September, 23 2017, 09:15am EDT
60 Members of Congress Sign on to People's Platform
Groups Release Congressional Scorecard for Progressive Legislations
WASHINGTON
On Friday Our Revolution along with more than a dozen partners released their Congressional scorecard touting 25 progressive champions in the House of Representatives. During the August recess, Summer for Progress supporters called, emailed, and delivered petitions to House Member's district offices. The 25 champions all support at least 6 of the 8 bills in the People's Platform, eight bills that directly address the needs of working and middle class families. In the first week of the Summer for Progress, 16 House Democrats signed on to bills in the People's Platform. In total more than 60 Members of Congress signed on to at least one bill as a result of this summer's actions.
For a full list on where every Democratic Member of Congress stands visit: https://summerforprogress.com/scorecard.
"We're thrilled that the progressive voices of the people have been heard this summer and more than 60 new cosponsors have been added to the targeted 8 bills of the Summer for Progress," said Shannon Jackson, Our Revolution Executive Director. "Our leaders need to stand up for everyday Americans by addressing a platform that speaks to their immediate needs. We know that there are more Members in the House who support raising the minimum wage, combatting climate change, and taxing Wall Street. While the summer is over, our work to get all Democratic Members to sign onto these bills will continue."
"Members of Congress must do more than just resist Trump's reactionary agenda," stated Mark Schlosberg, Organizing Co-Director for Food & Water Watch/ Food & Water Action Fund.
"To really transform our politics and build the society we want to live in, Members of Congress must support bold progressive policies like Medicare for all, voting rights, criminal justice reform, and measures to stop dirty energy projects and rapidly move America off of fossil fuels. The Summer of Progress moved the ball forward, and we need to continue to urge all Members of Congress to support these priorities."
People across the country flooded their Members of Congress offices urging them to support the bills in the People's Platform and continue to fight for issues like raising the minimum wage, Medicare for All, and ending private prisons when they returned to work. People's platform supporters met with 23 Members of Congress and held more than 100 petition delivery events in district offices.
"The grassroots interest around these bills is palpable, and we look forward to our PDA Members continuing to build even more support within congress over the upcoming months," added MikeFox, Associate Director for Progressive Democrats Of America.
Before Congress left for August recess, Our Revolution launched theSummer for Progress' "People's Platform," a grassroots initiative asking Democratic House Members to support legislation that puts people over profits and gives ordinary Americans a seat at the table. The Summer for Progress kicked off with a press conference in front of the Capitol with Representatives Tulsi Gabbard, Raul Grijalva, Keith Ellison, and Pramila Jayapal, and Our Revolution President Nina Turner. Following the launch, attendees, led by Turner, delivered more than 115,000 supporter petitions to the DNC, urging House Democrats to cosponsor eight progressive bills.
The #PeoplesPlatform asks House Democrats to cosponsor the following bills:
Health Care for All: H.R. 676 Medicare For All Act, introduced by Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich).
College for All: H.R. 1880 College for All Act of 2017, introduced by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)
Workers' Rights: H.R.15 - Raise the Wage Act, introduced by Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Keith Ellison (D-MN).
Women's Reproductive Rights: H.R.771 - Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act of 2017, introduced by Rep. Lee, Barbara (D-CA).
Voting Rights: H.R.2840 - Automatic Voter Registration Act, introduced by Rep. Cicilline, David N. (D-RI).
Criminal Justice and Immigrant Rights: Justice is Not For Sale Act of 2017, introduced by Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.)
Tax on Wall Street: H.R. 1144 - Inclusive Prosperity Act, introduced by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN).
Protecting the Environment: H.R. 2242 - Keep It in the Ground Act, introduced by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA)
Our Revolution will reclaim democracy for the working people of our country by harnessing the transformative energy of the "political revolution." Through supporting a new generation of progressive leaders, empowering millions to fight for progressive change and elevating the political consciousness, Our Revolution will transform American politics to make our political and economic systems once again responsive to the needs of working families. Our Revolution has three intertwined goals: to revitalize American democracy, empower progressive leaders and elevate the political consciousness.
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