Press Release
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.
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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.