October 2, 2014

Washington, D.C.
 
When conservative principles are on the ballot, they win.  When the priorities of the American people-not Washington-are fought for, the country wins.  This year, conservatives have the opportunity to have that debate.  This morning, we were encouraged by RNC Chairman Reince Priebus' speech that laid out what the Republican Party stands for.  It was a positive step and we thank him for elevating key conservative principles into the national dialogue ahead of this important election. 
 
And while he laid out what Republicans are for, there is continued silence from too many in Congress about what Republicans will do if they are entrusted with majorities in the House and Senate.  The choice cannot be a Washington controlled by Republicans or a Washington controlled by Democrats.  Rather, the choice must be between whose principles do we want to follow: those that animate the country-freedom, prosperity, hard work, opportunity, fairness, strong families, and a secure country-or the principles that animate much of what we see in Washington today-cronyism, lawlessness, lack of accountability, and weakness. 
 
Today, we call on conservative members of Congress and candidates to give Americans this choice and to boldly lay out the contrast between a conservative agenda for Congress-one that represents the priorities of the American people-and the liberal, big government agenda that too often only represents the priorities of Washington elites.  Even with President Obama in the White House for two more years, conservatives in Congress can and must act on these key priorities--some of which do not even require the President's signature. 
 
Elections are about the future and agendas are about principles and solutions.  In his speech, Chairman Priebus broadly outlined the principles that are animating Republican voters across the country ahead of election day.  Candidates and office holders must now stand ready with conservative solutions that are grounded in our principles and solve the problems that the American people care about.  The following seven items are solutions animated by those principles.  And while each of our organizations will work toward various elements of this agenda, as a conservative movement we must support leaders committed to: 



•	Balancing the budget in 10 years or less without raising taxes

•	Fully repealing Obamacare, using congressional authority to halt and expose it, and starting over with real health care reform that respects patients and doctors

•	Protecting the unborn, and ending abortions after 5 months of pregnancy

•	Upholding the rule of law and Constitution by ending the  lawlessness of the Obama Administration and rogue agencies like the IRS

•	Safeguarding our freedoms by ending the assaults on our religious liberty

•	Reducing the terror threat by securing the border

•	Expanding American energy through innovation and the market, not government regulation and cronyism 


Americans deserve a choice, not an echo.  Each of these solutions is directly tied to a principle just prioritized as a national issue ahead of the election.  And while our work continues, they are a down payment that will begin to restore, reform, and modernize government, and to once again make the American Dream a reality for future generations. 
 
The Honorable David McIntosh

Former Member of Congress

Indiana
 
Mike Needham

CEO

Heritage Action for America
 
Tony Perkins

President

Family Research Council
 
Brent Bozell

Chairman

ForAmerica
 
Erick Erickson

Editor-in-Chief

RedState
 
Marjorie Dannenfelser

President

Susan B. Anthony List
 
Gary Bauer
President
American Values
 
Colin Hanna

President

Let Freedom Ring
 
David Bossie

President

Citizens United
 
The Honorable J. Kenneth Blackwell

President

Constitutional Congress, Inc.
 
The Honorable Becky Norton Dunlop

Former White House Advisor

President Ronald Reagan
 
The Honorable T. Kenneth Cribb, Jr.

Former White House Domestic Advisor

President Ronald Reagan
 
The Honorable Alfred S. Regnery

Former Publisher

The American Spectator
 
William L Walton

Vice President

Council for National Policy
 
The Honorable Bob McEwen

Former U.S. Representative

Ohio
 
Daniel Schneider

Executive Director

American Conservative Union
 
Diana Banister

Director

Citizens for the Republic
 
(All organizations listed for Identification purposes only)