The State Freedom Caucus Network (SFCN) is a 501(c)(4) conservative organization founded in December 2021 by veteran GOP strategist Andy Roth.[1] The SFCN is a partner organization of the Conservative Partnership Institute[2] and serves as an extension of the U.S. Congress House Freedom Caucus with operations in nearly a dozen state legislatures.[3]
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| Formation | December 2021 |
|---|---|
| 87-3648308 | |
| Headquarters | 300 Independence Ave SE Washington, DC 20003 |
President | Andy Roth |
| Website | statefreedomcaucus.org |
Mission
editThe mission of the SFCN is "to provide conservatives in state capitals nationwide the resources they need to win."[4] The SFCN provides support in areas such as staffing, communication, strategy, tactics and logistics.[5] State lawmakers who are part of State Freedom Caucuses battle for what they call "open, accountable and limited government, the Constitution and the rule of law, and policies that promote the liberty, safety and prosperity of all Americans".[5]
States with Freedom Caucuses
editAs of 2024 the SFCN has formed caucuses within twelve state legislatures including Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wyoming.[4][6]
Battles with leadership
editThe SFCN "advises its state members to "be loud" against Republicans who have compromised on fiscal and cultural conservative principles."[7] This philosophy has led to a number of battles between Republican leadership and caucus members such as in the Mississippi legislature where the caucus helped kill an economic development bill that would have created an inter-state agency that opponents feared would be able to unaccountably levy taxes and seize property through eminent domain.[3] In South Carolina, freedom caucus members filed a lawsuit against the House ethics commission after they were kicked out of the House Republican Caucus by leadership due to refusing to sign what the freedom caucus members called a ‘loyalty pledge’.[8]
References
edit- ^ "House Freedom Caucus plans expansion to state lawmakers". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ "Conservative Partnership Institute". Conservative Partnership Institute. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ a b Shaw, Adam (2023-01-04). "State Freedom Caucus Network expanding reach across US, as more states set up groups". Fox News. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ a b "Home". State Freedom Caucus Network. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ a b "House Freedom Caucus Takes Its Crusade to the States". Route Fifty. 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ Murphy, Emma (2024-09-03). "Right-wing 'Freedom Caucus' launches at Oklahoma Capitol • Oklahoma Voice". Oklahoma Voice. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
- ^ "Zooey Zephyr row spotlights rise of GOP far-right caucuses". AP NEWS. 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
- ^ Breeding, Brittany (2023-02-28). "SC Freedom Caucus files lawsuit to gain recognition as full legislative caucus". WACH. Retrieved 2023-06-27.