Campaign
Fix the Filibuster
For too long, U.S. Senators have abused the filibuster to block popular legislation and stifle the will of the voters.
Making Government Work
Our government should make decisions that further the public's interest. But recently, gridlock, hyper-partisanship, and out-of-date legislative process have hindered meaningful progress. We are fighting back.
Common Cause addresses a range of good government issues to ensure that public officials can their jobs. Over the years, we have worked to:
- Reform the U.S. Senate to update its rules and curb abuse of the silent filibuster
- Prevent government shutdowns over anti-democratic political agendas
- Make sure voters have necessary information about budgets, spending, and the legislative process
- Stop legislators from wrongly interfering with presidential and gubernatorial appointments to the executive and judicial branch
- Ensure state legislatures have adequate time and funding to conduct the peoples’ business
What We’re Doing
Take Action
Petition
Fight back against Big Money’s influence: Overturn Citizens United
Corporations, special interest groups, and some of the wealthiest people in the country are spending billions of dollars to influence the 2024 elections — effectively drowning out the voices of everyday Americans.
That’s why I’m calling on Congress to overturn the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United decision — and also pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the DISCLOSE Act — to fight back against our country’s Big Money problem.
Letter Campaign
Write Your Representative: Pass The Youth Voting Rights Act!
Voting is a fundamental right in any democracy. It’s time to secure that right for all Americans by passing the Youth Voting Rights Act. This landmark bill would: Expand voter registration on campus Let young people in every state pre-register to vote before turning 18. Require colleges & universities to have on-campus polling places. Block state laws meant to suppress the youth vote. Invest in young people’s participation in our democracy. Young voters deserve more...
Petition
Tell the Senate: Abolish the filibuster
I’m sick of watching overwhelmingly popular policies fall victim to one anti-democracy Senate rule: the filibuster.
Our government needs to represent us – and act in the interest of the people who voted them into power. The Senate’s minority can’t continue dictating the outcome of almost all Senate legislative business. We must immediately eliminate the filibuster.
Your financial support helps us make an impact by holding power accountable and strengthening democracy.
Updates
Blog Post
Donald Trump: Threatening Courts and Undermining Justice
Former president Donald Trump and his allies targeted the judiciary in the days, weeks and months leading up to the January 6th attack, and their continued attacks on our courts and government institutions could lead to significant threats in the future, according a new report published today by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and Common Cause.
Blog Post
Senator J.D. Vance is Holding the DOJ Hostage
6 Things to Know
Blog Post
Editorial Roundup: Why SCOTUS Needs to Protect Democracy in Their Coming Moore v. Harper Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court heard our case, Moore v. Harper, on December 7. Their decision, expected next June, could change democracy forever, and not for the better.
Related Resources
Report
Democracy On The Ballot
The people-led movement to strengthen our democracy continues as voters across the country vote on ballot measures dealing wwith money in politics, voting rights, redistricting, and ethics.
Report
Ten Principles for Reforming the Rules of the House of Representatives
The following recommendations to reform the rules of the House of Representatives will do much to restore the capacity, incentives, and capability of representatives to fulfill their roles as legislators.
Letter
Letter to Congress to Oppose Poison Pill Campaign Finance Riders in FY18 Omnibus Appropriations Bill
We strongly urge you to oppose all campaign finance riders from being included in the FY18 Omnibus Appropriations legislation passed by Congress.
Letter
Letter to Congress opposing Spending Bills “Policy Riders”
We urge Members of Congress and Senators to oppose flawed funding proposals such as the non-exhaustive list of examples above if they come to the floor.
Press
News Clip
Boston Globe: Public records undergird R.I.’s biggest news stories
“There’s extreme public interest on what happened on that trip,” Common Cause Rhode Island Executive Director John M. Marion said, noting that one of the former state officials, David Patten, was recently fined $5,000 by the state Ethics Commission for accepting a free lunch at an upscale Sicilian restaurant during that trip. ”So great example of sort of how public records get us information that holds government officials accountable.”
News Clip
Nebraska Examiner: ‘Partisan balance’ requirements on state commissions ignored, sidestepped
Gavin Geis of Common Cause Nebraska said it was disappointing and concerning that the partisan balance requirement had been ignored and sidestepped.
“It’s put in there for a purpose, so we have some sort of diversity of opinion and perspective on questions of policy,” Geis said. “That diversity of thought leads to better outcomes.”
“Not everyone has the opinion of a registered Republican,” he added. “It certainly should not to be skirted around.”
“It’s put in there for a purpose, so we have some sort of diversity of opinion and perspective on questions of policy,” Geis said. “That diversity of thought leads to better outcomes.”
“Not everyone has the opinion of a registered Republican,” he added. “It certainly should not to be skirted around.”
News Clip
Santa Fe New Mexican (Op-Ed): Effort to modernize Legislature casualty of broken system
Outsiders coming to our state often notice how New Mexico is years behind similar states in terms of infrastructure, education, poverty, community well-being and just about any other statistic you use to measure the success of a society.
The reputation tracks with a flawed legislative structure that is impeding progress on many levels. We are the only state where legislators do not receive a salary. Most lack professional staff to conduct policy research and constituent services, and they meet for the third-shortest amount of...
The reputation tracks with a flawed legislative structure that is impeding progress on many levels. We are the only state where legislators do not receive a salary. Most lack professional staff to conduct policy research and constituent services, and they meet for the third-shortest amount of...