We are reducing money's influence in our political process.
In America, we can have a system of government that is of, by, and for the people — a democracy where everyone has an equal voice and our elected officials are held accountable to our needs.
But since the Supreme Court’s disastrous decision in Citizens United v. FEC our elections have become inundated with money from the ultra-rich and their shadowy outside organizations.
They have thrown our system out of balance. They make the rules, they set the agenda, and they do it by drowning out the voices of everyday Americans with their wallets.
Common Cause Education Fund works diligently to give power back to citizens by:
- Educating the public about how money influences the political process with research and reports;
- Educating the public about how campaign finance laws can allow all candidates to complete and empower small dollar donors;
- Aggressively identifying and reporting violations of campaign finance laws to the FEC.
By allowing unlimited and untraceable money to flood campaigns, the current system is less and less responsive to We the People.
As voters, we deserve better than that. At Common Cause Education Fund, we’re fighting back.
Our Work In Action:
In January 2018, public reports indicated that President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer paid Stephanie Clifford, a/k/a/ Stormy Daniels, $130,000 at the height of the presidential campaign, allegedly as hush money. Alleging that the money could have constituted an illegal in-kind campaign contribution, Common Cause filed complaints with the Department of Justice and Federal Election Commission, urging the agencies to investigate and hold wrongdoers accountable.
In February 2018, in response to our complaint, President Trump’s lawyer admitted to facilitating the payment with his personal funds, and press reports indicate that investigation is ongoing and part of the broader investigations into Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
We have filed many other complaints concerning the 2016 race, including complaints related to Russian interference in our elections and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals.