Progressive Groups Launch Congressional Accountability Campaign

June 5, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, House Majority PAC, America Votes Action Fund, Priorities USA, and American Bridge announced the launch of a Congressional Accountability Campaign targeting Republicans in a dozen House districts across the country this summer. The groups will help mobilize communities through on-the-ground grassroots engagement and investments in multi-platform media campaigns to hold Republicans accountable for betraying the needs of their constituents and work to put more districts on the map for Democrats in 2018. 

The districts selected as initial targets are all represented by Republicans who voted for the disastrous GOP healthcare bill in May. The first targeted districts include AZ-02 (Martha McSally), FL-18 (Brian Mast), FL-25 (Mario Diaz-Balart), ME-02 (Bruce Poliquin), MI-01 (Jack Bergman), MI-06 (Fred Upton), MI-07 (Tim Walberg), MI-08 (Mike Bishop), MI-11 (David Trott), WI-01 (Paul Ryan), WI-07 (Sean Duffy), and WI-08 (Mike Gallagher). More districts may be added to the groups’ targets as the campaign progresses.

“House Republicans have betrayed the hard-working families they were elected to represent,” said House Majority PAC Executive Director Charlie Kelly. “Across the country, we’re seeing a groundswell of grassroots energy as people stand up to make their voices heard, and House Majority PAC will do its part to assist and amplify these voices. Where Republicans refuse to honestly explain their actions, we’ll make sure voters know the truth. Where Republicans refuse to listen to their own constituents, we’ll help make sure their constituents’ voices are heard. We’re proud to partner with our allies to hold these Congressional Republicans accountable and help expand the map for Democrats in 2018.” 

“This is the summer of accountability. It is time to expose the real-world consequences of these Members’ votes to put Washington special interests ahead of the priorities of their constituents back home,” said America Votes Action Fund President Greg Speed. “This campaign will ensure constituents know the facts about the disastrous GOP healthcare bill and can hold their representatives accountable for its devastating impact upon local families’ health care.”

“People are upset with their Members of Congress for a reason. The Republican healthcare plan is one of the most politically toxic pieces of legislation in recent history because it would devastate families across the country in order to pay for a massive tax cut for millionaires and billionaires, as would the Republicans’ tax plan and budget,” said Patrick McHugh, Executive Director of Priorities USA. “We’re proud to work with our progressive allies to ensure Americans have the tools they need to step up and be heard as they hold every Member of Congress who voted for this abomination accountable.” 

“House Republicans voted to gut health care for millions of Americans, and American Bridge is proud to be a part of the effort to hold them accountable. The middle class has been betrayed by a Republican Congress that is putting the wealthy first, and working Americans last. American Bridge’s research and video tracking is going to shine a spotlight on their dangerously out-of-touch agenda and help voters fight back with the most powerful tool in politics: the truth,” said American Bridge President Jessica Mackler.

In targeted districts, on-the-ground staff from America Votes Action Fund and a structure of allied local groups will support, mobilize and organize local activists to engage and hold their Republican House Members accountable through events, protests, and other actions. 

The project marks an unprecedented effort for HMP, which will lead and coordinate the accountability campaign, provide rapid response against targeted members, and invest in a variety of paid media. 

As a part of the project, House Majority PAC is also launching a webpage where constituents can sign up for text message action alerts to stay up-to-date on grassroots actions and events in their districts.