Progressives Demand Action On Job Creation, Global Warming, And Healthcare Not Warfare

June 20, 2012 - PRLog -- Who: Constituents led by Progressive Democrats of America (PDA).

What: Brown Bag Lunch Vigils demanding action to stop global warming and for Healthcare NOT Warfare

Where: District offices of Senators and Representative across the U.S.A.

When: Noon-time, Wednesday June 20, 2012.

Contacts: PDA National Director Tim Carpenter tim@pdamerica.org 413-320-2015
                 PDA Deputy Field Director Andrea Miller andrea@pdamerica.org 443-878-2071

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) and its partners are bringing a clear, strong message demanding action to stop global warming and for Healthcare NOT Warfare this month as part of the ongoing Brown Bag Lunch Vigil (BBLV) campaign. Activists will meet with and deliver letters to elected officials in this campaign to tell their Representatives and Senators to support:

HR 870 / 4277 - Rep. Conyers “21st Century Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment and Training Act” which would establish the National Full Employment Trust Fund to create employment opportunities for the unemployed. And, H.R. 2914 - Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s “Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act” which would create an emergency jobs program that will fund 2,242,000 positions in the near term.

H.R. 3242 - Rep. Pete Stark's Save Our Climate Act which would reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by imposing a tax on primary fossil fuels based on their carbon content. This legislation would use the revenues generated to lower the deficit and to send money to the American people to help defray any higher energy costs.

H.R. 780 - Rep. Barbara Lee's bill which would require that funds for operations of the Armed Forces in Afghanistan shall be expended only for the safe and orderly withdrawal armed forces and Department of Defense contractor personnel from Afghanistan, and H.R. 4173 - Rep. Lee's "Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons and Stop War Through Diplomacy Act."

H.R. 676 - Rep. John Conyers's bill to establish an improved and expanded Medicare for All program, and H.R. 1200 - Rep. Jim McDermott's American Health Security Act of 2011 to deliver universal health care coverage by incorporating existing programs.

BBLV Partners include: National Nurses United (NNU), Democrats.com, U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW), the New Priorities Network (NPN), Labor Campaign for Single Payer Healthcare, and Healthcare Now!

PDA National Director Tim Carpenter said, "With the obvious failure of status quo policies, PDA and our allies are pushing for progressive solutions. Our vigils helped persuade Rep. Neal to cosponsor key legislation. Building on this success, PDA is taking our message to the streets and to congressional offices nation-wide. The Brown Bag Lunch Vigil movement predates the tea party, and offers real solutions to our challenges."

Carpenter added, "Our vigils put pressure on Congress to act now to stop global warming, guarantee high quality healthcare for all, and quickly end the war in Afghanistan. As part of the 99% Spring, PDA is taking the lead in supporting legislation that will help American families."

Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to reform the Democratic Party and restore its focus on first principles including social and economic justice, environmental protection, ending corporate rule, promoting fair and transparent elections, fair--not "free"--trade, and ending wars and occupations. PDA strives to rebuild the Democratic Party from the bottom up--from every congressional district to statewide party structures to the corridors of power in Washington, where we work arm in arm with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. In just seven years, PDA and its allies have shaken up the political status quo. PDA is a federal PAC and has endorsed several candidates for Congress in the upcoming 2012 elections including PDA National Board members seeking reelection: Representatives John Conyers, Raul Grijalva, Jim McGovern, Donna Edwards, and Barbara Lee. Other PDA Board members are Rep. Lynn Woolsey, Mimi Kennedy, Tom Hayden, Jim Hightower, Michael Lighty, Thom Hartmann, Andy Shallal, Lila Garrett, Medea Benjamin, Jodie Evans, David Swanson, Steve Cobble, and Bill Fletcher.

For more information about PDA, please see: http://www.PDAmerica.org

Contacts: PDA National Director Tim Carpenter tim@pdamerica.org 413-320-2015
                 PDA Deputy Field Director Andrea Miller andrea@pdamerica.org 443-878-2071