AFSCME and other leading progressive organizations and unions which led the fight to pass President Obama’s jobs and economic recovery package, along with a host of additional groups, held a national press conference call today to announce a major new campaign to pass President Obama’s historic budget.

Chuck Loveless, AFSCME Legislative Director, said, “Make no mistake: the Obama budget is real change – the change that Americans voted for in November. As we were during the economic recovery plan, AFSCME will be a leader in the fight to pass the Obama agenda. Our members make America happen. And America deserves nothing less.”

Participants discussed plans to substantially ratchet up all the same tools, techniques and strategies behind the successful campaign to pass the President’s jobs plan into law last month, from grassroots events, grass tops contacts, paid phones and emails campaigns into Members of Congress’ offices, and paid advertising. More than 40 major organizations have so far signed onto the $5-7 million campaign to ‘Rebuild and Renew America Now.’

Brad Woodhouse, President of Americans United for Change, added, “While President Obama inherited the nation’s worst economic crisis in generations, and the largest deficit in history, his budget resets America’s priorities in historic fashion to rebuild and renew America for the challenges we face now and in the future. From returning fairness to our tax code, to taking control of the federal deficit, to making significant down payments on health care reform, an energy policy to reverse global climate change, and education, President Obama’s budget is not just a list of line items or plusses and minuses – it is the blueprint for transformational change which Americans voted for in November. This campaign will spend the resources necessary and conduct the activity required to overcome the forces of opposition who want to maintain the status quo for their own private benefit instead of doing what’s in the public interest.”

The campaign’s mission statement and list of participating organizations follows:

Rebuild and Renew America: A statement to support and build upon President Obama’s budget priorities

President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget provides a visionary blueprint that turns away from the failed economic policies of the past and seeks to invest in our future by expanding opportunities for all. His budget commits major investments in health care reform, education, and clean energy, while restoring fairness to our tax system and reducing military expenditures over time in a responsible manner. It builds upon the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to protect Americans from the damaging impact of the recession and sows seeds of a sustainable prosperity.

We, the undersigned organizations, have joined in a campaign to Rebuild and Renew America Now to support and build upon the President’s budget priorities. We strongly urge Congress to follow the priorities set forth in the President’s blueprint: “A New Era of Responsibility – Renewing America’s Promise” in developing its own Budget Resolution.

It is our firm belief that if these priorities are enacted, we will turn back the harsh trend of rising poverty, unemployment, hunger and homelessness. We can extend opportunity and security for families in all walks of life by expanding health care coverage, making college more affordable, supporting the financial and nutritional needs of low income families, expanding affordable housing, investing in a far-reaching policy that will develop clean sources of energy and protect the planet by reducing global warming pollution, and generate good jobs to rebuild our middle class.

These steps will set the federal budget on a responsible path – meeting the needs of families and making long-term investments in our nation’s future while gradually reducing the deficit. We call upon Congress to follow and build upon the President’s lead in crafting its Budget Resolution, recognizing that there is no time to waste in meeting the nation’s long-deferred needs.

Posted in Budget and Taxes, Legislation, Politics and Elections

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