Friend,

There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the 28th Amendment right now following its introduction in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Tom Udall and its emergence as an issue in the presidential campaign with 11 candidates committed to the American Promise Pledge.

As I noted in my recent Newsweek column, some may see this big money buzz as a partisan stunt or an exercise in futility. It’s neither—instead, it’s a reflection of the fact that a majority of Americans are frustrated by our current political system and ready for real change. 

More than three-fourths of Americans support the 28th Amendment to limit the influence of money in federal and state elections. That cross-partisan unity indicates that most Americans see the everyday problems of big money in politics and are ready to elect leaders who promise to pursue real change.

Encourage your local and state elected officials to join this movement for the 28th Amendment by signing the American Promise Pledge. We’re making waves across America and building support for the 28th Amendment and a shift toward effective self-government of equal, free citizens. Onward!

From the Seattle Times: Independent political action committees collectively spent more than $860,000 so far in advance of Seattle’s City Council primary election. The PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money as long as they don’t coordinate with candidates, are using mailers in addition to digital ads to influence the election. Some candidates are decrying mailers sent by the PACs taking large contributions from wealthy donors. Read more.

From the House Committee on Oversight and Reform: U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, recently issued a report on the committee’s investigation into efforts to transfer U.S. nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia. New documents and communications show that IP3, the private company lobbying the White House to transfer U.S. nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia, repeatedly sought a $120 million investment from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Cummings said the report “reveals new and extensive evidence that corroborates Committee whistleblowers and exposes how corporate and foreign interests are using their unique access to advocate for the transfer of U.S. nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia.” Read more.

From the Great Falls Tribune: A federal district court judge ruled that the IRS violated a federal act when it removed the disclosure rule for nonprofit organizations that often are the vehicle for so-called “dark money” spending in elections. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and the state of New Jersey filed the lawsuit challenging a move by the IRS that made it easier for groups to hide their donors from disclosure. “We’re holding the federal government accountable to following its own rules and making sure that people, not dark money groups, decide our elections,” Bullock said. Read more. 

From WXPR: A two-part petition drive seeks a public vote in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, on the 28th Amendment and a redistricting model designed to be nonpartisan. Petition circulator Tom Jerow says the goal is to bring back elections with fair maps and reduce the amount of money in politics. The Rhinelander City Council will consider the proposed resolution and ballot election at its August 12 meeting. Read more.