After endless weeks of watching Congress bicker and storm out of negotiations, the words of the immortal pigeon in Mo Willem's children's book echoes in my mind...

"LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!"

Because after that whole crazy ride, we have arrived at a debt ceiling deal that does not come close to reflecting the priorities of America's families.

Unfortunately, the ride isn't over yet.

The debt deal provides that a new Congressional super committee will be appointed by Congress to propose additional deficit reduction measures, including cuts to programs, over the next ten years.  It’s critically important that there are "good drivers" on the soon-to-be-formed super committee who put the needs of working families first.

*Urge Congress to appoint legislators to serve on the super committee who will stand up for families on Main Street, not just bankers on Wall Street -- and, while you're at it, tell Congress what you'd do if you were in the driver's seat:

http://action.momsrising.org/sign/drivebus4/

Why should we weigh in with Congress about the debt deal now?

• Because the debate about our nation's economic policy is far from over and the public response to this debt deal will define how Congress addresses our nation's economic problems in the coming months and years.  Moreover, the debt deal provides that a new Congressional "super committee" will be appointed by Congress to propose additional deficit reduction measures, including cuts to programs, over the next ten years.  We need to make sure this committee puts the interests of families on Main Street first. [1]

• And because your voices make a difference!  The bright spot in the debt ceiling deal is that MomsRising members helped to secure a provision in the debt ceiling agreement that protects Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security in the event of automatic cuts to the budget.  Officials at the White House personally told us that the more than 100,000 letters you sent to Congress in support of Medicaid, along with the hundreds of personal stories MomsRising members shared with Congress, the media, and the White House, and so much more, demonstrated to the people sitting around the negotiating table that there are many voters who care deeply about Medicaid.

So this is no time to let up on the fight.  We need to be creating paths to the middle class, not dismantling the middle class one American family at a time.

*Don't forget to urge Congress to appoint legislators to serve on the super committee who will stand up for families on Main Street, not just bankers on Wall Street -- and, while you're at it, tell Congress what you'd do if you were in the driver's seat!

http://action.momsrising.org/sign/drivebus4/

Together, we'll stand up for good jobs and fair economic policies that give us, and our children, all a shot at the American dream.  Please also take a moment now to forward this email to friends and family--and post on Facebook--so they too can help "drive the bus."

Thank you for everything you do for America's families.

P.S.  And welcome back Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords!

[1] http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/27/news/la-pn-boehner-reid-debt-20110727