Appropriators should retain prohibition against federalized zoning

Sept. 12, 2019, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement urging Congress to retain the prohibition on the Department of Housing and Urban Development conditioning receipt of community development block grants on making changes to local zoning ordinances:

“The temptation is always strong at the federal government level to exert power over local governments, and one such area is zoning. This is why Americans for Limited Government and members of Congress most notably Senator Susan Collins of Maine and U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona who fought the Obama administration on the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing regulation when HUD attempted to condition federal funds on changes to local zoning by enacting a Congressional prohibition against the regulation. Because this prohibition is based on the principle of federalism and not any animus toward one administration over another, it is important that it be retained in the appropriations process this month and that it be respected by the Trump administration HUD leadership.”

Attachments:

Is the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development about to double down on the 2015 federal takeover of local zoning regulations? By Robert Romano, Sept. 12, 2019 at http://dailytorch.com/2019/07/is-the-dept-of-housing-and-urban-development-about-to-double-down-on-the-2015-federal-takeover-of-local-zoning-regulations/

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1 or at media@limitgov.org.

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Time for Attorney General Barr to produce Brady material in Michael Flynn case

Sept. 11, 2019, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement urging Attorney General William Barr to have the Justice Department turn over all exculpatory Brady material to Michael Flynn and his attorneys:

“It is incredibly frustrating that the Department of Justice continues their policy of obstruction in the Michael Flynn case. The clear intent of the career Justice Department lawyers is to run out the clock on the Trump administration in the hopes he loses in 2020 in order to forever bury the spying scandal. Attorney General William Barr has a responsibility to direct attorneys in the Flynn case to comply with Judge Emmet Sullivan’s order to turn over all exculpatory Brady and other materials to Flynn, so that justice can be served.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1 or at media@limitgov.org.

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Congress should eliminate Department of Transportation’s New Starts Transit Program

Sept. 9, 2019, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement urging the elimination of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Starts Transit Program as part of Americans for Limited Government’s program to identify wasteful federal spending:

“With more and more people abandoning poorly-run public transit systems, Congress should eliminate the New Starts Transit Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation and subsidizes the expansion of subways, streetcars, and dedicated bus lanes. If a community wishes to build or expand a transit system, the community should pay for it – without federal subsidies paid for by out-of-state residents who may never visit the area. It’s simply harder to justify federal transit subsidies as transportation options, such as Uber, Lyft, and scooter rentals, increase; and ending this transit subsidy program would save $2.7 billion next fiscal year.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1 or at media@limitgov.org.

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China says exports to the U.S. dropped 16 percent in August

Sept. 9, 2019, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement in response to China’s General Administration of Customs’ report that Chinese exports to the U.S. dropped 16 percent in August to $37 billion:

“According to China’s General Administration of Customs, Chinese exports to the U.S. dropped 16 percent in August to $37 billion. Given that August is typically a higher export month, it should be no surprise that the Chinese government is becoming increasingly anxious to ‘calm down’ the trade war. The important factor that has been missed by many pundits is that America’s shift away from Chinese products is at least partially permanent as multinationals seek diversified supply lines rather than depending upon China primarily. In many respects, this is exactly what those who’ve advocated a global trade policy should have been embracing all along, as it creates multiple international alternatives all of whom will compete against one another, lowering prices. The genius of the Trump trade policy is that by creating new trade deals around the world he has loosened the chains that China holds over our economy. Perhaps it’s time for some of these globalist ‘experts’ to begin praising President Trump as he puts America first while opening up the doors to friendly countries for economic growth.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1 or at media@limitgov.org.

