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Statement

Statement by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director of MomsRising, on the Fiscal Cliff vote in the Senate

January 1, 2013

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

"Early this morning the Senate listened to voices of millions of mothers and families and passed legislation that makes the wealthiest in this country pay their fair share, ensures families across this country will continue to benefit from important tax credits like the EITC and the Child Tax Credit, protects vital programs like unemployment insurance. We are grateful that Medicaid was not cut in this process. While we didn't get everything we advocated for, on the whole this is a victory for Mom Power. We urge the House to act today without delay on this legislation.
 
"For the past few months, MomsRising members spoke clearly urging Congress to not raise taxes on moms and families in order to protect Bush-era tax breaks for millionaires and to prevent drastic cuts to healthcare, education, and critical economic security and safety net programs. MomsRising has been taking action and making the voices of our more than one million members heard through multiple avenues, including: in-district deliveries in nearly 40 states of personal stories from MomsRising members about how the fiscal cliff will impact them; deliveries to congressional offices in Washington, D.C. of hundreds of stories about the financial burdens facing moms and dads across the United States; as well as thousands of signatures on petitions calling on Congress to end the Bush-era tax cuts for the very wealthy; and more.
 
"While this is an important victory, and a promising start to the New Year, MomsRising will keep working to ensure that the budget is not balanced on the backs of children and families. In two months, Congress must act again and MomsRising will continue fighting to protect Medicaid, food assistance, education, housing, and other programs that are critical to our nation's families. This was one step in holding off devastating cuts. We have a long road before us. We urge the administration and Congress to prioritize the needs of children and families every step of the way."
 

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.