June 12, 2025, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement in response to the Secret Service briefly detaining Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) after he disrupted a press conference by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles:

“In 2024, Congress enacted the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 that provides in Section 527 of Title V to permit members ‘for the purpose of conducting oversight [to enter] any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or otherwise house aliens…’ This provision was carried over for the remainder of the fiscal year when Congress adopted a continuing resolution.

“However, Congress’ oversight function, like the First Amendment, is not a blank check for protestors, even U.S. Senators, to disrupt government business under 18 U.S. Code 1752, which prohibits ‘imped[ing] or disrupt[ing] the orderly conduct of Government business or official functions’ in a restricted facility which includes ‘any building… [a] person protected by the Secret Service is or will be temporarily visiting.’ The Secret Service did its job. It would be no different than a member of Congress or anyone else for that matter bursting into the White House press briefing room, shouting and charging the stage while the President was addressing reporters. Nobody gets to do that. It’s not oversight, and the Secret Service is not going to let them get close to the protectee.

“This is the third time in as many weeks members of Congress have tried to break into federal facilities utilized by the Department of Homeland Security, first by New Jersey Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver, then California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters and now by Senator Alex Padilla. If a protestor were interrupting Congressional hearings the way the Senator was today and shouting while members were conducting business, they would be removed from the hearing and they might even be arrested, and the members who are abusing their Section 527 ‘authority’ today know it.”

Attachments:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Facility Visit and Engagement Protocol for Members of Congress and Staff: “All visitors are expected to comply with facility rules, procedures, and instructions from ICE personnel on site. In the event of an emergency, facility personnel will provide further instructions. To ensure security, preserve privacy, and avoid any disruptions in daily operations, all individuals touring ICE facilities shall maintain appropriate decorum, adherence to applicable ICE facility standards, and abide by this Protocol.” June 2025, https://www.ice.gov/doclib/detention/iceFacilityVisitationCongressional.pdf

For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.

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June 11, 2025, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement on the latest consumer inflation numbers compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

“Consumer inflation continued its three-year trend for cooling in the month of May, only growing by 0.1 percent, down from a 0.2 percent increase in April, with more unsurprising drops gasoline and fuel oil considering boosted OPEC and U.S. production, but also a nice drop in piped gas service. New and used cars were also down along with transportation services. And apparel was down. All great news, and all of which belies doom-and-gloomer panicans who promised as early as February that President Trump’s tariff policies would lead to dramatic price increases. So much for that. Instead, inflation continues slowing down, consistent with other economic data indicating a slowdown, including GDP, a steady uptick in unemployment since January 2023 and also consumer credit in outright contraction, demonstrating that U.S. households maxed out their months and years ago, slowing purchases and cooling demand.

“The best news is personal incomes continue outpacing consumer inflation — the crucial ‘better off’ metric that tipped the 2024 election to the opposition party just like it did in 1976, 1980 and 1992. At the moment, personal incomes are growing 5.5 percent on an annualized basis while consumer inflation is at 2.4 percent.

“President Trump ran on a promise to boost production and to help get prices under control, and he’s keeping that promise. Besides reducing the money supply — overall flat since April 2022 — boosting food and energy production, along with domestic manufacturing, can do much to increase overall supplies, which will continue to put downward pressure on prices and create an even stronger case for lower interest rates. Still more to do, but so far, so good.”

For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.

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June 9, 2025, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement urging California and all other states and cities not to obstruct the enforcement of federal authority over immigration and other laws, and to instead assist federal efforts including the National Guard to restore order:

“The riots in and around Los Angeles and other cities by illegal immigrants and citizens opposing and obstructing the federal enforcement of immigration laws, threatening the lives, liberties and properties of American citizens pose a danger to the Constitution, our civil society and the American people. This is not the first time that states and individuals have attempted to block federal authority, in the Civil War, in the civil rights era and so forth. In many cases, a federal response was required to restore order and end the rebellion. In this case, the violent acts are being carried on by illegal aliens and citizens very visibly waving Mexican flags to celebrate what they perceive to be as the conquest of American territory. That’s an invasion and President Trump and the federal government not only have the power but the duty to put down the riots. States and cities must not obstruct federal authority and instead should assist National Guard units with restoring order.”

Attachments:

“Department of Defense Security for the Protection of Department of Homeland Security Functions,” Proclamation, President Donald Trump, June 8, 2025 at https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/department-of-defense-security-for-the-protection-of-department-of-homeland-security-functions/

10 U.S. Code § 12406 – National Guard in Federal service: call: “Whenever—(1)the United States, or any of the Commonwealths or possessions, is invaded or is in danger of invasion by a foreign nation; (2)there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States; or (3)the President is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States; the President may call into Federal service members and units of the National Guard of any State in such numbers as he considers necessary to repel the invasion, suppress the rebellion, or execute those laws. Orders for these purposes shall be issued through the governors of the States or, in the case of the District of Columbia, through the commanding general of the National Guard of the District of Columbia.” https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/12406

For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.

