What Do Conservatives Believe?

The latest from AAF on labor, energy, agriculture, new board members, and VP Pence's new book

Jun 05, 2026

This week, Vice President Mike Pence launched his book tour for What Conservatives Believe. His book charts the path forward for conservatives and proposes an agenda that advances the bedrock principles of conservatism: limited government, peace through strength, free markets, and Judeo-Christian values.

In other news, we are applauding President Trump’s adoption of our top recommendation for free-market farm relief. Tariffs on farm and manufacturing equipment were cut from 25% to 15%.

Highlights of AAF Experts in the Media

Congress Must Not Pass the Faster Labor Contracts Act - Coalition Letter

Advancing American Freedom and 28 allies urged Congress to oppose this bill, which allows government arbitrators to write the labor terms themselves if talks take longer than a few months.

Trump Might Be Losing the Farm Vote (Washington Post) — Marc Short

Farm country helped power Trump’s political rise—but trade shocks, rising costs, and global conflict are creating a rift. The heartland is hurting.

AI Runs on Electricity, but Washington is Blocking the Grid (National Review) — Kevin Dayaratna

America’s ability to lead in AI will depend on energy infrastructure needed to power it. Permitting delays and regulatory bottlenecks are slowing critical projects and threatening long-term competitiveness.

Ed Schweitzer Joins AAF Board of Directors

Dr. Edmund Schweitzer has joined the AAF Board of Directors. He is an American businessman and inventor who founded Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, which employs more than 6,000 workers, and holds numerous patents. He said:

“I’m honored to join the board of Advancing American Freedom (AAF.) As we enter our 250th year as a nation, we face a $40 trillion national debt, $2 trillion budget deficits, and interest payments that dwarf key federal obligations. I believe we can solve these problems by getting back to first principles, with civility. After all, we have so much more in common than we do in difference.

AAF unites free-market thinkers and policy experts committed to the long-term future of our nation and the well-being of generations to come.

I will do my best to contribute to this vital institution, dedicated to the rich traditions of American conservatism.”

He joins another recently announced board member: Governor Doug Ducey.

VP Mike Pence Launches National Book Tour

This week, AAF Founder Mike Pence’s book, What Conservatives Believe, hit the shelves, and he appeared at several venues including the Nixon Library in California (pictured above). You can read more in the Wall Street Journal, and watch VP Pence on Fox News, Meet the Press, Face the Nation, and Bloomberg.