Policy Priorities
Protecting Life and promoting the HOPE Agenda
Defending Religious Liberty
Restoring Parental Rights
The core of American government is, as the Declaration of Independence states, “to secure these rights” — namely, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Today, a dizzying array of ideas and influences counter to foundational Judeo-Christian Values threaten our inalienable rights, our democratic republic system of government, and our freedoms as Americans. The America First Policy Institute’s American Values will advance values-based messaging, develop policy ideas, craft legislation, and foster key relationships in order to protect life and promote the HOPE Agenda, defend religious liberty for all, and restore parental rights.
American Values is home to two impactful initiatives: the America First HOPE Agenda and Biblical Foundations. The HOPE Agenda is a state-focused 20-point policy agenda based on promoting the Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Empowerment of women, children, and families. This initiative emboldens state leaders and policymakers with policy recommendations so they may create life-affirming cultures within their respective states. Biblical Foundations encourages “faith in action” as faith leaders and congregations around the nation are engaged in a sermon series and events focusing on 10 foundational pillars of biblical truth in America. This initiative empowers the faith community to rise up and lead fearlessly as light in the darkness.
Team
Dr. Richard Rogers
Vice Chair, American Values
Jennifer Bauwens, Ph.D.
Director, American Values
Margo Nicholas
Senior Policy Analyst, American Values
Rebecca Yardley
Executive Director, America First Georgia & Digital State Action Coordinator, Project Coordinator and Assistant to the Vice Chairman of American Values
Drake Franklin
Southeastern Development Director & Policy Analyst, American Values
Latest
Statement
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March 31, 2026
AFPI Applauds Supreme Court Decision Protecting Free Speech in Counseling
The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) applauds today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court in Chiles v. Salazar, a case addressing whether the government can control what licensed counselors are allowed to say to their clients.
Op-Ed
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March 12, 2026
The Parent Trap: The Detransition Reality Schools Tried To Hide From Moms And Dads
Speech
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March 12, 2026
When Diagnosis Becomes Belief
Can I have a show of hands, how many of you love America? I’m an American. I’m also an Oregonian. My great-great-grandfather is buried in the Rose City Cemetery. And my mother’s parents and grandparents are buried in a small pioneer cemetery tucked away in the hills of the central Willamette Valley.
Statement
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March 12, 2026
AFPI Calls for Reforms to Protect Children in Honor of Detrans Awareness Day
The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) has released the following statement from Dr. Jennifer Bauwens, director for American Values, in recognition of Detrans Awareness Day.
Issue Brief
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March 11, 2026
Gender Dysphoria and the Social Transition Intervention
Over the last decade, mental health practitioners have increasingly diagnosed minors with gender dysphoria, a psychological disorder used to describe a person’s mental distress about their biological sex. Gender dysphoria was once considered to be a very rare psychological disorder. As the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) for Mental Disorders IV-TR stated, “only a very small number of children with Gender Identity Disorder [Gender Dysphoria] will continue to meet criteria for Gender Identity Disorder in adolescence or adulthood” (APA, 2000, p. 579). Today, the ideas contained in this diagnosis are used both formally and informally with much greater frequency than at any time in the history of the diagnostic construct (Bachmann et al., 2024; Sun et al., 2023; Horowitz, 2025).
Topics
- Criminal Justice & Public Safety
- The Courts
- Work & Jobs
- American Dream
- Post Secondary Education
- K-12 Education Freedom
- Public School Transparency
- Government De-Regulation
- Healthcare Reform
- Public Health
- Transgenderism
- Border & Immigration
- Asia
- Marriage, Family, & Children
- Faith & Religious Liberty
- Sanctity of Life
- Parental Rights
- Protect Women’s Sports
51
issues
Videos
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Honoring the Courage of Israeli Hostages and Advocating for Their Return
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Framing Religious Freedom Globally
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Biblical Foundations Launch: Applying Biblical Principles to Public Policy
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STATEMENT: Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade
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