About U.S. PIRG
Our team of researchers uncovers the facts; our staff bring our findings to the public, through the media as well as one-on-one interactions; and our advocates bring the voice of the public to the halls of power on behalf of consumers.
An Independent Voice For Consumers
U.S. PIRG is an advocate for the public interest, working to win concrete results on real problems that affect millions of lives, and standing up for the public against powerful interests when they push the other way.
The problems we face don’t care if you’re a liberal or a conservative, or if you live in a red or blue state — they affect each and every one of us. That’s why, for decades, we’ve taken a non-partisan, fact-driven, results-oriented approach to our work. And with your help, we can take on the difficult challenges ahead.
Our Top Priorities
Using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation, U.S. PIRG stands up to powerful interests and delivers concrete results.
| We can keep our consumer cop on Wall Street In the wake of the Great Recession, we helped create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be our watchdog on Wall Street. But now, Congress is trying to weaken or eliminate it. We need to keep our consumer cop on the financial beat. >LEARN MORE |
| STOP THE OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS The overuse of antibiotics on farms is contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, threatening the health of millions every year. We're calling on states to address this growing public health threat. >LEARN MORE |
| BAN ROUNDUP New studies link the chemicals in Monsanto's Roundup to cancer and other serious health problems. We're calling on cities and counties across the country to ban Roundup unless and until it's proven safe. >LEARN MORE |
| DEMOCRACY FOR THE PEOPLE We're putting regular voters back in the driver’s seat of our democracy by increasing the influence of small donors in elections, overturning Citizens United, and modernizing how we register to vote. >LEARN MORE |
U.S. PIRG Staff
U.S. PIRG is an advocate for the public interest. When consumers are cheated, or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, U.S. PIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight for the public interest.
Funded By Our Citizen Members
Thousands of U.S. PIRG members and supporters fund the staff who conduct research, public education and advocacy on the issues. Members provide the clout we need to win real results.
These pie charts reflect the final audited FY18 financial information for United States Public Interest Research Group, Inc. and United States Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, Inc.
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FY18 Expenses
77% Program |
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FY18 Income
75% Citizen |
What's New
U.S. PIRG and its state affiliates are working to ensure that every eligible American voter has the ability to participate in democracy, even during a pandemic. We’re calling on states to start preparing now to ensure safe elections in November, including emergency expansion of vote by mail, sanitized and socially-distant polling places and other measures. This weekly update highlights the work we’re doing on the COVID-19 voting front, and other important developments in the news.
The U.S. House passed a major climate-focused appropriations bill today that moves the country forward on clean energy and transportation.
As extensive media coverage has raised awareness of U.S. PIRG’s open letter sent to President Donald Trump and state governors last week, imploring them to shut back down, start over and do it right to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1,000 health professionals have signed the letter in the past week.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has forced many states to make significant changes to their elections in order to protect public health. Remarkably though, even with a dangerous virus that makes any in-person activity at least somewhat risky (e.g., going to a polling place on Election Day), there are states -- both red and blue -- that still haven’t made the necessary changes to let people vote safely. In a country with tremendous technological expertise and a history of innovation, that’s mind-boggling. The policy prescriptions have been right in front of us to offer every American safe, secure and convenient options to vote but powerful inertia, intentional or not, has kept America from modernizing its democracy.
U.S. PIRG and its state affiliates are working to ensure that every eligible American voter has the ability to participate in democracy, even during a pandemic. We’re calling on states to start preparing now to ensure safe elections in November, including emergency expansion of vote by mail, sanitized and socially-distant polling places and other measures. This weekly update highlights the work we’re doing on the COVID-19 voting front, and other important developments in the news. If you have questions or comments, please email Joe Ready (jready@pirg.org) or Ross Sherman (rsherman@publicinterestnetwork.org).
COVID-19
Shut down, start over, do it right
Few people living today remember what it was like to live through a world war, but that’s what we’re in, and we’re going to have to sacrifice if we want to save ourselves and each other. Just as the greatest generation did, we need to step up to what history has delivered.
Consumer Protection
CFPB green-lights predatory payday loans amid COVID-19 pandemic
The CFPB has finalized a rule pulling back on payday lending protections that were set to go into effect in 2019. The protections would have required lenders to check if their customers were able to repay high interest rates before borrowing.
Consumer Protection
As the pandemic goes on, consumer complaints continue at a record pace
A U.S. PIRG Education Fund analysis has found that since March 2020, public consumer complaints at the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have skyrocketed, setting a new monthly record each month. During this period, one in five complaints concerning mortgages, student loans or vehicle financing has mentioned the coronavirus crisis.
Public Health
States competing for PPE need federal coordination
U.S. PIRG and a coalition of leading public health and medical groups are urging U.S. senators to establish central, transparent coordination of the medical supply chain in the next coronavirus stimulus package in order to get medical supplies to the areas that need it most.
Support Us
Your donation supports U.S. PIRG’s work to stand up for consumers on the issues that matter, especially when powerful interests are blocking progress.