Press Release: Progressive 100 Days Town Hall Celebrating Movement Wins
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2021
CONTACT:
Parker Breza, 612-383-9555, parker@progressivecaucuscenter.org
Jessica Juarez Scruggs, 206-321-0803, jessica@progressivecaucuscenter.org
Progressives Celebrate Movement Wins in First 100 Days, Time For Biden & Congress to Go Bold, Eliminate Filibuster
Virtual town hall with special guests including Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Rep. Marie Newman (IL-03), LaTosha Brown (Black Voters Matter Action Fund), Maurice Mitchell (Working Families Party), Nsé Ufot (New Georgia Project Action Fund), Ai-jen Poo (Care In Action), and more.
WASHINGTON – This afternoon, community leaders, grassroots organizers, and special guest members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, took stock of the wins during the first 100 days of the Biden Administration. The event celebrated the years of community organizing that made these wins possible.
Organizers laid out a progressive agenda in key policy areas, detailing the path toward a just and equitable recovery, while members of Congress explained their legislative plans to tackle long term crises facing working families. Advocates further underscored the urgency for Biden and Congress to meet the moment with bolder policies that transform people’s lives. “We can’t let a bureaucratic loophole like the Jim Crow Filibuster stand in the way of what our communities need.” said Alan Barber, policy director of the Progressive Caucus Action Fund.
Quotes from special guests featured below. The nonprofit leaders featured below are available for further comment by request. Policy experts from the Progressive Caucus Action Fund are available for interviews and comment.
A companion report, When We Organize, We Win: Movement Leaders Celebrate Progressive Wins in the First 100 Days, evaluates key progressive policy wins in the first 100 days with stories from more than 35 grassroots organizers on the frontline of multiple movements including video interviews with grassroots leaders. Access the full report here.
The full livestream broadcast is available on the Progressive Caucus Action Fund’s Facebook page. Selected quotes from panelists and speakers include:
Alan Barber, Policy Director of Progressive Caucus Action Fund: “In the first one hundred days of the Biden Administration and the new Congress, people-led movements fought for and won historic relief in the American Rescue Plan and executive actions to improve the lives of working families. As we pass the milestone of the first one hundred days, we celebrate the people all across the country who made these wins possible. When we join together––Black, white, brown, Indigenous, and Asian—to demand a government that works for all of us, we’re unstoppable. And we’re just getting started!”
Maurice Mitchell, National Director of the Working Families Party: “We are going from defense to offense and demanding this administration meet our crises at scale to change the material conditions of the people. The next four years is about building a movement and transforming society by saving our planet from climate change and people from racism and economic inequality.”
LaTosha Brown,Co-Founder & Executive Director of Black Voters Matter Action Fund: "Progressive moves are shaping a new path toward creating democracy in this county. The recent backlash that we are experiencing is because we are making progress. Despite this, we will build an inclusive, equitable and just nation because, when we work together we win!”
Nsé Ufot, CEO of New Georgia Project & New Georgia Project Action Fund: "Our civil rights are under attack and we need the federal government to step up. When we discuss how to build a more representative democracy, and the barriers to full participation in public life, we cannot ignore the procedural weapon of choice: the filibuster. We cannot allow this tool to continue to be used to thwart our country’s progress. To truly protect our democracy, we must put an end to voter suppression and do everything in our power to see legislation like HR1 and HR4 become law— and that includes abolishing the filibuster."
Ai-jen Poo, senior advisor to Care in Action: "Caregivers, domestic workers, women of color, and immigrant women worked together to build power and we are being heard. White House leaders agree that investments in the care infrastructure are critical to our economic recovery. We're going to continue organizing to ensure Congress does their job and delivers on a just and equitable economic recovery plan that centers working people."
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07): "From progressive executive actions to the historic American Rescue Plan that put money in people's pockets and shots in their arms, these first 100 days proved that people of all parties support us when we enact bold, populist policies that deliver for them and make a real impact in their lives. We must keep this lesson at the forefront as we craft the next proposals so we once again deliver for workers, families, and communities throughout America."
Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06): “It is an honor to participate in the Progressive Caucus Action Fund’s digital town hall. I’m thrilled to salute the work that organizers across the country have done to help families, and I’m proud to stand with them in celebrating important wins in the first 100 days of the Biden administration. I look forward to continuing to champion policies that move our nation forward, and build a brighter and more equitable future.”
Rep. Marie Newman (IL-03): "Over the past 100 days, progressives in Congress have hit the ground running by passing the historic American Rescue Plan, a bold COVID-19 relief package that not only met the enormity of the challenges we were facing by kickstarting a national vaccine campaign but also by truly lifting up our local economy through supports for small businesses and workers, as well as for families through the monumental child tax credit reforms. On top of that, we've continued to build on our progressive promises in the House by passing everything from police reform in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the expansion of voting rights in the For the People Act and the protection of unions in the PRO Act. From ending Trump's Muslim ban on day one to his announcement to end U.S. military occupation of Afghanistan by this fall, policies that progressives have been fighting years for have finally taken shape with President Biden in the White House — however, we have much more work to do. We will continue fighting to create a more just, equitable nation, and that starts by passing Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage and so many more progressive, popular policies that could become law tomorrow if Congress did the right thing and abolished the filibuster."
The full livestream broadcast is available on the Progressive Caucus Action Fund’s Facebook page. A full recording is available here.
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The Progressive Caucus Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that is working across the progressive movement to unite stakeholders around common goals, build infrastructure, secure real policy wins, and amplify the successes of progressive champions nationwide.