By Gordon G. Chang   “No go on Gotion.”   That’s the rallying cry of Manteno residents campaigning to close a battery plant in that Illinois village, an hour south of Chicago. The same Chinese company, late last year, was forced to abandon a similar project in Michigan.   Gotion had planned to develop a $2.4 billion flagship factory to make battery parts in Green Charter Township, near Big Rapids. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. believes the Chinese company has now abandoned the project  and is therefore seeking to claw back subsidies.   “Gotion now admits the project is dead,” Robby Dube, the Eckland & Blando attorney for both the Green Charter and Manteno residents, told me last month. “I am incredibly proud of the brave citizens who stood up to fight for their community against immense pressure from the State of Michigan, which funneled millions of dollars to Gotion to purchase American farmland, and from Gotion itself. They never faltered and never wavered.”   Green Charter residents mobilized, filing lawsuits, petitioning officials, and demonstrating in the streets. Finally, an exhausted company and weary state government threw in the towel.   The people in Manteno have now become activists in the same mold as those from Michigan.    In September 2023, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced  that Gotion would build a $2 billion plant in his state to manufacture lithium batteries for EVs. The state then awarded the company half a billion dollars in total incentives, including tax benefits. Pritzker said the facility would create 2,600 jobs.   Gotion had originally planned to split operations between the two states by manufacturing battery cells in Michigan and shipping them to Illinois for assembly into battery packs. Now, after defeat in Michigan, the company has looked to both manufacture and assemble in Manteno. Its plant has now begun operations there.   Local Manteo residents are worried. “The Chinese-controlled Gotion plant is a threat to our community,” Amanda Piker, a resident and founding member of Concerned Citizens of Manteno, told me in 2024. “If the plan is fully developed, it will add thousands more people to our town of 9,000 and create stress on our schools, housing, and infrastructure. The deal was made behind closed doors with no community input.”   The opposition to the Chinese company in Illinois has been fierce. About 50 townspeople first gathered in a parking lot, one evening in September 2023, where they decided to organize and fight the Chinese company. They formed the Concerned Citizens of Manteno, which filed a lawsuit against the Village of Manteno and Gotion in the Circuit Court of Kankakee County.   The amended complaint states the plaintiffs oppose the plant for “environmental, national security, health, safety, and good governance reasons.” Among other claims, the residents in their lawsuit argue that Manteno officials did not adhere to local rules when they greenlighted the Gotion plant, especially prohibitions against “highly toxic chemicals.” Gotion is contesting the allegations.   “Only someone who hates America and taxpayers would give Chinese Communist Party-backed Gotion a red cent, let alone a $536 million tax subsidy from Illinois and potentially $7 billion more from federal taxpayers,” said Jeanne Ives, a former Illinois state representative and leading critic of the Manteno facility, in emailed comments in 2024.   As the website of Manteno’s Freedom Party states of the Gotion plant, the community “does not want it or need it, cannot afford it, and has laws which do not allow it.” The party last April elected two to the six-member village Board of Trustees and prevailed in the mayoralty race.   Four other trustees support Gotion, but new Mayor Annette Lamore tells me some of them are changing their minds because the company is not keeping promises to the village, especially promises regarding the operation of a fire brigade   “Gotion has brought people together and made them realize how important it is to pay attention to what is happening,” says Lamore.   “The No-Gotion fight is truly a David versus Goliath one,” Ives told me in March. “The Concerned Citizens of Manteno are fighting big government and big corporate, and their lawyers are backed by unlimited taxpayer funds and money coming from the Chinese. The Concerned Citizens are heroes.”   In Michigan, organized residents took on their governor and the world’s largest totalitarian state and still won. Said Dube, “The fight goes on in Illinois, but it’s a fight we’ve demonstrated can be won.”   Gordon G. Chang is the author of   Plan Red: China’s Project to Destroy America   and   The Coming Collapse of China . Follow him on X @GordonGChang .

