ALG Impact: MERIT Act gains momentum as ALG flies FIRETHESWAMP.COM banner around D.C.-Metro area

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With summer rolling in, Americans for Limited Government focused on creating a Government that works for you!

Because of you, The Federal Government workforce is being reformed to work for hardworking, tax-paying American citizens! You’ve directly assisted in the beginning stages of overhauling the civil service system.

  • Because of your support, Americans for Limited Government is working hand in hand with Rep. Loudermilk (R-Ga.) to pass the MERIT Act, which expands the successes of the VA Reform and Whistle Blower Protection Act to all departments.
  • Americans for Limited Government researched and discovered that since implementation of VA Reform, the termination rate at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs has risen by 26%
  • Through a coalition, Americans for Limited Government has been able to successfully gather support of the MERIT Act in Congress. As of July 5, 2018, the MERIT Act is rapidly gaining momentum with fifty-five co-sponsors.
  • With his recent executive orders, which cost labor unions an estimated $100 million in resources, President Trump has opened the door to enactment of the MERIT Act.

Because of you, FIRETHESWAMP.COM launched on June 18, 2018 to alert congress to encourage the American people to petition their representatives in support of the MERIT Act. You played a critical role in allowing the American people to alert congress to the overwhelming need for civil service reform.

  • With your help, Americans for Limited Government sent almost three thousand letters to Congress and the President on behalf of Americans who want to witness the MERIT Act become law.
  • On June 28, 2018, Americans for Limited Government flew a banner around the Washington, D.C. area to show Congress the American people wish to hold President Trump to his campaign promise of draining the swamp. But, as ALG President, Richard Manning always says “to drain the swamp, you must fire the swamp!”

With your help, we will once and for all Fire the Swamp!

Great economic news for the nation

July 06, 2018, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning, a former Trump Labor Department transition team member, today commented on today’s release of unemployment numbers:

“There is great news in June’s employment numbers. 601,000 more Americans were in the labor force than in May.  While the unemployment rate went up slightly due to this huge number of people either entering or re-entering the job market, it is evidence that increasing numbers of people are becoming convinced that jobs are available and that working makes sense.  Those marginally attached to the workforce has declined by 145,000 over the past year, and the number of discouraged workers has declined by 155,000, showing that the economic growth is restoring hope.

“And the good news is even more apparent as the job growth has occurred in the higher paying areas of manufacturing, mining, construction and health care, while retail has taken a slight dip. These new jobs are not burger flipper positions, but ones that people can make careers out of, and that is the ultimate test of whether our nation’s economic vitality will continue to accelerate.”

Correction: The civilian labor force increased by 601,000, not 413,000.

Attachments:

“Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation Summary” https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1003 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.

 

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DOJ swings and misses on Imran Awan prosecution

July 03, 2018, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement questioning the decision by the Department of Justice not to charge Imran Awan with theft:

“The decision to give the Pakistani who is the heart of the Congressional IT scandal, where hundreds of thousands of dollars, where taxpayer’s computer equipment went missing and the security of the entire Congressional email system was compromised, a slap on the wrist is a punch in the gut to the rule of law.

“It is unconscionable that the Department of Justice has dropped the ball so thoroughly on this case.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1003 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.

 

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FIRETHESWAMP.COM banner flies across D.C.-Metro area, video exclusive from Fox 5 DC as ALG urges cosponsors for MERIT Act

June 28, 2018, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement urging cosponsors for the MERIT Act by U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) as the organization flew a banner reading FIRETHESWAMP.COM across the D.C.-Metro area as federal workers commuted to D.C. earning video coverage from Fox 5 DC:

“In this day and age with an unaccountable administrative state, the only way to drain the swamp is to fire the swamp. The MERIT Act mirrors language passed by the House last year reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs, expediting the firing of non-performing federal employees, expanding the process across all departments and agencies. Please contact U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s office and join 54 House members in cosponsoring this important legislation.”

Attachments:

“Video: Fire The Swamp banner seen in skies near D.C. part of conservative group’s demonstration,” Fox 5 DC, June 28, 2018 at http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/fire-the-swamp-banner-seen-in-skies-above-dc-part-of-conservative-groups-demonstration

Letter to Congress urging support of H.R. 559, June 28, 2018 at https://getliberty.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/MERITActLetter6-28-18.pdf

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1003 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.

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Grassley praised for ushering Trump judicial nominations, being ‘point of the spear for restoring the constitutional rule of law’ to courts

June 27, 2018, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement praising Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) for ushering in Trump judicial nominees including Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court:

“Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has been the point of the spear for restoring the constitutional rule of law into our federal courts.  The importance of his ushering Neil Gorsuch through the Senate to the Supreme Court has been made all the more apparent this week with critical decisions on the president’s ability to declare national security risks at our border, the right of public employees to opt-out of union membership and the ending of California’s efforts to force Christian pregnancy providers to advertise abortion services being just three examples of the transformative fruits of Chairman Grassley’s efforts.

“Now with the announcement that Justice Anthony Kennedy will be stepping down, the people of Iowa are truly fortunate to have Chairman Chuck Grassley’s calm, wise leadership at the helm of the Senate Judiciary Committee.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1003 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.

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Robert Wilkie can keep the VA performing its mission on behalf of veterans

June 27, 2018, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement in support of Robert Wilkie to serve as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs:

“Today the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is taking up the nomination of Acting VA Secretary and Under Secretary of Defense and Personnel Readiness, Robert Wilkie to VA Secretary. Since he became Acting Secretary two months ago, Wilkie has demonstrated his commitment to the veteran community by helping persuade Congress to pass the VA MISSION Act, making it easier for veterans to obtain care.

