Saturday, October 4, 2025

👋 Hi John! Happy Saturday! Welcome to day 4 of the government shutdown.

In the Watchdog Newsletter, we share what you need to know to hold power accountable from the nonpartisan source you can trust. This watchdog doesn’t give in to pressure from presidents.

This week’s Common Cause newsletter is just a 4 minute read at 600 words.

🚫 No Deal: The Government Shuts Down

This week, President Trump and Republicans forced a government shutdown. He even said “a lot of good can come from a shutdown.”

Congress is the last line of defense against Trump's Billionaire Budget while he cuts taxes for the wealthy and makes our healthcare more expensive.

And let’s not forget how President Trump and his administration are weaponizing the government against U.S. citizens. This week alone, he sent military troops into our neighborhoods in Chicago, Portland, and Memphis. This is the government Republicans want to fund: one that attacks its own people and calls those with a different political view “the enemy within.”

That's why we’re calling on Congress to fight for a budget that:  

• Protects Americans’ access to healthcare by extending the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire later this year, and reversing the cuts to Medicaid passed in July, and

• Creates real safeguards to prevent one president from holding our government hostage and axing government services that children, families, and seniors rely on.  

🏛️ Common Cause Goes to the Supreme Court

This week, Common Cause, alongside our partners at Campaign Legal Center and the League of Women Voters, submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court. We are urging the justices to protect spending limits to guard against quid pro quo corruption.

In this case, National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) v. FEC, Republicans are challenging critical, long-standing limits on how much money political parties can spend in “coordination” with candidates — just another attempt to rig the system.

We spoke up because we know when big money flows unchecked in our politics, everyday people suffer. Spending limits are the last line of defense to prevent our elections from becoming auctioned to the highest bidder.

📱 Our Favorite Post

👀 ICYMI

We're working so hard to protect our democracy, we could write you a novel instead of a newsletter. Instead, here are the top headlines you don't want to miss:

• Nebraska 🌽: Protecting voters' data privacy. The Department of Justice requested Nebraska’s voter file information in violation of state law, which would also make voters more vulnerable to hackers and scammers. Common Cause Nebraska filed a lawsuit to prevent the State from sharing this data. Thanks to our lawsuit, voters’ data will remain safe until our case is resolved. Learn more here.

• Ohio 🎢: Fighting for free speech. After ABC affiliates threatened to silence Jimmy Kimmel by not broadcasting his show in Ohio, Common Cause advocates leapt into action and held a protest in defense of our first amendment rights. Read more about our action here.

• Indiana 🏎️: Redistricting is on the table. President Trump is pressuring Indiana lawmakers into gerrymandering their maps to give the GOP more power in the 2026 midterm election. We are staying vigilant for fair maps, and urging lawmakers against this mid-decade gerrymander. Read more here.

📊 By the Numbers

Coffee prices are at a 30-year high — and it’s just one of the many ways Trump's economy is hitting your wallet. From groceries to gas, everything costs more. Are you feeling it too?

🗞️ Kicker Quote

👕 Wear Your Values

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