Formation 1978 Purpose Political Advocacy Region Global | Extinction 2013 Headquarters Washington D.C. | |
Founder Bill Brock and Richard Beeman | ||
Republicans Abroad (also known as Republicans Abroad International) was a global political organization for Americans living outside of the United States. Republicans Abroad (RA) was headquartered in Washington D.C. and used that geographic advantage to maintain direct contact with political leaders and policymakers. Though the international entity has dissolved, the individual chapters remain as independently operated organizations throughout the world, and continue their active role in coordinating American voters living overseas, advocating the Republican platform and principles, engaging with the press, and hosting local events.
History
Until the passage of the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975, US citizens overseas could not vote in federal elections. After President Gerald Ford signed this legislation into law, citizens living abroad were permitted to cast an absentee ballot in their state of residence. Shortly after ratification, former Republican National Committee Chairman, Bill Brock, and former chairman of UK Republicans, Richard Beeman, established Republicans Abroad in 1978 to organize the estimated 3 million American overseas constituents, the majority of which were Republican.
Republicans Abroad hosted a weekly radio-show via wsRadio titled Republicans Abroad Radio. The show aired live weekly for several years. Guests to the show included President Ronald Reagan's Attorney General Edwin Meese III, Grover Norquist, and members of Congress.
In January 2013, Republicans Abroad International closed, leaving its chapters to continue forward as independent organizations.