America’s public education system is in freefall, and the numbers expose the disaster. The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reveals that a majority of students across every grade level are not proficient in reading or math. Among 12th graders, reading scores have plunged to their lowest levels in decades, with 32% now performing below basic, a shocking rise since 1992. Math proficiency sits at a dismal 22%, the worst on record. While kids drown in foundational skills they desperately need for life, schools are abandoning academics and replacing them with political activism.  Instead of focusing on recovery and excellence, teachers’ unions and radical activist networks are aggressively recruiting students for left-wing political warfare. In the lead-up to May Day 2026, the socialist holiday tied to strikes, disruption, and anti-capitalist rage, national groups are coordinating mass protests, walkouts, and economic sabotage. The National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers’ union in America, has rolled out its “Solidarity Toolkit” to push educators into mobilizing kids against what it calls the “billionaire takeover” and “Trump-Musk Coup. ” They’re promoting “walk-ins” staged protests inside school buildings during the regular school day, to agitate, organize, and turn students into foot soldiers for their agenda.  This isn’t innocent “student activism. ” It’s deliberate grooming. Taxpayer-funded unions like the NEA are hijacking public schools, paid for by hardworking American families, to serve as staging grounds for partisan militancy. While students struggle to read or do basic math, they’re being trained to chant against capitalism, skip class for “solidarity,” and support nationwide strikes under slogans like “No School. No Work. No Shopping.” Public resources meant for education are instead fueling radical mobilization that prioritizes ideology over opportunity.  Enough is enough. At a time when academic achievement is collapsing, and parents expect schools to deliver real skills and stability, classrooms must remain centers of learning, not indoctrination factories pumping out the next generation of leftist activists. It’s time to hold these unions accountable, refocus education on reading, writing, arithmetic, and genuine civics, and stop the socialist takeover of our kids’ futures. Read More: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/inside-antifa-linked-groups-plan-structurally-change-us-may-day-unrest-approaches

April 8, 2026 – CPAC is coordinating a grassroots and communications campaign to defeat the Socialist/Democrats’ illegitimate redistricting amendment that is currently being voted on. This measure is a raw partisan power grab that would disenfranchise voters, override the bipartisan Virginia redistricting commission, which was approved by 65.7% in 2020. This power grab would rig congressional maps, flipping a 6-5 Democratic edge in Congressional seats to a 10-1 Democratic advantage through extreme gerrymandering. Early voting is already underway at record levels. The time to act is now. Rally & Vote No Join CPAC for our Rally & Vote No event focused on defending fair representation and stopping unconstitutional efforts to manipulate the electoral process in Virginia. This Rally & Vote No series  will bring together grassroots activists, policy leaders, and concerned citizens to take a stand against partisan overreach and protect the integrity of our elections. Learn more at CPAC.org/VoteNo/Events . CPAC’s leading voices are calling on every Virginia Republican, conservative, & fair-minded voter to treat the upcoming redistricting referendum as a top-tier priority & deliver overwhelming turnout to defeat Democrats’ deceptive power grab. Virginia Democrats want to disenfranchise minority, rural, independent, & conservative voters: Democrats are trying to override the bipartisan redistricting commission that Virginians approved in 2020 with 65.7% of the vote. CPAC echoes Former VA AG Jason Miyares:  “The bipartisan redistricting commission was a voter-approved reform designed to take politics out of map-drawing.”  Former VA AG Jason Miyares also stated: “They’re not telling Virginians that, if this passes, it will be the single most gerrymandered map in the entire country. Republican Party of VA Chairman Jeff Ryer   warned : “Their amendment will rig our congressional maps, override the will of two-thirds of Virginia voters who demanded fair redistricting in 2020, & cement one-party control in Washington…This is a moment for total unity & total engagement.” Instead of honoring that clear mandate for fair maps, they are pushing a partisan gerrymander. A “YES” vote would create the worst efficiency gap in the nation (-24.02%), making Virginia the most gerrymandered state in America. Virginia Democrats Are Already Failing–and Deceiving–Virginians: Governor Spanberger’s approval rating has already dropped to 46% — the highest disapproval of any Virginia governor at this point in their term since 1994. Spanberger  banned all registrars and polling places from showing voters the actual maps a “yes” vote would create. Democrats violated state law by failing to post the proposed amendment at every courthouse 90 days before the election. The Ballot Question:   “Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia's standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?”  