In this potentially pivotal week determining the fate of health care reform legislation pending in Congress, I urge you to check out the Online Action Bulletin from the HIV PJA co-convenor, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, (see below)and take action TODAY to ensure passage of health care reform legislation.

The Blair House Project

Prevent a Horror-Movie Ending: Pass Health Reform

NOW

Healthcare advocates expect excessively shaky camera work at Thursday’s high-stakes meetings, to be held at the Blair House in Washington. Will our leaders break the political impasse to bring about real health care reform? Or will they sentence lifesaving legislation to permanent banishment in the woods?

During Thursday’s nationally televised summit on health reform, President Obama and congressional leaders must chart a course out of the political thicket obstructing final passage for health reform legislation. The hopes of tens of millions of uninsured Americans-and tens of millions more who will surely lose affordable coverage-rests in the outcome of this meeting.

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Contact Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid NOW and urge them to do whatever it takes to pass comprehensive health reform through budget reconciliation.

• Call them-and your own members of Congress toll-free at: 1 (800) 828-0498.

• Go to www.congress.org to find out who represents you.
• 
In addition, call the White House comment line 1(202) 456-1414 NOW and leave this message: “The President must exert strong leadership to achieve final passage of health reform through budget reconciliation. Starting over is not a path that will result in a strong bill. Finish the job now.”

The time to pass health reform legislation is now.

Government leaders must hear from constituents that allowing health reform to disappear into the woodwork of the historic (haunted?) Blair House mansion is an ending no one wants to see. Make your calls now!

If you have a moment, take some time to read this great blog post from Politico on the relationship of President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Reid.

As we press on through the legislative season, and especially throughout the next week, you will see this relationship either increase with tention or they will start learning how to work better together. Issues like Healthcare, transportation, and the Environment are hot to trot, and if these two can’t get it together, then the government will continue to not report progress.

Harry Reid, President Obama bound by necessity – Carol E. Lee – POLITICO.com.

This site is your portal to keeping tabs on your Congress. Find out the actual text of bills, what they plan to discuss each week, and so much more at your fingertips.

Search the Congressional Record.

Each week we will continue our sharing of an additional resource that you can use to keep tabs on your government and ensure they are working for you.

Take a look at this video, and post your comments to weigh in. Was this a good move on the part of the government? What else can the President do, in your oppinion, to trim the spending of the federal government?

Those interested in the national debate on Transportation funding should take a look at the US DOT’s Tiger Grant awards, revealed today. “DOT’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery discretionary grant program is a crucial part of the Recovery Act. We’re trying to help build high-priority innovative transportation projects that were difficult to fund through traditional programs–projects that create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and help develop livable communities.”

Read the full details of the DOT’s commitment to creating livable comunities at http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/02/on-recovery-acts-anniversary-american-communities-welcome-tiger-grants.html

Feel free to leave us your thoughts on this program in the comments.

Washington DC. 2010NB G1NBC National Center

Keeping an eye on the capital, engaging the public, and promoting our affiliates.

Action Center: Get involved with your local politicians. Find out how to get involved in the health debate while your reps are back in your district.

Health, Environment, and Transportation: See various posts that highlight the challenges we are currently debating at the national level.

Featured Affiliate: From time to time, our affiliates get some great political coverage on our national reps. Check out the local perspectives.

Want something not in the works, let us know at national.g1nbc@gmail.com

Thanks,

Jeremy Grandstaff

G1NBC National Director