Our progress updates bring you the news filtered through a results-focused lens. We ask: Has the event, action, or utterance changed anything? In particular, has it contributed tangibly to resolving any of the problems that we focus on here? Our reports demonstrate progress towards a solution – or regrettably, a regression from possible resolution. If our editors do not agree that the event, action, or utterance has moved the needle of progress one way or the other, then it won’t be reported here.
Bipartisan Hope Isn’t Helping Divided Congress Avoid Debt Crisis
Our Congress has two faces: We saw the authoritarian one during the rancorous vote for House Speaker, while the other is seen in an op-ed that lauds the bipartisan collaboration that produced over 200 recommendations for making Congress work more efficiently. As we brace for another game of chicken over the debt ceiling, it’s clear which face is doing the talking.
Building a More Perfect Union in 2023
2022 ended with sighs of relief and celebrations that the red wave didn’t happen, that voters rejected efforts to codify strict anti-abortion laws, that the budget deficit was cut in half, and that there was some bipartisan support for climate change action and improved access to healthcare. All good, but there is still work to be done.
Governors Who Lead: Climate Change Beyond Egypt and the Midterms
With little progress made in the struggle to limit global climate change at the recent gathering of world leaders at COP27, and with the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives a likely roadblock to further national progress, the actions of two governors offer signs of a way forward.
What Did the People Decide? Ballot Initiatives in the 2022 Midterms
In the 2022 midterms, Americans in states across the country made their voices heard on issues through citizen-led ballot measures — and the results were often in opposition to the desires of state legislatures.
Ballot Initiatives Attacked in Attempt to Restrict Direct Democracy
Arizona and Arkansas join the ranks of states attempting to limit citizen use of the ballot initiative – another line of attack on citizen-led democracy in this November's election.
Abortion Access is Frontline in Church-State Struggle
Intentionally or not, the opposition to abortion rights has generated an attack on the First Amendment principle of separation of church and state. And their victory in Dobbs has further emboldened anti-democracy forces that would make this a Christian nation.
Citizen Lobbyists Push for Constitutional Amendment to Limit Campaign Financing
Brought together by American Promise, about 50 citizens met with more than 50 Democratic and Republican members of Congress to lay the groundwork for passage of a constitutional amendment that would allow Congress and the states to limit corporate campaign contributions.
Threat to Democracy Coming Into Focus
More Americans are recognizing that their choice at the ballot box this fall is between continuing as a country governed by a democratically chosen majority and giving away that right to a party dominated by people who no longer respect election results or our democratic institutions.
No Central Command in Battle Against Anti-Democracy Candidates
Hundreds of election deniers are running for office. With the integrity of our elections once again at stake in November, efforts to thwart the forces that would destroy what's left of our democratic foundation are hampered by the lack of a clear, coordinated battle plan.
Can the Army of Anti-Democracy Republicans Be Stopped?
A record number of opponents of fair elections are being recruited to run for office, administer elections, and mount election challenges. At this point, the quest to prevent Republican victory at the polls has ceased being a partisan mission and become instead a constitutional imperative.
Telehealth Coverage Extended
In a win for the millions of patients who took advantage of telehealth services authorized for coverage during the pandemic, Congress extended and expanded those services for another five months and will evaluate them for more permanent coverage.
Ten Years After Passage, Affordable Care Act Proves Resilient
The ACA survived a decade of attacks and active efforts to undermine its ability to give more people more affordable access to healthcare. Fortunately so for the millions who lost their jobs during the pandemic.