DECEMBER 2025
ISSUE #30
Invest in a Stronger Democracy in 2026
Americans across the political spectrum are worried about the state of our democracy. Large majorities believe their elected officials are not listening to them and that special interests continue to dominate the policymaking process. As gridlock deepens, trust erodes and citizens feel increasingly disconnected from decisions made in Washington.
Voice of the People (VOP) works directly with Members of Congress, national and local media outlets and civic leaders to bring the views of the public into the center of national policy discussions. Publishing public opinion analysis in op-eds, briefing legislators and governmental officials, and working with other civic-oriented nonprofit organizations, VOP elevates the public so it can be heard in Congress and across the nation. Our goal is simple: to give We the People a greater voice in government.
Throughout 2025, VOP has continued to make federal legislation clear and accessible so Americans can weigh in on important proposals before Congress. We have identified and amplified more than 250 policy positions on which bipartisan majorities of the public already agree, helping policymakers, journalists and civic leaders understand where common ground truly exists.
As we prepare for 2026, your support is more critical than ever. A contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250 or more by December 31 will help us deepen our research, grow our national impact and ensure that “We the People” are not sidelined in the democratic process.
Please make a tax-deductible donation by December 31. A healthier, more responsive democracy is possible, one grounded in shared values, clear information and a public that is fully empowered to participate. Thank you for helping make that vision real.
Sincerely,
President, Voice of the People
PPC Stock Trading Data Draws Media Coverage in 2025
UMD’s Program for Public Consultation (PPC) 2023 survey on Congressional Stock Trading has garnered more traction in recent weeks as discourse in D.C. turns to the issue once again. MS NOW, formerly known as MSNBC, featured the data in a recent story regarding a bipartisan call for a stock-trading ban by Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Seth Magaziner, D-R.I. “…There’s a universal agreement that people want to be able to regain trust in Congress,” Rep. Roy said during an interview with MS NOW. “And, look, to me, it starts with ensuring that no one has the appearance of self-dealing.”
Digital news outlet 2Paragraphs.com also referenced the data in a piece focused on Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s discharge petition to force a vote on banning stock trading in Congress.
The data shows that both Republicans and Democrats support the policy, with 86% of respondents favoring prohibiting members of Congress and their families from trading stocks, including 87% of Republicans and 88% of Democrats.
PPC also included Congressional Stock Trading in the Swing Six Issue Survey Series in 2024, finding 72% of Americans favor prohibiting members and their families from trading individual stocks, including 71% of Republicans and 78% of Democrats. For more on Congressional Stock Trading, click here.
Year in Review: 2025 Highlights
Voice of the People was hard at work throughout 2025, bringing the people’s voice into policymaking:
- This year, we added 35 new policy positions to our Common Ground of the American People list: 11 regarding multilateral institutions, five on the federal budget, one on energy and environment, four on Medicaid, SNAP and EITC, seven on presidential powers, and various others.
- Our “Ear to the People” series, in partnership with The Fulcrum, shined a spotlight on various policy issues, such as public opinion on spending and the federal budget, tariffs, presidential power and immigration.
- We were proud of our partnership with Northeastern Ohio Braver Angels on an in-person federal budget civic engagement event. The discussion led to practical recommendations and a continued interest in the public consultation process.
- We continued our collaboration with our sister organization, Program for Public Consultation, on amplifying their rich data on various surveys, such as those on artificial intelligence, the federal budget, Presidential Powers, Multilateral Institutions and more. These findings underpin VOP’s mission to reveal common ground and give legislators a clear picture of public opinion.
Strengthening the Voice of the People in 2026
In the year ahead, Voice of the People will continue strengthening the bridge between Americans and their elected officials by expanding opportunities for meaningful public engagement. We plan to deepen our partnerships with universities and civic organizations, with the goal of bringing public opinion into national policy discourse. This includes exploring collaborations with academic programs focused on civic learning and public dialogue, as well as pursuing potential engagements with major university networks.
We will also broaden our work with partner organizations to amplify findings from our surveys and add to the Common Ground of the American People list, which has over 250 policy positions with bipartisan support. By working with leaders across various sectors, VOP aims to make it easier for people to understand policy choices, weigh in constructively and see their views reflected in the national discourse. Our priority remains clear: ensuring that the American people have a stronger, more trusted voice in government.