The Progressive Caucus Budget

We hear a lot about Ryan's budget and the President's budget but we're not hearing very much about the Congressional Progressive Caucus Budget which appears to be more in line with what the average middle class American wants and needs. What's up with that?

Author:
Sharon Kyle
Publish date:
Apr 13, 2011

Don't Know About the People's Budget? Never Heard of It? What's Up with That?

We hear a lot about Congressman Ryan's budget and the President's budget but we're not hearing very much about the Congressional Progressive Caucus Budget, which appears to be more in line with what the average middle class American wants and needs. What's up with that?

The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) has come up with a budget that addresses the deficit and more. The key points addressed in their budget are a mirror reflection of what people are saying they need. Their proposal:

Eliminates the deficits and creates a surplus by 2021
Puts America back to work with a “Make it in America” jobs program
Protects the social safety net
Ends the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
Is FAIR (Fixing America’s Inequality Responsibly)

And here is what the Congressional Progressive Caucus Budget accomplishes:

Primary budget balance by 2014.
Budget surplus by 2021.
Reduces public debt as a share of GDP to 64.1% by 2021, down 16.5 percentage points from
a baseline fully adjusted for both the doc fix and the AMT patch.
Reduces deficits by $5.6 trillion over 2012-21, relative to this adjusted baseline.
Outlays equal to 22.2% of GDP and revenue equal 22.3% of GDP by 2021.

Why aren't we hearing more about this? Are you supporting those congressional representatives that prepared this budget. Many people don't realize that they can support these candidates even if they don't live in their districts. You can simply drop them a note to say thanks or even send them a donation and then you can ask your own congressional rep why he or she isn't doing more for you. (Scroll down to see the list of the 77 Representatives that support this budget).

For more on what the Progressive Caucus is calling "The People's Budget", click this link. We are all affected by the decisions made by so few. Please join us in staying informed and then taking action. Here is a list of the congressional representatives who are members of the CPC.

I've posted a link to each of the Progressive Caucus members official websites below. But you can also contact the caucus leaders by clicking here.

Alan Grayson was an outspoken progressive representative in Florida. He made several statements on the floor that were recorded and went viral on YouTube. Here's a sample:

Well, he lost his bid for reelection and is no longer in Congress. Not having his strong voice there hurts all progressives. That means we have one less voice on the side of the People. Corporations and the well-heeled already have their list. We saw that when Governor Scott Walker spent 20 minutes on the phone talking to the David Koch impersonator.

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