Campaign for America’s Future Urges GOP Congressional Leaders to Stop Sabotaging the Economy

Washington , DC -- As the U.S. Senate prepares to vote this week on an extension of payroll tax cuts that are set to expire at the end of the year, the Campaign for America’s Future is urging supporters to contact Republican Congressional leaders to demand that the payroll tax cuts are renewed and that unemployment insurance is extended. They charge that Republicans are threatening to block the few efforts on the table to improve the economy for the middle class and for working people.

Roger Hickey, co-director of the Campaign for America’s Future said, “Republicans have slashed public investment and blocked the President's American Jobs Act. With 14 million Americans officially unemployed and many millions more having given up finding jobs, you would think Republicans would support two measures they have backed in the past that would help middle class Americans. But will they?

“It’s time to demand they vote to extend unemployment benefits – one of the most effective ways to put money in the pockets of people who will certainly spend it, spurring employers to hire more people,” said Hickey. “And many Republicans are arguing against extending the payroll tax cut that provides at least some cushion to the strapped middle class. But they are continuing to demand more tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.”

The Campaign for America’s Future is asking our supporters to contact Senators and Members of Congress and ask them to “Stop sabotaging the economy.”

Hickey noted that the temporary payroll tax cut is far from a magic elixir to heal the economy. What is really needed is massive investment in infrastructure, clean energy, education and youth job initiatives. And, he said, we need millionaires and billionaires to contribute their fair share, with higher income taxes and financial transaction taxes.

Here is the petition that the Campaign for America’s Future is asking activists to send to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner:

Stop Sabotaging The Economy
We the undersigned urge Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to quit trying to sabotage the economy, and support the extension of the temporary payroll tax cut and long-term unemployment insurance without spending cuts that would negate the stimulative effects. This is the bare minimum Congress can do to keep the economy from sinking into a double-dip recession. Already, you have sought to sabotage the economy for political reasons, by blocking the American Jobs Act and cutting critical public investments. It is long past time to put politics aside and put jobs first.