Trump's Cabinet appointees have no real interest in serving the American people. Working Americans will pay the price for this dysfunctional leadership, through the repealing of the Affordable Care Act and cutting Medicaid under RFK Jr. and having a white Christian nationalist commanding our nation's military.  As we face a second Trump term, Senate Democrats must do everything in their power to protect our essential government programs and services by rejecting Trump's Cabinet nominees. The consequences of these nominations will affect every person in America. With RFK Jr. leading the Department of Health and Human Services, Big Pharma and other predatory corporations will see record profits while seniors face skyrocketing prescription drug prices and working families have their health care cut through the Affordable Care Act being repealed. Trump is handpicking MAGA loyalists who will protect him at all costs and do anything to enact Project 2025. Trump should not be allowed to circumvent the Senate's process to squeeze in his Cabinet picks while the Senate is in recess.  It's up to us to stop him when we can and slow down any impact he could have on the American people. Trump is trying to create a society where the rich get richer and the working class have to pay even more out of their pockets. Image Credit: CTV

Time and time again, the far-right majority of the Supreme Court has put special interests and politics ahead of people and above delivering justice under the law. But we cannot and will not be silent. Student debt fuels economic, gender, and racial inequality. Our persistent racial wealth gap means that students of color, especially those who are Black and brown, are more likely to have student debt, borrow in higher quantities, and face more struggles in repayment. A higher education should be the key to a better future, instead of a lifetime debt sentence that limits borrowers’ ability to buy homes, start small businesses, and save for retirement, cutting into opportunities for wealth-building over their lifetimes. This is why student loan cancellation is so important. Trump's agenda includes dismantling the Department of Education (DOE), which would have devastating impacts on our communities. The DOE oversees the Pell Grant and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which gives aid to college students who need financial aid. The DOE also enforces the civil rights of students, and supports school programs that support students with disabilities. But Trump, Republicans, and Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices cannot have the last word. We won’t let them win. We have to push back and be in solidarity with each other. Together, we can keep getting loud to show the President Biden that he has the power to to give millions of Americans the student loan relief they need and deserve. President Biden must cancel student debt via executive order before Trump and Republicans gain control over all three branches of our federal government. Will you sign the petition?

As Allegheny County Council prepares to vote on the fee increase, U.S. Steel lobbyists are making the case that it is unfair for the company to have to pay perhaps $50,000 for a few such permits every five years.  U.S. Steel earned $2.14 Billion in 2023, spent $1.65 Million on lobbying this year, and pays its 13 board members $175,000 annually.  The fee increase would amount to a fraction of the millions in fines the company pays each year for air pollution violations in what amounts to a “pay to pollute” arrangement. Please sign the petition asking that County Leadership Vote YES on operating permit fee increase

There is so much uncertainty ahead, but we know that getting through the next four years will rely on us coming together to support one another and doing everything we can to slow down Trump and his MAGA agenda in Congress and in our communities.  We will not stop fighting for our rights, and we will resist Trump's dangerous and regressive agenda at every turn. If the Senate reconfirms Lauren McFerran, Democrats can maintain a majority on the National Labor Relations Board and ensure labor and worker safety at a federal level at least until 2026. There should be no more delays: Confirm Lauren McFerran, the Democratic chair of the National Labor Relations Board NOW! 

The latest reports estimate this year’s Pentagon budget topline will be close to one TRILLION dollars. About half of that astronomical amount is slated to go straight to contractors, just like it has in years past. It’s meant BILLIONS for companies owned by Elon Musk — and there are BILLIONS yet to be made. Right now, U.S. tax dollars help fund the SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield satellites Musk created — and he’s turned those profits into the kind of enormous political and social power that include a role in the Trump administration. We all pay a steep price: In just the past year alone Elon Musk has used Starlink to disrupt Ukraine's military communications, leveraged Twitter to undermine democratic discourse across the globe, and created the America Pac, a political action committee where he and his cronies plowed unlimited amounts of money toward Donald Trump and MAGA Republican candidates. Next, Musk may very well be “regulating” the very governmental agencies who award lucrative government contracts to his companies It reeks of corruption — but we’ll need a groundswell of grassroots activism to break this feedback loop in its tracks. The Pentagon is accountable to Congress and the public. That’s why we’re working to send Defense Secretary Austin a message tens of thousands of people strong. Join us.

