American Principles Project: Policy Positions and Political Campaigns
The American Principles Project (APP) is a conservative organization that actively shapes political discourse through policy advocacy, strategic campaigning, and research. By focusing on a wide array of social, economic, and educational issues, the APP seeks to influence both the Republican Party and the broader American electorate.
Key Facts
- Abortion: Advocates for federal bans with specific exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.
- Education: Strongly opposed to Common Core standards and promotes school choice.
- LGBTQ+ Issues: Works to eliminate transgender healthcare and opposes civil rights protections for LGBTQ people.
- Monetary Policy: Advocates for a return to the gold standard and hard money policies.
- Technology: Supports antitrust legislation and the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.
- Voting: Supports stricter voting laws, including signature verification for absentee ballots.
Social Policy and Cultural Campaigns
Abortion and Life Issues
The APP maintains a firm anti-abortion stance, with cofounder George describing abortion as a moral crime in 2009. To make legislation more politically viable, policy director Jon Schweppe and president Terry Schilling have recommended federal or 15-week bans that include exceptions for rape, incest, or when the mother's life and health are at risk.
LGBTQ+ Rights and Gender Identity
A significant portion of the APP's recent activity focuses on changing societal attitudes toward gay and transgender rights. The organization has funded advertisements opposing civil rights protections for LGBTQ individuals and same-sex marriage. A primary long-term goal of the APP is the total elimination of transgender healthcare, including puberty-blocking medications for youth.
Strategically, the APP has shifted its messaging. Research conducted in 2019 suggested that focusing on transgender children in sports competitions was more effective at motivating voters than "bathroom bills." In 2022, the APP PAC spent nearly $16 million on anti-transgender campaign ads across six states. By 2023, president Terry Schilling stated the organization opposes gender-affirming care for all Americans, regardless of age.
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Diversity and Pornography
The APP evaluates the effectiveness of criticizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, using focus groups to test the impact of terms like "woke" in conservative election campaigns. Additionally, the organization lobbies for laws requiring age verification for pornographic websites, including support for the Kids Online Safety Act, to reduce the cultural acceptability of pornography.
Education and Voting Reform
Opposition to Common Core
The APP has been a vocal critic of Common Core standards—a set of high-quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts. In 2012, the organization co-authored a report titled Controlling Education From The Top: Why Common Core Is Bad For America. Chairman Sean Fieler invested $500,000 to organize opposition to these standards as part of a broader push for school choice.
Voting Legislation
In collaboration with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, the APP has worked against various voting rights expansions. They advocate for stricter laws, such as mandatory signature verification for absentee ballots, to address concerns regarding voter fraud. In 2021, the APP PAC contributed $280,000 to Restoration PAC for commercials targeting the For the People Act.
Economic and Technological Stances
Monetary Policy and the Gold Standard
The APP advocates for significant monetary reform, specifically suggesting a return to the gold standard (a monetary system where a currency's value is directly linked to gold). In 2015, the organization held a summit in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to promote "hard money" policies and end government interference in the money supply, an event backed by hedge fund CEO Robert Mercer.
Big Tech and Antitrust
The APP's relationship with technology companies is complex. While policy director Jon Schweppe has accused Big Tech of censoring conservatives, the organization has simultaneously collaborated with progressive groups like Demand Progress on antitrust legislation. They have also developed tools to provide transparency regarding the funding of nonprofits and think tanks by companies like Google, Amazon, Apple, and Facebook.
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Immigration
The APP's stance on immigration has seen internal nuance. Alfonso Aguilar, Director of Hispanic Engagement, has supported immigration reform and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, while opposing the term "anchor baby" and criticizing derogatory comments made about Mexican immigrants.
Summary of APP Policy Positions
| Issue Area | Primary Position | Key Objective/Action |
|---|---|---|
| Abortion | Anti-abortion | Federal ban with specific exceptions |
| LGBTQ+ | Opposed to trans rights | Eliminate gender-affirming healthcare |
| Education | Anti-Common Core | Promote school choice and state withdrawal |
| Economy | Hard Money | Return to the gold standard |
| Technology | Anti-Monopoly | Support antitrust legislation |
| Voting | Restrictive | Stricter absentee ballot verification |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the APP's position on transgender healthcare?
The APP seeks to eliminate transgender healthcare entirely for all Americans, regardless of age, and has specifically focused on banning gender-affirming care for children.
How does the APP view the Common Core education standards?
The APP is strongly critical of Common Core, arguing that it represents top-down control of education, and has lobbied state legislatures to withdraw from the standards.
What monetary system does the APP advocate for?
The organization advocates for monetary reform through a return to the gold standard and the implementation of hard money policies to limit government involvement in the money supply.
Does the APP support all conservative views on immigration?
Not entirely; the Director of Hispanic Engagement has supported a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants and has criticized derogatory rhetoric regarding Mexican immigrants.
What is the APP's goal regarding Big Tech companies?
The APP aims to curb the power of Big Tech through antitrust legislation and has accused these companies of censoring conservative viewpoints.