Take Action

Get Common Cause Updates

Get breaking news and updates from Common Cause.

Take Action

Join the thousands across the country who instantly rally when there is a threat to our democracy.

Volunteer

Join the thousands across the country who instantly rally when there is a threat to our democracy.

Donate

Make a contribution to support Common Cause today.

Find Your State

News Clips

Read stories of Common Cause in the news.

  • Filter by Issue

  • Filter by Campaign

Los Angeles Times: Trump's lawyer secretly recorded him; tape reveals discussion of payment to ex-Playboy playmate who alleged an affair

"What did Donald Trump know and when did he know it?” said Paul S. Ryan, a campaign finance expert at Common Cause, which has filed complaints with the Justice Department and Federal Election Commission. “Did Donald Trump knowingly violate campaign finance law, and did he commit a crime?"

Voting & Elections 07.19.2018

Providence Journal: Vendor that supplied voting machines to R.I. says they cannot be manipulated remotely

"The presence of these modems in the tabulator means that they are connected to the internet, and therefore present a tangible risk to the integrity of our voting system. The presence of these modems in the absence of a well-defined strategy for mitigating the risk they present, undermines confidence in the voting system,″ said John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island.

Detroit News: U.S. House hopeful Tlaib pays self salary from campaign funds

"Without allowing candidates to pay themselves, the only people who could afford to run for public office would be independently wealthy individuals who can afford to take a year off from making a living in order to run," Paul S. Ryan, vice president for policy and litigation at the watchdog group Common Cause said. 

Media & Democracy 07.18.2018

The Hollywood Reporter: FCC Roadblock Halts Sinclair's Growing Empire (For Now)

Former FCC commissioner Michael Copps says his former agency "designates transactions for an administrative hearing when the agency can't find the transaction will serve the public interest."

Reuters: U.S. pays Trump's Scotland golf resort $77,000 ahead of visit

“This is part of a pattern with this president of really doing everything he can to disgrace the office of the presidency by promoting his own private business interests,” said Stephen Spaulding, a lawyer with the public interest group Common Cause.

Money & Influence 07.17.2018

Vox: The government is making it easier for “dark money” donors to go unnamed

“Large amounts of foreign national donations to a politically active nonprofit could be a red flag to IRS staff that could trigger greater scrutiny,” Paul S. Ryan, vice president at the watchdog group Common Cause said. “But such red flags will no longer be visible to IRS staff. President Trump’s Treasury Department has struck a blow to US democracy with this rule change.”

Join the movement over 1.5 million strong for democracy

Demand a democracy that works for us. Sign up for breaking news and updates.