Common Cause Pennsylvania recently conducted a survey as part of the national People’s Promise campaign to identify key federal concerns among its members. The survey, carried out over the summer, aimed to gather input from Pennsylvanians on which policy areas were most important in light of recent actions by the Trump administration.
The organization reported that more than 1,200 members participated in the survey. Respondents were asked to select their top three issues from a list of eleven policy areas affected by current federal policies. According to Common Cause Pennsylvania, “In a statistical tie, 53% of respondents placed both ‘Voting & Fair Elections’ and ‘Cuts to the Social Safety Net’ in their top three issues of concern. Coming in third was ‘Dismantling Government Services and Workforce’, selected by 48% of respondents.”
Other issues such as the economy, reductions in public media funding, environmental resource concerns, and public health also drew attention from participants, each receiving support from over 11% of those surveyed.
The survey included an open response section where members could describe how these issues have impacted them personally. Many responses focused on worries about changes to social safety net programs like Medicaid and Social Security. Some expressed concerns about access to healthcare services and financial constraints resulting from policy changes.
A cancer survivor commented on reductions in funding for cancer research and reliance on Medicaid and food stamps: “With the cost of living going up with tariffs we need real solutions.” Another respondent who recently retired early due to lung cancer said, “I am bracing myself. And very worried” about possibly losing federal tax credits that make insurance affordable.
Concerns extended beyond healthcare. Some respondents described fear related to increased immigration enforcement activities: “As a brown citizen, I now feel the need to bring ID when I go to the park in case someone decides I look like an immigrant and throws me into a van.” Others discussed job losses or insecurity within their families: “My grown children work so hard and don’t get ahead.”
Regarding cuts affecting government operations, one participant stated: “To think that government can be run efficiently with skeleton staffs is insane. To eliminate regulatory agencies is even more insane.”
Common Cause Pennsylvania thanked those who took part in the survey and emphasized that these collective voices are crucial for responding to changes affecting congressionally authorized programs and institutions.
