Progressives Mobilize to Protect Federal Nutrition Programs

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. - June 13, 2013 - PRLog -- Who: Americans led by Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) and allies
What: Emergency Actions and “Educate Congress” re: Pending Cuts to Nutrition Programs
Where: Capitol Hill and District offices of Senators and Representatives across the USA.
When: Noon-time Monday, June 17th and Wednesday, June 19, 2013.

Contacts:    PDA National Director Tim Carpenter tim@pdamerica.org 413-320-2015
                     PDA Deputy Field Director Andrea Miller andrea@pdamerica.org 443-878-2071

Washington, DC—PDA National Director Tim Carpenter said, “It’s a disgrace that the Congress would even contemplate hurting 50 million Americans—including children, the elderly, even war veterans—by slashing the highly successful Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Aid averages about $1.50 per person per meal. The House Farm Bill would cut $20.5 billion from Nutrition Assistance. PDA supporters and allies will hold emergency events at key offices, drop letters, and meet with congress members and staffers to explain these facts.”

Carpenter explained, “In addition to the 250 plus Educate Letter Drops planned, PDA and allies have scheduled emergency to engage Deputy Senate Majority Leader Richard Durbin (Illinois), Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (California), House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Ranking Energy and Commerce Committee Member Henry Waxman (both from California), as well as House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (Maryland), and DNC Chair, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (Florida).”

Carpenter added, “We launched this Educate Congress campaign three years ago—before the tea party, and before the Occupy movement. The Campaign has focused on sound, progressive economic and budgetary policies, ending the war in Afghanistan, protecting voting rights, as well as guaranteeing political rights for people—not corporations—via Constitutional Amendment. We’re building a powerful movement for peace, fairness, and economic / social justice. So far, more than 3,800 PDA supporters and allies have sent more than 13,000 messages to 523 Senators and Representatives, demanding they vote against any Farm Bill that contains cuts to SNAP. In May, we reached more than 250 congressional offices in districts and on Capitol Hill. This month, we hope to exceed that number.”

Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to reform the Democratic Party and restore its focus on principles including: economic and social justice; environmental protection; healthcare as a human right; ending corporate rule; clean, fair, transparent elections; fair—not "free"—trade; equality for all; and ending wars and occupations.  See: http://www.pdamerica.org/

Contacts:    PDA National Director Tim Carpenter tim@pdamerica.org 413-320-2015
      PDA Deputy Field Director Andrea Miller andrea@pdamerica.org 443-878-2071

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