Press

  • Organization Launches Half-Million Media Blitz in Iowa Thanking
    Reps. Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and Nunn (IA-03) for Investing in
    Critical American International Assistance in FY26 Appropriations Package, which Returned Tens of Millions to Iowa Farmers and Small Businesses.

    Washington, DC - Nate Soule, former Chief of Staff to Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), joined the Campaign for American First International Assistance (CAFIA) as Executive Director to expand and build out the new organization’s capabilities and engagement in critical Congressional Districts across the country. This marks the beginning of a multi-seven-figure investment by CAFIA to increase the American public’s awareness of the merits of American international aid and assistance, with a heavy focus on swing districts and districts with a significant agricultural footprint.

    Said Nate Soule, “For American international assistance to be successful, every American needs to understand the direct, tangible benefits in their own backyard that come from the investment abroad. The truth is that billions of dollars are reinvested in the American economy, creating tens of thousands of jobs in almost every state. Whether it’s soybean farmers in Iowa, peanut farmers in Georgia and California, packaging plants in North Carolina and Rhode Island, or dairy farmers in New York and Wisconsin, international assistance plays a critical role in so many local communities across our great country. We’re excited to bring these stories to the American public and ensure that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in all 50 states support this critical funding year after year.”

    In conjunction with Nate’s new leadership, CAFIA is launching a half-million-dollar media blitz across Republican Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-1) and Zach Nunn (IA-3). The ads demonstrate the critical investments made in Iowa farmers and the health of Iowa families, and call on Iowans to thank their members for voting to support the recent bipartisan appropriations package. The Iowa campaign focuses on how Americans benefit from jobs and greater security and health when the government solves global problems before they reach the country’s shores.

    The spend is a full-court press across broadcast, cable, CTV, texting, digital ads, direct mail, and print ads.

    CAFIA, a 501(c)(4), launched at the end of 2025 with a targeted $175,000 advertising campaign across three key competitive congressional districts to bolster support for international assistance. The advocacy efforts focused on the districts of Republican Representatives Gabe Evans (CO-08), Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), all listed on the NRCC’s Patriots list, where CAFIA ran ads hailing these lawmakers for their commitment to "America First" international assistance. These messages credited the representatives with advancing policies that fed starving children and combated Chinese influence abroad, while specifically prioritizing American-grown products and American-made goods.

    The organization also released poll results from President Trump’s pollster, Jim McLaughlin, that found 72% of Trump voters and 77% of Evangelicals support international assistance. 75% of Republicans also support the Food for Peace program. Further, the poll found that when respondents were asked, “What percent of the federal budget do you believe is spent on international assistance programs?” only 9.5% of likely voters correctly answered “less than 1%.” The average guess was 12.3% of the federal budget, more than ten times the actual level. Most voters, including Trump voters, significantly overestimate what the U.S. spends.


    About CAFIA 

    The Campaign for America First International Assistance (CAFIA) advances a commonsense, accountable approach to U.S. international assistance that strengthens American security, supports American jobs, and upholds America’s leadership, all while ensuring strict oversight and measurable results.

  • Campaign For America First International Assistance (CAFIA) to Initially Focus on Three RCCC Patriot Members Who Can Deliver Results for America Abroad

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, The Campaign for America First International Assistance (CAFIA), a 501(c)(4), announced the launch of three new ads in the districts of Reps. Juan Ciscomani, Gabe Evans, and Ryan Mackenzie, paired with the public release of new polling of voters across the country. This six-figure campaign focuses on how targeted, accountable, America First international assistance advances American security, protects taxpayers, and opens markets for U.S. workers—an approach rooted in American strength and leadership.

    The spots released will be run on connected television in Arizona’s 6th District, Colorado’s 8th District, and Pennsylvania’s 7th District, to bolster their efforts to root out fraud, tamp down terrorism, secure our borders, support our small farmers, and feed starving children with their support of America First international assistance. 

    As part of CAFIA’s launch, the organization commissioned a survey of 1,200 likely voters, which found that when international assistance is focused on American priorities, voters respond positively and say they prefer leaders who champion this practical approach. Said John McLaughlin, "The majority of voters support international assistance that saves lives, improves global health, strengthens alliances, and bolsters national security and the economy."

    POLL HIGHLIGHTS

    • A strong majority of Trump voters (72%) and Republicans (73%) support international assistance

    • 77% of evangelicals support international assistance.

    • Independents who will play a critical role in deciding who wins the midterm elections are highly supportive (72%) of international assistance

    • Three-quarters of Trump voters (76%) and Republicans (76%) agree that “this kind of strategic investment in American leadership is consistent with President Trump’s America First vision.”

    • A majority of Americans (52%) believe that the cuts to international assistance earlier this year had a negative effect on America maintaining its position as a global superpower, with only 28% viewing such cuts positively.

    • Less than half of Trump voters (47%) and Republicans (46%) believe cuts to international assistance have a positive impact.

    • Reasons for Supporting International Assistance: national security by creating allies to counter dangerous influence from foreign adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran (35%); economic benefits for U.S. like increased jobs for American farmers and small businesses (23%); moral or religious obligation to help the most vulnerable (19%); and global leadership highlighting America’s strategic role in the world (16%). The priorities are similar among Trump voters, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents

    • Voters support moving international assistance oversight to the State Dept following the dismantling of USAID by a 47%-40% margin. 

    • When asked, “What percent of the federal budget do you believe is spent on international assistance programs?” only 9.5% of likely voters correctly answered “less than 1%.” The average guess is 12.3% of the federal budget—more than ten times the actual level. Most voters, including Republicans and Trump voters, significantly overestimate what the U.S. spends.

    • A majority of Republicans agree President Trump would deserve the Nobel Prize for solving child starvation abroad. 

    Recent reporting underscores the stakes when life-saving programs lapse: humanitarian gaps can fuel instability, empower bad actors, and create conditions that ultimately cost Americans more. Lack of targeted, America First international assistance gives rise to terrorism, illegal immigration, and has adverse effects on small, American farms. In places like Myanmar and along the Thai border, aid shortfalls have coincided with dramatic increases in need and in crime, with desperate people often resorting to violence to feed their families. 

    About CAFIA

    The Campaign for America First International Assistance (CAFIA) advances a practical, accountable approach to U.S. assistance that strengthens American security, supports American jobs, and upholds America’s leadership—always with strict oversight and measurable results.


    Poll Methodology

    This survey was conducted among 1,200 likely voters between October 26-29, 2025. All interviews were conducted online. The interview distribution and demographics reflect a 2026 general election turnout model. The accuracy of the sample of 1,200 likely voters is within +/- 2.8% at a 95% confidence interval. The numbers in this memorandum have been rounded and may not equal 100%.