Formation February 2010 Location Washington, D.C. Chairman Norm Coleman Founded February 2010 | Legal status 501(c)(4) President Brian O. Walsh Chairperson Norm Coleman Type of business Issue advocacy | |
Website americanactionnetwork.org Similar FreedomWorks, Club for Growth, Center for Responsive Politics, Media Research Center, 60 Plus Association Profiles | ||
The American Action Network is a nonprofit issue advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. which promotes center-right public policy. It was established in 2010 by Fred Malek and Norm Coleman as a 501(c)(4) organization.
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The American Action Network's sister organization, the American Action Forum, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focusing on policy research. The American Action Forum is run by former Congressional Budget Office director Doug Holtz-Eakin.
American Action Network officials also run the Congressional Leadership Fund Super PAC, an independent expenditure PAC focused on electing a House Republican majority.
Activities
According to the American Action Network website, the organization's purpose is to "create, encourage and promote center-right policies..." It aims to accomplish this through nationwide issue advocacy campaigns using print and television advertisements, direct mail, grassroots organizing, robocalls, online advertising and online videos.
In May 2011, Campaigns and Elections reported that the American Action Network spent more than $25 million in the 2010 election cycle. According to USA Today the organization spent $17 million on issue advocacy and grassroots organizing and $5.5 million on candidates and political activities. In the 2010 elections the group funded political advertisements in 22 congressional districts nationwide including Colorado, Connecticut, South Dakota, Utah, Washington State and Wisconsin.
In July 2012, Politico reported that the American Action Network planned to spend a minimum of $10 million to establish "a legislation-focused ground game in a number of states". The Politico article also called the American Action Network "one of the key outside forces on the right".
In July 2013, Politico reported that the group has spent more than $750,000 in ad buys on promoting the Gang of Eight immigration bill S.744.
On November 10, 2015, the group ran a TV ad during a Republican presidential debate. The ad attacks the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, portraying it with stereotypes about the Soviet Union, and telling viewers that they will be denied loans because of the CFPB.
History and organization
The American Action Network is an advocacy group founded in February 2010 by Fred Malek, founder of Thayer Capital and former Republican National Committee deputy chairman. The organization was founded to promote and support center right issues, conceived in part to counterbalance the left-wing Center for American Progress. The organization calls itself an "action tank" or "a think-and-do-tank" and is classified as a 501(c)(4).
Former Minnesota senator Norm Coleman was hired in 2010 as its CEO. He now serves as chairman of the board and also serves on the board of the American Action Forum, a sister organization. In 2011 Brian Walsh, a former political director at the National Republican Congressional Committee, was hired as the group's president, replacing Rob Collins, the former chief of staff to Eric Cantor. The organization's board members include Fred Malek, Vin Weber, Mel Martinez and Thomas M. Reynolds.
Funding and tax status
Donations to the American Action Network are not tax deductible due to its 501(c)(4) status, and the organization is not required to disclose the source of donations. Tax records show the group raised nearly $27.5 million between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011, including one $7 million donation. Critics of the American Action Network have argued that the organization's advertisements contravene its requirements under its 501(c)(4) status. Malek has stated in response that such claims are "baseless".
Related organizations
The American Action Forum is a partner organization with the American Action Network, operating as a separate 501(c)(3) organization. The focus of the Action Forum is policy research. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the former director of the Congressional Budget Office, serves as its president.
Members of the American Action Network also run the Congressional Leadership Fund Super PAC which was formed in October 2011 for the purpose of supporting Republican candidates in House races. The organization aims to maintain the Republican House majority. The group held an event in November 2011 that included appearances from Speaker of the House John Boehner, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and representative Pete Sessions from Texas. Board members include Fred Malek, Norm Coleman, Brian Walsh and former representative Tom Reynolds
In January 2011, the American Action Network created the Hispanic Leadership Network to bring more Hispanics to the Republican party. According to the organization's website, the Hispanic Leadership Network is a "sustained effort to engage the Hispanic Community on center right issues". Key members include executive director Jennifer Korn, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, former United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and former United States Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez.