For Immediate Release: 24 Sep 2026
Contact: Sarah Fite or Keira Havens, press@couragefordemocracy.com
American People’s Compact, Courage for Democracy, and Take BAC Congress hold Inaugural Congressional Courage and Accountability Summit
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The inaugural Courage and Accountability Summit will be held on September 29 and 30th, 2026, bringing together three political reform PACs representing more than 100 congressional candidates in the general election of the 2026 cycle. Here’s what to expect:
September 29, 4pm, National Press Club, Washington, DC:
- former Representative Dennis Kucinich
- policy discussion themed around Congressional responsibility and Government reform with reform leaders and candidates from across the country (Matt Beat, Uncapping the House, Jordan Wood, former congressional candidate, ME-02, Move to Amend, FLARE USA)
- Washington D.C. congressional candidate Robert White on the importance of DC statehood, home rule, and local control of the National Guard
- Constitutional scholar Sam Halpert on the obligations of congressional office
- Jennifer Hilsbos, Chair of Pinal County AZ Democrats on realities of the democratic party system and how we build better going forward
- a fundraiser to support the organizations and candidates fighting for the same
The following morning (9/30), attending candidates and leaders will assemble at the US Capitol at 9 am at the Triangle for a rally and press briefing.
Members of the media who would like to join this event (4-9pm ET, 9/29/26) should email Keira Havens at keira@couragefordemocracy.com. Remote participants may register using this link.
“There is nothing more important, at this critical moment in American history, than taking tangible steps to not only address the rampant corruption, but the resultant lack of trust by the American people in Congress and our government writ large. We built this coalition—the largest of its kind in the nation—to show clearly that not all politicians are the same. From California to Maine to Alabama, Take BAC candidates have not only pledged to fight for these populist reforms that the American people overwhelmingly support and are asking for, but stand united because we know that it is only in coalition we can actually bring about change,” said Andrew Sneed, TakeBAC Congress founder and congressional candidate for AL-05.
Courage for Democracy PAC’s slate of Courage Candidates endorse an anti-corruption, anti-authoritarian platform anchored by a pledge to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump and his administration at their earliest opportunity. The candidates also endorse the abolition of ICE.
“Members of Congress are some of the most powerful people in the world. The Constitution gives them the power to hold this administration accountable. All that’s missing is courage, and these candidates have it” said Keira Havens, co-founder of Courage for Democracy. “The American people are tired of a Congress that refuses to acknowledge its own power. If incumbents aren’t prepared to stand up for democracy, they need to be prepared to step aside.”
Establishment Democrats have continued to hedge their bets in this volatile electoral cycle and insist that they would rather “move on” and help the administration “save face” instead of holding Trump and his cabinet accountable for their abuses of power. However, Representative Thomas Massie’s recent surprise impeachment of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shocked a complacent Congress into recess. Rep. Massie’s independent effort to hold Hegseth to account for the illegal Iran war and use of the Department of Defense to commit extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean, highlight exactly how much leeway members of Congress have to pursue accountability.
“Americans are desperate for a government that makes everyday life more affordable and holds those in power accountable,” said Vishu Asthana, co-founder of the American People’s Compact. “National testing shows that nearly eight in ten Americans across the political spectrum support the Compact’s people-first priorities. This summit brings together candidates committed to turning that shared demand for change into action.”
The Courage and Accountability Summit aims to cultivate legislators with backbone. The current Congress has so far failed to reign in the administration despite Trump’s repeated usurpation of War Powers, his usurpation of the power of the purse (to include a 1.776B “anti-weaponization fund” intended to reward January 6th insurrectionists), and more than 3,000 undemocratic and unconstitutional actions.
Candidates supporting this push ran in primary elections in more than 100 jurisdictions across 38 states. They include candidates in the reddest and bluest districts in the nation. Among them are Chris Rabb (PA-03), Melat Kiros (CO-01), Elizabeth Lee (AZ-05), Ashley Bell (NC-10), Chelsey Hockett (TX-05), Jason Pearce (TX-04), Amanda Pucszek (AL-04), and Megan Wingfield (KY-02). Evan Hunt (TX-03), Danny Minton (TX-06), and Robb Ryerse (AR-03) ran unopposed in their primaries.
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About the Hosts
Citizens’ Impeachment is a nonpartisan grassroots movement powered by everyday Americans with a unifying mission: to uphold the Constitution of the United States and impeach, convict, and remove officials who violate their oath of office — including Donald Trump and his enablers, who in 2025 alone amassed thousands of documented violations of constitutional and international statutes. Courage for Democracy is a political action committee founded to support the work of Citizens’ Impeachment and candidates committed to upholding democracy full-stop.
Candidates with TakeBAC Congress endorse a five popular reform positions: congressional term limits, overturning the Citizens United decision that has unleashed over 4 billion in spending in this political cycle, a moratorium on lobbying with minimum of 5 years between elected office and lobbying, banning stock trading, and a code of ethics for the U.S. Supreme Court.
The American People’s Compact (APC) is an organization committed to advancing a 16-point policy agenda grounded in research and shared priorities across party lines. The APC brings together communities, organizations, candidates, and elected officials around practical solutions to everyday issues including lowering costs, expanding economic opportunity, and restoring integrity and accountability in government.
