That’s because the labor federation’s chief, Richard Trumka, and business lobby’s CEO, Thomas J. Donahue, are reportedly working on ways to translate their words into joint lobbying of lawmakers to follow their lead.
“America\'s working families and business community stand united in applauding President (Barack) Obama\'s call to create jobs and grow our economy through investment in our nation\'s infrastructure,” their joint statement, the day after Obama’s State of the Union address, said.
In his speech, Obama reiterated his call for Congress to approve infrastructure projects, both traditional – roads and bridges – and untraditional – broadband development and clean energy. Trumka and Donahue agreed with him.
"Whether it is building roads, bridges, high-speed broadband, energy systems and schools, these projects not only create jobs and demand for businesses, they are an investment in building the modern infrastructure our country needs to compete in a global economy.
“With the Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO standing together to support job creation, we hope Democrats and Republicans in Congress will also join together to build America’s infrastructure,” they concluded.
The Chamber spoke out for infrastructure before, notably in a forum of progressive activists in Washington just before Obama’s inauguration. After Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., showed a picture of the collapsed I-35 bridge and argued for infrastructure investments, the chamber’s rep stood up and said in essence, “We agree.”
Since then, the business lobby has not had members contact lawmakers about infrastructure. Unions, led by the Laborers and the AFL-CIO Building Trades Department, have. The Laborers also made infrastructure support a 2010 campaign cause in key swing states.
News reports say this time, the AFL-CIO and the Chamber are discussing a joint public campaign for infrastructure spending. That may be an uphill battle given the anti-everything attitudes of the new “Tea Party” contingent in Congress. Nevertheless the groups have started talking, after a fashion: “Tweets” on infrastructure from AFL-CIO communications specialist Eddie Vale to and from his Chamber counterpart.
This article was written by Press Associates, Inc., news service. Used by permission.
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That’s because the labor federation’s chief, Richard Trumka, and business lobby’s CEO, Thomas J. Donahue, are reportedly working on ways to translate their words into joint lobbying of lawmakers to follow their lead.
“America\’s working families and business community stand united in applauding President (Barack) Obama\’s call to create jobs and grow our economy through investment in our nation\’s infrastructure,” their joint statement, the day after Obama’s State of the Union address, said.
In his speech, Obama reiterated his call for Congress to approve infrastructure projects, both traditional – roads and bridges – and untraditional – broadband development and clean energy. Trumka and Donahue agreed with him.
"Whether it is building roads, bridges, high-speed broadband, energy systems and schools, these projects not only create jobs and demand for businesses, they are an investment in building the modern infrastructure our country needs to compete in a global economy.
“With the Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO standing together to support job creation, we hope Democrats and Republicans in Congress will also join together to build America’s infrastructure,” they concluded.
The Chamber spoke out for infrastructure before, notably in a forum of progressive activists in Washington just before Obama’s inauguration. After Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., showed a picture of the collapsed I-35 bridge and argued for infrastructure investments, the chamber’s rep stood up and said in essence, “We agree.”
Since then, the business lobby has not had members contact lawmakers about infrastructure. Unions, led by the Laborers and the AFL-CIO Building Trades Department, have. The Laborers also made infrastructure support a 2010 campaign cause in key swing states.
News reports say this time, the AFL-CIO and the Chamber are discussing a joint public campaign for infrastructure spending. That may be an uphill battle given the anti-everything attitudes of the new “Tea Party” contingent in Congress. Nevertheless the groups have started talking, after a fashion: “Tweets” on infrastructure from AFL-CIO communications specialist Eddie Vale to and from his Chamber counterpart.
This article was written by Press Associates, Inc., news service. Used by permission.