Last week, the Koch-founded FreedomWorks endorsed failed Senate candidate John James, their first Senate endorsement of the cycle. The right-wing group’s support for James is a reminder that he would be a key ally in Washington for their far-right agenda. Both FreedomWorks and James have supported the GOP’s attacks on Michiganders’ health care, threats to Great Lakes funding, attempts to cut protections for clean water, and giant giveaways to large corporations and billionaires. FreedomWorks knows that James would be a reliable vote for their harmful agenda, even when it would threaten Michigan.
- Increasing Health Care Costs and Gutting Protections for Pre-existing Conditions: As the GOP tried to jam through the Republican health care plan, which would have increased health care costs and gutted protections for Michiganders, FreedomWorks’ only concern was that it didn’t go far enough. John James called the health care law a “monstrosity” and vowed to repeal it as Senator, despite evidence that it is making Michiganders healthier.
- Opposing Great Lakes Funding: FreedomWorks’ agenda includes “rolling back environmental protections” and the organization opposed a budget that restored funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which the White House had previously targeted to be cut. James also said he would have voted against the budget despite its full restoration of funding for the GLRI.
- Opposing Clean Water Protections: FreedomWorks’ agenda includes “rolling back environmental protections” and the organization opposed the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which provides millions in funding for water and air conservation projects in Michigan. John James has also failed to protect Michigan’s clean water by refusing to stand up to the Trump administrations’ opposition to new PFAS cleanup standards.
- Tax Giveaways to Giant Corporations and Billionaires: FreedomWorks was a strong supporter of the GOP tax giveaway for large corporations and the wealthiest Americans. James fully supported the Republican tax law, calling it a “massive Christmas present.”
“John James would be a reliable vote for a disastrous and far-right agenda supported by fringe Republicans, even when it threatens Michiganders,” said MDP Spokesperson Alex Japko. “Right-wing groups like FreedomWorks know James would be a partner in increasing Michiganders’ health care costs, rolling back protections for clean water, and handing out more tax giveaways to large corporations. It’s more evidence that James would be a rubber stamp for Washington Republicans and their agenda, not an independent voice for Michigan.”
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