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June 6, 2025, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement on the latest jobs numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

“Unemployment once again increased by another 71,000 in May, reaching 7.2 million, the highest since October 2021. This is what usually happens following peak inflation historically after the American people max out their credit accounts — consumer credit is now down 0.8 percent the past year — and slow down purchases, and is consistent with the slowdown seen in the first quarter. This has been going on for a couple of years now, with unemployment now up 1.49 million since January 2023, with most of the losses, 1.2 million, a relic from the Biden administration. In addition, the number of Americans saying they have jobs decreased by 696,000, worrisome in any month, although the labor market is still at peak employment at 163.2 million.

“While everyone is hoping for the best economy possible — who doesn’t want that? — the reality is that the inflation under the previous administration left the economy in a fairly weak state, as evidenced by the slow, steady rise of unemployment.

“That’s usually a great time for Congress to provide some needed stimulus, in this case, by extending and expanding the 2017 Trump tax cuts, including adding no taxes on tips and overtime, providing tax relief to seniors and including 100 percent expensing for domestic manufacturing and factories to bring jobs back to the U.S. These reforms will help blue collar Americans and put the economy in a position for a solid recovery — a boom not seen since the 1980s — but only if Congress keeps its heads. If Congress does not act, taxes will increase on 80 percent of Americans, and why would that help the economy? The American people voted against increasing taxes in the 2024, with 77 million voting for President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in Congress to get the job done and extend and expand the tax cuts. If the economy weakens, and Republicans fail to act, they will have lost their mandate to govern.

“It is true that more could be done to cut spending, even as the Congressional Budget Office notes about $1.4 trillion of offsets over the next decade in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The President tariff policies also appear poised to bring in an additional $2.8 trillion according to the Congressional Budget Office, including federal interest payments by $500 billion. That’s good news and fully offsets the tax legislation, and show the long-term wisdom of the President’s policies and why they need to be sustained and also the madness of the trade courts who are trying to sabotage the trade policies and kowtow to China.

“Still, some members also have highly legitimate concerns over voting to increase the debt ceiling. If that means there are not at least 51 votes in the Senate to provide tax relief and boost the economy, then maybe raise the debt ceiling separately, which might provide an opportunity to deal with the long-term fiscal challenges facing the nation, with more than 900,000 Americans retiring every year and not enough Americans being born to pick up the slack. How to shore up the trust funds with entitlements — how’s that sovereign wealth fund coming along? — but also declining fertility are undoubtedly bipartisan questions of where we go as a nation. It may be unreasonable to suggest all of these issues could somehow be addressed on what is expected to be the partisan budget reconciliation process. To do that, Republicans need larger majorities, not razor thin majorities.

“Sure, it would be nice if Democrats joined in extending tax relief and expensing factories in the U.S., and finishing the border wall, but until they do, Republicans have a simple math problem and a political problem: How to count to 51 and how to keep their promises to extend and expand the Trump tax cuts, including no taxes on tips, overtime and providing tax relief to senior, secure the border wall and incentivize U.S. production. If more spending cuts are needed, then put it in there. If more tax relief is needed, put that in there. Whatever it takes. If Republicans keep their promises, the economy will be in a solid growth position, and then Congress can get to work on better prioritizing U.S. tax dollars via the debt ceiling if necessary and of course appropriations. The American people do not want to raise taxes to pay for our unsustainable $36 trillion debt. The way not to become a debt slave is to lower taxes and urge government to do more with less.”

For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.

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May 22, 2025, Fairfax, Va.–Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement praising the House’s passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

“It was a bumpy road as usual but at the end of the day the House of Representatives came together and unified under House Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership in passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that will extend and expand the 2017 Trump tax cuts, including no income tax on tips and overtime, provide tax relief for seniors who collect Social Security, allocates almost $47 billion for the border wall and bars 1.4 million illegal aliens from collecting Medicaid and other public benefits. It even includes the President’s proposal for 100 percent expensing for new factories that will incentivize companies to rapidly manufacture goods in America again. The faith the 77 million Americans who voted for President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in the House and Senate has been affirmed. Elections have consequences and one of them is that the majority has to keep its promises. Now, it’s promises made, promises kept.”

Attachments:

H.R. 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act at https://rules.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/rules.house.gov/files/documents/rcp_119-3_final.pdf

For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.

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May 16, 2025, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano urged President Donald Trump, House and Senate leaders to work through individual member concerns on the tax cut and border security budget bill so that it has the votes needed for passage:

“The first draft of the One, Big Beautiful Bill extends the 2017 Trump tax cuts, ends the income tax on tips and overtime and provides tax relief for seniors who are collecting Social Security. It secures the border by finishing the border wall. It ends Medicaid for illegal aliens and has other cost savings that are passed on to the American people. But not all members are happy and some want more spending cuts to reduce deficits, while others have disagreements over the state and local tax deduction and other provisions.