“Wilkie also knows what it is to serve our nation, as he has done in and out of uniform, as he is still in the Reserves. He knows the toll service can take on families. He comes from a long line of service members, including his father, a highly decorated Vietnam soldier wounded three times.

“As Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness, Wilkie oversaw the Military Health System, one of the largest healthcare systems in the country. With over 130,000 employees, over 400 clinics, and over 10 million beneficiaries. Wilkie knows how to run a healthcare system with specific needs for veterans.

“Not only is Wilkie eminently qualified for the position, but he has also earned the endorsement of the major Veteran Services Organizations, something extremely hard to do in today’s environment. The Senate should move quickly to confirm Robert Wilkie as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Now is not the time for political games or obstruction. The VA has serious issues, and Robert Wilkie is the right person at the right time.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1003 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.

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T-Mobile-Sprint merger will help bring promise of 5G to the U.S.

June 27, 2018, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement in support of the T-Mobile-Sprint merger to bolster the nation’s 5G infrastructure:

“The T-Mobile-Sprint merger is an important step toward creating a competitive 5G environment in the United States.  By combining their spectrum resources, this new company will be positioned to compete across the nation in rural, suburban, exurban and urban environments for the Internet of Things economy.  Americans for Limited Government supports the T-Mobile-Sprint merger because it will actually increase competition. Together both companies will be able to fully compete in the new economic environment, which demands massive new integrated capacity and infrastructure to be fully realized.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1003 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.

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Janus decision big victory for free speech of public employees

June 27, 2018, Fairfax, Va.–Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement praising the Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. State, County, and Municipal Employees:

“The Supreme Court’s decision in Janus is a victory for the free speech of public employees everywhere, who will no longer be compelled to pay union dues should they choose not to. Although this decision affected state and local public employees, the Trump administration should immediately remind federal employees of their liberty to opt out of union membership, providing them with the paperwork so that they can exercise their constitutional rights. The Janus decision is just one more step in draining the swamp as it degrades the stranglehold public employee unions have held over state, local and indeed, federal levels of government. To learn more about what you can do, go to FIRETHESWAMP.COM.”

Attachments:

“Janus Decision Likely to Be Good for Government Workers,” By Richard McCarty, June 27, 2018 at http://dailytorch.com/2018/06/janus-decision-likely-to-be-good-for-government-workers/

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1003 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.

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FIRETHESWAMP.COM banner flight near D.C. delayed until June 28 at 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

June 27, 2018, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government just received notification from http://airads.com that the flight of the FIRETHESWAMP.COM banner in an airplane is being postponed until tomorrow, June 28 at 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. along the same flight path due to concerns over the weather.

Attachments:

Flight plan for FIRETHESWAMP.COM on June 28, 2018 at https://getliberty.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2018-06-28-VA-Swamp-Banner-Flight-Plan-Map.jpg

The plane will be traveling at 60 MPH. 7 a.m. heading along 66E from Front Royal on the south side of the highway, arriving in Fairfax, Va. at 7:50 a.m. heading along 236E arriving on south side, arriving in Annandale at 8 a.m. and then heading down 95S on the west side, arriving in Montclair at 8:20 a.m., heading northwest along 234, arriving in Manassas at 8:35 a.m., heading east along Braddock Road, arriving at 495 again at 8:55 a.m., heading southwest toward Independent Hill arriving at 9:05 a.m., turning northwest again, arriving at Manassas again at 9:15 a.m., and then heading back to 66W at 9:20 a.m., and heading westward on the north side of 66, arriving at Front Royal at 10 a.m.

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1003 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.

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ALG to fly FIRETHESWAMP.COM banner from 66E to D.C. Beltway on June 27 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

June 26, 2018, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement announcing that the organization will be flying a FIRETHESWAMP.COM banner from 66E to the D.C. Beltway on June 27 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., weather permitting by http://airads.com:

“Flying a FIRETHESWAMP.COM banner around the Washington, D.C. beltway is visually raising the flag that limited government principles and individual rights will not be taken away by an out-of-control bureaucracy. That way, the bureaucrats Already, President Trump’s executive order to rein in official time is a good first step, and we call on Congress to enact further steps including legislation by U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk bill that will expedite the firing process, The Merit Act, in alignment with the already enacted firing procedures at the VA.

“The past few weeks have shown how many in the federal civil service have abused their authority in pursuit of political ends. Unfortunately this is the norm due to the pervasive influence of public employee unions and their non-stop push to grow government. President Trump promised to drain the swamp, but he can’t do it unless he and his administration can fire the swamp.”

Attachments:

Flight plan for FIRETHESWAMP.COM on June 27, 2018 at https://getliberty.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2018-06-27-VA-Swamp-Banner-Flight-Plan-Map.jpg

The plane will be traveling at 60 MPH. 7 a.m. heading along 66E from Front Royal on the south side of the highway, arriving in Fairfax, Va. at 7:50 a.m. heading along 236E arriving on south side, arriving in Annandale at 8 a.m. and then heading down 95S on the west side, arriving in Montclair at 8:20 a.m., heading northwest along 234, arriving in Manassas at 8:35 a.m., heading east along Braddock Road, arriving at 495 again at 8:55 a.m., heading southwest toward Independent Hill arriving at 9:05 a.m., turning northwest again, arriving at Manassas again at 9:15 a.m., and then heading back to 66W at 9:20 a.m., and heading westward on the north side of 66, arriving at Front Royal at 10 a.m.

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1003 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.

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