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Last November, when Democrats seized control of both the Governor’s Mansion and the General Assembly, they promised to unite Virginia under the guise of moderate policy reform. Instead, under the leadership of Abigail Spanberger, Virginia Democrats have spearheaded the most biased and divisive congressional redistricting campaign in the Commonwealth's history. The radical leadership in Richmond has prioritized a singular obsession: attacking President Trump and legislation that puts America first. Their primary goal is to win a congressional majority designed to obstruct lawmaking, paralyzing Congress with endless impeachment hearings and the threat of shutdowns rather than working for the American people. Virginia Democrats have proven they care more about partisan politics than fair representation. In a disgraceful power grab, they have sought to disenfranchise Virginia voters and silence dissent by gerrymandering a map that secures ten safe Democratic seats out of eleven. Ahead of the Tuesday, April 21st, vote, CPAC—alongside leaders from Virginia’s Hispanic and faith communities—convened to speak out against this radical redistricting power grab. This campaign threatens to strip away the voice of thousands, particularly those in rural and Hispanic communities, by handing Virginia Democrats 91% of the state's Congressional districts. The CPAC press conference was joined by faith and hispanic leaders from across Virginia, including: CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp, CPAC Senior Fellow Mercedes Schlapp, Astrid Gamez, Founder and Executive Director of Family Services Network, Rev. Jonathan Avendaño, Pastor of Manna from Heaven Church (Iglesia Maná del Cielo), Hannah Lape, Legislative Strategist for Concerned Women for America, Joshua Raimundo, Strategic Director for the LIBRE Initiative, Joanne Chase Chairwoman of the National Hispanic Assembly of Virginia, Katie Gorka Chairwoman of the Fairfax County Republican Party, Katie and Rev. Patrick Mahoney Director of the Christian Defense Coalition and a Presbyterian minister. Virginia Democrats pretend they are moderates when, in fact, fueled by radical Marxist ideology, they wield their power to silence the voices of Virginians. CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp highlighted the necessity of having a Congress that represents its constituents at a grassroots level because of their varying, unique needs and priorities. “These are Marxist maps intended to limit the people’s voices in Virginia,” Schlapp stated. “The whole reason we have a House of Representatives is for minority rights…a state is diverse and has diverse political views. Rural areas might have different views than urban areas, that's why in Virginia you have eleven seats, but they want to steal four Republican seats.” The proposed Virginia congressional map attempts to silence these voices for partisan gain, putting politics over Virginia, tipping the scales, and disenfranchising rural, religious, and racial minorities. Virginia has already seen firsthand the Democrats' willingness to push a radical, anti-Christian ideology onto classrooms and families. Rev. Pat Mahoney spoke out against this assault, noting that the proposed map would gerrymander the state's most conservative areas to systematically undermine dissent. “It will ensure only one point of view is heard, which is certainly not fairness. This will especially disenfranchise Christian voters. Important views and beliefs concerning the family, religious freedom, the sanctity of life, medical freedom, and the raising of our children will be crushed and silenced if a ‘yes’ vote prevails,” said Rev. Mahoney. The future of Virginia hangs in the balance. This redistricting plan is not about fairness; it is a calculated strike to silence voices and attack the values of faith, family, and freedom. Radical politicians in Richmond must not be allowed to redraw communities out of existence to fuel a partisan agenda in Washington. To protect the rights of rural voters, the Hispanic community, and people of faith across the Commonwealth, Virginians must take action at the ballot box to ensure every Virginian is heard. Vote NO on April 21st to stop this radical power grab and ensure that ever y voice is heard!