Democrats dishonestly frame this as “restoring fairness,” but it is raw partisan gerrymandering designed to give them one-sided, near-total control   (See Figure 1). Currently, Virginia’s congressional delegation stands at 6 Democrats & 5 Republicans. If passed, their gerrymandering scheme will create a 10-1 or 91% Democrat advantage, despite claiming only about 50% of the statewide popular vote.  (See Figure 1) Ballot Red Flags: An election is being held in March & April  with almost no public notice. No specific options & pertinent information for voters  — only a simple “yes” or “no.” Biased Language: “yes” vote will “restore fairness,” implies “no” vote supports unfairness. Their Selfish Goal:  Steal four Republican seats to block President Trump’s America-First agenda by consolidating power ahead of the 2026 midterms. Under Democrats’ Rigged Proposal: Hampton Roads: Lose 1 congressional seat (from 3 to 2), hurting Virginia’s 2nd-largest population center. 5 congressmen would live within 20 miles of each other in Northern Virginia. Dems’ disconnected district pairings ignore communities of interest : Arlington  paired with Powhatan; Danville  paired with Richmond; York County  paired with Alexandria Fairfax County would be split into 5  separate districts; Prince William County into 4. Disenfranchising Minority and Rural Voters:  Spreading minority voters across multiple districts dilutes  their voting power & influence. Packing large numbers of minority voters into one district minimizes  their impact on surrounding districts. Result : Minority voices are silenced; Northern Virginia gains statewide control. FUNDING: This isn’t about “fair maps.” National Democrats are pouring over $55 million from a Hakeem Jeffries-tied PAC & Soros-backed groups to rig VA’s congressional maps for their own political gain. See Figures 2 & 3 for specifics. Early voting is already outpacing last year’s gubernatorial election. There is no time to sit on the sidelines.  Every  Republican voter must get out & vote early to stop democrats from disenfranchising minority voters with one-party Democratic dominance for years to come. Vote NO  on the illegitimate redistricting referendum. Protect the four seats Democrats are trying to steal. Defend fair, constitutional maps & the will of Virginia’s communities. The future of Virginia’s voice in Congress & the General Assembly hangs in the balance.   Figure 1: Virginia's current and proposed congressional districts Figures 2 & 3: Funding Figure 2. VOTE YES @ ~$55.7 million : Virginians for Fair Elections Cash Contributions Dominated by massive partisan Democratic dark money: House Majority Forward: ~$29.3 million (tied to Democratic House leadership; highly partisan, aims to flip Republican congressional seats) The Fairness Project: ~$11 million (progressive/dark money group) (Soros) Fund for Policy Reform Inc.: $5 million (left-wing donor vehicle/lobbying organization, known for funding Dem causes) Belongs to Open Society Foundations–Soros' giving network . American Opportunity Action: $1,000,000 Legislators: Nancy Pelosi for Congress:  $20,000 Pete Aguilar for Congress (CA-33): $25,000 Katherine Clark for Congress: $25,000 Other notable: Global Impact Social Welfare Fund, Democratic Party of Virginia in-kind, League of Conservation Voters, etc. Note: Heavily funded by out-of-state Democratic dark money groups that do not disclose their own donors — a clear effort to rig maps in favor of Democrats. Figure 3. VOTE NO @ ~$12.05 million : Virginians for Fair Maps Cash Contributions Mostly large cash reports Primarily  Self-transfers  from the committee itself: ~$16.5 million, multiple entries, likely from fundraising initiatives Notable donors: American Potential: $250,000 (some Republican ties but opaque) National Shooting Sports Foundation: $50,000 (gun rights group) Smaller individual/business contributions (e.g., Jon M. Peterson $100k, Thomas McInerney $50k) A new Washington Post-Schar School poll shows that a slim majority  of Virginia voters currently favors the redistricting measure, with 52%  of likely voters saying they support redrawing the maps and 47%  opposed. However, Republicans hold the enthusiasm advantage , which gives us a clear path to victory if we turn out our voters. Democrats are fear-mongering that Republican wins will ban abortion nationwide Targeted Pro-life VA Republican Congressmen Rob Wittman and Jennifer Kiggan s oppose  a national abortion ban, insisting it be decided by the states, as the Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs. This power grab will silence principled conservatives who reject federal overreach and trust Virginians to decide their own laws — not  “reproductive rights.”

