WASHINGTON - January 25 - Leaders of the 62-Member Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) will present an alternative, inclusive, and uplifting vision for the United States of America on the morning of the President's State of the Union address. The Members will hold a news conference followed by discussion panels at the DNC to propose a new direction for the country and articulate concrete ideas for achieving change. The meeting will feature several Progressive Caucus leaders discussing issues ranging from how to bring our troops home from Iraq to ending the Republican culture of corruption and cronyism to healthcare reform to rebuilding New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and achieving broad-based economic growth.

“The Progressive Caucus has a bold, progressive vision for America," said Rep. Woolsey. "Our agenda speaks to hard working Americans who play by the rules and want a bright future for themselves and their families." Rep. Woolsey is the co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

“We offer a fresh, vigorous alternative for the 21st century, and we’re going to present an unapologetic legislative alternative that offers hope and a better quality of life for all Americans--- not just the powerful and privileged,” said U.S Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), Co-Chair of the CPC.

The Caucus’ 62 members include 10 who are in line to become Committee Chairs should the Democrats retake the House in November 2006, and 35 who would head up House Subcommittees.

The Progressive Caucus news conference and panel discussions will highlight progressive priorities and ideas embodied in a set of twenty articles published by the Members of the Caucus in a special issue of The Nation magazine: Paths to Renewal which is now available on newsstands across the country and at www.thenation.com.

WHO:
Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
Katrina Vanden Heuvel --Publisher and Editor of The Nation
John Cavanagh, Director of the Institute for Policy Studies

WHEN:
Tuesday, January 31st, 2006, 9:00 – 9:45 AM news conference
9:45-10:35 Panel on Alternative Domestic Policy, including job creation and broad-based economic growth in America, achieving health care reform, fighting poverty and helping Katrina evacuees, protecting privacy and restoring civil liberties, and campaign finance reform (with Reps. Solis, Watson, Davis, and Owens and others tba)
10:40-11:30 Panel on Alternative International Proposals, focusing on the Iraq War (with Reps. Woolsey, Lee, Hinchey, and others tba)

WHERE:
Democratic National Committee Headquarters
The Wasserman Conference Room, 430 South Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC

The Congressional Progressive Caucus is a group of 62 Members of Congress who believe in fair government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Their agenda embodies national priorities that are consistent with the values, needs, and hopes of all Americans.

The Nation is America's oldest weekly magazine and one of its premier magazines of opinion. Established by abolitionists in 1865, The Nation has long been regarded as one of the country's definitive journalistic voices on politics, culture, books and the arts, The Nation has remained true to its original commitment to be the critical, independent voice in American journalism. www.thenation.com.

The Institute for Policy Studies is a 43-year old, independent Washington, DC think tank dedicated to strengthening social movements with independent research, visionary thinking, and links to the grassroots, scholars and elected officials. Since 1963, IPS has empowered people to build healthy and democratic societies in communities, the US, and the world. www.ips-dc.org.

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