Second Round of TV Ads to Launch Leading Up ToNational Day of Action December 10^th with Nationwide Events Planned

December 7, 2012

Washington, DC –The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the National Education Association (NEA) continued to mount a major campaign to protect Medicare, Medicaid and education with a second round of television ads in Virginia, Missouri, Ohio and Montana launched today.  

The new ads are part of a significant six figure television buy that urge Virginia Senator Mark Warner, Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, Montana Representative Denny Rehberg and Ohio Representative Pat Tiberi to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and education.

AFSCME, SEIU and NEA along with the AFL-CIO and over two dozen organizations have made thousands of phone calls, held dozens of events throughout the country and have planned hundreds of events for a National Day of Action on December 10.  From Maine to California, people will gather to further pressure Congress to pass a deal for all Americans that balances the budget and ensures Medicare, Medicaid and educationfunding remain intact.

“The formula for success to meet the important series of deadlines in Congress is simple: protect the very foundation of financial security hard working Americans depend upon, and ask the wealthiest 2% to pay their fair share of taxes,” said Chuck Loveless, AFSCME Federal Government AffairsDirector.  “Cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid would put the well-being of millions of families and children at stake. Congress needs to pull together and pass a deal for all Americans, protect vital services and put us further down the path to prosperity.”

“As negotiations progress, it's important that we continue to communicate to all Members of Congress that any cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security which impact our seniors and hospitals are unacceptable components of a final budget deal,” said Peter Colavito, SEIU Director of Government Relations.

“These ads use a little humor to make a very serious point: the programs millions of middle class Americans depend on – Medicare and Medicaid – are in danger of being sacrificed for tax cuts that have done nothing to generate jobs or grow the economy and that the wealthy do not need," said Mary Kusler, NEA director of government relations.  "'Protect the Middle Class' is not just a campaign slogan.  The election is over – it's time for our senators and representatives to demonstrate real leadership and keep working families, seniors and students front and center in their minds during these critical negotiations."

“Cuts” is the second TV spot that will run in Virginia, Missouri, Montana and Ohio. Copies of the ad can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqPmFco1eH4&feature=youtu.be