To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

×
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Climate
  • Economy
  • Rights & Justice
  • War & Peace
  • Breaking News
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Newswire
  • Further
  • Planned Parenthood Action Fund
  • Trade Justice Education Fund
  • Profile Organization Test
  • ProsperUS
  • Repairers of the Breach
  • Fix Our Senate
  • ACLU Florida
  • Alliance for Retired Americans
  • Concerted Action
  • Green New Deal Network
  • Costs of War
  • Fossil Free Media
  • Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights
  • Independent Jewish Voices Canada
  • Cascadia Wildlands
  • Congressman Jamaal Bowman
  • Environmental Defense
  • National Coalition for the Homeless
  • Riverkeeper
  • U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines
  • Free Gaza Movement
  • Friends of the Earth Europe
  • Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
  • Basel Action Network
  • Healthy California Now
  • Groundwork Collaborative
  • One Fair Wage
  • Progressive International
  • Data for Progress
  • Congressman Ro Khanna
  • Fight Corporate Monopolies
  • Mijente
  • Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal
  • Oxfam America
  • Repair Our Democracy
  • Farm Action
  • Accountable.Senate
  • The Sentencing Project
  • Hunger Free America
  • Fridays for Future
  • Family Farm Action
  • National Family Farm Coalition
  • Protect the Results
  • AFSCME
  • Color Of Change PAC
  • MPower Change
  • Western Watersheds Project
  • WildEarth Guardians
  • The Elders
  • Gwich'in Steering Committee
  • Stop the Money Pipeline
  • RootsAction
  • United Nations Human Rights - Special Procedures
  • Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO)
  • Communications Workers of America
  • The Endangered Species Coalition
  • Center for Climate Integrity
  • Climate Power
  • NORML
  • Lower Drug Prices Now
  • National Education Association (NEA)
  • Democracy Initiative
  • Small Business for Paid Leave
  • Campaign Legal Center
  • Muslim Advocates
  • Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
  • Accountable.US
  • Climate Mobilization
  • GLAD
  • Out & Equal
  • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
  • The Sunrise Project
  • American Economic Liberties Project
  • Bend the Arc
  • Poor People's Campaign
  • Jewish Voice for Peace Action
  • The Revolving Door Project
  • Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
  • TIME'S UP Now
  • Oil Change U.S.
  • Vote Climate U.S. PAC
  • Community Change Action
  • Democracy 21
  • Environmental Justice Foundation
  • Center for Popular Democracy Action
  • Climate Justice Alliance
  • Free Press Action
  • International Rivers
  • JVP Action
  • Open Markets Institute
  • Center for Popular Democracy
  • Stand Up America
  • Demand Justice
  • Stand.earth
  • By the People
  • The Sanders Institute
  • Tax March
  • Friends of the Earth Scotland
  • Justice Democrats
  • Sunrise Movement
  • Western Values Project
  • Good Jobs First
  • Climate Works for All
  • Democratic Socialists of America
  • Freedom From Facebook & Google
  • National Center for Transgender Equality
  • As You Sow
  • Rootstrikers
  • Every Voice
  • Direct Action Everywhere
  • Earthworks
  • Global Witness
  • National Abortion Federation
  • Representative Keith Ellison
  • Transgender Law Center (TLC)
  • Sea Shepherd
  • American Promise
  • Americans For Tax Fairness Action Fund
  • Biofuelwatch
  • Grassroots International
  • Climate Justice Programme
  • End Rape On Campus (EROC)
  • Stop the Wall
  • Organization for Competitive Markets
  • Balestra Media
  • Pacifica Foundation
  • The LGBT Network
  • Compassion in World Farming
  • UNHCR
  • Community Alliance for Global Justice
  • Elders Rising
  • Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America
  • The Right Livelihood Award
  • Women's Earth & Climate Action Network (WECAN)
  • The International Rescue Committee
  • Women Cross DMZ
  • Acadia Center
  • American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC)
  • The New York Immigration Coalition
  • GAIA
  • The Culinary Union
  • The American Immigration Council
  • Citizens Against Monopoly
  • Our Revolution
  • United We Dream
  • National Women's Law Center
  • SumofUs
  • Global Zero
  • The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
  • NAACP Legal Defense Fund
  • Network Lobby
  • NIAC Action
  • Asian Americans Advancing Justice
  • Freedom of the Press Foundation
  • Progressive Congress Action Fund
  • The Main Street Alliance
  • Millions Marching For Medicare For All
  • The World Health Organization
  • Senator Elizabeth Warren
  • Rep. Barbara Lee
  • John Conyers, Jr., Congressman
  • The Commonwealth Fund
  • Social Security Works
  • Mercy for Animals
  • American Federation of Teachers
  • Climate Disobedience Center
  • Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
  • Open Media
  • Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
  • Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund
  • Bold Alliance
  • The Greenlining Institute
  • Physicians for Reproductive Health
  • Americans for Tax Fairness
  • Climate Action Tracker
  • American Federation of Government Employees
  • Patriotic Millionaires
  • Congresswoman Barbara Lee
  • Progressive Change Campaign Committee
  • Indivisible
  • Friends of the Earth Action
  • Stop the War Coalition
  • Earthrights International
  • Free Speech for People
  • National Employment Law Project
  • Navdanya International
  • Open Debate Coalition
  • Shut It Down - Climate Direct Action
  • SOA Watch
  • Grassroots Global Justice Alliance
  • Green Party of the US
  • Live Share Grow
  • Advancement Project
  • Chicago Teachers Union
  • Indigenous Environmental Network
  • Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition
  • Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
  • The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
  • Stop Mass Incarceration Network - Chicago
  • International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
  • Progress Michigan
  • 350 Action
  • Climate Action Network International
  • Climate Tracker
  • Regeneration International
  • Ecojustice
  • Together for Global Justice (CIDSE)
  • Carbon Underground
  • Fight for $15
  • sHELLNO
  • Pembina Institute
  • Global Justice Now
  • Grassroots Leadership
  • La Via Campesina
  • New York Civil Liberties Union
  • Privacy International
  • National Iranian American Council (NIAC)
  • Restaurant Opportunities Centers United
  • U.S. Right to Know
  • Share the World's Resources
  • National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
  • Don't Shoot Coalition
  • Fight for the Future
  • Environmental Action
  • Oceana
  • UltraViolet
  • Huu-ay-aht First Nations
  • Latino Advocacy
  • Western Environmental Law Center
  • Rolling Jubilee
  • Coalition for Peace Action
  • Rodale Institute
  • Food Research and Action Center
  • Reject and Protect
  • The Upstate Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars
  • Center for Reproductive Rights
  • People's Action
  • Iraq Veterans Against the War
  • Jewish Voice for Peace
  • US Robin Hood Tax Campaign
  • Chesapeake Climate Action Network
  • Council of Canadians
  • Haiti: Make Births Safe
  • Center for Corporate Policy
  • Our Children's Trust
  • The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund
    commondreams-mobile-logo
    globe-icon
    LATEST NEWSOPINIONCLIMATEECONOMY POLITICS RIGHTS & JUSTICEWAR & PEACE
    LATEST NEWS
    OPINION
    globe-iconlogo-icon
    commondreams-logo
    commondreams-tagline