Join CPAC for a two-event action series focused on defending fair representation and stopping unconstitutional efforts to manipulate the electoral process in Virginia. This Rally & Vote No series  will bring together grassroots activists, policy leaders, and concerned citizens to take a stand against partisan overreach and protect the integrity of our elections. RSVP to attend at CPAC.org/VoteNo/RSVP . April 16, Leesburg, VA Thursday, April 16, 2026 4:00 PM ET 750 Miller Drive, Leesburg, VA Kick off the series with a high-energy rally featuring conservative leaders and advocates speaking out against Virginia Democrats’ gerrymandering power grab. What to Expect Remarks from CPAC leaders and guest speakers A breakdown of the unconstitutional redistricting efforts Insight into how these actions impact Virginia voters Opportunities to connect with fellow activists and supporters This rally will energize attendees and set the stage for continued action. RSVP to attend at CPAC.org/VoteNo/RSVP .

Democracy is under threat in Virginia, and the time to act is now. On Thursday, April 16th at 4:00 PM, Former Governor Glenn Youngkin and key Republican leaders from the 10th Congressional District will rally in the heart of Northern Virginia to sound the alarm. Their message is urgent and clear: the proposed redistricting constitutional amendment on the ballot is a blatant partisan power grab that would silence your voice and undermine the integrity of Virginia elections for years to come. In 2020, Virginians overwhelmingly voted by a margin of 65.7% to establish a bipartisan redistricting commission, a fair and balanced safeguard against partisan manipulation of electoral maps. Now, Democrats are attempting to throw that all away, concentrating redistricting power in the hands of a few partisan insiders, fueled by millions in out-of-state dark money aimed at misleading Virginia voters. The consequences would be staggering: Virginia's congressional delegation could swing from a near-even 5-6 split to a lopsided 1-10 outcome, effectively erasing the voices of minority, rural, independent, and conservative voters across the Commonwealth. Thursday's rally represents an important opportunity for Virginians across the 10th District and beyond to engage directly with their leaders and make their opposition to this radical redistricting amendment known. With early voting already underway and Election Day on April 21st approaching quickly, the urgency could not be greater. This amendment, if passed, will reshape Virginia's political landscape for a generation. Virginians who believe in fair, transparent, and accountable elections are encouraged to attend Thursday's event and cast their vote as NO before or on April 21st.

