February, 25 2019, 11:00pm EDT

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Don Owens, dowens@citizen.org, (202) 588-7767
Mike Stankiewicz, mstankiewicz@citizen.org, (202) 588-7779
Public Citizen Applauds Growing Legislative Momentum as House Administration Advances Corruption Overhaul Legislation
WASHINGTON
Note: The U.S. House Committee on Administration is marking up the For the People Act (H.R. 1) today. H.R.1 is the first bill the House tackled once the new Congress convened, signifying the importance and urgency anti-corruption and pro-democracy reform measures had with voters. Public Citizen today submitted a written statement for the record in support of H.R.1.
"Voters are fed up with money in politics and corruption in Washington, and they want to know that our Congress is serious about doing something about it. Today's markup of H.R.1 is another bold step in that direction. If signed into law, the bill will stamp out the influence of money in our elections, limit corporate lobbying and expand voting rights.
Supporters of anti-corruption efforts remain committed to getting members of both parties on board to support this groundbreaking legislation and to ensure that the final bill is as strong as possible - inclusive of presidential divestiture and business and personal tax disclosure requirements."
- Lisa Gilbert, vice president of legislative affairs, Public Citizen
"In November 2018, the American people went to the polls and resoundingly cast their ballots in support of candidates and officeholders committed to cleaning up corruption and holding government accountable. H.R. 1 embodies these principles and constitutes the new Congress' promise to the nation to ensure that public officials work for the people.
While there is room for improvement in H.R. 1 - such as closing the strategic consulting loophole in the two-year revolving door restriction and providing the Office of Government Ethics with the direct authority to issue administrative remedies for ethics violations - Public Citizen supports the underlying principles contained in the For the People Act and encourages the full committee's approval.
Proudly, there have been no signs of retreat from these sweeping reforms by its congressional sponsors. Public Citizen applauds the hard work and bold initiative of these sponsors and of the supporting members of the House Administration Committee."
- Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist, Public Citizen
Public Citizen is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that champions the public interest in the halls of power. We defend democracy, resist corporate power and work to ensure that government works for the people - not for big corporations. Founded in 1971, we now have 500,000 members and supporters throughout the country.
(202) 588-1000LATEST NEWS
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In a message called typically on-brand by observers, US President Donald Trump wished "Merry Christmas to all"—including his political opponents, whom he described in decidedly unchristlike language.
"Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left Scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our Country, but are failing badly," Trump said Christmas Eve on his Truth Social network.
"We no longer have Open Borders, Men in Women’s Sports, Transgender for Everyone, or Weak Law Enforcement," the president added. "What we do have is a Record Stock Market and 401K’s, Lowest Crime numbers in decades, No Inflation, and yesterday, a 4.3 GDP, two points better than expected. Tariffs have given us Trillions of Dollars in Growth and Prosperity, and the strongest National Security we have ever had. We are respected again, perhaps like never before. God Bless America!!!"
While nothing new—Trump has used past Christmas messages to tell people he doesn't like to "go to hell" and "rot in hell"—observers, including some MAGA supporters, were still left shaking their heads.
"Radical Left Scum" 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣Christmas greetings from a liar, traitor, pedophile, and overall shitstain upon society.
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— Bill Madden (@maddenifico.bsky.social) December 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM
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