Statement by Anna Burger, Chair of Change to Win, on the President’s State of the Union Address

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 23, 2007

CONTACT: TJ Michels
(202) 721-6061
tj.michels@changetowin.org

“In today’s rapidly changing global economy, fewer and fewer workers believe they can achieve the American Dream, and they worry even more for their children. But during tonight’s state of the union, they didn’t hear President Bush address their state of concern on issues like stagnant wages and retirement security.

“The President acknowledged skyrocketing health care costs, another reason the Dream is slipping away for so many working families. But our health care system is broken. The President’s plan to penalize the shrinking number of Americans fortunate enough to have insurance won’t contain costs or expand coverage. We need fundamental reform so every man, woman and child has access to the quality, affordable health care they need.

“We are encouraged by the President’s renewed call for Congress to pass meaningful immigration reform. The seven major unions in Change to Win support a realistic and comprehensive solution that provides a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million hardworking, taxpaying immigrants in this country.

“However, we see the recent ICE raids at meatpacking facilities across the country counter to the President’s words tonight. And at a time when Americans are engaged in a serious dialogue about our broken immigration system, the Bush Administration’s own trade policies would do nothing to stem the flow of illegal immigration.

“We urge President Bush and the new Congress to get serious about restoring the American Dream. That means forging real solutions on health care, immigration, retirement and jobs.”