Over the past decade, the fight against human trafficking has developed into a national front battle to ensure the freedom of those facing abuse daily. Such a fight comes with the need for those working across different aspects of the field to find ways to partner and make a difference in ending modern-day slavery. This is why CPAC started its Combating Human Trafficking Coalition, and it comes as no surprise that DeliverFund has stepped up as a crucial partner. For the past 11 years, their team has been the silent force dismantling human trafficking networks across America. While most organizations focus on the aftermath of the crime, DeliverFund spends its time attacking the root. Nic McKinley, a former CIA officer and U.S. Air Force Pararescueman, founded the non-profit in 2015 with a specific distinction: this is not a group of activists. It is a high-level intelligence firm run by veterans. For over a decade, they have repurposed the world’s most sophisticated intelligence-gathering techniques to hunt predators in our own backyard. They don't just raise awareness; they use elite tradecraft to protect the vulnerable and bring the fight to the enemy. DeliverFund’s credibility is built on what they call "Bulletproof" level intelligence. In the digital age, traffickers hide behind encryption and anonymous forums to sell human beings like property. DeliverFund counters this by using proprietary software and high-level data analysis to unmask these predators. By the time the team hands a case to local law enforcement, it isn't just a tip. It is a complete, prosecution-ready intelligence package. This provides police and law enforcement agencies with strike force capabilities needed to take down international criminal infrastructures. Those in this fight know that results are the only metric that matters when lives are on the line. Over the past 11 years, DeliverFund has trained more than 8,000 law enforcement officers, creating a massive "force multiplier" across the country. They don’t just wait for a crime to happen; they engineer a world where traffickers have nowhere left to hide. Now working alongside CPAC’s team, DeliverFund represents the ultimate expression of American values: private-sector innovation, veteran grit, and an unwavering commitment to human liberty. While the Center for Combating Human Trafficking operates across the country to identify policy changes that will empower law enforcement to prevent these crimes before they begin, partners like DeliverFund provide the on-the-ground knowledge that guides the changes necessary to bring traffickers to justice. Moving forward, our teams are working together to educate the public and policymakers, while ensuring those on the frontlines have the resources needed to win this war on modern-day slavery.

Medicaid fraud is no longer being treated as a side issue in Washington; it has become a central priority under the Trump administration’s push for accountability in government spending. Since his 2025 confirmation, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz has led an aggressive effort to call out fraud, waste, and abuse, framing it as both a fiscal responsibility and a moral obligation to taxpayers. Through initiatives like the Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH) program and a renewed willingness to publicly challenge states, CMS is making clear that the era of unchecked expansion without oversight is coming to an end. Recently, California has quickly emerged as a high-profile example of what happens when oversight fails. Federal investigators uncovered a $50 million fraudulent hospice billing scheme in the Los Angeles area, along with hundreds of suspect providers, some operating out of empty or nonexistent offices. These findings reinforce a broader concern: in large, high-spending states, weak regulatory environments can allow organized fraud networks to flourish, ultimately leaving taxpayers to absorb the losses. New York presents a similar pattern on an even larger scale. With a Medicaid program exceeding $115 billion, CMS has launched a sweeping probe into rapidly expanding sectors like home care, adult day services, and non-medical transportation. A 121% surge in transportation spending alone has raised serious red flags. When spending grows this quickly without meaningful safeguards, it creates clear opportunities for misuse and inefficiency. Minnesota demonstrates that this new approach is backed by real consequences. CMS has moved to withhold hundreds of millions in federal Medicaid funds until stronger anti-fraud measures are put in place. This signals a clear shift in federal policy: funding is no longer guaranteed without accountability. The broader takeaway is straightforward: enforcement works, but only when it is paired with transparency, consequences, and a willingness to confront states that fail to protect taxpayer dollars. Taken together, the results of these investigations point to a clear shift toward more assertive federal oversight, especially in high-spending, Democrat-led states like California, New York, and Minnesota, where systemic vulnerabilities have too often gone unchecked. Under the Trump administration, CMS has made it a priority to expose fraud and hold states accountable, pulling back the curtain on programs plagued by waste and abuse. While critics claim these efforts are politically motivated, the findings tell a different story: longstanding structural weaknesses are finally being confronted. The takeaway is straightforward: enforcement works, but only when there is transparency, real consequences, and a willingness to challenge state leaders who have failed to protect taxpayer dollars.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior have taken a significant step toward reshaping how federal lands are managed for grazing. Through a newly signed Grazing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), these agencies are working together to expand access to public lands, reduce bureaucratic delays, and improve coordination between key federal partners. At its core, this effort is designed to make it easier for ranchers to operate efficiently while ensuring that federal land management better reflects the realities of modern agriculture. For years, ranchers who rely on federal lands have faced challenges stemming from slow permitting processes, inconsistent communication, and overlapping agency responsibilities. This new agreement aims to address those issues directly by streamlining approvals, improving transparency, and fostering stronger collaboration between the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. By cutting red tape and modernizing processes, ranchers gain more certainty and flexibility, two critical factors when managing livestock, investing in infrastructure, and planning for the future. The importance of this initiative extends well beyond ranching operations. A stronger, more efficient grazing system contributes directly to the stability of the American food supply. By supporting domestic beef production, policies like this can help lower costs for consumers and reduce dependence on foreign imports. Additionally, the agreement promotes better land management practices, including targeted grazing to reduce wildfire risks and the use of innovative tools like virtual fencing. These efforts not only benefit producers but also help maintain the long-term health and sustainability of public rangelands. Ultimately, this agreement represents a broader recognition of the essential role ranchers play in the nation’s economy and environment. With more than 20,000 producers relying on federal lands across millions of acres, improving how these lands are managed has far-reaching impacts on rural communities, job creation, and food security. While continued progress will be necessary to ensure lasting success, this step signals a meaningful shift toward policies that prioritize efficiency, partnership, and the long-term resilience of American agriculture. Read More Here: https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/03/31/usda-doi-move-boost-support-american-ranchers-help-lower-prices-consumers