    angus king

    Rep. Jared Golden

    Progressives Praise Lewiston's Rep. Golden for Seeking Forgiveness, Backing Assault Weapon Ban

    "It shouldn't have to take a tragedy in your own state to come around, but we welcome Rep. Golden in the fight to ban these weapons," said George Takei.

    Brett Wilkins
    Oct 27, 2023

    Progressives in Congress and on social media praised U.S. Rep. Jared Golden—one of the most conservative House Democrats—after he reversed course and embraced a ban on assault weapons following Wednesday night's mass shooting that left 18 people dead and 13 others wounded in his hometown of Lewiston, Maine.

    "I have opposed efforts to ban deadly weapons of war, like the assault rifle used to carry out this crime," Golden said during a Thursday press conference, referring to the previous night's massacre at multiple locations. "The time has now come for me to take responsibility for this failure, which is why I now call on the United States Congress to ban assault rifles like the one used by the sick perpetrator of this mass killing in my hometown."

    Keep ReadingShow Less
    News
    jared golden
    Hickenlooper Manchin

    One in Four US Senators Still Hold Fossil Fuel Investments Even as World Burns

    Reporting reveals the households of at least 28 senators own a combined minimum of $3.7 million and as much as $12.6 million in fossil fuel assets.

    Brett Wilkins
    Nov 05, 2021

    As President Joe Biden aims to assure the world that the United States will fulfill its promise to slash its greenhouse gas emissions in half from 2005 levels by the end of the decade, a new report published Friday reveals that the members of the U.S. Senate who would have to pass climate legislation are heavily invested in the fossil fuel industry.

    Sludgereports the households of at least 28 U.S. senators--in both the Democratic and Republican caucuses--hold a combined minimum of $3.7 million and as much as $12.6 million in fossil fuel investments.

    Keep ReadingShow Less
    News
    fossil fuel financing
    Caving to NRA and Pro-Gun Democrats, Biden Withdraws ATF Nominee

    Caving to NRA and Pro-Gun Democrats, Biden Withdraws ATF Nominee

    "The White House's decision—and choice—to not put up a fight to confirm David Chipman to head the ATF is a significant failure that undermines the promises President Biden made while running for office."

    Julia Conley
    Sep 09, 2021
    Gun control advocates expressed outrage Thursday after the White House withdrew its nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives--a move critics said offered the latest illustration of the gun lobby's grip on lawmakers from both major political parties.
    The Republican Party was unified in its opposition to David Chipman, a former special agent at ATF and senior policy advisor at Giffords, the gun control advocacy group founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, but it was ultimately three centrist members of the Democratic caucus who reportedly stood in the way of the nomination.

