News

Reform Groups Urge Members to Support New CLEAN Politics Act to Close Lobbying Disclosure Loopholes and Restrict Lobbyist Fundraising for Members

In a letter sent to Members of Congress today, reform organizations and experts called on Members to support and cosponsor the “Curtailing Lobbyists and Empowering Americans for a New Politics Act (CLEAN Politics Act).” This legislation was introduced today in the House by Representatives John Sarbanes (D-MD and in the Senate by Senator Michael Bennet […]

In bid to impeach Rod Rosenstein, House Republicans are abusing power to protect Trump – USA Today op-ed by Wertheimer & Eisen

Enclosed for your information is an op-ed entitled “In bid to impeach Rod Rosenstein, House Republicans are abusing power to protect Trump” by Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer and former White House chief ethics counsel Norman Eisen which was published here in USA Today on July 19, 2018. According to the piece: Key House Republicans […]

Nationwide Vigils Against Corruption Show Public Demands Lawmakers Take Action to Protect and Strengthen Our Democracy

Americans in nearly 200 cities and towns around the country held candlelight vigils on Wednesday night to confront government corruption and demand democracy, a signal to lawmakers that the public is ready for their leaders to take action to protect the rule of law and make sure every voice can be heard in the political […]

Nationwide Vigils Show That The American People Want To Repair Our Dysfunctional Political System

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | July 19, 2018 “The fight goes on.” Last night, nearly 200 candlelight vigils took place in 39 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico to “Confront Corruption and Demand Democracy.” The unprecedented nationwide vigils were held to demand that Congress enact sweeping democracy reforms to address the corrupt and broken political […]

Treasury Department Opens Massive Loophole That Makes It Easier To Launder Foreign Money Into Our Elections

Treasury Department Just Opened Massive Loophole that Will Make it Easier for Russia and other Foreign Interests to Launder Unlimited, Undisclosed Illegal Contributions into Federal Elections Statement of Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer Yesterday, the Treasury Department opened a massive loophole that will, as a practical matter, allow Russia, Russian oligarchs and other foreign interests […]

D21 Calls on House to Oppose Baseless Effort by Reps. Meadows & Jordan to Impeach Deputy AG Rosenstein

Democracy 21 Calls on House Members to Oppose Baseless Effort by Reps. Meadows and Jordan to Impeach Deputy AG Rosenstein In a letter sent to the House of Representatives today, Democracy 21 urged Representatives to vote against any articles of impeachment against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein which may be brought to the floor of […]

House needs to probe what Jim Jordan knew about alleged sexual abuse – CNN op-ed, Wertheimer & Eisen

Enclosed for your information is an op-ed entitled “House needs to probe what Jim Jordan knew about alleged sexual abuse,” by Norman Eisen, former chief White House ethics counsel to President Obama, and Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer. The piece was published here in CNN Opinion on July 12, 2018. House needs to probe what […]

Donald Trump’s “Swamp” Grows Ever-Larger

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | July 12, 2018 “President Trump continues to set the example for his Administration of how to abuse public office for personal gain.” Donald Trump’s Washington “swamp” is growing exponentially these days. Here are just a few examples of his ever-deepening swamp: Former EPA head Scott Pruitt had so many ethics […]

Watchdogs File Supplemental Information with OCE Regarding Rep. Jim Jordan Complaint

Watchdogs File Supplemental Information with Office of Congressional Ethics Regarding Rep. Jim Jordan Complaint Yesterday, Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer and former White House chief ethics counsel Norman Eisen (2009-2011) sent a letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) that provided supplemental information to a July 9, 2018 complaint they filed requesting that OCE […]

Speaker Ryan is Wrong in Saying House Ethics Cmte Should Not Investigate Rep. Jordan’s Present Alleged Misconduct

Speaker Ryan is Wrong in Saying House Ethics Committee Should Not Investigate Rep. Jordan’s Present Alleged Misconduct Statement of Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer and Norman Eisen, former chief White House ethics lawyer, 2009-2011 On July 9, 2018 we asked the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) to undertake a preliminary ethics inquiry regarding statements Rep. […]