While identifying the flaws in our current child welfare system is the first step, the GRACIE Act provides a clear roadmap for reform by prioritizing mandatory recording and multidisciplinary cooperation. By modernizing Child Protective Services (CPS) through these specific policy recommendations, we can transform an outdated investigative process into a transparent, evidence-based system that protects children and ensures judicial fairness. To achieve this, states must require the audio or video recording of all CPS interviews conducted with children during investigations. These recordings should be securely stored and made accessible to supervisors, multidisciplinary teams, and the courts to create an objective record of a child's statements. Relying on recorded forensic interviews, rather than "scribbled or typed unreliable notes," prevents coercive questioning and protects caseworkers from false allegations while preserving the integrity of the evidence. Beyond individual interviews, the solution requires a shift in how we identify victims of human trafficking. Currently, only 0.4% of trafficking victims are formally identified; however, incorporating recorded interviews into multidisciplinary case reviews—involving law enforcement, prosecutors, and specialists—allows agencies to spot warning signs that a single caseworker might miss. This collaborative model, already successful in Child Advocacy Centers, enables agencies to share information without forcing children to repeatedly recount their trauma, thereby improving investigative accuracy. These reforms also strengthen the legal foundation of child welfare cases by establishing recorded interviews as primary-source evidence in family court. When judges and attorneys have access to direct recordings rather than secondhand summaries, they can make more informed decisions regarding child safety and removals. This transparency reduces the risk of unnecessary removals caused by miscommunication and provides a solid evidentiary basis when removal is truly necessary to protect a child from imminent harm. To bring these common-sense solutions to reality, Congress should pass the GRACIE Act to incentivize state compliance by tying federal child welfare funding to these transparency standards. Simultaneously, the Executive Branch and the Department of Health and Human Services should provide the technical assistance and grant funding necessary for states to upgrade their technology and train investigators in these modern practices. By adopting these policy recommendations, we move away from a system of inconsistent documentation and toward a standard of absolute accountability. The GRACIE Act ensures that the extraordinary authority wielded by CPS is balanced with modern safeguards that protect the most vulnerable. Ultimately, these reforms do not just change how interviews are conducted—they ensure that when the state intervenes in a family's life, it does so with the accuracy, fairness, and integrity required to truly keep children safe. Read the full policy brief here .

"The reign of life has begun, the tyranny of death is ended. A new birth has taken place, a new life has come, a new order of existence has appeared, our very nature has been transformed!"- St. Gregory of Nyssa, Oratio 1 in Christi resurrectionem . This Easter, we celebrate the moment when the tyranny of death was forever ended, and a new order of existence burst forth into the world. Easter is not merely a historical event but the cosmic transformation of all reality—the beginning of God's new creation. Through Christ's resurrection, the new reign of life has commenced, our very nature has been transformed, and we discover a radically new relationship with the world around us. This is our Easter joy: we are no longer alienated from nature or God, but invited to inhabit the blessed and everlasting life where heaven and earth, spirit and matter, are finally united in Christ's triumph over death. In America, we urgently need this Easter restoration of faith—not as individuals alone, but as a community renewed in our relationship with God and creation itself. When we truly encounter the risen Christ, we are called to rebuild our nation not through domination or power, but through the transformation of hearts, learning to see God's glory in all things. Easter reminds us that authentic renewal begins when we gather as one people, reconnected to the transcendent, and commit ourselves to becoming a community that witnesses to the world that heaven and earth can be reconciled. CPAC wishes you and your family a Happy Easter!

