Progressives pressure Congress to pass stimulus

[babylonsister]

Progressives pressure Congress to pass stimulus
By Reid Wilson
Posted: 12/18/08 12:01 PM


Nearly two-dozen major progressive organizations are joining forces for a multi-million-dollar campaign aimed at pressuring Congress to pass President-elect Obama's economic stimulus package in the first hours of his administration.

The effort, dubbed the Campaign for Jobs and Economic Recovery Now, kicks off today with roughly 45 events around the country headed by major unions, healthcare and environmental advocates and liberal organizations.

Organizers estimate the 22 groups would pull together between $4.5 million and $5 million for a nationwide paid media campaign.

The groups won't push for specific measures to be included in the bill, instead calling for quick action on the broader bill that results in a landslide vote.

"In my lifetime, certainly, we've never seen an economy in free-fall as it is now," said Dean Baker, co-president of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. "Sector after sector of the economy is just seeing an unprecedented decline."

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http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/progressives-pressure-congress-to-pass-stimulus-package-2008-12-18.html