About the Issues

Common Cause was formed during the constitutional crisis of the 1970s as Richard Nixon sought to rise above the rule of law. We now face a similar and arguably greater crisis -- and therefore we have launched a campaign to "Recapture the Flag."

The Bush Administration:
• illegally used warrantless wiretapping to spy on Americans
• suspended habeas corpus
• engaged in illegal torture
• declared publicly he will not comply with aspects of laws he finds disagreeable through the use of signing statements
• abused Executive Privilege by refusing to allow his staff and former staff to comply with Congressional subpoenas
• used the Justice Department to carry out a partisan political agenda
• brought the country to war with Iraq based on intelligence the Administration had reason to believe was false.

It is essential that there be a thorough fact-finding investigation into the full range of alleged violations of human rights and abuses of power by the prior Administration in both domestic and foreign activities, as well as Congress’ failure to contain such conduct.

We seek to restore the nation’s understanding and reverence for the U.S. Constitution, the rule of law, a free and open society, human rights, and our American system of checks and balances.

In a statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee in March 2009, we explained this agenda in more detail.  You can read the statement here.

Below is a short video from our recent expert panel discussion prior to the 2008 elections on "Abuse of Power: Forging a Path to Recovery."