Common Cause
Events Coming Up
In Your Area... Click for more...
Corporate Democracy:
Likely Fallout From
Citizens United...Click for more...
Ethics Committee:
Don't Worry About
Appearances...Click for more...
Want to Meet George Stephanopolous, Elizabeth Edwards or Hendrik Hertzberg?
November 13, 2009
Common Cause state organizations across the country are holding events to celebrate our victories in 2009 and gear up for continued activism in 2010. Won't you join us?
Wednesday November 18 in Denver, CO - Annual Fundraising Breakfast
Tuesday, December 1 in New York, NY - Annual Awards with George Stephanopoulos as Master of Ceremonies
Saturday, December 5 in Raleigh, NC - Luncheon honoring Elizabeth Edwards
Monday, December 7 in Boston, MA - Public talk and reception with author Hendrik Hertzberg
Corporate Democracy: Likely fallout from Supreme Court Citizens United decision
October 29, 2009
The impending Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which could be announced as early as Tuesday, is expected to significantly expand the role of the most powerful special interests in financing American elections. The Court appears poised to turn its back on more than 100 years of law and pave the way for corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on direct campaigns to elect or defeat federal candidates.
In preparation for this decision, Common Cause has prepared a report that reviews the potential fallout from this case, the legal history, examines political spending of corporations versus unions and looks at a state – California – that allows unlimited corporate political spending.
House Ethics Committee: Don't worry about appearances
October 30, 2009
Common Cause today condemned a House Ethics Committee finding that "no relevant House rule or other standard of conduct prohibits the creation of an appearance of a conflict of interest when selecting witnesses for a committee hearing."
"The Ethics Committee has lowered the standard for Congressional behavior to a new low," said Common Cause President, Bob Edgar. "They have now said Members of Congress are free to create the appearance of a conflict of interest in their congressional work."
State Organizations
Find out about reform efforts happening in your state!
Corporate Democracy: Potential fallout from a Supreme Court decision on Citizens United
October 2009
The impending Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which could be announced as early as November, is expected to significantly expand the role of the most powerful special interests in financing American elections. The Court appears poised to turn its back on more than 100 years of law and pave the way for corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts of money on direct campaigns to elect or defeat federal candidates.
Boeing and Lockheed Fly High as Senate Considers More Fighter Jets
July 2009
Boeing and Lockheed Martin will be watching the Senate closely this week as it considers the defense authorization bill, which includes $1.75 billion for seven new F-22 Raptors that Defense Secretary Robert Gates says are not needed. Combined, these two companies have given nearly $1.4 million in campaign contributions so far this year to 50 senators as the companies have fought to continue funding for the much-criticized fighter jet.
Legislating Under the Influence
June 2009
As the debate over reforming the health care system heats up in Congress, a new report by Common Cause finds that major health care interests are spending more than $1.4 million a day to lobby Capitol Hill so far this year, and that those same health care interests have significantly ramped up campaign contributions, donating about $373 million to Members of Congress since 2000.