CPAC is closely watching this very important election in Hungary today. We stand firmly with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Hungarian people as they vote. We have proudly held CPAC Hungary five times, and each gathering has been wildly successful, bringing together conservatives from across Europe and the United States to champion sovereignty, family, and national identity. President Trump, Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, and CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp have all endorsed Prime Minister Orbán. He is a true example of a leader with strong conservative values who has courageously stood up to elitists and globalists from the EU and beyond to protect what is right for his country. We are with you, Hungary. Election Updates 44.5% for FIDESZ 42% for TISZA 7% for Mi Hazánk The rest below the threshold. How this will translate into seats, we most likely won’t find out quickly, and certainly not today. Of course, this could still change since it’s only a projection based on a model, but this is what Hungarian media are currently reporting. How results are released (“batches”) Hungary reports results progressively as precincts finish counting. When you see: • “10% counted” • “45% counted” • “80% counted” this does not represent a random national sample. It reflects which parts of the country have reported so far. The typical reporting order 1. Small rural precincts (fastest) 2. Medium towns 3. Large cities, especially Budapest (slowest) Because of this, each batch has a predictable political bias. ⸻ What each batch actually means Early batches (roughly 5%–40%) • Dominated by rural and smaller municipalities • Historically more favorable to Fidesz Interpretation: • Orbán will often appear to have a large early lead • This lead is usually inflated, not final • Media headlines at this stage often overstate his position What to watch: • Are opposition candidates competitive in districts already reporting? • Is Orbán’s margin unusually large even for rural areas? ⸻ Middle batches (40%–80%) • More representative mix of the country • Includes mid-sized cities and some urban districts Interpretation: • This is where the true trajectory becomes visible • If Orbán’s lead holds steady, that is a strong sign of control • If his lead shrinks meaningfully, the race is tightening What to watch: • District-by-district changes, not just national percentages • Whether opposition begins flipping or closing gaps in key districts ⸻ Late batches (80%–100%) • Heavy inclusion of Budapest and large urban areas • Often includes slower-counting precincts Interpretation: • This is where opposition parties tend to perform better • Final margins settle here What to watch: • Does the late urban vote narrow the gap significantly, or only slightly? • If Orbán still leads comfortably after urban votes are in, the outcome is effectively decided ⸻ Why batches can be misleading A headline like: • “Fidesz leads by 15 points with 30% counted” usually means: • Rural areas have reported • Urban areas have not So the correct interpretation is: • “Fidesz is performing as expected in early-reporting areas” —not necessarily that the election is decided. ⸻ The key indicator inside each batch The most important signal is not the national percentage, but: District performance • Are Fidesz candidates winning most districts? • Are margins close or comfortable? Even if national vote share tightens later, winning districts early and consistently strongly favors Orbán. ⸻ What the batches mean for Orbán specifically Scenario 1: Strong early lead, stable through middle batches • Orbán maintains large margins even as more votes come in • Opposition fails to close the gap Meaning: • Clear path to victory • Likely strong parliamentary majority ⸻ Scenario 2: Strong early lead, but shrinking in middle batches • Early rural advantage fades as urban votes come in Meaning: • Race is competitive • Still favorable for Orbán if he holds most districts • But signals reduced dominance ⸻ Scenario 3: Lead collapses late • Large early lead narrows sharply once Budapest reports Meaning: • Opposition significantly overperforming expectations • Potential upset or much tighter parliament ⸻ Scenario 4: Weak early performance • Orbán’s margins are small even in early rural batches Meaning: • Warning sign • Indicates broader national weakness • Increases probability of a close or unfavorable outcome ⸻ Quick way to interpret results in real time When a new batch comes out, ask: 1. Where are these votes coming from? Early = rural; late = urban 2. Is Orbán’s margin changing? Stable = strong position Shrinking = pressure 3. Who is winning districts? This matters more than raw percentages ⸻ Bottom line • Early batches tend to overstate Orbán’s strength • Middle batches reveal whether that strength is real or inflated • Late batches show whether the opposition can meaningfully close the gap • If Orbán maintains a solid lead through the middle phase, the outcome is usually settled Hungary, 1.4% counted: 98.6% of votes not yet counted National parliament election Fidesz/KDNP-PfE: 53.2% (-0.9) TISZA-EPP: 38.7% (+38.7) MH-ESN: 6.1% (+0.2) DK-S&D: 0.7% (+0.7) MKKP→G/EFA: 0.6% (-2.7) +/- vs. 2022 election Hungary, 6.5% counted: National parliament election TISZA-EPP: 47.8% (+9.1) Fidesz/KDNP-PfE: 43.7% (-9.5) MH-ESN: 6.2% (+0.1) DK-S&D: 1.1% (+0.4) MKKP→G/EFA: 0.7% (+0.1) +/- vs. 1.4% counted Hungary, List vote, 10.4% counted: National parliament election TISZA-EPP: 49.4% (+1.6) Fidesz/KDNP-PfE: 42.0% (-1.7) MH-ESN: 6.1% (-0.1) DK-S&D: 1.2% (+0.1) MKKP→G/EFA: 0.7% +/- vs. 6.5% counted

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 every 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!