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American democracy is in jeopardy, from the disastrous Citizens United ruling that flooded our politics with corporate cash to the immoral assault on voting rights. We work every day to defend against these threats and advance bold reforms.
The U.S. government should work for the public, not corporations or industry. It should safeguard consumers, workers and the environment, and be funded well enough to do so. The budget process must not be obstructed by partisanship.
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Prescription drugs are unaffordable and new drugs and devices often are approved without being proven safe and effective. Public Citizen challenges Big Pharma, device manufacturers and federal regulators to make drugs and medical devices safe, effective and accessible to all.
Health care in the U.S. leaves too many people out, costs too much and doesn’t meet acceptable standards of quality. Much of the care that we get is unaffordable, unnecessary or harmful. Public Citizen advocates Medicare for All, stronger oversight of dangerous doctors and safe clinical trials.
As the division of Public Citizen that fights for a fairer global economy, we face unique challenges working on trade policy under Donald Trump’s presidency.
Trump has now twice won elections in part by weaponizing the very real frustrations many American voters have with their place in an increasingly complex and unequal global economy.
But instead of a real plan to uplift working people, Trump’s trade agenda is just another ploy to enrich himself and his billionaire friends.
Global Trade Watch seeks to hold Trump accountable and reveal the lie behind his faux populist claims. We will work to avoid the worst outcomes of his agenda, and where rare opportunities for progress arise, we will seize them. We will resist corporate attempts to revert to neoliberalism, and maintain our focus on creating a sustainable vision of global trade that uplifts workers across borders.
Learn more about our work.
The climate crisis is the challenge of our time. We can fix it with solutions that will make us healthier and more economically secure. We must act quickly to make our economy run on renewable power — and ensure that disadvantaged families and displaced workers share equitably in the new economy. We also must fight the corrupting power of fossil fuel companies and ensure that energy regulators are effective and publicly accountable.
Litigation can remedy or deter wrongdoing, impact policy and meaningfully slow abuses of power. Whether suing on behalf of our members to ensure the honest functioning of government, or representing individual consumers seeking redress in court, our litigation draws on our expertise in administrative law, constitutional law, and government transparency.
By Haley Schulz
On an April Thursday before sunrise, Houstonians boarded buses to travel to the state Capitol in Austin. Over a hundred people made the trip for Environmental Justice Advocacy Day. With plans to meet with legislators, constituents would focus their conversations on access to clean air, clean water, and clean, reliable energy. 
At the Capitol, the Members’ Lounge bustled with excitement. Brimming with families and communities eager for their day’s schedule, the room was full of laughter, announcements, and constant movement. Once groups had their schedules, everyone went to their legislators’ offices to meet with staff. As it was the day when the budget bill – the only bill the Texas Legislature is required to pass – was before the House, representatives waved from the floor and quickly stepped outside to meet with their Houston constituents.
Throughout the day, the group had opportunities to be recognized or take pictures with various representatives. While some groups immediately began their work, talking to legislators on important topics, other attendees met in the Texas Senate gallery to be recognized by state Sen. Molly Cook. “These advocates are here today because they understand that environmental justice is public health,” Sen. Cook said as she addressed her fellow senators and the people in the gallery.
The groups also met with state Rep. Ron Reynolds, who expressed appreciation for the visit. “Your advocacy here today,” he said, “will help shape the policies that are decided…The only way the advocacy is amplified is when you lift your voice.” Reps. Suleman Lalani and Penny Morales Shaw also appeared outside the House floor to bolster constituent confidence and highlight their committee efforts for environmental bills.
Many attendees shared positive interactions and conversations with the offices visited. Community members spoke on everything from concrete batch plants and grid instability to nonexistent air monitoring in Fort Bend County and of the DeLa Express Pipeline across rural Texas. While the day was packed and everyone left tired, most found the day productive and encouraging. With 116 individuals participating in the Environmental Justice Advocacy Day, it was a trip to Austin we feel left a positive mark on our legislators.
I also want to memorialize one of the attendees who joined us at our Advocacy Day. Tami Mewis, a community leader, painter, and resident in Austin, passed away the day after our trip. Tami was the first person I greeted on the Capitol steps that morning. I remember her optimism about talking to her representatives on what was her first visit to the Capitol. Joined by fellow Hold the Line campaign members, Tami was so eager and excited to advocate for communities impacted by the DeLa Express Pipeline. Hearing from fellow coalition members, Tami was a dedicated community leader and will be sorely missed.
While there were experienced community advocates at the Capitol that day, there were also families and first-time visitors. Tami, as well as many others, were the perfect example of what it means to be a community leader. To step outside your comfort zone and learn new things in the name of justice. To stand up for your community, not because of your experience, but because you know it is the right thing to do. We hope the community felt heard and seen on Environmental Justice Advocacy Day and we will continue to support them beyond the 89th Legislative session.
Haley Schulz is an organizer for the Texas office of Public Citizen.
Climate & Energy: Fighting Climate Change, Promoting Clean & Affordable Energy, Protecting Health & the Environment
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