[3] According to the organization's mission statement, it is "dedicated to influencing public policy in the interest of the preservation of free markets, limited government and strong families.

After 25 years at the helm, Palmer stepped down from his role as the institute's president in order to successfully run Alabama's 6th congressional district in 2014.

As a conservative think tank, API addresses a range of policy issues in the areas of economics, education, the environment, government, family and society.

[8] In 2003, API was a staunch opponent of Republican governor Bob Riley's $1.2 billion tax increase proposal.

[21][22] API is a member of the advisory board of Project 2025,[23] a collection of conservative and right-wing policy proposals from the Heritage Foundation to reshape the United States federal government and consolidate executive power should the Republican nominee win the 2024 presidential election.