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AFP participated in one of the largest free-market grassroots movements in US election history, complete with a comprehensive grassroots operation including door knocking, phone calls, bus tours, direct mail, and paid TV and radio ads in targeted congressional districts across the country.


 
November 3, 2010

No Climate Tax Pledge Signers Sweep into Office
Americans for Prosperity Congratulates 165 Climate Tax Pledge Signers on Election Victory
- 112th Congress Freshman Class Pledges to Oppose Cap-and-Trade -

WASHINGTON, DC—The free market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity (AFP) today applauded 165 federal No Climate Tax pledge signers for their general election victory. Of the 92 new Members of Congress, 83 have signed the pledge, covering more than 90% of the new members.* Additionally, seven governors and hundreds state legislators across the country have also pledged to “oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.”

“The midterm election was a clear rejection of policies like the cap-and-trade energy taxes that threaten our still fragile economy,” said AFP Director of Government Affairs James Valvo, who manages the pledge. “It’s important to remember the pledge is about stopping lawmakers from using the climate issue to grow government. We have repeatedly said that if Congress wants to address carbon emissions they should do it in a way that does not transfer hundreds of billions of dollars and control over a major portion of our economy from the private to public sector.”

The huge influx of conservative Members of Congress likely ends the possibility of Congress passing a sweeping cap-and-trade energy tax similar to the Waxman-Markey bill, which became a central issue in the midterm election. The bill passed the House by only seven votes and many of the swing supporters were defeated by No Climate Tax pledge signers, including:

• Cory Gardner def. Betsy Markey (CO-04)
• Daniel Webster def. Alan Grayson (FL-08)
• Sandy Adams def. Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24)
• Adam Kinzinger def. Debbie Halvorson (IL-11)
• Todd Young def. Baron Hill (IN-09)
• Andy Harris def. Frank Kratovil (MD-01)
• Vicky Hartzler def. Ike Skelton (MO-04)
• Steve Pearce def. Harry Teague (NM-02)
• Steve Chabot def. Steve Driehaus (OH-01)
• Steve Stivers def. Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15)
• Jim Renacci def. John Boccieri (OH-16)
• Bob Gibbs def. Zach Space (OH-18)
• Lou Barletta def. Paul Kanjorski (PA-11)
• Robert Hurt def. Tom Perriello (VA-05)
• Morgan Griffith def. Rick Boucher (VA-09)
• Reid Ribble def. Steve Kagen (WI-08)

Freshman Senate Signers:
• John Boozman – Arkansas
• Marco Rubio – Florida
• Mark Kirk – Illinois
• Dan Coats – Indiana
• Jerry Moran – Kansas
• Rand Paul – Kentucky
• Roy Blunt – Missouri
• Kelly Ayotte – New Hampshire
• Mike Lee – Utah
• Ron Johnson – Wisconsin

Governors
• Rick Scott – Florida
• Nathan Deal – Georgia
• Sam Brownback – Kansas
• Paul LePage – Maine
• Mary Fallin – Oklahoma
• Rick Perry – Texas
• Scott Walker – Wisconsin

“Hopefully, now that the country has used an election to emphasize its opposition to energy taxes that will cost jobs and increase prices, Congress can move forward on this issue in a commonsense, bipartisan way that will not expand government,” Valvo concluded.

*In addition to these signers, there are another 11 who may also join the 112th Congress pending final vote count results.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens to support restraining state and federal government growth and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP is more than 1.6 million activists strong, with activists in all 50 states. AFP has 31 state chapters and affiliates. More than 70,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial contribution to AFP or AFP Foundation. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
Americans for Prosperity does not support or oppose candidates for public office.
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