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The August jobs report mocks the idea of a recession with 571,000 more people are employed

Sept. 6, 2019, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government Rick Manning today issued the following statement on the latest jobs numbers:

“The August jobs report mocks the idea of a recession. 571,000 more people are employed today than ever in the history of America, and fewer people are unemployed now than at this point in 1978 when the civilian labor force had 62 million fewer people. With the number of seniors working down, it appears every job created on a net basis was in the critical 16-64-year-old category. The Trump economy is very strong. Not only are more people working than ever, people are making more money as in the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.2 percent. The Trump trade agenda continues with 17,000 manufacturing jobs have been added in the past three months. We are still at 50-year lows in unemployment. Finally, since Trump took office, 5.7 million jobs have been created, beyond the levels that many political pundits thought were possible. It doesn’t seem possible U.S. labor markets could get any better, but somehow every month they do.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1 or at media@limitgov.org.

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Time for Congress to eliminate U.S. Institute of Peace

Sept. 3, 2019, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement urging the elimination of the United States Institute of Peace as part of Americans for Limited Government’s program to identify wasteful federal spending:

“The U.S. Institute of Peace is a failed, Cold War Era idea. Since its founding, we’ve repeatedly been at war and lost the lives of thousands of U.S. service members. There are dozens of foreign policy think tanks in the United States, and it is doubtful that the closing of the Institute would make any notable difference in U.S. policy. Eliminating funding for the Institute would save $38.6 million next year alone. To get our fiscal house in order, tough budget cuts will likely be needed; but this cut is not a difficult one — and it should be made immediately. Finally, closing the Institute would free up its Washington, D.C. headquarters – which cost taxpayers over $180 million — so that the trophy office building could be sold off to allow for further deficit reduction.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1 or at media@limitgov.org.

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Brazil, Japan agreements to purchase more corn, ethanol offset China

Sept. 3, 2019, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement praising a new trade agreement with Brazil to purchase more corn and ethanol:

“President Trump’s agriculture trade deal with Brazil to buy more corn and ethanol is a prime example of this President’s ability to offset attacks on our economy by China. Between the corn and ethanol sales to Japan and Brazil, the President is creating new markets for domestic farmers while exempting smaller oil refineries from the devastating impacts of the arbitrary renewable fuel standards. There is no better salesperson for American goods than President Trump.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1 or at media@limitgov.org.

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As few Americans unemployed in July 2019 as in July 1999 this Labor Day

Aug. 30, 2019, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement praising the historically low levels of unemployment this Labor Day weekend:

“As we head into this Labor Day weekend, Americans should count their blessings at the nation’s unprecedented levels of low unemployment near 50-year lows. In fact, about as few Americans were unemployed in July 2019 as in July 1999, even though there are almost 24 million more people in the workforce today. Happy Labor Day, America.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1 or at media@limitgov.org.

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Time to adopt the USMCA

Aug. 30, 2019, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement urging Congress to act promptly on the USMCA trade deal as soon as President Donald Trump submits it to Congress:

“As the decoupling with China begins, President Trump is ahead of the curve in securing trade deals with Japan and also Canada and Mexico as supply chains are moved away from China. There’s nothing that China produces that cannot be produced elsewhere. The USMCA is about to be submitted to Congress and is ready to be adopted. It will be a boon for U.S. exporters including agriculture, and addresses labor conditions in Mexico. Plus the currency provisions against competitive devaluation will set a gold standard in terms of shaping future trade deals. It is important that Congress act now and not get caught flat-footed. After more than 25 years of complaining about NAFTA, it’s finally time to do something about it by supporting the new USMCA agreement.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1 or at media@limitgov.org.

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James Comey is not too big to jail

Aug. 29, 2019, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement reacting to the Justice Department OIG report on James Comey’s unauthorized disclosure of classified information:

“Edward Snowden and James Comey’s excuse for the unauthorized disclosure of classified information is that they love their country. Whereas Snowden had to flee to Russia to escape the FBI that Comey was to lead in just a few short months, Comey for his part is demanding an apology from all those who had the audacity to report exactly what he did. If there was any justice, Snowden would have a law professorship at William and Mary teaching ethics and Comey would be wearing orange. Hopefully, Attorney General William Barr will ensure that the faith of the American people in equal justice under the law will be restored by handling this matter like they would any other low-level FBI or government employee or contractor. Comey is not too big to jail.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1 or at media@limitgov.org.

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