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  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 27, 2022 at 8:31 PM

did it take you by surprise?

Support Public Citizen It happens every February. Here’s the situation: We typically see an uptick in online donations on the 30th and 31st of each month. But of course there is no 30th or 31st of February. So with another February winding down, we’re facing a drop-off in donations and a s…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 26, 2022 at 4:27 PM

it's happening *again*

Support Public Citizen It happens every February. Here’s the situation: We typically see an uptick in online donations on the 30th and 31st of each month. But of course there is no 30th or 31st of February. So with another February winding down, we’re facing a drop-off in donations and a s…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 23, 2022 at 9:10 PM

Big Pharma’s price gouging is out of control

$101,087,677,294. That’s how much the U.S. spent on the top 20 prescription drugs in 2020. But while Big Pharma is making a killing for their shareholders and executives, almost one in three Americans are rationing their prescriptions because they can’t afford them. How can Big Pharma make …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 22, 2022 at 9:26 PM

using public office for personal gain

Sometimes the corruption is almost mundane. Like when members of Congress buy and sell stocks based on insider information they get before it becomes public. Like when they don’t disclose large stock trades in clear violation of congressional rules (that Public Citizen helped put in place, by…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 21, 2022 at 10:44 PM

the IRS could make it easier

Americans waste billions of hours and billions of dollars filing their taxes. Even though, for people with relatively basic taxes, the IRS has all the information it needs to pre-fill forms and do the math. The IRS has the authority — under a 1998 law passed by a Republican-majority Congress …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 19, 2022 at 7:06 PM

cowards

We saw a shameful display of political petulance this week. Every single Republican on the Senate Banking Committee chose *not* to show up for a vote on President Biden’s nominees to the Federal Reserve. As a reminder, the Federal Reserve (a.k.a. “the Fed”) is our nation’s central bank. It wa…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 16, 2022 at 7:23 PM

a shameful display of political petulance

We saw a shameful display of political petulance yesterday. Every single Republican on the Senate Banking Committee chose *not* to show up for a vote on President Biden’s nominees to the Federal Reserve. As a reminder, the Federal Reserve (a.k.a. “the Fed”) is our nation’s central bank. It wa…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 15, 2022 at 8:57 PM

do not let Rudy Giuliani weasel out

Rudy Giuliani was supposed to testify last week to the congressional committee investigating the January 6 insurrection. But Giuliani postponed his appearance. Giuliani, of course, is the former New York City mayor who became Donald Trump’s personal attorney and was part of the “elite strike …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 14, 2022 at 8:28 PM

reform the Postal Service

Last week, the House of Representatives passed — by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 342 to 92 — a critical piece of legislation called the Postal Service Reform Act. But this landmark bill won’t become law if it stalls out in the Senate. Add your name to our petition urging the Senate to…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 12, 2022 at 7:27 PM

we can rescue the United States Postal Service

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed — by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 342 to 92 — a critical piece of legislation called the Postal Service Reform Act. But this landmark bill won’t become law if it stalls out in the Senate. Add your name to our petition urging the S…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 11, 2022 at 8:18 PM

soup to nuts

Marjorie Taylor Greene is very disturbed. Greene is a QAnon believer and Trump adherent who was elected to Congress in 2020 from the state of Georgia. Yesterday, she went on One America News* and said this: “Now we have Nancy Pelosi’s gazpacho police spying on members of Congress.” Greene…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 9, 2022 at 7:25 PM

what is Ivanka Trump hiding?

Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka was in the Oval Office with him multiple times on January 6, 2021. There may even have been moments when Ivanka was the *only* other person in the room with her father. It is long past time for Ivanka Trump to tell the American people what she witnessed as her f…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 8, 2022 at 7:30 PM

Republican Party calls January 6 'legitimate'

“Legitimate political discourse.” As of this past Friday, the official position of the Republican Party is that what happened on January 6, 2021, was just “legitimate political discourse.” Let’s recap: Donald Trump flat-out lied that the election was “stolen” from him. Fox “News” and its …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 7, 2022 at 8:25 PM

did Kyrsten Sinema forget?

The numbers are in. Over the last three months of 2021, Senator Kyrsten Sinema raked in $1.6 million in campaign contributions. It’s the most she’s raised in any quarter since she became a senator three years ago. And she’s not even up for reelection until 2024. Here’s the thing: Only a …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 6, 2022 at 3:33 PM

to every Republican in Congress

“Legitimate political discourse.” As of this past Friday, the official position of the Republican Party is that what happened on January 6, 2021, was just “legitimate political discourse.” Let’s recap: Donald Trump flat-out lied that the election was “stolen” from him. Fox “News” and its …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 5, 2022 at 8:23 PM

January 6 was just 'legitimate political discourse'

“Legitimate political discourse.” As of yesterday, the official position of the Republican Party is that what happened on January 6, 2021, was just “legitimate political discourse.” Let’s recap: Donald Trump flat-out lied that the election was “stolen” from him. Fox “News” and its ilk — a…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 4, 2022 at 7:25 PM

who does Senator Kyrsten Sinema work for?

The numbers are in. Over the last three months of 2021, Senator Kyrsten Sinema raked in $1.6 million in campaign contributions. It’s the most she’s raised in any quarter since she became a senator three years ago. And she’s not even up for reelection until 2024. Here’s the thing: Only a …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 3, 2022 at 7:12 PM

Donald Trump back in the White House?

This past weekend — at a “campaign” rally in Texas — Donald Trump suggested that if he becomes president again, he might pardon the violent insurrectionists he himself incited into storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. There’s a temptation to shrug off the outlandish things that (still)…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
February 2, 2022 at 7:18 PM

Donald Trump says he might pardon January 6 insurrectionists

This past weekend — at a “campaign” rally in Texas — Donald Trump suggested that if he becomes president again, he might pardon the violent insurrectionists he himself incited into storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. There’s a temptation to shrug off the outlandish things that (still)…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 31, 2022 at 9:14 PM

did you sign away your legal rights?

Whether we know it or not, most of us have signed away the right to have our day in court if our legal rights are violated at work or if we are ripped off by a giant corporation. How? It’s called “forced arbitration.” Forced arbitration clauses are a non-negotiable part of the take-it-or-le…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 28, 2022 at 6:54 PM

has it really been 12 years?

It has been 12 years since the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United ruling gave billionaires and Big Business license to spend as much money as they want distorting our elections. Public Citizen called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United the same day the ruling was …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 27, 2022 at 6:41 PM

only a constitutional amendment will fix this

It has been 12 years since the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United ruling gave billionaires and Big Business license to spend as much money as they want distorting our elections. Public Citizen called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United the same day the ruling was …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 25, 2022 at 7:25 PM

the endangered white-tufted newt

On Sunday, former Congressman Newt Gingrich went on Fox News (of course) to suggest that members of the bipartisan committee investigating the January 6 insurrection might be jailed if Republicans take back Congress. Gingrich even likened the January 6 investigators — not the violent seditionis…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 24, 2022 at 6:24 PM

shame on them

What happened in the Senate last week was a tragedy for our nation. First, Senate Republicans voted in lockstep against legislation — the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act — that is critical to safeguarding our democracy. Then, Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema — both of who…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 21, 2022 at 7:34 PM

disappointed, but not dispirited

The United States Senate failed the American people this week by shamefully voting down crucial legislation to protect our democracy. So, what comes next? First, we are going to keep fighting for the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. In an era when Congre…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 20, 2022 at 3:22 PM

a tragic moment for our nation

Last night was a tragic moment for our nation. First, Senate Republicans voted in lockstep against legislation — the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act — that is critical to safeguarding our democracy. Then, Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema — both of whom had just voted *for…
  Robert · [email protected]
January 19, 2022 at 3:37 PM

what we do today could decide the future of our democracy

Friend, today the future of our democracy is at stake. Congress has combined the Freedom to Vote and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts into one proposal — called the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act — and it could come up for a vote in the Senate as soon as today. If this bill passe…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 18, 2022 at 8:51 PM