Senate Republicans have chosen Senator John Thune to lead them next Congress. And much like his predecessor, Senator Mitch McConnell, one main “qualification” for the job comes at all of our expense: raking in millions of dollars in Big Money donations. That’s right: the incoming Senate Majority Leader built his candidacy around raising $31 million for the GOP this cycle and setting a new record for the largest transfer of money from his personal campaign to other Senate Republicans.  But Thune hardly stands out – in order to be serious contenders, Thune and the other Senators running had to prove they could keep the campaign cash flowing from the fossil fuel industry, big banks, private health insurers, and other special interests. • A primary selling point for Senator John Cornyn was raising over $400 million for the GOP in his career, including $33 million this cycle.  • And Senator Rick Scott, who’s also independently rich after co-founding the nation's largest for-profit healthcare company, is a leading advocate for essentially ending Medicare and the Affordable Care Act – hardly a coincidence.  • They have big shoes to fill, as Senator Mitch McConnell raised over $1 billion for the GOP during his time as Senate Majority Leader and Minority Leader.  The unfortunate truth is that no matter who got selected, Big Money is the real winner – which means the rest of us lose. Wealthy special interests shouldn’t have this big of a say in our democracy; that power belongs to the people. Common Cause knows this status quo must end – which is why we’re fighting to overturn Citizens United and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the DISCLOSE Act.   These critical measures would help shine a light on secret political spending, get Big Money out of politics, and establish small-dollar citizen funded elections – giving ordinary Americans a stronger say in our democracy. Join us in calling on Congress to END the Citizens United era and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the DISCLOSE Act!

President-elect Trump just announced on social media he is nominating election denier and far-right ideologue Rep. Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. If you’re familiar with Matt Gaetz, you already know he belongs nowhere near the Department of Justice, except as a defendant. Here’s what you need to know about Matt Gaetz, and why he simply cannot be allowed to be confirmed as Attorney General: • Rep. Gaetz was one of Donald Trump’s point men in Congress during the deadly January 6th attack – voting to overturn the 2020 election results from the wreckage later that day, and in the months that followed to shield Trump and the insurrectionists he led from accountability. • He’s also an anti-voter extremist – introducing bills to purge eligible voters and even threatening to shut down the government to pass his voter suppression agenda. That’s why he earned a “perfect” score of zero on our 2024 Democracy Scorecard.  • And, his words and actions prove he’s not up to the task of ensuring all Americans are treated equally – he called for violence against racial justice protestors in the summer of 2020, and openly promoted the white supremacist “Great Replacement Theory” the next year.  Attorney General of the United States is one of the executive branch’s most important roles – overseeing the Department of Justice, upholding the rule of law, and enforcing civil and voting rights protections. We already knew the Department of Justice was going to be on Trump’s target list – he swore revenge after they did their jobs and held him to the same laws every other American follows. But Matt Gaetz is, without exaggeration, one of the most extreme choices Trump could have made. We can’t let it stand. Here’s the good news: with a record as tarnished and controversial as Matt Gaetz’s, Senate confirmation is anything but a done deal. We need to speak out IMMEDIATELY to demand Senators put country before party and stop him. Can you add your name today?

At that point, our President will be a person who, in different instances, has been accused, admitted, and even convicted of a sex offense.   His recorded words and actions show the world his moral position, particularly WRT, to younger women.  We can not change that fact.   America has a duty to the world to clarify that this is how, in the past, he has treated people, young women in particular, and that he could treat you if you interact with him — which is why he is included in this specific National Registry.

If a felon can be elected to office, as has been demonstrated by recent examples, it highlights the inconsistency in denying voting rights to others with similar records. It shows that individuals with criminal convictions can hold positions of leadership and public trust, which logically should extend to their right to vote and influence policy. The right to vote is a fundamental part of democracy. Excluding felons from voting creates a two-tiered system, where some Americans are denied a voice in the decisions that affect them, even though they live and work in their communities post-incarceration. Denying felons voting rights sends a message that they are not full citizens, which undermines the principles of equality and justice.   Allowing felons to vote supports their reintegration into society by encouraging civic engagement and responsibility. Studies show that when individuals have a stake in their community, including through voting, they are more likely to contribute positively and less likely to reoffend. Felony disenfranchisement disproportionately impacts Black and Latino communities due to systemic issues in the criminal justice system. Restoring voting rights is a step toward addressing these racial inequities, giving historically marginalized groups a stronger voice in policies that directly affect them. Felony disenfranchisement laws date back to post-Reconstruction efforts aimed at reducing the political power of African Americans. Ending these restrictions strengthens democracy by ensuring that all voices, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are included in the political process. In summary, this petition advocates for fair treatment of all citizens and aligns with democratic values. Restoring voting rights to felons not only addresses inconsistencies in our political system but also promotes rehabilitation and community integration, making democracy stronger and more inclusive.

