John, 217 Representatives, 50 Senators, and Vice President J.D. Vance just sold out millions of working families.

That’s who voted to pass the Big Ugly Betrayal this week — slashing aid to families in need, cutting taxes for billionaires, and funding a huge expansion of Trump’s secret police force.

Let’s be clear: nobody wanted this bill. Poll after poll found that far more voters disapproved than approved [1], and Common Cause members like you drove thousands of calls and letters in opposition over the past month.

And your voice did make a difference. You can see that in the removal of special interest giveaways like Ted Cruz’s ban on AI guardrails, the razor-thin margin they had to pass it by, and the fact that so many of the “yes” votes had to lie that the bill doesn’t touch Medicaid (when it does, to the tune of 17 million people losing healthcare). [2]

But across the country, we’re feeling the weight of a government that’s no longer working for us.

Billionaires keep getting their way: which means higher prices, massive cuts to public services, and attacks to our civil rights.

These politicians don’t even feel a need to hide their corruption anymore — they’re proud of it.

And when anyone objects — whether it’s peaceful protests in Los Angeles against mass abductions, or politicians like Sen. Alex Padilla or New York Comptroller Brad Lander speaking up for their constituents, Trump throws the full force of government at silencing our voices.

That’s the message they want to send: sit down, stay quiet, and accept less. We’re not going to comply in advance.

We know you feel the frustration. The anger. The fear. You’re not alone—and you’re not powerless. The People’s Promise is our answer. That’s our vision —not just for what democracy should be, but how we can build it together, and sooner than you might think.

We’re calling on our elected leaders to honor the power entrusted to them by the people—and to help deliver an America with:

An economy that works for everyone. Where workers earn a livable wage, can unionize, and can afford essentials like healthcare, housing, and childcare.
A government that serves the people. Where the wealthiest pay their fair share, schools are fully funded, and no one falls through the cracks.
Equal rights and opportunity for all. Where votes are protected, voices are heard, and no one’s freedom can be taken without due process.

These aren’t Democratic or Republican ideas—they’re what every American deserves. But as this week’s shameful displays in Washington, D.C., proved, they won’t become reality on their own.

The Trump administration is trying to drive people out of our democracy—through fear, suppression, and outright lies. But at Common Cause, we’re doing the opposite: we’re bringing more people in.

Our team is doing the hard work on the ground: planning and hosting People’s Promise events across the country, organizing volunteers and phone banks, lobbying in state legislatures and on Capitol Hill. And as we look toward the 2026 midterms, we’re expanding the largest nonpartisan election protection program in the nation.

John, this work takes all of us. Every event, every legal challenge, every call to a voter is fueled by supporters chipping in what they can—$5, $10, or even $20 at a time. So if you're ready to help turn this vision into reality, we hope you’ll donate today

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I’LL CHIP IN $5

If you’re upset about this Big Ugly Betrayal bill, I hope you’ll turn that anger into real, positive action. The People’s Promise is a long-term commitment to build a better democracy from the ground up—powered by people like you.

Thanks for standing with us,

The team at Common Cause

P.S. If you haven't yet, you can join The People's Promise - our biggest mobilization effort in a non election year - here.

[1] https://www.axios.com/2025/07/01/trump-big-beautiful-bill-polling
[2] https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/by-the-numbers-senate-republican-reconciliation-bill-takes-health-coverage-away