Child Protective Services (CPS) wields the extraordinary authority to enter private homes, question children without parental presence, and initiate removals that can permanently alter the trajectory of a family. Despite this life-changing power, the agency's investigative practices often lack the basic transparency found in other legal settings. Currently, nearly 37.4% of American children will be interviewed by CPS before age 18, yet in most cases, there is no audio or video recording of these interactions. This leaves a single caseworker’s notes as the only record of what occurred, creating a system where a child's true experience can be easily lost or misinterpreted. The GRACIE Act (Generate Recordings of All CPS Interviews Everywhere) seeks to bridge this gap by incentivizing states to require the recording of all CPS interviews with children. The legislation is named after a young girl, Gracie, whose abuse was reported by a counselor and corroborated by multiple witnesses, but dismissed after a caseworker inaccurately documented the initial report. Because there was no recording to verify her words, Gracie’s voice was effectively erased, and later reports of abuse were dismissed based on that first flawed account. Her case reflects a broader systemic problem where spontaneous, unrecorded interviews become the sole basis for critical decisions regarding child safety. This lack of documentation has dire consequences for the most vulnerable, particularly those at risk of human trafficking. Research indicates a staggering link between the child welfare system and exploitation; an estimated 60% of child trafficking victims are current or former foster youth. When CPS interviews are poorly documented, critical indicators of trafficking can be overlooked. Conversely, inaccurate records can lead to unnecessary removals, placing children in the foster care system where their risk of being targeted by traffickers increases due to the instability and trauma of family separation. The absence of recorded interviews raises serious due process concerns. Courts frequently rely on caseworker summaries rather than a child's direct statements, which can lead to misinterpretation or the omission of vital context. For instance, a study found that mothers who report child abuse by fathers are 80% more likely to lose custody, highlighting weaknesses in how abuse allegations are currently evaluated and documented. By mandating recorded interviews, the GRACIE Act aims to provide an objective record that protects children, parents, and caseworkers alike, ensuring the state acts with accuracy and accountability. The GRACIE Act represents a commonsense shift toward modern accountability, bringing CPS in line with standard law enforcement and child advocacy best practices. By ensuring that every child's voice is accurately preserved through mandatory recording, we can strengthen the integrity of investigations, prevent the trauma of unnecessary family separation, and better identify victims of trafficking. Rather than reinventing the system, this legislation ensures that when the state intervenes in a child's life, it does so with the transparency, reliability, and integrity that every family deserves. Read the full policy brief here .

Presented by Veronica Birkenstock at CPAC USA 2026. CPAC applauds President Trump’s courageous decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for severe religious freedom violations. President Trump launched decisive military actions against ISIS terrorists slaughtering Christians in Nigeria, established the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias, and hosted persecuted Christians from China, Cuba, Nigeria, and beyond at the White House. His powerful words at the National Prayer Breakfast and the United Nations, declaring Christianity the most persecuted faith and vowing America will stand as a voice for victims, have brought unprecedented attention to this underreported human rights tragedy. Wide sections of Nigeria are led by Jihadist entities that seek to wipe the globe of Christians and Jews, and their vile actions must be countered. It is beyond time for religious leaders to be much more vocal and aggressive in countering this evil. Much more must be done. Persecution defines nations like Nigeria, China, North Korea, Pakistan, and elsewhere; thousands killed, millions displaced, churches and synagogues burned, and believers imprisoned simply for their faith. We urge leaders of other countries to follow President Trump’s example, impose stronger sanctions on persecuting governments, increase funding for global religious freedom initiatives, and ensure military and diplomatic tools are fully deployed to protect vulnerable believers. The crisis demands urgent, escalated action, no half-measures when lives and eternal souls are at stake. We are also deeply committed to the broader fight for religious liberty and democracy worldwide. We strongly condemn antisemitism in all its forms and urge the administration to continue its resolute efforts to combat this rising hatred. We are honored that the Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, will be in attendance at CPAC, a Muslim who recognizes the state of Israel and the need for religious tolerance. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in their courageous fight for freedom against oppression. CPAC stands ready to partner further in this vital cause. Thank you , President Trump, for leading the charge. Now, let's finish the fight for freedom of faith around the world.

Presented by CPAC Senior Fellow Mercedes Schlapp. CPAC strongly condemns the ongoing weaponization of lawfare by Brazil’s President Lula and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes against former President Jair Bolsonaro and the Brazilian people. What we are witnessing is not justice; it is a tyrannical abuse of judicial power designed to silence political opposition, crush free speech, and rig upcoming elections in favor of the Lula regime. Justice de Moraes has turned Brazil’s judiciary into a political weapon, imposing unjust convictions, censorship orders, asset freezes, and restrictions that have turned President Bolsonaro into a political prisoner. This is the very definition of lawfare: the malicious use of legal institutions to achieve what could not be won at the ballot box.