Senate debating *right now*

This is the choice facing America today: We can take decisive action right now to protect voting rights. Or ... We can see this country devolve into something other than a democracy — perhaps irreversibly. As we speak, the Senate is debating two proposed laws — the Freedom To Vote Act and…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 17, 2022 at 8:19 PM

"no celebration without legislation"

Here’s how we anticipate this week playing out: Tomorrow (Tuesday) the Senate will reconvene and begin debate on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Yes, debate will actually occur without Republican obstruction. Senators will make the case for — and agai…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 15, 2022 at 5:35 PM

these Republican senators *used to* believe in democracy

It was July of 2006. Not even 16 years ago. Congress reauthorized the Voting Rights Act — which was initially passed in 1965, during the height of the Civil Rights movement, to prohibit racial discrimination in voting. The Senate voted 98 to 0 to reauthorize the landmark legislation (two se…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 14, 2022 at 7:30 PM

what is wrong with Kyrsten Sinema?

Senator Kyrsten Sinema (of Arizona) gave a speech yesterday on the floor of the United States Senate. Her Democratic colleagues are trying to overcome the Senate loophole known as the filibuster, which Republicans are abusing to prevent anyone from stopping them from dismantling our democracy i…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 13, 2022 at 9:06 PM

what the heck is Senator Kyrsten Sinema doing?

Earlier today, Senator Kyrsten Sinema (of Arizona) gave a speech on the floor of the United States Senate. Her Democratic colleagues are — as we speak — trying to overcome the Senate loophole known as the filibuster, which Republicans are abusing to prevent anyone from stopping them from disman…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 12, 2022 at 7:14 PM

when will these 16 Republican senators stop being hypocrites?

It was July of 2006. Not even 16 years ago. Congress reauthorized the Voting Rights Act — which was initially passed in 1965, during the height of the Civil Rights movement, to prohibit racial discrimination in voting. The Senate voted 98 to 0 to reauthorize the landmark legislation (two se…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 10, 2022 at 10:09 PM

will Biden deliver for democracy?

Republicans all across America are trying to: Make it harder for some people — like working Americans, people of color, immigrants, seniors, city residents, and younger people — to vote. Institute flagrantly partisan gerrymandering schemes that would distort elections in their favor. Give g…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 6, 2022 at 3:22 PM

it was one year ago today

January 6 was not a singular moment. More than the culmination of Donald Trump’s failed effort to overturn the 2020 election results, it was the launch of the institutionalization of the Big Lie. Now, the Big Lie has mutated from a specific claim about 2020 into an outright assault on democra…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 5, 2022 at 7:14 PM

January 6 vigils

January 6 was not a singular moment. More than the culmination of Donald Trump’s failed effort to overturn the 2020 election results, it was the launch of the institutionalization of the Big Lie. Now, the Big Lie has mutated from a specific claim about 2020 into an outright assault on democra…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 4, 2022 at 6:54 PM

about January 6

This Thursday marks one year since the January 6 insurrection. That’s when then-president Donald Trump incited a violent mob to overthrow the United States Capitol in an attempt to remain in power by blocking the certification of the Electoral College results. Trump’s actions on, and leading …
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 3, 2022 at 7:55 PM

should Donald Trump face criminal charges for January 6?

