Today, the FCC’s repeal of its 2015 net neutrality rules was published in the Federal Register. Common Cause Special Advisor Michael Copps issued the following statement.

Today, Common Cause filed complaints with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging reason to believe that American Media, Inc.’s August 2016 payment of $150,000 to former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal, to buy and bury her story of an affair with Donald J. Trump, was for the purpose of influencing the 2016 election and was coordinated with Donald Trump’s attorney and agent Michael Cohen—making it an illegal corporate in-kind contribution to the 2016 Trump campaign. Additionally, the payment was never reported as an in-kind contribution received, and an expenditure made, by the campaign as required by campaign finance law.

Americans expect and deserve to know the truth about the Russian attacks on our democracy. Today’s indictments provide more of that truth and hammer home the seriousness of the attacks and the need to support and protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his investigation. We are hopeful that these new facts will finally drive the White House and those in Congress who have worked to hamper the investigation to admit the reality and the scope of the attack and the threat from Russia which is ongoing today as we approach our next election.

The admission by Donald Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen that he made the $130,000 payment of apparent hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election does not make the Trump campaign’s legal problems go away despite Cohen’s assertions.

Common Cause and Common Cause Pennsylvania issued statements today after Gov. Tom Wolf officially rejected the maps that Republican leadership submitted Friday to redraw the commonwealth’s 18 congressional districts in response to a state Supreme Court ruling in January that found the legislative borders to be unconstitutionally gerrymandered.

The American public must have confidence in the leadership of Census Bureau to ensure everyone is counted accurately. Public outrage met reports that Thomas Brunell would be named deputy director, a slot that does not require Senate confirmation, but that he would in fact lead the Census. The controversy was well founded. Brunell’s controversial background as an academic who regular testified in support Republican gerrymanders would have politicized the national headcount.