Government Transparency

A government that is of, by, and for the people should not operate behind closed doors. We deliver meaningful transparency reforms because honesty and accountability are key to a healthy democracy.

Common Cause ensures that our federal, state, and local governments are transparent and accessible to the public. We are dedicated to creating an open and honest democracy that is accountable to the people. That is why we champion strong government transparency, open meetings, freedom of information, and ethics laws. These important reforms create meaningful opportunities for participation in and access to government.

What We’re Doing


Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

Legislation

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

Government agencies abuse Section 702 by conducting hundreds of thousands of“backdoor” searches for Americans’ private communications every year. Congress must pass real reform with protections for Americans against government abuse.

Take Action


Write Your Letter: Stop Anti-Democracy Project 2025

Letter To The Editor

Write Your Letter: Stop Anti-Democracy Project 2025

Project 2025 is a 1,000-page agenda handcrafted by the Heritage Foundation for a Trump presidency – and we have every reason to believe Trump will try to follow through on it.
Tell Congress: Wealthy donors shouldn’t control our Supreme Court

Petition

Tell Congress: Wealthy donors shouldn’t control our Supreme Court

The Judicial Conference’s weakened disclosure rules are unacceptable and will make it easier for wealthy donors to secretly buy influence over the Supreme Court – at the expense of everyday Americans.

Congress must put a stop to this now by passing the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act and creating the strongest possible Code of Conduct for our highest court.

Tell Congress: Hold SCOTUS Accountable

Petition

Tell Congress: Hold SCOTUS Accountable

Congress must take bold action now to pass a strong, binding Supreme Court Code of Conduct and overrule the Court’s disastrous ruling on presidential immunity.

These crucial reforms would ensure that nobody – not presidents, nor judges – is above the law.

Your financial support helps us make an impact by holding power accountable and strengthening democracy.

Donate

Related Resources

See all Related Resources

California Report

Remote Public Participation at City Council Meetings Is Feasible, Strengthens Local Democracy

Guide

Redistricting Community College

CHARGE designed the Redistricting Community College so your community can actively engage in the 2021/22 redistricting process – at every level of government – from school board to congressional redistricting. 

Report

Ten Principles for Reforming the Rules of the House of Representatives

The following recommendations to reform the rules of the House of Representatives will do much to restore the capacity, incentives, and capability of representatives to fulfill their roles as legislators.

Report

The Art of the Lie Report

American democracy is resilient. It has withstood attacks from enemies, foreign and domestic, for more than two centuries. But never has the United States been led by a president who has so flagrantly lied and so incessantly debased our democratic values and our institutions of self-government as President Donald J. Trump. This report sets forth 20 examples that demonstrate President Trump’s historic first year failure on issues of government integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Press

Common Cause Statement on Trump Re-Election

Press Release

Common Cause Statement on Trump Re-Election

"As a twice-impeached former president with multiple felony charges, his return to office brings unprecedented risks to our nation’s foundational values."

High Scores for Nevada on Common Cause’s 2024 Democracy Scorecard

Press Release

High Scores for Nevada on Common Cause’s 2024 Democracy Scorecard

“Our 2024 Democracy Scorecard shows a surge of support in Congress for reforms that strengthen the right to vote, take back the Supreme Court, and break big money’s grip on our politics."

High Scores for New Jersey on Common Cause’s 2024 Democracy Scorecard

Press Release

High Scores for New Jersey on Common Cause’s 2024 Democracy Scorecard

“Our 2024 Democracy Scorecard shows a surge of support in Congress for reforms that strengthen the right to vote, take back the Supreme Court, and break big money’s grip on our politics."

Close

Close

Hello! It looks like you're joining us from {state}.

Want to see what's happening in your state?

Go to Common Cause {state}