This Thursday marks one year since the January 6 insurrection. That’s when then-president Donald Trump incited a violent mob to overthrow the United States Capitol in an attempt to remain in power by blocking the certification of the Electoral College results. Trump’s actions on, and leading …
  Robert Weissman, Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 1, 2022 at 4:12 AM

thank you, and happy New Year

Support Public Citizen Public Citizen is nothing — nothing — without supporters like you. For my team and me, it is an absolute privilege to work with you and on your behalf as we tackle some of the most important issues facing our country. With everything on the line in the year ahead, your o…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
January 1, 2022 at 2:16 AM

what would you do if you had a time machine?

Support Public Citizen I don’t know. I just don’t know. We need another 114 Public Citizen supporters to donate before midnight or we won’t meet our critical year-end fundraising target. But donations have really slowed down. And wouldn’t you know it, my time machine is in the shop. So I …
  Cinderella · [email protected]
January 1, 2022 at 1:07 AM

I seem to have misplaced a shoe

Support Public Citizen After midnight, I turn into a pumpkin. Or something. Here’s what else happens after midnight: Anything you donate to Public Citizen *after* midnight tonight will *not* be matched dollar-for-dollar. They’ll still be grateful for your support at a later date, of course…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
December 31, 2021 at 11:36 PM

ending the pandemic, winning Build Back Better, averting climate catastrophe, and defending democracy

Support Public Citizen Here’s a look at just a few of Public Citizen’s most urgent priorities for 2022. This email is longer than the action alerts I usually send — I thought you’d want to see at least a little more detail about our plans for the coming year. I hope you can take a minute to gi…
  Robert · [email protected]
December 31, 2021 at 10:03 PM

I got arrested

Support Public Citizen Back in November, I got arrested at the White House. Along with hundreds of other democracy activists, I was taking part in a peaceful, nonviolent rally that Public Citizen helped organize. We were there to highlight the role President Biden needs to play in ensuring pas…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
December 31, 2021 at 8:12 PM

how tall are you?

Support Public Citizen I just don’t know if we’re going to reach our goal. We still need another 652 people to pitch in before midnight. At the rate donations have been coming in, that might be a stretch. But if we come up short today, we will not be in peak condition heading into 2022. An…
  Weissman · [email protected]
December 31, 2021 at 6:29 PM

not the least bit surprised

Support Public Citizen Just want to say how much I appreciate all the responses to my earlier message. I’m not the least bit surprised to see that Public Citizen supporters still value transparency and candor. The reality is that with so many other organizations and political entities sending …
  President's Office · [email protected]
December 31, 2021 at 4:43 PM

*this* close

Support Public Citizen It seems to happen on December 31 every year. We get *this* close to our make-or-break year-end fundraising goal, but then so many people seem to figure enough other people will chip in that hardly anyone actually does. Can you help make sure that doesn’t happen this tim…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
December 31, 2021 at 2:28 PM

it doesn't really matter, right?

Support Public Citizen I know you’re getting a lot of emails right now from organizations whose work you support. Let me explain why today — December 31 — is the most important day of the year when it comes to fundraising for nonprofits like Public Citizen. Public Citizen spreads its fundraisi…
  Public Citizen · [email protected]
December 31, 2021 at 12:16 AM

hopefully this is good news?

Support Public Citizen Hopefully this is good news: We need just 182 more people to donate before midnight tonight to avoid falling behind in our critical year-end fundraising. But this is also where things always seem to stall out. We get *this close* to a make-or-break goal, but then so ma…
  Robert · [email protected]
December 30, 2021 at 9:52 PM

"I hope you die of COVID"

Support Public Citizen Sorry for that alarming subject line. It’s just one example of the hate mail we’ve received recently here at Public Citizen headquarters: “I hope you die of COVID and kill your entire f---ing family.” “You should be thrown in jail for being a terrorist.” “Too bad the…
  PC HQ · [email protected]
December 30, 2021 at 7:31 PM

did you see that George Clooney movie?

Support Public Citizen Here’s a “peek behind the curtain” that many groups filling your inbox with donation requests won’t show you. As you may know, December is the most important month of the year for nonprofit organizations like Public Citizen that depend on individual supporters like you — a…