“At the end of the day, nothing will be perfect, and so Americans for Limited Government urges President Trump, House and Senate leaders to confer carefully with individual members to work through specific lingering concerns. If more spending cuts are needed to reduce deficits, then get more cuts. If more tax relief is needed, then provide more tax relief. Those are two things that the American people support. The less we spend, the less we should be taxed. Because the bill must be done under budget reconciliation, it cannot achieve every single goal, but by working deliberatively with members it will get across the finish line and only become an even Better, Big Beautiful Bill in the process.

“Politically, the consequences of not getting the legislation done would be Congressional Republicans despite winning the popular vote, the White House, the House and the Senate could not deliver on their promises to the American people, disenfranchising 77 million voters. Making matters worse, on Dec. 31, if nothing is done, taxes will automatically increase on most Americans. If the American people had wanted taxes to go up, they could have voted for Kamala Harris. They were promised if President Trump won and Republicans had elected majorities that would not happen. If that’s the record members want to run on in 2026, then do nothing. But if members want to run on tax cuts, border security and fiscal sanity, then come together, make the compromises that are necessary, be mindful that it will never be perfect — and then pass it!”

For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.

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May 12, 2025, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement urging passage of the House Ways and Means Committee’s proposal to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts and expand them to include no taxes on tips, overtime and the enhanced deduction for seniors:

“In 2024, the American people reelected President Donald Trump and gave Republicans majorities in the House and Senate in part to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime and seniors — and the GOP House Ways and Committee has listened and is delivering vital tax relief to Americans who work for a living, are getting their start and are enjoying their retirements. These proposals were instrumental in helping Trump to win the swing states of Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. These are promises made, promises kept, and will be game changers for the U.S. economy that has been weakened by inflation, too much spending and too many regulations. The One Big, Beautiful Bill will guarantee that even if the worst should come to pass with a slowdown or recession, the conditions for a robust recovery will already be in place. There are high expectations these tax cuts will pass and now it is time for Congress to get to work and put the American people first.”

Attachments:

The One Big, Beautiful Bill, Section By Section, May 12, 2025 at http://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Section-by-Section.pdf

For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.

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May 12, 2025, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement congratulating President Donald Trump, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, the Trump administration and the Chinese trade delegation on the successful negotiation of the new U.S.-China trade agreement:

“This is President Trump’s art of the deal. As the country with the $295 billion trade deficit, vis a vis China, the U.S. always had all the leverage in the negotiation over tariffs — if only there was a president with the strength to use it. By courageously raising tariffs as high as 145 percent, President Trump forced that negotiation to occur, showing leadership at a time others would have surrendered. As it turned out, China needed a deal more than the U.S. did. All the U.S. needed was patience.

“Originally, President Trump’s tariffs on China from the first administration that former President Joe Biden never rescinded were 25 percent on $250 billion of goods and another 7.5 percent on all the remaining $300 billion of goods. Upon assuming office on January 20, President Trump instituted an additional 10 percent tariff to encourage help on stopping the deadly fentanyl trade on February 1, which was raised to 20 percent on March 3. On April 2, the reciprocal tariff rate was then set to 34 percent. Afterward, China retaliated big time and so President Trump again raised the reciprocal tariff to 84 percent on April 8 and then to 125 percent on April 9.

“Combined with the fentanyl tariff, that brought the total tariff to 145 percent — and brought China to the table.

“Now, under the new trade agreement, the baseline reciprocal tariff has been lowered to 10 percent, the 20 percent fentanyl tariff is remaining in place and so are the 25 percent tariffs on $250 billion of goods and 7.5 percent on the remaining $300 billion of goods. They’re all being added together — and China agreed to this. The tariffs are therefore now still higher than they were prior to January 20. And if China does not honor the deal or if the negotiations go south, the tariffs can always go higher again.”

Correction: The combined tariff is close to 50 percent, not 30 percent.

Attachments:

“The Art Of The Deal,” By Donald J. Trump with Tony Schwartz, 1987, pp. 17: “The worst thing you can possibly do in a deal is seem desperate to make it. That makes the other guy smell blood, and then you’re dead. The best thing you can do is deal from strength, and leverage is the biggest strength you can have. Leverage is having something the other guy wants. Or better yet, needs. Or best of all, simply can’t do without.”

For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.

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May 5, 2025, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement urging Senate confirmation of President Donald Trump’s nomination of Ed Martin to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia:

“As acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin is cleaning house and combating one of the most partisan, politically weaponized districts in the entire country that tried to prosecute President Donald Trump and abused its powers in targeting Jan. 6, 2021 protesters, by firing prosecutors involved with these politically charged cases and conducting much-needed internal reviews at the Justice Department. Draining the swamp and ending weaponization isn’t going to be easy, and President Trump needs tough as nails U.S. attorneys who are not afraid to take on the deep state and entrenched political establishment that has it in for the American people. Already on the job, Ed Martin has what it takes to be the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and help President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to restore the rule of law.”

For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.

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