AFFM Survey Reveals Overwhelmingly Bipartisan Support for Efforts by President Trump, Congress to Advance Pro-Growth, Free Market Agenda

Voters support policies that are driven by objective, consistent standards and that maintain private businesses’ ability to make their own decisions.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Americans for Free Markets (AFFM) released a national survey demonstrating strong bipartisan support for efforts by President Trump and Congress to uphold free-market principles by ending government-driven debanking, establishing objective standards free from political or subjective factors, and protecting private businesses’ ability to make decisions free from unnecessary government pressure. This survey comes after the Federal Reserve Board recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking “that would codify the removal of reputation risk from the Board’s supervisory programs,” marking continued momentum to rein in politicized government overreach and government-driven debanking by the Trump administration.

The survey, commissioned by AFFM and conducted by Guidant Polling and Strategy, surveyed 1,200 likely voters nationwide. The research reveals that there is overwhelming bipartisan support for “President Trump’s executive order aimed at ending government-driven debanking, the unfair practice of regulators pressuring banks to close certain accounts for political or social reasons. Voters also support congressional action to build on the president’s leadership with future-proofed reforms guided by free market principles that uphold the right of private businesses to make decisions, free from politicized regulatory pressure.”

On the survey findings, AFFM advisor and former U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) said, “Access to banking services is fundamental to the modern economy and must be safeguarded against heavy-handed government overreach. This survey makes clear that voters across party lines support congressional action to establish objective banking regulatory standards that are consistently applied from one administration to the next. Congress should heed this call by enacting legislation that safeguards consumers, now and in the future, from this unnecessary government intervention.”

“Americans want lawmakers to support policies that let our free markets work as intended. When politicized regulators tip the scales, it harms consumers and businesses. Voters agree that regulators should be subjective while at the same time ensuring that private businesses can make their own business decisions,” AFFM advisor and former U.S. House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) continued.

“Supporting the free market is critical to drive job growth, lift wages and support communities. In order for the free market to succeed, it must be free from unnecessary and vague government interference,” AFFM Executive Director David Ibsen said. “Americans overwhelmingly support the direction of President Trump and congressional efforts to advance a pro-growth agenda to modernize the economy and rid our regulatory system from subjective, politicized laws.”

Key findings from the survey show:

Strong Bipartisan Support for President Trump’s Executive Order on Government-Driven Debanking:

• 72% of voters favor President Trump’s executive order (44% strongly), including majorities of Democrats, independents and Republicans.

Clear Line Between Objective Enforcement and Politicized or Subjective Government Pressure:

• 91% agree federal regulators should enforce banking laws using objective standards, not political or reputational considerations (71% strongly agree).

Voters Support a National Standard That Upholds the Freedom of Private Businesses to Make Decisions Free from Government Pressure:

• 89% of voters agree a healthy free-market economy depends on clear rules that are applied evenly, not government actions that reward or punish businesses based on politics.
• 82% agree private businesses should be able to make their own lawful business decisions about who they serve without fear that federal regulators will retaliate against them for political reasons.

To read the full survey findings, click HERE.

About Americans for Free Markets (AFFM): Americans for Free Markets (AFFM) is a coalition of groups in support of free markets and economic growth. AFFM recognizes that a strong banking and financial system, free from governmental interference and political motives, is the backbone of a robust free market and a prosperous, thriving economy; critical to our national security; and instrumental in advancing American competitiveness around the world. Learn more at www.forfreemarkets.org.