WASHINGTON - November 15 - As residents of the District of Columbia protest outside of Speaker Boehner's office today, Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:

"The President's call to extend the tax cuts for the middle class immediately is the right approach to keep our economy moving. The Senate has already voted to extend those tax cuts for the 98% of Americans who make less than $250,000. Now is the time for Speaker Boehner to follow their lead.

"I am inspired today by the DC residents who are stepping up and making their voices heard at the protest outside of the Speaker's office. Despite lacking representation in Congress, community leaders and residents are taking democracy into their own hands by calling on Speaker Boehner to extend the middle class tax cuts now.

"Extending the middle class tax cuts and investing in job creation will help keep our economic recovery going, which is the best way to reduce the deficit in the long run. We urge both the President and Congress to reach an agreement that strengthens the middle class by extending the middle class tax cuts, investing in jobs and protecting Medicaid, Medicare and vital services."