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Government Accountability Groups Urge House to Strengthen the Office of Congressional Ethics and Make It Permanent

Press Release

Government Accountability Groups Urge House to Strengthen the Office of Congressional Ethics and Make It Permanent

Today, Common Cause and other government accountability groups urged every member of the U.S. House of Representatives to strengthen the independent Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) and make the office permanent. Even if Congress does not codify the OCE into law at this time, the groups stress the importance of maintaining the office’s continued existence and the importance of not weakening it in the 119th Congress. The letter emphasizes overwhelming public support for increased ethics and accountability measures and touts the success of...

Media Contacts

David Vance

National Media Strategist
dvance@commoncause.org
240-605-8600

Katie Scally

Communications Director
kscally@commoncause.org
202-736-5713

Ariana Marmolejo

Regional Communications Strategist (West)
amarmolejo@commoncause.org

Jennifer Garcia

Regional Communications Strategist (South)
jgarcia@commoncause.org

Kenny Colston

Regional Communications Strategist (Midwest)
kcolston@commoncause.org

Common Cause’s network of national and state democracy reform experts are frequent media commentators. To talk with one of our experts, please reach out to any member of the press team above.

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New Report: Office of Congressional Ethics’ First 15 Years – Successes, Survival & Recommendations

Press Release

New Report: Office of Congressional Ethics’ First 15 Years – Successes, Survival & Recommendations

As the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) marks its first 15 years, Common Cause is releasing, “The Little Engine that Could,” a short analysis examining the watchdog’s impact in the House of Representative. The report looks at the history behind the creation of the OCE, its successful nonpartisan record, and the most serious attempts by House Members to undermine or do away with the watchdog entirely. The report also suggests reforms, like codifying the OCE into law and giving it subpoena power, to further strengthen the independent...

Orlando Sentinel: Florida ethics overhaul will leave corruption unchecked, watchdog groups warn

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Orlando Sentinel: Florida ethics overhaul will leave corruption unchecked, watchdog groups warn

Common Cause Florida and eight other advocacy groups are urging DeSantis to veto the bill, which they say would erect an “unreasonable barrier” and deter people from filing ethics complaints against politicians and public officials. For instance, complaints could not be filed based solely on investigative news articles.

“This isn’t about minimizing frivolous complaints; this is about making complaints almost impossible,” Amy Keith, executive director of Common Cause Florida, said in a prepared statement. “The people...

Common Cause Hire Bolsters Voting & Democracy Program for 2024 Election

Press Release

Common Cause Hire Bolsters Voting & Democracy Program for 2024 Election

With the 2024 primaries underway and the general election fast approaching, Common Cause is pleased to announce Jay Young as its Senior Director of Voting & Democracy. In the newly-created position, he will oversee the organization’s legislative, operational, and legal strategies to advance reforms that allow all Americans to participate in elections and to oppose efforts to restrict voting rights.

NBC News: Wisconsin is lagging behind other swing states in shoring up election policies following 2020 chaos

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NBC News: Wisconsin is lagging behind other swing states in shoring up election policies following 2020 chaos

Jay Heck, the executive director Common Cause Wisconsin, the state’s branch of the national nonpartisan government watchdog group, added that the consequences could be dire if the right mix of circumstances were to emerge on or following Election Day.

“It could all explode,” he said.

The April 2 primary ballot in Wisconsin will ask voters to decide on two proposed constitutional amendments that critics contend are byproducts of conspiracy theories touted by election deniers.

“[Passage of...

Minnesota Reformer (Op-Ed): Minnesota needs an independent citizen redistricting commission

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Minnesota Reformer (Op-Ed): Minnesota needs an independent citizen redistricting commission

Until we pass a constitutional amendment creating an independent redistricting commission, the power will always reside with partisan interests of those drawing our district voting maps. It’s time for us to get the power back. Reforms should come from us, impacted Minnesotans, not legislative or party establishment.   

WIRED: Inside Election Conspiracy Groups on Super Tuesday

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WIRED: Inside Election Conspiracy Groups on Super Tuesday

Election integrity group Common Cause pointed out in a post on X that the picture wasn’t actually showing a voting machine but rather what's called an “emergency drawer.”

“It is a locked, secure ballot receptacle to store and scan ballots ensuring they're included in the polling place's count at the end of the day,” the group explained.

Oregon Capital Chronicle: House leaders make last-ditch effort on campaign finance reform

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Oregon Capital Chronicle: House leaders make last-ditch effort on campaign finance reform

Kate Titus, executive director of Common Cause Oregon, called the amendment “a testament to the hubris of the political donor class” in written testimony. The nonprofit, nonpartisan Common Cause supports IP 9, the stricter measure backed by Honest Elections Oregon.

“Oregon voters will have no trouble seeing through this,” Titus wrote.

San Francisco Chronicle/CalMatters: Cupertino Lawmaker Co-Authors Bill To Translate Ballots, Help More Non-English Speakers Vote

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San Francisco Chronicle/CalMatters: Cupertino Lawmaker Co-Authors Bill To Translate Ballots, Help More Non-English Speakers Vote

"We want voters to trust the government and that boils down to a voter in any community being able to understand what is happening in their own community," said Pedro Hernandez, a policy director at California Common Cause, which cosponsored the bill.

"In order for California to build trust, it has to be a multiracial and multilingual democracy, which means prioritizing and centering in language access," said Hernandez at Common Cause.

Common Cause was one of a dozen organizations that participated in the...

Houston Chronicle: His life became a ‘nightmare’ when he went viral for voting in Texas. The trauma still lingers.

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Houston Chronicle: His life became a ‘nightmare’ when he went viral for voting in Texas. The trauma still lingers.

Rogers' instinct could be correct, according to Anthony Gutierrez, the executive director of Common Cause Texas.

“Cases like this can absolutely have a chilling effect, and you have to wonder if that’s part of the point,” Gutierrez said. “The state could very easily take proactive steps to ensure people who are starting probation or parole are clearly told how their legal status impacts their ability to vote.”

Colorado Newsline: ‘Dark day for democracy’: Coloradans highlight election threats in wake of 14th Amendment ruling

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Colorado Newsline: ‘Dark day for democracy’: Coloradans highlight election threats in wake of 14th Amendment ruling

In a statement, Aly Belknap, executive director of the nonprofit Colorado Common Cause, which filed several amicus, or friend-of-the-court, briefs in support of the Colorado plaintiffs, called the ruling “a dark day for our democracy.”

“Donald Trump lied, cheated, and unleashed violence when the election did not go his way, and his ongoing incitement has led to an unprecedented rise in attacks and death threats against election workers, judges, and other public servants,” Belknap said. “By refusing to hold Trump...

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