecrets Wiki.
- Greenpeace Investigations documents on Americans for Tax Reform.
- โAmericans for Tax Reform,โ Right Wing Watch.
Resources
- 1โAbout,โ Americans for Tax Reform. Archived October 8, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/yb7P7
- 2Philip Shenon, โ,000 to Lobby Group Is Tied to Access to Bush,โ New York Times, March 10, 2006. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YgE7s
- 3Susan Page. โNorquist’s power high, profile low,โ USA Today, June 1, 2001. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/18z5S
- 4โAbout,โ Americans for Tax Reform. Archived October 8, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/yb7P7
- 5โAbout the Taxpayer Protection Pledge,โ Americans for Tax Reform. Archived June 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0SbGQ
- 6โAmericans for Tax Reform,โ SourceWatch.
- 7โAbout,โ Property Rights Alliance. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kSIPg
- 8โAbout,โ Centre for Worker Freedom. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TT0kR
- 9Stephen Lacey. โGrover Norquist Abruptly Changes Position On Carbon Tax After Facing Criticism From Koch-Backed Group,โ ThinkProgress, November 13, 2012. Archived July 17, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/T2t8u
- 10Todd Hollenbeck. โGlobal Warming Has Brought on A New Ice Age!โ Americans for Tax Reform, November 10, 2009. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZfNbX
- 11Todd Hollenbeck. โNot Evil Just Wrong exposing the costs of Global Warming Hysteria,โ Americans for Tax Reform, August 25, 2009. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/qFIyl
- 12โAmericans for Tax Reformโ (seach), Conservative Transparency. Data retrieved June 30, 2016.
- 13โAmericans for Tax Reformโ (seach), Conservative Transparency. Data retrieved June 30, 2016.
- 14โAmericans for Tax Reform (ATR),โ Greenpeace USA. Accessed June 30, 2016. Most recent data on file at DeSmog.
- 15โAmericans for Tax Reform,โ SourceWatch.
- 16โForm 990 Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax: Americans for Tax Reformโ (PDF), retrieved from Conservative Transparency. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 17โForm 990 Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax: Americans for Tax Reform Foundationโ (PDF), retrieved from Conservative Transparency. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 18Jane Mayer. โInside the Koch-Backed Effort to Block the Largest Election-Reform Bill in Half a Century,โ The New Yorker, March 29, 2021. Archived April 27, 2021. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/XINLq
- 19Jane Mayer. โInside the Koch-Backed Effort to Block the Largest Election-Reform Bill in Half a Century,โ The New Yorker, March 29, 2021. Archived April 27, 2021. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/XINLq
- 20CAFE-Coaliton-to-Trump-April-2020-9 (PDF), American Energy Alliance.
- 21CAFE-Coaliton-to-Trump-April-2020-9 (PDF), American Energy Alliance.
- 22Lawrence Carter. โLiz Truss met with โdark moneyโ think tanks during taxpayer funded trip to Washington DC,โ Unearthed, December 19, 2018. Archived December 22, 2018. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/onRDJ
- 23โ41 Conservative Groups Support Scalise/McKinley Anti-Carbon Tax Resolution,โ Americans for Tax Reform, July 18, 2018. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 24โ41 Conservative Groups Support Scalise/McKinley Anti-Carbon Tax Resolution,โ Americans for Tax Reform, July 18, 2018. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 25Nick Sobczyk. โHouse voting on anti-carbon-tax measure: ‘Pass the popcorn’,โ E&E News, July 16, 2018. Archived Aug 2, 2018. Archive URL: https://archive.is/aTP8h
- 26Nick Sobczyk. โHouse voting on anti-carbon-tax measure: ‘Pass the popcorn’,โ E&E News, July 16, 2018. Archived Aug 2, 2018. Archive URL: https://archive.is/aTP8h
- 27โAmericans For Prosperity Leads Coalition Against Gas Tax Hike,โ Americans for Prosperity, February 12, 2018. Archived February 20, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/vNQMN
- 28โAmericans For Prosperity Leads Coalition Against Gas Tax Hike,โ Americans for Prosperity, February 12, 2018. Archived February 20, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/vNQMN
- 29โDear Representative:โ (PDF), Americans for Prosperity, February 12, 2018.
- 30โDear Mr. Presidentโ (PDF), retrieved from Competitive Enterprise Institute. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 31Graham Readfearn. โConservative Groups Pushing Trump To Exit Paris Climate Deal Have Taken Millions From Koch Brothers, Exxon,โ DeSmog, May 10, 2017.
- 32Susanne Goldberg. โConservative groups spend up to bn a year to fight action on climate change,โ The Guardian, December 20, 2013. Archived May 12, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/TB2yy
- 33โDear Senators,โ (PDF), Competitive Enterprise Institute, January 12, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 34โATR Supports Change in Predicate Date for New Tobacco and Vapor Products,โ Americans for Tax Reform, November 24, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/RE9Sh
- 35โE-cigarettes and Lung Health,โ American Lung Association. Archived November 26, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XCoR5
- 36Edwin Portugal. โATR Supports Amendments Lifting the Crude Oil Export Ban,โ Americans for Tax Reform, November 2, 2015. Archived November 26, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/720Y1
- 37Edwin Portugal. โATR Supports Amendments Lifting the Crude Oil Export Ban,โ Americans for Tax Reform, November 2, 2015. Archived November 26, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/720Y1
- 38Chris Prandoni. โThe Environmental Lobbyโs Ludicrous Polls,โ Americans for Tax Reform, January 16, 2015. Archived October 16, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/yEo5u
- 39โSeventh International Conference on Climate Change: Sponsored by the Heartland Instituteโ (PDF), the Heartland Institute. Archived August 15, 2015.
- 40โA Closer Look at Heartland’s ICCC7 Denial-a-Palooza Speakers and Sponsors,โ DeSmog, May 23, 2012.
- 41Sixth International Conference on Climate Change Conference Program (PDF), the Heartland Institute. Archived July 25, 2015.
- 42โICCC – 5,โ Climateconferences.heartland.org. Archived September 1, 2015.
- 434th International Conference on Climate Change Conference Program (PDF), The Heartland Institute.
- 44โATR Opposes the Renewable Electricity Standards in Waxman-Markey,โ Americans for Tax Reform, June 25, 2009. Archived October 17, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/AqZ2w
- 45โCo-Sponsors,โ The 2009 International Conference on Climate Change. Archived April 28, 2011. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XFVOh
- 46โATR Testimony for Senate Hearing on Climate Change Legislation: Considerations for Future Jobs,โ Americans for Tax Reform, November 10, 2009. Archived October 17, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Uyij3
- 47โCo$t of Government Day 2008 Reportโ (PDF), Center for Fiscal Accountability and Americans for Tax Reform Foundation. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 48โSponsorships,โ the 2008 International Conference on Climate Change. Archived May 14, 2008. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iIIBx
- 49James V. Grimaldi and Susan Schmidt. โReport Says Nonprofits Sold Influence to Abramoff,โ The Washington Post, October 13, 2006. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/obiJ
- 50Philip Shenon. โ,000 to Lobby Group Is Tied to Access to Bush,โ The New York Times, March 10, 2006. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YgE7s
- 51Fred L. Smith, Jr. โJoint Letter To President Bush On The EPA’s Climate Action Report,โ Competitive Enterprise Institute, June 7, 2002. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/sE24J
- 52ATR Homepage. Archived June 29, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/2wYRc
- 53โAbout,โ Globalwarming.org. Archived May 23, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/hBdlZ