Presented by Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss. CPAC unequivocally condemns Sharia law as a barbaric, theocratic, and totalitarian system that is fundamentally incompatible with individual liberty and Western civilization. Sharia denies equal rights by prescribing cruel and unusual punishments, including stoning, amputation, and flogging, and seeks to replace secular democracy and constitutional governance with Islamic religious rule. We are alarmed by its growing global influence and its creeping encroachments around the world, including in the West. Their tactics include parallel legal institutions, cultural demands, foreign law in national courts, Sharia-compliant finance, and unchecked immigration from Sharia-adherent societies. Most disturbingly, segments of the political left, and even some establishment figures, have excused, downplayed, or embraced Sharia under the banners of multiculturalism, diversity, and false claims of “Islamophobia.” This hypocrisy betrays core conservative values, endangers free speech, women’s rights, and religious liberty, and labels legitimate national security concerns as bigotry. As we meet in Texas, we acknowledge that the Lone Star State has become the frontline defense against this threat. In the March 2026 GOP primary, Texas voters delivered an overwhelming mandate by approving Proposition 10 with nearly 95% support, declaring that “Texas should prohibit Sharia law.” We warn that if incremental Sharia influence, through proposed enclaves, special accommodations, radical networks, or “boiling the frog” tactics, is allowed to take hold in Texas, the entire nation will soon be at risk. CPAC stands firmly and unapologetically against any imposition of Sharia law in freedom-loving countries.

Presented by CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp. Western civilization is grappling with deep ideological conflicts and faces a stark choice. The future for our children depends on whether our civilization is shaped by the values of real men and women with deep roots in their homeland or by international entities and leftist pressure groups that undermine our core values in the name of wokeness and subservience to corrupt globalist institutions. Will our civilization stand with God, for our Homelands, and for our Families? Or will it descend into the swamp of postmodern progressivism, devoid of a moral compass, values, and direction? Will the eternal wars of the Woke Empire engulf our world, or will our sovereign nations find true peace through strength? Will the West succumb to the nightmare of liberal globalism, or will it stand tall and powerful in a world ordered by rational national interests and respect for sovereign nations? In the struggle for national freedom, rational order, and sovereign dignity, our allies around the globe play a pivotal role. We can only succeed if patriots from the West fight alongside their American brothers and sisters for the soul of the West. Conservatives from the Americas, Europe, and freedom lovers from all corners of the world must join this fight. Our alliance is perhaps best exemplified by the special relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as well as the formidable partnership within the CPAC family. CPAC, including in Hungary, has emerged as a citadel of common sense, Christian liberty, and dignity in Europe. The upcoming Hungarian elections may chart the course for the future of Europe and the Transatlantic relationship. The outcome will determine whether another continental war erupts in the cradle of Western civilization or the Make the West Great Again movement ends the decades-long moral crisis and creates a world of peace, security, and reason. Therefore, we must fully and unreservedly endorse Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for reelection. He is the right man for Hungary, Europe, and the Transatlantic Alliance, setting an example for Patriots around the globe.

Presented by CPAC Board Member Gordon Chang. CPAC warns that the world is witnessing a dangerous resurgence of communist ideology, totalitarian and authoritarian governance, and the weaponization of legal systems to silence political opposition. From the Chinese Communist Party’s growing aggression abroad to the repression of dissidents in countries influenced by socialist or authoritarian models, freedom itself is under coordinated assault. Democratic backsliding, censorship, and politically motivated prosecutions, lawfare, are increasingly used to neutralize opposition leaders, manipulate electoral outcomes, and erode constitutional institutions from within. CPAC expresses particular concern for frontline democracies such as South Korea, Taiwan, and other nations in the Indo-Pacific facing sustained pressure from communist regimes and their proxies. South Korea’s security and democratic resilience are vital not only for its own citizens but for the stability of the entire region. We stand with the South Korean people and all democratic societies confronting intimidation, political polarization fueled by external actors, and attempts to undermine their institutions through disinformation, economic coercion, or judicial overreach. Around the globe, we are seeing a pattern: elected leaders investigated, censored, or removed through politicized legal processes rather than defeated through fair elections; independent media suppressed under the guise of regulation; and civil society constrained by bureaucratic harassment. These tactics mirror the methods long used by authoritarian regimes to maintain power while preserving a façade of legality. CPAC calls on President Trump, allied governments, and freedom-loving citizens worldwide to confront this threat with clarity and resolve. This includes strengthening defense partnerships among democratic nations, imposing costs on regimes that export repression, supporting dissidents and political prisoners, and defending the principles of free speech, rule of law, and national sovereignty. The fight against communism did not end with the Cold War; it has merely evolved into new forms that demand renewed vigilance.