Public Citizen
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| Type | Nonprofit organization |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1971 by Ralph Nader in the US |
| Headquarters | Washington D.C. |
| Staff | Robert Weissman, President Robert C. Fellmeth, Foundation Chair) Jason Adkins, Inc. Chair Joan Claybrook, emeritus President |
| Area served | Nationwide (US) |
| Focus | Consumer advocacy |
| Method | Research, lobbying, litigation and appeals, media attention, direct-appeal campaigns |
| Website | http://www.citizen.org |
Public Citizen is a non-partisan, politically left-of-center, non-profit public interest advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., with a branch in Austin, Texas. Public Citizen was founded by Ralph Nader in 1971,[1] but in the aftermath of the 2000 presidential election[2] it sought to publicly dissociate itself from Mr. Nader.
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[edit] Lobbying Efforts
Public Citizen advocates for the public interest before all three branches of the United States federal government.[citation needed] Its six divisions include: Auto Safety; Congress Watch; Energy; Global Trade Watch; the Health Research Group; and Public Citizen Litigation Group, a nationally prominent public interest law firm founded by Alan Morrison and known for its Supreme Court and appellate practice.[citation needed]
Broadly speaking, Public Citizen favors robust corporate accountability and strong government regulation, particularly in the areas of transport,[citation needed] healthcare,[citation needed] and nuclear power,[citation needed].[citation needed][clarification needed]. The organizations priorities range from campaign finance reform to drug and auto safety and financial reform. The unifying theme is an effort to curb the impact of corporate power on American democracy.
Public Citizen's pro-regulatory stance has been criticized by business groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.[3], as well as by free-market non-profit institutes such as the Cato Institute,[when?] among others.[clarification needed]
[edit] Funding
Public Citizen is funded by dues and contributions from its members and supporters, foundation grants, and publication sales;[4] it does not accept government or corporate funds.[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Staff report (June 2, 1971). Nader Forums Unite To Seek Donations.New York Times
- ^ Margolis, John (July/August 2001) Nader Unrepentant. Mother Jones.
- ^ Kendall, Brent (2009-04-29). "US Consumer Groups: Public Opposes Forced Arbitration By Cos". Dow Jones Newswires. http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090429-718818.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
- ^ "Public Citizen's Annual Report and 990s". http://www.citizen.org/about/articles.cfm?ID=5165. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
- ^ "Public Citizen's Annual Report and 990s". http://www.citizen.org/about/articles.cfm?ID=5165. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
