What does Public Citizen do?

Public Citizen is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1971 by Ralph Nader. Based in Washington, D.C., it is dedicated to defending democracy and ensuring that government serves the public interest rather than corporate interests. The organization has a membership base of approximately 500,000 to 1 million supporters and operates independently by not accepting government or corporate funding. Public Citizen engages in various activities to champion public interests, including organizing activists, lobbying Congress, conducting research, and litigating against government failures. Its work is structured across five main divisions: Congress Watch, Energy Program, Global Trade Watch, Health Research Group, and the Public Citizen Litigation Group. These divisions focus on issues such as consumer rights, environmental protection, healthcare access, and corporate accountability. The organization has achieved significant victories in areas like drug safety, banking reforms, and voting rights, making a notable impact on public policy and advocacy.