    "It is hugely disappointing and unconscionable that 50 members of the U.S. Senate as well as at least one senator who caucuses with the president's party would deny President Biden his choice to lead the ATF."
    --Kris Brown, Brady

    Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Angus King (I-Maine) reportedly faced pressure from pro-gun lobbyists in their home states, with King telling the White House in recent weeks that he would not support Chipman, according to the New York Times.
    The White House needed the entire Democratic caucus to support the nominee to secure Chipman's confirmation.
    Advocates who were hoping the bureau charged with regulating the gun industry would have its first Senate-confirmed director in six years expressed anger over the withdrawal.
    "We have weak people serving in the Senate such as Sen. Angus King, who chose to listen to 'regulated industry,'" said Fred Guttenberg, a strong Biden supporter whose daughter was killed in the Parkland, Florida school shooting in 2018. "Sadly the White House failed to put up a fight on this."
    \u201cShame on @SenAngusKing & @JoeManchinWV for choosing to side with the gun lobby. The reason why there has been only one Senate-confirmed ATF director in the last 15 years is because the gun industry profits when gun laws are not enforced. David Chipman should have been confirmed.\u201d
    — Newtown Action Alliance (@Newtown Action Alliance) 1631205813
    "The White House's decision--and choice--to not put up a fight to confirm David Chipman to head the ATF is a significant failure that undermines the promises President Biden made while running for office," said Igor Volsky of Guns Down America. "We need Biden's leadership to address this crisis--and we need it now."
    Chipman, who is a gun owner, has expressed support for universal background checks for gun purchasers, a ban on semiautomatic assault weapons like those that have been used in numerous mass shootings in recent years, and limits on high-capacity magazines.
    At a 2019 congressional hearing, Chipman told lawmakers the federal government, in developing gun control legislation, must find a balance between "the rights of individuals and the rights of all Americans, and a human right not to get shot."
    "Our nation's current gun violence crisis has made two things very clear: one, it is far too easy for violent people to get their hands on violent weapons," he added. "Two, the American people overwhelmingly want Congress to act now to make their communities safer."
    A majority of Americans believe gun laws should be more strict, including 86% who support universal background checks and about 60% who support an assault weapon ban, according to Gallup.
    Nearly 370 people were killed in mass shootings in the U.S. in the first half of 2021. Newsweekreported in March that the AR-15, the popular semi-automatic rifle that the NRA has marketed as "America's rifle," had been used in 26% of the 80 most recent mass shootings in the United States.
    Amid the rising death toll of gun violence, the powerful gun lobby has successfully de-fanged the ATF, lobbying in the early 2000s to ensure the agency director needed to be confirmed by the Senate and then blocking all but one nominee ever put forward by the White House. The NRA has also pressured Congress to cut the ATF's budget and impose restrictions on how it regulates the gun industry. The organization celebrated its "huge victory" as Chipman's nomination was withdrawn.
    On Thursday, the White House focused on the Republican Party's opposition to Chipman's nomination.
    "He would have been an exemplary Director of the ATF and would have redoubled its efforts to crack down on illegal firearms traffickers and help keep our communities safe from gun violence," Biden said in a statement. "Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress have made clear that they intend to use gun crime as a political talking point instead of taking serious steps to address it."
    Advocates, however, made clear their deep disappointment with the president's own party.
    "It is hugely disappointing and unconscionable that 50 members of the U.S. Senate as well as at least one senator who caucuses with the president's party would deny President Biden his choice to lead the ATF," Kris Brown, president of the gun control group Brady, said in a statement. "It is immoral and indefensible that the only agency with regulatory oversight over the gun industry has been permitted to persist for so many years without leadership, because of the outsized influence the gun industry has."
    News
    politics

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER

    Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.

    subscribe
    below
    * indicates required
    True
    True
    Follow Us
    Most Popular

    Bezos' Lavish Venice Wedding Spurs Demand for Global Billionaire Tax

    Oligarchs 'Terrified' Democratic Socialist Mamdani Might Win NYC Mayoral Primary

    Zohran Mamdani Delivers Stunning Blow to 'Billionaire-Backed Status Quo' in NYC

    128 House Democrats Join GOP to Kill Trump Impeachment Resolution

    Medicaid Defenders in Wheelchairs Arrested Ahead of Senate Vote on 'Betrayal of a Bill'

    'No, Mr. President—You Don't Know What You're Doing,' Says Ilhan Omar After Trump's Iran-Israel Rant

    After Mamdani Victory, Progressives Call for Primary Challenges to Democratic Establishment

    Zohran Mamdani's Battle Against the Billionaire Class and Democratic Establishment Is Just Beginning

    Calls for Impeachment Grow as Trump Floats 'Regime Change' in Iran

    How the US and Israel Used Rafael Grossi to Hijack the IAEA and Start a War on Iran

    We cover the issues the corporate media never will.
    Please support our journalism.