Organizations like True the Vote are waging a war on democracy, challenging the rights of over 850,000 Americans—primarily targeting communities of color and young voters. My new film, Vigilantes Inc: America's New Voter Suppression Hitmen, reveals the alarming reality of armed vigilantes in Texas who have been intimidating voters and creating a climate of fear. In states like Arizona, poll watchers dressed in tactical gear are patrolling ballot drop boxes, turning what should be a safe space for civic engagement into a battleground of intimidation. Meanwhile, in Georgia, True the Vote has purged thousands of voters from the rolls and is poised to challenge millions more nationwide—threatening to disenfranchise enough legal voters to swing election outcomes. This is Jim Crow 2.0.  The Department of Justice must enforce the KKK Act of 1870 to prosecute these brazen acts of voter intimidation, but that’s just scratching the surface. With 44,000 self-appointed vigilantes mobilized to confront voters and a disturbing rise in political violence fueled by disinformation, we need federal monitors on the ground to protect election integrity. The presence of armed groups at polling places doesn’t just undermine public confidence; it puts voter safety at risk and suppresses turnout, as we saw in the 2022 midterms. The Brennan Center for Justice has identified ten states at high risk of disruption: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. Federal election monitors are essential to ensure that voters in these states—and beyond—are shielded from harassment and can cast their ballots without fear. Attorney General Merrick Garland has made promises to protect election integrity, but now we need action. Voters should not have to dread exercising their constitutional rights. Armed intimidation, mass voter purges, and harassment driven by disinformation have no place in our elections. Sign this petition to demand that President Biden and the DOJ deploy federal monitors at polling stations nationwide and enforce existing laws to protect the right to vote. Our democracy is hanging in the balance, and we must act now.

Emma Prusch Farm Park stands as a living testament to San Jose’s agricultural heritage and serves as an irreplaceable community treasure. When Emma Prusch gifted this land to the people of San Jose in 1962, she entrusted us with preserving a piece of Santa Clara Valley’s farming legacy amid our rapidly urbanizing landscape. Her vision continues to enrich our community in countless ways. This park is far more than just open space - it’s a vital educational hub where urban children discover the wonders of agriculture through hands-on experiences. The park houses San Jose’s largest 4-H barn, providing unique opportunities for city youth to learn farming skills that are increasingly rare in our digital age. Through its community gardens and rare fruit orchards, the park connects diverse groups of residents, fostering cultural exchange and community bonds through shared cultivation of the land. Veggielution Community Farm, operating within the park, plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity by providing fresh produce and educational programs to low-income families. This partnership exemplifies how the park continues to serve its intended purpose of benefiting all San Jose residents, regardless of their background. The park’s programs and facilities offer irreplaceable opportunities for environmental education, agricultural preservation, and community engagement. In our rapidly developing city, Emma Prusch Farm Park remains one of the last connections to the agricultural heritage that once earned our valley the nickname ‘Valley of Heart’s Delight.’ Protecting this legacy and ensuring its proper management isn’t just about preserving the past - it’s about securing these vital resources for future generations of San Jose residents

It’s important to address Elon Musk’s unchecked influence because his actions don’t just affect individuals or isolated industries—they threaten the core stability of our democracy, economy, and national security. Musk’s partnerships with authoritarian regimes give foreign powers control over what information Americans can access, stifling free speech and weakening democratic movements. His support for extremist voices and efforts to destabilize the U.S. dollar are deeply harmful and could lead to a weakened economy, social unrest, and increased vulnerability to manipulation from both foreign and domestic actors. This isn’t just about Musk; it’s about defending the values and systems that keep our country secure and democratic. When powerful figures act without accountability, democracy suffers. By joining this campaign, we can stand together to demand that our leaders take action, ensuring that no individual—no matter how influential—is allowed to undermine the very principles that protect all Americans. If we don’t act now, the consequences could be irreversible. Our collective voices can send a clear message: protecting democracy, national security, and economic stability is a priority for the American people. Join us in demanding a full investigation into Musk’s activities to protect the future of our nation.